“A wise person is hungry for knowledge while a fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15:14

Kristina Uhland arranged for 12 pretty little girls of the dance troupe to be showcased on the Eads High School stage Friday evening. What a precious sight they were in their light pink dresses or tutus. They appeared to be about three to six years old as they performed ballet movements to classical and contemporary music. Then they slipped off their slippers and changed to tap dance shoes. The large crowd was so impressed with the teaching of Ms Lea Austin of the Lamar Right Moves studio, who emphasizes proper posture, smiles, hand and leg motions. She was assisted by Balynn Englehardt, daughter of Jeff and Billie Englehardt.

Lauren Brown, Eads senior, is to be congratulated on her honor of being the first Future Business Leader of American chapter member in Eads High School history to achieve the high honor of the American Award in Business Achievement. According to her school advisor, Shannon Ellenberger, she accomplished this by diligent work and research.

Some people are back in the routine of swimming for their health and mobility at the Prairie Pines swimming pool. LaVerle Kelley offers water aerobic lessons Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. A person doesn’t need to know how to swim. This really does help their aches and pains. A person age 65 years or older can use the pool for $3.50 by paying each time, or they can buy a punch card for a month or week at a time as long as the timing doesn’t interfere with scheduled activities at the Assisted Living Center.

The first week of February is packed with lots of activities and club meetings. Tuesday, the FBLA students travel to Otero Junior College for their annual competitions. Wednesday, the Chamber of Commerce meets at noon at JJ’s Restaurant. We want people to come and get involved in supporting activities to benefit of our town. Wednesday, senior citizens who reserve a meal to be brought from Lamar in the Sage programs will eat together at the Eads Senior Center. Call Areta Laird for a meal. The Sage meal program is very helpful to many seniors, and if you don’t eat them the day the volunteers deliver them, a person can refrigerate or freeze them.

Thursdays, we encourage townspeople to come to the Weisbrod Extended Care Unit for coffee hour at 9:00 am. The residents who come out enjoy listening and/or visiting with people from the “outside world.” Tanya Lane or Linda Adamson serve beverages with wonderful desserts made by the Dietary Department. The first Thursday of the month we hurry to the senior center for the monthly brunch. This is such a cozy time for visiting. We encourage people over the age of 55 to venture out of their homes to have a fuller social life with us.

Thursday afternoon is an early release time at the schools in Eads for parent-teacher conferences. From 5:00 to 8:15 p.m. the Women Empowered group will be hosting a chili supper fundraiser in the multipurpose room at Eads High School. On the weekend, Eagles fans can drive to Walsh to watch basketball or, Saturday, wrestling fans can go to Ordway to see the tournament. On the way home, the place to stop is at the Haswell Community Center for the Valentine dance. The Las Animas “Classic Country Band,” consisting of four members, is being brought there by Scotty and Trudy Briggs and Virgil and Wanda Lessenden. Bring your admission fee and some finger foods for a fun evening of dancing and visiting.

Additional prayers need to be spoken for so many folk in the community who had bone replacement surgeries this week, and so many more are sick with illnesses.

Last Monday I waved at a man who was wearing a Vietnam cap. He startled me when he came to my van window and asked my name. I told him, “thank you for serving our country.” He was from another town and told me about some of his experiences in the war. As the years go by, I am becoming increasingly more aware that we do need to tell military service men and women “thank you” more often. That also applies to other situations, like hospital workers, educators, coaches, ministers, elected officials, government workers, and family members. People like to be appreciated.

That same day, my cell phone dropped on the kitchen floor. I tried and tried to reach it, but it just was too close to my big tire and I couldn’t move at all. I could reach my table phone, so dear Shelly Englehardt offered to come over to pick it up.

Thank you, also, for the kindness of Willie Ramos, Gail Voss, Robin Musgrave, Areta Laird, Tearle Lessenden, Dwight Lessenden, Realynn Riley, and Shane and Pam Lessenden, who helped me so much last week when I had little dilemmas. Pam said, “I don’t know why I turned this corner.” I told her, “It was God who caused you to.” I am a most thankful lady! 

Congratulations to Keagan Gonzales, Eads High School graduate, who recently graduated from the Delta Police Academy. He is now working for the Springfield City Police force. Formerly, Keagan worked for the Baca County Sheriff’s Office. His wife works in a Baca county office. Keagan is the son of Dave and Shelly Englehardt of Eads.