Extension honors ‘Friends’ and outstanding 4-H leaders

Provided photo: Robert Batt, executive director for the Cornell Cooperative extension in Orleans County, presents a “Friend of the extension” award to Jane Read and her daughter Sheryl Watts. They have been long-time volunteers at the fair in the French fry booth. They order the fries, and make sure the booth is staffed throughout the week, usually with one of their family members. The proceeds go to the 4-H program.

LYNDONVILLE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County held its annual meeting on Tuesday evening at the White Birch and presented awards for “Friend of the Extension” and “Outstanding 4-H Leader.”

Everybody Solar was honored with a Friend of the Extension for its efforts to have 77 solar panels installed on the roof of the Knights Building at the fairgrounds.

Everybody Solar did not have a representative at the annual meeting to accept the award. The company helps non-profits find funding for climate-friendly projects.

Photo by Katie Oakes: Officiating in a ribbon cutting on Oct. 19 to dedicate installation of 77 solar panels on the Knights Building at Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds are, from left, Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick; Cooperative Extension board president Marlene Seielstad; Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Rich Marino of Horseheads, chair of the board of Everybody Solar; and Robert Batt, executive director of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Everybody Solar solicited money from donors to help fund the installation of 77 solar panels on the roof of the Knight’s Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds in 2023. The project was dedicated in October and Extension Executive Director Robert Batt said power generated from the panels will save the Extension more than $4,000 in the first year alone.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This picture was taken during this year’s fair in late July. The group was back selling French fries again to benefit the 4-H program. Pictured from left include Sheryl Watts, Rita Helsdon, Roger Ragan and Jane Read. Jane Read has been volunteering in the booth for more than 40 years. Her daughter Sheryl Watts has been there for more than 30 years. Rita Helsdon also has been a regular for more than three decades. Ragan was a newbie in his second year. They typically go through 90 to 100 cases (30 pounds each) of French fries during the week and raise about $12,000 for the 4-H program. “We promote children and families working together,” Watts said. “The 4-H program teaches the youth to become good citizens and give back to their community.”

Sheryl Watts and her mother Jane Read also were honored with a Friend of the Extension award for their many years of volunteering in the French fry booth at the fair.

Read has been involved as a volunteer for 42 years and Watts has been a part of the program for 30 years, Batt said. They run the French fry stand and raise money for the 4-H program.

“The Fry Stand job takes up countless hours during fair, and Jane still finds time to do her homemade butter demonstration in the Trolley Building on the Wednesday of Fair Week,” batt said.

 Fairgoers are taught about making butter with an antique churn and get to help turn cream into butter. The butter is served with Read’s famous freshly baked rolls.

At holiday time, Watts and Read can be found in the Trolley Building kitchen preparing food for the 4-H Holiday Faire, held the first Saturday in December. The funds raised help support the Orleans County 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program. The popular menu features foods made from scratch: chili, macaroni and cheese, rolls and butter and cinnamon rolls.

Provided photo: Kristina Gabalski, leader of the 4-H program in Orleans County, presents the outstanding 4-H leader award to Alice Mathes and Louise Henderson of Barre.

Another mother-daughter duo was recognized as Outstanding 4-H Leaders. Alice Mathes and her mom, Louise Henderson, are leaders of the Adventurers 4-H Club based in Barre.

“Alice grew up in Orleans County 4-H and both she and Louise are long-time volunteers,” said Kristina Gabalski, 4-H program coordinator in Orleans County. “Through their very active club, Alice and Louise impact the lives of youth with projects that include sewing, cooking, crafts and gardening.”

Their club members are regular participants in the Orleans County 4-H Fashion Revue and the Produced in New York silent cooking competition.

Mathes and Henderson help club members and family members with animal science and livestock projects at the 4-H Fair and oversee a large exhibit in the Trolley Building of project work done by their club members.

“Very few counties in New York State still host a Fashion Revue or Produced in New York – they do not have the volunteer leaders needed to continue these important events,” Gabalski said. “ Program Coordinator said.  “I am so grateful that in Orleans, we have leaders who are willing to share their knowledge, talents and time with youth.”

The two also are active members of the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee, and help with projects at the annual Holiday Workshop. Henderson makes sure the story time area for libraries in the Trolley Building during the Fair is well stocked with fun take-aways for young fairgoers, Gabalski said.

In 2023, bags made from feedbags were filled with healthy snacks, crayons, coloring sheets and books and information about 4-H.