Students play games from 19th century

HOBART  One thing is certain across all time and regions  kids will play.

Hobart Elementary School students got a taste of how games were played on the frontier during a morning of Hobart Heritage Days Friday on the courthouse square lawn. Many of the games involved tossing items that could be found around a homestead during the 19th century. Before the days of father and son going in the backyard and tossing the pigskin or the baseball, kids had to play with what was available, such as horse shoes, washers and even "horse" apples. Despite the simplicity of the games, the elementary students were more than eager to get their hands dirty and play, old-school style.

"The old-timey nature of the games here gives the kids a taste of what it was like back in those days," said Heritage Days coordinator Dierra Heglin.

In years past, the Heritage Days incorporated more extensive activities showing kids more intricate aspects of frontier life. Heglin and Great Plains Youth and Family Services opted for a more pared down and focused morning of games. Crisp fall weather only added to the atmosphere of the games as the children played among falling orange, red and brown leaves and plump orange pumpkins.

"They don't seem to mind the weather at all," she said. "It's a perfect day for this and the kids aren't complaining. They're really enjoying the games."

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