Luke 6:27-28 “Love your enemies, do go to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

The Eads High School senior educational trip and graduation were real highlights of last week. Mr. Trey Eder, Mr. Brian Bohlander, and Mrs. Kelley Courkamp were the sponsors who chaperoned the eight seniors on an educational trip to Estes Park and the Denver, area which brought them a lot of pleasure too. Their parents decorated the stage for their graduation ceremony and arranged receptions for their children after the ceremony, Saturday, May 26. Junior greeters were Emily Guryman, Hadlie Rittgers, Lauren Spady, and Blake Stoker. Zach Haase and Madison Kelley were the Salutatorian and Valedictorian respectively and gave impressive addresses. Principal Betsy Barnett awarded the scholarships which totaled in many thousands of dollars for the graduates. These seniors were assisted by Mary Vasquez, who guided them in class to apply to colleges and for scholarships. Mrs. Barnett has such a gracious way of commending the students for their accomplishments and personal qualities while in EHS. We will miss her pleasant, loving manner since she is retiring from the education profession.

During last week a number of photos of our Eads track team were posted of races and feats at the Colorado State Track meet. On KLMR radio sports reports, Ethan Denton gave a number of reports that our Eads girls won second in team points at state, and many of the girls and boy, Zach Haase, won the honor to stand on the winner’s podium. We are thrilled that senior Mariah Smith won the State Championship by throwing the discus. And she even broke the school and the state record of throwing a distance of 133.8 feet. Thus, this small class of eight had two State Champions standing on stage: Trevor Randel, the 152-pound wrestling champion and Mariah Smith, the state discus champion. Mindy Uhland and Mariah Smith conducted the closing ceremony.

Laura Negley and I drove to Kit Carson to be a part of the teaching team for Trinity Lutheran’s Vacation Bible School, which our church hosts for the community. Laura’s gift is creating and teaching wonderful craft projects related to the Bible accounts about light.

Roger and Bonnie Eder appreciated those who came to buy some of the items from their parents, Laverne and Ilene Eder’s, estate sale. The Eder home and the duplex are for sale. I think their garden area and beautiful flower garden with various varieties planted to bloom in successive seasons is a real gem.

The CLCEC, Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center, will be having a garage sale this Friday and Saturday June 1-2. The garage is south across the street from the bank and adjoining the back of the senior center and theatre. I have seen some surprisingly fine items there and some real antique items for sale. If you miss that sale, you may do as many other locals do to support the theatre; they walk or ride to the Ice Cream Scoop in the evenings to enjoy a cone or cup of the great ice cream.

How good to hear that Jerry Weber is out of the hospital now from the lung transplant. After he stays in the city a while with his sister, he plans to return to Sheridan Lake!

Dr. Glen Cranford was honored with a reception last Friday evening by family and friends for his graduation from the University of Pikeville, Kentucky, where he studied to become a Doctor of Osteopathy. A number of his relatives and friends went to Kentucky for his graduation, including his mother, Konda (McKnight) and Jack Howard, and his sister, Bylie Jo and children. Glen was known by the last name of Beeson when he was in Eads High School but has since taken his father’s birth name.

The city park on Maine Street was the site of the retirement reception for Principal Betsy Barnett Friday evening. Her daughter, Jordan, and daughter-in-law, Whitney Barnett, and family members hosted by serving cake and punch and iced tea while the guests sat at tables or mingled to visit during the pleasant sunset evening after greeting the honoree, Betsy (Legg) Barnett. Betsy has been a long-time educator, coach, and Principal at the Eads School as well as a short stint at Plainview School. Cardon and Joyce Berry spend lots of hours every week, mowing and tending the flowers and plants in the pretty park on Maine.

We enjoyed holding out the six patriotic flags of various wars by the Bennett-Weber home on Maine Street afterwards. Bud’s flags add so much color and flavor to our Maine Street. It is surprising how many people stop by to ask if they can buy his flags, so he usually orders some for them.

Other dates to remember this weekend is that readers are invited to Pansy (Mosher) Foxworthy’s 102^ndbirthday party at 2:00 p.m. at the Weisbrod Extended Care Unit. One thing we do know is that Pansy surely enjoys sweet desserts. Years ago, she told me that our Lessenden “adopted grandmother, Cora Lee Gass,” invited Pansy to Sunday school when she was just a little girl. Pansy has been a member of the Eads Christian Church all these years later. My sister, Virgyln, and I used to take turns being her daughter at the annual Mother-Daughter Tea at her church.

Kennan and Ashley Gooden are hosting a Taco Night on Saturday, June 2 at the Praise Church with food and live music to earn postage money to mail children’s gift boxes to the Samaritan’s Purse foundation.

Remember the benefit supper and games at the Wiley School Sunday, June 3, from  3:00 to 6:00 p.m. to benefit the Krentz family for Mykayla Krentz’ medical expenses.