A feature of The Dolores Star that matches faces with names of the people who make up the town of Dolores and keep it going. By Katalina Nicolas
Barbara Hamilton, our loved dedicated librarian of 20 years, has lived here her entire life. She was raised up river east of town, and raised her own family west of town, where she and her husband, Oscar, still live today. She has a rich life here, and two sons, both of whom are in the medical field, four grandkids, and two great-grandkids. For many years, Barbara and her husband dry-land farmed winter wheat and beans. She shared that back in the days of more abundant moisture they yielded on average 8 bags of beans per acre, but since the drought their yield decreased to 3 bags per acre, so they no longer farm beans. The good news is, that Barbara and Oscar are still growing winter wheat. In case you aren't aware, Barbara contains a fascinating wealth of history of this area, and loves to share.
Kathy Butler, our prized children's librarian, lives in the house she grew up in. She is the third generation; her father is the second. She resides there with her dogs, cats, chickens, geese, goats and alpacas - 25 animals altogether. For her love of working with children, Kathy taught second grade for 28 years at Mancos Elementary School, and has headed the children's library for 10 years come next month. Her service to children includes the children's library, with her fantastic after-school programs, including the 4H program where the kids work with her alpacas and learn to weave their fiber. But it doesn't stop there, Kathy has completed eight children mystery novels, a series called, "Tangled Shadows." This summer, she's meeting with several agents in an effort to get them published.
