September had wings

September has flown by for me!  My family moved this month.  It's definitely not easy to move six people, livestock and all the equipment in under thirty days.  But we pulled together and got it done.  School started for me September 3rd.  My junior year is now in full swing.  I'm looking forward to wrestling season starting in November. 
Bloomsburg Fair was a blast!  I took the week and stayed at the fair with my goats.  It was great to see so many other 4-Hers exhibiting their projects and visiting with old friends.

Fall Fun

Hello there,

Can you believe that fall is here? It has finally come, numerous fairs, are in the air and the fair season is starting to wind down. The month of September seems to have flown by. I had a lot of fun attending the Denver and Bloomsburg Fairs. I showed at the Denver Fair and placed very well with my animals. I had a lot of fun and met a couple of new people and made some new friends.

Next I attended the 4-H and Extension Tailgate.. While at the tailgate I got to speak with the people that fund the program and also other 4-H members that were there to talk about their projects. It was neat to see what they learn about from 4-H and what kind of interests that they have in the 4-H program.

I attended the Schuylkill County 4-H development board meeting and learned how they make 4-H possible throughout my County. I had a lot of fun learning,  I never knew how much behind the scenes work is needed to be done to make the program work for the year.

Then I was off to boro days in Schuylkill Haven. At boro days I was there educating the public about 4-H. I also brought a rabbit along for the kids to play with and to teach them about rabbits. There I met our county fairs royalty for 2013 they were very interested in learning about the program. It was interesting to learn about how they promote events too.

That night I attended the Bloomsburg Fair. I was very surprised how big the fair is when I was there I met up with Wyett and asked him how the fair went for him. I walked around the fairground soaking in all the sites (this fair was really big compared to the fairs that I usually attend). I found out for next year how I could show at the fair and I got all set up for next year.

KILE is upon us right now and I cannot wait to attend New Holland Farmers Fair and the Manheim Community Farm Show hope to see you there

Brendin Freeman

Council Representative

And so it begins...

Hey Everybody!
It's Lydia, your State Council Secretary! So, it has begun...the time of year where everything begins to get well...for lack of a better word, crazy! School is in full swing, 4-H is getting busy with different projects, and lets face it; we don't know how we are going to do it all. Well, here are some of the ways that I deal with all of the madness.
1. I find my outlet. Whether it be running around, or just hanging out with friends, I make sure that when I begin to feel stressed I just make time for the things that calm me down.
2. Prioritize. Don't spread yourself to thin. Just because you feel like you should do something, doesn't mean that it is the best decision for you to do it. Now, that doesn't mean that you should just not do things because you don't feel like it, but it means that you shouldn't spread yourself to thin with your activities.
3. Don't sweat about it. Make sure you are always happy, and relaxed. This is always the hardest for me to do. I have to breathe and relax and make sure that I can do everything that I need to do.

So, don't sweat the little things, find your outlet, and prioritize. and you will have a great time!

Signing off,
Lydia Lion
State Council Secretary

How the time flies!

Hello again PA 4-H!

We have all successfully made it through our first month of school! I remember the very first day of kindergarten and how scared I was to begin the next step of my journey. Now, here I am, a senior in high school, making some of the toughest decisions of my life.

It seems like just yesterday it was summer and now here we are with only 8 months of school left. I know for me, my years in high school and in 4-H are slowly drawing to a close. The end seems like it is just around the corner, but along with it comes a whole new journey.

The college calls, visits, and applications are beginning and the stress of senior year is sinking in, but I know that soon all these stressful choices will end. State council has been giving me a pleasant break from school. I am so excited to go to Farm City Day as an official council member. This is my first full event with the council team and I can't wait to see how it goes.

So when thinking about how life just seems to be passing you by, don't look ahead for what is coming next. Focus on today and let tomorrow's worries happen tomorrow. The time may be flying, but we shouldn't rush it. Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment we are in!

I can't wait to tell you about my journey through October!
Signing off for today,
Kaitlin Rogers
Vice President of Events

Fall Is Here!

