“I keep my eyes always on the Lord…” Psalm: 16: 8

Small Business Saturday across the nation had some unique offerings to customers. We experienced that in Eads and Kit Carson Saturday. It was a treat to the Kit Carson shoppers to find that Ty Lynn William had driven her RV traveling store and had parked by the antique store, where she had lots of delightful products. My friend, Robin Musgrave, was glad to buy a potato peeler once given by the Crow’s Stop and Shop store. Across the street, Tracey Weeks and Tieler Randel, both Mary Kay ladies, had beautifully displayed Mary Kay products to buy or get a facial and a mud mask. Plus, Jordyn Weeks served free cookies to the shoppers. Finally, the Trading Post is opened, so we ordered delicious take-out meals. The next day, we had noon lunch there. Kimm Brown said I could share her phone numbers for their serving hours: 719-962-3355 or 719-349-0141. She plans to have a poster in the Eads Post Office of the hours when they are open because she caters parties.

I am so happy that Jami Lane called me from Prairie Pines Assisted Living Center to say I could come back to have Bible Studies after the most recent lock down. Ken Grant called me from Weisbrod Hospital to say that I could come Tuesdays again after their closure to visitors. I have missed my friends at those facilities, and they miss the outside world, too. Last week, I saw Shirley Watts and her daughter, Connie Richardson, visiting outside under the new Woods-Rienert awning and having lunch. Connie brought Shirley’s little dog to visit her.

At Prairie Pines, I had such a good visit with Mary Marble, who is a marvel at age 98. She read two of her poems to me. The poem about “The Depression Years” was heart-touching and could well be printed in history books.

All last week, friends of Deborah Gooden all around the country were praying for her only brother, David Alvarado, who had been in a coma and having multiple surgeries after his motorcycle hit a huge bear in the Florida everglades. Friday night, Deborah told me that he had come out of the coma, but prayers were needed.

It was so good to be back in the gymnasium to watch our fine athletes and hear loud cheering again. Saturday, our wrestlers were in Fowler all day at that big tournament.

When we walked into the senior center for the Thursday monthly brunch, we saw round tables of red and green clothes with the ceramic snow-capped pine centerpieces. Immediately we noticed the stately upholstered chairs that Janet Frederick of the National Park Office had given to us. Lonni Hier has made more wreaths and floral arrangements for the center, and made a big platter of caramel pecan rolls. People enjoyed visiting while eating all those good foods. Circle December 15 for the noon dinner-meeting.

We extend our sincere sympathy to Nancy Walker and her families after the death of her eldest daughter, Melinda, in Colorado Springs.

The funeral for Dick McDaniel of Eads will be at the United Methodist Church December 18. The community extends their sympathy to his family.

Our Eads Class of 1955 was sad to hear that our classmate, Phyllis (Smith) Long died in November in Littleton. Bob Miller reminded me that her parents’ names were George and Minnie. Her funeral was streamed online. That is one benefit from our COVID isolations:  now, with technology, it is sometimes possible to see weddings, funerals, ball games, and other events on the screen when we cannot attend in person.

There are many beautifully lighted and decorated homes about town. It is worth it to drive around to see the efforts of so many families. The winners were judged Saturday night for the monetary prizes to be paid by the Eads Chamber of Commerce and CW—Matt Prince railroad company.

Corinne Deverman was the evening hostess who greeted people at the Cobblestone Inn last Tuesday evening for the Town of Eads informative session about the possible future swimming pool in Eads at the proposed site on 14^thStreet. There were many people from different walks of life there to listen to the man who owns the construction company in Paola, Kansas. Mayor Joe Shields also welcomed the young lady who will be working with him and Robin Fox to fill out applications for grants. She is a great niece of Tommy and Philomene Liesen, so she has an added interest in the town of Eads, plus she played basketball many times in Eads. People are hopeful but need to know that it is very competitive to be accepted for grants.

Claire Prince was so happy to have her large family travel from Tennessee for the weekend games, a Christmas train ride near Canyon City Saturday, and Sunday for Merry on Maine where their sons, Colin and Charlie, performed in the concert. Their extended family rode in their decorated RV in the Parade of Lights. This was a historic first to have a Parade of Lights and it was spectacular and amazing! How do they attach so many lights on vehicles? The concert was equally marvelous! We heard such darling young singers and such wonderful adult performers in the beautifully decorated Plains Theatre. More news next week.

Shalom.