dr. welsh -...
TRANSCRIPT
December 2016
Caroline.umd.edu
University of Maryland-
Caroline County 4-H
Administrative
Assistant
Wendi Potter
9194
Legion Road
Suite #4
Denton
Maryland 21629
Phone
(410)
479.4030
Fax
(410)
479.4042
Extension Educator
Melissa Leiden Welsh, Ph.D.
Season’s Greetings,
The holiday season is into full swing and children (some adults too) are
dreaming of what the seasons’ blessings may bring. For many 4-H families,
it is also a time to dream big about potential projects for the next year. I’m
personally inviting each of you to share your 4-H dreams with me and your
Caroline County Extension office team. Together we can continue to build
upon historical programs in the county and infuse new projects to reflect
the changing interests of our youth. I’m looking forward to visiting each
club in the near future to hear about your club goals and dreams. Send me
an email or call the office to let me know potential date(s) for a visit. Best
wishes to each of you and your families during this Christmas season.
Dr. Welsh
Enrollment forms and fees for the 2017 year are collected at
the local club and then submitted to the county office from 8
am till 4:30 pm. All previous clovers and 4-H members need
to re-enroll each year. All club data in the 4-H online system
will rollover January 1, 2017. Speak to your club leader or
call the county Extension office with questions.
Volunteers Needed Christmas in Caroline
Saturday December 3rd 9am-4pm
Sunday December 4th 10 am-3pm
Youth and adult volunteers are needed to help set up, assist at various sites
and clean-up. Teens and adults wanting to be craft leaders for the “Make it
Take it” should contact Dr. Welsh at the Extension office ASAP. All cookies for
the event should be dropped off to the county office no later than 10 am
Friday December 2nd. Sign up here: http://signup.com/go/FrsLYz
Calling all club reporters /
secretaries,
Tell us about your club activities and upcom-
ing events. Submit articles and pictures high-
lighting accomplishments by members and
volunteers in your club. Deadlines to submit
articles for the 2017 January/February news-
letters will be Wednesday, December 21st.
The state ownership deadline is January 1, 2017
for Market Beef and Dairy Steers. Members need
to take their animals to the Caroline County 4-H
park on Saturday December 31st 10:00 AM to be
weighed and tagged.
Contact Charlotte Brown with questions
(410)479.3334
Maryland State 4-H Council is the premier 4-H leadership opportunity in Maryland. Are you
13-18 years old for 2017 and passionate about
growing the Maryland 4-H program? Then hop
on over to the following link—but be quick all
signed forms and uploads must be completed
by DECEMBER 15th!!!
http://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-
areas/maryland-4-h-state-council
It’s time to assemble Record Books
Record books are a great way to remember
all the cool and exciting lessons you learn
as you grow with 4-H. The organizational
and creative skills you practice by complet-
ing a record book are valuable skills for fu-
ture careers. Record books will be due to
the Caroline Extension office by January
18th by 4:30 pm.
Remember to make arrangements to have
your record book signed by your club leader
before you submit it to the office– books
must be signed to be accepted.
A record book workshop will be held at the
Caroline County Extension office on Friday
January 6th at 6:30 pm. Please RSVP by
January 4th.
Did you know….
Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the
United States until June 26, 1870
The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees
out of dyed goose feathers
President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist,
banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1901
In 1962, the first Christmas postage stamp was issued
in the United States.
Check out http://www.factretriever.com/christmas-facts
for more facts and sources of each fact listed above.
CAROLINE COUNTY
Club Highlights
Congratulations to the Caroline County 4-H archers who attended the State
Tournament held at the Carroll County Ag center this year on October 8th,
which happened to also be homecoming for Timothy, Shelby and Meghan. They
rushed home and made the dance with no time to spare. We thank Carroll coun-
ty and all the instructors for hosting and applaud them for a well organized
event.
FITA (round field) targets were placed 16.5 - 65.5 yards with a total of 72 arrows shoot at these
targets. Fifteen 3D targets were set up at random distances from 10 - 35 yards and two arrows
were shot from different distances totaling 30 shots. With a total possible score of 300, Timo-
thy placed 1st shooting a 262. The club meets every Thursday night at 6:30 at the Caroline
County 4-H center. We are so proud of our members for the way they carried themselves, show-
ing great sportsmanship, and showing honor in the sport they love.
Left to right. Meghan, Ashley, Shelby, Timothy
The Maryland State 4-H Rifle competition event was held in Carroll County. The
youth used 22 long rifles for shooting a distance of 50 yards. Shooting positions
were prone, kneeling and standing for Timothy and Matt (seniors), and prone for
Bobby (junior). Bobby earned a 3rd place victory for his first showing at this
event. We are very proud of his accomplishment. Timothy Parks, Matt Saathoff
& Bobby Schmick shot very well and represented Caroline County with honors.
