About Town

By Ida and Doris Lessenden

December 17, 2004

Reta (Fischer) Saltzgaver was on Dr. Phil’s Television Show last week on Channel 4 and 5 which I along with other friends watched with much interest. The beauticians brought a lovely transformation in a "makeover" of Reta. Her sister, Lawanda, was in the audience. She said, "She is a beautiful person inside and now look at the beautiful outside". The ladies are the daughters of Betty Jacobs of Eads, so it was really good for many of us who remember these two vivacious ladies and to recall our memories of them as students in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.

The Community Cantata performance of George Frederick Handel’s, "The Messiah" was splendid and heartwarming to hear the adult choir and the children’s Kings Kids choir. Love Liebl played the organ while Charlotte Woelk and Anetta Maxey accompanied on the piano with Brittany Peck at the keyboard for soloists Gary Liesen, Jessica James, Burl Scherler, and Sylvia Weeks Tom Davis shared historical backgrounds of some of the selections. Another pleasant surprise was to hear Kit Carson senior, Matthew Maxey, play a euphonium solo. It was awesome to hear the harmony of the Ladies’ Ensemble as they sang, "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth". The Director, Philomene Liesen, has blessed the audience again with all her efforts and organization. The lady next to me whispered, "Philomene, could have gone anywhere with her wonderful teaching talent, but she chose to stay here to give this community the gift of music!" We are grateful that she did stay in Southeastern Colorado. We thank all the people who were a part of this impressive yearly concert. Konda Howard, Teresa Witte, and Debbie Kliesen hosted a lovely reception in the Fellowship Hall where many folks stayed to visit.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Katherine Mast. Her son, Gordon, and Pam, live in Eads. They lost their son, Chet, just this fall. Our hearts go out to them and the whole Mast family.

The Crow-Luther Arts Center was packed Thursday evening for the two performances of the Pre-school to High School music program of singing and band selections. I have heard from several sources that people were favorably impressed with the exuberance and the renditions of the music under the direction of Bob Seay.

Linda Heil of Ft. Collins returned to her former hometown, Eads, to enjoy visiting friends, attended the basketball games, church, the Cantata, and visited at the Nursing Home. Linda is a dear friend of ours who was our country neighbor when her father, Dr. Lyle Graham served at our hospital.

Many Westender’s and some families attended the Picketwire Theatre in La Junta to see the Christmastime production. The musical and story were written to honor a La Junta family.

Congratulations to Kelly Lindholm and to Dain Barnett who have been named to the Arkansas Valley All-Conference First Football Team.

The crowds poured into the Eads Fire House last Tuesday to enjoy Konda Howard’s good chili served by the firemen, some city employees, and other officials. There was a lot of jubilation when Santa Claus was ushered in. Lots of photos were taken with children on his lap. Chamber of Commerce President Dennis Pearson announced that Charlie Howard has been named the "Citizen of the Year". The nominator pointed out that Charles has accomplished a lot of good in the short time he has lived here. Chuck and Lola Igou were named the "Volunteers of the Year". Chuck and Lola do so much to help other people, neighbors, and at the senior citizen center. Eunice Weber announced that Shirley White won the Emergency Kit in the drawing to benefit the EMT Department. This was a happy night for many people to sit around and visit as well as to walk to some of the local shops or drive around to see the really beautifully lighted homes and places of business about town.

Rachel Bowen came from college in Waxahachie, Texas to spend Thanksgiving with her grandparents, Buster and Frances Bowen, and to have dinner in Lamar with her Uncle and Aunt Sheri Bowen and other relatives. Rachel said she will always remember Thanksgiving night at her Grandparent Bowen’s Chivington Ranch when the lights were out because of a broken transformer. She hadn’t experienced a life style of lamps and candles.

We heartily agree with Tammy Ullman that "small towns such as ours are not free from the negative effects of drugs and alcohol and educating the students is one of the best ways to prevent it from infiltrating any more than it already has." By inviting Captain Chad Ray to her classroom to present facts and to actually show his displays of drug paraphernalia, the students can hopefully learn about the dangers of experimenting. I am grateful to know that these two educators are willing to teach about this very critical issue that brings so much misery to families. I just hope Captain Ray can speak to every grade, SOON.

Amy Nordquist is presenting her senior Art Portfolio Show at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, this week before her graduation with three majors in Art, Psychology, and Art Therapy. She commuted from Kit Carson to high school classes in Eads. It is a thrill for me to have had her in my classes. Amy will study and work at her sister, Carrie’s, mission school and drug rehabilitation center in Russia for the next six months and then return to graduate school in the USA.

Sunday I saw an unusual sort of bike made of two wheels that were welded to a really long body. Victor Brown told me that "it is a chopper". He had just finished making it but needed to paint it after a trial run. It is wonderful how Lance Jagers, the FFA advisor, encourages such creativity.

Many people do appreciate when Superintendent Glenn Smith writes up-dates on what is happening in the Eads Schools. Keep up the good writing. Mr. Smith is a positive force at the school. We appreciate him and his style.

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Ann Lamp. She worked closely with her husband, Chiropractor Dr. Lamp when they lived in Eads.

Our Eads Eagle basketball players will have games in Lamar Thursday through Saturday. The Eagle Wrestlers will be in tournaments at Las Animas on Friday and at Holly on Saturday.