Features Editor

The Pike County Extension Office is looking for "lost 4-H sheep" so they may be included in the gigantic celebration planned in honor of the 100th anniversary of 4-H in America and the 90th anniversary of 4-H in Alabama.

Tammy Powell, county extension coordinator, said the theme for the celebration is "A Century of 4-H: Building Leaders Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."

"This is going to be our only chance to celebrate 100 years of 4-H so we are planning a big to-do at the Cattleman Park," Powell said. "It will be celebration of 4-H and a reunion of 4-H’ers and everyone who has been a part of 4-H is invited."

Powell said the extension office is on a quest to locate all lost 4-H sheep.

"We want to know the names and addresses of all people in Pike County who have ever been in 4-H at any time," she said. "We don’t care whether they were a 4-H’er in Pike County, Ala., or Pike County, Ky., or whether they were in 4-H for one year or for 10 years. We want to know who they are."

Forms have been mailed to former 4-H’ers for whom addresses were available. However, those are not the lost 4-H sheep, so Powell is

making a plea for those who have not been in contact with the county extension office in recent years to notify the office in writing as to their whereabouts.

"We would like for former 4-H’ers to send us their name, address and where they were in 4-H and for how many years," Powell said. "We would also like to know about any interesting experiences they had while in 4-H."

This information may be mailed to: Pike County 4-H Council, 306 South Three Notch Street, Troy, AL 36081.

The 4-H clubs started in Pike County as Boys Corn Clubs and Tomato Canning Clubs.

"The Tomato Canning Club at Union Hill was the first tomato club in Alabama," Powell said. "Sarah Luther started the club in 1911 and rode a spotted horse from Troy to Union Hill with all of the equipment needed to conduct the canning club. We have a rich heritage in 4-H here in Pike County. The 4-H Club has helped countless young people become more productive and contributing members of society."

Several volunteers, who have been instrumental in the continuing success of the 4-H program in Pike County, will receive special recognition at the centennial celebration, but all 4-H members, past and present will the the honored guests.

"We want to celebrate the heritage of 4-H and all of those who have been and are a part of the program," Powell said. "So, we encourage everyone to let us know who they are and where they are and then to join us at the ‘Century of 4-H’ celebration Aug. 17 at Cattleman Park.