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] 4-H is alive and kicking in Durham, thanks to a broad range of modern, innovative programs and a group of dedicated leaders including (above) Cathy Anderson and Ann Hankinson. See story for details on the country's most famous organization for rural young people. LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS? Look here! ... Where consumers in need shop for the professionals in business! CALL 985-7383 for INFORMATION -- gv > Say it with a ... BALLOON BOUQUET . , Add to Your Bouquet Candy, Fruit, Wine, Jams and Mints FOR ANY#IY OCCASION! 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These days, teenagers divide their time between school, hockey teams, figure skating clubs, computers, video games and the omnipresent television set. Entertainment is the number one item on a teenager's budget and there are just so many ways to keep busy. Sons and daughters of farmers aren't necessarily staying on the farm either as agriculture becomes more big business and less of a family business. Sure, 4-H leaders admit, times have changed but so has the 4-H Club, as it continues to be one of the most popular rural programs in the country. Ann Hankinson, a Port Perry resi- dent, is the Rural Organization Specialist of 4-H. It's her job to supervise the 230 members and 57 leaders of Durham West 4-H, which includes Port Perry, Brooklin, Beaverton, Uxbridge and hamlets in between. She admits the eighties have "taken their toll" on 4-H in terms of decreased enrollment, mainly because of a smaller rural popula- tion and the afore-mentioned list of '"'other things' for teenagers to do. "We're trying to attract kids in Equpment. EARLY BUY ON ABOVE GROUND POOLS DIRECT FROM OUR WAREHOUSE 18 ROUND - Only REAR '1,171*% 24' ROUND - Look! ............. '1,338% ow 51,4842 Sale Ends April 30, 1986 843 King Street West Oshawa, Ontario CALL: (416) 433-0055 CARPET CARE Steam Cleaning of Carpets & Upholster Truck Mount Machines - Only Hoses in your Home. 852-7322 the 80's," she says. 'We're trying to make 4-H very appropriate for the age group and the year we're in." As a result, 4-H isn't just about cattle, or horses, or agriculture, the way it once was. Those skills are still taught, of course, but new pro- grams teaching foods and nutrition, fashion and life skills are attracting a more sophisticated group of teenagers than the ones who belong- ed to 4-H in 1913. "Learn By Doing," is the motto of the 4-H Club and the whole point of 4-H is to develop self-confidence, and the ability to work with others, take on responsibility and develop leadership skills. The 4-H year is divided up into 'projects', each one interesting, fulfilling and fun. The projects are created on a provincial basis and then handed down to 4-H leaders, complete with teaching guides and manuals, to be shared with 4-H members. Members can choose to take on any project they wish, no project at all, if that's what they want. There's no obligation to start any project, but members are encouraged to finish what they start and are amp- ly rewarded when they do. Engrav- ed plaques, pins and even paintings can be awarded for finished pro- jects, not to mention the chance to attend 4-H Regional Conferences, Class 'A' Fairs, Leadership Camp, interprovincial exchange trips, na- tional conferences, seminars and work exchange programs. There's also opportunities to win college or university scholarships. And all the dedicated 4-H'er has to do is complete a few projects. Most clubs have seven meetings per project, held at least once a month or sometimes every week. Members must attend at least 75 per cent of the meetings to qualify for a completed project. They're also encouraged to com- plete a project book, a summary of all the things learned and ac- complished over the course of the project. oe | And at the end of the project, members put on some type of public display, which could include ex- hibiting at a fair, presenting skits, demonstrations or exhibits for all the 4-H families, or giving speeches about the project. It sounds like a lot of work, but Ann Hankinson and leader Cathy Anderson say its mostly fun. up in Etiquette for the Eighties, a completely non-agricultural project that's designed to help teenagers cope in a society that offers few rules or guidelines. Ann says the etiquette project teaches kids how to act away from home, at banquets or dances; how to dress to impress; and offers some ideas on dating and expectations from peers. It's a program that might be com- mon in other organizations, but it's a whole new idea for the rural-based 4-H Club. It's also one of the reasons 4-H continues to survive. Ann was a member, who turned into a leader, and after extensive university training, now has a full time job with 4-H. Cathy Anderson, on 'the other hand, says, "I grew up in the city but I heard about 4-H and I thought it was an interesting program." When she moved to the Scugog Township area, and was asked to become a leader, she jumped at the chance. "I like working with the kids. I find they're eager and hardworking and they do a good job." - And with all the training leaders are given, it's also easy for her to do a good job. Project information is laid out for them in manuals and people like Ann are always available to answer questions. "It makes it easy to be a leader," Cathy says. As in all youth organizations, the 4-H Club can always use more leaders. But there's little danger the club will fade away because of lack of leaders -- or of members. "I-think it's got such a good foun- dation it's going to take a long time to die, if it ever does," Ann says con- fidently, commenting on the direc- tion young people are taking away from rural things like the 4-H. "I think 4-H meets a need, otherwise there wouldn't be the numbers there are." Party Package Mom? Dad? Just Relax? Let Us Bring the Party? Xr) SQ goo PST) INCLUDES: Theme decorating - Invitations - Balloons - Dishes Cutlery -Lunch - Snacks - 2 Crafts - Games - Activities Complete Supervision - Filled Party Bags - Character Cake (WE HAYE A THEME FOR EVERYONE!) once upon a PARTY Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for 8 Kids...... 985-8009 THE DURHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION SCUGOG TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS Children born in 1981 are eligible to attend kindergarten in September 1986. Please contact your area school for appointments to register your child. R.H. CORNISH PUBLIC SCHOOL PORT PERRY Phone 985-2591 Tuesday, April 8 Wednesday, April 9 Thursday, April 10 PRINCE ALBERT PUBLIC SCHOOL Phone 985-2877 Tuesday, April 1 Wednesday, April 2 GREENBANK/EPSOM PUBLIC SCHOOL (At Epsom) Phone 985-2567 Friday, April 4 CARTWRIGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL Phone 986-4227 Wednesday, April 9 Thursday, April 10 _-- A --