About Town

By Ida and Doris Lessenden

October 1, 2004

A choir of 15 women has been practicing two times a week for quite some time for the County Fall Praise Concert at which folks from seven churches in the county will participate. Churches will have special musical numbers that will be introduced by Mary Eikner and Tom Davis. Do circle Sunday, October 16^th at 6:30 p.m. on your calendar. This is sure to be an inspirational evening at the Eads United Methodist Church.

Destiny Saffer has been practicing and playing with the Lamar High School Softball Team this fall. I have seen news photos and heard the sports announcers speak highly of our Eads Sophomore. We are glad that this opportunity is open to Destiny by the Colorado High School Activities Association.

I had a call from a nice lady who brought to my attention that many people are still talking about how they were so favorably impressed with the rodeo announcer at the county fair. She said that he was really outstanding in creating enthusiasm, and excitement. Furthermore he did so without speaking off color jokes and "dirty words" as in some past years. She suggested that we write in the Press a "Thanks" to the county Fair Board and to whomever else was responsible for arranging this fine man to come to Kiowa County. A "Tip of the Hat" to the Fair Board Members: Milton Watts, Dale Butler, Arêta Laird, Lance Jagers, Violet Lane, and Jimmy Brown and to the Commissioners: Delcarl Eikenberg, Vern Harris, and Rod Brown.

Linda Eder sold me a bag of red apples at the Community Market. Those Eder apples were so much more crispy and tasty than what I am accustomed to. Linda also had vegetables. The Ellicott’s had a wide variety of garden produce and car wash products at the market. They will have more at their Yard Sale on Saturday, October 2.

I had the pleasure to meet the lovely Dr. Deeba Nisar, who is the wife of our Dr. Bilah Ahmad. Dr. Deeba is a dentist and is getting acquainted with our land, which is probably quite different from her native, Kashmir.

The Eads and Cheyenne Wells communities want to help the Mike and Char Korrell family who have huge medical and air expenses in flying to Houston, Texas, every 21 days for his new cancer treatments. Citizens are welcome to come to the Chili Supper at the Eads School cafeteria, Friday, October 1^st at 5 to 7:00 p.m. before the football game. The Korrells are the son-in-law and daughter of Bill and Charlotte Woelk of Eads.

It is heart warming to see random acts of kindness. Early on a recent Saturday morning, I saw a thoughtful lady stopped on 9^th Street, outside her pick-up where she was picking up broken glass from the street. I thought it might be beer bottles, but she said it looked as if a collision had happened there.

Fran Larrew and Linda Trosper hosted a lovely bridal shower for Sara Price and Travis Lessenden Friday evening. We were so grateful that Rhonda Krueger went back to work for a while to bring Travis’ Grandmother Ida over to the party. She had a great time watching her granddaughters and little great grandchildren. Travis assisted Sara in opening the gifts since Sara is from Canon City. We all marveled to see the beautiful roses that Fran grows in her yard to make such elegant floral arrangements for the tables.

One of the most fun things that I can do lately is to roll into the Healthmart in my electric chair. For several years I have relied on "personal shoppers" or called their marketers. Now, I am in awe to see all the beautiful displays of gift items. They are one of a kind beautiful decorator items, wall hangings, figurines, dishes, frames, silk flowers, gorgeous dolls in satin dresses, toys, and so many other lovely gifts. For Red Hatter ladies, they have beautiful designer tee shirts and I could go on an on. No need to go to a mall! Tom and Cathy Davis have a competent, helpful staff.

Brenda Stoker’s 4th grade class hosted "Grandparents Day" last week. Several grandparents or "adopted" grandparents came to attend classes and to dine with the children.

Last Tuesday was a busy day for a lot of people about town. Some Weisbrod Hospital Auxiliary ladies met for a noon luncheon at Our Place Restaurant, The members are laying plans for the November 20^th annual Christmas Bazaar. Co-chairmen Linda Trosper and Suzanne Williams have letters ready to mail out. Linda said that this is the 25^th anniversary of the Bazaar. Committees are set for redecorating some of the rooms or helping to move furniture, supplying books, and other projects. A tip of the hat to Louise "Sis" Howard, who directs craft lessons two days a month of the residents.

The Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on the Aging Advisory Council was hosted at the Eads Senior Center last Tuesday afternoon. People came from Baca, Prowers, Bent, Otero, Crowley, and Kiowa Counties to hear the latest in news on legislation, insurance, prescription cards, the Speak-Out Conference, various services, and other issues.

Tuesday night the Lions Club had a big turnout of folks who came for the supper. Some stayed to play bingo. We appreciated Alexa Roberts and Rod Johnson who invited many Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian friends to come for supper before going to another meeting. Bill Dawson was there from Colorado Springs. He said that his son, young Bill, was at their home for a few days from his job in Washington, D. C.

Eads Schools will be having Homecoming activities next week with various dress days. The Community Pep Rally and Spirit Walk will be on Thursday, the 7^th, after the Middle School volleyball and football games. This will happen about 7:00 p.m. followed by a bonfire. The parade will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday with the football game with Walsh and pre-show about 6:30 p.m. The student dance will be that evening since the school band will leave early Saturday morning to perform at the Air Force Academy game.

The Homecoming Royalty Court selected by their classmates is: 9th grade: Andrea Williams, Kevin Lindholm; Sophomore: Matea Mayo and Matt Seay; 11th Grade: Jennie Richards, and Adam Saffer; 12th grade candidates for King and Queen are: Brittany Peck, Morrell Koch, and Rachel Buck and Joe Andrew Bush, A. J. McCracken, and Kelley Lindholm.

Monday evening Chamber of Commerce President, Dennis Pearson invited the commissioner candidates to speak about their background experiences and hopes for the future work and service to Kiowa County.. The candidates, Vern Harris, Don Oswald, and Mike Weirich along with those who attended shared many ideas and some exciting possibilities for projects and growth for the good of our county.

One of the most charming, hospitable, talented, lovable former Eads residents, Carolyn Howard-Debusk was visiting friends in Our Place Monday evening. She and her husband live in Billings, Montana. Carolyn was in Colorado to attend her 50^th class reunion at her Cheyenne Wells school and to visit her daughter, Dawna Weirich and family.

Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family of John H. Ebright who passed away over the weekend. John was an avid sports fan but most especially he and his wife, Verna, loved to go to their grandson’s ball games all over the state when they played for the Lamar Schools and in summer leagues. John was a veteran, an esteemed person of our community.

One of my neighbors read the lovely program to me from the Kelly Barlow-Preston Courkamp wedding. Many high school and college friends returned for the ceremony and celebration of this young couple who were married in Wiley and hosted at a reception at the Lamar Elks Club. Best wishes to the young couple.

Residents of the Weisbrod Nursing Home were glad to meet their new third grade "adopted grandchildren" last week. Charlene Gifford brought the children to make autumn leaf wreaths for their rooms.