January 2023 4-H Newsletter
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
January 19: CC 4-H Leaders Meeting, 7:00-9:00 PM
January 20: Fashion Revue, Intent to Participate Form is due
January 26: Teen Council Get Together 4:30pm-6pm. Open to anybody interested in joining Teen Council
February 4: Presentation Day
4-H Leaders Association Meeting – January 19, 7:00PM
Join us on Thursday, January 20, 7:00PM in-person at the Gorham Public Works Building (80 Huston Road, Gorham) or online via Zoom for a Leaders Association meeting. These meetings are a chance to meet volunteers, and to offer input on 4-H programming in Cumberland County! All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend! If you would like the Zoom link please email eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu.
Fashion Revue Intent to Participate Due January 20th
The 2023 4-H Fashion Revue invites members that enjoy designing and making their own sewn, crocheted or knitted projects to showcase them in this year’s event. Our theme is 4-H Fashion Fun, and we are encouraging all participants to get their creative juices flowing with great materials, yarns, and patterns, resulting in some great projects.
Fashion Revue is open to all ages, with categories for Cloverbuds (ages 5-8 years), beginner, intermediate, and advanced sewers, knitters, crocheters & upcyclers. Items crafted can include garments, accessories, stuffed animals, livestock blankets or any other item your creative mind can imagine and your talented hands can produce.
You must fill out an Intent to Participate form (https://forms.gle/3NKkwiqGU7t33hJd6) by Friday, January 20th. You will need to have your completed project dropped off at the UMaine Extension Cumberland Office by 4:00PM on Thursday, February 23 along with the necessary forms, or make other arrangements with Jenn Grant. Deadline with date and time of project drop off are non-negotiable.
Questions? Call Jenn Grant, 207.318.9166 or findviewfarm@juno.com.
Judging for Fashion Revue will take place in-person on Saturday, February 25 at The Little Falls Activity Center (40 Acorn Street, Gorham). Your creation will first be judged off-person, then you will either wear or bring your entry before the judges starting at 1:00 PM. A Fashion Show will take place at 2:30 PM following the judging. The snow date for judging is March 4th, 2023.
Teen Council Information Get Together
Join our 4-H CEA Allison Pollock on January 26 at 4:30 – 6:00 PM and learn more about the 4-H Teen Council. This will be an initial interest meeting to discuss projects, opportunities, and more. If you have any questions, please contact Allison (allison.pollock@maine.edu or 207.781.6099).
4-H Public Presentation Day
This event will occur at 10:00 AM on February 4th at the Inn at the Village Square in Gorham. 4-H members will be able to do either public speaking or a demonstration alone or in groups. The Inn at Village Square is an assisted living facility in Gorham where the All-Star Dairy Club regularly meets with the seniors that live there and they are always looking for more visitors. They are excited for our program to be at their place!
Submit your registration form here: https://forms.gle/URiDeWBp3FSEZhMXA. Registration Deadline Thursday, February 2nd!
More information will become available closer to the date. For tips on giving a 4-H presentation or demonstration please visit our Giving a 4-H Presentation and Demonstration page.
For questions or more information please reach out to Allison Pollock, allison.pollock@maine.edu.
State 4-H News January 2023
Maine 4-H Equity Challenge for all Maine Youth
Are you a photographer? A performer? A writer? Then consider the 4-H Equity Challenge. The challenge is for youth ages 5-19 to create a digital photograph, a performance, a presentation, or a writing piece that tells why every Maine youth belongs in a welcoming and inclusive environment. There are prizes based on age. This challenge is open to any 4-H’er or partner organization in Maine.
There are helpful guides and a rubric to help you understand what judges will look for in an entry. To submit an entry or to find out more information go to the Maine 4-H Equity Challenge webpage.
To participate, submit your creation by February 24, 2023.
Maine 4-H Engineering Virtual Club
Registration is now open for the Maine 4-H Engineering Club, which will introduce basic engineering skills by exploring a different topic each week. Each week will have a new hands-on engineering challenge to work on while making connections with fellow 4-H engineers around the state! UMaine Extension 4-H staff will lead the challenges.
The club is free; limited to 20 participants. Register by January 17 on the event webpage to receive the link and at-home materials. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206 or sarah.sparks@maine.edu. Additional information also is available on the Extension 4-H Virtual Learning webpage.
State Public Speaking Tournament – Save the Date!
Our state public speaking tournament will be held on April 8, 2023 at DP Corbett Hall on the University of Maine campus. Youth must qualify for this event by achieving a score of 78 or higher at their county or regional tournament. Check with your county 4-H staff to find out when your county tournament will be held.
Public Speaking In-Person Workshop
The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team invites all enrolled 4-H members to an in-person workshop on January 21st from 2 – 4 pm. The meeting will be held at the Penobscot County Extension Office in Bangor. Participants will learn how to prepare for county/regional public speaking contests for both Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks. Please contact sheila.norman@maine.edu for more information or to register.
2023 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities
As we get ready for the new 4-H year, we are looking forward to offering a variety of learning experiences (both in person and virtual) for our 4-H volunteers. Sessions are free of charge, but require registration. Some sessions have limited space. Visit the 4-H Volunteer Calendar of Training Opportunities to learn more and register!
Androscoggin/Sagadahoc 4-H Monthly Workshops – Open to All Maine 4-Hers!
Come join the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties 4-H program at their monthly workshops – the Third Friday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lisbon Extension Office at 24 Main Street. Anyone interested can contact Cathy Gray, cathy.gray@maine.edu, to find out more information.
Currently Scheduled Topics:
- January 20, 2023 – “Getting the Word Out” Digital Marketing
- February 17, 2023 – Short Film Making
- March 10, 2023 – Spa & Relaxation Science
- April 21, 2023 – Movie Premier Night
- May 19, 2023 – Wool Spinning Workshop
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu by the 25th of each month with information about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
UMaine Extension Cumberland County offers many different workshops throughout the year. To learn more about our workshop offerings please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/upcoming-events/