{"id":6289,"date":"2020-01-30T10:45:36","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T15:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/aroostook\/?page_id=6289"},"modified":"2020-02-06T12:16:33","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T17:16:33","slug":"february2020","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/aroostook\/4h\/newsletter\/february2020\/","title":{"rendered":"February Newsletter 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>Dates to Remember<\/strong><\/h3>\n

February 15:\u00a0 Public Speaking Workshop, 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

February 24:\u00a0 Free Gardening Class – Houlton Higher Ed Center 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
\n“Introduction to Growing Your Own Vegetables”<\/p>\n

March 14:\u00a0 Public Speaking, County Tournament<\/p>\n

April 1:\u00a0 4-H enrollment forms due for new members<\/p>\n

April 1:\u00a0 Horse Livestock Approval Forms due if participating in Eastern States<\/p>\n

April 4:\u00a0 State Public Speaking Tournament<\/p>\n

June 30:\u00a0 Livestock Approval Forms due<\/p>\n

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Happy Birthday to all 4-Her’s born in February!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Michaela G
\nPaige B<\/p>\n

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Happy Valentines Day Aroostook County!\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We love our 4-H family and all the wonderful members of the community that actively promote positive youth development. We appreciate all that you do!<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Eastern States Horse Show<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year we had several members attend the Eastern States Exposition Horse Show in Springfield, Massachusetts’s; home of The Big E. This fair is the largest on the East Coast and draws in huge crowds and extensive competitors from across the country.<\/p>\n

This year we have received intent forms to try out for Eastern States from all three 4-H horse clubs. Members who will be trying out are coming from the Mane Eventers, Wild Mustangs, and Ultra Clover. We even received one independent submission!<\/p>\n

Good luck, ladies!<\/p>\n

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\"6<\/p>\n

\"2019<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Aroostook County Public Speaking Workshop: February 8th @ 10 a.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: Houlton Office<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are new to 4-H Public Speaking we would love to invite you to an interactive workshop to learn and to practice communication skills. The two primary types of Public Speaking are a demonstration (how to do something) or an illustrated talk (information about a topic.) Youth can also work as a team of two.<\/p>\n

Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 8) present for 3-5 minutes
\nJuniors (ages 9 to 13) present for 3-8 minutes
\nSeniors (ages 14 to 18) present for 5-10 minutes<\/p>\n

Aroostook County Public Speaking Tournament<\/a> – March 14th @ 10 a.m. in the Houlton Office
\nFor lots of great resources check out our Maine 4-H Public Speaking page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Special Visitor to Aroostook<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Our County 4-H program was also selected by the Maine 4-H Foundation to host Arthur Pearson, the president of the Thompson Island Outward Bound Center. This center hosts thousands of Boston Public School students each year in environmental education explorations. Arthur toured Maine 4-H camp and learning centers but also wanted to learn about 4-H in a county so he drove all the way up to meet and learn from our 4-H staff. It was quite an honor and we are excited about potentially bring a group of Aroostook 4-Hers to Thompson Island in the future.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/thompsonisland.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/p>\n

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<\/a>County News
\n‘Paca Pals!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The ‘Paca Pals are out of the gate and they are kicking up their heels! This group LOVES to get together twice a month for club meetings but January weather postponed their mid-January meeting until February. The club recently held elections for Officers and they also had a Yankee Swap that the members enjoyed!<\/p>\n

\"'Paca<\/p>\n

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<\/a>#STEMPiglet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Percy is enjoying his new job as the Houlton Office mascot!<\/p>\n

Percy joined the Biology Class twice last month for two afternoons learning about DNA and Mendelian genetics! He also had a chance to learn about Outward Bound from a visit the Houlton staff received from Arthur Pearson, Director, and CEO of the Thompson Island location.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>CHOICES Afterschool Program: <\/strong>January 29<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Choices Afterschool Program this month had forty-seven after schoolers and ten wonderful adult volunteers! The afternoon was filled with games and activities as Aroostook County Cooperative Extension staff taught the participants about seed dispersal methods, habitats, and three important elements of an ecosystem; producers, consumers, and decomposers!<\/p>\n

\"Group<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Houlton Southside Elementary STEM Program: January 13<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Percy\"Percy\"Percy<\/h4>\n

Thank you to Houlton Southside School for allowing us to spend the morning and afternoon with you!<\/p>\n

Houlton Southside Elementary invited Cooperative Extension staff to the school for three hours of STEM programming. Three classes learned about Winter, a very special dolphin, and prosthetic devices. Fourth graders had the opportunity to work in groups to create a prosthetic tail and learn about the Engineering Design Process. Percy the #STEMPiglet REALLY enjoyed the day, he had a chance to try out several of the tales and even took a few back to the County office for future programs.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in hosting the Houlton Cooperative Extension staff at your school or organization for programming, please feel free to reach out and touch base!\u00a0 532-6548 or mari.glatter@maine.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/a>State 4-H News<\/strong><\/p>\n

February, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Come to Orono for the 2020 4H@UMaine May 29 \u2013 30, 2020
    \n<\/strong>Planning has started and the wheels are in motion thanks to the efforts of a tremendous team! We are always looking for individuals interested in helping with pre-event planning or attending the event itself! Stay tuned for details. For more information about 4-H@UMaine, contact Greg Kranich at    kranich@maine.edu<\/a>\u00a0or 207.581.3292.<\/li>\n
  2. Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
    \n<\/strong>Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16 \u2013 19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan next year\u2019s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at     brainerd@maine.edu<\/a> or 207.581.3877.<\/li>\n
  3. UMaine 4-H Unconference \u2013 not your average volunteer forum!
    \n<\/strong>UMaine 4-H Unconference \u2013 a volunteer forum led by 4-H volunteers for 4-H volunteers.\u00a0 UMaine 4-H Unconference will be an organized forum for 4-H volunteers, club leaders, afterschool providers, teachers, parents and teens leaders to gather.\u00a0 UMaine 4-H Unconference is intentionally designed to have YOU teach and learn from each other. There is no agenda \u2013 you come with 4-H ideas and topics you want to talk about or learn more about, and we\u2019ll guide the process to get folks into groups where YOU are the experts.\u00a0 All experience levels are welcome and no one person has all the answers.\u00a0 Door prizes will be given at the end of the day.     Register online<\/a>. Join us for one or both of these awesome dates!\u00a0 Registration begins at 8:30 and door prizes will be drawn by 3:00:<\/p>\n