University of Illinois Extension serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery Counties

EXTENSION

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University of Illinois / U.S. Department of Agriculture / Local Extension Councils Cooperating

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Unit 18 Montgomery County Main Office #1 Industrial Park Dr. Hillsboro, IL 62049 Phone: 217-532-3941 FAX: 217-532-3944 Hours: Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m. —12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m.

Christian County Branch Office 1120 N. Webster St. Taylorville, IL 62568 Phone: 217-287-7246 FAX: 217-287-7248 Hours: Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m. & 12:30—4:30 p.m.

Jersey County Branch Office 200 North Lafayette, Suite 6, 2nd Floor Jerseyville, IL 62052 Phone: 618-498-2913 FAX: 618-498-5913 Hours: Monday & Wed. 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. & 1:00—4:30 p.m.

Macoupin County Branch Office #60 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL 62626 Phone: 217-854-9604 FAX: 217-854-7804 Hours: Mon.—Thurs, 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. & 1:00—4:30 p.m.

September-October 2013

Christian County Youth Shadowing of Local Officials

On Tuesday, August 13th, 2013, Unit 18 teamed up with the County Board to host the first annual Youth Shadowing of Local Officials in Christian County. Attendees, grades 7 through 12, started the program in the boardroom at 2 PM with a brief introduction by Chairman Paul Schmitz. A discussion given by Bill Kennedy followed on the history of the Courthouse, the difference between a

standard clock and a slave clock, and then a behind the scenes tour of the Courthouse. The tour included a climb up into the clock tower to see what the stained glass window within the rotunda looks like from above, the Courthouse bell, and a lesson and look at the mechanism which runs the clock within the tower. After the tour, attendees had an opportunity to meet with some of the countywide officers to discuss what their role and responsibilities are within county government. They included the following officials:

The Honorable Mike Havera, States Attorney The Honorable Allen F. Bennett, Judge for Fourth Judicial Circuit The Honorable Michael Gianasi, Supervisor of Assessments The Honorable Amy C. Calvert Winans, Coroner The Honorable Bruce Kettelkamp, Sheriff The Honorable Linda K. Curtin, Clerk The Honorable Michael P. Drea, Treasurer Cliff Frye, County Engineer Greg Patrick, Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools

A working dinner was provided with attendees gaining a better understanding of how local government works within Christian County and a chance to get to know their board members. Following dinner, participants interacted with board members during the August Executive Committee Meeting. To learn more about this program, please contact Chris Casey at 217-532-3941 or ccasey1@illinois.edu.

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 2

Chris Casey is a Community and Economic Development Educator for the University of

Illinois Extension in Unit 18, serving the counties of Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and

Montgomery. Chris grew up just outside of Hardin, located in Calhoun County in

southwestern Illinois, north of St. Louis. He attended Lewis and Clark Community College

and graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelors Degree in

Political Studies/Communication in 1999 and a Masters Degree in Political Studies in 2002.

Before joining the University of IL Extension, Chris worked for the American Institute of Architects, Illinois

Council (AIA Illinois) as Special Projects Coordinator. His responsibilities included helping the Executive Vice

President and the Contract Lobbyist on advocacy initiatives. He assisted with legislative issues, grassroots

coordination and served as Assistant Treasurer of the Illinois Architects Political Action Committee.

Additional past experiences included working for a high-ranking legislator in the Illinois House and the Office

of Lieutenant Governor/Governor’s Rural Affairs Council.

Donisha Clemons is the a Program Coordinator in the Christian County office. Donisha is

from St. Louis Missouri but currently lives in Carlinville IL. She is an Alum of Blackburn

College with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Minor in Criminal Justice. She spent

much of her college career working as the student assistant in the Department of

Intercultural Programs and Services. She was given the opportunity to become the Director

of Intercultural Programs and Services working directly with the students and staff as a

liaison, program coordinator and academic advisor for minority students. She has taught in

the classroom for the Venice, IL school district and tutored outside the classroom for

Sylvan Learning Center. As the Program Coordinator she works with various departments and organizations

throughout Christian County, including HCEA, Community and Economic Department, Horticulture and

Agriculture specialist primarily as the liaison, marketer and coordination side of all operations.

Kate Harding is the new 4-H Program Coordinator in Macoupin County. Harding

graduated from Illinois State University in 2000 with her B.S. in Parks and Recreation

Administration with a Therapeutic Recreation focus. She was then employed at

Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, IL for eight years where she facilitated a wide

variety of programs and services for youth working as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation

Specialist. Harding relocated to the Carlinville area in 2008, after her husband,

Andy, accepted a position with Pioneer in Litchfield. Harding has been involved with the

4-H program in Macoupin County since May of 2009. She looks forward to returning to the

role as 4-H Program Coordinator starting August 15.

