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Page 72--Shaw/Free Press Media Group, Inc. 1983 Fair Guide People &. projects By Anthony Oliver Shaw /Free Press Media McHENRY -- An important thread that runs through the fabric of the McHenry County Fair each year is 4-H participation. That same thread was equally important to the Vyduna family of McHenry. Though the family has essentially outgrown the 4-H program, the skills learned and the experiences gained by family members have readied beyond into professional careers. Grace Vyduna, who was the impetus for the family's well-known participation in McHenry County 4-H, was involved in the program as a youngster growing up in Minnesota. The mother of three children, Jim, Joy and Judy, was a 4-H member from age 9 to age 21. The family later moved to Oak Park, where the 4-H influence was not as strong. But in 1958, the Vydunas moved to the McHenry area and the eldest child, Jim, became involved. "Jim was involved in 4-H for two years," Mrs. Vyduna said. "The program was dif­ ferent then, and there wasnt the strong county leadership thnt there is now." When Joy was 1C years old, she enrolled in the 4-H program, Mrs. Vyduna said. "About three years into the program, she WOT her first county award and found- that if meant something. It surprised us all/and it really spurred her to figure there really was something in 4-H for her," Mrs. Vyduna said. Joy Vyduna's first award was the "Best of Show" in child care. It wouldn't be her last. ' * Thai Judy became involved in a 4-H Club "that was really set to go," Mrs. Vyduna added. That club was the Lincoln Cloverleafs, which at that time was led by Erv Stavateig. "The kids went on in 4-H, and I became a secondary leader," Mrs. Vyduna explain­ ed. "When Err retired, I took it over." She noted that both the Vyduna girls ex­ celled in 4-H, and both were National Scholarship Winners -- Joy in health and Judy in achievement. "The others in the dub were a hard­ working bunch of kids," Mrs. Vyduna said. "I'd say to them, 'I would like you to try this, or that,' and they just blossomed." The Lincoln doverleafs, and McHenry County 4-H clubs in general, have long been known for producing top honor win­ ners. People like Sue Malenius, Lori Nank and Shelley VonBruenchenhein, Jodi Beutel, Jeannette May and most recently, Debbie Griggs, are among the many who have brought honors home to A^cHenry County. What makes 4-H so successful is the family involvement. "It has to be a family affair," Mrs. Vyduna said. Even her husband, Calvin Vyduna, was involved. "He wasn't involved as a leader, per se, but he was very supportive with time, tolerantof the messes, and he was a finan­ cial contributor," die said. The family schedule, inchnting vaca­ tions, a son's wedding, etc., always revolv­ ed around 441 activities. Their involvement in 4-H led the Vydunas to become a host family for an ex­ change ahrlrrt from Chile and one from the Netherlands. "The fun that I've had is in watching the young people and the metamorphosis of discovering who they really are," Mrs. Vyduna said. "The kids in 4-H become just like members of the family." She commented that 4-H provides 260 scholarships on a nationwide basis, leav­ ing an average of about five per state per year. "The great number of scholarships awarded to McHenry County speaks very highly of the county leadership," she said. "A lot of the credit goes to Kathi Weilbacher, (of the University of Illinois Extension) who has been a prevailing force to insure continuity in the 4-H program." Mrs. Vyduna commented that skills learned in 4-H have come to be used in later years. Judy Vyduna is designing 15 window displays to be used at the Illinois State Fair later this summer. Joy Vyduna, who was involved in public speaking in 4-H, has made a career of this as a speech and communications teacher at a high school in Loveland, Colo. She is helping students overcome their fears of public speaking. Summing it all up, Mrs. Vyduna said, "I think 4-H is THE outstanding youth organization." BONCOSKY OIL COMPANY KARKARE CARE WASH 1455MAIN LANE ELGIN MOBIL CAS BUNK'S TIRES 1725 W. LARKIN ELGIN MOBIL GAS ALGONQUIN SELF STORAGE, RTE.31 ALGONQUIN KARKARE CAR WASH 451 VIRGINIA CRYSTAL LAKE DAD ' MINI MART RTE.14 FOX RIVER GROVE .'if'"' yV-UwC ' eVi i J The Fox Valley Supplier of • Home Heating Oil • Motor Fuel & Oils • Industrial Oils • Anti-Freeze We deliver Mobil petroleum Products to homes, factories and farms throughout Kane and McHenry Counties. Since 1949 . BONCOSKY OIL has served the oil needs of the Fox Valley. Commercial, Industrial Oils & Lubricants. Serving McHenry and Kane Counties. Call us for prompt courteous service. BOHCOSKY OIL COMPAHY (815)459-0075 Mobil