December 19, 2003
Please do not delete this message. It is the only complete copy your office will receive of exclusives for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development.
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Finding Properly Seasoned Fire
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
Friendship a Precious Gift
4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Staff Recruitment Underway
For 4-H Summer Camps
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Finding Properly Seasoned Firewood
Source and Writer: Doug McLaren
Editor: Ellen Brightwell
Cold weather is here and you don’t have any seasoned firewood. You remember it takes a minimum of six months to properly season wood to use in an indoor fireplace. What can you do?
It’s too late now to cut down a tree, split it and have seasoned wood for a warm, glowing fire. However, many vendors have seasoned firewood for sale. There should be an ample supply due to the ice storm last February.
When you buy firewood this time of year, pay attention to the dryness, density, species and price per volume of wood.
The best wood is the driest wood. It produces the hottest fire because little heat is wasted drying wood as it burns. Inspect the ends of logs for deep cracks and splits, two indicators of dry wood. A gray “weathered” color to the bark and wood indicates dryness and sufficient seasoning.
Some wood species are hard to split because of their growth patterns. Species of elm, sycamore and sweet gum are extremely difficult to split, as are logs with numerous knots. Even if these types of wood are offered “free,” it’s best not to take them because they’re so hard to split.
Wood density is an important consideration when buying seasoned firewood. Low-density woods such as yellow-poplar, silver and red maples and buckeye have much more air space between the cells than species such as oak, black locust, hickory, ash and beech. These high-density species produce more heat per unit volume because they contain less air, thus more wood.
The price you pay for firewood can be confusing because wood units of measure aren’t like those for a gallon of milk or loaf of bread. A large volume of firewood is sold by the cord, the amount of wood stacked in a space of 8x4x4 feet. Unless you’re buying a large truckload of wood, you’ll hear terms like “short cord, face cord and rick.” These terms are open for interpretation. The best buy is a comfortable agreement you reach with the seller. The price you pay probably includes availability, splitting, delivery to the door, and stacking.
Firewood bought at a convenience store is more expensive, so it’s best to leave this purchase for very special occasions.
If you’re buying large quantities of firewood now, examine the ends for splitting to determine that it’s dry; ask for high-density species with a high heat potential; avoid low-density species and very knotty logs, and agree on all these characteristics and the purchase price before the seller unloads your firewood.
Remember, the best firewood produces the greatest heat value at the lowest cost.
For more information, contact the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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Friendship a Precious Gift
Source: Sam Quick
Friendship is one of the most precious gifts you can give any time of year. It’s especially important to have close friends around during holiday seasons. These times of year people often are stressed or depressed. Perhaps they’re hundreds of miles away from loved ones, or recently have lost a family member or close friend.
Meaningful relationships are based on friendship, which thrives on kindness and respect.
When you show kindness to friends, you’re being kind to yourself as well. Kindness is like the ripples created when you throw a pebble into a pool of water; it radiates out to touch many other people’s daily lives; then, their kindnesses reach others. And your initial kindness spreads on and on.
A friend will share your happy times as well as those of sadness and confusion. You can always say what’s in your heart and on your mind to a trustworthy friend.
Respect friends by giving them space to breath and change and even make mistakes. Your friends should do the same for you.
A relationship that drags you down or leaves you feeling hurt, angry or unappreciated is not a true friendship. If you can’t heal the relationship, back out of it. Never allow another person to mistreat you.
If you’ve just moved to an area or want to expand your circle of friends, find groups that share your hobbies or other interests. These can include watching birds, gardening, photography, needlework, gourmet cooking, sports events, artwork and crafts.
Volunteering is another way to meet people and begin to develop friendships. Plus, it makes you feel good inside. Volunteer opportunities include shelters, hospitals, senior citizen centers, governmental programs, hospice, charities, youth programs and religious organizations.
Stressful times can take their toll on even the most enduring friendship during the holidays. Holiday cooking, shopping, entertaining and other activities often disrupt our regular routines. In addition, the financial burden of buying seasonal gifts can disrupt our finances.
Be sure to take time to get plenty of rest and physical activity to maintain your emotional well-being. Exercising just 10 to 20 minutes daily will relieve tension and anxiety, strengthen the body’s stress-coping mechanism, improve sleep and help alleviate depression.
It takes time, kindness and respect to develop a truly meaningful friendship. But, the benefits definitely are worth it.
For more information, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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Staff Recruitment Underway
For 4-H Summer Camps
Source: Donna Fox
If you want a rewarding summer job and enjoy being outdoors, consider applying for a staff position at a summer camp operated by the 4-H Youth Development program. With frost on the ground, summer seems far away. However, we’ve already begun to recruit staff for these camps.
You can obtain an application from the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service, or by visiting www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/4h/camp/forms.htm. February 20 is the application deadline.
4-H camps and their locations are Feltner 4-H Camp, London; Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp, Nancy; North Central 4-H Camp, Carlisle, and West Kentucky 4-H Camp, Dawson Springs. Camping dates are May 31 through July 30, 2004 except North Central, which will end August 6.
Positions available are manager, emergency medical technician, instructors for recreation, crafts, swimming, canoeing, nature, low-ropes and high-ropes challenge courses, head cooks and cooks. Certification is required for swimming, canoeing, ropes, archery/rifle instructors and EMTs.
Managers must be at least 21 years old; all other staff, 18 years of age.
Compensation includes salary plus food and lodging. Workdays are Monday through Friday.
As a camp staff member, you will serve as role model and mentors for positive youth development. You also develop or improve skills useful for other summer jobs or in a career. These capabilities include leadership, teamwork, communication, problem solving, teaching, and knowledge of youth development. Experiences serving on 4-H camp staff often lead to interest in a career.
All camp staff members are required to attend a pre-camp training program. The manager training will be April 30 through May 2; instructors, May 23-26, and head cooks, April 9. Applicants unable to attend these trainings will not be hired.
For more information on projects, activities and other educational opportunities available through the 4-H Youth Development program, contact your (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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