Time Flies

Its hard to believe how fast time flies. It felt like yesterday I was driving to my first day of college, and now I have one month left of my second semester. So much has happened over these past few months it's hard to take the time and enjoy it. Now that is almost April I do have so many things to look forward to. Today my one dairy goat just had twins. The newcomers are boys and I named them Stanley, and Gomez. I was very excited and now my sister and I can start milking again. I also am looking forward to starting my internship this summer. I will be interning at Weis Markets in the Bakery. I am very excited. State Council is going to be very busy as well. We are getting ready for Capital Days, and working on the theme for State Days. The theme this year is Who Dunnit ? which is based off of the classic board game and movie of Clue. We are also selling window clings as our fundraiser. They are seven dollars each and say " I support Pennsylvania 4-H". Hopefully people are willing to buy and donate money to their State council. We are definitely working harder then ever, and the time July rolls around we will all be saying wow time flies! State Council Secretary ~Samantha Gstalder~

Thank You Venango 4-H

This past weekend, as I was traveling to the central region's leadership retreat, I stopped at the cranberry mall to get some provisions for my long journey to Camp Blue Diamond. (i.e. Red Bull and bugles) I was amazed at what I beheld when I walked in. Venango County 4-H was having their annual mall Children's Expo. 4-H'ers from all across Vengango county and some even farther, had set up around a dozen booths which all showcased what 4-H had to offer in their area. They had everything from miniature golf, to nerf gun shooting, to leather working; and all of it was still 4-H themed! Some how Venango County even got a 4-H bear mascot with green fur! Not only were there booths set up for the actual projects, but Venango County Council and their advisory board had booths set up to show how anybody who wants to become involved with 4-H can. I tip my hat to Venango County 4-H, I was so glad to see 4-H'ers out and about showing what 4-H has to offer.

Seeing their wonderful display of "Green" really made my day.

The Lives We Live...

When counting the amount of months I have been a 4-H member, on one hand I truly begin to reflect a lot more on everything I have accomplished and everything I have ahead in those very short months. As I stood up and introduced myself to the other Agriculture Representatives at National Ag Day as the Pennsylvania State 4-H President it still is unreal. Going back years ago as I attended my first SLC I saw those elite, powerful, highly respected youth wearing their green blazers. In my wildest dreams I never thought that would be me one day representing the State 4-H as State President. Now I am sure you just read that and said how cheesy but some of the best stories in life are the cheesy ones. Seven months ago this opportunity of a lifetime began and I was not sure exactly what to expect. I mean I knew what was expected of me and all the responsibilities I had but not so much the dedication and love I have for 4-H would grow to this extent. With each new opportunity that is has arose came new memories being created, new friends being made, and new networks being built. Being asked to come and speak at the Cumberland and Perry County Speak Out night was a honor to help express the chances the youth of 4-H have in the program. Getting ready to return to Washington, D.C. for National 4-H Conference is an exciting feeling. When there is a group of any size of youth, leaders, and volunteers that come together to represent one organization there is the common understanding that this organization changes lives for the better. With my freshman year of college very quickly approaching the end, the final stretch of the race has began. Picking out my last set of market goats brings it home that the end is near. But before we get caught up in the sorrow of what happened and how we are going to miss it, it is a key factor that we take on each and every event and task as though you have the love and joy of it never ending. I am looking forward to all that is ahead including; Capital Days, our trip to TN, and then the big finale at State Days. The knowing that with each one of these events skills are going to get passed on to others and you yourself are also going to learn from others, is one of the best feelings. So remember live each moment as it's your last because the end always comes sooner than we want! Meeting and Growing with the other six council members makes every challenge easier and worth every second of work put into this term as President. I mean even at those times when we are all just one hot mess. There are many times I overlook the fact of it being work because of the true passion I have for 4-H. In life take on the challenges set ahead they will only create a strong you!

Logan Hall

Your 2010-2011 4-H State Council President

Still no spring?¿?¿

Hey everyone hope you all are getting ready for a fun weekend at Capital Days. I am, but I will be a little late due to other requirements. I am ready to see the capitol again it is an exciting experience being in the rooms where our state leaders make important decisions. I want to see you all out there to enjoy an experience you will never forget!

I am so busy visiting colleges from Indiana  to southern Pennsylvania!! I am excited about college but scared to leave the comforts of home, especially if I am 4 hours away. But I am strong and will survive :)

signing off! your State Council Vice President of Events

CJ Adams

Spring is Near

Well with our temperatures lately I think that spring is finally on its way after this long hard winter. But then again it has been 60 degrees one day then 20 the next so nobody really knows. Lately I have been doing good with the things I've been doing. All of us on State Council did great, I think, on State Leadership Conference this year. We did a 50's theme and everyone that I have talked to said it went over very well and were all impressed. Also I have been getting ready for National Conference which is coming up soon and I'm very excited. In two weeks my marching band is going to Disney in Orlando for four days to march in the Disney Day Parade. Also, just on the previous Monday I received an award for my volunteering......FROM THE PRESIDENT!!! I was very excited when I found out that I had received this award. So March should be a great month for me and hopefully just as good for all you readers out there! Have a great month and keep inviting your friends to be 4-H members.

Family

For me Feb. was a month to just relax. I worked and did a few 4-H things but nothing major. I really need the time to catch up after last month. So I just kicked back and relaxed but I found my self saying I miss my fellow council members. Something I thought I would never say I figured I would be sick of them. I was wrong they are like my second family. When I joined council I didnt know it then but I was gaining 5 brothers and a sister in my eyes. We are all very close and enjoy being around each other so much. We even tend to fight like brothers and sisters at times. We make a great team because we all bring our own quilities to the table like brothers and sisters. Well March is gonna be more of a rush. 4-H starts back up in my county in March and im super excitied.
Until next time
Echo Kincaid
VPO

Don't Blink!

