Its a great! day in Trenton Troopers! Today is Tuesday, March 1st, 2011. Today is National Pancake Day. You can find great recipes for pancakes on the webiste www.thepancakerecipe.com . Use whole wheat and fresh fruit to make your pancakes a healthy and delicious way to start the morning.

March 1st is also Nebraska's birthday. Did you know Nebraska has more miles of rivers than any other state? Nebraska also has the largest water aquifer in the United States. You can find Nebraska facts and trivia questions on the website www.50states.com .

Today at 4:30 pm we are planning a trip out to Bobinmyers sheep farm. Jim and Hazel Bobinmyer live northwest of Culbertson. They raise Suffolk/Hampshire show lambs. In the last few weeks they've welcomed baby lambs. This is a great experience for anyone interested in showing a market lamb or breeding ewe in 4-H or anyone who's interested in veterinary sciences. We will meet at Trails West at 4:15 pm. Hope everyone can make it. Call the Extension Office if you have any questions 334-5666 or call Pam on her cell phone 340-4459.

Happy Valentine's Day Troopers!

Today is the day to send a sweet gift to that someone special you care about. Many people send chocoloates to their sweet heart. Have you ever wondered how chocolates are made? Did you know the chocolate maker using his/her fingers to stamp the top of the chocolates and why? The following video from the website http://www.howstuffworks.com/ explains how chocolates are made.

Go to the website, http://www.howstuffworks.com/ . Type "how it's made: assorted chocolates" into the search engine.

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day Trenton Troopers and be sure to tell the special people in your lives how much you care about them.

Tara Oberg, Jasmine Hamilton & Isabell Sheets participating in the Archery Contest.

Jasmine Hamilton & Amanda Mote showing their pigs in the Market Swine Class.

Jasmine Hamilton showing her lamb in the Market Lamb Class.

Amanda Mote with her award for the Junior Livestock Judging Contest.

Rylie Adams showing her dog in the Junior Dog Showmanship.

Trenton Troopers 2011!

Hello again Trenton Troopers! Is everyone ready for Christmas break? Let's try to have our first meeting in January. Any suggestions on how to kick off the new 4-H year? Bowling party? Baking party (and donate the baked goods to the low income housing residents or nursing home)? Let us know what you'd like to do.

Before our first meeting there are a few things:
1. What projects are you interested in doing as a club this year? Last year we did Design Decisions and Tree Identification.

2. What do you want to do this year for Community Service? Last year we participated in the Nebraska Wheat Boards Bake and Take days and we cleaned up the courtyard at the El Dorado Manor.

If you have any questions, call Pam at the office 334-5666.

Way to go Isabel on your 3rd place finish at the Hayes County 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest! Tara, Laynee, Wes and Jasmine were just a few points shy of receiving a ribbon. With the extensive training you had to prepare for the contest (the Hamilton Crash Course), everyone did very well. This contest will help prepare everyone for the Livestock Judging during the Hitchcock County Fair.

Healthy Body Healthy Mind

Congratulations to everyone that participated in the Hitchcock County Elementary track meet on Friday. Everyone did a terrific job! Physical activity is good for your body and mind. Research shows that physical activity can prevent at least 6 diseases: Heart Disease, high-blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression. Physical activity will also help you feel better and maintain a healthy weight. At least 30 minutes a day of physical activity - such as walking, biking or swimming - can help you live longer and healthier.

Eating healthy is another way to maintain a healthy body and mind. Fresh fruits contain vitamins A and C. Our eyes need Vitamin A to see colors. It also helps our bones and skin. Vitamin C helps keep our immune systems strong and it helps keep our joints flexible. Milk contains calcium which keeps our bones strong and prevents osteoporosis. Vitamin D help our bones absorb or "soak up" the calcium. Eating healthy is a great way to fill up on these nutrients, have healthy skin, healthy hair and fit bodies.

Here are a few healthy after school snacks:
1. A smoothie made with fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt
2. Dried Fruit - raisins, apricots and nuts
3. Fresh Fruit - strawberries, bananas and grapes
4. Pretzels
5. Cheese and crackers
6. Apples and peanut butter
7. English muffin pizza's
8. Milk and graham crackers
9. 100% fruit juice
10. Kettle corn

Skip these foods and drinks after school:
1. Cocktail fruit juice - its loaded with sugar and calories
2. Potato chips
3. Little Debbie's or snack cakes
4. Milk and cookies
5. Double butter popcorn

Again, congratulations to everyone!

Upcoming Events! Hayes County Livestock Juding Contest

Thursday, May 13 at the Hayes County Fairgrounds is the Hayes 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest. There are 5 age divisions, Clover Kids, Junior, Intermediate, Senior and Adults. A meal is provided for all participants and there are no entry fees. Ribbons will be awarded to the top 10 indviduals and plaques will be awarded to the top individuals in each division. Clover Kids will receive rainbow ribbons. Livestock classes include beef, sheep and swine. Last year Jasmine placed 5th in the Junior division. If you have any quesitons, call Pam at the Extension Office in Trenton. 334-5666.