“God bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside Her, and Guide Her, Through the night, With the Light from Above.” One of my favorite songs.

Last week was filled with ending of school festivities and graduation celebrations. Sunday was a lovely day to visit the local cemeteries. 

The daughters of Victor and Doris Gibbs took this opportunity to celebrate Amy’s daughters, Gracie’s senior and Adeline’s eighth grade, graduation from Kit Carson with their parties, as well as to plan a big surprise to also celebrate their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary! I leaned about this happening when I was Kiowa Pharmacy in Eads. Their daughter, Jennifer, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in there to pick up more big 50^th gold balloons. Victor is a rancher south of town, and Doris has worked for many years at the nursing home in Cheyenne Wells. Their other daughter, Heather, and son, Blaine, also joined the party with their families.

Congratulations to our own Kathleen “Kas” (Fischer) Stewart, who recently received an impressive award and plaque for 50 years’ service in the Oklahoma banking system. Before those 50 years, she worked in some Eads offices after graduation from Eads High School. I assure you that Kas was such a joy to know as a student in the 1960s. Although she was an organizer and instigator of many activities, she must have had some quiet time because a schoolmate, Leann Scroggins, from Kansas wrote, “Kas’ skills started with playing Monopoly in the Eads city park.” Kas has continued through the years to return the Eads for the county fair.

The Eads High School seniors had a few days trip to Estes Park, and returned to prepare for their graduation Saturday afternoon. Juniors Breanna Lawrence-Wilson and Brently Lening served as escorts, and gave white roses to the seniors. Thank you to Nancy Walker for playing the processional, and all the other supportive roles she carries on at our schools. A.J. Vasquez welcomed the guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation given by Brianna Habinck and Taygen Ferris. Superintendent Glenn Smith introduced school board members on stage: Ralph Berry, Keith Crow, Jessica Sierra, Holly Mitchek, Shawn Kraft, and Darci Johnson. They alternated handing out diplomas. Principal Brian Bohlander introduced the graduates. Dr. Joseph Wagner introduced the Salutatorian, Samantha Coukamp, and then the Valedictorian, Magdalen Hasse. Both delivered fine addresses. People enjoyed Taygen Ferris’ slide show at the end set to meaningful western songs. I am eager to read in our two local newspapers a listing of the many scholarships awarded.

The Kit Carson School is recognizing the good service of two retiring employees, Lois Behrends after 41 years as an educator, and Sheila McNeely for her 47 years as the Business Manager.

Usually we see John Brown about town when he comes in from the south Pyles Ranch work and goes to the Hometown Gas and Grill for a coffee and to visit. I am glad he took time the go the fish near Milford, Kansas, where he caught a huge 22 pound catfish! 

Colorado state track records show that the Eads girls team was 10^th of 61 teams, McClave was 26^th, Cheyenne Wells was 27^th, and Granada was 32^nd. Eads freshman Tailee Weeks-Johnson won third place in the shot put competition to be on the winner stand the first day! Senior Maggie Haase racked up points, winning second in the triple jump, third in 100 hurdles, second in high jump, and eighth in long jump! Applause to Maggie, an outstanding athlete, marvelous student, and young woman! On the boys side of 65 teams, Cheyenne Wells was fifth place with 45 points, Granada 24^th, Kit Carson was 15^th, McClave 15th, and Eads fourth. Eads had one young man, Stockton Mitchek, who did well, getting ninth in long jump and third in hurdles. Kit Carson’s scores were made by Brenan Framel in the 400 dash, and Bryston States in triple jump.

The Eads Golf Club has published a 2023 schedule of their golf tournaments for May through September. That Golf Club House has good memories for many students and me. When this schoolhouse was moved in from Galatia, we called it the “Alamo.” We had so many students at that time who were all in the present elementary school building before the new high school was built in 1963, so we had classes out in the “Alamo,” about where the Future Farmers of America building is now. I team taught with Mr. Decker, who was also the band teacher and a good artist.

Little league baseball is now in full swing. The two nights I was going up the watch my great- great nieces, Saige and Sloan, play, it rained! But I won’t complain because we need the rain.

The Children’s Theatre tryouts “Rapunzel” are June 5 at 10:00 a.m. Parents, this is so important if your child wants a chance to be in a live stage play June 9. Take them there; kindergarten through 12^th grade have a chance.

We can again tune into KLRM-920 AM or KLMR 93.3 FM. The radio stations that we like are back on the air. Thanks to Dan Cochell for moving back from the city to manage the stations.

Craig and Theresia Kerfoot came to the Kit Carson Cemetery VFW memorial program to hear their granddaughter, Elizabeth Kent, play “Taps” on the trumpet. Pastor Rich O’Brian gave one of the best messages ever!