“Good Planning and hard work lead to prosperity”

--Proverbs 21:5

There were two outstanding musical events in Eads last week. The first one was the piano and instrument recital at Praise Community Church, where a large audience attended to enjoy the children and teenagers play the piano and some instruments. They were taught by Mary Alice Akers of Weskan, Kansas. Those who played the piano were Kalen Gooden, Charlie Prince, Colin Nelson, Kyce Gooden, Everleigh Welsh, Devrah Gooden, Anaiya Mitcheck, Jett Dienes, Kyton Gooden, Sadie Muth, McKenzie Welsh, and Aliyah Muth. Those who played their guitars were Caden Muth, Jared Spiltter, Alyson Tallman, and Joel Splitter. Jacelyn Muth treated the audience to a melody on her violin. The students came from Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Sheridan Lake, and Karval. What a blessing that Ms. Akers travels to each in Colorado. Studies show that students who study music also are generally better students in high school and college.

The second concert was the long awaited spring concert at Eads School Thursday evening. The precious little two age groups of preschooler students directed by Leisha (Peck) Walsh and Tina Kraft in little cherub voices. Then the Kindergarten through the fifth grader students mounted the risers dressed in their red, white, and blue colors on a stage with red, white, and blue star backdrops. Their wonderful director, Monica Uhland, had taught them a medley of rousing patriotic songs that they sang with such gusto. Some of my favorites were “The Stars Spangled Banner,” “This Land is Your Land,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” ‘Grand Old Flag,” and “God Bless the USA.” During the last song, a student asked the veterans the stand. Areta Blooding-Laird, who is a Navy Veteran, asked me to write that she and the veteran families really did appreciate this part of the program. The students took turns reciting historical facts about the songs and America’s history. Some students were in period costumes, which added to each patriotic song. Our hearts were pounding with gladness that we were Americans! One lady said, “These songs will be with these students the rest of their lives.” Thank you to Monica Uhland!

The new Haswell senior citizen director, Brenda Smith, hosted a lovely Mother’s Day Tea in the Haswell senior citizen center. The teas and foods were lovely, and the ladies too, but especially Deborah (Oswald) Davis’ young granddaughters, who were dressed in dresses, hats, gloves, and pretty hand bags. I appreciate ladies who dress “properly” as their mothers had taught them. Brenda periodically asked a question and then the winner won a basket of live flower plants, a gift certificate the Crow’s Stop and Shop, Café Bean, LLC or another gift.

Youth are beginning to practice for summer baseball. More fun the come this spring and summer.

Eads senior citizens enjoyed a tasty brunch last Thursday. Now, mark your calendar for the monthly meal May 17 at noon.

Another date for a dinner out is the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation’s annual dinner-meeting May 16 in the senior center. The Chamber of Commerce will announce the Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year, and Cindy McLoud and KCEDF will announce the Business of the Year. 

This week is “Hospital Week.” The Weisbrod Hospital staff is hosting carnival games with prizes and the annual barbecue is May 12 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the patio.

Don’t you always look forward to the running of the Kentucky Derby horse race on the first Saturday of May? I do. I learned about that years ago when Faye Lane was my student. I especially like to see the fine dresses and unusual hats!

Another social event you may like to make a reservation for is the Mother’s Day Tea at Prairie Pines  Assisted Living Community May 14 at 2:00 p.m. Call and ask for Violet Sneyd. 

The Eads Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to host the barbeque and beverages for the Kid’s Fishing Day at Jackson’s Pond south of Eads May 21 at noon. This is such a grand day for kids and their parents or grandparents. There may be free fishing poles if the supply lasts. The Wild Life Rangers will give an educational talk before the fishing starts. There are some prizes at the end of the day. It is fun to slowly drive down the hill to watch the youth and families from the hill side.

The Eads–Wiley Panther baseball team played the Cheyenne Wells-Kit Carson team Saturday afternoon in Las Animas at district playoffs. It was one of their first losses, but they may still have a chance for state playoffs.

Last Thursday, Marie (Schwerdfeger) Densford’s funeral was held at the Haswell Methodist Church with Pamela (McCarty) Lessenden officiating. After the service, her committal was in the Eads Cemetery. There was also a reception and foods served at the Eads Senior Citizen’s Center. Marty Miller showed family and school photos in the Plains Theatre to the guests. We saw Charlotte (Peterson) Billings bring in three desserts after the brunch for her classmates’ reception. Oh, I surely did enjoy that class of 1969.

Paul Mitchek, who will graduate from Kit Carson this month, has bought and renovated motel just south of the nice café that he bought this winter. Paul calls “The Bin Inn.” His next project is updating the café and his farming. Best wishes to Paul!

I do not have space or words enough to say thank you for all the “Happy Birthday “ wishes, cards, bouquets of flowers, gifts, hugs, visits, wonderful meals and love shown to me for my 86^th birthday. I know I am so blessed by my Father God. I am grateful to have lived this long. I will continue the live joyfully!