NEW AND NOTABLE
Billy Greer of North Chatham and Judy Bury of Kinderhook have been selected to receive the Dot Ball Memorial 4-H Leader Award from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties’ 4-H Youth Development Program. They have a total of 47 years volunteering in support of local youth.
This award is presented in memory of Dorothy Ball. Wanting to help her children and other neighborhood children, Ball started a 4-H club, the West Copake Lassies, in 1954. She led the club for 20 years. After that, she continued to support 4-H as a public presentation and county fair judge for an additional 20 years.
Greer is the organizational leader of the Baker’s Dozen 4-H Club, located in the North Chatham area. He started his 4-H club along with his wife, Kira, when their triplets were 10 years old. As their 4-H members have become teens, they have transitioned their typical 4-H project meetings to engaging in meaningful community service projects such as a Christmastime nursing home visit and volunteering at the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless.
As the 4-H Milk Bar, which is open during the Columbia County Fair, is a totally volunteer-led enterprise, more of a careerdevelopment and learning opportunity for 4-H members than a fundraiser, periodically it is looking for new leadership. Several years ago, Greer stepped forward. With his seasoned food service experience, he has led the ice cream booth in a positive direction. Along the way, he has taught the teens running the booth essential skills such as teamwork, customer service, and communication.
Greer is also involved in Cornell Cooperative Extension in other ways: as president of the Board of Directors, as a member of the 4-H Youth Development Advisory Committee and as a 4-H evaluator for public presentations and food exhibits.
Bury is a project leader for the Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club, located in the Kinderhook area. Her history as a 4-H club leader began in the 1960s when she started a 4-H club in Wallkill for the children in her neighborhood as her three children at that time were all under
5 years old.
When she moved to Columbia County, Bury established the Blondies 4-H Club. Her 4-H club activities were always based on the interests of the 4-H members. Her own expertise as a home economics teacher took them far with cooking, sewing, child care, first aid and crafting. She was all about bringing the neighborhood in to support the 4-H members and found community members to teach projects such as woodworking and electricity.
Bury led the 4-H club for more than 20 years. She then stepped back to be a project leader as her daughter started the Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club. In this new role, Bury was first an assistant club leader, then continued as a project leader, a mentor (to both 4-H members and their parents), and a sounding board when considering new projects.
Bury’s nominator describes her best, “She always meets the 4-Hers at their level and encourages them to try harder than they think they are able while providing the necessary guidance to help them
be successful”.
In recognition of their accomplishments, Greer and Bury were presented with a gift certificate to one of their favorite local restaurants where they can enjoy a night out.
Also recognized were 4-H club leaders who have attained five-year increments of active involvement. They are:
• Five-year silver award — Abigail Schweter, Bananas 4-H Club and Teen Ambassadors 4-H Club; Alex Johnk, Medway Mountaineers 4-H Club; Amy Hilliard, Country Cousins 4-H Club; David Charron, Buccaneers 4-H Club; Haley Zurawel, Bananas 4-H Club; Maria Gerber, Curious Country Kids 4-H Club; Meghan Charron, Buccaneers 4-H Club and Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club.
• Ten-year gold award — Sarah Gallagher, Merry Sprites and Knights 4-H Club.
• Fifteen-year pearl award — Emily Kress, Wilderness Workers 4-H Club; Ilene Stark, Little Critters 4-H Club; Kristine Ooms, Farm Friends 4-H Club.
• Thirty-year award — Phil Trowbridge, Columbia Country Feeders 4-H Club; Roberta Keller, Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club.
• Forty-year award — Judy Bury, Udderly Impossibles 4-H Club.
The recognition coincides with National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 18-24.