Knox-Lincoln 4-H Newsletter—March 2021
Send articles to cynthia.rogers@maine.edu
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
March 9 *NEW SCHEDULE* KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Zoom
March 9 Teen Science Café—Bobcats, 4pm, Zoom
March 16 Teen Science Café—Arthropod Vectors, 4pm, Zoom
March 17 4-H for All Club, 6-7pm, Zoom
March 23 Teen Science Café—Climate Variability, 4pm, Zoom
March 30 Teen Science Café—Pigs & Cows, 4pm, Zoom
April 13 *NEW SCHEDULE* KLLA Meeting, 6pm, Zoom
April 17-18 Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, online (see article)
April 21 4-H for All Club, 6-7pm, Zoom
April 28-May 10 4-H Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co.
March Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Charlotte D., Faith M., Krista S., Luke B., Noora H., and Alyssa P.!
Snack Time
By Debbie Barnett, UMaine Extension, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Top o’ the mornin’! Try this smoothie to celebrate Saint Patty’s Day in a healthy way. This is an excellent way to enjoy a variety of fruits and even a vegetable with some low-fat protein to make an excellent breakfast or snack choice. Try to include at least 3 of the 5 food groups in every meal and snack.
Go Green Smoothies 
1 banana, cut into slices
1 cup green grapes
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 cup baby spinach (rinsed and patted dry)
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt (or key lime yogurt)
¼ cup apple juice or lime juice
4-5 ice cubes
Place banana grapes, kiwi and spinach in the blender. Add yogurt, juice and ice. Puree until smooth.
Exciting Upcoming Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafés
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafés are back for 2021! The sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45 pm. Pre-registration is required, and registration links are online.
March 9—Tom Rounsville joins us to talk about his field research involving bobcat populations.
March 16—Our guest is Allison Gardiner, a medical entomologist whose research focuses on the ecology of infectious diseases of humans and wildlife that are transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
March 23—Join Sean Birkel of UMaine’s Climate Change Institute, whose research utilizes climate modeling and data visualization to better understand climate variability and future impacts from human activity.
March 30—Colt Knight of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will talk about pigs and cows—From Farm to Table and Beyond.
2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 17-18, 2021. If you are interested in participating in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program and need assistance in any way, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are committed to making 4-H programs accessible to all youth, regardless of internet or technology access.
Family, friends, and the general public who wish to support youth can join us for the Awards Ceremony! The Awards Ceremony will be streamed live via Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 4:00pm. We encourage you to invite anyone you’d like—there is no limit on attendees!
Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Sheila Norman, 207.942.7396.
4-H for All Club
Come and discover your spark! Maine 4-H is a place to learn new skills, meet new friends, and uncover the possibilities available to you. This opportunity is open to all Maine youth ages 5-19 and their families. New dates have been added!
Purpose: To provide new and potential members and their families a place to learn about 4-H, and to connect youth across the state.
How: Meetings will be held on March 17th, and April 21st from 6-7 pm via zoom; registration for each date will be closed at 12:00 pm, the day before the meeting. The club will be led by various 4-H staff and guests. Register below!
What’s in it for me? You will be connected to youth across the state. You will be able to choose a project to complete. You will learn about 4-H and learn how to become more involved.
Why: We would love to have you join and engage in our 4-H program. There is no cost in participating. Monthly meetings will help challenge you to create new goals and discover new passions.
4-H Paper Clover Campaign April 28-May 10 at Tractor Supply Co.
Each Spring and Fall, Tractor Supply Co. helps raise money for 4-H programs with the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign. Customers can donate $1 or more to 4-H in-store at the register or online. The funds are used locally for scholarships for 4-Hers to participate in camps and leadership programs. At this time, in-store demonstrations or other participation by 4-H clubs will not be allowed. Participate by donating online or in-store, and tell your friends and family, too!
Maine Maple Sunday
Here’s a welcome sign of spring: The dates for the 38th annual Maine Maple Sunday weekend have been set for March 27 and 28!
Last year, because of the pandemic, the Maine Maple Producers Association postponed the popular event until Oct. 9-11, with maple producers hosting both online and a few limited on-farm activities, following federal CDC guidelines. It was the first time in 37 years the spring event had been canceled. Sugar shacks will be open again this year, according to Scott Dun, president of the association.
“Since each sugar house is unique in size and capacity, producers are adjusting their hours and purchase options, including curbside pick-up and online ordering,” Dunn said in a statement. “It is important for visitors to plan ahead by checking online, or calling your local producers about their plans for the event.”
In addition to buying syrup on Maine Maple Sunday weekend, visitors partake in pancake breakfasts, maple doughnuts and farm tours. Maine has 450 licensed maple producers that make more than 575,000 gallons of syrup annually, making it the third largest producer in the country after Vermont and New York. The maple syrup industry generates $27 million a year for the Maine economy and employs more than 560 people.
If you are interested in tapping Maple trees yourself, take a look at UMaine Extension’s Maple Syrup Production page. There are lots of resources here!