4-H discounts to the National Western Stock Show

All 4-H members, families and friends, and their invited guests, are eligible for discounted prices on reserve seating at the National Western Stock Show. The prices offered are unavailable to the general public and tickets purchased through this special offer are free of all service charges, an additional savings of $3.75 per ticket.

Tickets must be purchased through Group Services. Discounts will not be given at the Stock Show Box Office. The National Western Stock Show invites all 4-H members to enjoy their personal favorite(s) of our shows, and to spend a day full of fun that will include numerous opportunities to be entertained by the exhibits, shopping, art, delicious food and western spirit. Your show ticket includes free grounds admission to all exhibits all day long 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

You will receive a $2 discount off of regular price for the majority of our shows. In honor of “4 H Day,” which is on Wednesday, Jan. 21, you will receive a $3 discount off of the regular price for both Pro Rodeos that day. For the Pro Rodeo at 2:00 p.m., tickets will be $9 each, and for the Pro Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., tickets will be $11 each. Again, these tickets must be purchased through Group Services.

Please click on the following link for am order form and additional information.http://www.colorado4h.org/communications/update/2008/nwss001.pdf.

Santa Claus is coming to town...sing it with me

Hello 4-H'ers. A little elf told me that Santa is coming to all the different libraries in Douglas County. Personally, I'm asking him for a two-week trip to the Bahamas. How about you?

Description: Enjoy time with Santa including holiday stories and activities.
Age(s): Children, Talkers (2 to 3 years), Early Talkers (Birth - 2 years)
Other: Registration required. Register each child attending, attendance is limited.

To find out when he'll be at your neighborhood library, take a look at the library district's event calendar at this link: http://host.evanced.info/douglas/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

Merry Christmas and Ho, Ho, Ho!

The state website has been down

Just an FYI - if you've been trying to access 4-H information on the state website and have had trouble, that's because they've been working on it intermittently for the last few weeks. The website we maintain has a broken link as well (the button that says sec/treas books), and I can't fix it until the state website is up and running. We have no ETA at this time for the state website.

Thank you for your patience.

Timely re-post: The Art of Gratitude and 4-H

This was originally posted March 4, 2008. It is something that we feel strongly enough about that we wanted to post it again. We're seeing some changes in Douglas County that are happening in large part because hard-working 4-H volunteers and long-time sponsors do not receive thank you's or any expression of gratitude. Did all of you thank ALL those who deserved it this last 4-H year?

"What is gratitude? The American Heritage Dictionary defines it as a noun meaning the state of being grateful; thankfulness. This is a most basic definition, but gratitude is so much more, don’t you think?

Gratitude is taking the time to reflect upon your blessings, appreciate what you already have, give to others without expectations, and notice the small things that make the world a beautiful place.

The 4-H program values gratitude. A basic tenet is that 4-H members thank the many volunteers and contributors that make the program a success.

Without volunteers, we would have no project leaders willingly sharing knowledge. There would be no superintendents spending hours and hours making sure activities and functions happen. There would be no sponsors providing financial assistance so that 4-H members receive belt buckles, trophies, and monetary awards.

In short, 4-H volunteers and contributors are our blessings.

Have you thanked them? Did you send each and every sponsor a formal thank you note after last year’s fair? Do you tell your leaders thank you at meetings? How do you show your gratitude in the 4-H Program?"

“In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy.” Albert Clarke

Officer training in Douglas County 4-H open to all Colorado 4-H officers

Douglas County 4-H is hosting an Officer Training for all Colorado 4-H officers on Wednesday, December 10th at 6:30 pm. in Kirk Hall on the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock- phew, that's a mouthful! This is an opportunity for all new club and county officers to learn about their newly elected roles. RSVP to the Douglas County 4-H office at 720-733-6940.

Practice your leathercraft skills every week

One of our leaders in Douglas County is offering free weekly leathercraft classes for all 4-H members wanting to learn more. If there is enough interest, she will hold it at the Extension Office in Castle Rock.

This is the last time it will be offered this year, so take her up on it people!

Please call or email Helen Kellogg at (303)681-2670 or hkellogg@aol.com.

Chuck Urano Memorial Scholarship applications available online

The Chuch Urano Memorial Award, sponsored by the Colorado Farm Show, will be awarded to six deserving students who strive to leave a lasting impression on their community and the agriculture industry.

The scholarships are awarded to high school graduating seniors who will declare an agricultural major at the college or university of their choice. Students who apply should be high school graduates in spring 2009 or winter 2008. All applications are required to be physically received by January 5, 2009 (RECEIVED NOT POST MARKED, NO EXCEPTIONS). Official high school transcripts are required and any application received without official sealed transcripts will be considered incomplete. The recipients of the awards will be notified in mid-January.

For other details, such as downloading the application, please visit the website at http://www.coloradofarmshow.com/

All information is available at the Colorado Farm Show's website and is NOT available at the 4-H office.

Gymkhana tomorrow November 8th

Here's the information you need...

