“The good influence of godly citizens causes a city the prosper.” Proverbs 11: 11

Outside the Kiowa Press Office, a pretty lady said, "I think I know you." So I lifted my sunhat and stated my name. She was my telephone friend, Bernice (Criswell) Carlock of Swink, who was accompanied by her niece from Avondale. Bernice is such an attractive lady in her nineties who was eager the pay her subscription for the Press. Later in the morning, the ladies were going out to the Eads Pioneer Cemetery for the ashes burial of her brother and his wife, Stanley and Wilma Criswell of Goodland, Kansas.

As you go in and out of businesses on Maine Street, notice the delightful paintings by local artist Shelly Meyers.

Last week, suddenly, four very large black square planters appeared on Maine Street, that now have lovely tall trees. This heavy work was done by Marty Barnett and his crew. Thank you!

All though it seems rather late, some farmers are still harvesting wheat, but they say, they will take the moisture!

The county museum is opened weekdays in the afternoon, but it was opened Saturday for the street festival. They have some awesome new displays, and are selling some historic items.

The Eads senior citizens will have their monthly brunch this Thursday, August 3, at 10:00 a.m. Guest may bring a side dish or leave a donation as they register inside the north door.

The evening of July 31 was the school registration for all grades in the Eads schools. Open house will be the evening of August 9, with school beginning the next day, August 10. There will be an ice cream bar inside the elementary school to help build the scholarship fund for future teachers.

The Town of Eads town council made a special plaque to award to the family of Larry Michael at a recent meeting. Larry had been on the town council and the mayor for some time. He was always looking forward and working for the best for Eads and its residents.

How good that the Haswell School is now on the State Historical Register. The school was opened in 1963 and closed in 1993 when all grades were integrated into the Eads school system. The school has been a wonderful community center for parties, showers, funerals, and holiday gatherings.

Some leaders of the Kiowa County Hospital District and their CEO, Beth Bell, had a good informational table about the future new hospital plans, as well as a selection of fine quality gifts, for people who attended the vendors on Maine Street Saturday. Some other great tent booths I remember were Tamara Buck's Dainty Jewelry, Victoria of Granada, Gordon Insurance which has offices in Kit Carson and four other cities. Former sheriff's deputy, Lane Elliott, who grew up around Karval, was at that booth. To my surprise, when I went back in the late afternoon to listen to the live bands and see the people, Dawn James came to me with $20 in Eads Bucks that I won from their insurance booth that Lane Elliott had sent with her. I will give these Eads Bucks the my friend, Robin Musgrave, because she didn't get to go to the Maine Street Bash and she would have had so much fun with the other people.

The people at the Bash seemed the enjoy eating good foods all day and night from Joey's Food Truck, Watson's Barbeque, Marnie and Kelli's font yard, the LL Bean café, and the Maine Scoop all day and evening.

We really enjoyed the live bands, "JUDI” from Lamar and "The Classic Band" from Las Animas. I really enjoyed watching the full moon since I am not out at night much.

Two young entrepreneurs who have returned to their hometown of Eads are Cory Miller and Remington Brandt and his wife, Cammie, and children, Isabelle, and Pierce. The young men formed their electric company and have finished two major projects, a new outdoor lighting system around Praise Community Church and the fairgrounds arena in Eads. Welcome, young men!

Another young woman who returned home with her registered nursing degree is Rachel Brown Bletzacker, who now is a Certified Nurse Practitioner. She now is in a full time practice in the Eads Clinic.

Kiowa County Hospital District CEO Beth Bell has announced that Jodi Stolzenberger, who is also a practicing nurse, has a new position at Weisbrod working with the nursing staff on schedules, education, and other duties.

It is wonderful to hear about the young people at Kit Carson and adults who are working to revive the businesses in their town. Already, Paul Mitchek has remodeled and opened the motel, and his restaurant will open this summer. Faith Johnson graduated from Colby, Kansas, Cosmetology College has returned to open the Parlor next to the post office in Mike Buchanan's new family recreation center. His wife, Kayla Buchanan, has a Kid's Academy Day Care Center in the former large home of Red and Glaida Craven. Young Kaiti Johnson has opened a grocery store on the highway! Sara Ivicic opened a new snack shop in the RV park and Edward Shrum

Building. Breanna Echols, writer and singer, has a wonderful clothing boutique shop in the new ice cream store. God bless their efforts and any challenges.