About Town

By Ida and Doris Lessenden

October 15, 2004

Amy (Bean) French and her little son, Camden, have been here from Kansas City visiting her parents, Verle and Judith Bean. It was so good to see them strolling along Maine after the Homecoming Parade.

Travis Lessenden formerly of Eads was married to Sara Price of Canon City in a lovely outdoor wedding at Veteran’s Park in Canon City. Our family was in awe of how God created a warm sunny day for a perfect autumn wedding. Many of the relatives came from several states for the ceremony, reception, and dance. Travis works for the Terminex Company out of Pueblo and Sara is a student at Pueblo Community College.

Alice Glover of Eads and her sister, Mary Hood, of Pueblo traveled by Amtrak Train out of Denver to Washington state to visit three of their sisters who live in Eugene, Olympia, and Tacoma. Alice said, "They had a good time viewing the Colorado Rockies, Sierra Cascades, Nevada Mountains, Mt. St. Helen’s Volcano, and the coastal shores." Their father used to be a trainman so as little girls the seven sisters and parents had a number of trips on trains.

Under the leadership of STUCO Advisor, Dorie Musgrave, and Pep Club Sponsor, Kathy McCracken, and the teacher and parent liaisons the students had a colorful and fun packed week of Homecoming activities and games. I thought the Thursday Community Pep Rally was one of the nicest I have seen. A special touch was the red rose corsages and boutonnières for the six Rally and Parade Judges and the presentation of the parents of student players. Musgrave complemented the parents for their support and cooperation on behalf of their students and the activities. The elementary students were eager to wear purple and gold on Thursday also. I especially commend Bob Seay and the Band. They really sounded great and our community is so grateful to have a pep band. The gym wall decorations and the class skits were outstanding also. The Sophomore Class of 2007 was thrilled to capture the honor of being "The Class with Class" again.

The Homecoming Court was presented at Half-time where Brittany Peck was crowned, Queen, and Kelly Lindholm was crowned the King. The senior Princesses were Morrell Koch and Rachel R. Buck and attendants were Jennie Richards, Mattea Mayo, and Andrea Williams. The senior Princes were Joe Andrew Bush and A. J. McCracken. Underclassmen escorts were Adam Saffer, Matt Seay, and Kevin Lindholm. The girls in the Royalty Court were presented with title sashes and flower bouquets. The boys received key chains and everyone received 2004 Royalty pins for their letter jackets.

Cindy Williams, one on the organizers of the Fall Horseback Poker Ride, said "The 9.5 mile trail ride along Adobe Creek, through pastures, around homesteads, turned out really well. The warm day was also great for the cream can meal cooked over an open fire and served at Virgil and Wanda Lessenden’s ranch. About $200.00 will be donated to Clint States to help with expenses for his trip to the California Rose Parade with his wagon and team of horses. Another horseback ride will be planned for spring.

I hear by the grapevine that the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the Old Fashioned Sing-a-long got up early before sunrise and breakfast to meet at the church on their Columbus Day Holiday, to plan for the event with other leaders. We are excited that the King’s Kids Singers with their leaders, Kathy Shade and Cheryl Wyatt, will be singing during the service. There will also be a mixed quartet, a SSA trio (first and second soprano and alto) with other choir and instrumental gospel specials. Do plan to come to this Fall Praise and Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, October 17^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Eads United Methodist Church.

Several Freshmen FFA members went to the "Made for Excellence" Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs. They were accompanied by FFA officers: Adam Saffer, A. J. McCracken, Jennifer Lynn, Kelley Lindholm, and Tasha Hueller and Advisor, Lance Jagers who attended the Advanced Leadership Development sessions. These educational classes lasted two days.

Tim Weeks, Sue Fox, and Instructor, Bob Seay, sponsored Band members to the Air Force Band Day at the Academy for the Air Force vs. New Mexico Football game where the band members participated in a spectacular half-time show with hundreds of other student musicians.

Plainview School was the front page story on the Sunday Denver Post this week. The sunset colored photo of eight football players caught my eye. It was some of the Plainview boys who play with the Granada team. The article is about the several ways the citizens have tried to preserve their school and keep the attendance up. This article featured three foreign students from Germany, Ecuador, and France with Becca Specht of Sheridan Lake as they studied drivers education in the Distance Learning Lab. Other photos are of farmer, Mark Sanders, atop a huge silo with many metal grain bins in the background and a photo of Jake Befort who is the superintendent, school’s principal and part-time math teacher. Another photo shows Amanda Berggren boarding a bus and greeting bus driver, Barbara Wanderlingh. The writer, Robert Sanchez, states that people in District 2 are "counting on creativity" and they are working to "keep hope alive" for the survival of their school because of the lack of students.

People were glad to buy baked goods from the Republican Party outside their headquarters on Maine during the Homecoming Parade last week. Their Annual dinner will be the evening of Saturday, October 23^rd. The Democratic Party had their chili supper Monday, October 11^th. These dinner meetings offer an opportunity to meet the candidates and to gain understandings of the amendments.

A number of older citizens have enjoyed attending the "Speak Out" in various cities on the Eastern Slope. This year Lola Igou took LaVerle Kelley, Loretta Seibel, Alice Glover, Delores Rector, Alice Weil, Annie Cole, and Faye Barber on the county bus to the two day event in Burlington. Margie Wiltfang and Pansy Foxworthy attended the Thursday sessions, banquet, and bingo. The attendees learned more about preparedness for storms, preparedness for ones final demise, and new Medicare and drug card facts. Senator Mark Hillman and other legislative speakers enlightened the delegates on political issues. The delegates also had a tour of Old Town Burlington and a ride on the famed carousel.

Students and people were delighted to see the ladies of the Red Hatter club in the Homecoming Parade. Their next meeting will be October 30^th. This is a fun group for social fellowship and service projects too.

Justin Crain is back in our community after his tour of duty with the Marines in Iraq. He plans to attend college in Lamar for the Winter Semester.

Charlie Collins is out of the hospital after some serious health complications. We are hoping for his quick recovery. He was glad to have a visit from his baby grandson, Will Elam, and his parents, Billy and Krista, from Dighton, Kansas.