Hey Everyone!

September has come and gone and we are finally approaching hoodie weather. Which also means I get to bust out my favorite excuse for getting some Starbucks coffee... Its cold outside!

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and not just because of the hoodies and the coffee, although those are undeniably awesome. I love fall because fall signifies the start of some pretty amazing things. Like for instance, 4-H.

My local 4-H club had our first meeting this month. We elected officers, which is always exciting. We used proper Parli Pro this year, which is something we haven't done in the past. It was a little tough for some of our younger members, but they did a wonderful job getting the positions nominated and seconding the motions and what-not. I was chosen for the Secretary/Historian of our club. I get to take notes and pictures!

Right now we're deciding on our projects for the year. We might be building bulletin boards, and I really hope we do. I'm always looking for a way to exercise my creative side and making a cool board to hang in my room and keep little notes on will definitely be a plus.

We also filled out some forms for our local awards recognition dinner which is coming up in November. I can't wait to see how that turns out!

On a more scholarly note, school has been picking up and with it, my homework load. I was looking at my stack of homework yesterday and trying to decide if it was two inches tall or just one, when I was struck by a thought. Fall isn't just about the beginning of hoodie weather and believable excuses to go to Starbucks. It's also about staying inside and doing homework instead of dancing with the leaves. So, even though I'd rather be sipping apple cider next to a raging bonfire, I've got to go make a dent in that stack of papers.

'Till October
Amber J Pound
2013/2014 State Council
Historian

Thank you, Mr. Rahmer

“I came back this year to prove a point. I can still win and run as good as anybody. I'm not going out on their terms, I'm going out on my terms.”

“I don't look at a racing paper or the internet. I don't need critics. I'm my own critic. I don't need approval or disapproval. I know when things are my fault. I'm my own toughest critic. It's the only way I know. If people don't think racing is mentally draining, they aren't a competitive person.”

 “The only reason this happens is because of the great people I've been around. I've enjoyed racing for a lot of great owners, a lot of great mechanics and people that have been around the car.”

“I just never gave up, and that's what I'm trying to teach my boys. I never quit and that has paid off.”

-Fred “Fast Freddie” Rahmer

 

Hello Everyone!

Whenever a living legend retires from his or her sport, it is always a big deal. It’s even bigger to you personally when that person is your favorite athlete. I am a sprint car racing fan. My favorite driver is Fred “Fast Freddie” Rahmer, and he is hanging up his helmet.

With more than 500 career wins and 25 track championships, the Salfordville, PA ace has nothing left to prove. He is arguably the best driver in Central Pennsylvania history. He was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2009. This season he is going out in style with 55 top-10 finishes and six wins in 60 starts as of the time I am writing this. He has also claimed his 11^th Lincoln Speedway championship and is fighting for a 9th Williams Grove Speedway championship.

Sometimes called the “Flyin’ Fossil”, Rahmer is definitely past the age where most drivers would have retired. People have been saying for years that he is washed up and past his prime, and you might have believed that if you looked at his 2012 season. He left the high-profile CJB Motorsports team late into the unsuccessful year, and people were thinking that it was the end. Not true. He joined a low budget team owned by Rob Sell, a team that had never won a race. It seems like there couldn’t have been a better match.  Now in 2013, Rahmer is proving he can still race as well as anyone. He has the best consistency of any driver in PA, and another championship or two is the icing on the cake. Now that he has proved his point, he wishes to quietly go off into the sunset. The legend is retiring on his own terms.

I know what you’re thinking: So what? Numbers are only numbers, right? It’s how a person is off the track that makes a champion. This is true, and I’m happy to say that the biggest reason that I am a Fast Freddie Rahmer fan is that he is a class act on and off the race track. He will always take time to talk with fans. I was lucky enough to talk to Fred before I left for college in August. I shook his hand, and thanked him for many years of great racing. He asked me about college and, just like he does with every fan, he made me feel important.

