The Town ‘N Kountry Kids Blue Group met on March 19 at the Letcher Community Center. A light meal was served by the leaders prior to the meeting.

The meeting was called to order by President Brady Larson. The pledges were led by Shay Bechen and Cole Wilson. The roll call question of favorite college basketball team was answered by members. The group welcomed one new member, Aubrey Goral, to the meeting. The secretary’s report was read by Hudson Fouberg and approved. Hudson also read the thank you card received from the Sanborn County Food Pantry for the donation in December. Payton Uecker gave the treasurer’s report, and it was approved. No safety officer report was available. Health Officer, Bryce Larson, provided information to members on “Getting enough protein in your diet.” Members were reminded to keep writing letters to their adopted grandparents monthly. 

Old Business:

• Park updates/basketball hoops at Rossy Park – Stacy Zoss reported that the committee investigated the cost of new basketball hoops and are checking with the city to make sure it is okay. Discussion was held by club members. A motion was made by Hudson Fouberg to purchase new basketball hoops, and was seconded by Ramsey Fouberg to approve the purchase. The planning committee is also looking at purchasing something to put between the Community Center and Jake’s Lounge.  

• Buzzer Board – Steve Zoss is doing some checking on these. He has spoken with several other counties looking for a type that others recommend.  

• Fruit Sales and pickup – Members were reminded that pickup is March 27 and that an e-mail should be going out about assigned times. They were also reminded to deliver fruit right away.

• Teen Leadership Academy – Delaney Zoss provided an update on the latest meeting.

• Shooting sports update – Cole Wilson, Teagen Moody, and Kelly Wilson provided updates. The 3D Archery shoot a few weeks ago was successful.

• Goal planning sheets were collected from members present.

• The talk/demonstration sign up sheet was passed around.

• Letcher Fun Days will be June 12-13. The planning committee will meet later for ideas.

New Business:

• Ice Skating – Several members of the club spoke on how well they enjoyed the club outing on March 18. If a club member needs a group picture for the record book, let Jen Fouberg know, and she can text or e-mail it.

• Eye-Glass Community Service Project – This statewide service project was reviewed with members. Club members discussed, and Kelly Wilson volunteered to decorate a box for Sanborn Central School and place an announcement in the school news. Miley Adams will decorate one for the bank in Letcher.

• T-Shirt Design Contest – Members were reminded of this activity on the state 4-H page and encouraged to submit ideas.

• Yard Clean Up Activity – Members discussed this community service project idea for Shirley Enfield’s home and business in Letcher, as well as at Rossy Park. When the weather is nicer, leaders will send out an e-mail or text to members, letting them know when and where to report for clean up. Those that are able to attend will plan to do so. 

• Community Service Projects – The City of Letcher has asked if the club would take on staining the new fence at Rossy Park. Discussion was held, and club members will plan to do it the same day as the yard clean-up. 

• Spring Perennial Flower Exchange – Several ideas were discussed among members.  Members agreed that they would like to do some type of horticulture project, but could not agree on one thing. Steve Zoss will do some checking with Audra on possibly doing a project with other counties as well. Things discussed included: Perennial flower exchange, Horiticulture ID, and grass head plantings.

• Brookings Field Trip – An idea was brought forth to tour the SDSU Dairy Microlab as a club. Discussion was held, and a motion was made by Teagen Moody, seconded by Cain Zoss, to move forward with a date selection. Leaders will look at school calendars and send information out to families.

• Stacy Zoss provided a leader’s report and included dates to remember:

o May 31: Deadline to register for 4-H online;

o YQCA needs to be done if showing any animal;

o May 1 – Rodeo packets are due;

o March 25 – 7 p.m. is  the Sanborn County Leaders meeting in Forestburg. All are welcome;

o April 2-3 (Wessington Springs) and June 7 (Forestburg) are Goat Tying clinics. Contact the 4-H office with questions;

o March 27 – 10 a.m., is the Beef Market Weigh-ins at the Artesian Vet Clinic (pull hair and get green tags);

o March 27 – 4-H fruit pickup 

o 4-H Camp is June 2-4 for ages 8-12. Sara Adams is planning to go as a chaperone.  This is at Lake Poinsett. If anyone is interested, talk to the 4-H office. Male chaperones are always needed.

o April 23-25 is State Shoot in Pierre.

o Aug. 5-7 – Achievement days in Forestburg;

Talks included:  Cain Zoss – Photography 101, Hudson Fouberg – How to make tie dyed jeans, Ramsey Fouberg – How to make a rice bag.

Executive Committee items for discussion:

Things that the kids brain stormed on included: 

Letcher Fun Day – 5K, bean bag tourney, face painting, three-on-three basketball, kickball, fishing derby (with parent), dunk tank – need to call Under the Sun Rental, Bingo;

Field Trips – Rockport Colony, SDSU, Stockyard Ag Experience, Air Madness, Rollerblading, Bowling, Kickball with Red Group/4-H Alumni;

Cloverbud Activities – grass head, coloring contest, lego build, stickers;

Club Judging ideas – Horticulture, Livestock, Horse, CDM;

Community Service Project ideas – Letcher clean-up, staining fence, painting fire hydrants, new garbage containers on main street, clean-up 4-H grounds. The group could apply for ALM grant for trash cans or BB hoops;

Club Goals 2021 – Everyone complete a record book (could offer help time before or after club meeting), everyone complete a demonstration or talk at the county or club level, everyone complete at least one project.

…See pictures in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!