December 2015/January 2016
4-H Flash
Caroline County
4-H Youth
Development
Faculty/Staff:
Sharon L. Pahlman,
Extension Educator
Wendi L. Potter,
Administrative Asst. II
Mailing Address:
9194 Legion Road,
Suite 4
Denton, MD 21629
Phone Info:
Phone: 410-479-4030
Fax: 410-479-4042
Email:
spahlman@umd.edu
wpotter@umd.edu
Website:
http://caroline.umd.edu
Facebook:
University of Maryland –
Caroline County 4-H
The 4-H staff wishes to share Merry
Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New
Year to all of our 4-H families. Make the
year 2016 the best yet!
Dear 4-H members, parents & volunteers:
As many of you have heard I have been
working limited hours since August 19 due
to a medical concern. This has left a big
hole in the amount of work being done in the county program, most importantly making
the connections and keeping you up to date on happenings. I am closing out my career
here in the county effective December 31. I had planned to do that before my health
conditions caused me to take time off to rest.
I deeply appreciate each and every one of our 4-H families. You are my Caroline family
and will always be. You have taught me so much and given so much to each other and to
the county program. I trust that your 4-H experience will leave you with a lifetime of
positive memories and that each one of you will proudly say I am or I have been a
Caroline County 4-H member and that I live by the ideals of the 4-H pledge. Remember
you are the ones that represent the backbone of this county- hardworking, honest citizens
and students who strive to make Caroline County a better place to live. May each member
and your family continue to enjoy and grow from your 4-H experience.
Many thanks to all the awesome volunteers- club leaders and parents, who step up to the
plate for you all the time. Please say a big thanks to them and know and appreciate all they
do to make the opportunities that you have in 4-H.
Please join us in welcoming Missy Tucker to the office!
Missy is a former 4-H member, she completed the
Diamond Clover requirements and went to National 4-H Congress representing
our county. She was a former very active member of the Silver Spurs and Teen
group. Missy is working on Monday’s presently and will be adding a few more
hours to her work time beginning in January. Her email at this time is:
metucker2011@yahoo.com If you email her please note the title as a 4-H
question. If you do not she may assume the message is junk.
Equal Access Programs
“Making the
Best Better”
Caroline County 4-H is going GREEN! to save paper, postage and time future
newsletters will only be emailed. We are emailing the newsletter to those we have who
have already shared their email with us. Those who have not provided an email are
requested to contact Wendi Potter (wpotter@umd.edu) as soon as you read this and
share your email address. If you do not have an email then please let Ms. Wendi know.
This is the last paper copy of the newsletter to be sent only to those without an email.
You can also call her at 410 479-4030.
 Thank you to all those helpers at the county fair with judging, individual livestock shows, and all 4-H members
who helped at the children’s day program- teaching about rabbit care, agriculture and more! If you showed your
livestock projects to fair visitors any time during the fair you also deserve a big thanks!
 A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Charlotte Brown for chairing the livestock shows and for the support and help from
each 4-H UME volunteer and previous 4-H members who helped make the Caroline –Dorchester County Fair a big
success. Also, very big thank you to Ms. Beverly Saathoff, Caroline, Paul & David for helping take and enter our
county 4-H entries in the Maryland State Fair and Maggie and Bill Rogers for picking them up. Additionally,
THANKS to all who serve as members of the Caroline- Dorchester County Fair Board and to our 4-H parents.
 Thanks to Mrs. Beth MacDonald for chairing the rabbit/cavy show and to Missy Tucker, Mollie Dove and Becky
Burgess for serving as co-chairs of the horse show.
 Caroline County 4-H was well represented by the following who took advantage of the many options for 4-H
members and volunteers by attending the MD 4-H Volunteer and Teen Forum in Ocean City in November.
Scholarships were awarded to the following volunteers: Wendi Potter, Teresa Cochran, Maggie Rogers and Bill
Rogers. In addition, Quinn Cochran and Connor Cochran attended as 4-H members.
 Thanks so much to Connor Cochran for representing MD 4-H as a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in
Atlanta. We are very proud of his participation. Connor was also awarded a scholarship from the Caroline
County 4-H All Stars to help defray cost of the trip. Connor interviewed and earned the trip based on his 4-H
achievements including yearly completion of his record book.
