Niobrara County Fair

4-H Council Minutes, July 7, 2010

The Niobrara County 4-H Council met on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 in the Extension Office. The meeting was call to order by our President, Heidi Sturman. The pledges were said in unison by all those in attendance.

Roll call was answered by Traci Bruegger, Ronda Pfister, Heidi Sturman, Tammie Jensen, Tana Kinchen, Cally Lund, Denise Smith, Cindy Starkey, Tandy Dockery, and Barbara K. Cushman.

Secretary’s Report

• The minutes were read from the May meeting with motions to approve by Ronda and Cindy. Everyone agreed.  There was no correspondence.

Treasurer’s Report

• Ronda reported that there is $6268.46 in the checking, $1744.13 in the Savings and $4211.31 in the Money Market. Ronda stated that $500 was transferred from the checking to the Money Market.  There were no bills. Tana and Cindy made the necessary motions to approve the Treasurer’s Report and everyone agreed.

Unfinished Business

• Please remember to continue to save your aluminum cans and the Our Family UPC labels.  Denise reported that she just sent in two 500 packets of labels. Decker receipts can be saved starting September 1st.
• Barbara and Tana made the necessary motions to approve two $10 memorials to the Wyoming 4-H State Foundation in the names of John Ruffing and Lola Dobson.
• All of the 4-H highway signs are up with the exception of the one near Guernsey.  Jeremy Faye is getting with the Cloverleaf 4-H club to get this sign posted in the appropriate spot.  We greatly appreciate everyone’s efforts in getting these signs up.  They look great.
• 4-H club members and adult leaders ~ please remember to sign the Code of Conduct and Health form.
• Niobrara County 4-H club members represented themselves very well at the Showcase Showdown in Riverton the last week in June.  Our Horse Judging team members did very well.  Our Produce Team consisting of Amber Jensen, Lexie Dockery and Abbey Larson earned Reserve Champion by one point.
• The Junior Camp will be July 13th. The participation is way down (over 50 last year vs. only 26 registered to attend this year).  There are a lot of exciting activities planned.
• Everyone is encouraged to check out our new Niobrara County 4-H website (niobaracountyfair.com).  You may send your club write-ups, pictures of members, etc. to Brian Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  This would be a great job for the club recorder.  It is an excellent leadership task as well.
• The job of getting new flags and flagpoles for the fairgrounds is still in progress.  Diane is in communication with John Mellott.
• Denise reported that there is $2200 left to spend from the Recreation District grant.  All of the expenses for the 4-H highway signs came to $3280.  Denise suggested that $100 go to each club, a total of $600, to help maintain the signs over the years.  Barbara and Tandy made a motion to pay for the driver and the fuel to Rapid City on the 4-H Fun Day on Monday, August 9th.  Also, the grant would pay $5 toward each 4-H member’s admission to the water slides.  Everyone agreed.
• Final Activity Day is July 21st.
• The final Livestock Judging is July 19th.  If you have not already attended a livestock judging and have a livestock project, you must be in attendance on this date.  This will be a long day so bring your great attitude and stamina.  Adults – if you have the day free, your help would be greatly appreciated.
• Our county fair is just around the corner. Can you believe it?  There is so much to do between now and then.
  • The work day is slated for July 28th. It will start at 9 and go until the fairgrounds is ready for fair.  Many clubs schedule their monthly meetings on this date and work on the floats for the parade.
  • Your club adult leaders have your fair books, entry forms, etc.  Read!
  • All entry forms are due July 21st.
  • Clothing Construction Judging is July 26th.
  • The Style Review is set for the Monday of fair, August 2nd @ 8 pm.  It will be indoors.  Letters were sent to prospective escorts.  If you know of some young man, regardless of age, who would like to be an escort at this fun event, please have them contact the Extension Office.
  • Cow/Calf record books are due July 30th.  The interview portion of this project is the Wednesday of fair starting @ 1:00 PM.
  • The Market Animal Sale Consignment forms are due the Monday of fair.
  • The Ultra Sound contest is ready to go.  The competition will be on Friday, August 6th.  Members are encouraged to compete.  Members competing in horse can have a fellow member/sibling bring their livestock to this competition.  This is an excellent learning opportunity.  Club leaders ~ please announce this at your meetings.  Get the word out!
  • The parade is scheduled for the last Saturday of fair.  If you want your club float to be judged, you must sign-up with Willy or the Extension Office by that morning – earlier if possible.
  • The members meeting and BBQ will begin on August 2nd @ noon.
  • Members may sell their 4-H projects in the Silent Auction again this year.  No one has yet indicated that they wish to do this.  If you want to, please let the Extension Office know.
  • The special contest for this year’s fair is “Recycled Denim Jean Contest.”  If you wish to compete in this project, indicate this on your entry form.  There are a lot of neat projects, rugs, purses, etc. that can be submitted.
  • Please remember that if you wish to camp on the fairgrounds during the fair, you must register your camper with the Extension Office.  Also, an adult chaperon must be in the camper at night.
  • The Council discussed the Project Showcase.  Last year it was very successful.  It is a great way for 4-H members to show their projects that are on exhibit inside the fairgrounds.  This event is tentatively scheduled for the Wednesday of fair.  There is a lot going on a fair this year and the Fair Board will discuss this scheduling further.
• The cardboard ONLY dumpster is an ongoing issue.  Although it is clearly marked ‘cardboard only’ there seems to be other trash items dumped in this dumpster.  The council is asking everyone to be more aware of where they are dumping their trash, etc.

New Business

• The State Shoot is this coming weekend.  Yes, it is Rawhide weekend as well.  Dick VanHuele could use help the whole weekend including set-up on Thursday.  There are about a dozen 4-H members competing this weekend.
• There will be a grooming field day on July 15th.
• Horse certification is slated for July 16th with a grooming clinic to follow in the afternoon.
• A Niobrara 4-H Fun Day is scheduled, once again, for the Monday after fair, August 9th.  Please sign up during fair if you wish to attend.  An adult leader (endorsed) from each club must attend for their members to attend.
• State fair sign-up will be on Saturday, August 7th starting at noon in the office.
• Record Books are due September 13th.  Judging will be on September 16th.
• A very good band is scheduled for the dance on Friday, August 6th.
• Cattle are needed for the ranch rodeo.
• Swim lessons will be offered the week at the fair.

Tana and Tandy made the necessary motions to adjourn the meeting.  Everyone agreed.

The next 4-H Council meeting will be in September.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara K. Cushman, 4-H Council Secretary

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