4-Hers learn new skills at Super Sunday
SUPER SUNDAY LEARNING Dave York, FW&P Fisheries Biologist, is pictured teaching Nolan Taule fly tying techniques. This project is part of the 4-H Sports Fishing Project on Super Sunday held recently. Photo courtesy of Dan Picard-MSU Extension Agent
Members had an opportunity to learn and participate in a variety of activities including Food Safety, Basics of Leatherwork, Fly Tying, Livestock Quality Assurance, and Scrapbooking. They also had the chance to learn how to recycle household items to make Stepping Stones for much less cost than buying a kit.
The special feature was a workshop on how to select, plan, prepare and present a demonstration. Developing public speaking skills in one of the attributes that 4-H alumni cite as a huge asset as they progress through school and into jobs.
The afternoon concluded with a demonstration given by Krystal McDougal judged by Maria Elings and Sheron Curry. McDougal plans to participate in the statewide speech and demonstration competition at Montana 4-H Congress in July, and this local event provided her with feedback to continue to polish her presentation.
The classes were taught by local 4-H leaders and special guests from the region, including Carrie Lerum, Galata; Dave York, Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Choteau; Elisha Dempsey and Dennis Knickerbocker, Shelby; Kent Sheble, Valier; Thales Mullenax and Laurie Hopper, Conrad; and Pondera County Extension Agents Dan Picard and Adele Stenson. Trish Taule and Barb Judisch helped youth who wanted to work on their project books.
Several 4-H members helped throughout the day as well. Senior 4-H Ambassador Mariah Sheble and Ambassador Prospect Krystal McDougal helped throughout the day wherever needed.
Cameron Rodriguez, a 10-year 4-H member, delivered a portion of the Quality Assurance program.
Any 4-Her who takes a market livestock animal to the Fair is required to take QA to learn basic livestock management practices, like how to give vaccinations, and provide appropriate feed, shelter and water.
M. Sheble, Krista Judisch, and Skylar, Jessica and Amber Stenson performed a Food Safety skit for a group of about 30 4-Hers and adults. All 4-H members who participate in the Marias Fair Food Booth are required to take a class every other year on the safe handling of food, so they learn best practices for handling food and personal hygiene while serving the public.
There are about 90 members enrolled in 4-H in Pondera County in a wide variety of projects from Teen Leadership to Robotics. Members participate in project meetings to learn skills from adult or teen mentors in their areas of interest, when volunteers are available.
Conrad businesses get increase in garbage fees
If you, as a business owner, haven’t already received a letter, you will shortly, from the Northern Montana Joint Refuse Disposal District (NMJRDD).
In it, according to the NMJRDD, Conrad has been under assessed by 14 percent and that amount will be made up by the businesses on the 2009 tax statements.
The NMJRDD tracks the amount of garbage that is produced within the city limits of each community and compares the tonnage with the number of assessments in each town.
The annual tonnage for Choteau was 1,220 tons; they are assessed 1,254 units, meaning they are over assessed by three percent.
Conrad produced 1,866 tons of garbage and is assessed 1,606 units, an under assessment of 14 percent.
Cut Bank produced 2,729 tons and has 2,760 units assessed, a one percent assessment overage.
According to the NMJRDD, national industry standards show that the average household produces one half a cubic yard (about 95 gallons or 38.5 pounds) of garbage a week, which converts to 26 yards or one ton of garbage per year.
Based on these standards, each home in the landfill district is assessed one unit.
Because of the disparity in tons produced as compared to units assessed, the NMJRDD has worked with the City of Conrad to improve the accuracy of assessments.
Business assessments are expressed in terms of number of residential equivalents. The garbage assessment is based on the cubic yard volume of the container that the city provides, times the number of pickups per week, divided buy .5 (for the 12 cubic yard residential equivalent).
In it, according to the NMJRDD, Conrad has been under assessed by 14 percent and that amount will be made up by the businesses on the 2009 tax statements.
