Welcome to Oahu 4-H's online newsletter.

October 2006

     Happy Halloween!

     Thank you to all for attending our first council meeting!  I hope you are excited about the busy year the Executive Board has planned for you.  We still have a few chair positions available to any member who is willing to “learn by doing” and grow from a worthwhile experience.  Anyone who is interested should contact Ross Shibata or Kristi Ogata for more information.

     There are several activities planned for this month.  On October 1, 2006, Aunty Maryknoll needs help manning the Oahu County 4-H booth for the Children and Youth Day at the State Capitol to kickoff National 4-H week.  During the National 4-H week, which is the first week of October, remember to share your 4-H experiences with others and encourage them to join our 4-H Ohana.  Less than a week later, the Fashion Revue registration forms are due on October 12, 2006 at the Urban Garden Center.  It’s still not too late to sew your garments or select a ready made garment to model at the Fashion Revue scheduled for October 29, 2006.  In addition to all these activities, Aunty Becky is planning the Germ City activity which will be held on October 22, 2006 at the Bishop Museum.  Please call her, if you would like to participate in this fun filled event.  Lastly, a reminder to all members and leaders, the 4-H enrollment forms are due by October 31, 2006.

     After a busy month of October, Ross is planning our county camp for a weekend in November and Mari is chairing the Foster Kids Christmas party.  Please look for more details on these and other events in the newsletter.

     I wish you all a happy and safe Halloween and hope to see at our upcoming events.  Remember, you will get out of 4-H only what you put in.

HAPPY HAUNTING!!!
Amber Kuitunen

     Hey guys, camp is coming up soon! It will be at Camp Mokuleia and the tentative date for camp is November 17, 18, 19.  So save that weekend, and hopefully we'll see you there!

     This is just a reminder that my office needs your enrollment forms so we can update our files and Hannah Wong, Executive Vice President can compile the directory.  In last month’s newsletter we listed all the forms that the club are required to turn in by October 31st.  Let’s be on time and get your forms in.  All forms maybe obtained from the 4-H website or you could call my office for hard copies.

     The new 4-H year is just beginning.  I know many of you are very much involved with so many activities whether it is 4-H, school or the community.  Are you keeping track of what you are doing?  If you have not been writing down what you are doing, than this is a good time to start.  Record book keeping is an important part of 4-H.  I hope you will take some time from your busy schedule to organize your records so when it comes time to fill out resumes, scholarships, job and college applications you will have the accurate information readily available.

     Here is a simple and easy way to record your information.  First divide a paper into six columns.  Label the first column EVENT.  In this column lists the activities you participated in and out of school, positions and jobs held, and things you made.  Label the second column DATE.  This is when the event took place.  Label your third column PLACE.  List where the activity was held.  Label the fourth column TIME SPENT.  Record how many hours or minutes you spent doing the activity.  Label the fifth column AMOUNT.  You can record how many garments you made or sold, or how many people you served food to at a party.  The last column is the AWARDS.  Here is where you can record if you won 1st place for your science fair project.

     Keeping good, neat and accurate records can be very rewarding in the end.  I encourage all of you to keep the records of the things you do.  It may seem like a hassle right now, but it will truly be rewarding in the end.  If you club would like help in getting the members started in keeping records please call me at 622-4185.

Friday, November 3, 2006
Urban Garden Center Garage
6:30 pm, precisely

     Nutritionist Pat Liang-Tong will show us how to make a delicious chili using no-fat, grounded turkey.  We shall also learn how to make an easy, no-bake pie for dessert.

     The 4-H Leaders’ Federation needs your thoughts.  This Federation supports the chaperone to Congress and the leaders that attend WRLF, annually.  The 4-H Leaders’ Conference is now every other year, so how do we generate funds every year?

     Please join us for planning, fellowship and good eating. Call Maryknoll at 453-6053 or Rose at 622-4185 for headcount.

                                                                                    Valerie Inafuku

     You could feel the 4-H energy in the air as the 70+ military 4-H club leaders, site directors, trainers and special guests filled the room to celebrate National 4-H Week and kick off the new 4-H year on September 21, 2006.

     Thank you to Michelle Evans, our Hickam contact and Hickam for hosting the event.  Also a special mahalo for the lively and entertaining presentation by the Bennett Youth Center.

     The Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous in North Dakota was a great experience, celebrating the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark returning Sakakawea back to her home village.  About 300 juniors and seniors from all over the United States got together and met in Bismarck.  Since this expedition was sponsored by the National Guard, we were treated as if we were in the military.

     We were put into companies, platoons, and then squads.  Each squad was made up of about 10 people all from different states.  For 5 days we spent every waking minute exploring the past, present, and future of the military. We spent two days in Bismarck, one day in Washburn, and another day in Medora.

     Through this whole experience I was able to walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.  From 5:00 am to 11:30 pm, we were on the go exploring what North Dakota has to offer us.  I was able to see Fort Abraham Lincoln, General Custer’s house, Knife River National Park, Fort Mandan, Lewis and Clark river boat, rafting, high ropes, dances, games, traditions of different tribes and many other fun and educating activities.

     Throughout these 5 days I became tight with my squad which is made up of people from Nebraska, Iowa, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, New Jersey, Montana, Puerto Rico, and Alabama.  The day we left each other was the saddest moment of this trip.  Through this essay contest I was able to gain life long friends, learn more about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, experience military life, and learn more about North Dakota.  I would also like to thank the National Guard for making this possible.  This trip took three years of planning and I am very thankful to be able to take part in this once in a life time event.

                                                                                    Hannah Wong

     The Cloverkids and Oahu 4-H will be bringing the Germ City tent out to Family Sunday at Bishop Museum on Sunday, October 22, 2006 to show youngsters and their families the importance of hand washing.  Help (youth and adults) is needed to man the tent, distribute materials and educate the people visiting.  Contact Becky Kanenaka at ken214@hawaii.rr.com to let her know if you can help during the morning (9:30-12:30) or afternoon shift (12:30-3:30).

     Sharpen your sense of hearing, feeling, smelling and especially tasting because the "Oahu County 4-H Food Show" is taking place on Saturday, February 17, 2007. It will be held at Pearl City High School. The theme of this year’s culinary competition: finger foods, local foods and Kraft foods. Seemingly simple, but with all the talented youth out there the bar is significantly raised! Mark your calendars and make sure your sense of hearing is also in check so that you can keep tuned for more information!

     If you don’t have a plan yet as how you and/or your club will celebrate National 4-H Week (October 7-13), here are some ideas on things you still can do:

* Make clover-shaped cookies to deliver to shut-ins.
* Advertise a wear green day. Distribute green and white mints to everyone who wears green that day; or distribute tickets to a fun 4-h event.
* Add a 4-H Week message to every e-mail and written correspondence during the week.
* Answer your phone with "Happy 4-H Week."
* Send sticks or packs of gum with notes attatched Thanks for sticking with 4-H!
* 4-H'ers- do something to honor and thank your club leaders.
* Do a service-learning activity.

4-H Clover Corner News
For additional articles on 4-H youth development nationwide, check out the National 4-H Clover Corner News at http://www.4hblogs.org/ccn/

We welcome your story ideas and 4-H job listings.
Please e-mail them to nakatsuk@hawaii.edu

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