About Town

By Ida Lessenden

August 15, 2003

Annie Cole, Margie Wiltfang, and Faye Barber wet to the AARP meeting in Lamar last Tuesday.

"School" is an exciting topic for students and families who are planning on a good year of learning experiences and activities. I do sure hope they will enjoy it all. I want to encourage kids to be friendly and welcome the "new" students and faculty members who will appreciate it.

Our new neighbor I’m told is Mindy Krentz who will be one of our new teachers. We welcome her to our block and community.

The Womack family reunion was held in Colorado Springs. Those who traveled there from Kiowa County were: Randy and Fran Larrew, Gilbert and Kay Brown, Rod Brown and granddaughter, Sidney, Terry Brown, Jerry and Pam Weirich, and Dave and Candance Reeder and family of McClave.

T. J. and Trice Watts Eads High School students and cousins, Talara and Tanaia Hansen of Eads participated in the Junior Rodeo Finals at Pueblo for four days over the weekend. Some of their events were team roping, ribbon roping, break away, barrels and poles. I bet we can count on seeing these cowboys and cowgirls at the Eads Rodeo Fun Day on September 11^th. Circle your calendar for the Kiowa County Fair.

Thursday evening members from the Northern and Southern Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indian Tribes converged at the Kiowa County community building for a pot luck supper. Rod Johnson related some of his experiences in visiting Indian communities in several states north of us and how our cultures and families have similar concerns and goals. Alexa Roberts of the National Parks Service is the coordinator of the Sand Creek Project where she works closely with Janet Fredericks of the Economic Development Fund. Several children danced to the drummer’s beat. Some of the Indians were running from Sand Creek to Denver in a ceremonial healing and praying run. Their run began Friday morning after a breakfast provided by the 4-H Council.

Dr. Bozena Biernat was honored at a community pot luck supper at the Wiley Community Center to thank the doctor for her years of medical service to our communities. People have held Dr. Biernat in high regard for her care and diagnosis of their conditions. We do wish her and her dear family well when they move to Wisconsin where they hope to gain more care for their son, Max.

Gary and Thada Hart spent most of July in Pennsylvania visiting historical sites. They have seen the site of Thada’s grandfather’s grave and Beltzville where her ancestors resided. They should write a book about their travels. It’s nice to hear from them.

We appreciate of our neighbor, Mona Walker, for planting moon flowers, zinnias, and marigolds in the alley by their pretty wooden fence for us and others to enjoy. This is definitely the prettiest alley about town.

Ten year old, Amanda Berry, visited her grandparents and relatives in Eads last week. She had a great time swimming and enjoying small town life before Cardon and Joyce took her back to Cheyenne, Wyoming, Saturday.

Philip and Madonna visited relatives and friends about town Saturday afternoon. They came to see Burrel and Ruby Wissel and Ward and Ruth Wissel, Madonna’s uncles and aunts, and Doris and me, Phil’s aunt. The last two Saturday’s, they were in Sublettte and Satana, Kansas where Phil entertained at fairs with his "Pony Kidd" music.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of Ralph Lancaster of Eads. He is well remembered for his years in the military in World War II, for his faithful work with Eads Consumers Supply stores, and other ventures.

The Artist of the Plains Gallery offered classes for youth Saturday. Phyllis McDaniel taught watercolor painting, Ethel Richards and Kim Barlow taught drawing and Sandy Jones taught acrylic painting.

Congratulations to Lance and Holly Larrew of Lamar who have a baby girl, Sidney Leand. The grandparents are Johnny and Janet Weber of Lamar and Randy and Fran Larrew of Eads.

This is the first time in about fifty-six years that I haven’t been able to go to the 4-H Achievement Day and Fashion Show; however, I heard that it was all very nice and encouraging to the youth. Those who attend the State Fair will see some good quality projects from our youth.

Congratulations to Myra "Annie" Watts of Cheraw who was crowned the queen of the Kid Rodeo recently. She is the granddaughter of James and Charlotte Cook, Shirley Watts and great granddaughter of Lamira Watts and Charles Wright, all of Eads.

Dean Oslin of Phoenix, Arizona, has been here visiting his sisters, Betty Jacobs and Maxine Hockett. They have spent a lot of time in Pueblo visiting their sister, Aletha Holcomb, who is in the hospital.

Some of Vivian Gifford’s friends celebrated her birthday with her when they brought ice cream to her home as a surprise. Happy Birthday, Vivian!

Melissa Peterson took six paintings from the Eads Artist of the Plains Gallery to the Springfield Art Show. She returned with six paintings from their group which is a part of the Tri-County Coalition. Do come by to see these fine paintings. By the way, don’t you enjoy reading Melissa’s feature articles about local artists?

If you are out for a walk or drive this week in the evening, you might see the football boys on the field practicing. Thanks to Darryl Adamson and staff for the fine looking lawns. The Volleyball girls are inside having strenuous practices.

Monday evening was the 4-H Horse Performance Show. Six participants took a written test and then showed their skills in western riding, reining, trail riding and showmanship.

Kas Davisson of Oklahoma City recently studied at the University of Colorado-Boulder. She has been in a banking career with the Federal Reserve for many years.

Kas visited her mother, Betty Jacobs, coming and going to Boulder.

Congratulations to Ky Davis of Eads who is beginning Pharmacy College at the University of Colorado-Denver Health Sciences Campus. He was fortunate to have Rachel A. Davis formerly of Eads to help him find an apartment since she too is studying on this campus.

I have seldom been out in the heat of the day, but last Saturday, we drove up to see the kids at the swimming pool. It looked as if the boys were bolder than the girls and certainly had a joyful time diving and playing. People of Eads and visitors are grateful to the town of Eads for maintaining the pool. Thank you!

Sincere sympathy to the family of Judith Holt formerly of Wild Horse. She and her husband, Heber, had a filling station there for many years.