We can learn a lot by looking at Rahmer’s career. He was old school. Any lucky breaks he had came because he created them. On the track he raced hard but clean, and he was known for putting the car in places where no one else would go. He didn’t always have the fastest car, but he made up for that with tenacity and a will to win. In the journey of life, you can’t expect to be handed opportunities, you have to work for them. Treat others with the respect they deserve, but don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone to get the job done. Don’t make excuses, and hold yourself to a high standard.

Whenever you feel discouraged and knocked down, look at the above quotes. They are simple, basic thoughts that anyone can live by. It doesn’t matter if you are a sprint car driver, a student, or an officer in your club, strive to be the best you can be.  Going to the races won’t be the same without cheering for Fred Rahmer. I am thankful that I got to experience a part of this racing legend’s great career. Thank you, Mr. Rahmer.

 

 

 

Have a great month everybody!

 

Nathan Repetz

2013/2014 PA 4-H State Council

President 

I Win at Life

Hey PA! (Cool that rhymes!)

So I just found out how to make this blog look pretty. Expect every one of my blog posts from now on to be in color, because I like colors. This month will be the color grey because that was the color of my awesome team at the Lawrence County 4-H Teen Council retreat called The Game of Life: 4-H Edition! 

Dylan Levan (who was on the lame pink team... just kidding Dylan!) and I as well as former Council members John Hess and Cassidy Baker (who both by a weird chance of luck happened to be on the amazing grey team with me) attended this event last weekend. The basic concept of the weekend was to learn and have fun at the workshops while simultaneously competing against other teams to move your game piece forward on the giant game board. The winners won a free t-shirt!

Guess who got a free t-shirt...
(it wasn't the pink team.)



This is the famous game board!



Another normal day where John Hess dresses up like a girl.





There was a glow in the dark dance on Saturday night! This is the whole group together.




The grey team included Cassidy Baker as our leader, John Hess, Taylor White, and myself. We were the only college students there and purely by coincidence we got put in the same group.



Dylan. Wearing lipstick. Yes, this really happened. 



Not 5 minutes later, Dylan could be seen with a complete peanut butter facial.

In order for October to be as awesome as September, I would have to own a pet unicorn and win a lifetime's supply of Nutella. 

Have a fabulous October!
Sophie Hutchinson
Council Representative

Fall is in the Air!

Hello Everybody,

It has been a whirl wind of a month for me. Where do I begin? From getting my wisdom teeth out to purchasing new farm show animals I believe I have done just about everything in between these last few weeks.

 September started out a little rough for me. While most students were enjoying their first few weeks of a new school year. I was enjoying laying on the couch with gauze stuck in my mouth.  Laying on the couch was nice except for the fact my jaw hurt since I had my wisdom teeth removed.  Yeah, it was nice having a few days off school and eating ALL the ice cream I wanted but my jaw hurting was not so pleasant.  For anybody that has not had their wisdom teeth out it really was not as awful as my friends made it seem.  I mean I literally heard horror stories of what it was going to be like! Yikes!

One of my favorite things to do is be at a livestock sale. Whether I'm helping with the sale, just going to preview the livestock or actually going to buy, I always have a fantastic time. I can not even begin to describe how excited I was to go purchase farm show pigs.  The sale was a amazing good food, great pigs, awesome people I could not have asked for anything more.  Well I did get a little something more, a monsoon of a pig sale.  Outside under a tent was not the place to be in western Pennsylvania when it started to rain. After about five minutes of raining the sale was moved indoors.  I did leave with a pig I knew I had to have after she walked in the sale ring!  That fancy little blue butt gilt, I now call Pixie, is going to be my 2014 Farm Show market hog. 

Now, I know every high school girl has their mind on homecoming right about now but for me, it is done and over with.  Mine started out pretty crazy.  All my friends where getting their hair done and pictures taken while I was just trying to make it home from the monsoon of a pig sale.  The night was great and I know it will be one I never forget.  

