About Town

By Doris and Ida Lessenden

May 14, 2004

Congratulations to Savannah Lang who graduated with honors from Colorado State University in Pueblo with an Associates of Arts degree. She was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Scholastic Society. Because she had many dual credits from Holly, Lang was able to gain her degree this quickly. Her grandparents, Bill and Phyllis Barlow and Marie Lang all of Eads went to the ceremonies and the party afterwards at the home of Savannah and her sister, Sommer.

Thursday night the audiences were thrilled to see and hear the wonderful elementary choral concert and the growth and progress of the band students. The pre-school students under the tutelage of Carole Spady and Tina Kraft were precious! The kindergarten to second grade classes sang joyfully! Bob Seay, their instructor, had taught them choreography in stage show style. We were so impressed to hear the good singers who really "belted out" their songs. My favorites were "ABC Variations" by the kindergarten, "Sing, Sing a Song" by the first grade, and "Rubber Ducky" by the second grade. The third and fourth grade students had a recorder ensemble of six melodies. "This Land is Your Land" was tops on my list.

After the middle school and high school Band performed their selections, they were joined by the fifth grade for the final concert selection. One of the high lights was when Seay introduced senior, Jamie Richardson, who played a solo on her Bari saxophone with a jazz accompaniment with the whole band.

Here is a partial quote from the concert program: "Music education: research has shown that students who have a quality music education perform better in reading, math, and other academic areas. Music education also provides the skills that allow students to enjoy music as a lifelong activity." I commend and praise families who encourage their children to take band, music lessons, and take opportunities to be in choirs and musical groups.

Another delightful performance last week was that of Lana Peterson’s fifth grade students who performed the drama, "Pecos Bill". Every student had a part in the production. The whole school and townspeople came to see their entertaining drama.

Congratulations to Justin McLoud who graduated from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas Sunday. Justin graduated Cum Laude with honors and a major in Biology. Justin was on the University golf team all four years. Mike, Cindy, and Amanda McLoud from Eads and Rex and Joyce Weirich from Dumas, Texas, attended the graduation festivities.

Some Eads youths went to "Acquire the Fire" which is a Christian youth gathering in Colorado Springs. The Eads United Methodist youth group and the Assembly of God youth group pooled rides to attend this inspiring weekend happening. They were Jamie Kliesen, Chevaun Glover, Jennifer Negley, Matea Mayo, Cody Fry, Mattea Baxter, and Shalyn Laird.

Many happy families and graduates spent parts of three days at Lamar Community College at awards festivities, graduation and nursing student "Pinning" ceremonies. We give hearty congratulations to the following adults from Eads who gained an Associate of Arts Degrees: Brandi Roberson, in Science, Timy Trosper and Dustin Wyckoff with Ag/Business degrees and Billy Jean Buchannan with a Marketing the Small Business degree. The three young women who graduated as registered nurses are Kimberley (Japhet) Englehardt, Kourtney Richards, and Jodi (Michael) Stolzenberger. Ryan Britten of Haswell earned an AA degree in Ranch/Farm management. Nicole (Hopkins) Lenox is now a Licensed Practical Nurse and two Kit Carson ladies, Lori Nordquist and Tara Weber earned their LPN degrees. Autumn Adamson gained her cosmetology degree and Shannon (Barlow) Ellenberger with an Ag-Business Degree.

L.G. and Phyllis Vanderwork of Eads and their daughter, Sylvia Shields, of Vilas went to Fort Collins a few days last week to see L. G.’s doctor since he is having more back trouble. Phyllis said they were glad Sylvia could deal with that traffic for them.

Judy Beeson enjoyed several days in Colorado Springs last week with her mother and sisters. On Friday she attended a Mother’s Day event with her mother. She met a lady formerly of Lamar, Aleta Searle, who is a friend of many Eads ladies who attend FCE Club and helped with the Prowers County Fair.

Coaches Billy Koehler and Lane Gooden’s Eads baseball team won another sound victory last Friday at Fowler. Now they will play at the Regional playoffs Saturday, May 15^th about 10:00 a.m. Eads Tracksters will be at Regionals in Swink Thursday the 13^th.

Remember to attend the Talent Show at 7:00 p.m. and the Art Show earlier at the Crow-Luther Arts Center Friday, May 15^th. Lorena Melius and her class are sponsoring this event.

The Lutheran Thrivent Financial group from the Las Animas St. Paul’s Lutheran Church presented many gifts to the Weisbrod Nursing Home last week. They brought games, many lap robes and afghans, wooden puzzles, money for game prizes, and other items for their "Join Hands Day" project. Rachel Buck was the youth spokesperson, Mona Apple and Doris Lessenden provided music and Harry and Linda (Wilcox) Apple served treats and presented the gifts.

Two important dates for students and families are: Sunday, May 16th for the Baccalaureate service at the United Methodist Church to honor the seniors. Letters have gone out to the student families to come at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 18^th is the high school dinner by reservation and the awards program at 6:30 p.m. for "Academics and Sports" at the Community Building.

Friday afternoon the residents at Weisbrod were entertained with a fashion show where Philomene Liesen played the piano for the residents and models. The show was directed by Rhonda Krueger and Tonya Lane. The models were: Tiny tots - Molly Stolzenberger, and Sophia Gilbert; grade school models - Kailey Lane, Marisa Dixon, Myriah Krueger, Addie Seigfrid, Megan Buck, Logan Gwinn, Kayln Lane, and Monique Gwinn were precious to watch in their pretty garments. Teens modeling their prom dresses were Alysha Uhland, Kyla Cole, Jennifer Lynn, and Rachel Buck. Marla Gwinn modeled striking palazzo pants and Sis Howard modeled dresses her grandmother Haben, and her mother, Ida Weber, had worn, as well as one of her l950 vintage jitterbug ensembles. The residents were given lovely pink carnations from the Hospital Auxiliary. Dora Pearcey and Alice Weil were on hand to serve punch and strawberry cakes.

Dorothy Ellicott called to say that she and George had a wonderful time in Arizona this winter, but they needed to get home to plant their gardens. Now Dorothy is teaching full time at Plainview.

No doubt there were many mothers in the community entertained this weekend. Hazel Spady’s sons, Donnie and Rick and daughters, Bobbi and Bonnie hand turned four gallons of home-made ice cream and Bonnie made her famous chocolate sheet cake to serve folks at the nursing home and all the staff Sunday afternoon. I assure you that it was great! Mother, Ida, had a good time there and at a patio picnic with family and friends out at Mike and Shannon Dixon’s home.