4-H Volunteer’s Banquet
On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the Colfax County 4-H Council held their annual Volunteer Banquet. Russ Pickhinke, Aubrie Hanna, and Steve McKelvey of Steve’s Madhouse Market were honored for their dedication to the Colfax County 4-H Program. The awards were sponsored by the Colfax County 4-H Council and the Nebraska 4-H Foundation.
Russ Pickhinke of Howells was honored with the Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award. As a youth, Russ was an active member of the Howells 4-H Hustlers and enjoyed showing cattle. In 1991, he became the leader of the 4-H Hustlers- a position he held until he stepped down in 2013. Throughout his tenure as a leader, Russ championed the belief that 4-H youth should actively engage with their own livestock and develop an understanding of their animals to become better showman and livestock judgers. His dedication extended to mentoring kids with their livestock at the county and state fair. Russ also encouraged club projects, such as making blocking chutes, rockets, stepping stones, and first aid kits, emphasizing that 4-H should not only be an educational pursuit but also an enjoyable one. Under his guidance, the club undertook initiatives including making floats for the fair parades and participation in the livestock judging contests at the fairgrounds. Russ also volunteered by taking charge of the Funnel Cake Stand. He tried new food items and created metal frames for the fryers, enhancing efficiency and safety. Even as the Funnel Cake Stand transitioned to the Food Stand and selling ice cream, Russ continued to donate his time and skills. When the Food Stand was looking into a cotton candy machine, he found one and paid for half of the new machine. He continues to donate the dishes and waffle cones we use each year.
Aubrie Hanna of Leigh was awarded the 2023 Outstanding 4-H member. Aubrie joined 4-H in 2014 as a Clover Kid and has been an actively involved member ever since. She has tried her hand at and completed projects in various areas including sheep, woodworking, sewing, art, small animals, cake decorating, knitting, horticulture, and archery. Aubrie has been an active member in two 4-H clubs in two counties in the last 10 years, holding all officer positions for Platte County Bullseye Archery Club and acting as club treasurer for Colfax County Blue Banner 4-H Club. She has also served as 4-H Council representative for Blue Banner for the last 3 years where she has been elected Vice-Chair and Chairperson of the Council and served on the Scholarship Committee. During her time with the clubs, she has participated in numerous community volunteer activities including serving food to Platte County Habitat for Humanity building volunteers, fairground bench and table painting, and assisting with the Colfax County Livestock Judging Competition. She enjoys working with other 4-H members and supporting them with their projects, often stepping in to help show livestock for fellow exhibitors or giving her time to help guide new 4-Hers and Clover Kids with sheep and static exhibit projects. Aubrie’s pride and excitement in 4-H has been evident over the last 10 years. In a recent Senior Spotlight article in the Leigh World, she stated that being involved in 4-H has been one of her favorite hobbies outside of school.
Steve McKelvey of Steve’s Madhouse Market located in Leigh was honored as the Friend of 4-H. Steve’s Madhouse Market supports 4-H through multiple acts of service and dedication. Over the years, they have given their time to make the meat patties for the meals served at the Colfax County Fair Beef Show. They have also donated water on those hot fair days for the contestants and spectators and have been a reliable source for delicious watermelons for the county fair clean up days. In recent years, when the 4-H Council was exploring the option of serving UNL Dairy Store Ice Cream at the 4-H Food Stand, they generously lent the use of one of their small freezers to store and serve the ice cream from. This business has always been a solid supporter of Colfax County 4-H with service, donations, and the talent of the generous employees.
Many leaders were also honored for their milestone years of service to the Colfax County 4-H program. Recognized for 50 years of service: Linda Grovijohn; 29 years, Renae Vogel; 25 years, Marla Prusa; 22 years, Jill Ruskamp; 14 years, Danelle Marxsen; 10 years, Phillip Wendt; 9 years, Rachel Malena; 8 years, Chris Bourek, Tina Bourek, Brent Brabec; 7 years, Laura Eisenmann; 5 years, Al Sucha; 4 years, Brandy Balzer, Sara Prinz; 2 years, Jill Bailey, Jamie Hastrieter, Amanda Jedlicka, Greg Shonka, Staci Shonka, Cori Vavricek; 1 year, Brianna Burenheide, Kari Kracl. A combined total of 217 years of service!
Guests were treated to a presentation by Tamara Boettcher and Melanie Jensen of Global Passion Ministries.
