A good scripture verse to guide you, Reader, in the New Year is: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Our community has been shaken with two deaths of people who are dear to many of our hearts, Jim Offill and June Blooding. Both of these dear people were our close country neighbors. Complications from that wicked cancer took Jim Offill last week. His wife, Linda, of over 50 years, has worked over 25 years for Eads Schools. Superintendent, Glenn Smith arranged an early release time so the staff and students could attend the funeral Friday. Their daughters, Angie (Devin) Kelley and Cindy (Benton) Webb, of the Colorado Springs area have been here with their parents.

June Blooding was the second death. She was and is the mother of five darling daughters, Mickie (Les) Faulkin, Areta (Terry) Laird, Shaleta (Jerry) Voss, Mary (Whit) Eikner, and Sylvia (Tim Weeks). She met her husband, Art Blooding, when he was in the Navy during World War II in Oklahoma. June was a beautiful lady in many ways especially in her appreciation of classical music and loyalty to church and organizations she belonged to. Her funeral was scheduled for Sunday afternoon with burial Monday in the hope that her granddaughter, Shalyn (Keith) Smith, would be back from their honeymoon cruise in the Caribbean.

June was a good friend and supporter of the family and singer, Carl Brent Ritter. Brent was a former Eads student who has gifted with a marvelous singing voice. He was called “The Voice of Pueblo” for many years. The Blooding family and we who knew Brent Ritter are sad to hear of his passing last month.

The Cycle of Life continues to revolve. My new next-door neighbors, Tyler and Morgan McCracken were blessed with the birth of their four-pound tiny baby boy who they named Taylor Maverick. After being in Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, they are home now in Eads.

Our family was blessed with a new baby who was born to Eli and Celena Clark January 3. The baby’s big sister, Eve, says they named her Elkle (elk lee) Mila (Meela) Clark. Celena’s grandfather’s name was Elknah Spady.

Last Thursday morning we had such a good time at our monthly senior citizen brunch. There was a nice variety of egg casseroles, biscuits and gravy, fruits, and other good foods to eat as we sat around tables with red cloths and gold sparkly centerpieces. Several “newer” folk came so we had more interesting conversations. Gail’s “cooking life” will be easier now because she was able to buy a new fry pan and other utensils from the local HealthMart so that she won’t have to transport her own pans to cook with to the Senior Center. The next meal will be Wednesday, January 17 at 12:00 noon for a potluck.

Do remember the date of Monday January 15 for the Finger Food Reception to say “Thank you” to the managers and volunteers who have helped take tickets and run the concession stand for the weekly movies last year. This will be at 6:00 p.m. and then at 6:30 p.m. Chairwoman Betsy Barnett will review the past year and at 7:00 p.m. people can stay to enjoy a movie “Best Wishes” to college girl, Eboni Nash, who has written such thought provoking essays for two years. She is a college student in Hastings, Nebraska. She was home at college break and helped care for her mother, Teresa Witte, the County Emergency Director, who had knee surgery. We liked her “Holiday Hole” essay that was related to the many ways she misses her grandfather, Don Phillips, since he passed this year.

Next week, Eads Eagle fans can watch basketball games beginning at 4:00 p.m. in Eads with Idalia, and Saturday, Eads will host the Eads Wrestling Tournament. This tournament is scheduled earlier this year and is a great opportunity to see our wrestling co-op with Eads-Wiley-McClave as well as wrestlers from a number of schools.

A number of Spady and Lessenden relatives attended the funeral services for Kitty Ann Long in Las Animas. Kitty Ann was a prominent woman, activist, and supporter of sports programs in LA besides bring the mayor and the assessor for many years.

In regard to this new year ahead of us, let us heed this thought by Andrew Carnegie: “Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole clear, glorious life lies before you.” I am eager for what 2018 can bring to us. I think life is getting better in the USA, or at least where I live. How about you?