It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Sixteen young people met President George W. Bush and talked with him about their 4-H projects showcased in action exhibits at an August 6 picnic held at Bittersweet Farm in Stratham.

As the first 4-H member to greet the President, Molly Hanlon demonstrated how to make fabric napkin angels. “I was surprised how easy it was talking to the President and how interested he was in my project,” she said. “Another thing that was really wonderful is that he went to all of the displays and projects, he didn't skip any.”

After visiting with Molly, the President moved on to Amy Hanlon’s rabbit display and took her sick bunny quiz. “It was fun making him take my quiz and he was a really good sport about it,” Amy said.

Meggie and Paddy Bowling demonstrated spinning, while their brother Tomas presented President Bush with an elephant he’d made that morning using needle felting techniques. At the table featuring crafts projects, President Bush talked with Samantha Strebel, who demonstrated how to make envelopes, and Ashley Harris, who was painting garden gnomes. At a table focusing on health projects, Holley and Heather Weeks demonstrated how to take blood pressure and perform CPR. President Bush sat right down in the chair and asked Heather to take his blood pressure, later joking with the press corps that Heather had said he was in good health.

The President next visited the consumer and horticultural judging table coordinated by Chris Rice, followed by a display of quilts 4-H’ers had made for the ABC Quilt Project or for David’s House, two organizations that donate handmade quilts to children facing major illnesses.

Lester Barthelemy demonstrated his skill at fixing leather saddles. Cacia and Morgan King had a display on 4-H Operation Military Kids and a shooting sports educational display. Clint Townson talked with President Bush about his sheep activities, focusing on feed and breed identification. Cori and Grace Magnusson shared their experiences creating robots.

In addition to the gift of the hand-made elephant, the President received a New Hampshire 4-H baseball cap from Chris Rice, a N.H. 4-H Making our Best Better T-shirt from Samantha Strebel, and a 4-H Liberty Bear from Clint Townson.

4-H volunteers Monica Hanlon, Susan Rice, Robin Weeks, Sue Strebel, Judy Cogger, Mike and Michele King, Lucy Rhodes, Brenda Barthelemy, Lisa Townson, Cheryl McCarthy, and Kris Magnusson helped with the showcase. Rockingham County 4-H Youth Development Educator Lynn Garland organized the event to show the diversity of interests youth pursue in the 4-H Youth Development Program of UNH Cooperative Extension.

By Lynn Garland, Rockingham County 4-H Youth Development Educator

4-H provides many opportunities for youth to develop their Head, Heart, Hands, and Health for Better Living. Contact the UNH Cooperative Extension office in your county for more information about 4-H educational programs for youth 5 to 18 years old.