Celebrating the 100th anniversary of 4-H

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
 PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Extension Association’s annual meeting served two purposes this year, with officials combining the annual meeting with the celebration of the 4-H Club’s 100th anniversary. The event was held Nov. 21 at the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church in Presque Isle, with about 30 people in attendance. The 4-H Club works with children from age 5 to 19, teaching them not only about how to raise animals but other valuable life lessons as well, including how to be a productive citizen.
Andrea Bard-Smith, president of the Aroostook County Extension Association, served as emcee for the evening. She opened the meeting by welcoming those in attendance, then led the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H Pledge. Stephanie Winslow, a member of the 4-H Aroostook Valley Dairy Club, sang the “National Anthem.”
Bard-Smith then introduced the evening’s guest speaker, John Rebar, executive director of the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension.
“It’s inspiring to see the people we’re in charge of serving. I’d like to thank Stephanie for offering patriotism through the voice of a young person,” said Rebar.
Rebar expressed his continued support for the 4-H Club and all it does to help youth learn and mature.
“I’m happy to be able to celebrate the 100th year of 4-H. It’s something I’m exceedingly proud of. To see its history and what the future holds for the organization — congratulations,” said Rebar.
Bard-Smith returned to the podium, providing a review of the annual report. She said it’s been a busy and exciting year for the ACEA.
“We continue to address the needs of the county, communities, family and youth through education,” she said.
Rebar followed, noting that next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Extension.
He said the whole idea of 4-H is a good one.
“If you want to get people to change, you get their kids to change and they’ll bring it home to you,” said Rebar.
“Young people then and today learn personal responsibility and other things. The first 4-H Club in Maine was actually a potato club. It wasn’t in Aroostook County but rather in Scarborough. The organization focused on specific products, such as corn,” he said.
In addition to teaching patriotism, the organization also focuses on “domestic efforts,” according to Rebar.
“4-H teaches youth to take care of themselves and teaches life skills,” he said.
While livestock projects are the most recognizable, Rebar said, “4-H’s second most recognizable symbol is a red cross. The club teaches young people responsibility. There’s no better way to do that than to teach them responsibility for another living thing.”
Rebar said a much-loved children’s story is based on the 4-H experience.
“‘Charlotte’s Web’ is set in Somerset County. The little girl is in 4-H. She learns about sewing, citizenship,” said Rebar.
He said 4-H has had quite the history of success.
“It’s always about the young person, as they learn about self and the world around them. Now as it was in the beginning, 4-H is about learning. Science has always been a big factor — trying to get kids excited about careers of tomorrow. It encourages kids to get outside and to explore hands-on discovery,” he said.
Rebar said 4-H is more than just about animal science.
“In addition to animal science, kids can explore spatial information such as GIS and GPS, robotics, environmental science and wind power. We have camps in the state for them to attend and explore options,” Rebar said.
He said he expects the next century to be as successful as the one the club’s celebrating this year.
“Congratulations to the Aroostook County organization. I’ll continue to work to help you to achieve some of the things you’ve seen here,” he said.
Local club members followed with presentations on topics of interest. Brody Smith, age 8, of the Aroostook Valley Dairy Club, talked about kiwi and what was good about the fruit. Stephanie Winslow, a sophomore at Presque Isle High School, discussed the proper technique for shearing sheep.
Charlotte Wilson, of the Cooperative Extension, provided the budget and treasurer’s report, which was accepted by the members present.
The evening closed with various people being recognized and awards being presented.
ACEA officers for the 2012-13 year included: Bard-Smith, president, of Mapleton; Janice Bouchard, vice president, of Fort Kent, representing the north; Charlotte Wilson, of Crouseville, central region; Sam Wright, of Houlton, of the south; Secretary Laura Audibert, of Fort Kent; and Treasurer Danny Stewart, of Presque Isle.
Continuing directors are: Bard-Smith, president; Janice Bouchard, vice president; Joe Bouchard, Fort Kent, northern region; Vern DeLong and Scott Keirstead, both of Presque Isle, central region; Steve Smith, Mapleton, central; Wilson, vice president, Crouseville, central; Wright, vice president, Houlton, south; and Scott Young, Presque Isle, central.
Audibert and Stewart were elected to continue in their respective roles as secretary and treasurer for the 2013-15 period.
Those elected for the period of 2013-16 included: Judi Howard, Houlton, south; Carolyn Kelley, Caribou, central; Sara Williams, Houlton, south; and Willie Winslow, Chapman, central.
Recognized as honorary members were: 4-H Leaders’ Association, Erick Goff; Homemakers’ Association, Bonnie Weatherhead and Arlene Plourde; and Maine Potato Board, Bruce Roope.
Outgoing members included: Bart Bradbury, Easton, central; Betty Grant, New Sweden, north; and Dana Wright, Littleton, south.
Awards were presented to three individuals during the annual dinner.
Keith Smith, manager of the Tractor Supply store in Presque Isle, was presented with the Friends of the Extension award by Willie Winslow and Leisa Devoe, 4-H youth development coordinator of Houlton.
Alice Sheppard was presented with the Extension Service Award by Andrew Plant, extension educator with the University of Maine at Presque Isle Cooperative Extension office.
Dorothy “Dot” Peterson of Caribou earned the Extension Service Award, which was presented by Lisa Fishman, Eat Well Nutrition Program supervisor, Extension nutrition professional.
Cooperative Extension’s Aroostook County staff summary is as follows:
• Fort Kent — Fishman; Laurie Colton, community education assistant I; and Sharon Paradis, administrative specialist I;
• Houlton — Devoe; Emily Dow, administrative specialist II; Kim Hazlett, senior companion coordinator; and Linda Trickey, agriculture/horticulture community education assistant I; and
• Presque Isle — Plant; James Dwyer, crops specialist; Christine Finemore, community education assistant I; Pamela Hickey, administrative specialist II; and Dr. Steven Johnson, crops specialist.