Another 4-H Friday was held at the Event Center/Extension Office this week, with a focus on the Horse Club and Teen Leaders.  4-H Fridays is a program which was recently highlighted in the Enterprise, and is designed to give students a place to be on Fridays, where they can stay out of trouble and practice some of the skills important to their 4-H season.  

Early on Friday, the Horse Club was given information on a number of issues related to the digestive systems of horses.

Office manager Kelly Sorensen has spent most of her life around horses.  “That’s what I do.  I’m all about horses, and I love talking about them.”  The presentation involved a lot of detail for those in the various horse classes.  “It’s important to know the animals inside and out.  We want them to be as prepared as possible,” Sorensen said.    

To end the afternoon, the Teen Leaders club, led by Lacey Clark, ended up practicing their cooking skills.  According to Lacey Clark, this recipe is a Diane Skidmore original, developed with the help of her grandson Wade.

“He couldn’t decide if he wanted macaroni or spaghetti, so my mom decided to just make them both at the same time,” Lacey Clark explained.  “But now we make it a lot.  It’s good!”

The group of girls shared the duties of preparing, cooking, and serving the food, which was a hit.  

The overall objectives of 4-H teen leadership are to: “achieve a broad understanding of the meaning of leadership and the qualities of a leader, understand and practice ethical character, participate in team building by working in groups and encouraging involvement by every individual, develop follow-through and responsibility, improve written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, gain confidence and self-respect, and practice and acquire leadership skills.”

So far, 4-H Fridays have been a big success, and recognized at the state level by the 4-H Extension Office at the University of Idaho.  Director John O’Connell recently visited Oneida County and expressed his excitement at the growing program.  “What they’ve done down here is just great, and a perfect fit for the community,” O’Connell stated during a phone conversation.

“Wade’s Wacky Mac & Cheese”

1 Jar Spaghetti Sauce

Spiral Noodles

Butter 

Milk

Cheddar Cheese

Cook Noodles.  Drain.  Add 2T butter.  Stir in noodles until melted.  Add in just enough milk to cover the bottom.  You can add more as needed.  Then add as much cubed cheddar as desired.  Stir until cheese is melted, and then stir in spaghetti sauce.