About Town

By Ida Lessenden

August 8, 2003

Alice Glover and Daisy Hebberd of Eads went to Canon City last week where Alice judged at the Fremont County Fair as she has for years. Daisy went to visit Rex and Bess Piper. She is glad to report that Bess has had an eye operation and feels so much better since her sight has improved.

Jake and Barb Diel had a great time in July when they went to Monte Vista for a family reunion with Jake’s side of the family. He especially had a good time with his only living sister, Jewell, and her two daughters, Kay and Lenny and niece, Marie, who was their hostess. They took in the Ski-Hi Stampede Parade and some activities.

Bill and Charlotte Woelk, Faye Barber, and Laverne and Ilene Eder of Eads went to the Plainview School Saturday evening to attend the Eastern Kiowa County School 40^th year Reunion and the catered dinner. Tom Scott presented a program on historical facts about the Plainview School. Tom introduced the first Board Members, Jettie Rae Tallman and Fannie Murdock and widows of members Mylan Morris (Betty) and Max Huddleston (Mary Louise) and Delbert Butler. There was a good turn out of folks who came for the big event.

We were so sorry to hear of the tragic accident last Monday near Hasty where two young women from Kansas died in a crash when they drove illegally around a vehicle.

Sadly they hit a truck that Roger Spady formerly of Haswell was driving. We are glad that he is on the mend.

We extend our sympathy to the family of Bea Moyer formerly of Eads. She and her large family lived in Eads for many years and are well loved by so many folks about town. The funeral folder was especially attractive with her portrait and program. Her grandchildren and relatives preached and sang for the service. It was nice that they could have a family reunion at Lake Hasty on Saturday since over 75 members came from many states.

Celena and Doris Lessenden judged the Fashion Show and Decorate Your Duds projects at the Pritchett School last Monday. This Monday, they judged the 4-H Fashion Show in Prowers County and Doris returned on Tuesday to judge the 4-H Foods projects.

The six Durrett sisters have been here for parts of two weeks. They were all here together on some days and entertained their mother, Arla Durrett, at the family home in Eads. Arla will be 95 years old in August. She still loves to play dominos and horse shoes at the Weisbrod home. The sisters were especially glad to have their youngest sister, Beverly, and daughter come from California. Beverly was the "Principal of the Year" this year.

Diane Mohler Provencio called from Escondido, California Friday to say her mother, Winnie Mohler, loves to read the Kiowa Press and hear from her Eads friends. Diane goes to a print shop to get the "About Town News" printed large and dark for Winnie to read over and over. Winnie is facing serious kidney surgery in about three weeks. Diane said that Winnie would enjoy cards written in a marker at her home at Escondido Care Center, 421 East Mission Ave., Escondido, California, 92025.

Our good neighbors, Bryan and Amber Kinnaman, Erin and Fisher left Thursday to move to Lincoln, Nebraska to a new home and job. We will miss them and watching those precious children play in the back yard. We wish them God’s blessings as they settle into their new home. On Sunday we were pleased to see new neighbors moving into the home next door already.

Our sincere sympathy goes to Rhonda (Griswould) and Kent Davis of Denver and grandparents Floyd and Phyllis (Wissel) Griswould of Limon and their families whose son, Kyle died in a tragic pick-up accident. Cards could be sent to the Griswoulds at Box 621, Limon, CO 80828 or to the Davis’ at 7656 Greenwood Blvd. Denver, 80221.

Megan Fickenscher gave a modeling workshop last Wednesday afternoon at the courthouse for girls who were to be in the 4-H Fashion Show Monday afternoon and evening at the Plainview School. Megan has participated in the Colorado State Fashion Show in previous years. She just returned from Australia where she played with a basketball league around that country.

Bill Krum made and brought me a really nice walnut holder for cards so that I can play cards when I feel better. This was such a kind and gracious thing for him to do. He and Shirley are having new experiences with their grandson, Hunter, being in the Haswell Milemarker 4-H Club. He exhibited his Archery and Computer projects at Plainview Monday. Last week, I missed Hunter’s name in the Press and April Turcott of whom I called "Amber".

A number of folks who go to the Redeemer and Lutheran Churches in Kit Carson had to drive through the Prairie Queen community to get there Sunday since Highway 287 was closed after a tragic crash occurred at 2:00 a.m. south of the gas plant. We are sad to hear of the death of Jesse Bogenhagen who would have been a senior at Cheyenne Wells High. A huge semi truck burned at the site.

The people who took advantage of the AARP 55 Drive Alive course that Margie Wiltfang taught Saturday at the courthouse were very pleased and surprised at many facts they learned of new laws and changes in rules. Undersheriff Randy Richardson spent the day at the class and offered much additional information. We are blessed to have Margie as an AARP teacher volunteer here in our town. She travels all around Colorado to teach these classes, which by the way can lower your auto insurance.

Congratulations to Jimmy and Amanda Brown who had a son last week. His name is Kenneth Ross and they will call him, Ross. God bless this dear family.

Recently Faye Barber, Annie Cole, Pansy Foxworthy, and Esther McCoin attended the Area on the Aging meeting in Springfield. These ladies brought back reports to the noon monthly meeting the last of July at the picnic dinner. People are urged to register to attend the State "Speak Out" in Lamar October 2 and 3 which will have many educational workshops, seminars, and entertaining programs.

We were really blessed Sunday when Wanda and Virgil brought a wonderful full course dinner, set at our dinning table when Doris returned from church. Dally and Shaner watered our lawn and flowers. What a treat! Then their grandkids had a treat when they took them swimming.

I could not figure out who Doris could be talking to so long on the telephone Sunday afternoon, it was her former student, Jim Baxter, calling from Anchorage, Alaska. He e-mailed her some incredibly beautiful photos of his roses, petunias, and hydrangea blooming flowers in huge pots and hanging baskets by the pretty home he built several years ago.

The hostesses decorated the meeting room in lace, chiffon, and twinkling lights around a blue and white theme for the bridal shower Saturday evening for Kari Brown and Brad Harr who will be married on September 6.

We were delighted to have Betty Mohlenberg of Illiff visit us Sunday before she went home. She came down to visit her mother, Arla Durrett, and take her for a drive around the lakes.

Every once in a while in our lives we hear of random acts of kindness and generosity that warms a person’s heart so much…..such as that dear man, George Crow who has blessed people in quiet ways about town for years and years.

Aletha Holcomb has been transferred to Parkview Hospital in Pueblo for stroke rehabilitation. Her family is seeing improvement in her health. Best wishes to Aletha and her family.