A group of Carbon County 4-H members attended the county commissioners meeting Thursday to announce Pennsylvania 4-H Week, March 11-17.

Accompanied by leader Georgia Farrow and parents, the members briefly described their projects.

Commissioners praised the young people for their hard work.

“You are definitely our future. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you,” said Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard.

“People don’t realize how much hard work it is,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne E. Nothstein.

He noted the program “makes good future citizens of Carbon County.”

Farrow spoke of the members’ volunteer work, most recently at a food pantry, where they cooked and served a meal.

“I’m very proud of them,” she said.

Farrow also spoke of how the young members get up early in all kinds of weather to feed and water and care for their animals.

The organization is starting its 106th year, an informal education program of Pennsylvania State University. Open to children 8-18, it teaches a variety of interests, from farming to raising livestock to textiles to shooting sports.

The projects are designed to develop self-confidence, caring for others and a sense of responsibility.

For more information, call Farrow at 570-325-2788 or contact her by email at gaf4@psu.edu.

Also on Thursday, commissioners issued a proclamation in honor of MS Awareness Week, also March 11-17.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the central nervous system, affecting about 2.3 million people worldwide.

More than 24,000 people in Pennsylvania are living with MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Commissioners also adopted resolutions honoring Noel and Bernadette Behan of Jim Thorpe.

The couple were named grand marshals of this Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The Behans, who hail from Dublin, Ireland, are the first immigrants to lead the parade. They and their sons, Mark and Darren, arrived in the United States in 1979.

The couple own and operate the Molly Maguires and Emerald restaurant in Jim Thorpe, opening in 1993.

In 1996, they bought the Hotel Switzerland and opened JT’s All American Steak and Ale, and also owned Pepperjack’s Tex Mex on Broadway in Jim Thorpe.

The Behans are active in the community, including the Irish Pub Tour de Shore, an annual 65-mile bike ride to raise money for the children of fallen police officers and first responders.