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Field work is wrapping up in Hamilton County and farmers are getting in the last bits of harvest, as shown here in a field near Highway 14. With the dry conditions effecting the soil, some farmers report a slow-down in field work after harvest. -
The local American Legion Post 42 Color Guard consists of approximately 18 members, but some of those who have provided the longest-standing service include, from left: Bob Schneider, Dwight Willcock, Kirt Smith, Alan Vetter, Ron Paider and Ron Elge. -
Valeriia Vinokarova poses in the reading corner of the Giltner Public School library. Vinokarova has wanted to attend American high school since she was 6 years old, watching Disney movies. So far she says the experience has lived up to her expectations. -
Aurora’s defense held Lincoln Christian well below its season rushing totals as well as zero passing yards as the Huskies picked up a 48-28 win in the Class C1 quarterfinals Friday night. -
Leather crafter Curtis Marlatt poses next to a rack of bags that he has made at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora as other residents and workers look on. Marlatt makes leather items for residents, family and others in a hobby that keeps him engaged at the care facility.
Harvest season ends a challenging, rewarding year
In what has been a topsy-turvey year for local weather and inflation, farmers in Hamilton County report that with the crops now in from harvest the year has had its rewards despite the turbulent conditions of 2022.
The year was marked with rough patches of weather for two farmers in Hamilton County, Mitchell Fagan of Hampton and Ken Hunnicutt of Giltner.
“It’s been tough, but it’s been good,” Fagan said.
The year started tough with an extended cold period and high winds delaying planting at the beginning of growing season in May.
Still standing guard
For many veterans across the United States, service to one’s country doesn’t stop after active enlistment. The same story can be told here in Hamilton County, as a group of men stand tall and proud as representatives of the local American Legion Post No. 42 Color Guard.
Despite being a group of about 18 individuals, part of the core of the color guard and some of those who have been involved the longest include Ron Elge, Bob Schneider, Dwight Willcock, Ron Paider, Kirt Smith and Alan Vetter.
These six men gathered last week to reflect on their continued service on the guard, the support they receive from the community and what it means to still represent their country.
From Russia with love: exchange student enjoys Giltner
As the air comes with a bitter chill, and a post-Cold War relationship thaw between America and Russia freezes back in time, one ray of sunshine from Moscow has come to Hamilton County as part of the foreign exchange program at Giltner Public Schools.
Wearing two hairbraids over each shoulder, grinning with an energetic flair in every word spoken, Valeriia Vinokarova had been hoping to attend an American high school since she was a child -- the way many other girls might wish to live in Cinderella’s castle.
“It was my dream since I was 6 when I started to watch Disney movies, I was like, ‘I want to go to (an) American school. That’s really cool,’” Vinokarova said. “When you watch High School Musical, (if) you don’t want to go to American school, that’s crazy. Everybody wants (to).”
Husky defense rattles Crusader option attack
Aurora’s defense was pressed with one of its most unique challenges of the 2022 season.
Lincoln Christian’s unique, old-school wishbone option offense was a problem for many opponents on its schedule, but not for the Husky D as Aurora brushed past the Crusaders 48-28 in the Class C1 quarterfinals Friday night.
Aurora coach Kyle Peterson was more than pleased with how the Huskies played the option while adding it took some time to settle in early, making a few adjustments to lock down the rest of the night.
“We knew it would be a challenge to defend them. You can simulate the plays, you can’t simulate the speed and execution,” Peterson explained postgame. “That’s why they run it and it’s difficult to prepare for. Once we settled in, our first group didn’t give up too many first downs.”
Westfield resident’s ‘world’ expands with leather
Westfield Quality Care in Aurora is not a place just to reminisce on what was once, but, as one resident is doing, making something new.
Past a door with a thin leather strip attached to the handle on one side and a sign reminding to keep the door closed at all times on the other, lies a craftsman’s workshop for the making of leather with tools and boxes to organize all the bits resident Curtis Marlatt needs to create, giving him a sense of feeling productive.
“I can’t stand watching TV all the time,” Marlatt began.
Curtis’ son Rob Marlatt said that the room may be a little chaotic, but it represents the spirit that his father still has.
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