The month of September for me means the start of fall. Pumpkin roll, apple dumplings, and cheesecake all some how relate to fall for my family.  Lets just say that my grandma enjoys cooking a little bit cause I had all of those in one weekend.  Food and football go hand and hand around my house, whether I am cheering on my high school football team or rooting for Penn State I always enjoy a good game. Yes, I will admit I am a Steeler's fan  even though they are not looking so hot right now.  My favorite part of this month is the decorating that happens! I do not want to brag but I think I might have some pretty mean skills when it come to decorating.  What do you think?

I would say it has been a crazy last few weeks but I would not change it for the world. Now I'm off to Farm City Day at KILE and a pig show here in the coming weeks. 

Have fun this fall, go jump in a pile a leaves or carve a pumpkin, there is only one fall like this one.

Sincerely,

Megan Anderson

Tailgating...the 4-H way

Well, September is nearly over! Fall is here and the leaves are starting to change colors! This month went by pretty quickly, but it was a fun one! September 14th was the 4-H Extension Tailgate. It was at the Ag Arena in State College and it's right next door to Beaver Stadium! There was a football game that day, but I'll get to that later. So, soon after I arrived at the Ag Arena, I got to try something that I'd never done before: I held a rather large arachnid. In other words, I held a tarantula! Liz McAndrew (a past council member) brought him and his name was Tula. Only after I was holding him was I told that tarantulas have a nasty bite! As you can imagine, I wasn't all that excited to hold him after that! 

In this picture you can see that I'm smiling on the outside, but on the inside I was thinking, "Oh my gosh he's probably going to bite me! He's moving again! Why is he moving?!?! Wait he stopped now, is that a bad sign?!?!" By the time the picture was taken he had stopped walking and I was ready to give him back to Liz, but she told me that the reason he stopped moving was because he was content. It was kind of cute, but in a very scary way. So that was quite the experience! Other animals there included a chameleon (Chloe), rabbits, some very stubborn alpacas, and a dog that was in training to be a seeing eye dog! The entomology club from York brought some of their insects projects as well! 

Very stubborn alpacas that didn't want to go home

Near the end of the tailgate we went to go see Jared Stufft (one of the people who  works with the Council) playing in the Blue Band! You go Jared!

Soon after we got back the tailgate was over and we packed everything up so that we could go to the Penn State football game! We got there just in time to see the team run in and the game start! It was a great game even though Penn State lost. Personally, my favorite part was the half-time show by the Blue Band (they are awesome if you didn't know)! Anyway, we all had a great time at the tailgate and the football game! This is your VPO signing off until next month. Have a great October and Halloween!

Jesse Isenberg
2013/2014 Pennsylvania State 4-H Council
Vice President of Operations

My 4-H Life

Hi my name is Divya Reitz. I have been in 4-H for 8 years and this will be my 9th and final year. What do I do in 4-H? What I do in 4-H is that I show animals and baskets. I have been showing animals for 6 years. I show pigs, goats, and lambs. I have been making baskets for about 8 years. This year I decided to run for the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council. I am the news reporter for State Council. I love being on the State Council because I get a chance to meet new friends from different counties and  get to talk to them about 4-H. I have learned leadership skills and more through 4-H. 

Hi Everybody!

I'm Lydia Lion, your 2013-2014 PA State Council Secretary!
As the school year begins, I am reminded of all the commitments that I have. Whether it be; school work, clubs, work, 4-H clubs, and especially State Council, I have to remember that I need to make sure that I am up for all the challenges on the road ahead. So, lets talk about everything that needs to be done, and how to do it.:) I'm an active member of my local 4-H club. And I'm sure that most of us are very active members and would like to keep this up. Also, you've got school work. Whether it is AP/honors or just regular classes, you've still got a boat load of work for the teachers. Then there's work, and other clubs. Its a lot to do! But remember that you've got to plan. I love using my planner to organize how and when I need to have things done by. Make sure not to stretch yourself too thin, and to keep everything in perspective!
I hope everyone has a wonderful year, and keeps up their involvement!!!!

