Kaiti Vandine and Emma Voneida prepared a power point show of photos highlighting activities by the Pioneer Valley 4-H during 2012, the 100th year of the International organization.

CLARKSTOWN – “We hope to make it to 25 years,” said Wayne Vandine, whose wife Ruth has overseen the local 4-H program for 22 years. The remark was made during the annual ice cream social of the Pioneer Valley 4-H held at Clarkstown Methodist Church on Saturday Nov. 3.

Mr. Vandine, who teaches leather craft, is one of 12 adults offering classes in various crafts as well as the agricultural aspect of raising farm animals. 4-H members from 8 to 18 may raise swine, goats, sheep or calves. With the exception of dairy cows, these animals are raised on an annual basis then shown, judged and auctioned in the cattle ring at the Lycoming County Fair in Hughesville.

The crafts are displayed in the 4-H building, and as this year marked the 100th year of the organization, special posters accompanied the booth displays.

During the November meeting, awards were dispersed by section leaders Anita Wagner and Stacy Girven.

The evening included a power point picture show of the year’s events by Kaiti Vandine and Emma Voneida.

The group numbers 53 youth, one is graduating due to age, while six are due to join in January. The new recruits have been “Clover buds” a younger segment of the group.

The history of the organization began during 1902 in Clark County, Ohio, when A. B. Graham began a program considered to be the birth of 4-H.