Current and past members and their family and friends got together Sunday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Wheatland Willing Workers 4-H Club.
The club, founded in 1936, is the second oldest existing 4-H club in Kenosha County, said Tedi Winnett, director of Kenosha County UW-Extension. (Bristol Challenge is the oldest club).
The celebration was held at New Munster Park and featured plentiful food, door prizes, a silent auctions, club history, games and presentations from various officials.
In attendance was Arlene Roanhaus, who joined the Wheatland Willing Workers in the late 1930s. She enjoyed 4-H enough as a member to go right into leadership after graduation, eventually accumulating 35 years as a leader of the club.
Roanhaus originally was a member of the Salem Live Wires for one year, but changed clubs for a very specific reason.
“I wanted to learn to sew and they (Wheatland) had a sewing leader,” Roanhaus said.
With all of her experience in 4-H, Roanhaus has a ready answer if you ask her about the value of 4-H. For parents, they know their children are engaged in constructive activities with good supervision, she said.
As for the youth members, “they learn so many skills they wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn in school.”
Following is some video of the various presentations made Sunday.
Here the club shows its appreciation for being named by Keith Wilson as the recipient of a $2,500 grant from Monsanto:
Here town Supervisor Andrew Lois presents the club with recognition from the town of Wheatland:
Here state Rep. Tyler August presents recognition from the state legislature:
Here UW-Extension representatives make a presentation:
Here club leader Mary Daniels is recognized for putting together the celebration: