4 H Club

In her first year as a member of the Hot Shots 4-H club, Ilana Rouse, 8, has shot a shot gun, an air rifle, and a .22-caliber rifle. But she hasn't fired a muzzle loader, at least not yet. The reason is simple. "I think it is very loud," Ilana said. With more than 60 members — and a waiting list — the Carroll County 4-H Hot Shots chapter offers its youth members all the traditional projects associated with 4-H, from livestock to gardening to baking. But it also has a special focus: shooting.

Members of the Homeschool Heart in Hand 4-H Club met May 8 for their annual work day at Black Horse Fire Station and McKendree Cemetery in Black Horse, MD. Members created a new flower bed at Black Horse Station and pruned bushes and trees, planted flowers, weeded and mulched the finished beds at McKendree Cemetery. The club wishes to thank Smith Hardware, Jarrettsville for its donation of flowers and A.D. Heston Tree Service and Mulch of Street for its donation of mulch.

The Gunpowder 4-H Club and Gunpowder Clovers 4-H Club $$ elected new officers for the coming year at their October meeting at Lazarus Church in Lineboro.They are Nicole Schott, president; Tyler Fogarty, vice president; Vince Kicas, secretary; and Airyelle Frost, treasurer. The new officers met with the clubs' advisers to familiarize themselves with their duties.The clubs won a champion award for their window display, "Fall into Fun with the Gunpowder 4-H Club," during National 4-H Week. The display, featured in the Flowers in Harmony shop in Manchester, earned a $10 prize.

On Dec. 9, the Blue Ribbon 4-H Club wrapped gifts they purchased and collected food for the family they adopted this Christmas. The Hilyard family hosted the annual party, which included a potluck dinner and member gift exchange.

The Cheetah's 4-H Club opened its first meeting of 1998 with new officers.They are: D. J. Bowen, president; Stef Buckler, vice president; Kristy Martin and Hillary Leech, secretaries; Chastity Hare, treasurer; Kirsten Hviding, reporter; Kelly Huff, banner; Tiffany Hare, Emily Doyle, photographers; Bowen, office person; and Kris Buckler, recreation person.The club's annual banquet will be held at 5: 30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Carroll County Agricultural Center.Pub Date: 1/25/98

Despite the mound of paperwork heaped on her "desk" -- the kitchen table -- and a phone that never seems to stop ringing, Shirley Geis appears tireless.It was 3 a.m. before she got to bed one recent night, after preparing for a contest involving members of the Clarksville Spur and Stirrup 4-H chapter, which she has led for 25 years.That kind of dedication prompted more than 100 club members, former members, friends and family to "roast and toast" Geis, 63, at a surprise anniversary celebration at the Howard County Fairgrounds Saturday night.

The 50th annual Howard County Fair will begin Saturday, and members of the newly formed Patapsco Valley 4-H Club are busily finishing record books and projects for fair competition.The club began only in September, meeting in Hebron House but quickly outgrowing it. The club now meets in Mount Hebron Presbyterian's Fellowship Hall.From a beginning group of four children, the club now boasts 15 members and still is growing, with four or five curious guests at each monthly meeting.The group studies photography under the direction of project leaders Jo Duckworth and Diane Pickeral.

Name: Shirley Geis Job description: Leader for 34 years of Spur and Stirrup 4-H Club of Howard County. Club has 50 members, $600 budget. Coordinates six horse shows at the county's Schooley Mill Park annually, riding clinics and the Horse Bowl. Also coordinator of the annual statewide 4-H dressage show. Age: "Let's just say I'm a senior citizen." Residence: Clarksville. Personal: Pennsylvania native. Bachelor's degree in zoology, master's in microbiology from Michigan State, where she also learned livestock judging, "the most important thing I ever did."

John Sies of Millers is one of 7,386 volunteers who worked with 38,000 young people involved in 4-H in Maryland last year.He has led the Outdoor Fun 4-H Club for five years. The club now has an offshoot, the Hotshots.Mr. Sies has also helped at the state 4-H office, planning training programs and youth activities related to forestry and wildlife. He helps organize the Maryland State Natural Resources Camp and the Carroll County 4-H Summer Camp.Organization's comments: "You can't find a better person," sai Bob Shirley, a Cooperative Extension Service agent who works with Carroll County 4-H clubs.

