~ Activity Story ~

The 4-H year started in September. In September, our club made a sign to promote the "National 4-H Week" that had the theme of "Fall Into 4-H". Club members (third grade and older) signed up for a month to demonstrate. Our fair sign to promote the 2021-22 Barron County Fair received a participation award, our former club leader, Barb Lancaster, informed. Families were encouraged to re-enroll for the upcoming, new 4-H year, including adult leaders reminded that it is mandatory to take voluntary training prior to re-enrolling. 

October's meeting took place at the Stovern's house on October 9, 2022. We had a bonfire for this eventful meeting, thereafter we had demonstrations and s'mores/snacks. During that time, Barb Lancaster stepped down, and Jennifer Stovern taking the position of club leader. We also elected club officers for the new 4-H year, and I still have my secretary's position presently. 

In November, we planned for 4-H Christmas festivities, such as the Christmas parade in Main Street and the Club Christmas Party for the month of December.  We garnished and adorned the float with green and white lights, green streamers, and clovers to accentuate 4-H, and to add a little touch, the kids/members were encouraged to wear boxes wrapped with Christmas paper (to represent presents) and pass out candy to other people. Our club resolved to not holding a meeting in December, just to celebrate a day for Christmas together.  During this celebratory month,  those who had recognition for projects/outstanding record books received awards, such as art awards, other project awards, secretary book award, etc. The bake sale event took place as well, where club members would contribute delicious baked goods for the sale, whereas we used this money as a fundraiser. 

December: no meeting occurred, as the Christmas party was planned.

The 2023 year started (in January) with  discussions about constructing Valentine's for the Senior Living facilities in the local areas, such as Rice Lake. Our club also conceived a plan for the annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser; from the food options to the time of the breakfast: everything was thoroughly envisioned and developed.  

February's meeting consisted of [primarily] on Valentine's Day cards for the residents of Heritage Lakeside Manor in Rice Lake, as we delivered the Valentine's to the residents after the meeting. We were preparing and making final plans for the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser to ensure what we would officially do in March. In February, I also showcased my demonstration on Solo & Ensemble,  where I would bring my music with, explain the process of preparing for performing this piece, and demonstrated it.  

The Pancake Breakfast occurred on March 18, 2023. Families would bring in breakfast items, such as egg bakes, sausages, etc.  The people attending enjoyed their food, and many bought tickets for our new idea of raffle baskets. We discussed a club activity project day, as projects included a shelf, card making, and a bookmark to make. Another point of our March meeting was about our club's 4-H donation for the raffle baskets at the Barron County Fair. It was decided that Smithco would donate a designed fire ring with a donation from Cook's Well Service for campfire supplies. Club members talked about going to bowling lanes in Chetek as a club activity, and it would take place in May for the May meeting as well. 

In April, we had our club project day where we constructed shelves and bookmarks with pizza for dinner. Meanwhile, club members are still signing up for the Junior Leader's Pie Shake Stand at the Barron County Fair in July. We also conversed about  the Softball 4-H activity and club members signed up if they were interested in this activity. Our club had the notion of planting flowers in pots for the Community Center again this year. Jennifer Jenkinson has the pots used previously and will purchase flowers and dirt for our next meeting in May to plant.

May and June's meetings were of the primary focus of the 2023 Barron County Fair. Every family was advised to sell (at minimum) one booklet of raffle tickets, and were encouraged to sell more. We were also introduced to the new system of record books and the mandatory expectations of minimal "member of good standing". Another point was of the fair sign and motto: "Let the Good Times Grow", and how we should promote and brainstorm ideas for the sign.  Adult Leaders Food Stand volunteers were still needed for the fair in July, as well as the Expo building, and were notified to sign-up for exclusive wristbands for volunteering. We were all reminded of fair registrations for any project possible.  The bowling activity at Chetek Lanes Bowling Alley also took place where members had fun (and put some in the gutter too). After the bowling activity some members met at St. John's Church in Cameron to plant the flowers in the pots as a community service project for the Cameron Senior Center. 

In June, we put together the fair sign along with a giant sunflower (to get attention/pop out), signs about what 4-H is/about, flower pots, and small animal figures for the agricultural piece of it. 

July: no meeting occurred, but members were showing projects/livestock at the fair, working at the Junior Leader's Pie Shake Stand, and enjoying fair events! I took my dollhouse as a project (as shown on the button below titled as "dollhouse"). 

The fair was a success! Our sign did well, and we had an enjoyable experience, whether working in the Junior Leader's Pie Shake Stand to even having fun with the carnival rides. My favorable experiences this year was of watching the sheep show and working at the Pie Shake Stand.