By Doris Lessenden

What a good year nearly past, now we look for the New Year! Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”                   

Evelyn Brenton Garner’s funeral was a really large one attended by many family friends from a life of 94 years of zestful living by this little spunky lady who was loved and admired a lot for her loving husband, Dan, three sons, and for being a farmer, gardener, dedicated lady to her church and caring to drive ladies to church even to this last year! Two of the songs that Nancy Walker and Betty Crow played as we exited the United Methodist Church that are my favorites were: “It is No Secret” and “He (God) Touched Me”. Pastor Christine Richardson shared vivid memories and stories about our elder friend, like when she received her GED Diploma at Lamar Community College and when she ran the Bowling Alley.” Many people were amazed that as late as this fall she was still dedicated to sit on the ground in her overalls pulling weeds and washing stones and resetting them around trees along Maine Street and around Prairie Pines. Close family friends, Sylvia Weeks and Mary Eikner, represented the Blooding family by singing three lovely hymns. Thursday it was snowing but the sun was shining brightly on Friday for her funeral.

Wednesday was the last day of school in Eads where they carried on a neat tradition, “Buddy Day”. This is a time when the high school students are matched up with elementary students with whom they sit together in the nice red velvet chairs in the Plains Theatre to watch a movie. Then they eat a sack lunch together in the Cafeteria before going home for Christmas break. The elementary students relish time with the “big kids”.

Wednesday was also a day of parties and dinners in the county. At the Eads Senior Center, guests enjoyed a turkey and ham dinner with delicious side dishes and desserts. Commissioner Cindy McLoud explained the County’s budget challenge and answered some concerns. That evening at the Haswell Senior Citizen’s Center, Wanda Lessenden cooked for the seated meal which was served by Glenda and Colby Stoker and Shane Lessenden. Wanda was grateful that Blake washed the dishes for them. The next Eads Brunch will be Thursday, January 5^th.

Congratulations to former Eads graduate, Garrett Smith, who was recently named “Colorado 6-Man Football Coach of the Year” by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Garrett is a second-year science teacher and coach at Cheyenne Wells High School. We are proud of him!

Andrea Morgan says her little boy, Milo, is delighted with his huge stuffed stocking and penguin toy that he won from the Eads Consumer’s Supply and Home Town Gas and Grill.

We extend our sympathy to the families of Ramona (Monie) Harwig who passed last week. She was the sister of Roberta (Birdie Mays) Hines of Canyon City and the aunt of Tanya (Artie) Lane of Eads.

The fourth week winner of $75.00 in Eads Bucks was Rebecca Sorter of Eads. Congratulations from the Chamber of Commerce and Jan Richards of the KCEDF office who sent the message of last weeks’ winner.

Our community welcomes Bill Krum’s wife, Cindy, from Spring, Texas. They were married last summer at the ranch south west of town. They alternate times between Eads and Texas where Cindy is a teacher. She says she likes this prairie country and their home on the ranch. Her father-in-law, Bill Krum, enjoys his new daughter-in-law too.

I am blessed to live in an older home but it often needs the attention of a good craftsman and builder like David Englehardt who has come to my rescue three times this fall. I am so grateful that he lives and works in Eads!

Madison Kelly, Duff Jensen, Cynthia Watson, and Mollie Guyrman deserve much positive recognition from the Eads community for promoting the ideas and contests for community pride and holiday decorations of businesses and homes. As professional photographer, Ashley Gooden’s photos reveal, there were indeed so many decorated homes around town. They worked with other FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) members and their chapter sponsor, Mrs. Shannon Ellenberger.

Because had “lost my voice”, I decided that I couldn’t go to the Christmas Eve services in Haswell and Eads which was disappointing to me. However, I was so glad to have the wonderful memories of our Advent service and Youth Program on Wednesday evening.

Mrs. Tracey Weeks directed the service of recitations and songs by the children and teenagers. She was assisted by Dara Randel and Betsy Evans for the program that ended in singing “Silent Night” to the accompaniment of Jared Weeks on the guitar while the worshipers held lighted candles. This service was followed by a “Birthday Cake” for Jesus party. Jordyn Weeks baked and decorated two tier cakes with 20 red candles for the centuries since Jesus was born and related the symbolic traditions of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the Wise Men brought to Jesus.