Patuxent Young Farmers 4-H receives new charter

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Patuxent Young Farmers 4-H Club recently earned its 4-H charter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The club, having been around for some time, had been under different names and leadership and the club members felt it was time to be chartered under its current name and incarnation, according to Ari Strahl, 4-H program assistant for the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, the local office that coordinates Calvert's 4-H clubs and programs.

The Patuxent Young Farmers is a livestock club in which girls and boys raise steer, swine and goats among other farm animals for either market (for beef) or for breeding, although "a lot of the goats that were bought were bought as pets," Strahl said, referring to animals that are purchased at fairs such as the annual Calvert County Fair in September. "They raise the livestock and take care of them throughout the year in order to show them in fair … They groom them, feed them, work with them so that they will behave when they are in the show ring. You can tell when a child has worked with the animal or has not" by how the animal obeys the child in the show ring.

USDA is the agency that works with land grant universities to offer 4-H opportunities for all youth, ages 8 to 18. Land grant universities have three missions: teaching, research and extension. Extension professionals communicate the application of university research to the general public, according to a press release. 4-H programs, for example, are based upon positive youth development research.

The Patuxent Young Farmers has about 25 members, while there are close to 150 4-hers in Calvert County. Strahl said there are other 4-H clubs that are not just about livestock; there is a Horse and Pony 4-H Club, along with one geared toward dogs and others that perform community projects and activities.

"4-H is a youth development program that teaches kid life skills, [including] getting along with others and group skills. Some kids make friends for life in 4-H," she said.

To learn more about these and other 4-H clubs across the county, contact the University of Maryland Extension Office at 410-535-3662 or 301-855-1150, or e-mail 4-H Educator Elaine Long Bailey at elbailey@umd.edu or Strahl at astrahl@umd.edu.

Library to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

The Calvert Library invites the public to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at a special morning movie on Wednesday, March 17, at 10 a.m. in Prince Frederick. Dress in green and join others for a fun-filled adventure of magic, mirth and nonstop shenanigans with "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." In his search for the proverbial pot of gold, the protagonist matches wits against leprechaun King Brian. The midday matinee will offer a second screening at 2 p.m. on March 18. A wee bit of ancient folklore, mixed in with some spectacular special effects and a magical cast (including Sean Connery) makes for one of the most enchanting fantasies of all time. For more information, call Robyn Truslow at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Nominees for historic preservation awards sought

Nominations are being accepted for the 22nd Annual Calvert County Historic Preservation Awards. Ever noticed an old house or tobacco barn being restored on the drive to work? Does someone in the community record history or the stories of elders? Now is the time to make sure that people who have worked to preserve Calvert County heritage and historic properties get the recognition they deserve. There are three categories of awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the preservation of Calvert County heritage. They are project awards, service awards and awards for preservation education. Many people and projects have received Historic Preservation Awards over the last 19 years including: Billy Yoe, Harold Smith, David and Jane Estabrook for the restoration of the Yoe Tobacco Barn; the Friends of the Old Wallville School for reconstruction and interpretation of the oldest one-room school for African-Americans in Calvert County; and Dale Bowen for restoration of the windmill at Bowen's Store. A sampling of other awards includes: Steve and Renee Stadelman for preservation of the Shultz Cabin in Port Republic; Joseph Showalter and Paul Berry for their devotion to preserving Calvert County heritage; and William A. Poe for his book, "African-Americans of Calvert County."

Projects eligible for recognition this year must have been completed by Jan. 1, 2010. Nomination forms are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning in the County Services Plaza, at the county public libraries or download forms from the Calvert County Web site, www.co.cal.md.us. Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, May 7. The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners will present the awards on Tuesday, May 25.

For further information or to request a nomination form, contact Kirsti Uunila, historic preservation planner, at 410-535-1600, ext. 2504, or send e-mail to UunilaK@co.cal.md.us.