Web: Msue.Msu.Edu/Presqueisle
PresqueIsleCounty Extension
151 East Huron Avenue, PO Box 110
Rogers City, MI 49779-0110 / P: 989-734-2168
F: 989-734-4116 / E-mail:
Web: msue.msu.edu/Presqueisle
September 2005
A Ssizzling Ssummer makes 4-H Hhot! Hot! Hot!Summer is always a busy time for 4-H members and MSU Extension staff members. The summer of 2005 has provided lots of sunshiny days which have set a great tone for many of this year’s events.! Some of the exciting occurrences for Presque Isle County have included the ever popular 4-H Summer Recreation Program, and a new scenario for 4-H summer camp.
The 4-H Summer Recreation Program saw 54 different participants throughout the months of June and July. On any given day twenty to thirty youths could be found practicing good character at Roger City’s Lakeside Park.
This year the age limit for the program was lowered from 14 years to 12 years, and a nominal registration fee was added to the program. Both measures were initiated to improve the quality of the program.
Participants took part in MSU Extension 4-H programsLowering the program age limit increased the ability of our younger participants to more fully engage in both mental and physical program activities. In addition, curriculums su such as “Character Counts” and “Jump Into Foods and Fitness” were able to be used in the program because they were geared toward and easily adapted to the 8-12 year old age range.
Overall the dDaily program attendance was much steadier than in previous years, with an average of 21 daily participants. This factor which allowed the staff to plan appropriate activities that could be built on throughout the program.
For example, this summer each week’s events related to one of ofthe “Charcter Counts’” six pillars of character. Each week pParticipants were able to earneda certificates of character depending on his or her actions and attendance. In total, and fourteen14 of them participants earned all six pillars of character certificates and were received 4-H T-shirts. / honored with a 4-H T-shirt. Next year we hope to “graduate” even more of our program members.
4-H Summer Camp is a treasured event by many county 4-H programsyoung people in many places and Presque Isle County is no different. For several decades PresqueIsleCounty has had the good fortune of using local camps to house this summer event.
When finding a suitable location became a challenge this year, Presque Isle joined three other county 4-H programs in Alcona, (other two?) for a multi-county 4-H summer camp at Loon Lake (where?).
Thanks in part to a grant (from Who?) written by Alcona County MSU Extension program associate Les Thomas of Alcona County, the summer camp took on an exciting outdoor education/fishing theme.
The grant gave 4-H staff members, adult volunteers and counselors received the opportunity to participate in a Project F.I.S.H. (Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage) activity. The training provided staff, volunteers, and youththem with the skills necessary to teach and excite youth about fishing during the summer camp.
In total, 73 individuals were involved in the camp including 43 youth campers, 11 youth counselors, and 19 caring adults. Presque Isle individually sent four adult volunteers, three counselors and five youth to 4-H Summer Camp Loon Lake. Together aAdult volunteers and counselors worked together to teach campers about fishing, water ecology, archery, and clock making. Through donation collections and grant writing each youth camper and counselor left camp with increased knowledge about the great outdoors (very valuable in northern Michigan), a tackle box and fishing pole, his or her own had crafted clock and lots of memories.
This partnership between counties allowed expanded opportunities for the youths and adults involved. many ideas to be shared and explored. Youth and adults alike enjoyed the opportunity to talk to individuals from other counties about 4-H and other import events that go on in their lives and communities.
Contact: Ashley Roseberry
Many happy campers left 4-H Summer Camp Loon Lake on July 8, 2005 and we anticipate that many will join us, perhaps with a friend, in 2006.
Contact: Ashley Roseberry
Senior Project FRESH 2005:
A New Program to Benefit Presque Isle County Seniors
This year Presque Isle County MSU Extension volunteered to participate in a new program to help limited resource seniors improve their diets with the addition of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The program, Senior Project FRESH, is an extension of the Michigan Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for nutritionally at risk low-income women and children (Project FRESH). Senior Project FRESH was created to provide eligible seniors with nutrition education and $20 worth of coupons to purchase fresh produce at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The new 2005 Dietary Guidelines emphasize consuming fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis and many seniors with limited incomes find it difficult to do this. Offering this program in Presque Isle County was the result of great working partnerships among many different local, state, and federal organizations. Initial funding came from local churches that were asked if they were willing to participate as a local mission project. Later, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging offered to extend these locally raised funds with a fifty percent match. Presque Isle County MSU Extension organized the project at the local level, providing the nutrition education and determining the eligibility of participants. The Presque Isle County Council on Aging helped locate participants and provided the space in the Onaway and Posen communities for interviewing applicants. A total of 33 Senior Project FRESH coupon booklets were distributed throughout the county. Many local growers have agreed to accept Project FRESH coupons at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The / project, in addition to enhancing the diets of county residents, also promotes the use of local farmers’ markets and contributes to the economic viability of small farms in the community.