Indoor Arena
Douglas County Fairgrounds
500 Fairgrounds Rd.
Castle Rock CO, 80104

Clinic will put an emphasis on Barrel Racing strategies and safety. Led by older 4-H members.

Clinic Registration 9:30am
Clinic Starts 10:00am
Gymkhana Registration 11:00am
Gymkhana Starts 12:00pm

Show will be governed by 4-H rules. Helmets are required for participants 18 & under and recommended for adult class. Ribbons will be awarded 1st-6th; overall high points will be awarded in all four age categories: one horse one rider. No refunds. Concessions will be available.

Office Fee (one time) $5.00
All Day Fee (1 horse 1 rider) $30.00
Entry Fee (per class) $6.00

Showbill with registration form is available at the Douglas County 4-H Office and was also sent to 4-H members and leaders via email.

New local online resource for teens

I just ran across a new website resource specifically for metro area teens called iTeenDenver. They have a print magazine as well. Here is a snippet from their press release:

"On our website teens will be able to submit their own articles, poetry, short stories, photography, and art for other teens to enjoy online and some of those will be printed in our bi-monthly magazine! Teens can "Enter to Win" tons of cool stuff including movie passes, gas cards, gift certificates, coupons, discounts and lots of other FREE stuff. There will also be informational and educational articles written by professionals on topics of interest to teens.

Teens can also blog with other local teens on topics such as sports, health, environment, school, colleges, fashion, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, science, fiction, books, music, movies and global issues. We will allow local companies and organizations to submit postings that offer you community service opportunities as well as part - time job opportunities.

The community calendar is open to the schools, churches, clubs and other organizations that is open to the public sure to promote that event for FREE on our calendar. "

I was thinking this might be a good opportunity for our older 4-H members to write about Douglas County 4-H, whether it's within their blogs or another article. I took a look at their website and it looks pretty cool. Here's the link if you'd like to take a look: http://www.iteendenver.com/

Original press release: http://denver.yourhub.com/Parker/Stories/Business/Story~544019.aspx

Enrollment and record books and projects, oh my!

Kathe has a few important announcements:

4-H re-enrollment deadline is rapidly approaching on November 15th! All clubs must have their 4-H members and leaders re-enrolled for the 2008-2009 4-H year. Anyone re-enrolling after November 15th will pay a $5 late fee. First-time new 4-H members have until May 1st to enroll and pay the $35 enrollment fee.

We still have quite a few County Fair and State Fair record books left in the Extension Office. Please, please come and pick them up as we do not have the space to store them. If you did so at council meeting already, thank you.

There are resources out there for project leaders. Check these out:

• For State Fair Requirements for projects, go to http://www.colorado4h.org/project_resources/StateFairExhibitReq.pdf
• For score sheets for projects, go to http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/state_fair/score_sheets/index.shtml
• Go to the 4-H website to find out more information about the project at http://www.colorado4h.org/project_resources/index.shtml
• Go to the e-Record and check out the project you are leading to see if it has a supplement page at http://www.colorado4h.org/project_resources/erecords/index.shtml

Here's to another successful 4-H year!

Join the DC rabbit judging team!

The Douglas County rabbit judging coach, Bill Duckworth, invites one and all to join the rabbit judging team for the 2009 season. Last year's team was quite young as several older members have aged out, so they welcome all members and especially senior members. Just sign up when you turn in your enrollment forms, which are due by November 15th every year - that's next week, people :)

If you have any questions at all, please call or email Bill at 303-663-3673 or billduck55@hotmail.com.

4-H Holiday Dance scheduled for December 12

Hi everybody. The holidays are upon us and it's time to party! This year's holiday dance is on December 12 at Kirk Hall on the Douglas County Fairgrounds from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

It's open to all ages and there will be dancing, Cloverbud Crafts, and 4-H fun. Cost is $2 per person, $3 per couple, and $5 per family. Bring a canned food item and get $1.00 off.

Call the 4-H office if you have questions.

Parents' Day Out: give your kids something to do the day after Thanksgiving

Parker 4-H Families, the Parker Recreation Center is hosting their first Post-Turkey Parents’ Day Out program on Friday, November 28. They have a trained and enthusiastic staff that will keep kids active and supervised at the Parker Fieldhouse.

Scheduled activities include sports, games, crafts, skating, climbing and more. There will also b e a holiday movie and the opportunity to skate in their inline rink (bring your own skates). Kids can by a slice of piozze for a dollar or bring their own lunch.

Sessions are 7:00 a.m. to noon or noon – 5:00 p.m. Cost for one session is $20 or for both sessions, cost is $35. Activities will vary from session to session.
Register online at www.parkerrec.com or call the Parker Fieldhouse at 303-805-6300.

4-H horse members and leaders, you can join a parade

There is still time to enter the Parker Christmas Carriage Parade. They are looking for all equine entries (horse, pony, donkey, or mule). There is no entry fee charged to “private entries that do not charge for services and do not display any type of advertising” other than for a non-profit group such as 4-H. Entry forms are available at the Parker Town website at www.parkeronline.org or by contacting Julie Wassell at jwassell@parkeronline.org.