 All Caroline County 4-H Shotgun members earned medals in the MD 4-H State Shotgun match. Eleven counties
participated. The members included: Junior member: Jake Johnson (placed 2nd/5); Intermediates: Ryan Boyles
(2nd/29) & Abigail Silva (16th/29) as well as Seniors: Cole Patrick (2nd/38), Cody Christopher & Brockman
Harris (tied for 5th place/38) and Megan Watts placed (31st/38). What a great day for team Caroline!!!! A big
thank you to our leaders: Ed Briscoe & Travis Elliot. Parent supporters included Steve Harris and also Scott
Patrick. CONGRATULATIONS!
 Congratulations to the members of the Archer’s Club! The following Archer’s Club members participated in
the Maryland 4-H Archery Match. Each member proudly represented Caroline County. They include: JuniorTucker Strong; Intermediates- Maddie Harris, Meredith Miller, & Shelby Parks; Seniors- Meghan Hall, Audrey
Miller, Timothy Parks, Will Schlesner, & Aiyanna Simmons. Thanks to Rudi Schlesner and Roger Banko for
leading the club. Tim Parks and Meghan Hall placed and earned medals for their efforts.
 Recently several newspaper articles were written and published in the local Delmarva Farmer newspaper by
Gabrielle Parsley and Julie Cesarini, senior 4-H members. A big thank you for a job well done representing
Caroline County 4-H!
 Gabrielle Parsley is an active member of the MD 4-H State Council. We appreciate that your representation.
 Scholarship winner: Gabrielle Parsley was awarded the Howard W. Clark Sr. Memorial Scholarship from the
MD 4-H Foundation. She earned this award because she completes record books each year and works hard to
follow the 4-H motto…..To make the Best Better! Congratulations Gabrielle!
 We again had a successful yard sale fundraiser under the leadership of Becky Boncella and Marcia Boncella! A
big thanks to Becky & Marcia a well as the Hopping Around 4-H Club members and leaders for serving breakfast
and lunch at this event.
 Christmas in Caroline: Many thanks to those of you who made cookies and helped in any way to make the 2015
event a big success. Thanks also to Ms. Navonne and to the 4-H members who took on leadership roles to make
the Holiday Make it Take it a success. Emma Beaven (Sr.) and David Saathoff ( Jr.) were the first 4-H members
to cross the finish line in the 1st 5 K Reindeer Run held during the Christmas in Caroline event. Congratulations
to all 4-H members who participated. As in the past a big thank you is extended to Mrs. Joanne Wooters for her
overall chairing of the event. You are the best!!!
 Congratulations to the NCHS Green 4-H Club as they will be receiving a $935 mini-grant from the Maryland 4-H
Foundation to expand their Environmental Science Education Program!
⇒ Chill Out at 4-H Winter Camp: Please contact: Amanda Wahle at awahle@umd.edu or (410) 222 - 3900
Where: Patuxent River 4-H Center
Who: Winter camp will be held for those 8-11 years old and Teen Leadership Camp will be for those 12-18 years old.
When: January 15th – 18th
What: Enjoy fun activities such as- Archery, Arts & Crafts, Ropes Course, Nature, Team Building, Health & Leadership!
⇒ 2016 4-H State Awards Gala: This exciting annual event recognizes the accomplishments of members and volunteers will be held
Sunday, January 17, 2016 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Laurel Park Racetrack. If you receive an invitation and plan to attend the event, be sure
to register right away. Ms. Amanda Brown Clougherty needs to know exactly how many people to plan for. Amanda is also
requesting baskets of auction items or individual items of nice/new quality that can be sold at the Gala’s silent auction to help with
cost recovery. If you would like to contribute auction items, contact Amanda or the Extension Office.
