Old Settlers meeting
Time and distance matter No one is too old, too young or traveled too far to be part of the 152nd annual Old Settlers' Meeting held Saturday during the festival. During the event, meeting vice-president Billie Hedde presented awards to attendees who were representative of those categories. Pictured, left to right, are award winners Katie Haydon and son Christopher of California - farthest traveled, Clatia Whiteman - oldest woman present, Everett Gruber - oldest man present, and Savannah Brown, daughter of Ben and Tanya Brown of the Peterson family - youngest present.

Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp Rewarded for preserving county treasures A central part of every Old Settlers' annual meeting is the presentation of Heritage Awards to Carroll County residents for various efforts aimed at preserving the county's historical legacy. Three families and three individuals were awarded plaques during the 152nd meeting Saturday. Pictured with wife in front of husband, left to right, are Richard and Nancy Hicks, Erick and Gayle Peterson and Bob and Elaine McCain, all honored for restoring historic family homes. Each family's restoration timelines were read aloud by meeting officers. Individual honorees pictured to the right of the families, l-r, Loren Hylton, Bill Brown and Ross Brown were thanked for protecting Adams Mill, the mill's covered bridge, a resident's home and Lancaster Covered Bridge during heavy rainfall and flooding in 2003. Bill Brown related the story behind the structures' salvation during the meeting. Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp