Added touches to a hallway at North Side Elementary School give students to stimulate their senses while “getting the wiggles out.”

Santa arrived early for children and families in need in the Hampton area.
The Hampton Rotary Club last Thursday distributed presents as part of its annual Operation Santa toy drive. Rotary president Dan Hanson said this year, the project served 70 families and 193 children.

A chilly morning, holiday tunes and classic Christmas characters provided the perfect backdrop for a growing winter tradition throughout the area.
Last Thursday morning, Iowa Select Farms’ Operation Holiday Meal stopped in Hampton to distribute 1,000 five-pound pork loins as part of the company’s effort to donate 18,000 loins at 14 locations throughout its coverage area.

In the United States, those that celebrate Christmas are used to bright lights, extravagantly decorated trees, large meals and presents under the tree. This time of year, people celebrate the holiday with a host of traditions and customs that have been passed down through many generations to the point where they are commonplace in United States culture.

Franklin REC recently welcomed the next step in its efforts to increase the use of solar energy in the county.
On Dec. 3, REC hosted an open house and ribbon cutting for three new solar arrays. Franklin REC General Manager Becky Bradburn said the three arrays have been in the works since 2016, when Basin Electric Power Cooperative was offering an incentive to purchase energy produced out of renewable energy.

A Hampton woman’s holidays became a little happier last week.
Karen Wheeler, of Hampton, was named the winner of the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s annual $10,000 Christmas Raffle grand prize. The drawing also included two drawings for $250 in Chamber Bucks. Those winners were Mary Lou Semler and an individual who will be surprised by the winnings on Christmas.

A new home will allow La Luz Hispana to not only continue to provide outreach, but expand its services as well.
This week, La Luz began service at its new location in the former Hampton Heating and Cooling building at 7 Second Ave. NE, moving from its previous location at 116 First Ave. NW.

Cold temperatures didn’t stop shoppers from flocking to downtown stores for Hampton’s annual Holly Dazzle celebration.
Highlighting Holly Dazzle this year was the Blizzard of Savings Candy Cane contest. Shoppers were invited to stop in at one of the participating locations and receive a candy cane for a discount, free item or gift certificate.

Last week’s Hampton-Dumont Board of Education meeting marked the start of a new era for the board.

Trees throughout MercyOne North Iowa Hospice’s coverage area show a bright message that hope and light exist in times of grief.
Last Wednesday, North Iowa Hospice hosted a Tree of Life ceremony at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hampton, one of nine of such programs throughout MercyOne’s area.

Two classics will come together for this year’s Franklin County Arts Council winter play.

A new face will take over as director of the Hampton Community Christian Daycare as a familiar one says goodbye.
Robyn Kofoot, former Cub Cadet Daycare director in Latimer, will take over director duties from Laura Bradley, who will retire later this month.

When the general election rolls around in November, the ballot will look somewhat strange to Franklin County Auditor Michelle Giddings.
Giddings, who was first elected auditor in 2000, has announced that she will not seek reelection to the position next year when her term is up. This will mark the first time in six elections she will not see her name on the ballot or on the final tally once votes are counted.

A recent Hampton-Dumont graduate received recognition from one of the most recognizable names in the culinary industry.
Delilah Cavazos, a 2018 H-D grad, was awarded a $5,000 scholarship through Rachael Ray’s Yum-O! Organization. Rachael Ray, current host of the morning talk show “Rachael Ray,” was a mainstay on the Food Network and has also released a line of cookware and kitchen utensils.

Winter weather couldn't keep the crowd away as Hampton residents gathered at La Frontera Restaurant on Tuesday, Nov. 26 to meet Sen. Amy Klobuchar, one of the Democratic primary candidates running to be named the nominee for the 2020 Presidential Election.
"You give a whole new meaning to intrepid," said Klobuchar as she thanked the crowd for braving the snowy conditions.