The East Ponoka 4-H Beef Club has been extremely busy in the past months. Project Porchlight was held on Dec. 1, 2007. The majority of the club members and parents distributed around 500 light bulbs. It was a very successful fundraiser. Thank-you to everyone who participated and contributed to this great event. The Annual 4-H Fun Day was also held on Dec. 1, 2007 at the Battle River 4-H Center. The members who attended had a fun time icing cookies, eating ice-cream sundaes, painting snowmen and spending time playing in the snow. The Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce held its annual seniors and children’s Christmas Shopping Party on Dec. 8, 2007 at the Ponoka Bingo hall. The East Ponoka 4-H Beef members and parents baked, wrapped gifts, and acted as children’s personal “elves” and helped pick out and purchase gifts for their family and friends.
We held our club Christmas party on Dec. 29, 2007. Everyone had tremendous fun going for sleigh rides, exchanging gifts, and warming up by the fire. The members enjoyed roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and talking about Christmas memories. A thank-you goes out to Henry Fleck and Ron Prediger for providing the sleighs and being our drivers for the day.
On Jan. 5, the club held their mid season weigh in and monthly meeting. The weigh in was a successful event. Thank-you to Keith Pritchard for allowing us to use his facilities and scale. The meeting was held after the weigh in, at the Harvey’s shop. A thank-you is in order for the Harvey family for the use of their warm shop. The 4-H parents and members enjoyed a warm meal before the meeting and thank the people who supplied us with food.
A few members participated in the Camrose Bull Congress on Jan. 19. The club, held their public speaking on Feb. 3. Speeches went well and everyone did very well. The winners are- in junior first Tawni Kjenner, second Alexandra Bolton, for intermediates-first Kiara Kjenner, second Nola Curran. As for the senior group first Marissa Weleschuk and second Amy Weleschuk.
On Feb. 15, a meeting was held at the Ponoka County Office. At the meeting, the members learned how to make halters. The members that placed in the clubs public speaking moved onto Zones on March 2.
The East Ponoka 4-H Beef Club, Renegade Riders, and Silver Valley 4-H Riders members spoke at Zones. In the end three members from our club placed. Alexandra Bolton placed second in juniors, Kiara Kjenner placed second in intermediates, and Marissa Weleschuck got third in seniors. Alex and Kiara will be moved onto Districts on March 9. The members both spoke very well. Alexandra placed third in juniors.
On March 14, the monthly meeting was held at Ponoka County office. Stall decorating, Mini Show, and multi species judging were discussed. Our club is holding our Mini Show on April 12, 2008 at the Stretch’s farm.