Posted on August 26, 2016 at 10:03 AM by Emily Saveraid
Gary and Marilyn Nicholson of Rockwell City, Iowa started their 4-H careers as young junior members. Gary started in 1946, when he was 10 years old, and the club he belonged to, the Logan Hustlers, held their meetings at his house. He remembers participating in interclub basketball tournaments at the school, showing livestock, as well as being part of the State 4-H Council.
Marilyn started her 4-H career at the same age, with the Union Winners club. She participated in home improvement, food and nutrition, clothing and other life skill workshops and brought her exhibits to the county fair. After they married, they served on the Calhoun County Extension Council for a number of years, as well as serving on the fair board.
In 1974, they became leaders of the Central Trail Blazers 4-H club for over a decade. They were very patient leaders and always willing to lend a hand when it was needed. Gary used his knowledge of showing livestock to help the members do the same, and Marilyn helped with many of the building projects. They invested countless hours for the local youth, just because they wanted to see them succeed.
One of their favorite things as leaders was taking the members on trips, and they held pancake breakfasts to raise money for the trips. They traveled to the Omaha Zoo, Moline IL, Lincoln NE, Living History Farms, Adventureland, and many other places.
They remained involved in 4-H even after their time as leaders. Gary continued helping the youth show livestock and volunteered his time to 4-Hers receiving the “Friend of 4-H Award” in 2002. Marilyn will often be a comment writer at the county fair. It is because of caring and involved people like Gary and Marilyn Nicholson 4-H is the organization it is today.
Categories: Calhoun
