Holidays are about Family not Perfection

This article was written and published in the winter edition of Robeson Living Magazine.

As a child, I was to be seen, not heard. I was to speak when spoken to, and when I spoke it was to be brief and respectful. Holiday traditions were to be handed down, not improved upon and certainly not questioned or changed. As a child up through my college years, my job during Thanksgiving and Christmas was to set the table and observe so one day I could go through all the stress of roasting a turkey, making sure everyone had their favorite dish, and ensure everything was perfect. Very rarely was everything perfect. Someone always had a story of a debacle from the year before, whether it was forgetting the cranberry jelly and going on a search Thanksgiving Day for that important item (that I don’t think anyone ever touched), the turkey being dried out, or Daddy or Gramps telling that story that should never be told at the dining room table (possibly about the problems of previous years); perfection was hard to achieve when family was present.

That being said, some of my favorite memories of the holidays were of the imperfect moments. When Daddy changed our Thanksgiving Day dress code by wearing a polo shirt to eat at the formal dining room table or when we finally wore my mother down to allow me to contribute to the actual food by making the dinner rolls from scratch (the first three years she did buy some and hid, just in case they weren’t fit for consumption, which I am proud to say they were never used). These will be the moments I remember. Over the last few years, I was even allowed to cook the turkey. That was only because the last one my mother bought was so horribly dry that she was at her wits’ end and finally agreed to let me take a shot at it. I must say, both my deep-fried turkey and grilled turkey were met with skepticism ahead of time, but when it came time to eat, let’s just say there was a side of crow that went with that turkey, making it a very fulfilling Thanksgiving.

In an effort of making a truly fantastic family event, I would suggest including the children at a young age and give them their own task to make them feel included, take some ownership, and increase their self-esteem during these family events. Are they young and good at coloring? Maybe it should be their job to color placemats for everyone or perhaps place cards. If they are good with scissors, maybe they would like to cut out paper leaves and turkeys to decorate the table with. As they get older, perhaps they could do the centerpiece, bake a special dessert, or say grace. A cookie-decorating bar is always a great pastime for the holidays. Maybe they are dramatic and would like to offer up some entertainment for the special day with a skit, puppet show, or video.

There are tons of ways to include your children with a project and make them feel special about the holiday. There is also a side benefit. While they are busy doing their thing to wow the family, you will have a little time to work on that yummy turkey, sweet potato casserole, or take in the game. Will your holiday be picture perfect, ready for the centerfold of a magazine? Doubtful, you may end up with a Thanksgiving tribute in the center of your formal dining room table made of plastic building blocks, but it will create those family memories that will stay with them and you a lifetime. What could be more perfect than that?

For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276 or by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

Making Memories to Last Lifetime

This article was written and published in the Robesonian

How much quality family time do you spend with your family? With today’s busy lifestyles, it’s sometimes difficult to arrange everyone’s schedule for family time. However, spending quality time together is important. Spending time together helps to build family bonds, trust, and memories that will last a lifetime. It doesn’t have to be big, huge trips to create quality time; often it is the simple things that can bring us together.

I remember as a child my family ate dinner every weeknight together. We would sit around the table as a family and talk about the day’s events or whatever was on our minds. I didn’t realize how special that quality family time was until I was older. That is one of the traditions I carried on when my children were younger. Whenever we ate dinner at home, it was around the dinner table and all electronics were turned off. Having a meal with your family is a great way to open the lines of communication and have conversations with each other. For some people, spending quality family time might be playing board games, going to the park, fishing, or whatever your family enjoys doing together. Sometimes it might require doing something that your children or spouse like to do.

One of the biggest excuses we utilize is we don’t have the time with our busy schedules. So try to schedule the time on a calendar with important dates and stick to it. Take a moment to play a game they want to play or sit and watch their favorite show with them. They will always remember that.

The time families spend together varies from family to family. Families with younger children usually spend more time together, because the children require the time. Families with teenagers may spend less time together because of other commitments and, well let’s face it, teenagers often want time away from parents. Sometimes it is not the quantity of time we spend together but the quality of time. It is a time for family bonding, building trust with one another, and having fun. Quality time with family is a good time to communicate openly and listen to each other. Healthy families keep a good balance of work, school, extracurricular activities, and family time. Quality family time is the perfect way to build strong family relationships.

