I
hope all of you are doing well in the New Year! I had the pleasure of
meeting a very dynamic person or personality this past week and would
like to share her point of view. I think we could all do more "To
Keep Alabama Clean." She is Auntie Litter.
Pat
Mitchell of Birmingham created Auntie Litter in 1990. A former
elementary school teacher and mother of three, Ms. Mitchell also founded
US inc., a national nonprofit organization that provides environmental
education to the general public, especially children. The Auntie Litter
program has won many awards including Take Pride in America Award from
former President George Bush as well as former President Bill Clinton’s
Point of Light award.
Ms.
Mitchell, through Auntie Litter, has captured the imagination of
thousands of children. Each year, Auntie Litter and the Pollution
Patrol, a children’s chorus, lead thousands of enthusiastic children
in Auntie Litter’s Earth Day Parade in downtown Birmingham, the nation’s
largest Earth Day celebration for children. Firmly convinced education
is the key to cleaning up America, Ms. Mitchell utilizes the children’s
chorus, printed material, TV, cassettes, t-shirts, coloring books and
posters to convey Auntie Litter’s message. For more information
contact Auntie Litter at POB 660128, Birmingham, AL 35266.
In
fact every school in Alabama has a copy of her material. Make a call and
get her to visit your local school. Your Students Will Learn:
•
about the dangers posed to the environment
•
how to eliminate litter, conserve our natural resources and practice the
environmental 3 R’s: Reuse, Reduce Waste and Recycle.
•
what they can do to protect the environment.
Auntie
Litter is Anti-Litter: their site (http://www.AuntieLitter.org)
highlights the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a healthy
and clean environment.
Remember,
God has only given us one Earth to call home!
I
would also like to inform you of another 4-H event to take place here in
Alabama.
State 4-H
Equine Program sponsors educational horse show and clinic
The
Alabama 4-H Equine Program is proud to announce a horse show and clinic
which will allow young people, 4-Hers and non-4-H members, who have an
interest in horses from across the state to come together to have a good
time as they learn more about each other and their common interest. This
event, the "2008 4-H Horse-N-Around Show and Educational
Clinic" will introduce young equestrians and horse lovers to the
4-H Horse Project and will allow them to prepare for participation in
the "4-H State Horse Show" while having fun in the process.
This event will take place in Fayette on March 14 & 15 at the new
Fayette County Multi-Purpose Complex, a brand new state-of-the-art
agricultural complex with an indoor arena.
Planned
events cover a wide range from educational events (non-riding) to
Western and English riding and will include horse judging and
showmanship. Educational classes consist of Horse Quiz Bowl, where
participants are placed on teams and their general knowledge of horses
is tested; Creative Writing; Model Horse Scene; Photography and Altered
Photography. The active "hands-on-horse" ring events include:
Horse Judging Competition; Hunt Seat, Flat and Over Fences; Saddle Seat
events; Western speed classes including barrels, pole bending and arena
races; and western pleasure, reining and horsemanship. Halter and
showmanship classes will also be offered. Come early on Friday and
participate in a free Natural Horsemanship Clinic.
While
the majority of events are geared for youth ages 9-19 years of age,
there will be fun events for "cloverbuds," children ages five
through eight. These events for the little ones will take place
throughout the day on Saturday.
A
special treat for participants and spectators will be the opening
ceremony featuring drill team performances. These teams are fun and
amazing to watch by anyone regardless of their knowledge of horses. The
team members are skilled and their showmanship is exciting.
A
very unique feature of this show will be the format of the judging.
During the ring classes, the judge will offer critique and coaching as
in a clinic format in order to enhance the learning experience of both
the riders and the spectators.
The
objective of the Alabama 4-H Horse program is to utilize equine animals
and the equine industry as a means of introducing young people to the
knowledge, management, care, exhibition and training of horses and the
development of life-skills needed to be contributing members of society.
This program is designed to provide youth with hands-on learning
experiences and, as such, adults are encouraged to be involved as
leaders and mentors. Parents and professional trainers are encouraged to
abide by this philosophy and refrain from the riding, training and
grooming of animals.
Safety
will be practiced at all times during the event. Youth will wear
protective helmets whenever mounted on horses during the 4-H
Horse-N-Around Show and will be asked to respect property and horses of
other participants. This event is designed to be an educational, safe
and fun time for all. The pre-entry fees for each show class will be $8;
entries after March 1 will be $12; there will be no charge for
educational classes.
Vendors
are invited to be on the grounds to sell horse-related products.
Potential vendors are asked to make prior arrangements for set up by
contacting a member of the show committee. The show committee consists
of members of 4-H and county extension service staff from six counties
in northwest Alabama.
Show
packets are available on the Internet by going to www.aces.edu/~legvodl/showpacket
or through any local county extension office with 4-H affiliation. For
more information about the "2008 4-H Horse-N-Around Show and
Educational Clinic" contact the Fayette County Extension office at
205-932-8941. Rules and Regulations, 4-H Conduct Policy and entry forms
are contained in the show packet. Show flyer is available at www.aces.edu/~legvodl/flyer.
The
Fayette County Multi-Purpose Complex is located off Hwy 43 North in
Fayette behind the Wal-Mart shopping area at 650 McConnell Loop. |