(Posted March 3, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The Madison County commissioners recently signed a proclamation designating March 6-12 as Madison County 4-H Week.
At the signing, representatives of the 4-H community shared their experiences and their suggestions for continued improvements at the fairgrounds in London.
Dillon Rice, a junior at Madison-Plains High School, learned how to show pigs at age 3, thanks to his grandfather who raised hogs. He further honed that skill through participation in 4-H and the county fair.
“I also got the ability to talk in front of people through 4-H,” he said, noting that his experience includes speaking to 200 people at the FFA Convention.
Rice is a first-year member of the Madison County Junior Fair Board and has two years left of 4-H eligibility.
When asked for suggestions for improvements to the fairgrounds, he said the grandstands need work, especially for accommodating people with disabilities.
Emily Davis is a former 4-Her and current advisor of the Yes We Can! 4-H Club.
“I have a love for the special needs community, so I started a club where they would be welcomed,” she told the commissioners.
Over the last couple of years, the club has been raising money to purchase a ramp so that individuals with handicaps can access the stage in the Della Selsor Building at the fairgrounds. Local businesses and individuals have pitched in, as has the Madison County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association.
“We’ve raised quite a bit of money already,” Davis said.
Impressed with the club’s efforts, the county commissioners said they would take care of securing the ramp, so that the club could use its funds for other projects.
During 4-H Week, stories and projects like these will be promoted throughout the county. To learn more about 4-H, call the Madison County Extension office at (740) 852-0975.
4-H Week displays
Ohio and Madison County 4-H Week is March 6-12. Many 4-H clubs promote 4-H by decorating business windows in their communities.
The 2016 theme is “Madison County Movie Madness.” Club windows must display the theme, club name, members’ names, and the 4-H clover, pledge and motto.
In addition to promoting 4-H, clubs can enter their displays in the window decorating contest. The 4-H Advisory Committee sponsors the contest, supplying cash voucher prizes to the top three displays. The vouchers—$50 for first place, $25 for second, and $10 for third—go toward the purchase of 4-H member books.
Look for club displays as follows:
- Double L II at West Jefferson Hardware;
- Prairie Raiders and Eager Achievers at the London Community Center;
- Exclusively Equine, Canaan Pathfinders, Fairfield Rascals and Starlight Riders at Mabe’s Clothing and Athletic Apparel in London;
- Jumpers & Flyers at Home Interiors;
- Mud Run Hustlers at Knights of the Pythias in Mount Sterling;
- Krazy 4 Clovers at Chevron Pools, Spas and Billiards in West Jefferson;
- Madison Busy Farmers at the His and Hers building, next to KFC in London;
- Madison Busy Farmers in the Madison Dance window at the His and Hers building in London;
- Dirty Boots and Shiny Belt Buckles at Firefly Sweet Shoppe in London; and
- Town and Country Kids at McDonald’s in West Jefferson.
