About Town

By Ida and Doris Lessenden

October, 29, 2004

Pastor Don Brown flew to Colorado last week to serve as the minister for Jim D. Adamson’s funeral. These men were classmates and neighbors in the Chivington community when they were growing up. When Don visited friends at the Nursing Home, my Mother, Ida, was so pleased to get to see Don again.

Lawrence and Nola Engstrom of Eads were in Golden recently to celebrate their family Christmas at the Golden Park. In fact this was the park where they celebrated their 50^th Wedding Anniversary a few years ago. The Engstroms make a game of drawing numbers to receive their Christmas gifts from family members. Vi Koch, has returned to Eads from her trip to near Ft. Meyers, Florida, where she went to visit her son, Beatle, and wife, Sharon. They both have jobs and are happy there. Vi said, "They really entertained me and took me to see lots of pretty tourist attractions, the beach as well as dining out."

LaVerle Kelley and Florris Oswald of Eads were in Cheyenne Wells, Saturday to attend the "Welcome Home Party" for their grandson, David Kelley, of Arapahoe and granddaughter, Bettina and son, from Hawaii. David has been stationed in Iraq. Many relatives and friends were there as well as LaVerle’s daughters, Linnae and family from Amarillo, Texas, Raeanne from Colorado Springs, and Christie and family from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Mark and Julie and family from Arapahoe. Florris’ daughter, Debroah and families and Don Oswald from the Haswell area and Linda Oswald from Great Bend, Kansas, were among the many guests.

Lawanda Allee of Pasadena, California, spent several days in Eads recently, visiting her mother, Betty Jacobs, and friends from high school days. They drove to Burlington on Sunday where they visited Lawanda’s niece, Melanie Walther, and family.

Alma Robertson was the honored citizen at the Friday football game. Mrs. Robertson has been a resident of Kiowa County for 71 years. Alma says, "She likes to support all of the kids, especially her grandson, Vance Cole." Alma likes to listen to the band play during the games. I think she will agree with me that the band sounded great Friday night at the Granada game.

Ula Roberson had a wonderful 95^th birthday party in Strasburg Saturday. Among her Kiowa County friends who attended were Dr. Catherine Anderson, Ethel Ferris, Guy and Mary Shaffer, Virgil and Wanda Lessenden, and Herb Rixsy.

There were many out of town guests at the Larrew-McPherson wedding the 16^th. Among those we were so delighted to see were Don and McSherry Weber of Davis, Oklahoma. Besides being wheat farmers in this county, they raise big bodied cow horses.

The Eads volleyball teams had exciting games Thursday and Friday, where they won their matches. This week they will be playing in the District Play-offs in Lamar.

We want to commend Renay Crain, the Kiowa County Health Nurse and her assistant, Sherry Emmert, and the other medical staff who assisted with the Mass Vaccination Clinic at the court house. It was quite a sight to see the crowds standing in lines outside and inside the doors, firemen, county workers, and other volunteers opening doors and assisting people. Inside, there were not only our own county medical volunteers but people from other towns and cities. I would say that, "It was a tremendous success!" Plus the chance to visit with people from around the county as well as some who came up from Lamar and Wiley.

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of LaRue Lilly Adamson of Eads. Many of her eleven children and their children have been here this weekend. They are a large and wonderful family whom are loved and admired.

The Weisbrod Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary met last Tuesday to lay more plans for the November 20^th Bazaar at the community building. Sis Howard was here this morning and was pleased that business establishments and people have been so generous to donate gifts or gift certificates to be drawn on that day. Some of the ladies will be selling tickets for those who can’t be there or want to have a chance for a great gift.

The Eads Knowledge Bowl team has been to meets at Swink, Plainview, and Holly this fall. They will be competing at the Lamar Community College meet November 5^th. The eleven members are Joe Andrew Bush, Kelly Lindholm, Vance Cole, Kaitlyn Philpy, Bethany Kerfoot, Billy Brandt, Milly Spady, Destiny Saffer, Sanket Merchant, Matt Seay, and Kevin Lindholm. Their sponsors are Sue Fox and Carole Spady.

Word has been received that Pete Hoepner has passed away in the country of Thailand. Pete was an Eads graduate, a missionary in Africa, and an educator and administrator for many years.

There was a large turnout of folks for the Republican barbeque dinner Saturday evening. We really enjoyed the music by Philomene Liesen and Jimmy Brown and having Tom Davis be the music leader and host. After the candidates spoke, we heard from Colorado Legislators, Greg Brophy and Mark Hillman, who explained the Referendums and the Amendments. Adam Saffer also told us about his trip to the Springs to see and hear President Bush. When Roger Saffer was asked where he was, Roger said,"I was taking a photo of my son, shaking hands with President Bush."

Bruce Hallman recently moved his wife, Kellie, and five children to Eads from their home near Berthod. Mr. Hallman came to teach science in Eads last January. He is a fine teacher and we are so glad they chose our community. Welcome to Eads!

Congratulations to Ryan Trosper of Eads who will be awarded to coveted National Degree at the FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday October 30^th. Less than 165 degrees are given from the 50 states in the USA. Ryan is a good farmer, student, college sophomore, and college golfer.

Jim Hablutzel and Brent Bamber of Lamar entertained residents on a recent evening at the Nursing Home Jim played a flute while Brent played the guitar for the sing-a-long.

We see and hear of many acts of kindness in our community. Last week, Barb Diel spent most of the week at a city hospital with her friend, Daisy Hebberd, while her husband, Darrell, was having surgeries.

Members of the Town of Eads VALE Board had their quarterly meeting last week. The Board can grant some monies to people who are victims of crime in Eads or for preventive education, such as the materials Captain Chad Ray will give to the children before Halloween Trick or Treating time.

Robin Musgrave and I had a new experience Saturday to attend a "Mis Quince Anos" Quincenara in Lamar. This began with a celebration in a church for the 15 year old Judy Ann Medina. It was an elegant affair with seven teenage girls in pink floor length matching formals and the young men escorts in tuxedos. We were impressed by the meaning of all the gifts as well as the symbolism and music. There was a dinner and a dance also. Her mother, Linda, was a good friend of my niece, Deana Griswould.

I enjoyed listening on the radio to the Lamar Softball game as they played in the State High School Tournament Friday. Destiny Saffer, Eads sophomore played on the team.

Four-H members are preparing for the 4-H Banquet November 5^th that will be held at the Plainview School.

Mark Hillman was the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce After Hours Meeting Monday evening at Our Place. Thanks to Chairman Dennis Pearson for arranging this fine meeting and hospitality foods.

Betsy Barnett, Eads Media Specialist with the staff and many volunteers is hosting the Book Fair at the multi purpose room October 26 to November 8^th. The public is welcome to come to look at and purchase books. Mrs. Barnett also has games, posters, little toys, art supplies, and other items available to customers at the Book Fair.