Care Packages for USS STENNIS

So, the Morton's took all the donated Care Package Items home to sort out over the weekend.  There was a LOT of stuff!  We couldn't believe the generosity of some - SIXTEEN manicure kits in one bag, and MORE! 

Everyone was super generous - THANKS A LOT TO EVERYONE.

To learn more about the USS John C Stennis - visit their website:  http://www.cvn74.navy.mil/about.html 

Meanwhile, Ingrid still needed to write her sailor a letter. 

So, while everyone else started to sort and pack bags, she sat down to write.

Grace had a LITTLE trouble with one bag of Peppermint Patties.  

Meanwhile - David was doling out Jolly Ranchers!

When we were all done - there were 16 (Plus one for Lauren on another ship - I'm not sure which one) all ready to pack into boxes and ship off early Monday!  Each had a letter - lots of goodies, a magazine or two, and a note from Mrs. Morton.   

ENJOY - and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to our special sailors

on the USS STENNIS (plus one!) - and the rest of the crew too!

We are genuinely grateful for your service to the United States.

Be safe - and know we'll be keeping our ears peeled for news of you

as you go around the world serving as you go.

Sincerely,

all of Thrills & Skills (parents & kids)



Thrills and Skills hosted a Winter Fair on December 6th.   This is an opportunity for new 4H'ers to have some of their items judged in a simple - super friendly atmosphere, for different clubs to socialize and share with each other, and to begin to celebrate the Holiday Season. 

(Thanks for the extra pictures Mr. Fountain!)

We had a craft project going on making ornaments on styrofoam balls with recycled holiday fabric.  (Thanks for the great craft idea Mrs. Fountain!)

There were also cookies to decorate - as Nessa so clearly enjoyed.......

 and more importantly - cookies to EAT!  Our mascot, Beibhinn - seems to think this is a SUPER IDEA - along with Maggie and the LoPorto guys!

 Yup - smiles all around!

 Grace and two of our guests are working on SURVIVOR BRACELETS.  How appropriate that the US Flag got into this picture.  We are collecting items and sending 16 sailors on the USS Stennis (an aircraft carrier) Holiday Cheer Packages.  We made each of them a survivor bracelet too.....

 Here Kathleen judges a project that Maeve made - a wreath made from recycled coffee bags. COOL -

 Madison - Mel - Ingrid and Liz enjoyed an evening of socializing - and a bit of judging. THey are all TEEN AMBASSADORS at the County Level.  Nice job girls.

 Here is a really neat YULE LOG brought in to be judged. 

We worked on the VET Pillows a second time in November. 

Ingrid and Eliza did great - finishing several pillows. 

Kathleen , seated, (aka KITTY) did equally well - and learned about ripping in addition to sewing!  

When we were done that night - all of the pillow tops were completed.  Now we just need to assemble and stuff the pillows before Christmas.

Beautiful Day to go Geocaching in Colonie

 Greetings All.

We had a GREAT day at Colonie Crossings.  We missed those that weren't able to join in.  Hope Hannah is feeling better soon.  :-(

Maybe a TINY hint of rain just as we finished up geocaching - but overall - a beautiful FALL day.  We got lucky.

Gabby is off to being a GREAT Treasurer.  THANKS to she and her assistant for lots of hard work as the yearly $10 dues for 4H come in.  It's a lot of "accounting".  If you know you haven't paid your $10 - please be in touch with Gabby becasue they are due to the 4H Office by the end of the month inorder for us to begin to qualify for HONOR CLUB next year.  Thanks for your help!

 Can you imagine why in the world someone would hide a geocache in the middle of this prickly tree?  I was working with the Elementary group today - so sorry - no pics from the Juniors or Seniors reside in my camera!  If  you have any cool pics - e-mail them to your BLOGSTER so they can be uploaded too!

 David learned that this is the look you get

when Antoinette decides you deserve the EVIL EYE! 

:-)

And - hard at work on the trail in search of our first or second find of the day.

