The annual 4-H Volunteer Leader's Recognition Banquet was held Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the Soldier Lutheran Church in Soldier with over fifty 4-H volunteers, leaders and spouses attending. Special recognition was extended to all adult volunteers who support the Youth and 4-H program of Monona County. Kari Jo Hartman, County Council member, gave the invocation before a meal of Lasagna, garlic bread, lettuce salad and ice cream with cookies. The 4-H County Council members prepared the meal, helped to set up and provided the floor service for the meal. Those on the Council helping were: Megan Wimmer, and Maura Matney of Mapleton; Andrea Bruning and Jewel Mann of Castana; Jacob Clemon of Soldier; Robert Cumming of Moorhead; Rebekah Benson of Danbury; Emily Low, Katie Keitges, Katlyn Humrichouse, and Carrie Jo Hartman of Onawa, Paisley Conlon of Rodney; Alexis Seward of Ute; Shelbi Vermeys of Hornick, and Daniel Benjamin and Erin Ernst of Whiting. Dani Foss was unable to attend.
Andrea Bruning of Mapleton Starspinners 4-H Club was Mistress of Ceremonies, and Jacob Clemon of the East Monona Explorers 4-H Club was Master of Ceremonies. Nancy McGrain, 4-H Youth Coordinator, presented the 4-H Clover pins and certificates for years of service. The Iowa 4-H Foundation and Extension and Outreach organizations provided funds for the purchase of 4-H clover award pins. Fran Haack, Fashion Revue/Clothing Selection superintendent was recognized for having served 5 years. Ten year recipients were Pam Jensen, Horse superintendent; JoAnn Fleck, Sheep superintendent; and Deb Venteicher, Leader of Castana Wildcats; Fifteen years of service went to Cheri Hardison, leader of Bobcats 4-H Club and Pauline Zima, leader of the Blencoe Pioneers 4-H Club. Twenty year volunteers were Rick Deen, Rabbit and Poultry superintendent and Larry Du Val, photography and horticulture project leader. Twenty five year volunteers were Sharyl Bruning, leader of Mapleton Starspinners 4-H Club and Paul Griffith, photography 4-H project leader.
Nancy McGrain and Meegan Manlove, member of the Monona County Youth and 4-H Committee presented other special awards which included the 4-H Alumni, Honorary Member, Meritorious Service and Leader of the Year Awards.
The 4-H Alumni Award is presented to honor adults who have been 4-H members themselves, for their service to 4-H community leadership, public service and success in their chosen endeavors. Cheri Hardison of Onawa received this award. Cheri was a 9 year 4-H member of the Jordan Sunshine Club. She has participated in 43 county fairs combined as a member and staff. Cheri has been with ISU Extension since May of 1977 as a 4-H and Youth Leader, Extension Home Economist, and County Extension Education Director and 4-H leader of the Bobcats 4-H Club for 15 years. Cheri is married to Bob Hardison and has 3 grown children, Colton, Carla and Kelsey. Being involved with her family is the most important part of her life. Cheri is retiring as County Extension Education Director the end of January and her new position will be Program Educator for Monona County. She is also leader of the new 4-H Ricochet Club. She is a positive, open minded and encouraging person.
The Honorary 4-H member award is given to an adult who was not a 4-H member, but who has supported and worked with the 4-H program in a significant way. John Streeter of Onawa was given the honor of this award. John grew up in Nevada, Iowa and is an ISU graduate. He likes auctions, antiques, and E-Bay. John works at the Blencoe State Bank, Onawa Branch and is involved with Good Luck Investment Club, Pheasants Forever and has been a member of the 4-H Endowment Board since it started in 1998. He has been beneficial in helping with fund raisers for the endowment including the silent auction at the fair.
The 4-H Meritorious Service Award is given to a business or organization that gives support and cooperation to the 4-H program. Todd Sadler, President of Valley Bank and Trust, accepted this award on behalf of the bank. Over the past several years the bank has been a great supporter with monetary gifts for the 4-H Volunteer/Leader's Banquet, trophies for fair and items for the 4-H Silent Auction Endowment Fund. The Extension staff appreciates the partnership with Valley Bank and Trust and support of the 4-H program.
Every leader in the 4-H program deserves an award, but a special award called "4-H Leader of the Year" is given to recognize a club leader or leaders for dedicated work with their members. This year's "Leader of the Year" award was given to Jeff Mordhorst, leader of the East Monona Explorers 4-H Club. He graduated from Charter Oak Ute School and attended Iowa Central in Fort Dodge with a degree in Farm Operations. Jeff was a member of the Ute Eager Beavers 4-H Club when younger. His family encouraged Jeff to be involved in 4-H and he encourages his 4 children to be in 4-H. Jeff is a devoted farmer raising livestock owning his own hog confinements and a Fontanelle seed corn dealer. Jeff is a former leader of the Ute Eager Beavers 4-H Club and helped with the East Monona Explorers and currently leader of the East Monona Explorers 4-H Club with wife Laurie.
Nancy McGrain, 4-H Youth Coordinator, did a candle installation ceremony for new and returning 4-H County Council members.
Guest speaker for the night was Jean Hofmann, a farm wife from Battle Creek. Jean entertained the group with the humor of living on the farm with 10 children. Jean also talked how the meaning of the 4-H Pledge is used every day of your life. Everyone enjoyed her words of wisdom.
The evening ended with door prizes that were given and donated by the following businesses: Onawa businesses: hot chocolate with cups and 4-H notebook, bag clip, bandana and cookie cutter, Monona County Extension; sandwich coupons, McDonald's; large pizza certificate, Sparky's; gift certificate, Cool Beans; movie and game coupons, Video Express; pizza certificates, Dan's pizza; sandwich coupons, Subway; gift certificates, Fiesta Foods of Onawa. Mapleton businesses: gift certificate, Mostly Memories; gift card, Bomgaars of Mapleton; gift certificate, Fiesta Foods of Mapleton; gift bag, Hometown Variety; free manicure, Avenue of Style; purse, Cutting Edge; gift card, Maier Family Pharmacy; gift certificate, Beef N Brew; gift certificate, Hawkeye Bar; gift certificate, Maple Motel; Mary Kay products, Sharyl Bruning; 2 decorative tins of cookies, Nancy McGrain. Castana business: county calendar, Terry Mann family; Soldier businesses: gift certificate, Sheri's Book Treasures; gift certificate, Soldier Speedee Stop. Whiting Business: gift certificates, Kirby's Corner Market. Larry Jessen of Mapleton made the table decorations for the event. Thanks to all for your generosity and making it a special night for volunteers.
The recognition of these adult 4-H volunteers was made possible by generous contributions from the following: Blencoe State Bank, Blencoe; Community Bank, Soldier/Ute; Great Southern Bank and Iowa-Nebraska State Bank, Onawa; First State Bank and Valley Bank and Trust of Mapleton; Moorhead State Bank, Moorhead; and Sloan State Bank, Whiting.
Leaders were given the fruit sheets to be passed to 4-H members to start selling fruit in the county with Mar. 27 delivery, so if you want fruit, contact a 4-H'er or the Monona County Extension Office.