Her contact is
akbrown@umd.edu
⇒ Bee Keeping Class: Mike Embrey will be offering a beekeeping class at the Talbot County Extension Office in Easton, MD. The first
of seven sessions will be held on Saturday, January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. – 12noon. The recommended textbook, “The Beekeeper’s
Handbook, Fourth Edition” by Diana Sammataro is used in conjunction with the class and can be purchased on Amazon. For More
information, registration, costs, etc., contact: Talbot County Extension Office- (410) 822 – 1244
⇒ Maryland 4-H Day at the Maryland vs. Michigan State Women’s Basketball Game! Saturday, January 23 at the University
of Maryland in College Park Have you ever wondered why there is an annual 4-H day devoted to baseball but not to basketball? Well,
now we have both! Plans are in the works for a fun day when members and families can enjoy a game and support the Foundation at
the same time. Watch for the flyer that will be coming out shortly.
⇒ Caroline County 4- H Public Speaking Contest: Friday, February 19th – 6:30 p.m. @ the Williams Building. We expect several
Dorchester 4-H members to attend- they will be judged separately from our members. Public Speaking is one of the most important
life skills you can and will learn through 4-H. 4-H Public Speaking Contests are held to encourage 4-Hers to learn, practice, and share
their public speaking skills and experience. The contest consists of categories including:
• Prepared Speech- prepare and practice in advance
• Extemporaneous- make up the speech during the contest from topics provided
• Radio Spot- Prepare a 30 second public service announcement promoting 4-H, Fair, or other 4-H event that could be played
on the radio.
• Demonstration- Prepare a demonstration showing the audience how to make or do something (for example: how to make a
flower arrangement, how to properly shoot a bow, how to groom a horse, etc.)
• Recite the Pledge of Allegiance or 4-H Pledge – Clover members (ages 5-7) can recite one of the pledges as part of the event.
Registration materials and more information will be forth coming right after the start of the New Year. Please contact Ms. Missy if
you want a packet of details for this contest. She can also help with preparation.
⇒ 4-H Regional Public Speaking Contest: When: Friday, April 1, 6:30 p.m.; Where: Easton High School (meet in the cafeteria)
⇒ Caroline County 4-H Achievement Banquet: March 12, 2016 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the 4-H Park
⇒ Shooting Sports Updates: For all planning to become new instructors…..save the date please: April 1-3, Thendara 4-H Center,
Hurlock. Details later. You must let us know if interested. Thanks so much.
⇒ Health Careers 4-H Club: All middle and high school youth are welcome. This club usually meets at the new Health Professions and
Athletic Center at Chesapeake College on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Please contact Tom Hutson at
thutson@umd.edu or at (410) 822 – 1244 for details. Our most recent meeting included an emphasis on emergency meds with those
attending performing intubation, CPR on adults and infants and much more. If you are interested in any form of health as a career you
are encouraged to attend.
⇒ Would you like to become a UME volunteer? If yes, please mark your calendars! New volunteer training will be held February
8th at 6:30 pm at the Williams Building. Please contact Ms. Wendi by 2/1/16 if you plan on attending. Parents as well as interested
adults willing to contribute to the program in numerous ways are invited. Please bring with you the names and phone/address
contacts of 3 folks to serve as reference people for your files.
⇒ MD 4-H is sponsoring a 4-H teen trip to Tanzania this summer. It cost around $4800 and you will be responsible to raise your
own funds. This is a once in a life time opportunity to share your skills with those of this country. If interested please search the
Maryland 4-H webpage.
Senior Portfolio Reminders: Portfolio Packets are due for the Out of State Trips: National 4-H Congress, Miniwanca, West
Virginia and Virginia 4-H Congress, portfolios are due to the Caroline 4-H Office by January 6th, where they will be reviewed and
returned for corrections. 4-H teens are encouraged to submit a packet for a once in a lifetime trip opportunity. A 4-H senior portfolio
consists of an application, resume, and essay. The 2016 essay topic is: Write an essay describing the impact that being a 4-H member
has had on your life. For more information on portfolio guidelines, please visit: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/youthfamilies/awards-recognition.
Record Books are due January 22nd by 4:00 p.m. also please include your service learning hours please visit:
https://extension.umd.edu/caroline-county/4-h-youth/important-forms-and-deadlines for more information. Seniors are
encouraged to complete the portfolio and also individual projects if they want to be recognized and earn year pins for them.
Service learning hours: If you are an elementary age 4-H member and participate in service hours for your club, church or
community please also submit your hours. We know that you cannot do that for school, but we welcome your contribution.
