Piscataquis County 4-H Newsletter, January 2025

December 27, 2024 4-H, News

Table of Contents

Piscataquis County 4-H Calendar

  • January 7, 2025, 6-8 pm. Backyard Maple Sugaring Webinar, Online
    Join University of Maine Extension Maple Industry Educator, Jason Lilley, to learn everything you need about making your own maple syrup. We’ll discuss identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Jason will focus on homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment. Designed for beginners and offered at a sliding scale of $0-$15. For more information, visit MOFGA’s Backyard Maple Syrup Production Webinar page.
  • January 14, 2025, 3:30-5:00 pm, Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Public Speaking info session, Thompson Free Library
  • January 16, 2025, 10-11:30 am, Piscataquis County 4-H Leaders’ Association meeting, Piscataquis Extension Office
  • January 21, 2025, 3-4:30 pm, Piscataquis County Extension Association Executive Committee meeting, Piscataquis Extension Office

Piscataquis County 4-H Leaders’ Association

4-H Leaders are caring adults who want to create more experiences for youth to learn, grow, and thrive in our communities. 4-H leaders form positive relationships with youth, fostering a sense of belonging and engaging their “sparks.” The Piscataquis 4-H Leaders’ Association meets monthly to support the youth and 4-H program in our county. Parents of 4-H’ers are welcome to attend.

To learn more, check out How Do I Become a Volunteer?

County 4-H News

The calendar has turned again! We’re looking back on last year and looking forward to a new year of 4-H community activities!

The 4-H Public Speaking season is about to begin, and we can’t wait to see what Piscataquis youth are passionate about! Last year, 6 youth made presentations at the county-level event, and we hope to have more this year. Penobscot County 4-H youth have been invited to join Piscataquis County 4-H youth on March 15 at Central Hall Commons to “Showcase Your Sparks.”

Maine 4-H is rebranding Public Speaking to align with the Northeast Region Speak Up Fest. “Speak Up, Maine 4-H! Showcase Your Sparks” state public speaking event will take place April 5 (snow date April 6) on the UMaine campus in Orono. Come see youth from all over Maine present Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks.

An animal science exploration is in the works for spring, and who knows where else our youth will lead?  

Interested in Joining the Piscataquis County Extension Association Executive Committee?

The Piscataquis County Extension Association Executive Committee supports the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s mission to bring relevant programs and services to the people of Piscataquis County. They prepare the budget and grant request to the County Commissioners each year and support UMaine Cooperative Extension programming and events.

At the Annual Meeting in October, the slate of officers was approved by all in attendance.

President: Kim Merritt
Vice President: Jackie DiPalma
Secretary: Caitlin Walsh
Treasurer: Rick Cabot
Member: Dwain Allen

For more information contact Anette Moulton at anette.moulton@maine.edu.

Club News

  • The Nightwings 4-H Archery Club is resting for the winter. When the sun comes back around to light the Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, outdoor target practice will resume. Many of The Nightwings are also members of the Icewings Community Club.
  • Icewings 4-H Community Club is a fun and enthusiastic group! Ms. Jen Lobley from UMaine Maine Extension/4-H facilitated the last meeting of the year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what directions youth take their club.
  • Macaws 4-H Public Speaking will begin meeting in January at Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft. Youth will practice their skills and most will prepare for our county event March 15 at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft. Youth 9 and up, with qualifying scores may attend “Speak Up, Maine 4-H!” on UMaine campus April 5. 

State 4-H News

Summer Camp at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove

Registration for Summer Programs at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps opens on
January 6, 2025, at 6 PM. We would love to see you at one of our 4-H Camps this summer! 1 and
2-week overnight camps, day camps, outdoor trips, and teen leadership camps are open for
anyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to diversify your 4-H experience and continue
building awesome skills. Scholarships are available from the Camps and the 4-H Foundation to
help with tuition costs.

Some sessions fill up fast! To start planning your summer experience, please check out the
program pages on our website which have more information and dates. We are excited to
welcome you to the Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove Family! For questions, please email or call
Emma at the contact information below:

4-H Volunteer Connections: Register Today!

We are offering THREE virtual interactive sessions this winter for all 4-H volunteers! Join us
for regional training and networking opportunities with 4-H volunteers from our 13 states in
the North East Region! Session topics include the following:

  • Preparing for Youth Engagement – January 22, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm
  • Building Connections for Success – February 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
  • Growing Beyond the Ribbon – March 19, 2025 – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

To read more about each session and register, go to this link! 4-H Volunteer Connections

Sign up for one, two, or all three! Sessions are free, but you must register! Questions? Reach out
to Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu. We hope to see you there!

Public Speaking – Save the Date!

The state Public Speaking event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the University of Maine
in Orono. The snow date is Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned for events and details on our Maine 4-H website
soon.

4-H Science Toolkits

Maine 4-H has a lending library of 4-H Science toolkits. These come with activities and materials
around a variety of topics. Recent additions include:

Reach out to your local 4-H staff person or email 4-HScience@maine.edu to make a reservation
or with any questions.

2025 Engineering Week Expo

The Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC) Engineering Expo will be held Saturday, March 8th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the University of Maine Field House in Orono.  This family-friendly FREE event invites the community to explore the world of engineering through demonstrations and hands-on activities. The 4-H Science and Engineering Center will be there along with Maine engineering firms, schools, government agencies, and societies who are invested in engaging young minds in career pathways involving engineering. For more information on the Engineering Expo please visit their website.

Maine Science Festival

The Maine Science Festival will be held March 19-23 times TBD in February at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. This FREE event includes a Field Trip Day for 7th- 8th graders, a Teen Tech Night, and Exploration Stations that include demonstrations and hands-on activities involving the sciences. Be sure to put it on your calendar because it really is a fun event! For more information on the Maine Science Festival please visit their website.

Contact: Anette Moulton, Administrative Specialist, by email at anette.moulton@maine.edu, phone at 207.564.3301 or Trisha Smith, Positive Youth Development 4-H Professional, email trisha.smith1@maine.edu.

Office Hours: Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm and Wednesdays from 8 am to 12 pm (Noon)

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).