November 23, 2009







The Bonner County Fairgrounds are getting a whole new upgrade to the Horseshoe camping area thanks to the grant written and submitted by Fairgrounds employee, Bob Snider. With this upgrade we will be getting a new shower and bathroom facility, a new pavillion, new camping pads and a beautiful new landscaped camping area. I happened to be out there when the restroom/showers arrived and took some pictures of the process. Imagine picking up one section, around 71,000 pounds (I think that is what Bob said) and placing it right next to another one. There are three sections to this unit. I was there to watch the second connect to the first. Good crane opperator. As you can see in the above pictures.

Family fun Night Photos







Just a few pictures of our Family Fun Night 2009. Thank you everyone for another great 4-H year and event!
Saturday night we held our Family Fun Night at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. At first glance I was a little nervous that the only ones coming would be the members that were setting up a booth from their club. But as it turned out, we had a great turn out and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I would love to hear from some of the people who were there.

I want to thank everyone that helped pull this together, Rhonda Livingstone, the fair board members, Sharon Dalton, Gail Curless, the fair royalty, Rachel Doty, Ashlee Knopp, Cassie Tenney; the junior fair board, Mikaila Bristow, Rachel Doty, all the clubs that came and set up tables, all the donations of door prizes, (I think most everyone received something and we still had some left over to donate to the Beaver Creek Kritters Free Christmas) Sandpoint Super Drug for a large door prize of a snowy themed basket, Kevin Bristow (and the whole Bristow family) for always being our "token" man. All the cakes and cupcakes and cookies donated to the cake walk. But most of all I want to thank Kristan Peacock and Patti Speelmon from my office. Those two are the creative juices of our office - they have more creativity in their little fingers then I'll ever have! Thanks ladies, I could not do it without you.

November 18, 2009

Free Christmas


Hello fellow 4-h-ers! Its that time of year again when we begin thinking about "giving." Giving has many identities; monetary, personal, time, sharing etc. Three years ago, my kids and I read an article about a lady and her family who were "de-cluttering" their home before the holidays. You know, cleaning out closets to make room for all the new things coming in. In doing so, the woman was wanting to show her children a new way to think of giving and getting. She didn't have any "extra" money (who does??) so she set up a table in her front yard (she lived in a warmer climate) and put all the gift-worthy toys and extra things out on it. She made a sign that said "Free Christmas." She gathered some extra wrapping paper and sat with her children at the table. They were amazed at the first timid "shoppers" that browsed their small offering. They wrapped the gifts that were chosen and a warm feeling began to grow within those family members. That warm fuzzy feeling has grown into an annual holiday tradition and many people donate gifts. People from all over the city come to shop the Free Christmas. Some are homeless, some are in shelters, some have just hit dire straights due to lay offs, medical bills and the like. No questions are asked, no hoops to jump through in order to be "worthy" of the Free shopping day. That story inspired my children I. Three years ago, we went through our closets and garage and stuff and came up with some donations that we considered "gift-worthy." We shared our idea with our friends and neighbors, and they too started collecting and gathering. We had our first "Free Christmas" at the Sagle Senior Center. We offered free gift wrapping to those who wanted. We made flyers and distributed them at the shelters, at the food bank, the WIC office, Panhandle Health, anywhere we could think of. We were interviewed in the Daily Bee and Channel 4 even called. We spent the evening before our event carefully arranging the donations in such a way as to be like a boutique. We carefully displayed tea sets, Barbies, snow boots and more. The next morning we arrived an hour early. We planned to open the doors for shopping at 10am. There was already a line waiting when we got there. It was sleeting, cold and early morning and the line was 20 people deep. They were bundled up in coats, scarves if they had them, quietly talking amongst themselves, eager to see what waited for them. It brought tears to my eyes. Who knew of the need? Who knew how many lives we were about touch. We opened the doors and the flood of people was amazing. We had EVERY walk of life. We had people with diabilities, people dressed nicer than me, single moms, families who had just lost their homes (one in a fire, another due to lack of money) Most were shy, not wanting to meet our eyes. Most questioned, was it "really free?" We wrapped like Santa's Elves on Red Bull! There was paper and ribbon everywhere. We had a small cd player playing Christmas music and offered hot chocolate and cookies. We were completely "sold" out of our Free Christmas within 90 minutes. Many expressed deep thanks for the opportunity to put something under their tree for their loved ones. Yes, I've had people ask me how do we regulate who gets what, who gets in. My response is always the same. They have to sleep at night. Whether they "needed" the Free Christmas or not is between them and God. All I can do is help organize it and trust that the Lord will bring those who need to be there. Who am I to judge? We have had our times when things were very, very tight. It didn't look that way on the outside, because we are all good at making things look better than they are. So I will not judge who can come and what they can take. As I said, if they feel they need to be there, then so be it.


