An inspiring comeback
Six months after an attacker nearly took her life, Emma Baxter is back on the ice teaching and producing at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena.
On the morning of Oct. 23, Baxter was randomly assaulted by a man with a knife outside the ice rink while coming in to work. The injuries were severe, as she had two skull fractures, a brain hemorrhage, a punctured right lung, a serious right eye injury and nerve damage to her face.
Despite the physical and emotional trauma, the 34-year-old Columbus woman returned to the rink on Feb. 21.
Most recently, she has been working with local youth to put on nonprofit Lincoln Center Skate Club’s annual ice show, which has two shows scheduled today and one final performance on tap for tomorrow.
Baxter has shown unbelievable strength and courage since the horrific incident; setting an example all can follow.
Lighting up downtown
If you haven’t yet noticed, downtown’s neon glow is a little brighter this weekend.
That’s because new transformers were recently installed to power the vertical display outside the historic Crump Theatre.
Each Friday and Saturday night, from 8 to 10 p.m., the 131-year-old art deco movie house and performance center will light up its famous signage for all to enjoy.
The fix is one among many in a growing effort to restore the Crump to its former glory, as local businesses also recently helped replace fire extinguishers and repair emergency lighting and exit signs.
The Crump sign is iconic in Columbus, and stirs up a lot of fond memories for residents of a certain age. We look forward to seeing continued progress in restoration efforts of the historic landmark.
Filling a need
At long last, fresh groceries will only be a short drive away for those living in the Hope area.
Last week, it was announced that the Dollar General Store at County Road 600N and State Road 9 will be transformed into a DG Market — the first full-service grocery store in Hope in more than a decade.
Clouse’s IGA has been closed since the mid-1990s and the Hope Food Mart operated for more than 30 years until it went out of business near the time of the 2008 recession.
But it’s not just those in Hope that will benefit, as county residents in the Clifford and Hartsville areas will also be able to pop over to the store to pick up any quick needs.
Any time fresh food access is expanded to underserved areas, it’s a major boost to the community as a whole .
