A Legacy of Generosity

Frugal farmers Ish and Arlene Hatch left behind a secret fortune -- and enriched their community forever.
Alto Community
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Photographed by Tamara Reynolds
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Alto Community and friends of the Hatches on the street of Alto. A majority of those in this photo are recipients of CDs and gifts from the Hatches' fortune. None of them knew that the penny-pinching couple had a fortune of millions.
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By Andyb69, 11/12/2008, 10:12 AM EST
After reading this touching story, I think the people who knew the Hatches had already received the greatest gift, their friendship. God Bless Ish and Arlene, we should live by their example and this world would be a much greater place.
By Therichone, 11/02/2008, 11:38 PM EST
Ish and Arlene are the last of a dying breed. Seems we have lost those kind of folks in America. Their neighbors are the kind I would give any thing to be my neighbors. They look out for you and you look out for them. Seems we have lost that except in the farming country. Gosh, America sorely needs those folks. Just a thought!!
By Lunarose, 09/28/2008, 7:19 PM EDT
Since we are losing many of the farms that we used to have to land developers, and other things, I think that it would be a fantastic idea in looking into preserving their farm and making it a "teaching" farm... Perhaps the community could all come together, and make it like a special park to preserve the farm,not have to sell it, and then, have the general public visit and learn, about what actually goes on at a farm such as theirs! (You could keep the farm, still!) Just a thought!!

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