The Caroline Aces 4-H Club has been in existence for 68 years. Gabrielle Will was the first general leader. Current leader Ellen Mehlberg gets help from her daughter, Rachel Ahlers.
“Our club is fairly young,” said Mehlberg, who has been a leader for 34 years.
Mehlberg teaches knitting, crocheting and sewing. She feels 4-H is a good way to learn skills and confidence.
“You learn responsibility and speaking skills,” she said. “The kids learn hands-on by actually doing things, being judged at the fair, and how to improve what they have done. They’re learning as they’re doing.”
Mehlberg started in 4-H as a member of the Landstad 4-H Club. She plans to continue a few more years.
“I enjoy it,” she said, “and the grandkids are starting now.”
Ahlers has been a co-leader for six years.
“I like being active,” Ahlers aid. “It gives me something to be active in.”
There are 44 members who take a variety of projects with the help of 22 leaders. The club raises money with a food stand at the Caroline Colorama every other year, and they work in the 4-H Food Stand during the summer and at the fair.
They give money to the town of Grant EMS and Fire Department, the Tigerton Area Ambulance, village library and Community Cupboard, the Marion Area Ambulance and Food Pantry, Tilleda Food Pantry, town of Pella Fire and Rescue, Safe Haven, Red River Riders, Guardian Angels, Christian Veterinary Mission, Cerebral Palsy, Shawano Area Food Pantry and Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary.
Their community service includes a booth at the Marion Health Fair, putting flags on veterans’ graves at the Caroline cemeteries for Memorial Day, serving free milk for almost two weeks at Steve & Mary’s Main Street Café in Marion, serving ice cream at the Marion Senior Center and Midwest Livestock Auction Barn, and packing 48 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
“When each activity comes up, everyone pitches in one way or another,” Ahlers said.
In January, the club has a rabies clinic where people bring their pets at a reduced rate for shots. They host a senior citizens holiday party at the town of Grant Town Halland play Bingo with the residents of health care facilities.
Ahlers said their meetings run smoothly as she looks back at what they have done in previous years.
“I have all my agendas saved,” she said.
Officers are Gabby Schilling, president, Elly Armdt, vice president, Julia Peebles, secretary, Kali Haufe, treasurer, and Nicholas Suehring, reporter.
The club meets at 6 p.m. the second Sunday at Grant Town Hall. For more information, call Mehlberg at 715-754-5514.
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