College isn't scary. No, seriously!

Hey PA 4-H!

 Take a wild guess at who this is! I'll give you a few hints:

     1. I am a college freshman and the second oldest on Council
     2. I am from Northwestern PA (this should narrow it down a lot)
     3. My 4-H project focus is on sewing and textiles
     4. If you went to Achievement Days (and I hope you did, it was awesome) you probably saw me in the Fashion Revue
     5. My name starts with an "S" and ends with "ophie Hutchinson"

Well if you didn't pick up on that...

Anyways, yes, this is Sophie Hutchinson your newest Council Representative, trying her best to balance a life on council with the changes that college inevitably brings: meeting new people, sleeping in a new bed in a room with someone you've never met, and of course the work that goes along with being a good student. But this past week since I moved in to my dorm I have realized something.

College is less intimidating because of my experiences in 4-H.

If you really think about it, it makes perfect sense.  How many times have you as a 4-Her gone to a camp or a conference and done all of the things that makes the first week of college so "scary"? I know in my 4-H experiences that I have had to share hotel room with someone I've never met before who has a completely different life story than me, and then had to wake up early to learn things at the workshops.  And it's fun! Basically college is a super long version of that. 

But you have to actually study at college and do the required work.  This might include pulling all nighters and giving up other things to get the work done.  Does this sound like 4-H to anyone?? If I'm being completely honest, I have pulled my fair share of all nighters the day before the fair to make sure that my projects were just right and that I completed all the requirements for the project books. 

I know many of you reading this might be in high school and starting college probably seems like the scariest thing EVER.  I promise, it isn't any scarier than 4-H.
Not yet anyways. (I'm kidding, you'll be fine!)

Have a great September!
Sophie Hutchinson, Council Representative

Crazy Excited

Hello Pennsylvania 4H!

This is Alexandra Adams coming to you straight from Delaware County. I am in my senior year of high school and I want to ask those people who say senior year is the easiest year what they are doing because already my year from officer training in August to state days in July is jam packed. The craziest part about it all is that I am excited for all that is to come. There are many things in my life that are keeping me grounded but the biggest two are my mom, and my beef cow named bandit. The picture below pretty much sums up my life right now.

School started on Tuesday and it was a big difference from a summer of shorts, t shirts, glasses and flip flops to start actually caring whether or not my hair stuck up. It was also scary to think I had been striving to become a senior and leave high school when in all actuality now that I am applying to colleges. I just want to stay.

I am so excited for this year knowing I have my family and my council (and Bandit) to have my back while I face my challenges and then celebrate with me my accomplishments.

Wishing you an amazing month,

Alexandra Adams

2013-2013 Pennsylvania 4H State Council Vice President of Internal Affairs

Exciting year ahead!

Hey Pennsylvania 4-H! I'm Jesse Isenberg and I'm your new Vice President of Operations (VPO)! I look forward to serving all of you this year! So you're probably wondering who I am. Well, I'm 16 years old, I live in Indiana County (which is in the southwestern region of the state), I've been in 4-H for 8 years, and my projects include livestock (pigs, sheep, and goats), and forestry. In school I run cross country, I play in the band, sing in the chorus, and I'm on our quiz bowl team among other things. In band I play the trombone (which happens to be the best instrument in the band (maybe I'm a little biased). Like Nate Repetz, I too am in my high school's drama program. It's one of my favorite things at school! This year, for our musical, we're doing The Music Man! I'm really looking forward to it. I basically like anything that in any way involves music!

On Council so far, we've had State Achievement Days, Ag Progress Days, and Training and Orientation Weekend. We were selected, given our office, and inaugurated. It certainly was nerve racking! But, it was a great to meet and bond with all the other people who applied to State Council! Then we had Ag Progress Days! We helped to run a place where kids (and even a few adults) could ride pedal cars. Everyone had a blast there! The last thing we've done so far is Training and Orientation weekend. There we learned more about 4-H, learned how give better speeches, had some awesome workshops, and other things too! One of the little known things about my position as VPO is that I get to be the bearer of the gavel when it's not in use!

