A painting by Richard Clifton of Milford, Del., was chosen the winner of the 2013 California Duck Stamp Contest.

The painting, which depicts a pair of American wigeons in a marsh, becomes the official design for the 2013-14 stamp.

Following the contest June 18 in Davis, the three judges complimented Clifton’s winning painting, praising its painstaking anatomical accuracy and a “soft, appealing feel.”

“I was trying to create something pleasing that would gain and hold the interest of the judges,” said Clifton, a full-time wildlife artist. “There is kind of a misty look about it. Something a little tranquil where the ducks look at ease and the setting is comfortable. Somewhere you would like to be viewing wigeons.”

Clifton has twice before won the California Duck Stamp Contest and also has won a Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.

Clifton and 18 other artists from around the country submitted entries for this year’s contest, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). John Brennan of Lutz, Fla., placed second, Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., placed third and Charles Black of Stillwater, Minn., received honorable mention.

The four paintings are expected to be displayed at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s 43rd Annual Classic Wildlife Art Festival in Sacramento on July 13-14.

Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.

In the past, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting licenses. Today, hunters are no longer required to carry the stamps because California’s modern licensing system prints proof of additional fees paid directly onto the license.

However, CDFW still produces the stamps, which can be requested on CDFW’s Web site at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/collectorstamps .

The subject of the 2014 California Duck Stamp Art Contest will be the scaup, with details on the 2014 contest to be released at a later date.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Pool, located at 20962 Big Canyon Road, is now open for the summer season.

The pool, which opened on Saturday, will remain open for recreational swimming Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 11.

The pool is closing unusually early this year because the start of school is Monday, Aug. 12.

Kura Brice will be returning as the lead lifeguard for this summer’s season.

Pool patrons 10 years and under must be accompanied by a responsible young adult 15 years of age or older.

Hardester’s Market in Middletown has once again generously agreed to donate free swim passes for children who are 12 years of age and under.  

Passes may be obtained by simply dropping by the Middletown Hardester’s Store and picking a pass up prior to going to the pool.  

Hardester's has unselfishly donated $38,470.75 in free pool passes to Middletown children since 1988. Public Services Director Caroline Chavez expressed her sincere appreciation to the Hardester’s for their continued, unselfish support to the community.  

The pool fees are as follows:

Children under 12 years old: $1.25;
13 years and older: $2.

Season passes are available for individuals for  $40 and families (immediate family members only) for $80.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Wednesday, June 26.

The group meets at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 14310 Memory lane in Clearlake from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The group facilitator is social worker Jenny Johnson.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.

The groups are sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

Call Jenny Johnson, 707-350-3030, or Caroline Denny, 707-263-9481, for information.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A program offering free meals to children and teens during the summer will be offered at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.

The service begins Monday, June 24, and will run 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Wednesday, July 31.

All meals will be served at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, 15833 Armstrong St., at the corner of Armstrong and Washington streets.   

There is no registration required. Any child between the ages of 1 to 18 may attend.

For more information call the church at 707-295-7174 or 707-987-3379.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California 4-H Youth Development Program is celebrating its centennial year.

In 2013, 4-H members across the state are celebrating by using their head, heart, hands and health to create positive impacts in their local communities, just as 4-H has done for the past 100 years.  

Coined the Revolution of Responsibility, this centennial initiative will engage youth in service learning projects to identify and address important issues right in their communities.  

These projects are youth driven and are living examples of the value and power of 4-H in creating responsible young people who are uniquely prepared to step up to the challenges of a complex and rapidly changing world.  

Projects focus on issues relevant to today’s world, including science and technology; healthy living and civic engagement.  

Project profiles can be viewed at http://ca4hfoundation.org/ .

The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources delivers the 4-H Youth Development Program through the Cooperative Extension System in every county.

The 4-H YDP provides high-quality educational experiences to over 72,000 young people annually through clubs, camps, school enrichment and afterschool programming.  

The statewide 4-H program is powered by 17,000 local volunteers who receive training and support from professional staff in best practices for youth development.  

It is estimated there are one million 4-H alumni in California today, who are industry leaders in agriculture, government, education and technology, as well as engaged and philanthropic members of their community.

For more information contact Shannon Dogan, 530-754-8518 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Resource management will be the topic at the Monday, July 8, meeting of the Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club.

Volunteer time and money will be discussed during the meeting in the administration building of the Hidden Valley Lake Association, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

The meeting will begin with a coffee social at 9:30 a.m. followed by a brief business meeting and our program for the month. The public is welcome to attend this meeting.

This year the HVL Garden Club has raised a record amount of money through members’ dues and the annual plant and yard sale.

Members will present project proposals to the full membership for their consideration and vote.

In recent years, the club has funded an annual scholarship, the beautification of Hartmann Road and grants to school gardens.

In addition to the project proposal forum, HVLA General Manager Bill Chapman will give a presentation outlining the HVLA Facilities Planning process.

The association has engaged the services of Williams + Paddon, an architectural firm, to assist the community in making decisions in regard to the future use and development of the Greenview Restaurant and golf shop building and the community center building.

If you are not an HVLA resident, please call Inge Rankin, 707-987-6010 for gate access by Friday, July 5.