4-H Model Horse Show

Saturday morning 17 4-Hers from around the Southwest District came to the Center for a special Horse Show. Pariticipants brought model horses made from plastic, metal, resin, and china and displayed them in over 76 classes.
Led by Cornelia Estep, 4-H Agent in Russell County, this is the 5th year for this show. Many of the horses displayed were Bryer - the company that originated the model horse show.

Here is a class in the Halter Division of Light Breeds.

One of the categories was best scene. Participants set their models in a real-life setting as seen here with the barn and tractor.

Judges suggested providing documentation with the models being shown. This helped with breed identification as well as assisting participants in placing their models in the correct class.

Judges Nella Dionne of Mountain City, Tennessee and Dana Niday of Bland County are about to tie this class of harness horses.

Abby Worth -Jones received the Sportsmanship Award. This award was voted on and given by her peers that participated in the show.

A big thank you to the judges, parents, and participants for making this years show another success!

Southwest District BB Tournament

On Saturday, February 24, the 4-H Center hosted the Southwest District BB Tournament. Over 30 shooters, Senior and Intermediate, attended. Bland and Patrick counties were represented.

Observers watch their teammates' targets through binoculars and a spotting scope.

Intermediate shooters in the kneeling position.

Shooters in the standing position.

Patrick county winners proudly displaying their awards.

The girls from Bland County really outdid their (male) teammates!

A New Feature

We now have video for the online newsletter. Check out the clip below of Cloverbud Camp in December.

Visit our myspace

The 4-H Center now has a myspace page! Feel free to visit, add us as a friend.

http://www.myspace.com/swva4h

Capital Campaign Udate: $264,000 Raised So Far!

It's hard to believe that two years have come and gone since we kicked off our Capital Campaign. We have made some great improvements to the current facilities with the funds we have raised so far. Here is a list of the projects that have been completed and paid for in 2006:

• Russell Hall received a new roof, paint, and reinforcements to the base
• The Dutch Palace received a face lift with new boards & batting added to the outside and a new paint job for the outside of the building & roof
• Ratliff Hal has been upgraded with heat pumps, new ceiling tiles, windows, and improved lighting
• Plans for the new boys lodging facilities have been drawn up

Projects & plans in the works for 2007 include:

• Completion of the Dutch Palace face lift. The Abingdon Rotary Club is funding and assisting with interior renovations
• New mattresses for the Conference Center
• Prepare bid packets for new boys' lodges

We've renovated and repaired, now is the time to expand! Help us make these new lodging facilities for the boys a reality!

Also note, that we have added the names (and, in some cases, links to their websites) of many major donors who have helped support our Campaign so far. Many thanks to all of them!

Re-naming our blog

You may have noticed that the SWVA 4-H Center Blog has a new name. Our semi-regular printed newsletter is called "Dutch Palace Happenings," so we decided that since this site serves as an online version of that newsletter it should share the same name. So welcome to the Dutch Palace Happenings - Online Edition!

You'll also notice several new features. On the right hand side of the page, there is a link to subscribe to this blog via RSS. There is another place to enter your email and subscribe that way - be notified via email every time a post is made here.

We also want our readers to participate here as well, so feel free to make comments when you read.

Summer Staff interviews

Interviews for Summer Camp Staff will begin soon. If you are interested and haven't filled out an application yet, make sure you do so ASAP!

Download Application