Contact: Jo Bush-Glenn
FamilyProgram
This summer Jane Marshall was able to team up with the Summer Recreation Program in our county. A presentation on choosing healthy snacks was given to eighteen 8-12 year olds. The kids were very engaged in the subject matter because everyone was invited to voice their opinions. It became quite a spirited discussion and the kids worked well together in groups. At the end of the program they were given a variety of healthy ingredients (yogurt, fresh fruit, low-fat granolas) and they loved the snacks so much we had to go back and discuss “portion control”! Some kids said they were going to ask their moms to purchase the ingredients so they could make the snacks at home. The main idea is that this type of food will in fact, become a “meal” for kids who ordinarily would not eat breakfast or lunch.
Contact: Jane Marshall
New Farmers’ Market Opens
A new farmers’ market opened in Onaway to complement the market that has been running for four years in Rogers City. The Onaway market is open on Tuesdays and has had fantastic support and success. The vendors have been pleased with the turnout from local citizens and the sales they have made.
Buyers are happy with the produce and diversity of goods available. As with the Rogers City Market, Onaway accepts both Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH coupons. The coupons have added a new customer to the market and has benefited many with fresh, local produce. A survey of customers and vendors at the end of the year will be conducted.
Contact: Dave Glenn
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on countyExtension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through MichiganStateUniversity and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.
Senior Project FRESH to benefit Presque Isle County seniors
This year Presque Isle County MSU Extension volunteered to participate in a new program to help limited-resource senior citizens improve their diets with the addition of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.
The program, Senior Project FRESH, is an extension of the Michigan Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for nutritionally at risk low-income women and children (Project FRESH).
Senior Project FRESH was created to provide eligible seniors with nutrition education and $20 worth of coupons to purchase fresh produce at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
The new USDA Dietary Guidelines emphasize consuming fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis and many seniors with limited incomes find it difficult to do this.
Offering this program in Presque Isle County was the result of great working partnerships among many different local, state and federal organizations. Initial funding came from local churches.
The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging offered to extend these locally raised funds with a 50 percent match. Presque Isle County MSU Extension organized the project at the local level, providing the nutrition education and determining the eligibility of participants.
The Presque Isle County Council on Aging helped locate participants and provided the space in the Onaway and Posen communities for interviewing applicants. More than 30 Senior Project FRESH coupon booklets were distributed throughout the county.
Many local growers accept Project FRESH coupons at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. The project promotes the use of local farmers’ markets and contributes to the economic viability of small farms in the community.
Contact: Jo Bush-Glenn / FamilyProgram
Children of parents whose jobs become very busy during the summer often need to fix their own breakfasts and lunches when school is not in session.
This summer Family Nutrition program associate Jane Marshall teamed up with Presque Isle County Summer Recreation Program to offer a presentation on choosing healthy snacks that could also serve as meals for pre-teens.
The kids were very engaged in the subject matter and invited to voice their opinions. It became quite a spirited discussion and the kids worked well together in groups.
At the end of the program they were given a variety of healthy ingredients (yogurt, fresh fruit, low-fat granolas) and they loved the snacks so much that they needed to have a discussion about portion control.
Some kids said they were going to ask their moms to purchase the ingredients so they could make the snacks at home.
Contact: Jane Marshall
New farmers’ market opens
A new farmers’ market opened in Onaway to complement the market that has been running for four years in Rogers City.
The Onaway market is open on Tuesdays and has had fantastic support and success. The vendors have been pleased with the turnout from local citizens and the sales they have made.
Buyers are happy with the produce and diversity of goods available. As with the Rogers City Market, Onaway accepts both Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH coupons.
The coupons have added a new customer base for the market and have benefited many residents with fresh, local produce. A survey of customers and vendors at the end of the year will be conducted.
Contact: Dave Glenn
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824