Hartford group heads to Litchfield Feb. 1

A group from Hartford is packing their long-johns and boots in anticipation for their trip to the Litchfield, MN, Peanut Butter and Milk Festival as part of the Sister City Program between Litchfield and Hartford’s FFA students and community. The group this year pictured above are Josh Fulford, Justin Brock, Case Harrell, Matthew Skinnger Hartford FFA Advisor Bethany McPherson (not pictured, Joshua McPherson). The group will spend a week visiting farms and industries around Meeker County, spending a day snow skiing, concluding with a trip to the state Capitol and the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

Hartford FFA Hosts Banquet for Litchfield Guests

The Hartford FFA hosted a Banquet on Nov. 5 for the delegates from Litchfield and the Hartford community.

Hartford FFA students and Miss and Little Miss Hartford pose with Peanut Butter and Milk Festival guests from Litchfield.

Amelia Hinson, Miss Hartford, and Madie Adams, Little Miss Hartford

Macie Dillard, Hartford FFA Secretary, and Nicole Krumrie, Dairy Princess

Darin Moseley, Hartford Baptist Youth Pastor and former FFA member

Leah Solomon and Robin Miller entertained

Nicole Dillard, Sister City President

Kathy and Patrick Devine

Nicole Krumrie, Dairy Princess

Austin Larson

Alana Caron

Katelyn Knutson

Holly Anderson

They have arrived!

The delegation from the Peanut Butter and Milk Festival in Litchfield, MN, arrived in Hartford Nov. 2 and spent time with their host families Sunday.  They were hosted by Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Sunday evening with a BBQ supper with BBQ and chicken and rice prepared by Josh and Winton Fulford.

The group will tour the Dothan area, including the Michelin plant, on Monday with a visit to the National Peanut Festival that evening highlighted by the Greasy Pig Chase and the Calf Scramble.

Hartford welcomes Minnesota Sister City delegation Nov. 2

A group of Litchfield, MN, residents will be heading to Hartford Sat., Nov. 2, for the annual Sister City exchange trip.  The seven people representing the Peanut Butter & Milk Festival Committee in Litchfield will be touring farms and businesses in the Hartford area and enjoying other fun activities. The annual event, now in its 41^st year, is an exchange of Future Farmers of America (FFA) and community members.

This year’s group includes: Patrick and Kathy Devine, Litchfield Middle School principal hosted by Brenda and Charlie Skinner; Holly Anderson hosted by Bethany and Josh McPherson; Nicole Krumrie, Dairy Princess, hosted by Macie Dillard; and Litchfield FFA members Alana Caron (hosted by Robin Miller); Katelyn Knutson (hosted by Krissie Creel) and Austin Larson (hosted by Marshall Carroll).  They will fly into Pensacola on Sat. and will then stay with host families in Hartford.  Members of Hartford’s community are invited and encouraged to attend the events listed in bold.

Schedule of Events:

Sat., Nov. 2 – Litchfield delegation arrives in Hartford late evening

Sun., Nov. 3 -- Welcome Barbecue Dinner at Wiregrass Electric Co-op Community Room (sponsored by WEC) for Litchfield guests, host families, committee members and friends.  (Everyone bring drinks, bread, salads, beans or desserts.)

Mon, Nov. 4 -- Dothan tour day of Landmark Park, Lewis Dairy, Shutz Pecans and Michelin with lunch sponsored by the City of Hartford – National Peanut Festival and Calf Scramble in the evening

Tues. Nov. 5 – Montgomery and State Capitol tour day sponsored by Riley Seibenhener and Fulford Farms. Community Banquet at 7:00 p.m. Shiloh Baptist Church Fellowship Hall hosted by Hartford FFA and sponsored by Harrell Milling Co.  The community is invited to welcome and meet the Litchfield, Minnesota, visitors

Wed., Nov. 6 – Hartford agriculture tour day with William Birdsong and Brandon Dillard.  Lunch at 11:30 (with Ala. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife demonstration) and Fish Fry at 12:00 at National Guard Armory sponsored by City Bank.  – At 7:30 p.m., a Southern Thanksgiving Dinner at Stacy & Cary Hatcher barn for guests, host families, committee members and friends.  (Everyone bring favorite Thanksgiving side dish or dessert, drinks.)

Thurs, Nov. 7 – Beach Day sponsored by First National Bank of Hartford.

Fri., Nov. 8 -- Hartford businesses and school tours with lunch at Cancun’s Mexican Restaurant sponsored by the Hartford Civic Club. Free evening.

Sat., Nov. 9 – Farewell Brunch at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Paul Spivey, then Litchfield guests leave for airport.

Hartford welcomes Litchfield delegation!

Hartford welcomed the Litchfield delegation from Minnesota at a BBQ sponsored by Wiregrass Electric Co-op on Sun., Nov. 4.  The group included committee members, host families and many from the community with the barbecue and chicken & rice cooked by Winton and Josh Fulford.  We look forward to a fun week with our Northern friends!

The Litchfield delegation are: Emily Euerle, Dairy Princess, hosted by Robin Miller; Nicole Thompson hosted by Krissie Creel, Jessica Hanson hosted by Tiffany Greggs; Doreen Hoff hosted by Charlie and Brenda Skinner; and Bob and Lori Christofferson hosted by Jimmy and Evelyn Strickland.

Group celebrates 40th Anniversary in Litchfield

Archie and Sue Fondren, Jimmy and Evelyn Strickland, and Stacy and Cary Hatcher spent July 4-9 in Litchfield, Minn., celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sister City Program at their Watercade Festival.

Their first event was on Thurs., July 5, with the "Brat Feed" at Center Bank with entertainment by a live polka band!


It was followed by an "Ice Cream in the Park" sponsored by the Meeker County American Dairy Association where they met up with old friends, especially Bruce Cottington, founder of the Peanut Butter and Milk Festival.


On Fri., July 6, they toured two wind farms and the ethanol plant near Litchfield, then attended the Beach Party at Lake Ripley sponsored by KLFD Radio.  The planned fireworks were rained out that night and postponed until Sat.


On Sat., July 7, they attended "Art in the Park" in downtown Litchfield featuring arts and crafts and several food booths, followed by a picnic lunch sponsored by the Peanut Butter and Milk Committee at Lake Ripley.  That evening, they rode the 40th Anniversary float in the parade, and then attended the fireworks show at the Lake.


On Sun., July 8, they attended church with their host families and then the Little Crow Ski Team demonstration at Lake Ripley.


At the ethanol plant, Evelyn decided to clean up a bit, sweeping up corn that didn't make it through the slats in the floor!


Their visit concluded that afternoon at a lakeside picnic hosted by Roger and Janet Huhn - the same location where each delegation that attends in Feb. gets to snowmobile - and enjoyed a pontoon boat ride around the lake!


Thanks to host families and the Peanut Butter and Milk Committee for a great week!  Each couple that attended had a wonderful time renewing old friendships!

Pork Sandwich Fundraiser

The Hartford Sister City group held a fundraiser on June 29 at the Square selling pork filet sandwiches, chips and a drink for $6.  Thanks especially to Winton and Josh for their hard work with supplies, set up and cooking!  And thanks to everyone who worked -- and purchased the lunches!  Without you, we couldn't keep this program going . . . now in our 40th year!