Celebrating 40 Years of Friendship

How fast the week went by -- but what a wonderful time we had hosting the Litchfield regular group (Nov. 5-13) and the 40th Anniversary group (Nov. 10-13)! And here is a slide-show of the past 40 years:

It's amazing to see how the clothing and hair styles have changed over the past 40 years -- but our bond of friendship has only grown stronger!

Anyone willing to share photos to add to this album, email to Cary Hatcher. And here's to another 40 years of friendship!

They're Here!

Our Minnesota friends arrived in Hartford this afternoon about 3:30 and were welcomed at a reception by Hartford's City Council at City Hall. Later everyone gathered at the home of Nick and Martha Holley for a Jambalaya and white chili dinner.

Visiting from Litchfield are: FFA students Tori Barka (hosted by Brianne Fitzgerald), April Anderson (hosted by Emily Orr), Nicole Carlson (hosted by Robin Miller) and Dakota Bridge (hosted by Brandon Skinner), Dairy Princess Amanda Turck (hosted by Amelia Hinson), and Peanut Butter and Milk representatives Cindy Knutson (hosted by Ladair and Barbara Palmer) and Bernie and Aggie Schmitz (hosted by Martha Sue Wood).

Tomorrow everyone will attend church with their host families, have some free time in the afternoon, and then meet at the home of Stacy and Cary Hatcher for a Brunswick stew and grilled chicken dinner.

Welcome Litchfield . . . and we look forward to having the 40th Anniversary group arriving on Thursday!

Our Litchfield Guests Arrive Saturday!

It's finally here -- the week our Litchfield, MN, friends arrive on Sat., Nov. 5! They will arrive at City Hall at 3:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to come out and welcome them to Hartford! And then at 6:30, there will be a Jambalaya and white chili dinner at the home of Nick and Martha Holley for our guests, host families and committee.

The remainder of the week's activities will be:

• Sun., Nov. 6 -- free time with host families and Brunswick Stew and grilled chicken dinner at the home of Stacy & Cary Hatcher
• Mon., Nov. 7 -- Tour State Capitol and Calf Scramble at the Peanut Festival that evening
• Tues., Nov. 8 -- Beach Day sponsored by First National Bank
• Wed., Nov. 9 -- Tour of Sysco in Geneva in the morning, a Hamburger Lunch sponsored by the City of Hartford at the Community Center with the community invited, and tour of Michelin Plant in Dothan in afternoon -- free time that evening
• Thurs., Nov. 10 -- Tours of Hartford and lunch with the Hartford Civic Club at the Community Center -- the 40th Anniversary group arrives at 4:30 -- Community Banquet at 7:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church sponsored by Harrell Milling Co.
• Fri., Nov. 11 -- Farm Day and Community Fish Fry at Hartford National Guard Armory at lunch sponsored by City Bank -- free evening
• Sat., Nov. 12 -- Peanut Festival Reception and Parade with lunch at Cracker Barrell -- 6:00 p.m. BBQ dinner sponsored by Wiregrass Electric Co-op at their Community Room
• Sun., Nov. 13 -- Leave for airport at 3:00 a.m.

Members of the Hartford community and past Sister City hosts and friends are invited to the events highlighted in bold! Get a copy of the full schedule here. Welcome, Litchfield!