“Let us not become weary of doing good” Galatians 6:9

The scripture above fits many men and women of Kiowa County this week who worked together for the good of the folk who went to the county fair. Volunteers cooked and served the two mornings of the fair breakfasts. The Chamber of Commerce buys the food products to cook. Each year I have listened to their wonderment, about who will come at 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. to crack eggs and fry pancakes and bacon. But it always works out with a lot of smiles and jesting. Friday Joyce (Barlow) Reedy had a dollar bill cooked in her pancake - planted by one of her brothers! The breakfasts are some of the very best times for many because one can see so many people at once. Phil Pollreis’ music adds a happy flavor to the mornings.

Wednesday the 4-H members and Future Farmers of America students brought in their livestock. It looked as if there were hundreds of vehicles around the show pavilion. Excitement ran high for four days, especially at the sale Friday morning.

We are thrilled to have sidewalks connecting the show buildings and grandstand. Thank you, Commissioners, for making this requested dream a reality. I like the new grandstand ramps. I do thank you on behalf of the “older people and disabled people.” Our Commissioners have made the lives of the public easier to be mobile. Donald Oswald emphasized that the county road and bridge employees did the work of planning, welding, and laying cement.

Lots of people enjoyed the free “Burger Bar” served by KVAY-KLMR staff of Lamar Thursday evening.

Often times I have heard of romances that “bloom” during the fair days. One was the Valentine Day marriage of Ronnie Phillips to Kim Japhet, whose friendship began during the 2018 fair.

Nearly all of the 32 members of the 1969 returned to Eads for the fair. They had good times with a cook-out at the Horseshoe Park Friday, riding a float in the parade, and meeting for finger foods and visiting at the Cobblestone Inn Saturday evening. After the parade Betsy Barnett gave them tour of the theater and Crow-Luther complex. Cindy McLoud gave them a tour of Murdock buildings. They were some of the first to see the exquisite new skylight in the senior center. The weekend was primarily organized by Joyce Barlow-Reedy.

We heard that the classes of 1960 to 1964 gathered at JJ’s Restaurant. I remember that those were some tremendously wonderful students!

We missed not having the usual five of the six Durrett sisters here, but it was great to be greeted by Jean, Carol, and Betty.

Through the years, one of the most jubilant families we have watched are the Richie boys and girls who have grown into cheerful men and women. They rented the Cobblestone Inn to visit with family and friends Friday night.

The beef barbeque was served by the elected officials and employees of the county Friday at noon. They begin cooking the beef in cookers overnight Thursday. It looked tasty served with watermelon slices

The Rodeo Royalty was presented at the first rodeo. The 2020 Kiowa County Royalty will be represented by pretty Eads 4^th graders, Bella Adame and Braya Ferris.

Jim and Liz Buck were here from Oklahoma, as well as his sisters, Patricia, Shirley, and Florence. They are the children of our former neighbors, Clyde and Elsie Buck.

Ruthanna Jacobs passed September 12. Ruthanna was an elementary teacher in Eads, Kit Carson, Germany, Africa, and other places. After she came home to care for her aging parents, she had a highly valued day care center. Another legacy left is her work at the museum, writing Kiowa County history books, as well as compiling WWI and WWII, and Korean War Veteran lists in a book.

Foods champions at the fair were Wanda Lessenden, Joyce Berry, Glenda Stoker, and Krissy Ray. Don Oswald was generous in sharing many of the wonderful baked products he baked.

Champions among the many beautiful quilts and afghans were Kathy Specht, Gloria Peck, and Wanda Lessenden. Clothing construction champions were Michelle Nelson, Madonna Pollreis, and Dorothy Ellicott.

The Livestock Show Committee meets about six times a year. Each person has an area of expertise. They are Timmy Trosper, Chairman; Rod Cole; Eric Ellenberger; Trent Jones; Junior McDowell; Mark Nelson; Michelle Nelson and Mia Koenig.

Lou Turner and Tearle Lessenden captured the photography awards, while Sandy Jones, Liz Hutten, and Lynn Puls took top ribbons in art. Mandy Adamson and Madonna Pollreis received the Champion and Reserve ribbons in the hobby exhibits.

Although I was in the exhibit hall three days, I didn’t see the books or awards for flowers and antiques, but by the ribbons, it appeared that Joyce Berry and Dorothy Ellicott had the most winning ribbons.

This year when Joyce Berry was judging in another county, she saw how the bank in their community bought nice white cards that were used for exhibitor names. She took her sample to our banker, Sean Lening. Voila! He had cards made for us to use. We do thank Sean!

The parade featured lots of sparkly vehicles for the auto show, two 4-H floats, a pretty Future Farmers of America float, the Eads football team in a comical hot tub, businesses with candy and goods give-a-ways, the Homecoming royalty, Vince’s Auto from Burlington, and many shiny fire trucks and a few political cars.

More next week about our good and dear people of Kiowa County.