Franklin County 4-H November News, November
Table of Contents
Franklin County 4-H Calendar
- November 11th: Veteran’s Day, Extension Office Closed
- November 15th: Your Relationships Matter (Volunteer Training)
- November 17th: Franklin County Leaders’ Association Meeting 7pm
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- 4-H Records Workshop 3:30PM- 5PM at Extension Office
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- November 23rd: 4-H Records are due to the Extension Office
- November 24th & 25th: Thanksgiving, Extension Office Closed
- December 15th: Franklin County Leaders’ Association Meeting 7pm
- December 26th: Closed for Christmas Holiday
Franklin County 4-H Leaders’ Association
The November Leaders’ Association meeting will be held in person or via zoom. Please bring your questions and ideas! We all look forward to seeing you all at 7:00 p.m. on November 17th.
Zoom information will be included in the Agenda for the meeting.
All enrolled 4-H Volunteers are members of their county Leaders’ Association. Your leadership support is encouraged and vital in deciding the focus of our county 4-H programs.
All volunteers, please keep up to date with the newest COVID information and UMaine guidance on this site.
County News
4-H Re-enrollment Paperwork
The new 4-H year starts October 1. There is a new option available for families for the new 4-H Year. Starting October 1st , families will have the ability to log into their account and complete their re-enrollment, as well as all required
forms, online. If you were enrolled for the 2021-2022 year, you can simply visit:
https://4h.zsuite.org/ – click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the email address you receive your 4-H communications to. If you would prefer to continue to complete paper forms, they can be found online at:
https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/forms/ or by reaching out to your county office.
We would ask that if 4-H members are planning to re-enroll to please do the following:
- Complete and sign all paperwork
- Get required signatures
- Return paperwork to the Extension Office
If you plan to try out for Eastern States, apply for national trips, apply for scholarships, and or
complete an approval form to show animals at the fair, be sure to get your re-enrollment paperwork to
the Extension Office by the December 31st deadline. Volunteers as well are asked to fill out the enrollment
form, the Standards of Behavior Form, and Photo Release (if they so choose). Return all paperwork
to the Extension Office ASAP.
4-H Records
Mark your calendar if kiddos want some help in getting records finished. 4-H staff will offer a records workshop on Thursday, November 17th from 3:30 PM – 5 PM at the Extension Office.
The Franklin County Extension Homemakers are collecting can tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House services. The Ronald McDonald House allows parents who are far away from home to stay close to their hospitalized child without the expense of hotel and food costs. The can tab program is important to the Ronald McDonald House because it provides extra revenue that can help make up for donations families cannot make. To house a family the cost is between $100 and $140 a night. That is 280 pounds of tabs! They only ask for $10 a night contribution but no family is turned away. There are two Ronald McDonald Houses located in Maine, one in Bangor and one in Portland.
Tabs are small in size, but they have a big impact. Ask your family, friends, relatives, businesses, service clubs, bottle redemption centers, police stations, schools co-workers, church, etc. to save the tabs. This is an on-going community service that the Homemakers have under taken.
We don’t care what the tabs are collected in; zip lock bags, cardboard boxes, coffee cans, pill bottles, glass jars, or plastic trash bags. If you would like a container to collect tabs in, they are available at the Extension office.
Donations of any size can be left at the Franklin County Extension Office.
Please help us collect as many tabs as possible for this worthy cause. Together we can make an impact on the lives of many.
State News
2022-2023 Re-Enrollment Process
There is a new option available for families for the new 4-H Year. Starting October 1st , families will
have the ability to log into their account and complete their re-enrollment, as well as all required
forms, online. If you were enrolled for the 2021-2022 year, you can simply visit:
https://4h.zsuite.org/ – click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the email
address you receive your 4-H communications to. There is a help menu that offers step-by-step
instructions in the system, as well as live chat for questions. You are also welcome to reach out to
your county staff or to the State Office at 4-H@maine.edu. If you would prefer to continue to
complete paper forms, they can be found online at:
https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/forms/ or by reaching out to your county office.
Independent Member Clubs!
This fall county offices are piloting a new club specifically for independent 4-H members. This is a space for
youth to come together and build relationships with their peers. We will share interests, projects, goals, and
plans for the year and then reflect on our learning throughout and at the end of the year. This is also a
great place to start if you are a new or recently enrolled independent member. We will meet 3 times
throughout the year as a group with county staff. This will be a space for youth to foster friendships with
peers and possibly come together to work on projects of similar interests. We are even hoping to get the
group to brainstorm common interests and work together on a community service project!
Register here! https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/independent-member-club/
Meetings can be attended either in person or virtually and will be open to all ages. Dates
based on county/region.
2022/2023 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 Melissa Freeman or Cathy Gray to find out more information.
Currently Scheduled Topics:
– November 18, 2022 – Card Making
– December 16, 2022 – Game Night
– 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
EFNEP Recipes: Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us! While there are many ways we celebrate this time of year, there is one
constant theme: food. Whether it’s creating it, sharing it, or giving it, food brings us all together. I have
gathered a few special fall and Thanksgiving themed recipes below to share with your friends and family
this holiday season:
Butternut Squash Bisque
Roasted Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Vegetables
Easy Stuffing
Turkey Gravy (Gluten Free Gravy)
Baked Apple Crisp
For more delicious recipes, check out our UMaine EFNEP Mainely Dish Video Series.
By Debbie Barnett (EFNEP CEA in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties –
deborah.barnett@maine.edu).
Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. Find out more online.