“Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.” I John 3:18

I like the part about that verse that instructs us to not talk about loving others but to show love in the way one lives out their life. An example of love in action that happened in our own community was last Monday night when the largest crowds of people I have ever seen attend a “Chamber After Hours” event. It was cold and icy, the kind of night you would like to stay in your cozy home or warm bed; but many citizens went to Prairie Pines for the “Meet and Greet” of our new Nurse Practitioner and Physical Assistant at Weisbrod Hospital and the Clinic. The response was heartwarming! Interim Administrator Char (Woelk) Korrell introduced Jessica Hyman, PA, and her husband, Matt and little girl, Remi. Jessica told the audience that she is from the Springfield area in Baca County and met Matt at college in Oklahoma where they had lived before coming here. Many people wanted to welcome Dawn Back, Nurse Practitioner, who had moved away but chose to return to Eads. Mrs. Back introduced her husband, Dale, and said their son, Cody, is studying at USC-Pueblo. She introduced their son and wife, Darren and Lexi, and their three little children who have also moved to Eads. Dawn’s parents live at Ordway. Ms Korrell, told how happy the board and staff were to find these two wonderful women who are such a good fit for the medical needs of our communities. She introduced Megan Buck who is certified to operate the CAT scan, X-Ray machine and is a Radio Technologist. Ms Korrell also told about the many services that the facility offers such as the Physical Therapy Department which staffs, Dr. Tim Richardt and Joe Zinger. Dr. David Lenderts, Chief of Staff, addressed the audience two times. He lauded many aspects of the goodness of our hospital, nursing home, clinic, and personnel. The second time he spoke, Lenderts praised the Hospital Board Chairwoman, Priscilla Wagoner, for her leadership. Chamber President Dennis Pearson introduced Pam (Brown) Weirich, who has recently returned to be the Administrator of Prairie Pines. He commended the Prairie Pines staff for supplying the wonderful food buffet preceding the hour program.

The next Chamber of Commerce project will be to prepare the popular “Birds and Bacon” breakfast Sunday, February 11. He invited people to come to help us cook that morning. The Chamber has been preparing this breakfast for many years as part of one of the birding tours for the three-day Snow Goose Festival in Lamar. 

The Eads High School students had a Snow Ball Dance scheduled last Saturday. I am glad because teens could benefit from such a social experiences and fun. When we were teenagers, we had square dances every fourth Saturday night of the month in one of five towns in the county. This was one of the highlights of many of our lives in the 4-H program under the leadership of Extension Agent, Bruce (Letha) Whitmore.

Mary Marble, the former Chivington Post Mistress, lives near Lamar. She sent word to me via Joyce Berry for me to include in this article. Mary, who is in her 90’s says, “I may live in Prowers County, but my heart is always in Kiowa County.” We hear of many people who feel this way about their home area. You are dear to many people, Mary.

Congratulations to Jonah Schofield of Eads High who was awarded a $1,500.00 Wrangler’s Grant at the Stock Show to help fund his SAE project to raise a beef animal in FFA. Jonah and others who won the award applied to the Wrangler group for the grant. Jonah is the son of Jennifer (Rittgers) Schofield.

While people were in a church or wherever last Sunday morning they were really surprised to find a big windy snow had blown in during the hour. It lasted most of the day and the moisture is so welcome!

Mariah Smith, Eads senior, was selected to receive the “Good Citizen Award,” which is given by the Fort Bent Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter. Miss Smith is an officer in several major clubs at Eads High School; she is an outstanding athlete in three sports, and on some week-ends, she is a C.N.A. at Weisbrod Long Term Care Center. She is the daughter of Glenn and Tracy Smith.

A reminder that the monthly Senior Citizen Brunch will be Thursday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m. at the Eads senior center. The Sage Meal that can be eaten with others at the center is Wednesday, February 6. Remember to call Areta Laird, 719-438-2249 to reserve a meal.

Circle the date of Wednesday, February 21, to attend the monthly noon meal at the center which will be a baked potato bar with lots of toppings.

After Liz Hulteen and I were painting wall hangings last week, I invited her to teach Hebrew language and songs in my home Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Since Liz lived and worked in Israel for seven years, she has many insights and photos about the people of Israel. Readers may call if you are interested.

I join others in our community to warn especially senior citizen age people to beware of scammer phone calls. A young man called me last week saying he was “your oldest grandson.” About four hours later he called greeting me as “Grandma.” After my laughing response, he said, “Oh, I think I have the wrong phone number.” So, I kindly told him again, “This is a Scam!”