MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County 4-H clubs are gearing up this month for another year of fun, friends and learning, with 4-H clubs across the county now reorganizing and enrolling new members.

Youth in Kindergarten through Grade 13 (one year out of high school) can join a 4-H club.

In 4-H, youths develop and practice valuable skills, such as decision-making, critical thinking, record keeping, cooperation, goal setting, problem solving, communication, public speaking, and leadership, according to a release issued by the county.

4-H in Morris County has created a new club focused on robotics this fall. The club will meet at the North Jersey STEM Enrichment Center located at One Romaine Road, Mountain Lakes. Click here for more information.

4-H provides real-life, positive youth development experiences. Members learn “life skills,’’ how to do tasks and make decisions similar to those in adult life.

“Using life skills, members learn how to manage their resources, work together in groups, develop critical thinking skills and communicate with others,” said Kelly Dziak, program associate of Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Morris County.

Families are an important part of the 4-H Youth Development Program. Parents, brothers, sisters and other members of the family can learn new skills and adopt new ideas by being a part of the 4-H program experiences and educational opportunities. 4-H is adaptable to each individual, each home and each community.

4-H clubs also get involved in service learning or community service activities designed to improve the circumstances in their community.

Through activities like cleaning up neighborhoods or assisting with local food pantries, 4-H members learn civic engagement, citizenship, and leadership skills.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

For more information about the Morris County 4-H Program call the 4-H office at (973) 285-8301 or visit the Morris County 4-H website by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted this week to protect New Jersey’s 130 miles of coastline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Coastal Marine Economics Protection Act (H.R. 1941) passed in the House last night with bipartisan support. It would establish a permanent moratorium on oil and gas leasing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146) that passed today is a bipartisan proposal to repeal a provision of the 2017 tax bill that opened the coastal plain of ANWR to oil and gas leasing developments.

“New Jersey’s coastline is a precious resource that sustains our environment, fishing industry, and tourism economy,” said Representative Sherrill. “Offshore drilling puts all three of those things at risk. Congress needs to focus on growing our clean energy economy and following New Jersey’s lead by investing in a clean energy future.

“New Jersey residents recognize that opening up protected and delicate ecosystems to drilling presents serious concerns that extend beyond the Jersey shore. The first question I ever answered from a resident in our community was about ANWR. I will continue to work hard to safeguard our public lands.”

EAST HANOVER — You may be busy raising your family or serving as a caregiver for relatives and regret not having the time to help improve your community. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has a solution to that dilemma. On Thursday, October 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., you can help improve the lives of others and have fun while doing so by attending the Kiwanis annual wine tasting at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. This wine Tasting is the Kiwanis Club’s largest fundraising event with the goal of supporting programs that benefit children and youth.

The local programs funded by the Kiwanis Club include: sponsored youth programs in the Parsippany Troy Hills school district, such as Key Clubs in both high schools, Builders Clubs in the middle schools, and K-Kids Clubs in all of the elementary schools; Parsippany Day Care Center; Parsippany Library; the Stickley Farms family fun day and numerous other 501(c)3 organizations that serve children and families. In addition to this financial support of children’s leadership development and service initiatives, the club meets the basic needs of the less fortunate families in our community by providing food and food cards, toiletry items, and blankets through a partnership with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Community Center. The Club also supports state and national organizations that serve the needs of children and their families.

Joe Canal’s is a co-sponsor of the wine tasting event. The event includes silent and live auctions; delicious hot and cold buffet; wines and liquors; and an opportunity to help raise money and do good for others.
Tickets are only $65 each. Kiwanis is a 501(C)3 organization and your contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

This year, Kiwanis Club is partnering with Sons of Italy #2561.

If you would like to purchase tickets, visit kiwaniswinetasting.com, or call Frank Cahill (862) 213-2200.