4 H Club

Kiddie rides, carnival games and educational and entertaining classes were among the offerings at two weekend festivals organized to help children -- and their parents -- beat the midwinter monotony of "nothing to do."The buildings at the Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster filled quickly yesterday afternoon as families turned out for the Westminster Jaycees Winter Carnival. The daybefore, nearly all the classes at the "Beat the Mid-Winter Blahs" seminar sponsored by the Carroll County 4-H program were over capacity -- 260 people registered for courses from "An Introduction to Veterinary Science" to "Make Your Own Pizza."

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

THE HOWARD County Fair is a festival, a competition, a place to learn about agriculture, a marketplace and a forum. It is also an exhibition and a wonderfully informal social gathering.On Saturday, midway rides and concessions open. Exhibitors bring their animals, plants, baked goods, crafts and much more for judging and display. Judges begin to award ribbons.On Sunday, grand opening day, you can see contests all day and enjoy a parade at 2 p.m. Stay for more contests and attractions such as a precision performance by the Spur and Stirrup Club's 22-member Mounted Drill Team at 6: 30 p.m. and 7: 30 p.m. Joan Bosmans coaches this group.

DORIS JENKINS has spent much of the past year planning, designing and sewing a quilt to commemorate the centennial of the Carroll County 4-H/FFA Fair.The double-size, green-and-white quilt features 60 squares representing local 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, fair supporters and county clubs. The blocks surround a large center square that includes stitching that reads: Celebrating 100th Anniversary Carroll County Fair 1897-1997.The quilt is on display in the 4-H exhibition building.

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)

Pig No. 4693 was a little bit edgy.Giggly owner Emily Rippeon had given the pig a touch-up, spritzing its portly pink body with cool water from a spray bottle and soothing it with a scrub brush, getting the animal ready for the Swine Shed show ring at the Maryland State Fair.Instead, the pig bolted for freedom -- dashing out of his pen and heading toward the midway."Get him! Get the pig!" shouted Emily's brother, Adam, as his shy, dimpled 9-year-old sister chased the animal and then herded it into a large pen to meet the livestock judge.

25 years ago (week of August 15-21, 1971):Concerned about rumors of a curfew being imposed on the lakefront area at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, some of the teen-agers who liked to congregate in the area began a self-policing action. Forming a group called "The Committee to Keep the Lake Open," the young people distributed fliers asking people to behave properly. Committee members also picked up trash in the lakefront area.50 years ago (week of August 11-17, 1946):The Highland 4-H Club met at the home of Sally Sullivan.

AS 4-H ENTHUSIASTS, the Howard County Fair Board and eager exhibitors prepare for the 1996 Howard County Fair, the Maryland State 4-H leadership honored several area 4-H dynamos.Jennifer Bly and Susan Luchansky will attend the National 4-H Youth Conference in Memphis, Tenn., this fall. They won trips to the event by submitting outstanding record books and being interviewed about their work in 4-H.Jennifer carries projects in beef, sheep, and swine. She tenaciously maintains record books for all three projects and combines them into a fourth book for an agriculture project.

A SMALL group of volunteers from the Carroll County 4-H Rabbit Club gathered at the Carroll County Agricultural Center on Thursday evening to make pizzas. That might not seem like an important event, but this was no ordinary pizza-making party.It was a fund-raiser for fellow 4-H member Heidi Meek and her family to help pay the overwhelming medical bills they have incurred and those they will face in the months ahead as Heidi is treated for a brain aneurysm. The club received about 400 orders for pizzas, which cost between $3.50 and $4.50 each.

SOME OF HOWARD County's finest youngsters were honored Friday at the County 4-H Achievement Night. Welcomed by emcees Jason Murray and Molly Regennitter, the largely 4-H audience heard about the work and accomplishments of 4-H'ers from ages 6 to 19.Warren Strader represented the Glenwood Lions Club, which sponsors the Community Service and Leadership Awards and the Leadership, Achievement and Citizenship project awards.Dr. Wendy Feaga, a local veterinarian who takes care of many western Howard County animals, participated as a leader of the Hareraisers 4-H Club and a sponsor of the Rabbit Clover Award (( and the Top Clover Award.