Charlotte Schuricht is the Agriculture Literacy Coordinator for Montgomery County. She began in this role

in November 2009 and in August 2013 was promoted to Program Coordinator. Charlotte teaches the Ag in

the Classroom program in schools and coordinates special programs to educate people of all ages about

agriculture, its importance and the role it plays in our daily lives. This new role will continue the existing

program as well as bring the opportunity to develop summer agriculture programs for both youth and

educators. Charlotte received her degree from the University of Illinois in Community Health and prior to

working with Extension was the Human Resources Manager for a hospice and hospital as well as working in

the education field. Charlotte resides in Mount Olive with her husband Shane and four children.

U of I EXTENSION UNIT 18 WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 3Page 3

CHRISTIAN COUNTY 4-H TO HOLD ‘SUPER SATURDAY’ OCTOBER 12TH

The Christian County 4-H will be having “Super Saturday” on October 12, 2013, from 9:00-Noon for youth

ages 8-16. The event will offer hour long workshops including: knitting or crocheting, tin punch art, sewing a

bookmark or simple bag, scrapbooking, cake decorating , rabbit care, and others to be determined.

We are also looking for adults who would be willing to assist with the various workshops. Share a craft or

skill with youth in a one hour session. Super Saturday is designed to allow youth to have a sampling of

several various 4-H projects and a fun educational event. If you have an activity that you would be willing to

share on October 12, contact Jodi at 217-287-7246.

The “Super Saturday” workshops will be held at the U of I Extension Christian County office at 1120 N.

Webster St., Taylorville, IL. For more information or to sign up for this event, contact the Extension office at

217-287-7246.

Four Seasons Gardening 2013 Summer/Fall Teleconference Series

Winter Wise Your Landscape: Knowledge to Prevent Costly Mistakes September 3 at 1:00 PM or September 5 at 6:30 PM Discover and uncover the necessary steps to take now in order to protect and embellish your landscape in

order to ensure blooms and grass in the spring. When and what to prune, fertilize, protect and not neglect will

be taught. Learn proper practices of winter protection in the landscape. Get more bloom for your buck and

find balance in both your landscape and pocketbook.

Pollinator Plants September 17 at 1:00 PM or September 19 at 6:30 PM

Celebrate pollinators as we talk about these important visitors and the plants that attract them. Find out what

great pollinators we find in Illinois and how we can transform our own backyards into a garden that

encourages them. If you would like to share your garden with the butterflies and the bees, this program will

tell you how.

What's Trending Now in Landscape Design October 1 at 1:00 PM or October 3 at 6:30 PM Come enjoy the final session in the Four Seasons telenet series for 2013 as we explore current trends in landscape design. Find out what trendy design "-isms" exist, popular landscape features American homeowners are using in their backyards, and examine some over-the-top, yet, admired landscape designers. Looking for new ideas for your landscape? This program will definitely give you some things to consider.

Registration Details

Each session is $5 or attend the entire series for just $15. Advance registration is needed. The programs

will be held at the U of I Extension Christian County office located at 1120 N. Webster St., Taylorville, IL. To

register, contact the Christian County office at 217-287-7246 or register online at

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cjmm.

4-H and YOUTH NEWS

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 4

Unit 18 4-H Shooting Sports Fall Classic

The first annual 4-H Shooting Sports Fall Classic

will be held on Saturday, September 14th at the

Brittany Shooting Park located at 11374 Prairie Dell

Rd, Bunker Hill, IL. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30

a.m. with Safety Orientation at 9:30 a.m. The shoot

begins at 10:00 a.m. and will include all three

disciplines, Archery, Shot Gun, and Rifle. Youth will

be divided into three age groups. For more

information on the shoot contact your shooting

sports instructor or your local Extension office.

Each participant will receive a t-shirt and are eligible

for ribbons and prizes. Participants must be enrolled

in shooting sports in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin or

Jersey Counties in order to participate.

Illinois 4-H Joins AT & T in “It Can Wait”

Campaign Illinois 4-H announced that it will join AT&T in the “It

Can Wait” campaign as its members encourage

drivers to take the pledge not to text while driving.

Illinois 4-H members are asking drivers to help

make the state safer and to save lives by sending a

simple text message. To take the pledge, anyone

can text “4H4ICW” to “50555.” “It’s a small way to

make a big difference,” said Angie Barnard,

executive director for the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

AT&T presented these facts in the effort to end

texting and driving:

More than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers

who are texting (Source: National Safety

Council)

75 percent of teens say texting and driving is

“common” among their friends (Source: AT&T

Wireless Survey)

97 percent of teen drivers say texting while driving

is dangerous ― yet 43 percent admit to doing it.