These family relationships you are building are the starting points for all of your family members’ other relationships in the future. Modeling relationships at an early age and maintaining them through the years is important for a healthy family. In today’s society, spending quality family time together is not something that usually just happens, it takes effort from all family members. If your children realize family time it is important to you, it will probably be important to them. Allocating that special time will teach your children the value of family and how important it is to make the time for the ones you love.

For more information, please contact Wendy Maynor, Extension 4-H Program Assistant with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 671-3276, by E-mail at Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at//robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

Have You Ever Seen A Hamburger Plant?

We are embracing social media and always expanding its boundaries.  This latest venture has us hungry to see how far it will go.
If you have ever visited our office you have seen three glass display cases.  The first one hosts photos of our Extension Staff in Robeson County.  The second changes periodically.  The last is embracing the history of our Extension Office.  Our Family and Consumer Science, 4-H Youth Development just updated the center display case and we want your help.  We are talking about local foods, nutrition, and gardening all in one location.  Now you don't have to be an expert in any of these areas to offer a creative hand.  What we are looking for are your drawings, photos, claymation, sculptures, well you name it, take a picture of it, and tag it and we will use it.  We are looking for your hamburger plant tagged on our North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center facebook page.  We will print your design of a hamburger plant and add it to the case.  The most creative design might just win a prize.
What is a hamburger plant you might ask?  Well it is an elusive plant that grows hamburgers.  Because after all, if you think about it, everything that goes into a hamburger is grown.  The meat and cheese comes from cows, cows eat grass, hay, and grains (all of which are grown).  Hamburger buns are made from wheat....etc.  So show us what a hamburger plant looks like and we will add your genius to our display case.  Just maybe you can help us wet folks appetites for all that is Extension.

Our Virtual Reality

We virtually had a 4-H poultry show at the fair this year.  Virtually because well, we couldn’t have chickens physically there due to NCDA’s suspension of poultry shows across the state (trying to make sure the bird flu didn’t spread).  We had a chickens show complete with competitors, judges, ribbons, cameras, premiums, and a great big screen in the middle of the show ring.  Sounds a little odd doesn’t it?

Our 4-H members who raised laying hens this year got their birds before the suspension.  Thinking it would be a shame for them not to see the project thru to the end, which is showing them at the fair, our 4-H Agent hatched a plan.  We would have the first ever virtual poultry show in the state.  The concept was easy, each participant would shoot a video of them picking up and carrying their chicken, depending the on the age of the participant, they had to name different parts and the senior showmen had to state the best features of their birds and why.

During show time the videos were shown in the ring for everyone including the judge to see, then the competitors came up to the judging table to talk face to face with the judge. In the end our cloverbuds; Mica Lewis and Jackson Shooter both received a trophy and $10.  In the Junior division Brooke Canady took home the blue ribbon while Zan Nobles was neck and neck with her, took second.  In the senior division Benjamin Herndon took home blue while Destiny Lowry walked away with second.

A special thank you to our judge, Robby Mills who jumped in and took off with this twist on our traditional poultry show.  Also a special thank you to our parents who supported their children, helped shoot video, and did not bat an eye when plans changed and we had to be flexible with what we normally do.

Let Your Inner Child Shine

Below is an article written and published in the Robesonian and Robeson Journal by our own, Shea Ann DeJarnette.

I admit it.  I’m a great big kid at heart.  I still love all the things I loved as a child.  One of those things is the fair.  I remember my mom would take me to the county fair for one afternoon (three to four hours if I was really good while she dragged me through the exhibits) and would let me ride the rides.  I thought it was the greatest treat ever.  It’s an excitement that really hasn’t subsided.

            In an effort at full disclosure I must admit, I am a little more involved in our county fair than the average 4-H Agent because I am also on the fair board.  That just adds to my excitement level.  In my paid position I am organizing livestock shows, poultry judging, and helping out in the livestock building.  In my volunteer position, well, that list is a little longer.  What I can tell you is there is a lot of work, from a lot of volunteers, behind the scenes to make nine days of family fun that will etch memories for a lifetime, and make you want to come back a year from now.

            The first thing most young people ask about is the rides.  We have rides of all sizes, for all ages, and of varying speeds (for those who do not want to risk their corn dog coming up as they spin around). Many of these rides leave our fair and head directly to the state fair.  Not many county fairs can boast such top notch rides.  Although that was my attraction as a child, my sights have shifted to the other aspects of the fair and the real reason we have it - to celebrate agriculture.

            In the exhibit buildings you will find booths from our 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) clubs.  You will see competition from who grows the best corn, grapes, and gourds to who bakes the best cake, sews the nicest quilts, and makes the nicest crafts.  You can see blue ribbon animals, get free gardening tips, and learn about unique groups such as the Robeson County Beekeepers.  I must admit, if I were not on the fair board I would probably enter the Chicken Picking Contest, National Chicken Bog Cook-Off, and probably try my hand at entering crafty things into the home exhibit areas.  (Hint, hint - there is no reason you shouldn’t go for it, and enter one of these great competitions.)

            So if you would like to let your inner child loose, come on out to the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair October 2-11.  Think about competing in one of the hundreds of home exhibit entries or in one of the many contests.  To learn more about all the incredible things going on at the fair, check out the fair website at www.robesoncountyfair.com.  If you have a smart phone, download our free app (something brand new this year); the link is: http://my.yapp.us/2FYW4Q.  The app will keep you up to date with the schedule, allow you to check out our Twitter feeds, let you post pictures of your favorite fair experiences, and much more.  If you see me, or someone in a fair shirt, be sure to stop us and let us know your inner child’s favorite part of the fair.

            For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/.  North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.  In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

4-H Volunteers and Membership Elect New Officers

It was an exciting election as members of the 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders’ Association met at Mr. P’s Skateworld to exercise their voting rights and bodies.  The group met and introduced the candidates for office.  This year, both groups had a full slate of nominees.  Running for County Council were: Jeshaiah Moore, Young Leaders 4-H Club, for President; Amaria Rogers and Gia Williams, both with Titans 4-H Club, for President-Elect; Michiko Hill, Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club, for Secretary/Treasurer; Katee Hiller, St. Paul’s 4-H Pony Club, and Reece Rogers, Titans 4-H Club, for Reporter; and Alex Evans and Christian Graham, both with Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club, for Sergeant-at-Arms.  After the ballots were counted, the 2016 4-H County Council officers will be:  Jeshaiah Moore - President, Amaria Rogers - President-Elect, Michiko Hill - Secretary/Treasurer, Katee Hiller - Reporter, and Christian Graham - Sergeant-at-Arms.  We had a tie for the reporter position, and based on the bylaws for the organization, we had to flip a coin to determine the winner of the election.  When the coin landed, Katee Hiller became Reporter.

            On the adult side, we had almost as much excitement.  Running for offices were:  Pam Walton for President, Monica Graham and Aggie Rogers for President-Elect, Gina Rozier for Secretary, Bonnie Canady for Treasurer, Jill Deems for Reporter, and Larry Russ for Parliamentarian.   Joyce Peay, the current President, will move into an advisory role as Past President.  When the votes were counted, the 2016 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association officers became: Pam Walton - President, Aggie Rogers - President-Elect, Gina Rozier - Secretary, Bonnie Canady - Treasurer, Jill Deems - Reporter, and Larry Russ - Parliamentarian.   All the officers will be officially affirmed into office later this year and will go through orientation before starting in their official capacities next year.

            After the election, it was time for everyone’s favorite part, getting their skates on and hitting the floor.  No doubt, our 4-H members, and even some adults, slept well after the fun and exercise they got roller-skating.  The 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders’ Association will begin meeting in January 2016.

Who is Horsin' Around in the State?

You can keep up with what is going on in the 4-H Horse program around the state by checking out their newsletter right here.  This edition has 4-H Horse Show results and much more.