About Town

By Ida and Doris Lessenden

July 9, 2004

The Art in the Park event arranged by the Eads Artist of the Plains Gallery was absolutely wonderful! It is always a beautiful sight to see the various paintings, wooden intarsia bowls, other crafts, and artistic displays. The Eads Youth Council members were there with Betsy Barnett and their display of fabulous photos taken of nature and Colorado Wildlife photographed by Jon DeLorenzo, known to most folks as our UPS man. He is the Colorado State Ambassador of the Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation. This is the foundation that made it possible for Wesley Borns and his family to experience his dream hunt in Africa. Jon wants the Youth Council and the Hunt of a Lifetime to benefit from this project. .

Despite some rain delays, the three day "ten and under" All-Star Boys had their baseball tournament in Eads last weekend. Mike Ullman, tournament director and coach stated that the boys played really well. Keith Crow assisted with coaching the All-Stars. Those from Eads were: Brice Kraft, Kyle Crow, Cory Miller, Calvin Ullman, Quinton Sykes, Tyler Salisbury, and Reilly Rittgers,

Betsy Evans and I spent several hours last Thursday sorting and packing morale packages to send to soldiers in Iraq. That was fun, but took more time than we expected because we didn’t’ know you have to press hard to write on five papers and fill out customs papers. The new postmaster, Luke Vocke, was very nice and helpful.

Many family and friends gathered at the courthouse for the bridal shower for Tobi Berry and Monti Crawford Saturday afternoon. We wish them much happiness.

Dan and Evelyn Garner are happy to have a new great grandson. She was quite startled when someone called her at 2:30 a.m. in the morning. It was her son, Jim, calling to say, "I am a grandfather again." his daughter, Angie, and Steven’s baby’s name is Edward Steven Brothers. Friends are looking forward to celebrating Dan’s 86^th birthday with him on July 11^th.

Betty Jacobs was happy last week when her son, Scoot Fischer, and daughter, Helen Rae, came from Kansas to take her for a vacation. They drove to the top of Pikes Peak in rain and snow but enjoyed it anyway. They have a picture on top of the mountain on June 29^th, in about two inches of snow! Scoot enjoyed playing golf on the new grass greens at the Eads Golf Course. He and Helen left on Thursday. On Friday, Betty’s daughter, Reta Saltzgaver, came for a long weekend visit with friends and family. Reta lives in Long Beach, California, as does her son, Derek. She also visited her daughters, Michelle in Littleton and Melanie and son, Lance, in Burlington.

Congratulations to Jimmy R. and Amanda Brown who have opened a third funeral home. Their grand open house was held July 4^th in Cheyenne Wells for their lovely chapel, several preparation and office rooms, and two car garage. One of Jimmy’s best talents is his ability to play the piano or organ. He is often invited to play for various church services and other public events. Blessings be with the Browns.

We were pleased to read that Tyson Vigil, a freshman at Cornell college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, who is a 2003 Cheraw grad lettered in outdoor and in-door track. He is the son of Ernie and Karen Vigil of La Junta. Tyson went to Eads middle school.

Marcus Gilmore’s photo was in the Lamar paper with the senior Babe Ruth Team he plays with. They captured first place in the 12^th Annual Alamosa Big Dawg Bash Baseball Tournament recently.

We are glad to hear that Guy Shafer of Haswell is doing better after his heart surgery. Guy came home Monday afternoon. Bob Howerton’s wife, Bert, says he hopes to be home this week following his heart surgery. Hazel Krueger told me that her husband, Eugene, is doing better in a Pueblo Hospital, and Dorothy says that her husband, Ed Negley, is doing much better and will be home from, Denver after more rehab.

Since I have never been able to walk about town, I didn’t know what I was missing until I rolled in my purple power chair up to the Nursing Home to visit several times. However the best walk or "roll" was on Sunday. Since my van isn’t repaired yet, I couldn’t go to church in Kit Carson, so I chose to go to the United Methodist church. On the way, I heard wonderful patriotic music broadcast from that church. I saw a tree loaded with apples at Eder’s and another tree that I think was loaded with hedge balls, . I like to look at the textures of the bark on trees and the old brick walls, wooden sheds, and roses in the park. In the afternoon I saw my niece at the wheel of that big white wheat truck. My sister told me in the beginning of this interruption in my life that "God has a plan." She had already told me several weeks ago to "Stop and smell the roses"…sooooo I guess this is part of His plan. That is OK with me.

We worshippers at the Methodist Church were in awe of the marvelous music and message. Colorado University student, Michael Zimmerman, played the piano while Philomene Liesen played the organ. Then June Bloodings’ family, Arêta, Mary, and Sylvia, and Tim, sang a beautiful medley of patriotic songs. I sat near Gary and Thada Hart and learned that she played the organ there a few weeks ago. Last week, Nancy Walker made her debut playing the organ with the foot pedals which I understand is quite a feat. I have heard that Jayce Negley loves to sing and he and two other little grade school girls, Alicia James and Leisha Peck, are practicing songs to be performed in the future. I was impressed when Leisha and her sister, Brittany Peck played the organ and piano for the Baccaluareate Service in May. They often play for a whole service. It is gratifying to see that so many talented musicians in our town are willing to share with other people.

Donna Owens, Loretta Seibel, Sis Howard, Janie Bush of Eads and Janie’s sister, Maria Campos, attended the Red Hat and Purple Dress Society Tea Saturday morning at the Lamar Ranchers Restaurant.. They had a great time with lots of laughs. I am looking forward to attending one of their tea parties. Janie plans to host the next meeting August 14th at her ranch home north of Chivington.

We commend the Kiowa County Fair Board for hosting a July 4^th fun night of games for families at the fairgrounds. The Plainview Class of 2005 served a fundraiser supper. As usual there were lots of spectators around the fairgrounds and at various homes about town to watch the fireworks display. Thanks to the Town of Eads Firemen for this spectacular show. We often have gone to the Haswell July 4^th Pot luck and Fireworks show. We missed being there this year but we know they had a lot of fun.

Two little neighbors brought me a gift of a fish bowl of tad poles! I told them I would watch them but if they burst out into frogs or toads….I’m going to call them!

My little neighbor boys to the south have been having fun with a large turtle. There is a small turtle that we see sometimes when he comes out to eat dry cat food by my art room door. Saturday noon he came out so another young neighbor boy brought the turtle in for me to see close up. We had fun watching him walk around to explore before we returned him to the garden.