CAROLINE COUNTY
Club Highlights
Robert (Bobby) Schmick 3rd place in junior class
Timothy Parks just completed what only a hand full of marksmen
has achieved. He has filled his entire score card working through
the shooting positions and ranks. He is now considered an Expert
Marksman with the National Rifle Association and Maryland 4-H.
That’s 5 Shots
(bottom right)
Left to right. Danny Parks (father), Bob Fletcher (instructor), Timothy Parks (Rifle Club Expert
Marksman) & Dave Mielke (instructor)
Tim used the same rifle his grandfather gave his dad (Danny) gave him when Danny was in rifle
club at age 8, 32 years ago. Hopefully Timothy's brother Shelby will soon follow. The Rifle club
meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Caroline County 4-H Park.
Active Leaders and volunteers in the Caroline County 4-H
program are invited a Holiday appreciation dinner at the
Caroline County Extension office on Wednesday December
14th beginning at 6PM. Please join us in celebrating your
hard work and accept this opportunity to share your learning
experiences within our Caroline County 4-H family. Show us
your creative side by wearing your homemade (decorated)
Christmas sweater and you may be taking home a creative
holiday treat. RSVP by 4PM on December 9th
Senior Portfolios for 4-H Out-of-State Trips are due to the
State 4-H Office by January 15. Senior 4-H members, plan-
ning to apply for a 2017 out-of-state trip please contact Dr.
Welsh if you need help with the application process.
Additionally, mark February 18th for your interview day for
out of state trips. Check out the following link for more
information.
Want to earn project pins? To earn a project pin, you need to “complete”
your project by describing in your record book that you did at least one project
communication activity (talk) AND at least one project exhibit at some point
during the year. You also need to list your project learning activities on your
http://extension.umd.edu/4-h/youth-families/awards-recognition
Does the thought of speaking in front of a crowd scare you?
Would you like to perk up those presentation and communication skills?
Dr. Welsh is hosting a communication skill building workshop on
Wednesday January 18th at 6:30 PM at the Caroline Extension office.
Call the Extension office to secure your spot by January 13th.
DO YOU want to build or enhance the
Caroline County 4-H program? Inter-
ested youth and volunteers are invited
to the first 2017 meeting of the Caro-
line county 4-H council. It would be
great to see at least one officer and
volunteer from each club– however all
members are welcome to attend and
provide thoughts on growing clubs in
our county and hosting events to meet
youth and volunteer needs.
SEE YOU January 17th
at the Extension office
7:00-8:00
4-H programs benefit from Volunteers with all
levels of skills and abilities and in a variety of
topic areas.
DO you know an adult that would make a great
volunteer or club leader? Encourage friends and
family to visit the Extension office to learn more
about the volunteer certification process. Perhaps
there is a talented parent sitting on the sidelines of
your club or civic group– Let’s get them involved
and showcase those amazing skills and leadership
talents.
Call Dr. Welsh to arrange a meeting to review the
steps toward a future as a formal mentor and leader
within the volunteer ranks of the Maryland 4-H
family.
Howdy Caroline County 4-H family,
I’m super excited to begin getting to know each of you and assist you with reaching individual, club and county
4-H goals. I’ve been in 4-H for as long as I can remember, as I was a tag-a-long to 4-H club meetings before I
turned the official 4-H 8 age. I grew up on a sheep, beef and potato farm in Cambria County Pennsylvania and
completed a variety of 4-H projects and leadership experiences over the years. I loved the years I was able to
travel around the state of Pennsylvania to promote agriculture through the cattle industry as the PA Beef Am-
bassador and PA Cattlemen’s Queen. My 4-H & FCCLA experiences led me to start my college career in Fam-
ily and Consumer Sciences because I wanted to teach in topics that related to real life lessons. My master’s de-
gree from Penn State in Youth and Family Education was my introduction to the formal research side of what
Extension does in each community, state and collectively across the country. My doctoral study experiences at
Purdue University opened my eyes to how science has continued to help agriculture evolve (small and large
scale farming) to make better use of our valuable resources. I am passionate about agriculture, helping people
achieve learning goals and inspiring youth to be better than the day before. My husband (Jerrod) and I continue
to own my grandparent’s farm in Cambria County. The farm is operated under the sibling agricultural company
I have with my two brothers (Leiden Land and Cattle Company Inc.). Jerrod and I own a farmette in Caroline
County and love our extended running season on the shore as running the snowy roads in PA can be quite chal-
lenging. Until I meet you in person– Make it a Great Day!
Dr. Welsh (aka Dr. HoneyBee)
Meet your new
Caroline County 4-H Educator/Agent
