“May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you Trust in Him.” Romans 15:13

The Patient Family Advisory Council met last week in the Hospital Annex where they were updated on several improvements around Weisbrod Hospital, the clinic, and Extended Care Unit. Kailey (Lane) Meardon, guest speaker, explained some of the counseling and education services she can offer in a three-county area. She works with the local Southeast Colorado Mental Health Group, which is housed in the new office building across from the Cobblestone Inn. Kailey told the Council about a program she works with called “Mind Matters.” It particularly addresses grade 5 to 8 and teenagers about drug abuse and awareness of the dangers of drugs and tobacco use. One of her missions is to inform educators and people in the surrounding area of this program and their services right here in Eads. Nurses Renay Crain and Kourtney Richards informed the Council of other programs and changes during the months we couldn’t meet because of the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the most helpful programs is “telehealth,” which has been a benefit because the patient and provider can talk on the telephone and sometimes by use of video to consult about a health concerns without coming into the clinic. The ladies said they still use the Avera E-Care program on displays in the emergency room, where doctors and providers can have ready expert advice or directions from doctors who serve Weisbrod from other sites. It was encouraging to hear that families can call for reservations to visit their relative in the nursing home or hospital.

It was nice to be able after all these months of isolation to listen to the proceedings of the Crow-Luther board last week. It was sad to learn we will not be able to have a Maine Street Bash this month. The district and state guidelines make it very difficult to deal with all the rules related to Covid-19. The good news is that the engraved name bricks will be brought from Florida this summer, so later the board may need some volunteers to help lay them. We certainly need a smoother walk outside the Main Scoop and the Plains Theatre. The board is thankful to the people and businesses who bought bricks for this project to improve the appearance of our theater.

Phil and Madonna Pollreis and Doris Lessenden were happy to have their niece and cousin, respectively, visit them last Friday afternoon. Kyla (Matthews) McMillan and daughter, Alanya, drove down from Colorado Springs to explore around Kit Carson and visit the cemetery. Sunday, they were pleased to have their niece and cousin, Kimberley (Matthews) Garnhardt, and her daughter, Abigail, come to visit them. Abigail was an attendant in Jenny Weber’s wedding Sunday evening.

A year and a half ago, some of us attended a night meeting to suggest additional uses of the Kiowa County Fairgrounds. Thus, the County Commissioners were having a disc golf course installed last week. It is an inexpensive sport for people, and could bring in people to town to play and add to our economy.

The Cenex gas company that sells their product out of the local Home Town Gas and Grill has mailed $5 gift cards in an attractive fold out card folder to box holders. I used my $5 to buy my favorite chocolate mint milk shake. If you didn’t recognize it, look through your stack of mail. You have until September 30 to use the card.

Saturday mornings we like to go to yard sales in town, and the Salvation Army store. Last week, sales were offered by the Denise Nelson, TyLin Williams, Jo Shoemaker, and Autumn Rouse. Glenda and Colby Stoker will have a two-day Quonset Cleanout of vintage, antique, and other items from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. at the Haswell Propane station. I have been encouraging some ladies to have yard sales in Eads August 1 so people can just make a tour to places in both communities to buy other people’s items to be their treasure.

This summer many songs, speeches, and slogans have been written giving tribute to our first responders, nurses, firefighters, ambulance drivers, and other very essential people in our lives. However, last Saturday afternoon, when I saw Ken Flory’s burgundy pickup at the ambulance barn, my heart and prayers pounded strongly with thanksgiving because I knew he would take good care of my loved one to bring her back to our little hospital for better care than in that city. Later, when I saw Connie Richardson’s blue car parked at the hospital, I felt reassured because I knew that my loved one would have expert care! I am so glad I live in Eads.

Remember the best food you ate last week? For me, it was homemade chocolate ice cream out at Dwight Lessenden’s home that his daughter, Celena, made. Its goodness reminded me of Prairie Queen 4-H club meeting days in the 1950’s when our mothers served the fathers ice cream in vegetable serving bowls. Those were special happy times for the Berry, Blooding, Kelley. Wissel, Garner, Jacobs, Weisdorfer, Lessenden, Myers, Graham, and other families.