By Angela Sanford
With summer comes the culmination of 4-H projects across the nation, in preparation for club Achievement Days. Livestock are prepped for show and projects are finalized. Reports are processed (and perhaps backdated if they weren’t regularly maintained through the year – not that I would have any experience in this).
4-H Achievement Day is self competitive, members achieve ribbons based on their individual capabilities and personal efforts according to the expectations of their chosen projects. Successful completion of a project and meeting the requirements of the club offer the members the experience of competing at the Hants County Exhibition this fall, in hopes of winning an opportunity to move on to the provincial level held shortly thereafter.
However, Achievement Days are more thana celebration of the hard work done over the eyra by each member; it is a community event. In the eighties, my 4-H era, Achievement Day was eagerly anticipated by many people who had never attended a 4-H meeting. The scheduled events of the day included livestock confirmation and showmanship classes, opportunities to view the crafts, foods, and other life skills projects on display and then various games of chance with prizes, dinner, music, and so much more – including fireworks some years.
I fondly recall the hustle and bustle in the front yard of the East Noel School yard and extending into the front yard of Aunt Alma and Uncle Donald’s farm. Community members occupied themselves in a race to milk a goat, or to play Cow Paddy BINGO, or whatever uniquely themed competition was scheduled. One summer a feast of KFC arrived to nourish those in attendance and another time local talent entertained the audience on the hay wagon stage.
Certificates of completion for 4-H Members were always presented and when the Royal bank was a staple business in Maitland they presented one 4-H member a silver plate to recognize the member’s efforts. I still have that trophy, though it is sadly very tarnished – much like my record keeping of the time; not regularly cared for.
Over the years, Achievement Day festivities have faded with the declining enrollment in 4-H clubs everywhere, but Achievement Day still provides the community with an opportunity to view the success of club members and engage in the shared atmosphere of success. This area is fortunate to have two active clubs both of whom will be hosting their respective Achievement days this week; Cobequid 4-H Club and Rawdon 2-Way 4-H Club. Be sure to join them and celebrate their members and view the various projects.
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