The 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday night at Canterbury Woods Country Club, with over 75 in attendance.

Several awards were handed out during the evening’s festivities, including the 2008 4-H Alumni award to out-going Foundation Chair Tom Frangione, who has served on the foundation board the past six years. A slide show showcased Tom's long commitment to 4-H, beginning as a child showing sheep, to his trip to Egypt as an IFYE representative, volunteering as a chaperone at State 4-H Teen conferences, and on to his years on the Foundation.

Two Friends of 4-H also were recognized, including Blue Seal Feeds, Inc., with Chris Streeter accepting the plaque on the firm’s behalf, and long-time 4-H leader and supporter Ruth Kimball, whose award was presented to her daughters, Corinne Miller and Carolyn Davis, as Ruth was unable to attend.

State Rep. Maurice Pilotte read the proclamation from Gov. John Lynch, applauding the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire for 50 successful years, and Jack Weeks, Robert Robertson, Mark Riel and Steve Tullar reminisced about their years on the Foundation and how it has grown since its inception in 1958.

Board members Steve Tullar and Tom Frangione were recognized for completing their terms on the Foundation Board. Those in attendance voted to accept new board members Jeff Brodeur of Goffstown and Barry Rock of Durham, and the new slate of officers, David Bishop, chair, Jean Richardson, vice chair and Laurie Conrad, secretary.

Grafton County 4-H Youth Development Educator Kathy Jablonski was the proud winner of the 4-H quilt supporting the 2008 Northeast Volunteer Forum, which takes place next week in Manchester, and a lively auction, led by Robert Robertson, inspired some friendly bidding wars among the guests.

Several in attendance were videotaped by World Wide Web and Media Specialist Faye Cragin, so look for these short videos soon on our 4-H Foundation web page.

Those attending all received 4-H Centennial coins and a 4-H Foundation of NH lapel pin as mementoes.

Shown in the top left photo is Tom Frangione, out-going chair, receiving his 2008 4-H Alumni Award from Wendy Brock, 4-H Youth Development program leader and executive director of the Foundation. In the top right photo, State Rep. Maurice Pilotte, left, reads Gov. John Lynch's proclamation before presenting it to Foundation Chair Tom Frangione, while Wendy Brock looks on.