By Doris Lessenden

I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.  Jesus in John 14.6

“Oh, no, we have used all 900 stamps, and we need more for the rest of these 2017 Alumni cards”, was a lament I heard at the Alumni Committee work session Sunday afternoon.  In some cases we pressed on younger former student’s name on their parent’s post card if they had a son or daughter who also graduated from Eads High School.  Here’s a tip, look for that white card with two eagles on it and return it soon and if you, Reader, are a parent. Please, tell your son or daughter if we attached their name to your card.  We hope you save the date of September 9, 2017 EHS Banquet.

Steve and Marilyn Baxter returned from Apache Junction, Arizona, where they visited her parents, Bob and Donna Miller last week.  Marilyn said her parents are doing well.

Katie Bost, daughter of Mary and Whit Eikner of Eads sang last week with the Denver Skyline Singers in the International finals in Las Vegas where they won Fourth Place in the World!  Some of us watched via postings to see their gorgeous evening garments worn as the 150 Colorado singers sang in the Sweet Adeline Chorus Competitions.

Delores Rector of Eads and Tom Price of Stratton, who are twins met in Kit Carson Sunday after Mass with some of their family to celebrate their 89^th birthdays.  In the afternoon there was another party at Prairie Pines to celebrate with Delores some more with her Eads friends.

Shanshan Cui who lived with Terry and Areta Laird while she was in Eads as an exchange student from China sent joyful photos to the Lairds that she and her husband now has a baby boy.  She and her husband live in California now.

My friends who went to the Haswell Fish Fry surely enjoyed all those great foods.  Paul Stoker and Dawin Nelson and J.W., Terri’s friend, caught the fish out at Blue Lake.  Don Oswald carried on his tradition of making and frying hush puppies.  Glenda and the lady folk brought yummy side dishes.  The memorable Haswell Fish Fry I remember was 14 years ago, when on the day that their chosen child, Colby, was born.  The Stokers were late getting back to Haswell but so happy to tell others about their pretty baby they could bring home the next day.

Dustin and Kristina Uhland had the joyful experience to give birth to twin boys, Saylor and Sawyer, over the week-end.  Their brother, Hudson, and sister, Piper, welcome them to their country home.  This week, Great Grandmother Muriel Davis of Haswell has 43 grandchildren.

It was entertaining to watch the Middle School League Volleyball Tournament in Kit Carson Saturday.  The KC team won the championship with the Eads team coming in a close second.   They were coached by Ty Lynn Williams and Katie Kopasz who have made the season really enjoyable and a growing experience for the 6 -8^th grade young ladies.

When members of the Chamber of Commerce went to see Brandon and Angela Hoffman’s new place of business, 719 Metal Works, they saw the two catapult devices that he designed and made for kids and adults for the Oktoberfest.  Tina Adamson said her son-in-law, J. D. VanCampen, assisted Brandon in the big project.  People are still Talking about how great the Oktoberfest was and hope to go to participate next year.

Happy Birthday, Terry Riley, who celebrated his 70^th birthday in Las Vegas, Nevada. He really does like all those fabulous shows and a little gambling too.

Tim Weeks returned a little tired from driving to and from the National FFA Convention in Indiana. He said the six students and their advisor, Ms. Todd, had a good time.

Mario Medina, a seasonal Sand Creek National Park ranger, gave a fascinating illustrated talk at the Plains Theatre Saturday afternoon.  He had done research about Hispanic people in relation to the Sand Creek tragic happening.  His slide show showed history from the 1500’s when the Conquistadors came to the American continent up to the 1864 massacre in Kiowa County.   He related names and places in which Hispanic, or Mexican, men and women were involved in the growth of the West.   Medina is a graduate of Crowley County in Ordway and will be returning to Sugar City to help care for his grandfather.

There was a constant stream of people for a while Thursday afternoon going into the County Health Nurse Office.  When we inquired, we were told that Nurse Whitney H. Barnett was giving Flu Shots.  Chelsea Davis graciously welcomed us and helped people with paper work.  People can get a Flu Shot on November 4^th in the HealthMart at 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Mrs. Ellenberger’s FBLA students are making plans to decorate the Eads Maine Street.  They will help businesses to decorate outside if needed.  On December 4^th they will have hayrides beginning on 14^th Street.  That same night the “Christmas Show” will be in the Theatre.  Afterwards there will be a fire pit outside for concert goers to enjoy.

The Chamber of Commerce sponsored “Chamber After Hours” last Thursday at Prairie Pines with two speakers.  Mark Rodham informed the audience about Historic Tax Credit for homes or businesses that are over 50 years old who qualify.   Charles W. Thompson of RD-USDA explained loans available to people in our area for repairing homes. The next “Chamber of After Hours” will be Wednesday, November 2^nd at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p. at the Pines to hear Jim Rizzuto who is President of Otero Junior College.  He was a Colorado State Legislator at one time.

Good news!  The # 4 ranked Eads Eagle Football teams play-off game will be this Saturday in Eads playing # 10 Peetz.

Wanda Lessenden announced to the Haswell senior citizens last week after their evening meal that they had guests.  When she opened the door, what a surprise and laugh they had for in walked a secret service woman (Katie Johnson) and Donald Trump (Levi Johnson) and Hillary Clinton (Colby Stoker).  The young people wore big masks purchased by Wanda’s grandson, Blake, from one of his FFA trips in Colorado Springs. Don’t you suppose that started some political discussions?   Donald Trump was especially friendly as he walked around and shook hands with the senior guests at their monthly pot luck meal.  We have fun on the Plains, don’t we!