OTHELLO - A 15.5-foot Christmas tree at Othello City Hall is sprouting reindeer, stockings and snowflakes, thanks to Othello's 4-H children.

4-H members decorated the city's tree with handmade ornaments Tuesday for their community service project.

In addition, they toured the Othello Police Department and learned about city council through role-playing. Administrator Ehman Sheldon led the children through an activity, where citizens suggested a change to the city and "council members" decided whether to support the change.

"It really is an education for them, and community service," said City Clerk Debbie Kudrna.

Pake Taylor, 9, said of all the activities Tuesday, he enjoyed being on city council the most.

"Being a counselor and deciding what should be in the city," Taylor replied.

Owen Olsen, 12, said he too enjoyed role-playing on city council the most.

"It made me feel in charge," Olsen said.

Tatum Sparks, 10, enjoyed the city council experience as a member of the audience.

"It's really cool that the mayor gets to use a gavel," Sparks said.

Other children enjoyed visiting the police station the most.

"I liked learning about the cops and how they did all their stuff," said Cody Anderson, 11.

Anderson said he met some officers and saw the interview room. He said he would like to become a police officer, but the job is too dangerous. The tour made the job look fun, he said.

Sydney Taylor, 11, enjoyed seeing the holding room the most, although they wouldn't let her go inside.

"(I liked) to see the jail cells and go around the rooms and see what they do," said Audrey Randolph, 8.

"It was fun going through and walking through the rooms and seeing what they did," said Breanna Bagwell, 12.

4-H leader Celeste Greene said at least 50 children showed up for the activities.

"We're trying to get (people) to know that 4-H, it's not just about raising an animal," Greene said.

Children do not have to own an animal to be in 4-H, she said. They can pursue other interests, including photography, arts and crafts, family and consumer science, communication arts, plant science, environmental stewardship, shooting sports, and engineering and technology.

New this year to engineering and technology is robotics, Greene said.

Instructional materials are available for the leader or for parents to accompany the students' areasa of interest.

"I have access through WSU to written material on how to guide the project," Greene said.

To sign up for 4-H, call the Grant/Adams 4-H Extension at 509-765-2160, ext. 412.