Shalom: “Peace be with you.”

To live joyfully on the eastern plains will be easier after the little rain shower Friday evening. We are very dry in southeast Colorado and, as a result, we have little dust storms and lots of dust in our homes. We really need more moisture, but we are blessed still. Some lawns are beginning the turn green. There are five yellow daffodils blooming outside my art room and, suddenly, the leaves are bursting out on the lilac bushes and many trees. Lou Touner’s pink plum bush hedge is blooming beautifully, which must be so enjoyable for the residents and nurses at the south side of Weisbrod Hospital’s Extended Care Unit. Spring is here!

Logan and Felicia Smith of Tribune, Kansas, announced the birth of their first child, Heston Cole Smith. Logan is the son of Glenn and the late Tracy Smith of Eads.

Another birth was announced last week. Andrea Voss Morgan gave birth to a son, Elena, April 6. Andrea lives in the Karval area.

The annual health fair was held in the Eads Elementary School April 14-15. This yearly service was hosted and organized by the Weisbrod Hospital staff, with Gloria Trosper and Shannon Dixon as the leaders. It was a success again, and they did appreciate everyone coming. I remember people whose lives have been saved when those tests revealed irregularities.

The Eads senior citizens had their monthly noon lunch Wednesday. That evening at 5:30 p.m., the Haswell seniors met at their senior center, where they had their meal and business meetings. Please remember that these dates are regular times when seniors meet, because they are opportunities for people to communicate with other people, and that is generally mentally healthy. It is vital for people the visit. More and more we are seeing and hearing how important those talk times are for people. We need the recapture some of those times from the “olden days.” “People Need People” - do you remember that old song from the 1950s?

What a great opportunity to volunteer to help clean up the yards around Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community April 22 beginning at 10:00 a.m. They will provide beverages and lunch for the volunteer workers. Mike Gorman, who used the live at Prairie Pines, will be glad about that. For several years, he used the go out with his tools in his power chair to maintain the grounds for hours at a time. The rocks and weeds need some attention. Dear Evelyn Garner, who was a resident there, used to rearrange the rocks and work with the plants too. Both Mike and Evelyn even worked around the rocks and weeds in the spaces where trees are planted on Maine Street. Here is another volunteer opportunity for someone.

Bud Bennett’s daughter, Tammy, left a message that Bud is back in his home on Maine Street and would welcome visits. Maybe someone could help him set out some of his hundreds of flags, two to six at a time.

Rod Pelton of Cheyenne Wells is our area’s Representative in the Colorado State Legislature. Ty Harmon interviews Mr. Pelton on the radio once a month. He sounds like a good man who really tries the work for the good of the people in southeast Colorado. Pelton often has articles in our local newspapers to help us be informed.

Plainview School in eastern Colorado between Sheridan Lake and Towner is looking to hire teachers and maintenance workers. Jess Buller is the Superintendent at Plainview, and is revitalizing the school. He is a former teacher and administrator who worked in schools in northern Colorado during his career. We enjoyed his presence at Eads Chamber of Commerce meetings.

Middle school and high school track meets are in full swing this spring. Some days have been warm, but the weekends have been quite frigid. However, when one reads the scoring reports, it is gratifying to see the names of young athletes we recognize from area schools. One realizes that those children have suddenly grown up and are now accomplishing good feats for their schools. Thank you to GN Bank of Eads and local and area advertisers who bring those sports reports that we fans of the schools like to read to keep updated on track and baseball games, as well as softball games. This week, the high school track meet will be at Rocky Ford Saturday, April 28.

No sports events this Saturday. It is Prom night.

Riki (Berry) Cordova is to be commended for her years of service in organizing the annual Easter egg hunt that brings so much enjoyment to children and families. It is wonderful that so many people helped her put candies in plastic eggs before the hunt, and that local photographer, Braylynn (Peck) Eder, takes all those photos with children and the huge Easter Bunny. Thank you also to generous Ralph Berry, who bought three bicycles for the age groups. Just imagine the delight of the children and their families when the child’s name was drawn for a bike!

After a short stay in Weisbrod Hospital, I have actually stayed inside my home for a week to recuperate. I am so grateful to kind friends and family who have come by and, especially, for Liz Hulteen, who bought such tasty meals. Life is better.