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Craft & Creatures 4-H club

Just in time for the grand opening of Quilters Workshop in downtown Oak Harbor, Nov. 15, business owner Debra Staley received a surprise from some local 4-H members. She was presented with a plaque in appreciation of the assistance she gave the club last spring in their fundraising project.

Staley had not only donated a quilt for the club members to use in a raffle, but she also taught the children and their mothers how to quilt. She offered her time every Friday to help the fledgling quilt-makers learn the craft. All together, eight children and four adults were the recipients of her expertise. Heather Dixon, Grace Tarasoff and A.J. Tarasoff entered their first quilts in Island County Fair in August. All received red ribbons for their first ventures in quilting.

The plaque features a photograph of the club standing in front of the quilt Mrs. Staley donated for the fund-raiser last spring. Under the photograph, a bronze plaque honors Staley for her dedication to 4-H.

The club will be meeting weekly with Staley in her new shop next to Ace Hardware. She will offer quilt fabrics, books and patterns for quilt-makers of all levels. Best of all, she will have a spacious workshop area in the back in which she will offer classes. Plans are underway for the Crafts and Creatures 4-H Club to create their own quilt to raffle this year. Quilt Workshop will be a busy place.

Club elects new officers

At the first business meeting of the Crafts and Creatures 4-H Club, Thursday, Oct. 17, members met to elect new officers for the coming year.

The two eldest members of the club traded responsibilities. This year, senior member A.J. Tarasoff, will serve as club president, and intermediate Woody Dixon will assume responsibilities as vice president. Both of these offices are important for planning club activities. The office of secretary will be shared by Ashley Karsh and Grace Tarasoff. Jesse Knutsen will keep track of club finances as club treasurer. Susanna Thompson and McKenna Quinn will organize a scrapbook as club Hhistorians. Isabelle Thompson will serve as recreation chairman (her first order of business was to plan a roller skating party at Roller Barn). Once again, Heather Dixon was elected to serve as club reporter. This is the third consecutive year that this junior member has been elected to hold the office.

At this time, 10 families with 22 children have expressed interest in being part of the club in the coming year. Robin Karsh will continue to serve as leader of the club.

Most of the parents have signed up to serve as project leaders for special projects. The club primarily offers support to homeschooling families whose members pursue individual and group interests as part of their academic training.

Club wins

at county fair

At Island County Fair in August, members of the three-year old Craft and Creatures 4-H Club received countless ribbons and trophies for individual and club achievement in dozens of diverse projects. The club was represented in performing arts, Horseless Horseman, culinary skills, needlework, gardening, expressive arts and more. The club received blue ribbons for their club banner and club scrapbook The Whidbey News-Times featured an article on the club last August as the club worked on their scrapbook together at Patchwork Memories and readied for Island County Fair. Several members prepared educational posters, and individual members agave blue ribbon performances for their public speaking at Island County Fair as well, ranging in topics from horse grooming to tree-house construction.

A.J. Tarasoff received Grand Champion in senior performing arts for his clowning. He then was invited to perform at the State Fair in Puyallup.

Heather Dixon and McKennna Quinn received a Reserve Grand Champion in junior performing arts for a ballet and creative movement dance choreographed and performed by the two girls.

Woody Dixon received Grand and Reserve Championships for intermediate photography. He had entries in every photography category.

Ashley Karsh received Grand Champion and Reserve Champion for junior photography.

McKenna Quinn won Grand Champion in the Horseless Horseman competition. This was a competition between all age groups for horse handling and knowledge held at the horse arena. She was one of the youngest entrants.

Patrick Quinn won a Grand Champion for his large display of carnivorous plants. Patrick was instrumental in teaching the younger members about wild creatures in the past year as well.

Crafts and Creatures 4-H Club members are preparing for even more projects in the coming year. With the new slate of officers elected, the gears are turning and the group activities are being set, as individuals start setting personal goals for the new years projects. Woody Dixon is preparing a club Web site for easier communication among the members.

The 4-H program provides a great framework for children to gain recognition in their specific areas of interest.