The week of March16-22nd was Pennsylvania 4-H Week. As part of our 4-H work in Susquehanna County, we encourage local clubs to create displays, and exhibit them in windows at local businesses across Susquehanna County. We also offer a little incentive and a friendly competition to help promote 4-H.

Sixth place Franklin Hill Community’s window showcasing several 4-H projects.

Second place North Jackson Ag’s window in Mountain View Elementary with a lot to at.

First place winner Jackson Pin Thimblers window encouraged viewers to “Get Carried Away with 4-H.”

This year, seven clubs took part and put a lot of work into excellent displays around the county. The winner of our spring contest was the Jackson Pin Thimblers Club who created a great window at the Depot Restaurant on Main Street in Susquehanna. Second place was awarded to North Jackson Ag who put together a window display in Mountain View Elementary School. Third place goes to the Happy Horseman Club for a very cheerful display at Community Bank in Montrose. Fourth place went to Blue Ribbon Drive Horse and Pony club for a very creative display at Tractor Supply in Montrose. Dimock Community received fifth place for their “Spring into 4-H” display at Fairway Pharmacy in Montrose. Franklin Hill Community took sixth for their great display at Binghamton Optical in Montrose. DES was awarded seventh place for their artistic display at Little and Nelson Insurance Office in Montrose.

Congratulations to all the clubs that participated, and did such a great job promoting 4-H. We also celebrate National 4-H Week in October, so be sure to look for window displays then as well.

Dr. Christopher Jones has accepted the position of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Bradley University, Peoria, Ilinois. He will begin leading the College on June 8, 2014.

Dr. Jones currently serves as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Previously, he served as Associate Vice Provost for University Honors and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Christopher Jones

“Dr. Jones brings to Bradley and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences an excellent set of leadership skills and accomplishments,” said Dr. David Glassman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “He possesses a strong understanding of the diverse array of disciplines within the college and will provide great leadership and vision.”

Dr. Jones holds a B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Binghamton University, State University of New York, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He has conducted extensive research in international relations with a focus on the relationship between domestic politics and U.S. foreign and national security policy. He is the author or co-author of more than 30 scholarly journal articles, chapters and books as well as the recipient of numerous teaching awards.

“I am honored and excited to join Bradley University in this important role,” Jones said. “Bradley is a highly regarded institution, both regionally and nationally. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and high quality arts and sciences education. I look forward to working with the College’s impressive faculty and dedicated staff, serving its talented students, and collaborating with members of the university and local communities.”

Bradley is a top-ranked private, independent university in Peoria, Illinois, offering 5,700 students the choice of more than 100 academic programs. Bradley links academic excellence, experiential learning and leadership development with an entrepreneurial spirit for a world-class education. Its size provides students with extensive resources not available at most private colleges and the personal attention not commonly found at large universities.

Dr. Jones is the nephew of County Transcript Co-Owner Rita Ficarro.

I recently visited the WIC Program to discuss the importance of dairy in our diets. Drinking milk gives you plenty of energy. Eating foods made with milk helps you to grow up healthy and strong.

Alexis Parks, fourth grader at Blue Ridge Elementary, visiting the WIC Center in Susquehanna

The WIC Program is committed to improving the health of pregnant women, new mothers and children by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthy foods during fetal and early childhood development.

The WIC Program goes beyond providing families with food, nutrition education and breastfeeding support. WIC serves as a gateway to healthcare and connects families to the resources they need. For the last 40 years, WIC has provided all that support and more to mothers and families.

Whether you choose milk, cheese or yogurt, aim for 3 servings of dairy everyday for strong bones, a healthy mouth and to help reduce risk of osteoporosis. As summer approaches, try a frozen yogurt, ice cream or have a glass of milk instead of soda.

Susquehanna County 4-Her Callie Curley, was recently among 88 4-H’ers from 38 counties across the state who met in Harrisburg for the annual Pennsylvania 4-H Capital Days program. Capital Days is a citizenship-awareness and civic-engagement educational program held by Pennsylvania 4-H.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event.

4-H Capital Days is designed to engage 4-H’ers in the political process and prepare them to become active and engaged citizens of Pennsylvania. Youth learn about governmental issues and the political process; how to advocate and speak out about issues that affect them, their families and their communities; and gain valuable leadership and citizenship skills.

Pictured are: front row - Participants at the 50th 4-H Capital Days with Nick Troutman, representative for Senator Gene Yaw, Reganne Whalen and Divya Reitz; back row - Nick Troutman, Hunter Bloom, and Callie Curley.

“Fifty years of reaching Pennsylvania’s youth during 4-H Capital Days has been a real milestone for the 4-H program,” said Christy Bartley, 4-H program leader for Penn State Extension. “Citizenship is a national 4-H mission mandate, and civic engagement is a core 4-H value. Programs like this prepare our youth to be actively involved in the affairs of their communities.”

Delegates participated in workshops on parliamentary procedure, party roles and affiliations, advocacy, etiquette, and community service. They also learned how to read and debate a bill and participated in a mock legislative session. Each year, bills that are currently under debate in the General Assembly are chosen, and this year the bill addressed neighborhood watch groups.

Delegates also toured the Capitol and had their photograph taken on the rotunda steps. State Secretary of Agriculture George Greig addressed the group after the tour. Following the visit to the Capitol, the delegates visited the State Museum of Pennsylvania, where they explored the various exhibits and displays.

On the last day, the 4-H’ers hosted a brunch for their state legislators. During the brunch, delegates talked with their legislators one-on-one and related their 4-H experiences. 4-H Capital Days are held annually, and are open to all 4-H members ages 14-18.  Next year’s event dates are April 18-20th, 2015. 

Susquehanna County 4-H is open to youth ages 5-18.  If this sounds like a program you might be interested in, please contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office today.  Our phone number is (570) 278-1158 or drop an e-mail to ano3@psu.edu.  Also be sure to check out our website at extension.psu.edu/Susquehanna and find us on Facebook at Susquehanna County 4-H.