Laura Fischer was a shy, self-conscious 7-year-old when she attended her first 4-H meeting in Pleasant Valley. Her mother wanted Laura to find something that would keep her occupied, and the opportunities that 4-H offered seemed practical for a farmer's daughter.Older 4-H members welcomed Laura and encouraged her to get involved with the 4-H public speaking program. From their example, Laura has become a leader.Laura is just one of more than 1,400 4-H'ers involved in 52 Carroll County clubs with interests ranging from hippology (the study of horses)

Approximately 50 horses will be on display for auction at the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster on Sunday, Feb. 26. One is blue, another has stripes and another has balloons. Another has the scene of a fox hunt painted on its side. Yet another comes with two tickets to a Broadway show. These horses don't eat much and can easily fit into your car - they aren't real, but rather a mix of ceramic statues, wooden models and others - all created for the "Horses of Many Colors for a Cause Retreat Round-Up," a fundraiser hosted by the Horse of Course 4-H Club, and benefiting The Retreat at Beckleysville.

In her first year as a member of the Hot Shots 4-H club, Ilana Rouse, 8, has shot a shot gun, an air rifle, and a .22-caliber rifle. But she hasn't fired a muzzle loader, at least not yet. The reason is simple. "I think it is very loud," Ilana said. With more than 60 members — and a waiting list — the Carroll County 4-H Hot Shots chapter offers its youth members all the traditional projects associated with 4-H, from livestock to gardening to baking. But it also has a special focus: shooting.

The North Harford 4-H Club recently initiated and executed a substantial improvement project at 4-H Camp at the Rocks. Members and their families created a large beautification garden from the ground up. The newly landscaped area, that includes large rocks and perennials, has improved the area surrounding the popular swimming pool, and it is also adjacent to Deer Creek Overlook, the camp's newest facility available for rent to the public....

It may be summer but not everyone in North Laurel is relaxing by the pool. The North Laurel 4-H Club still meets monthly and is getting ready for their busy season. They recently held a contest for Healthy Life Style Posters and the winners include; Aaban Syed and Tricia Wilson received Participation Ribbons, Kat Ward received a Very Good Ribbon, Imaad Syed, William Sheets and Kayleigh Wilson received Excellent Ribbons and Kavita Schroff received Excellent and Champion Ribbons. There will be a July picnic to recognize the winners and to celebrate everyone who participated.

Before Matthew Hoffman even tested his robot in the competition arena set up in a meeting room at the Carroll County Agriculture Center, he ran into a problem. No matter what the 10-year-old pressed on the control in his hands, the machine he had constructed and programmed, with his father's help, wouldn't budge. A quick peek in the back of the box he held revealed the trouble. "The battery's not in," he said, turning to exchange the control for the correct -- and fully equipped -- one. Matthew tried again.

From infants to preteens, children flocked to the large white tent outside Burns Hall for the annual Children's Day at the Carroll County 4-H/FFA Fair. Volunteers from various 4-H clubs offered noodle necklaces, stamped bookmarks, paper flowers, face-painting and animal cutout crafts. Despite the sweltering temperatures Tuesday, the tent stayed full, except for a brief respite during lunch, for the entire 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event. Several day care centers brought their children. Moms and a few dads, along with some grandparents, followed little ones around from craft to craft, adding to a goody bag already filled with projects for the kids to do at home.

A Shipley couple and a South Carroll High School senior are breaking new ground in 4-H with a Carroll County club focused on singing, dancing, miming, acting and recitation.While animal science and home economics remain the focal points of many clubs, 4-H is much more than just "cows and cooking," said Ron Zepp, who leads the club with his wife, Debbie. "Our main interest area is the performing arts."The new 4-H Performing Arts Club, which currently has 15 members, is open to all Carroll County youngsters, from ages 8 to 19 years.

Membership in the Mount Airy Clovers 4-H Club represents much more than an opportunity for fun and fellowship to 13-year-old Tracey McElroy.pTC As the club's president, the Mount Airy Middle School eighth-grader is getting firsthand experience in leadership.Tracey conducts the monthly meetings, plans events and keeps club members informed. She also deals with problems such as meetings canceled by inclement weather.She has been a 4-H member for three years and is serving a second one-year term as president.

USDA program deadline is June1 Susan Hardinger, acting executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Carroll County, reminds agricultural producers that they have until June 1 to sign up for the 2006 crop direct and counter-cyclical payment program. The USDA will accept late-filed program applications through Sept. 30 if accompanied by a $100 late fee. Producers will be unable to apply for 2006 program payments after Sept. 30. The 2002 Farm Bill requires that producers sign annual contracts through next year to participate in the program.

Equine enthusiasts will ride and walk in a variety of activities July 23 at the Howard County Fairgrounds to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The event is sponsored by Howard County 4-H horse clubs -- the Centaur; and Spur and Stirrup 4-H clubs -- and the American Cancer Society. Participants will be at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Ride for Life, a family-oriented event for people of all ages that is to include rides around the ring, walks for individuals or teams of two, a yard sale and flea market in the six shaded cow barns, old-fashioned candy and food.