Texas exchange group visits Morgan County

4-H members involved in Morgan County's exchange program include Travis Annan, Cole Chapin, Foy Chapin, Tiffany Chapin, Tera Cox, Donny Edson, Erin Ely, Shawnie Genho, Allen Goff, Lana Goff, Janna Holdren, Brianna Johnston, Angela Kauffman, Jill Loose and Paige Loose.

Also involved were Joe Lorenzini, Melissa Lorenzini, Jake Nation, Doug Ruyle, Erin Ruyle, Kevin Strauch, Becki Temple, Tiffany Temple, Karrie Temple, Briette Tormohlen and Jamie Winsheimer.

Adult chaperones also hosting included Amy Ely, Val Loose, Amy Nation, Ron and Shown Ruyle and Connie Tormohlen.

During the week-long visit, the hosts and guests were involved in a variety of local tours, activities and out-of-town excursions.

The first evening of the arrival, the group enjoyed a cream can dinner and swim party, at the Brush Memorial Park. The following day began with a tour of the Chapin Dairy, near Weldona, followed by a tour of the Elk Echo Ranch, near Stoneham. Farm visits and a trip to Pinneo Feedlot concluded the day's tours. That evening, the group reconvened at Memorial Park, in Brush, for a streak fry.

Sunday, July 2, and Tuesday, July 4, were set aside as family days for 4-H exchangers to relax or take off on their own adventures locally of out-of-town. However, the exchangers attended the rodeo, at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, the evening of July 4.

"Denver Day" was scheduled for July 3, with a tour of Coors Brewery, in Golden, beginning the events. The group spent the remainder of the day in downtown Denver, touring such sites as the Capitol of the Denver Mint and shopping at the 16th Street Mall. Dinner at Casa Bonita concluded the day.

The two-day outing to the Estes Park area took place July 5 and 6. Among the scheduled events were drives along Trail Ridge Road, a tour of the Stanley Hotel and gondola rides to the top of Prospect Mountain for hiking and shopping. Some of the group also toured Centennial Village, in Greeley, on the way home July 6.

A farewell dance, at the Carroll Building, in Brush, was held July 6. The group departed the next day, following a brunch at the Morgan County REA, in Fort Morgan.

Matagorda County 4-Hers, who reside in Bay City, Collegeport, Palacios and VanVleck, TX hosted the Morgan County Delegation last summer. Their visit to Morgan County concludes the current two-year exchange program.

Those interested in becoming involved in the next two-year exchange program, between the ages of 13 to 18 and enroll as a 4-H member, should contact Janice Dixon, Morgan County Extension office, 867-2493.