Effingham County
EFFINGHAM COUNTY 4H LLAMA LLEADERS
2007
The 2006-2007 4H year began with a flurry of
activities for the Effingham Llama Lleaders.
September was a registration and get acquainted meeting, also in
September, many of our members went to the ILLA Fall Conference to
compete in the “Llama Llympics” in Bloomington Illinois.
It was an adventure many of us will not soon forget.
We competed in jumping contests, the limbo and musical chairs
llama style as well as attending a judging workshop.
The September events were followed by an annual open house in
October at the home of JoAnn Ring, our primary “Leader”.
There were also two newly born baby llamas to admire, fall in
love with and walk. Our
club began the year with the highest enrollment we have ever had (with a
total of 26 members). What
a great start! In the fall
we also began working on fiber cleaning, carding, felting and water
felting in preparation for creating visual arts fiber projects to enter
in the State 4H Show and our county fair.
November brought about thoughts of taking Christmas llama
pictures and our members (llamas and children) were involved in ringing
the Salvation Army bell at a local grocery store. Members also created
and sent Christmas cards to deployed and mobilized soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan. In early
December the members of our club participated in a live nativity
presentation at Cornerstone Christian Church.
The llamas and handlers dressed in biblical costumes and strolled
the streets of Bethlehem.
It was a big hit with the public and December 2006 wasn’t near as
cold as previous year had been.
Everyone had a good time and we have been asked to return for
next year’s presentation.
During the winter months we scurried about taking pictures of llamas in
the snow and listening to demonstrations and guest speakers teaching us
about drop spindles, spinning and making macramé lead ropes.
Some of our leaders were involved in teaching fiber felting
classes and packing and trekking to members of the Homemakers
Association and Women of the Outdoors.
Llamas and/or 4-H Llama Lleaders visited a local nursing home,
participated in the spring ILLA Conference (where they donated lead
ropes they had made to the Southeast Llama Rescue), an Arthritis
Foundation Walk, sold popcorn and cotton candy at the Rodeo Parade, were
responsible for our local 4-H Barbecue dinner, operated and participated
in the Watson Homecoming Parade and Public Llama Obstacle Course as well
as the Altamont Memorial Day Parade.
In June the members of the club competed at the State 4-H
Llama Show in Bloomington and were very happy with their successes.
The state show was followed in August by attendance at our county
fair where we generate a lot of interest and entertainment for the
locals during costume, obstacle, public relations and pack events.
This year we had the privilege of being well represented at the
state fair. As the 4-H year
closes we would like to thank all of the parents, friend, neighbors and
individuals who gave of themselves and their time to make our club such
a success.