News Update from the Crazy Pets Club...

The Crazy Pets Club had their second meeting and to kick off Thanksgiving month, we all took a moment to give thanks for a particular animal in our lives and share what a gift that animal is. This month's meeting had us learning about animal tracks. We learned about animals who have one foot and animals who have more than eighty feet. Whether making true track replicas from plaster or recreating track patterns with candy, all members got to make and take their projects after comparing domestic animal tracks to their wild cousins'. We learned how many noses a snail has (you'll have to ask a Crazy Pets Club member!) and why they make that trail of slime. We also got to meet and touch a hedgehog! Yes, it was pretty awesome!

Join us next month as we gather in the spirit of giving at the Orange County Animal Shelter to learn about volunteerism and animal stewardship. The exact date and time will be forthcoming.

4-H Alumna Update

Madeline Wilson, former 4-H Livestock Club member and Cedar Run Shooting Sports member is now a student and field hockey player at Sweet Briar College. She has been named to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference's Second Team for Field Hockey. The award is determined by all conference coaches. Congratulations, Madeline!

Ramey Competes in National 4-H Horse Public Speaking

Congratulations to Ashleigh Ramey of Orange 4-H Hoofmates for her participation in the national horse public speaking competition at the North American Livestock Expo in Louisville, KY last weekend. She progressed through local, district, state, and regional competitions prior to the event. We're proud of Ashleigh and want to say thanks for representing Orange County so well!

Natural Resources Weekend Planned

There will be a statewide Natural Resources Weekend for 4-H'ers January 23-24, 2010, at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Topics include snakes, falcons, insect identification, road kill, bird watching, and GPS/orienteering, to name a few! This exciting weekend will be led by some true natural resources experts, and the event comes at a cost to 4-H'ers of only $50 per child! Registration is due around the holidays, but please contact the Extension Office now if you are interested in participating. Travel is on your own, but the 4-H van is an option if there is a volunteer willing to drive. Hope to hear from you soon!

Crazy Pets Club Learns About Animal Tracks

Members of the newly formed Crazy Pets 4-H Club learned about wildlife and animal tracks at their November meeting this week. Older members made Plaster of Paris molds of tracks for deer, muskrats, opossums, coyotes, and more. Cloverbud members made tracks from rice, candy, and beans. The club's visitor for the evening was a member's pet hedgehog. Crazy Pets meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Unionville.