Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

They tiptoed carefully across the smelly swamp then stalked through the tall grass where the secret treasure awaited. After typing in the secret code they received their treasure ... an imaginary cookie.

This was one of several fun activities children practiced as they tried out for the play "The Tortoise versus the Hare," directed by the Missoula Children's Theater group.

During try-outs the children also practiced marching, being expressive with their bodies, along with practicing their Brooklyn, Southern and British accents.

Children are invited to join one of the 12 tribes and explore the town of Nazareth to learn more about the life of the young Jesus Christ at the Hill Chapel's vacation bible school.

This year's theme, Hometown Nazareth, will focus on the young life of Jesus. Children will learn more about him, his family life and about those who doubted he was God's son and those who stood up for him.

"There will be a lot of role playing including being workers in a marketplace from that time period," said Vicki Preston, Catholic Elementary Coordinator of Religious Education.

Blanching and julienne might seem like foreign terms, but for a group of youth they are words leading them to food independence.

A group of 11 Youth Center students, ages 9-15, chopped, browned and baked their way through a week-long summer cooking course at the youth center.

The course, CHEF-K, was instructed by Lauri Zerga, developer and teacher of the program. The course was designed to help youth learn cooking skills and eventually make basic, simple meals.

Students looking to earn money for college and a reason to get off the couch this summer may look no further then the Youth Employment Skills Program (YES Program).

The program sponsored by the Youth Center and the Air Force Aid Society helps student's grades 9-12 to earn money for post- secondary education and give back to the community by volunteering.

Try your hand at growing your own vegetables on Hill plots

Gardening is almost impossible when all you have is sand with which to use.

Maybe that's why Gayle Sisson, who moved to Utah after living on the Oregon coast for 13 years, is so passionate about being able to grow her own fresh fruit and vegetables.

"Nothing says good food like a tomato fresh out of the garden," said Sisson.

A Midsummer Knight's reading program on base

The Gerrity Memorial Library will be kicking off its annual summer reading program with a party on Tuesday, June 7, at 3 p.m. that includes food, outdoor games, a professional storyteller, prizes and more.

This year's theme, "A Midsummer Knight's Read," will incorporate medieval-themed activities including learning about knights, jousting and more.

An off-duty Department of the Air Force (DAF) police officer may have stopped a bad situation from becoming worse.

Clearfield Police were dispatched at 9:39 p.m., April 12, to a family fight in the parking lot of a Maverik convenience store at 1015 E. 700 South, said Assistant Police Chief Mike Stenquist.

Kenneth Odell Floyd, 43, who had just been released from jail after serving two years for drug possession and escape from official custody, decided to meet up with his ex-girlfriend at the convenience store.

During a talk on April 28, Anne Munch, a former attorney and prosecutor who now devotes her time to sexual assault prevention, received a plaque for her work preventing sexual assault within the military, and praised Hill Air Force Base for its continued efforts to fight sexual assault.

"The Air Force is the leading edge of cultural change, you are light-years ahead," said Munch. "You have done more in five years than civilians have done in 50."

The Hill Aerospace Museum will be holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. on the grounds. There are four different age groups so all children up to 13 years of age are invited. There will be 10,000 eggs hidden. Among these will be several special prize eggs. Walgreen's Pharmacy will also be on site with several giveaways. Children can have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny, which can be printed free at any Walgreen's Pharmacy. For more information about the event, please contact the Hill Aerospace Museum at (801) 777-6868.

Families of deployed Airmen enjoyed free food and fun recently at the Texas Roadhouse in Ogden.

"It's really nice having a night out. This is one of our favorite restaurants," said Jennifer Lambert, military spouse. "My husband would be really jealous right now -- he loves the food here."

The families received vouchers from the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. Each voucher was good for one of 10 menu choices and any drink.