ST. ANN'S 4-H CLUB HISTORY

The St. Ann's 4-H Club organized in 1975 with the first year's enrollment being 53 members.

The possibility of forming a 4—H club in the area was first discussed at a Home and School meeting in St. Ann's. A need was seen for some sort of organized young people's group for children in the area who were not involved in minor hockey.

The first overall leader was Hedy Ochsner, assisted by Louise Larkin. The early projects taken by 4-H members were Beef, Sewing, Needlecraft and Woodworking.

Over the years the Overall Leaders have included Hedy Ochsner, Louise Larkin, Marina Doiron, Mary Murphy and Winnie Murphy. Membership has ranged from 17 to 55 members in various years.

Also in recent years new projects selected by Club members have included Computer, Let's Connect (a Senior — Youth Liaison project), Small Engines, Nature Crafts, Seasonal Decorations, Rabbit, Horse and Pony, Exploring 4—H, Food and You, Fisheries, Great Outdoors, Gardening, Pheasants, Needlecrafts and Challenge.

The St. Ann's Club was the first 4-H Club on RBI. to introduce the Spuds Program which is a pre 4-H group ranging in age from 6 - 9 years. These children (too young to qualify as official 4-H members) are intro— duced to the concept of 4-H, the 4-H Pledge and some basic crafts.

The Club has, over the years, continued in its efforts to entertain the members and the community in a fun and educational manner as well as to regularly perform community projects to help people and to enhance our neighborhoods as a whole. This also serves to remind members to think of others and to appreciate the value of living in and supporting one's local community.

The Communications Project (public speaking and/or demonstra- tion) is a mandatory but, according to past members, a Vital aspect of 4- H — a project which pays big dividends later in student and adult life.

The St. Ann's 4-H Club presently calls the St. Ann's Community Center its home except in the Winter Season when they use the St. Ann‘s Church basement.

Leaders of various projects in past years have included Elaine Peters, Gordon Myers, Vincent Doiron, Cheryl Simpson, Lorna Gallant, Patsy Doiron, Irene and Des. Garth, Joe Reid, Dennis Doiron, Kathy Doiron, Jill Allman, Carlene Doiron, Bernadine Doiron, Charlie and Aletha Gallant , Debra Doiron, Jeannette and John Plomp, Kim Doiron,

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