The NMJRDD tracks the amount of garbage that is produced within the city limits of each community and compares the tonnage with the number of assessments in each town.
The annual tonnage for Choteau was 1,220 tons; they are assessed 1,254 units, meaning they are over assessed by three percent.
Conrad produced 1,866 tons of garbage and is assessed 1,606 units, an under assessment of 14 percent.
Cut Bank produced 2,729 tons and has 2,760 units assessed, a one percent assessment overage.
According to the NMJRDD, national industry standards show that the average household produces one half a cubic yard (about 95 gallons or 38.5 pounds) of garbage a week, which converts to 26 yards or one ton of garbage per year.
Based on these standards, each home in the landfill district is assessed one unit.
Because of the disparity in tons produced as compared to units assessed, the NMJRDD has worked with the City of Conrad to improve the accuracy of assessments.
Business assessments are expressed in terms of number of residential equivalents. The garbage assessment is based on the cubic yard volume of the container that the city provides, times the number of pickups per week, divided buy .5 (for the 12 cubic yard residential equivalent).
Mielke named Teacher of the Year
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Wednesday afternoon the Conrad School District 10 presented their employee recognition program in the Meadowlark School multi-purpose room.
Going on 13 years, the program began in order to recognize personnel staff who are deserving of a special honor.
Jill Johnson, the vice chairman of the school trustees welcomed all the teachers and certified staff to the day’s event.
Before the awards were presented former Conrad High School student Nicole Lindberg sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and received a standing ovation. She also sang a second number later in the program.
Superintendent of School Lynn Utterback commented, “I heard her sing at the Chamber banquet and knew she had to entertain here.”
Carol Mielke, a first grade instructor at Meadowlark School for 13 years was honored as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
She was presented her award by last year’s winner Janie McFarland and school trustee Jan Carter.
She joins other certified staff beginning with Bill Jimmerson, Chuck Powers, Cheryl Schlepp, Linda Garnett, Carol Gunderson, Tara Thielman, Monica Tomayer, Jim Carroll, Debbie Perry, Beth Ann Bolmeier, Carol Brownell, and Janie McFarland.
A number of personnel were recognized for their length of time working in the District. Called up by Elementary Principal Craig Barringer, CHS Principal Ken Larson and PVS Principal Greg Jensen presented service pins.
A five-year pin went to Karen Grubb; 10-year pins were awarded to Dan Brown, Kay LaBarre, and Gavin Grammar.
NUMBER ONE Carol Mielke, a first grade teacher at Meadowlark School, was named the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for District 10. She was presented her award by last years winner Janie McFarland (L) and school trustee Jan Carter during an awards ceremony at Meadowlark School on Wednesday. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
Going on 13 years, the program began in order to recognize personnel staff who are deserving of a special honor.
Jill Johnson, the vice chairman of the school trustees welcomed all the teachers and certified staff to the day’s event.
Before the awards were presented former Conrad High School student Nicole Lindberg sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and received a standing ovation. She also sang a second number later in the program.
Superintendent of School Lynn Utterback commented, “I heard her sing at the Chamber banquet and knew she had to entertain here.”
Carol Mielke, a first grade instructor at Meadowlark School for 13 years was honored as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
She was presented her award by last year’s winner Janie McFarland and school trustee Jan Carter.
She joins other certified staff beginning with Bill Jimmerson, Chuck Powers, Cheryl Schlepp, Linda Garnett, Carol Gunderson, Tara Thielman, Monica Tomayer, Jim Carroll, Debbie Perry, Beth Ann Bolmeier, Carol Brownell, and Janie McFarland.
A number of personnel were recognized for their length of time working in the District. Called up by Elementary Principal Craig Barringer, CHS Principal Ken Larson and PVS Principal Greg Jensen presented service pins.
A five-year pin went to Karen Grubb; 10-year pins were awarded to Dan Brown, Kay LaBarre, and Gavin Grammar.