“Advisors Keep 4-H Afloat” was the theme for this year’s Advisors Recognition and Dinner, held Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Wayne Township Community Center. At the event, the Adams County 4-H Advisory Committee and OSU Extension staff teamed up to recognize the program’s advisors, friends, and special guests for their many contributions to the success of the 4-H program in 2015.

More than 700 Adams County 4-H members were guided in their club work by 145 adult advisors during the course of the year. Among these were 13 first-year advisors. They are Angela Caraway and Deidra Lynch, Curious Clovers; Melissa Cate and Jessica Goon, West Fork Wonders; Nancy Cluxton, Jacksonville Clovers; Joel Colón, Unity Farmers; Patsy Eldridge, Lawshe Shadow Riders; Mikkie Fitzpatrick, Green Hustlers; Kristi Hall, Blazing Saddles; Samuel Kimmerly, Fantastic 4-H’ers; Grace Lewis, Liberty Land and Livestock; Abi Rogers, Peebles Tech Wizards; and Judy Traylor, Barnyard Buddies. Each of these inidividuals completed a rigorous screening and orientation process before joining the leadership team of one of the county’s 28 active community-based 4-H clubs or Tech Wizards after school programs.

Advisors celebrating significant anniversaries with the 4-H program were also recognized at the event. Those celebrating five years with the program include Sarene Bellamy, Barnyard Buddies; Melinda Clough, Lawshe Shadow Riders; Zena Riley, Good Horsekeeping; David McDonald, Hillcrest Hillbillies; Isaac Miley, Stirrin Up Dust; Kim Newman and Brian Williams, Good Better Best; Whitney Shupert, Nitty Gritty; and Donnie Swayne, Buckeye Barn Busters.

Advisors recognized for 10 years with the program were: Kimberly Barker, Stirrin’ Up Dust; Nathan Crothers, Blazing Saddles; and Sherry Patrick, Country Cousins. Angie and Eddie Crothers, Blazing Saddles, were recognized for 15 years of service; and Carrie Hesler, Unity Farmers, received recognition for her 20 years of service. Certificates and recognition pins have been or will be presented at the club level during upcoming club achievement and reorganization programs.

Also recognized at the Dinner were the 2015 recipients of the annual Friends of 4-H awards. Award winners this year included Glenn Hemer, Thunder Ridge Gun Shop, Peebles, and Joe Hochdanner, West Union Tractor Supply Company. The Friend of 4-H award is one way to show the 4-H program’s appreciation for everything these businesses do in support of the county’s 4-H program. Hochdanner and TSC conducted a successful Paper Clover Campaign twice in the past year in support of 4-H at the local, state, and national levels; Hemer has demonstrated strong support to the county’s 4-H shooting sports program through the years.

Kim Baker, member of the 4-H Advisory Committee, recognized the program’s 2015 VIP Award winner at the Dinner. Nan Knechtly, Winchester, and advisor of the West Fork Wonders 4-H Club, is this year’s VIP. She was recognized for her 21 years as a 4-H advisor, for her longtime involvement with the county’s 4-H horse program, for maintaining the county’s involvement with the area 4-H camp despite changes in Extension staffing, and for starting a successful 4-H shooting sports program in the county.

The county’s six FFA advisors were recognized as this year’s winners of the 4-H Alumni Award. All six were 4-H members in either Adams or Highland County in their youth, and all six contribute much to the success of the Adams County Junior Fair each summer. They also work with many of the same youth as 4-H does throughout the year, support the Junior Fair Beef BBQ, and so much more. Winners included: Donnie McCarty, West Union FFA; Becky Minton, Peebles FFA; Jason Moore, North Adams FFA; John Newman and David Scott, Ohio Valley FFA; and Tony Sparks, Manchester FFA.

Scrapbook Contest winners and 2015 Honors Club were also recognized at the Dinner. The winning scrapbook was submitted by the Climbing Clever Cloverbuds 4-H Club. The club received a $50 award. The Nitty Gritty 4-H Club submitted the second place scrapbook and received a $30 award, and the Fantastic 4-H’ers submitted the third place scrapbook, earning a $20 award. The county’s only 2015 Honors Club, recognized for its active members and officers and involvement in community service, camp, officers training, and other events and activities, was the Nitty Gritty 4-H Club, advised by Pam Shreffler, Angela Shreffler, Whitney Shupert, Donna Siders, and Christine Shelton.

Pledges at the Dinner were led by Fair 4-H Pledge Contest winners Elayna Kingsolver, Climbing Clever Cloverbuds 4-H Club and Luvinnia Rhoads, Jacksonville Clovers 4-H Club. Attendees at the Dinner enjoyed a rousing game of beachball volleyball and won door prizes provided by members of the 4-H Advisory Committee. Marie Palmer, Marlene Potts, Kelsea Hamilton, Teresa Lewis, and Judy Hawkins planned the dinner, which was prepared and served by Hesler Catering.

Clover, the 4-H Bear, stays afloat among his friends in 4-H, from left, Kimberly Baker, Jace Howard, Clover, Molly Bauman, and 2015 VIP Award Winner, Nan Knechtly. Knechtly was recognized for her service to 4-H, having worked for many years to improve the horse program, keep the camping program afloat, and start a 4-H shooting sports program.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015VIPAward.jpgClover, the 4-H Bear, stays afloat among his friends in 4-H, from left, Kimberly Baker, Jace Howard, Clover, Molly Bauman, and 2015 VIP Award Winner, Nan Knechtly. Knechtly was recognized for her service to 4-H, having worked for many years to improve the horse program, keep the camping program afloat, and start a 4-H shooting sports program. Submitted photo

Pictured, from left, are Molly Bauman; Clover, the 4-H Bear; Amy Sheeley, Manager, West Union Tractor Supply Company and Kimberly Baker. Sheeley, Joe Hochdanner, and the entire staff of the local TSC were recognized as winners of the 2015 Friend of 4-H Award for their strong support of 4-H since opening just 16 months ago.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_2015Friendof4HAward-TSC.jpgPictured, from left, are Molly Bauman; Clover, the 4-H Bear; Amy Sheeley, Manager, West Union Tractor Supply Company and Kimberly Baker. Sheeley, Joe Hochdanner, and the entire staff of the local TSC were recognized as winners of the 2015 Friend of 4-H Award for their strong support of 4-H since opening just 16 months ago. Submitted photo

The county’s six FFA advisors were recognized as this year’s winners of the 4-H Alumni Award. All six were 4-H members in either Adams or Highland County in their youth, and all six contribute much to the success of the Adams County Junior Fair each summer. Pictured, from left, Tony Sparks, Manchester FFA; David Scott, Ohio Valley FFA; Clover, the 4-H Bear; Donnie McCarty, West Union FFA; and John Newman, Ohio Valley FFA. Not pictured are Jason Moore, North Adams FFA and Becky Minton, Peebles FFA.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_20154HAlumniAward.jpgThe county’s six FFA advisors were recognized as this year’s winners of the 4-H Alumni Award. All six were 4-H members in either Adams or Highland County in their youth, and all six contribute much to the success of the Adams County Junior Fair each summer. Pictured, from left, Tony Sparks, Manchester FFA; David Scott, Ohio Valley FFA; Clover, the 4-H Bear; Donnie McCarty, West Union FFA; and John Newman, Ohio Valley FFA. Not pictured are Jason Moore, North Adams FFA and Becky Minton, Peebles FFA. Submitted photo
“Advisors Keep 4-H Afloat” is theme

Submitted by Carolyn Belczyk

Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development