I admit it. I never was part of 4-H when I was a kid. I wasn't involved in FFA, either.

Being the musical type, I just didn't connect with that in my junior high and high school days. My afternoons were spent hanging out with other musical types in the choir room. Talking about music, listening to music, rehearsing music. This course of action was broken up throughout the year with preparations for state solo contests or honor choir tryouts, as well as choreographing the stage blocking, learning the lines and building the sets for spring musicals.

Submitted photo

They felt that Christmas is a wonderful time for everyone, but especially for children. They decided that new or relatively new toys could help ease a child's pain and hopefully distract them from the reality of having to spend Christmas in a hospital.

Veterinarian Chris McIlmoil of the Country Animal Clinic in Island City has seen an increase in pigeon fever cases. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Pigeon fever was first reported in California in 1915. It occurs sporadically in arid regions of the West and seems to be expanding in territory. In recent years it has cropped up as far east as Kentucky and Florida. This disease appeared for the first time in eastern Oregon a few years ago, says veterinarian Chris McIlmoil, Country Animal Clinic, Island City.

AT THE HEART of the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show are FFA and 4-H kids like Kagan Koehn, Cove, and their livestock projects. - MARDI FORD photo

Why not establish a 501c3 (not-for-profit) foundation that would enable financial supporters of the 100-year old Eastern Oregon Livestock Show to make tax-deductible donations?

Such a move, Knott believed, would assure financial support for the next 100 years of the regional livestock show.

The Cove FFA livestock judging team poses with their coach Toby Koehn. From left are Hannah Delcurto, Katie Moore, Mariah Murchison and Katy Puckett. Not pictured is Brent Osterberg. - Submitted photo

Winning the state trophy was also a first for the community of Cove, a first for the school and a first for the three-year-old FFA chapter. It seems this group likes setting firsts.

Although a state win has its own merit, the team didn't rest on its laurels for long. Winning state meant the top four scoring members of the Cove team would represent Oregon at the 2007 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Another first.

Robert Hoadley, son of Roxanne Stephens and Scott Hoadley of La Grande, has been chosen to represent Union County at the National 4-H Congress this month in Atlanta.

"I'm really excited. This is going to be very cool," he said.

Hoadley was a member of the Pleasure Riders 4-H horse club for six years, until he graduated from La Grande High School last spring. Currently, he is a freshman enrolled in Oregon State University's ag program at Eastern Oregon University.

Brett Hedden, son of Mike and Cristie Hedden, La Grande, earned his American FFA Degree at the 80th National FFA convention held in Indianapolis in October.

The American Degree is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes the member's leadership abilities and achievements in agricultural business, production, processing and service programs.

To be eligible for the American Degree, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a Supervised Agriculture Experience program.