A BIG THANKS to Lisa at DYKEN POND for loaning us their GSP units.   This is a great way to teach navigation, map reading, some math, and have some fun to go along with.  We appreiate the help.

Beibhinn:  "When can we go to the playground.  That is what parks are for!"

  Not so hard at work just before the business meeting.  This is a great and sometimes cozy group! 

And - at times - VERY SILLY!

Afterwards - some lucky customers got to go to

good 'ole Stewarts for a wee little treat!

The Juniors have been doing some photgraphy.  At our first meeting, we took some cameras and walked around the neighborhood.  This picture was talen by Adam of the group as we were walking.

 This picture, also by Adam, is a flower.  It has great contrast. The red really stands out from the grass and leaves.

             This picture is by Grace.  It had just rained, and she was taking a LOT of pictures with raindrops visible. 

                                                 

Hannah took this picture of our feet in a spiral. It's hard to stay balanced AND take a picture like that!

Maeve took this picture of flowers and a lot of water.  Pictures this detailed are difficult to have focused.

Will was taking pictures of car logos.  Most wouldn't think to do this, but the pictures came out great.

Emma found a leaf COVERED in raindrops.  This picture also has a great amount of detail in the foreground.

Glass Trivets

The Thrills & Skills Elementary Group had a project meeting.  We made Glass Trivets out of Flattened Glass Beads and Black Felt Circles.

 First we laid out our designs.  So many beads from which to choose.  Each child went home with a completely different design even though we all used the same materials.  These would make wonderful holiday gifts for special friends who love to cook!

 We used small, flat Glass Beads to make Trivets on felt.  We used green beads since our 4H color is green!

 We had 4 stations set up with glue guns.  Each of the girls had a parent helper, but many of the girls handled those H-O-T glue guns with ease!  Not an easy task as some adults can attest!

 One of the awesome things about our group this year is that we are continually working on our Record Books.  No more waiting till the 11th hour to complete these HUGE tasks.... we are doing it bit by bit after each meeting.  How nice it will be to have our record books come August!  Here's one of our newest members diligently working on her description of what she did for her project today.  If anyone would like the files for our Service Project Form, Project Form, Demonstration Form, or Fashion Review Form, please contact Mrs. Corcoran.

Breast Cancer Awareness Service Project

Thrills and Skills Seniors start patriotic pillows.

The Thrills and Skills seniors are making patriotic pillows for veterans who served in the military. They are making them out of cotton fabric that is Red, White & Blue. They have already sewn the white and blue fabrics together and the white and red fabrics together to make triangles. They are cutting them out to make squares and then sewing them to make a pillow. They have already made enough pieces to make a quilt.

 

 If any 4-H members know any veterans, (grandparents, aunts and uncles etc.) who would like a pillow, please let the 4-H seniors know before November 11.

An Amazing Leader........

and... MANY MANY thanks to BARB for enabling us to do this on our own.  What other small group has their own LOGO, and prints it THEMSELVES?  You're 1 in a million!  We're so glad you're on this trip with us!  Just look at a mere FEW the countless WONDERFUL projects you have helped us to do over the last 6 years!

Tye Dying fabric for..... EVERYTHING!

Sewing ANYTHING!

Making BOOKS - seriously - we MADE BOOKS! 

See - and they even stand up perty! 

Let's not forget the big banner - - - and the other signs that appeared from SOMEWHERE that day! 

...... and - always on hand if it has anythinig to do with COFFEE - even giving it away before 7am one morning!

......and helping to create our wonderful meal planner.  I ask you all, what other club has carbon press forms????

SOMEONE is having fun?  Looks messy. WHAT WAS THIS?

 And - another wonderful fair plot with that great banner.

Oh - remember the storms at Lk. St Catherine (2008 I think) when everyone bailed out (literally) and went home?  Here are the t-shirts we just COULDN'T GET DONE between the storms???  It was a good thing we had Barb's big tent so they could at least not be DRENCHED!  Then everyone came back the next Friday to FINALLY eat the pancakes and finish off the shirts!