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During the early part of the 20th Century, the 4-H Club was virtually
the only extracurricular activity associated with rural schools. 4-H had
started in several states the late 1800's, but as I understand it,
it began in Branch County around 1900 as a Boys and Girls Club,
and became a Michigan State University extension department perhaps
as late as 1912.' Their aims were as follows:
To help young people EXPLORE their interests through fun, engaging
hands-on learning experiences led by committed adults in their local
communities.
To give youth and adults opportunities to EXPERIENCE the benefits
pf working together to reach common goals
To help young people ACHIEVE through knowledge, success and
friendships that last a lifetime.
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In the early thirties, when I was first afforded the opportunity to
participate in the 4-H program at Centennial School, the emphasis
for girls was on homemaking. For boys it was agriculture, animal
husbandry and carpentry. The group usually met at the nearby
home of “Lizzie” Burton, and my first experience was in learning
how to neatly hem a dish towel. After arduous practice and frequent
restarts, I finally graduated into making simple seams on a sewing
machine. With no rural electrification that meant learning to
coordinate one’s feet on the treadle while the hand guided the
needle. I don’t remember for sure if I was in the fourth or fifth
grade by that time, but I do remember spending considerable
time ripping out and re-sewing those seams before Mrs. Burton
was satisfied with my work.
By the time I reached the seventh or eighth grade, I had advanced
into dressmaking and was becoming what I thought was an
accomplished seamstress. Best of all, my dress was selected
as one to be entered in the county-wide 4-H Fair that August.
I was delighted to find I had won second prize until I found first
prize had gone to another girl in my class. Only much later did
I realize that winning second prize in competition with so many
others was a real achievement.
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When we gathered for a meeting, we always said the 4-H pledge.
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I pledge
My HEAD to cleared thinking,
My HEART to greater royalty,
My HANDS to larger service,
My HEALTH to better living
For my club, my community,
My country and my world.
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During the school year the boys were taught woodworking. Lizzie’s
husband, Lyman Burton, taught the boys how to work with tools
and make simple products such as a tool box or magazine rack.
The county fair was the big event of the year in the community.
On display were all kinds of agricultural products from farmers
and housewives as well as those from 4-H club youths. There were
also carnival rides and I was never able to understand why my
father preferred to view displays of farm products or attend a
harness race to taking a ride on the Ferris wheel.
The 4-H County Fair is still a big annual event in Coldwater. I
sometimes wonder if the youth of today enjoy being a 4-H
member as much as I did. I understand girls learn much more
than homemaking these days, things as diverse as global and
space exploration, citizenship, veterinary science, earth science,
and much more.
Submitted by Marian Sherburne Zang G-75-42
 Music Playing - Seven Spanish Angels
©copyright NCG/MSZ 2007
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