I have resisted many fads and trends over the years of my life.   Such things as capris (not the drinks either), clogs and Pokemon come to mind.  To me these were fads that would just leave me with items I did not want to have.  I never did have a clog to my name, but when capris returned, I happily doned them!

Now, the whole electronic age is upon us and much of it is a major mystery to me and some of it seams like it could be just a major time sucker.  But, I am buying into it, for example, I am blogging right now and not more than 9 months ago I would have thought a blog was something needing  treatment  before you washed it!  Amazing how much a 40 year old can learn! 

With much reluctance and great hesitation, I allowed my College age son to introduce me to my own facebook account.  Now, I am definately in foreign territory as I fumble my way through the maze of options on my facebook account.  To post on a wall or to email privately, or to chat…. Who knew?????  The younger set knows!

With my great confusion being confessed, I also have another confession; I think I am addicted to facebook!  Maybe it is because it is something new.  New things can always hold major appeal for us for a certain period of time until it is not new anymore.  The thing that facinates me about facebook is that I am able to communicate with friends and family with great ease and it is a blessing to be able to be and stay in touch with others.  I guess it goes to prove that the Lord can use technology to bless us also!  As you reach out to others at this time of the year and all year long, thank Him for the many blessings he has bestowed upon you!  And happy communicating!

This is from Sophia’s 17-soon-to-be-almost-18 year old son, Trent, who will be going to CSU Fresno in the Fall. 

Wow!  These past four years have been a wild ride.  From Freshman year to Senior year felt like a blink of an eye.  But now, off to another adventure.  College.  Moving on from having everything given to me to having to work very hard to it.  High school was tough, but there were teachers willing to help when needed.  I now reaalize that some of my upcoming professors won’t be that way.  I will have to do extra studying.  Also, I will not be living at my home.  I will be moving to an apartment near the school.  It will be nice, but very different.  It is a chance to really get to know myself.  And I feel excited about that.  It will be an experience of a lifetime.  And I pray that everything will work out for the good, whether is be easy or just frustrating. 

By: EIRENA Ewert

Photos by Laura Norman  and Karl Hussey

  Coarsegold 4-Hers have been busy as usual. March 11th was Kid’s Day and Coarsegold 4-Hers helped support Valley Children’s Hospital. The Coarsegold 4-H sold Kid’s Day Papers for $1 in front of Raley’s and other businesses.  The paper sales were a great success, selling a lot of newspapers and getting a lot of money for Valley Children’s Hospital. This was a community service project which is something encouraged by 4-H.          County Presentation Day was on Saturday, March 15th, at Madera High School in the North Campus Cafeteria.  At Presentation Day, the 4-Hers pick a topic to do a visual and oral presentation on and are judged on content, clarity and presentation skills.  James Gonzales got a gold medal for his presentation on gravity. He was able to advance to the Regional Presentation Day, but chose not to.

  Large Animal Exposition was held at the Madera Fairgrounds on March 29th.  Those 4-Her who participated were given study material for their level which they studied so they could prepare to compete. The kids who participated were tested on tack, feed, skills, showmanship, and judging of their particular animal.  There was also a prewritten test that the kids had to test on a few weeks before the event.  Those who participated from Coarsegold 4-H are as follows.  In Swine,  Eirena Ewert got a medal in  Swine level two.  Evan Ewert got a certificate  in Swine level four.    In Sheep,  Daphne Norman medaled in level four, James Gonzales medaled in  level two,  and Elyjah Hussey also medaled in level one.  This event is fun because in addition to the testing, there is time while waiting for the results to be announced for the  4-Hers to go get lunch, play fun games, and also just hang out with each other

  Watch for our upcoming events.  Our biggest fundraiser of the year is coming up in May. We have a snow cone booth at the Coarsegold Rodeo and all the mountain area schools come to the rodeo on Friday, which is our busiest day. So if you do not want to wait in a long line, I suggest that you come on Saturday or Sunday to buy that snow cone and support Coarsegold 4-H.  County 4-H Camp is also coming up. The dates are July 13-17. The theme this year is 4-H Camp Goes Hillbilly. There is also a Fashion Revue coming up at the Madera High School North Cafeteria on April 26th.   The Fashion Show starts at 1:00 pm, and all spectators are welcome. The much anticipated Chowchilla-Madera County Fair is will be held on May 15-18th.The fair is a great time for you to support your local 4-H  kids.  At the fair, you will be able to bid on and buy animals and view the 4-Hers hand made items.  Please consider coming out to see what these busy 4-Hers are doing.4-H News Article Statement:Madera county 4-H Youth Program is a non-profit organization for youth who are 9 years old or who have completed 3^rd grade and up to 19 years of age.  All youth and adults in Madera county are invited to participate in the 4-H Program regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, mental or physical handicap.