"April the First 2012"

Ben West (photo below) is dressed in western attire as is his cousin John West (with mic & wearing a vest). Ben & I suspected we were cousins for many years, but could not prove it. A few years ago our y-DNA proved we were cousins!

We do not look all that much alike, but we sure look like cowboys! We may be even wearing the same hat brand. Ben was "encouraged" to wear his cowboy outfit during a patient safety fair where he works. I am at the Warrick County, Indiana 4-H Achievement Dinner presenting the TSGS Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to Madison McClane for her work in the 4-H Genealogy Project. TSGS President Don Counts accompanied me in the presentation. I think Ben, Don & I all had fun involved in our activities. Click on photos for larger images.

This is not an April Fools trick! - JGWest

Warrick County 4-H Awards Banquet 2012

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TSGS President Don Counts & TSGS Vice-President John G. West present the Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to a very proud young lady - Madison McClane. The award is sponsored by the Tri-State Genealogical Society. Madison was recognized for her achievement in the 4-H Genealogy Project in Warrick Co., Indiana. John as the TSGS 4-H Coordinator presents this award in Vanderburgh and surrounding counties each year.John also serves as the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution state chair of the 4-H Youth Awards Program and annually presents an SAR Outstanding Citizenship Lapel Pin. This year's winner is Abigail Clark pictured below. John & Don also serve as state officers for the Indiana SAR Society. For many years John wore his Revolutionary War uniform to present this award. Then when presenting the TSGS genealogy award, John would say "switching hats" but did not have a different hat. This year John wore western attire (as did President Counts) to have a hat that might better match 4-H and then when awarding the SAR Citizenship award John put on a tri-corn hat worn by the Colonist during the Revolutionary War.TSGS members: Ken Gilkey, Peggy Gilkey, Betty Counts & TSGS Program Chair Becky West attended the awards event, as well.

- Photographers were Ken & Peggy Gilkey and Betty Counts

TSGS Awards Another 4-H Member

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November gave me an opportunity to recognize two 4-H members from two counties in Southwestern Indiana. November 1st. I was in Posey County presenting a TSGS Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to Morgan Zoch as was posted recently. November 18th., Becky & I attended the Vanderburgh 4-H Awards Banquet to present a certificate to John Mentzel.

The award is based on the 4-H Achievement Record of the 4-H member in the project of Genealogy, as evaluated by the county awards committee of the 4-H Council, Inc. In Vanderburgh County, the award has been awarded each year for over 25 years. I have been fortunate to serve as the TSGS 4-H Coordinator and have the honor of presenting the award on behalf of our society.

I was unable to get a photograph this year of John. Congratulations to John and his family for his achievement in one of today's most difficult 4-H projects (but one of the most rewarding!).

- JGWest, TSGS 4-H Coordinator

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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TSGS Award Presentation

19 Feb 2011

Warrick County 4-H Center

Boonville, Indiana

4-H Genealogy Project

Danielle Wire

I am at the presentation table about to announce the 2011 Glenda K. Trapp Memorial Award Certificate to Danielle Wire. This award is given annually to 4-H members who have excelled in the 4-H Genealogy Project work. The award is sponsored by the Tri-State Genealogical Society. As the TSGS 4-H Coordinator, I have the honor to present the award. Danielle could not be present... the President of her Degonia 4-H Club, Elizabeth Lewis, accepted the award in her absence. (The photo of Miss Lewis did not come out clear.)

[L-R: John G. West, Kailee Taylor (4-H member of the 4-H Council), Carla Kidwell (Extension Educator, 4-H Youth)]

I am dressed in my Revolutionary War Uniform to present another National Award sponsored by the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution. I serve as State Chair of the 4-H Youth Awards. The award is a lapel pin for Outstanding Citizenship. The County 4-H organization selects the winner based on Achievement through Community Service, Leadership & Citizenship. This year's winner was the most impressive of those I have presented in the past. Congratulations to Katelyn Mehling of the Lakeside 4-H Club.

Katelyn Mehling

2011 SAR Outstanding Citizenship

Award Winner

Katelyn Mehling, 2011 Outstanding Citizenship Award Winner for Warrick County.

[Click on image to enlarge... Miss Mehling is holding her SAR lapel pin.]

- Top photo taken by Bree Neely
- Bottom photo taken by Katelyn Mehling's mother.
- Compiled by JGWest

4-H Genealogy Project

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I am currently judging 4-H exhibits for area county fairs... something I have done now for almost 30 years and enjoy doing. It is an honor for me to contribute to 4-H Youth by judging the 4-H Genealogy Fair Notebooks for 3-5 local counties each year and for the last 3 years at the Indiana State Fair.

Over 30 years ago, I asked the Tri-State Genealogical Society to sponsor an Achievement Award for the Genealogy Project. The Executive Board agreed to sponsor the award. Edna Kasper was working at a print shop and she helped me to design a very nice 4-H Certificate and we created the TSGS Certificates of Appreciation, as well. Over the years, I have re-designed the 4-H Certificate. Marti Williams, at one point, after Glenda Trapp's death, suggested that we make the Certificate a Memorial to her. So, now we have the Glenda Trapp Memorial Award Certificate for 4-H Youth.

County 4-H Fairs will be popping up all over the tri-state, in fact several are going on right now. I have found links to the dates for county fairs in the three states of IL, IN & KY if you would like to attend one of the local county fairs... many will have genealogy fair exhibits on display. Check them out and let me know what you find. Not all states or even counties have the 4-H genealogy project... each state's projects vary. If your local 4-H program has the genealogy project, see what you can do to help.

Here are those fair lists:
http://www.agr.state.il.us/fair/countyfairssched.php
http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/new/10%20County%20Fairs.pdf
http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/fair/lclagfairs.htm

- Compiled by JGWest