We had a passing of the gavel ceremony (meaning it was just handed to me) where the former VPO, Dawn Craft, gave the gavel to me. I must say that I felt quite like Thor when I was handed the gavel.

Because, after all, it is THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE 4-H COUNCIL gavel (it says those words on the top).

Well anyway, I think I've talked (or typed) enough. Again I look forward to serving you this year and I can't wait to meet you! Here's to an exciting year ahead!

Cheers,

Jesse Isenberg

2013/2014 Pennsylvania State 4-H Council

Vice President of Operations

We're Making History Right Now

Hello Everybody!

This is Amber J Pound, your new State Council Historian signing on from Franklin County!

I'm a senior at my high school this year, and I've got to say that it feels great to finally be here. I'm in a truly wonderful position this year. I'm on State Council, I'm taking AP German, my part time job at the local Mickey D's is going well, and I'm all set to go to Shippensburg University next year to become an English teacher to high school students. The only thing that could possibly make this year any better would be if I randomly won a million bucks. Although the news that I had made it on State Council felt at least twice as good as that.

August flew right past me, what with State Days and speeches and training and presentations and getting ready for school, whew. This month was jam packed full of activities. And I have a feeling that the rest of our year will be just as exciting.

Our council is the 9th group of 4-Her's to have been assembled and though we are not the largest (that honor belongs with the council whose number totaled 24) we are certainly aiming to make a great impact. We want to leave behind a legacy. We are making history right now, and we intend to make it a good one.


Respectfully Signing Off,

Amber J Pound
Council Historian

Roll On Roller-Coaster!

“Roll on, there’s mountains to climb. Roll on, were on borrowed time. Roll on roller-coaster, roll on tonight”- from the song “Roll On”, by Kid Rock

 

 

Hey Everybody!

My name is Nathan Repetz, and I am honored to be serving as your 2013/2014 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President!

Now, I guess you are all probably wondering who on earth this guy is. I am from New Cumberland, Cumberland County, which is about five minutes on the other side of the river from Harrisburg. This past summer I graduated from Cedar Cliff High School, and I just started at Penn State Altoona where I am majoring in Agricultural and Extension Education. I have been a Cumberland County 4-Her since I was 8 years old, completing shooting sports, teen leadership, and small engine projects to name a few. Outside of 4-H, I am a huge fan of sprint car racing, I’ve run cross country since 7^th grade, and in high school I enjoyed performing in our musicals and singing in our Chamber Singers.

My roller-coaster of State Council is underway, and it looks like it will be an amazing ride. It seems like yesterday was August 8^th when the lift chain let go and I flew down the hill, thus starting my council term. Like on every roller-coaster I was wondering what I got myself into, but that feeling was overridden with excitement of what was to come.

Before I knew it, I was in my council uniform at Ag Progress Days. That was what you may call a trial by fire. Fifteen minutes after arriving at APD, several of us got the chance to meet George Greig, PA Secretary of Agriculture. He was a pleasure to talk to, and I look forward to meeting him again throughout my term. We also got to meet other amazing people, including elected officials, 4-Hers and their parents, and a nifty little pedal cart we called Roxy. APD was a blast and I do believe we passed this first test with flying colors! Next came Council Training Weekend. We got the chance to plan out our year, choose a theme, learn how to best represent Pennsylvania 4-H, and most importantly, bond as a team and as a family.

As I sit here at college writing this, the above Kid Rock quote came to mind. Yes, this year there will be seemingly impossible mountains to climb, but they will only make our council team stronger. Yes, we only have a year to be on State Council, but that won’t stop us from making the most of it.

That being said, I can’t wait to start this year and see what it has in store. Roll on roller-coaster!!

Sincerely,

Nathan Repetz

2013/2014 PA 4-H State Council

President