NEWS

Cambridge Champs kick off new year

Staff Writer
Geneseo Republic
Cambridge Champs members and leaders are, in first row from left, Tatum Miller, Gage Miller, Austin Reed, Josh Dobbels and Meagan Underwood; second row, Jacob Dobbels, Brockton Reed, Julie Fransene, Beverly Herrick, Danielle Brooks and Brody Kolb; third row, James Dobbels, Olivia McDonough, Jessie Smith, Katie Miller, Megan Reed and Taylor Reed; and fourth row, Clayton Carr, Austin Dobbels, Adam Brooks, Savannah Walker and Jacob Jeffries.

4-Hers who received awards were honored at the Cambridge Champs meeting on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Farm Bureau in Cambridge.

Receiving State Fair Awards of Excellence were Adam Brooks for natural resources (sportfishing), Danielle Brooks for presentation and oral interpretation, Victoria Hanson for visual arts (chalk, carbon or pigment), Jacob Jeffries for Electricity I (Magic of Electricity), Brody Kolb for natural resources (sportfishing) and Savannah Walker for visual arts (3-D Design or mixed media.

Superior awards went to Trent Fransene for woodworking (Clover Challenge) and Taylor Reed for floriculture.

Leaders recognized for their years of service were Beverly Herrick, a 4-H leader for 12 years, and Julie Fransene, a 4-H leader for 23 years. Each received a plaque and a gift certificate. Both have retired as Cambridge Champs 4-H leaders.

New co-leaders are Tadd Jeffries, Lisa Miller and Angie Reed. Jenny Dobbels is the Cloverbud leader.

The 4-H club will sell personalized pans and kitchen accessories to raise money. 4-Hers will have a table at the Fall Review and Christmas on the Square to show samples of products and take orders.

Cambridge Champs also will participate in the Homecoming Parade.

Officers were nominated at the meeting. Members will vote on them at the next meeting, which will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the home of Jacob Jeffries.

The next meeting will include a wiener roast. Each family should bring one dish to pass, a dessert and lawn chairs.

The 2008-2009 registration will be held at this meeting. New for 2008-2009 will be a suggested donation for 4-H membership.

Extension and 4-H program operates on a bare bones budget and when one of its funding sources falls short, there is little left to cut except the staff and programs, Reed said. With that in mind, Extension is diversifying its income sources.

The club will ask businesses in the community to help sponsor the club and offset part of the suggested donation per member.

After the meeting, 4-Hers made posters for National 4-H week. They will be displayed at Cambridge Elementary School from Sunday, Oct. 5, through Saturday, Oct. 11.