Be prepared for emergencies: Register to attend celebration

Many families may have been caught unprepared by the recent ice storm.  During an extended power outage, questions do arise about food safety and because of food being unsafe there may also be the issue of food shortage.  When our lives begin to return to normal, families should consider working together as a team to be prepared for any future natural disaster.  Helping to plan the food and meals for emergency situations would be a great project for the children in the family to help with.

When selecting emergency food supplies, keep in mind the number in your family, what would be healthy, what they like, how much room you have for storage and how you plan to rotate the stored foods into family meals throughout the year.  Watch for use by dates on the cans or packages.  Buy prepackaged food, canned, bottled or vacuum packaged that do not require refrigeration.  Canned food is the easiest to store because they require no cooling, added water or special preparations.  Store a can opener and disposable utensils with the reserve food supplies.  

Of course there are many other concerns during a power outage or a natural disaster for families to consider.  In preparing for the future, remember to research for best practices or call local resources such as the Washington County Extension Office for more information.

4-H CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

I hope everyone has been enjoying the photos that are being included each week in The Springfield Sun.  Please remember, if you have any old 4-H photos you would like to share, bring those as soon as possible by the extension office and we will scan those and return them to you.  

Anyone interested in attending the State 4-H Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Lexington Hyatt Regency has until Feb. 13  to register on-line or registration will close once 500 have registered.  The cost is $10 for the day’s event which includes lunch.  Anyone wishing to register through the Washington County Extension Office should contact us prior to Feb. 13.

Washington County’s Centennial Celebration will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the River of Life church located on Hwy. 555 in Springfield.  Please hold this date on your calendar for many exciting activities that will include the entire family.  Watch for a Centennial newsletter for complete details and more information in the coming weeks in The Springfield Sun.

UPCOMING 4-H EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Due to last week’s weather and the continued community closings, dates of several 4-H events and activities have been changed.

The orientation for the 4-H Bowling League has been moved from Feb. 3 to Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m. at the extension office.  With actual league play beginning on Saturday, Feb. 14, it will be important that all registration information be submitted to the extension office by Thursday, Feb. 12. Anyone with questions may call 336-7741 for more information.

The deadline for the 4-H Poetry Contest has been extended to Feb. 20.  Anyone needing a copy of the rules or registration form may contact the extension office for that information.

Middle School students, grades sixth, seventh and eighth, have the opportunity to attend the Kentuck 4-H Summit which is the only event 4-H puts on that is just for middle school youth.  This is a fun-filled three-day conference held at the Kentucky Leadership Center in Jabez, Ky. (near Somerset).  Youth from across the state will gather in the lodge style setting to learn leadership, take workshops and have some serious fun.  There will be games, a dance and lots of other exciting experiences.  This year’s date is March 7-9 and the cost is $85 per student.  The deadline to register has been extended to March 9.  Contact the extension office for registration information.  

WINTER WEATHER

If school is not held due to snow, then any 4-H event scheduled for that day will be canceled.  If you are in doubt, contact the extension office at 336-7741.