2015 4-H year completed Club Officer Books are due February 5th by 4:00 p.m. Club presidents are to complete the 4-H Program
Book for their club and submit what skills and lessons they learned about serving as a club president in a one page essay. Club
Secretaries are to include the details of the club described in the back of their book (annual report of the club; summary of events;
etc. as it applies to your club), as well as the minutes for each meeting.
Club treasurers are to submit the Treasurer’s book with monthly reports for both income and expenses.
Re-enrollment: Please make every effort to attend the club meetings in January and February as the update packets for
enrollment will be available during those meetings. If you desire to remain an active member in 2016 and can not attend these
meetings please kindly contact your club leader and let them know your plans for membership.
2015 Record Book Completion directions
-Remember 4-H age is your age was on January 1, 2015: clovers: 5-7 yrs.; juniors: 8-10; intermediates: 11-13 and seniors 14-18.
-To be recognized for county participation during the 2015 year please do the following: these are all options of course but you are
encouraged- 1. Complete your service learning hour forms 2. Complete your record book with at least one project- including giving a
speech about that project or a project display at school or in the club meeting. Be sure that you also can document that you
showed/exhibited something about the project during the county fair. 3. Complete the Diamond Clover level forms that you are
eligible to complete and turn these in.
-All 4-H record books will be due in the 4-H office on Friday, January 22, 2016.
For all junior and intermediate 4-H members:
-If you are completing a specific animal record project sheets such as market goat; swine, etc. these are available at the
following web address: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources.
-Scroll down in the middle of the page to Animal projects records, click on download and save. You should be able to type in
the document and save it.
Be sure to save your project record work as you type into it.
To type directly into the project record sheet and combined summary record go to the following website:
extension.umd.edu/caroline-county…Click on 4-H…Click on record book forms…Click on Record Book (write in)
You will be able to print them out for the inclusion in the record book. You may purchase a record book cover through the
National 4-H Mall- search online, or our office (we have a few) contact Wendi or use a green covered binder/three prong
folder please. Be sure that your record book cover is labeled with your name and club name.
All clover (age 5-7) members should click on the Clover project form to make a copy and write in the record sheet.
Seniors are encouraged to complete the Resume- Portfolio.
Directions are available at https://extension.umd.edu/4h/youth-families/awards-recognition
click on the 3rd and 4th bullet listed in red- see essay directions too if you wish to
apply for a National 4-H trip. The essay topic is: describe the impact that being a 4-H member has had on your life.
-Diamond Clover directions are available at the same website above for seniors.
-Seniors may also complete the project record sheet for each project they complete if they want, it is not required unless they
are hoping for specific project recognition during the Achievement banquet- including earning a project pin.
∗ If you are planning to raise and show beef and/or dairy steers please let Ms. Charlotte Brown know as soon as possible. Ownership
date requirements: January 1, 2015. A tagging and weighing date will be set in early January and we must know if you plan to have
any animals tagged. Please contact Ms. Charlotte at (410) 479 – 3334 for exact dates.
∗ Lop eared and Lion head rabbits are available and free/ including cagesplease contact Ms. Sharon if interested.
• Would you like to learn more about the role of the Maryland 4-H Foundation in promoting youth development across the state?
Go online to www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com or speak to Ms. Amanda Clougherty, Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation!
• Facebook page! Be sure to friend Caroline County 4-H as both Missy and Wendi will put regular updates on this page.
• Post Fair Reminder! Please cash any Caroline – Dorchester County Fair or Maryland State Fair checks ASAP. Thank you!!! We have
4-H exhibits left over from the MD State Fair in the office. Please come pick them up!
• Inclement Weather Policy: If Caroline County Public Schools are cancelled for the day, there is early dismissal, or after school
activities are cancelled due to inclement weather, ALL 4- H Events are to be cancelled.
Retirement Celebration for
Please join us in wishing
Sharon the very best on
her new adventure…
Retirement!
Sharon Pahlman
January 26th from 3:00 - 6:00pm
University of MD Extension
Caroline County Office
9194 Legion Road,
Denton, MD 21629
Light refreshments
will be served.
RSVP to Wendi Potter by January 20th - wpotter@umd.edu * 410-479-4030.