Locals celebrated at 4H Awards Dinner
by Susan Stein

Troy Ellison shows off his hardware from the dinner. photo by Susan Stein

On Saturday, November 18, the annual 4H Club dinner and awards presentation took place at the Cookstown United Church Hall

Dorothy Lange and John Den Haan, leaders of the Cookstown 4-H Dairy Club, had the pleasure to introduce club members and present them with certificates of appreciation.

Cookstown Dairy Club has 21 members, the highest among the clubs, and leading them were Dorothy Lang, John Den Haan and Dave Rose.

Emily and Marianne Den Haan earned the highest points and were presented with plaques; Emily with the trophy.

Next in numbers was the South Simcoe 4-H Sheep Club with 11 members; their leaders, Karen Harvey and Maureen Rundle. Hope Bell received the top member plaque.

Nine members strong was the Cookstown/Beeton 4-H Beef Club with leaders Mike Swidersky and Doug Eisses. Top winner from this club was Troy Ellison, presented with a trophy and plaque.

Not large in numbers but rich in accomplishments were the Thornton 4-H Horse and Pony Club with leaders Melissa Tucker and Lynne Gilpin

Special Awards and Trophy winners were: Dr. Tim Henshaw Special - Adam Arnold as a top first year of the Cookstown 4-H Dairy Club

Cookstown 4-H dairy Award winners with the highest point: Jr. - Brooke Varcoe; Int. - Emily Den Haan; Sr. - Marianne Den Haan.

Vanderpost and Laison Trophy - Emily Den Haan as Cookstown champion dairy showman.

Dwight Bryan Award - Samantha Roberts: champion junior showperson from Cookstown Dairy Club; C.D. Sproule Memorial Trophy - Troy Ellison - highest member in Cookstown 4- H Beef Club; Jebb Farms Award - Brian and Darlene Jebb - Luke Eisses - top junior beef showperson of Cookstown/Beeton 4-H Beef Club.

Rock Cochrane Memorial Recognition Award: Christy Hall - most dedicated beef club member

Leader's Trophy to South Simcoe 4-H Sheep Club - Heather Bell

Simcoe County Sheep Association Award was awarded with a cheque to best sheepherd: Novice - Caryn Upton; Jr. - Hope Bell, Sr. - Heather Bell

Royal Bank Special - Adam Arnold- outstanding member in Cookstown Clubs

Royal Bank Special - Emily Den Haan - outstanding Cookstown 4-H club member

Simcoe District Co-op (Alliston Branch) Trophy - Emily Den Haan - Grand champion showperson

Cookstown District Lion's Club Trophy - Cookstown 4-H Beef Club - top 4-H club in Cookstown area. This award considers per cent completing number of members, increase in membership and the club activities at local fairs, etc.

California Dave's Beeton Trophy -Elizabeth Morgan - top 4-H member in Cookstown Horse Club

Gilpin Family Award - Justine Vanderpost - top first year showperson in the Cookstown Horse Club

Ayers Award - Jason Gilpin for his dedication and outstanding commitment

County Awards: High Dairy Contestant - John W Taylor trophy; Andrew Den Haan

High Beef Contestant - Denny & Darling Trophy: Christy Hall

High Novice - Gary & Tara Reynolds Trophy: Daniel Kloosterman

High Junior Contestant: South Simcoe 4-H Trophy: Morgan Baker

High Intermediate Contestant - Tec We Gwill Trophy: Willie Trott

High Senior Contestant - J. G. Brethet Trophy: Katie savage

Judging team Award - Clearview 4-H Beef Club: Carlee Gowan, Devon Benson, Rusty McArthur

Rotary Club Alliston Trophy: Emily Den Haan - outstanding member in South Simcoe 4-H Summer Clubs

Go for the Gold - donated by Simcoe District Co-op, Alliston: Melissa Knolwton, Jessica Knowlton, Katie Cormack, Kim Morgan

Prior to the Awards and Trophy presentations, Jasmine Edwards, Jessica Knowlton, Luke Eisses, and Samantha Roberts gave reports on their clubs, meetings and experiences gained and new techniques learned.

Caryn Upton, Heather Rose, Samantha Roberts and Natalie Constable reported on their Discovery Day, and Katelyn Rosse, Devon Benson, Carlee Gowan and Emily Deslippe on attending the Members Conference, which they highly recommended to other members to attend next year.

Melissa Knwolton, Jessica Knowlton, Katie Cormacka and Kim Morgan spoke on the excitement in taking part in Go for the Gold competition.

Many thanks to leaders Dorothy Lange, John Den Haan, Mike Swidersky, Doug Eisses, Karen Harvey, Maureen Rundle, Melissa Tucker and Lynne Gilpin for their dedication to 4-H Clubs, giving their time and their talents to all members.

They are the ones who help in instilling in young persons the importance agriculture in all aspects mean in the future for the country.