4-Hers show their prowess at state fair

I read your article about school closure and maintenance and thought about what all the kids are doing on their vacation. I know there’s a group of kids who’ve been rather busy. Those kids are members of 4-H, under the leadership of Lee Hecimovich, District 4-H and Youth Development Agent of the Cooperative Extension Service in Palmer.

These children, or 4-Hers as they’re called, are working hard on projects like animals, sewing, cooking and technology. This is much more than caring for a puppy with the feed-it-and-take-it-for-a-walk routine. They have to think about why and what they are doing to raise their animals or prevent a malady or mishap, much like a budding scientist has to figure out. They are learning to implement age-old techniques and trying out new technologies. They are learning the difference between a basting stitch and a basting brush. Many are even studying about the aerodynamics of flight and wind turbines.

You’ll get a chance to see what these spectacular kids have been up to when you visit the Alaska State Fair. They deserve a round of applause and there’s no better way to show that than to come see their projects and watch them in their competitions. You can also support them at the animal auction on Sept. 6 — bid for and buy an animal outright or add some incentive money to the purchase. Want to know more about that? Contact the CES in Palmer at 745-3360.

So when you begin to get happy about school starting so the kids have something to do, don’t forget about those who’ve been busy all summer long. Come to the fair and show your support for these hard-working kids.

Deborah Mulcahy

Chugiak