The Angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For there is born to you this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10

One of the highlights of last week was the 24 basketball games at the Holiday Tournament in Lamar. That meant lots of traveling, meals out, some shopping, and hours of listening to the radio of our teams’ progress. This was the 55th year of tournaments and the most prestigious award was presented to Betsy Barnett of Eads! What a wonderful honor to this very worthy lady. Betsy (Legg) Barnett not only played in the tournaments but coached during her time at Eads High School as an educator and Principal. Betsy has always had a heart for all aspects of sports. She is a terrific sports announcer of games and organizer of tournaments. She has the admiration of people all around southeast Colorado. Congratulations to our own Betsy and her supportive family and husband, Marty.

The names of the names of the girl basketball players were printed last week, so this week here is a listing of the young men on the Eads Eagle team. Damien Barnes, Joe Haase, Dillon Hernandez, Keaton Coen, Donte Sierra, Brandon Lening, Cade McDowell, Ty Wilson, Blake Stoker, Alex Schmidt, Ross Brown, Hatch Nelson, and Will Crow. They are coached by Marcus Gilmore and Weston Meardon. Their managers are Brently Lening, Bo Arnold, and Porter Spady. Alex is a student from Plainview who is a real asset to the team.

Janet (Peterson) Kochis of Simla as at Weisbrod Hospital last week where she makes her monthly rounds in the Dietary Department. When I asked her about her 98-year-old mother, Zelda Peterson, she was delighted that her sister, Charlotte, and Gary Billings will be bringing Zelda to their home in Simla for Christmas. Zelda is a true marvel of good health and such a sweet personality.

The graveside funeral for Emma Briggs was held at the Haswell Cemetery Saturday morning with a lunch following at the Haswell Community Center. Emma is survived by her children, Scott (Trudy) and Valorie (John). Our communities extend our sympathy to them. Emma and her husband, the late Don Briggs, had a lovely home built in Eads next to the golf course. In recent years, Valorie has lived in Eads to be her mother’s caretaker. 

La Donna Brown of Ada, Oklahoma, gave a presentation about the Chickasaw Indian tribe and her research of the history of their ancestors over thousands of years. They were mound builders mostly in the southern States. This was another educational speaker in the series by the Sand Creek National Park.

Next week, those who wish to attend Christmas Eve services they may do so at the following times: at the Haswell Church, 6:15 p.m.; in Eads at 4:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church; and at 7:30 p.m at the United Methodist.

The Christmas time open house at the Sand Creek National Historic Site was so nice, catered by Jennifer Crow, and arranged beautifully by Karen Wolfe. Some of the employees brought additional holiday cookies and Jeff Campbell made his spicy soup. We said our “good-byes” to our dear friend, Dr. Alexa Roberts, who had lived in Eads and was the Superintendent for Bent’s Fort and Sand Creek. She plans to retire and move to her home area near Belen, New Mexico. Janet Frederick will be the acting Superintendent until the position is filled.

The staff at Weisbrod has been busy decorating the doors of residents, offices, and departments this month. Some Hospital Auxiliary members will be judging the doors this week. It is delightful to stroll around to view the beauty and creativity of the staff. 

This is also true of the Prairie Pines whose staff and friends have decorated with many trees and lovely items of winter décor. I encourage you, readers, if you live near this area to take time to visit, especially for the sake of residents who like to see and visit with people from the “outside world”.

Friends of Morgan Clementine Ullman were glad to get invitations to Stephen F. Austin State University to her graduation where she graduated Summa Cum L:aude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was a student in Eads Elementary when their family lived here.

For several years after home games, the Kit Carson Trinity Lutheran Church members host a 5th Quarter Party, which includes food of course and then a spiritual lesson and activity. December 8, they tied candy canes to a red and white card with the message about the “J” is for Jesus, our Savior, and turn it around and it is a “staff” to remind one that Jesus is their “shepherd” too. Then they piled on the large trailer that Debbie Mitchek had piled with blankets and twinkling lights to carol around town and hand out the candy cane cards. (Did you know that they make Christmas lights with batteries?)