4-H Pledge

I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Leaf Identification Contest

• Entries are due to the 4-H office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21.
• Entries submitted after October 21 will not be eligible for cash prizes.
• Submit a binder of 15 pages of leaves, one leaf per page, which have been collected during the current school year.
• Leaves must be from trees or shrubs.
• Tape each leaf on a separate piece of construction or copy paper and identify the leaf using a pen or marker. Be specific when identifying leaves. For example, if a leaf is from a Southern Red Oak, write Southern Red Oak on the page, not just Oak. If the leaf is from a Long Leaf Pine tree, write Long Leaf Pine , not just Pine Tree.
• Write your name, school, and grade on the front cover of your binder.

Safety Poster Contest

• Entries for the Safety Poster Contest are due to the 4-H office by 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 4.
• Create a poster on a specific safety topic, for example, fire safety, food safety, internet safety, etc.
• Posters must be on any color 22 inch by 28 inch poster board.
• Posters will be judged on originality, neatness, safety information and eye-catching design.
• Your name, age, school and grade should be written on the back of the poster in the upper right corner.
• Posters submitted after November 4 will not be eligible for first, second, or third place awards.

Fall Foods Festival and Consumer Foods Judging Contest

• Contest will be held on Monday, November 7, 8:45 a.m. at Union Central Elementary School.
• Dish setup must be completed by 9:45 a.m. Judging starts at 10:00 a.m. No dishes will be entered once judging begins.
• You must preregister for both contests by calling the 4-H office at 318-649-2663 by 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 2.
• Dish categories are Quick-n-Easy Ground Beef, Main Dish Beef, Chicken, Egg, Rice Main Dish, Rice Any Other, Pecan, Sweet Potato, and Corn (new category).
• All dishes must be already prepared and ready to serve. All dishes must be chilled, cold to the touch, and transported in an insulated hard case ice chest with ice. Styrofoam ice chests are allowed but insulated totes or bags will be disqualified.
• Dish must be covered with a lid or foil in ice chest.
• Recipes used should not serve more than 12 servings.
• Serving dish can be no larger than 11 by 16, or 12-inch round.
• Alcohol is not allowed in any recipe.
• Bring 2 copies of your recipe to the contest.
• Dishes that won first place in last year's contest cannot be entered in this year's contest.
• Members who do not want to enter a dish can still compete in the Consumer Foods Judging Contest in which participants will rank classes of food items based on factors such as health, cost, lifestyle, or other requirements in a given situation and give written reasons for ranking.
• Complete contest rules, dish category requirements, and recipe forms are available at the 4-H office located at 106 Jackson Street in Columbia.

Fashion Revue and Consumer Decision Making Contest

• Handmade garments, shirts, and date forms are due to the 4-H office by 4 p.m. on Monday, November 28.
• Appearance Judging is scheduled for 9 a.m., Monday, December 5 at Grayson Elementary School.
• Submit handmade garment and/or decorated shirt on a hanger along with a Personal Data Form.
• The 4-H Fashion Revue consists of Clothing Construction, Decorated Shirt, Ready-to-Wear, and Consumer Decision Making contests.
• Clothing Construction categories are Apron, Tops or Bottoms, and Complete Outfit - an outfit that can stand alone with all pieces being constructed by the 4-H'er. Decorated Shirt categories are Shirts Promoting 4-H and Other.
• Remember to submit a Data Form if you are planning to enter the Ready to Wear contest.
• Entries submitted after November 28 will not be eligible for first, second, or third place awards.
• Not interested in creating a garment or entering Ready to Wear? You can still participate by entering the Consumer Decision Making Contest and judge classes of consumer products or services, rank each class by choice and give written reasons for rankings.

Cooperative Communication

Communication is listed as one of the skills necessary for success in the twenty-first century workplace. Additionally, it is an important life skill that will benefit children and teens as they grow into competent, caring adults. Many people think of communication as just speaking; however, it works best when it is a two-way street. Listening and asking questions are also important in the communication process. At our club meetings this month, we will practice sending and receiving messages and learn the importance of cooperative communication.

Healthy Living: Mental Health

Breathe deep when you feel anxious or stressed - just try it. Take in a nice slow breath. Start from your belly; expand through your ribs, chest, and lungs. Exhale and breathe out just as slowly. Counting can help (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Repeat.

Upcoming Events

• October 2-8 National 4-H Week
• October 3 Shooting Sports signup deadline
• October 8 Art and Folk Festival
• October 9 Ark-La-Miss Fair closes
• October 21 Leaf Identification contest
• October 26 Louisiana State Fair Livestock Show begins
• November 2 Preregistration deadline for Fall Foods Festival
• November 4 Safety Poster Contest
• November 7 Fall Foods Festival
• November 13 Louisiana State Fair closes
• November 28 Garments and data forms due for Fashion Revue
• December 5 Fashion Revue Appearance Judging

Club Meeting Schedule

• November 1 Columbia Elementary 1 p.m.
• November 2 Caldwell Parish High School 9:47 a.m.
• November 3 Grayson Elementary 1:15 p.m.
• November 3 Homeschool 3:30 p.m.
• November 4 Caldwell Parish Junior High School 9:30 a.m.
• November 8 Old Bethel Christian Academy 12:20 p.m.
• November 18 Union Central Elementary 8:00 a.m.

Membership and participation in activities and events are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, veteran status or disability. Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in Caldwell 4-H, please contact 4-H agent Jana Bennett at 318-649-2663. The LSU AgCenter and LSU provides equal opportunities in employment and programs.