Hampton Chronicle

07/19/2025

HDCAL Basketball Reunion

Today at Maynes Grove was the basketball reunion for the Hampton-Dumont basketball teams coached by Dave Hanneman and assistant coach Ben Fridley. Hanneman coached HDCAL from 1979-1986 and led the Bulldogs to the most successful stretch of basketball in school history, making it to multiple state championship games. Many players from each class are calling the era the “Hanneman and Fridley era." Many of the players attended the event and talked about the lasting impact coach Hanneman had on their lives and on the community.

Head coach Dave Hanneman (left) and assistant coach Ben Fridley (right) at the HDCAL basketball reunion. Photo by Evan Pharr.

07/19/2025

Stop by for the second day of the Hampton Summer Market at the Franklin County Fairgrounds! Runs until 3 p.m. today and from 10 am. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

07/18/2025

St. Paul in Latimer to Celebrate More than a Century of Service

By Jennifer Burnham
Hampton Chronicle

The folks at the St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Latimer have a couple of important birthdays coming up. Next month, they will celebrate 100 years of the school being open — and 130 years since the church first opened up.

St. Paul Lutheran School has been relatively small from the start, but its mission and offerings have remained consistent throughout the decades. Next year, they have 44 students who will be attending the school — children all the way from kindergarten to eleventh grade. And they have plenty of exciting plans for the students and their parents, including a recently added pom team for any aspiring cheerleaders and a revitalized PTO for parents who are looking to get more involved.

The small student population is one of their advantages, said Principal Cody Collier.

“The students really become like brothers and sisters throughout the school year,” he said. “We're like one big family.”

Stop by the church’s celebration on Sunday, Aug. 3, for the following events: divine service at 9 a.m., church picture at 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., stroll down memory lane and cake from 1 to 2 p.m. There will also be corn hole, ladder ball, frisbee, a bounce house, a tug-of-war tournament, and three-legged races from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Currently home to 75 active members every weekend, the parish is located at 304 Main St. in Latimer.

Pictured: St. Paul Lutheran School Principal Cody Collier, teacher Melinda Vanness and former teacher and volunteer Marilyn Fahrmann in front of the school on Thursday, July 17.

Read the full story (and see more photos of the school and church) in the next edition of the Hampton Chronicle.

07/18/2025

Don't miss the Hampton Farmer's Market, which runs until 6:30 p.m. tonight! The vendors can be found in the lot just east of Hardee's.

Photos by Jennifer Burnham.

07/18/2025

The West Fork Choir is currently holding a car wash at Wise Choice Detailing in Hampton to raise money for their trip to New York, where they are expected to perform at Carnegie Hall in March. You can find them at the detailing shop until 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Photo by Jennifer Burnham.

07/18/2025

The first day of the Hampton Summer Market is underway at the Franklin County Fairgrounds! It runs until 7 p.m. today, tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors are selling everything from popcorn to keychains.

This is the first year for the summer market, which was coordinated by Chris and Stephanie Andersen.

"We've helped other promoters with markets before but we were ready to try this on our own this time," said Chris. "The Franklin County Fairgrounds is beautiful and clean and has plenty of space so having it here was an easy choice."

Photos by Jennifer Burnham.

07/18/2025

Did you know the Hampton Public Library is turning 120 years old on Oct. 6, 2025? Mark your calendars for the library's 120th celebration on Oct. 6, which is set to kick off at 4 p.m. You'll want to stick around for the recreation of a group photo that was taken the day it was opened. Pictured is Hampton Public Library Director Suzy Knipfel with the original photo from the grand opening.

See the full story of the library's history and more about the 120th celebration in the Sept. 24 issue of the Hampton Chronicle.

07/18/2025

The Hampton Summer Market begins this afternoon at the fairgrounds! Stop by for food, music, crafts and more. Details below.

07/18/2025

Stop by our office between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for all your photo needs!

07/17/2025

Heuberger Named Honorary Caregiver by Franklin County Relay for Life

By Jennifer Burnham
Hampton Chronicle

David Heuberger has experienced an unimaginable amount of loss over the years.

His wife, Carolyn, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2021, and then one of his sons, Drew, passed away from osteosarcoma earlier this year. He stayed by both of their sides until the very end, serving as their sole caregiver with attentiveness and love. He helped take care of many of their basic needs, including driving them to their medical providers. In fact, over the last four years, he has made 300 trips to the hospital in Iowa City for both of them. But he would do it all again if he had to.

“It was awful,” Heuberger said. “One of the hardest things a person can go through. But you do it because you love them.”

Because of this, Heuberger was recently named one of this year’s honorary caregivers by the Franklin County Relay for Life. He will be honored at the annual Relay for Life event, which is scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Franklin Wellness Center.

“I miss them both,” Heuberger said of his late wife and son. “But I’m at peace with it and I knew they were too. You don’t get over it, but you learn how to move on.”

Pictured: David Heuberger in his office at First Bank Hampton, where he recently stepped down from his role as CEO, but continues to stay involved on the board and in other capacities.

Read the full story in the next edition of the Hampton Chronicle.

07/16/2025

Crisis Intervention Team to Hold Resource Forum at Sheriff’s Office July 21

By Jennifer Burnham
Hampton Chronicle

Crisis Intervention Service Director Mary J. Ingham and her team have organized a resource forum to take place at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, July 21.

Ingham told the Chronicle the event is set to kick off with registration at 9:15 a.m., followed by presentations throughout the day. It is scheduled to run until 2:45 p.m. Speakers will include representatives from Crisis Intervention Service, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Iowa Health & Human Services, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Victim Assistance Program and other regional service providers. Presentations will focus on everything from preventative strategies and notification services to statewide victim assistance resources and other support for those impacted by trauma.

“The realistic target audience for this forum is law enforcement, educators, medical professionals and social services,” said Ingham. “However, anyone in the community could benefit from attending. One in two people will be the victim of crime in their lifetime, so most of us know someone who’s been affected by violent crime.”

While registration (which is free) is encouraged, Ingham said walk-ins are certainly welcome. Snacks will be provided in the morning and in the afternoon. Lunch will not be provided.

Ingham said this will be the first time they’re holding this type of event in Hampton, and they’re excited to see how it turns out.

Pictured: Crisis Intervention Service Director Mary J. Ingham, who coordinated the upcoming event, with help from her team. Photo provided by Ingham.

07/16/2025

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2025 Grant Cycle

The Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust is now accepting applications for grants to be awarded later this year. This will be the thirteenth year the Barkema Charitable Trust has awarded grants to non-profit organizations. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2025. Forms may be obtained by contacting Zoe Brown, PO Box 461, Hampton, Iowa 50441,
or email: [email protected].

The Barkema Charitable Trust was organized for the purpose of making grants to qualified tax-exempt organizations. Special consideration is given to 501(c)(3) organizations or government
entities located within the Belmond-Klemme, Hampton-Dumont-CAL and West Fork School Districts.

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