Cape Breton 4-H Leaders' Council

Late in the fall of 1975, a large group of young people met at the South Bar School to register for the South Bar 4-H Club. Slides with a commentary of 4-H in Nova Scotia were shown and registration was taken. About 100 prospective members and leaders attended this gathering. From the group that registered, about 70 boys and girls attended project groups.

In January 1976, janitors of the public school system became unionized. This meant that a $20 janitorial fee had to be paid for general meetings at the school. George MacLeod, now deceased, offered the South Bar Baptist Church for 4-H meetings. Mr. MacLeod was a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agriculture College in 1925.

The Whitney Pier Y's Men's club was supportive of this new undertaking in the immediate area and agreed to be the 4-H sponsor. This club has provided a number of financial donations and annually awards a first year boy and girl with a week at Camp Rankin. The Y's Men have helped judge public speaking and have donated their hall on West Street for 4-H activities when the church was unsuitable or unavailable.

Most projects in the South Bar Club have not been of an agricultural nature; they have, however, been enriching and rewarding due to the interests of members and dedication by capable leaders. Projects include crafts, oil painting, leathercraft, knitting, macrame, beauty culture, child care, forestry, foods, water safety, first aid, music, photography, poultry, woodworking. These project groups met weekly and bi-weekly from November through may at leaders' homes. Public speaking has been a strong point in the South Bar Club; several members have competed at the provincial level.

In 1976, Charter President Philip MacLean won the provincial senior single demonstration. A year later, Donna MacLean and Shauna MacLennan were second in the senior double demonstration. In 1978, Ann MacLeod and Dina Duff competted for senior double demo. In 1979, Ann MacLeod competed in the senior single demo. She has occasionally displayed her talents with her puppets Freddie and Freda and has also teamed with other members to present some dance numbers at the provincial level. In 1981 her senior year in high school, she coached a group of four girls in an excellent number they called the "Cape Breton Rovers." South Bar 4-H Club has attended the Provincial Show since its beginning in 1978. That year, a group from South Bar, members, leaders and others from the other clubs in the county presented "Windows of the Past" - an amusing commentary with costumes typical of an old family photograph album.. In 1981, all members of the club were given the opportunity to attend the Provincial Show since it was held handier to home (Antigonish). Members competed in poultry, foods and handcraft projects. Money was raised for this event from the sale of club cookbooks. In 1976 and 1977, South Bar won the trophy for the most outstanding club in the county.

In 1980 South Bar won the trophy for the best junior club float in the local Santa Claus Parade. members have enjoyed short courses, intermediate camp, junior camp, leadership seminars, interprovincial and intercounty exchanges.

The club has had several trips awarded to its members: 1977, Philip macLean, Washington National 4-H Conference; 1978, Donna MacLean, Camp Minawanki, Michigan; 1979, Shauna MacLennan, Ontario Interprovincial 4-H Exchange, and Catherine MacLean, 1st National Leaders' Conference, Toronto; 1980, Ann MacLeod, Quebec Interprovincial 4-H Exchange.

South Bar Club has taken part in provincial Leaders' Council and the Atlantic Committee. Philip MacLean was on the Provincial 4-H Council in 1977-1978 for the eastern division. Catherine MacLean was respectively vice president and president of the Nova Scotia 4-H Council in 1979-80 and 1981. Hob MacLeod was on the Atlantic 4-H Committee in 1980 and was also treasurer on the provincial show committee in 1981.

In 1978, Philip MacLean was chosen as provincial 4-H host. 4-H has helped South Bar's youth grow and develop into worthwhile citizens. It has taught skills according to the 4-H motto, "Learn to do by doing."