(Source: AT&T Teen Driver Survey)

“The members of Illinois 4-H are committed to

making a difference in the ‘It Can Wait’ campaign,

and we will be encouraging friends and family

members to take the pledge to never text and drive,”

said Barnard. “We’re excited to

spread the message through the

state with our 23,000 members in

1,250 4-H clubs.”

Unit 18 4-H Hall of Fame Winners

Unit 18 is proud to announce four awesome

volunteers were inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of

Fame on Saturday, August 10th on the Director’s

Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. These volunteers

were nominated by their local Extension staff and

clubs for their many years of dedicated service to

the local 4-H programs. Left to right is: Lolita &

John Alward (Macoupin County); Marti Benning

(Montgomery County). 2nd Row: Kenneth Schafer

(Jersey County)

Unit 18 4-H Leaders Training 4-H Leaders from across Unit 18 will meet on

Saturday, September 21st from 9:30 – Noon at

Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield. This

year’s training will focus on Community Service:

What does it mean to your club, community, and

world? A light brunch will be served.

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 3Page 5

What is a Master Gardener? The program is open to any adult (age 19 or older) with an interest in plants and a desire to share that with others. Master Gardeners are a dedicated group and

many choose to return year after year to share their knowledge with others. The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is for those enthusiastic

individuals who have completed training and agree to volunteer at least 60 hours within two years to the local University of Illinois Extension office.

What Training is Required? Extension Educators and State Specialists with the University of Illinois provide the training for Master Gardeners. Classes are

conducted once per week during the day, for an average of 6 hours per day (60 hours total) during the winter and spring. An online

training option is also available. Class size may be limited due to space restrictions in some locations. Master Gardener t raining covers

various home horticulture topics including:

Vegetable Gardening * Insects * Tree and Small Fruits * Basic Botany * Integrated Pest Management

Turfgrass Care * Plant Disease * Tree and Shrub Care * Soils and Fertilizer * Flower Gardening

Opportunities To become a certified Master Gardener participants are required to volunteer 60 hours of time to their local University of Illinois

Extension office. After certification, Master Gardeners volunteer 30 hours each year and attend 10 hours of approved continu ing

education. Volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to answering telephone and electronic mail questions about ga rdening;

staffing plant clinics or farmers markets; speaking to local organizations; establishing demonstration or community gardens; conducting

programs with youth, the elderly or the disabled or writing newspaper articles.

Master Gardeners educate the public on topics such as improving landscapes, choosing plant varieties, water saving tips for g ardens,

proper pest identification and management, how to grow their own produce, optimum mulching strategies and composting. The on ly

guideline is that the projects be educational and concern horticulture. You will work with the local Extension Unit leaders to determine

how your volunteer time can best be spent.

Is Master Gardener Training for You? ● Do I want to learn more about plant care and gardening?

● Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?

● Am I eager to participate in a practical and intensive training program?

● Do I have enough time to attend the training and complete my annual volunteer and continuing education

requirements?

If you answered “yes” to all of the questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you.

Join our Team! A complete application, background and screening and interview are required. A fee will be charged to cover the class and manual

costs.

Master Gardeners are an integral part of University of Illinois Extension outreach. As such, they are covered by

the University’s liability policy. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners are expected to

follow the recommendations of the University.

To learn more about the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, visit our website at

web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/ or contact Andrew Holsinger, Extension Horticulture Educator, at 217-532-3941.

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 6

It’s that time of year again. Summer is rapidly coming to a close, and the kids are dreading returning to school. If you’re a parent, you may be dreading their return as well. It can be a daily struggle to pack lunches and make sure the kids have had something to eat before they dash out the door, but it will pay off if you make the effort, said a University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator. “Although any breakfast is better than no breakfast, making the extra

