4-H is 100 years old this year. Most of you know that 4-H is a program for youth, through the University of Wisconsin-Extension office. If you ever attended a county or state fair, you have seen exhibits that were made, or animals that were raised, by 4-H members.
The program involves boys, girls, farm youth or youth who live in town. There are various projects that they can choose, such as rocketry, foods and nutrition, woodworking, and so much more.
It is because of that anniversary that the current leader of Tiger Tribe 4-H asked me if I had a list of past members. I was one of the two founders and co-general leaders of the club for many years. I didn’t think I had a list, but I knew I still had the Youth In Action scrapbooks we put together for most of the years I was a leader. The YIA books would tell of all of the community service activities that were done during that 4-H year.
Well, the other day I unearthed the books from the cabinet they were in downstairs and carried them up. There were 10 books in all, and I thought I would take a few moments to give them a look before passing them on.
Several hours later I was still looking, and reading the stories, and remembering. Plus, I was only half way through. Now, I have finished looking through all of them, and I must admit, I had forgotten some of the things we had done.
Near as I can figure, Tiger Tribe 4-H began as a club in 1984. According to the book we had 20 members and three leaders. That first year the club made ornaments for the senior citizens, and also went Christmas caroling.
We did two plays, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “The Three Little Pigs” in the county’s drama festival, and one member won the best actress award. We also participated in the county music festival and worked at the food stand on the fair grounds.
We had a bake and rummage sale, and also started collecting newspapers for recycling. The newspaper recycling continued throughout our years, collecting multiple tons and taking it to a farmer who shredded it for bedding his dairy cattle. Memories of the collections, the bundling and hauling came to mind, and I think that is how I got some of the knots on my fingers. We quit doing that once the roadside garbage and recycling pickups began in Tigerton and the surrounding area.
What surprised me most was when we got to the year that a crew from UW-Stevens Point came to our farm, where the newspapers were stored until there was enough to haul, to film the youth at work. I had forgotten about that.
That first year, and for many years after, we held a bike-a-thon for cystic fibrosis. Usually, it was held on the first Saturday in May, and it almost always rained. Another thing we did for a few years was a bowl-a-thon for leukemia; I had forgotten that we did that.
The highlight for June was painting dairy promotion windows in Tigerton, and also hosting a pie and ice cream social. Another regular summer activity was playing softball.
I believe I retired as general leader in 1999. I have missed working with the kids. I usually help out at the fair, but this year I became a leader again.
I enjoyed my trip down Tiger Tribe’s memory lane, and wish a happy birthday to all 4-H members, past and present.
Categories