"Don't Blink Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink You just might miss your babies growing like mine did Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" Of fifty years is there in bed And you're praying God takes you instead Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think So don't blink" - Kenny Chesney

I begin with these lyrics because February has gone by so incredibly fast that it helps show how fast this year is going by. Remember reading that January post about how busy we were, well the truth is that was just the beginning. It is a true statement when springtime arrives everything takes off. This past month I got the opportunity to go and give a Parli Pro Workshop to the teens of the "Old" Capital Region. It was great to see the next teens that may fill our shoes one day of the 4-H program being so active and willing to learn. It also gave me a chance to meet a few more youth in 4-H I had not meant before. The 2010 - 2011 Council has less than six months left and we are ready to go out just as strong as we started. Sometimes we get caught up in the fact that something is about to end and forget to live out the remainder of it. 4-H has been my life since I have joined the program seven years ago. My college, my major, a good amount of friends, skills, experiences, and much more has come out of my past seven years in the program. I continue to remind myself not to blink and miss something as my last year is taking place. As you go and get that Champion out of the herd for your market project you know that the prime of the 4-H year is beginning to take place for the kids with livestock projects. I cannot wait to see what the next five months have in store. I know sometimes it will be tough for me to keep looking into the present and future to see what will be coming but I know that we are all a team and we will all finish strong. We started out seven months ago not knowing anything about each other and now today we have formed friendships and bonds that are continuously growing stronger. There are tough times and there are good times but we always do it together. 2010 - 2011 Council these last five months are going to be some great ones. So remember don't blink another month gone just like that.

Your 2010 - 2011 President,

Logan Hall

Spring Feaver

The snow is finally melting and spring is just around the corner. I am ready for birds to be chirping, bees buzzing, and the snow to disappear. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the snow days, and skiing on the weekends, but I am definitely ready for spring to be here. I love the warm weather, and being out in the sunshine more than anything. As spring fastly approaches, State Council has to get ready to work again. We have to start preparing for Capital Days, and come up with a theme for State Achievement Days. Of course this is going to be a lot of work, but I'm sure we will have tons fun. Now that we are preparing for State Achievement Days made reality set in. At our last conference call Logan reminded us all that we only have about five months left on council! It is so surprising how fast time really flies. It just feels like yesterday that we just got inducted into office. Even though we have a short amount of time left we are still working hard and still accomplishing our goals!

State Council Secretary

~Samantha Gstalder~

As February comes to an exciting end, I've been thinking much more seriously about what exactly I want to do for the rest of my life. I've been hearing from a lot of people in the business, and none of it good. I have been looking more into making the military as a career and it looks pretty awesome.

The benefits that are opened up by staying in the air force are staggering. The job that I am looking at currently is a security forces apprentice. At this position I can work my way towards becoming a Combat Arms Specialist. Becoming a C.A.S. would pretty much be my dream job. Their job is to train base personnel in small arms marksmanship and how to clean and perform minor repairs on their weapons. That is what I do every week at 4H with the younger members! Competitive shooting and firearm education has always been a passion of mine, and getting to do that every day, would just be amazing for me.

God Bless

-Seth Jones

VP of Internal Affairs

Is it just me or is time flying ?¿?

As the year flys by i am realizing i am about to become an adult.....i used to want to grow up now i want to stay 17 forever. But oh well i want to say i had a blast at SLC this year being on the other side of the program. I want you all to see the behind the scenes of the weekend it's amazing. Farm Show was sweet we all got to go to the dinner and meet the state's important people.

I cannot wait until SUMMER!!!!!! does anyone feel the same??¿¿ I am getting my truck ready for the pulling season so come out and cheer. I have been accepted to five colleges and I am having a hard time deciding where to go. Hope my choice is the right one!

Your,
PA Council Vice President of Events
CJ Adams
peace

I'm in A Hurry And Don't Know Why

It's like January just showed up and left without letting us know that he was here and never stopped to say hey or anything, or is it we where all to busy to stop and say hello to him. Sometimes I wonder if that isnt the problem when people say that time flies by and that it is just that people do not just take the time to stop and look and listen to the clock instead of always saying" O no I am late, I better run" . The Human race is funny because we are always in a hurry and we dont always no why. Maybe we are in a hurry because we try and push the snooze button twice likee myself and then in turn get dressed and ready for school in 10 minutes and run into school with a minute to the homeroom bell. And whats funny is we will do all agian tomorrow even on purpose again. Another reason is that we try and get it all done in one day but the truth is it is not going anywhere today and so it will always be there tomorrow to work on and in way is going to leave you. So in the End think, Why do you hurry?  (Jonathan Yoder Historian and Reporter)

Is January Over Yet?

This past month was a little crazy for most of us council members; what with Farm Show and State Leadership conference. But now with those out of the way we can take a short break for a bit. However coming up in May we have our PA State Capitol Days.

But with 4-H aside, this past week I delivered my final presentation for my high school senior project. (an assignment necessary for me to graduate) I did my project based on the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, which is sponsored by the NRA. The program teaches children in grades K-3 about the 4 basic ways to stay safe around firearms, which are,

STOP

DON'T TOUCH

LEAVE THE AREA

AND TELL AN ADULT.

I particularly liked this program, because sadly gun safety is no longer taught in schools, so children are no longer instructed about gun safety unless the attend a hunter's safety class. As a plug for the 4-H program after I presented I also offered the number for the local extension office for interested kids, who when they were ready, could enroll in our local shooting sports clubs.