Lat year I brought the idea to our 4-H club. The Beaver Creek Kritters. I thought it would be a good community service project and it would help our family with extra hands to accept donations, help arrange the displays, help wrap, help clean up. Last year was a success. The club has decided to partner with us again this year, for which I am thankful for. We will be hosting the event December 5th. We will be at the Sagle Senior Center on the 4th to accept donations. If you or your club members or friends and family would like to donate we would appreciate it very much. If you would like to stay and help and work towards your club's community service, that would be welcomed as well. We are in need of tape and ribbons, we have plenty of paper for wrapping. Last year we lacked men's gifts, tools, mugs, nice clothing, gloves, hats etc....if you have anything you would like to donate, please contact us, call Susan at 290-1320 to coordinate pick up of your items, or if you have any questions please contact me, Adrienne at apumpkin29@yahoo.com, or 597-2280. CD's, DVD's, books, toys, dishes, kitchen items, nick knacks, games, complete puzzles, anything that is in a gift worthy condition is appreciated. If there are any items left, we donate them to the local thrift stores. Sometimes we get phone calls after the event from those who couldn't make it and we've wrapped stuffed animals and pretty little girl's dresses and delivered them Christmas week. Please join us in redefining what it means to give. Your time, your extra things, your thoughts, your effort. Thank you!


Catch us on Speak Up North Idaho

2009 Fair Royalty, Rachel Doty, and Cassie Tenney, will be joining Barb Carpenter on Speak Up North Idaho on Thursday, November 19 at 12 noon. Rachel and Cassie will be promoting the Family Fun Night, set for Saturday, November 21 from 6-8 pm at the Fairgrounds along with promoting 4-H and Fair. Join us!

Volunteer Opportunity

Carol Miller, a representative from the Bonner County Food Bank and the Salvation Army, called to let me know she is looking for volunteers to “ring the bell”. The Salvation Army in North Idaho will not be paying a wage to ringers this year so this has put them in a bind. The money raised goes to the Bonner County Food Bank and helps pay for gas vouchers, the backpack program and other local programs. There will be 2 shifts each day, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, and 2 -6 pm. Shifts will begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until Christmas Eve. Please give her a call if you or any of your members would like to help out. Contact her at 946-6646.

Family Fun Night Getting Closer

Well, today is the 18Th which means that there are only 3 more days until Family Fun Night, Saturday, November 21. This a fun, family event for anyone, not just 4-H families. Clubs will have a table promoting their group, and showcasing the projects they normally offer. The Fairboard will be offering ice cream and all the toppings, Rhonda Livingstone will be teaching Line Dancing to anyone game to learn, they will be 3 on 3 basketball mini tournaments, a cake walk, and numerous other activities. We will also be awarding our Leader of the Year award. Join us on Saturday, November 21 from 6-8 pm on the Fairgrounds for Family Fun Night. Hope to see you there!

November 16, 2009

A Visit with Miss Idaho, Kara Jackson

2009 Miss Idaho, Kara Jackson, was visiting in Bonner County recently, thanks to the Bonner County Farm Bureau. On Friday, she spoke at the East Bonner County library. The Bonner County Fair Royalty and members of the Junior Fair Board attended. I have posted some pictures for you enjoyment.

Kara Jackson and Lael Gaddie, Selkirk Pack 4-H member and future Miss Idaho!

Rachel Doty, Kara Jackson and Mikaila Bristow, Bonner County Junior Fairboard member.

Rachel Doty, Bonner County Fair Queen and member of the Junior Fairboard; Kara Jackson, 2009 Miss Idaho; Cassie Tenney, 2009 Bonner County Fair Princess.

November 13, 2009

Family Fun Night

Join us for the 2009 Family Fun Night on Saturday, November 21, from 6-8 pm at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. This event is open to any family interested in learning more about 4-H and just getting out to have a good time. There will be 3 on 3 basketball, cake walk, line dancing, numerous games and activities for all. 4-H clubs in the county will be available to tell interested participants what is available in their clubs. The Bonner County Fairboard will also be dishing up ice cream and all the toppings. See you there

Welcome to our Blog


This is my second day blogging and I might add I am having quite the education setting this up. I was having a few problems adding links to the page but after a quick call to Marianne Love, who has numerous links on her blog, Slight Detour, http://slightdetour.blogspot.com/ she helped me pull it all together. Thanks Marianne! Next, I would like to learn how to post more pictures and slide shows.

I would like to invite all of our 4-H leaders and members in Bonner County to comment or even post events you have coming up. Just let me know and I can "invite you" so that you too may post to the blog! If you know of a super web site you think should be linked, let me know and I will put it on if it fits our mission - which is to get good and accurate (and sometimes funny) information to all. And pictures.... I would love to post any 4-H pictures of your group. Just send them to me. Enjoy.

Family Fun Night 3 on 3 Basketball

Don't forget to come to attend the 4-H Family Fun Night on November 21st. We will be having a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and would love to see all the kids show their sportsmanship!

November 12, 2009

4-H isn't just cows and cookies anymore!


To help promote 4-H, to spread some of the fun and achievements of 4-H, to let people know what will be happening in the world of 4-H, I have developed a Bonner County 4-H blog site "4-H Clover Country". Welcome and enjoy.