effort to make it healthy might help your kids do better in school. Studies show that kids who eat a balanced breakfast have higher test scores and can concentrate better and solve problems more easily in class,” Leia Kedem said. Children with healthier diets may also have fewer behavioral problems. Hunger itself can cause discomfort, crankiness, and outbursts in even the best-behaved kids, she noted. “The nutritional value of meals can also make a difference. A breakfast low in fiber and protein, like sugary toaster pastries, can lead to a midmorning energy crash. This is because the carbohydrates are digested and absorbed quickly, causing blood sugar levels to dive after an initial spike. Other than sudden fatigue, kids may also experience headaches and irritability,” she said. In contrast, a high-protein, high-fiber meal of scrambled eggs on a whole-wheat English muffin will digest more slowly, preventing hunger and keeping blood sugar levels on an even keel, Kedem said. “Of course, this extends to lunch, dinner, and snacks as well. Eating right throughout the day will improve behavior both at home and at school. Kids will concentrate better both in the classroom at the kitchen table when it’s time for homework,” she added. The question is, how do you get kids used to eating healthier? According to Kedem, the key is to get them involved, whether it’s picking out fruit at the supermarket or packing lunch together the night before. “When kids make their own choices, they feel empowered and it can make eating right less of a struggle. Whether it’s at a meal or at snack time, have a variety of healthy options to choose from. For example, have kids choose from carrots, celery, or broccoli for a snack and ask whether they’d like ranch or Italian dressing for dipping,” she advised. Kids will also be more likely to eat healthy when food is made fun. Make a rotating breakfast bar with oatmeal and toppings one day and yogurt with cut-up fruits, sliced nuts, and granola the next, she suggested. “Think outside the box when it comes to the lunchbox. For younger kids, use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of fruits like apples and melon or even make standard peanut butter and jelly sandwiches more exciting. For kids of all ages, deconstruct typical favorites into finger food,” she said. For example, pack whole-grain crackers, tuna, grape tomatoes, and cheese cubes in a divided plastic container instead of a tuna and cheese sandwich, she advised. “When it comes to dinner, let kids be involved in the planning. Make it a family activity to find new healthy meal ideas on recipe sites. If your child is more visual, scroll through pictures of healthy recipes on social media websites like Pinterest. Brainstorm new ways of preparing old favorites or pick an exotic vegetable to try each week,” she said. Getting kids into the habit of cooking and eating well will set them up for success at school as well as later in life, she said. “Make good nutrition part of the back-to-school routine this year to kick off the academic year on the right foot and to have a healthier and happier family all year round.”

GOOD NUTRITION MEANS BETTER SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Extension Connections—September/October 2013 Page 3Page 7

On Thursday, August 15, Unit 18 hosted what will become

our first annual HCE Retreat. Those in attendance came

from Christian, Jersey and Macoupin County HCE Units.

Topics of discussion included “Engaging Generations,”

“Parliamentary Procedures,” jewelry making and a special

meeting with County Presidents and other officers.

I wanted to host an event that provided HCE members with

information on the different generations that existed in our

society, what the groups’ goals and values are, and what

motivates them to volunteer and join different groups such as

HCE. Chris Casey, Community and Economic Development

Educator and I pulled from a research based program called “Engaging Generations,” for the presentation,

and encouraged participants to provide feedback throughout. One attended said, “Thanks, I can finally

understand where my daughter –Generation X, and my grandson-Generation Y, are finally coming from.”

The professional development event was planned by Shelby Lahey and Sara Marten, two Generation Y

summer staff members. They expressed the fact; this opened their eyes to what HCE has to offer. Until

working on this program one of the staff members had never heard of HCE.

It was decided the event was a huge success and that this format for professional development should and

will continue. The goal is to host at least two of these pre-year. The next one is tentatively scheduled for

Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at the Hillsboro Extension office. Jersey County will host and Peggy Hampton,

has been booked to present COLORS. COLORS is a personality program, teaching attends about one

another differences and similarities. Jersey County will provide a meal and work on the afternoon breakout

sessions. We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Amanda Cole

County Extension Director

Unit 18, HCE RETREAT ~ “ENGAGING GENERATIONS”

Phone: 217-287-7246

Fax: 217-287-7248

Christian County

1120 N. Webster St.

Taylorville, IL 62568

University of Illinois Extension NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

TAYLORVILLE, IL

PERMIT NO. 322

Address Service Requested

Teresa Beck, Community Worker, tbeck01s@illinois.edu

Chris Casey, Extension Educator, Community and Economic Development, ccasey1@illinois.edu

Donisha Clemons, Program Coordinator, veneeann@illinois.edu

Amanda Cole, County Extension Director, acole1@illinois.edu

Shelly Curtin, Office Support Assistant, sacurtin@illinois.edu

Rachel Fikan, Extra Help, vndnbrg2@illinois.edu

Peggy Hampton, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, phampton@illinois.edu

Jodi Heberling, Program Coordinator 4-H, heberlin@illinois.edu

Andrew Holsinger, Extension Educator, Ag & Natural Resources (Horticulture), aholsing@illinois.edu

Gary Letterly, Extension Educator, Energy and Environmental Stewardship, letterly@illinois.edu

This newsletter is designed to provide educational information and program updates to benefit you and your family. If you have questions about these or other programs, don’t hesitate to contact our staff. The University of Illinois Extension Christian County is dedicated to working for you.

The U of I Extension Christian County office will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2013.