Reception for Dorothy Welp

A reception was held Sunday, September 26, at the South Hamilton Elementary Media Center for Dorothy Welp, longtime resident of Hamilton County and special friend of South Hamilton School. Dorothy is moving to the Glenwood area to be closer to her daughter, Mary. Mrs. Welp taught English as a Second Language for our district and has always been close to education because of her husband, the late Willis Welp, and because of her four children, who graduated from South Hamilton School. Mr. Welp taught in the district, and then served as elementary principal until his death in 1993.

There was a tremendous response from community members to this come and go reception as all tables in the Media Center were filled with friends and neighbors who enjoyed the chance to chat with and congratulate Dorothy and her family.

The Welps lived south of Jewell and east of Little Wall Lake. Many thought of their farm was special because of the area of great oak timber, the plot of original prairie, the artesian wells, the creek with scenic bluffs, and because of the slightly remote location. The Welp's property helped combat the stereotype of flat and uninteresting Hamilton County land.

Patrice Teigland, Paula Ervin, Joan Walker, Judith Greve, Karla Taylor, Sandy Hertzke, Caroline Peterson, and Laverne Iverson helped to serve sandwiches, punch, and cake to the guests. This was the first function for the new Media Center. On Monday, the center will be open to students of the new elementary school.