Jesus said, “Take heart; it is I, do not be afraid.”

The windy blew all day and evening, but we agreed, it was pleasant and better than in the usual high 90s. When the wind swept down mid-morning, many tents and tables collapsed. Even the big the balloon bouncy houses had to be moved from the one-way street to north of the bank. But the Maine Street Bash was better! The children loved both houses which Tina Adamson and Liz Hulteen supervised the whole day with some help from others. They know that it will take more volunteers for the county fair. The food was great from vendors, Charlie and Mary Vasquez’ Mexican menu; Russ Wastson and family’s barbecue; Glode’s Thia food, Chinese and burgers bus; and Marlene Adamson and Kelli Rouse had great funnel cake sticks and burgers. Kemma Alfono and Valerie Briggs of the library had packaged snacks and beverages also. One could get coffee samples from Linda Eder on the way across from Ty Lynn Williams’ big Winnebago bus of charming and hand painted house and yard decorations, clothing, and treasures. Free movies all day could entertain the kids, plus ice cream from the Maine Scoop. All the while Terry Riley and Geleslie King engineered the sound system for music for all the bands and solo singers. We heard wonderful quality music performed by fine musicians and singers from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. When Leo LePrairie, formerly an educator, from Granada’s group was playing, I said to Cardon and Joyce Berry, “Doesn’t that song make you want to dance?” She replied, “That is where we are going, to dance!”

That night, Dennis Pearson, Chamber of Commerce, presented the plaque award to Gloria Trosper as “Volunteer of the Year” especially for her service to the 4-H Program, fair concession stands, and years of organizing health fairs, and to Terry Riley, the plaque for “Citizen of the Year” for his work for Maine Street Bashes, service at the theatre, town council, and fire fighters. Cindy McLoud of the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation, presented the award to Jennifer Schofield for “Business of the Year” for JJ’s Restaurant and being able to maintain it despite COVID restrictions and battling cancer.

Congratulations to Eads’ Reece Barnett, who was at the Pinehearst Golf Course in North Carolina accompanied by her mother last week. Reece earned her trip there because she qualified for the United States Kids World Golf Championships. What an honor! We are thrilled for this talented young sixth grade student and her supportive families.

Cindy Kelly Newman is happy to announce her daughter, Brittanie, has graduated with her second degree to be a physical therapist assistant. She will be working at several western Kansas facilities.

When Gail Voss drove me to Pueblo to the eye doctor, we were pleased to visit with people from Eads: Vernon (Beatle) and Sharon Koch, and Becky Mitchell, now of Swink. The Koch’s returned Florida to pick and can mangos. Beatle says he is Sharon’s helper. We were disappointed to see how much drier it is to the west of us. Lawns around our town look attractive and green.

Our sympathy is extended to the families of Gordon (Marie) Buck who died in Alamosa. The Eads High School class of 1955 mourns another classmate lost. 

Did you ever wonder if you knew someone at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, this summer? Anyone who went to school in Eads or Lamar in the 90s may remember Linda Wroblewski, now a computer-camera person there. Linda works for a company out of Phoenix, Arizona, that sends her all around the world to record mainly golf tournaments where a design shows the path of the ball on the television screen.

Dusty Eikenberg of Haswell delivered many boxes of Palisade peaches to families. Dusty had his farmer’s produce in the former senior citizen building during the Maine Street Bash. Usually on Saturdays, he is at the park in Eads. His sister, Haley (Gibbs) Reedy, said they “teach in adjoining rooms in the Lamar Middle School.”

Kiowa County Extension Agent Tearle Lessenden and his Administrative Assistant, Krystal Eikenberg, hosted 4-H Achievement Day for judging of various projects except last Monday. Judges determined the ranking of the projects so that Tearle could take the top two projects of set divisions to the Colorado State Fair this month. More information on the 4-H fair that took place in the new Eads senior citizen center will follow soon.

School registration was held last week. There was an open house Thursday for meetings with parents of kindergarten through second grade on guidelines. All the teachers from grades 3 to 8 met in their classrooms with parents at set times. Classes will begin August 9, and sports practices have begun. About eight pretty girls were sitting on a curb at the Maine Street Bash Saturday evening when I asked them, “When is your first volleyball game? They replied, “The 19^th of August”. “The football game will be August 27.”

I have a hard-working neighbor named Brandon Kauffman. I have noticed that he stops his building if someone has a need like trimming trees, digging, landscaping, painting, fixing things. His phone number is 719-921-3808. He is a tall veteran who will discuss being your “local handy man.”

Many tears were shed Sunday when we heard that our dear Tracy Smith has died.

Peace be with you, Friends.