By Doris Lessenden

Lighting Contests:  This contest as brought a lot of excitement about town for home owners to decorate their homes.   This hasn’t been done for many years, but Mrs. Shannon Ellenberg’s Future Business Leaders of America Chapter has really worked to bring this contest to fruition.  The citizens certainly do thank people who have voluntarily decorated their homes in past years and also thank the FBLA for revitalizing this tradition to beautify our town.  First place was the Kelley Home—Paul, Shawn, Madison, and Molly, Second—Keith and Jennifer Crow, Kyle and Cameron, Third—Trey and Alyssa Eder and Gabriel.

Many families and friends braved the snow and cold to attend the annual Community Children’s Christmas Cantata, Sunday evening at the Praise Community Church in Eads.

Twenty five families brought forty children to sing “A King is Coming to Town”, which was directed by Jimmy Brown assisted by Pastors Tony and Kelly Jensen.  The church family hosted a reception following the concert.  

The Eads Bucks winner of $75.00 in the Chamber of Commerce Drawing last week was Dawna Weirich.  That will be great for her to use for her young adult children who are returning home for the holidays.  I heard Dawna speaking on KLMR radio recently about the services of the Farm Service Agency.  I thought, “The late Rod Johnson would be pleased to hear her and of her good work for Kiowa County.”

The Weisbrod Hospital Auxiliary ladies had lunch at J J’s ranch House last Tuesday.  Owner Jennifer (Rittgers) Schofield had red tablecloths on the tables and Linda Trosper added pretty Christmas napkins and cute “decorated melting snowman” cookies made by Debbie Kliesen.  Roger Saffer, Board member of the Eastern Slope Rural Telephone Association, came to tell us that we would be receiving $618.00 from the association.  More good news was the report that we received a $200.00 check from a Lamar lady as a memorial and for one of our projects.  These donations are a real blessing from the donors to help fund our projects for the residents.  That afternoon, a committee of Madonna Pollreis, Alice Glover, Barb Diel, and Linda Trosper judged the decorated doors around the hospital, offices, and clinic.   The decorator winners receive Eads Bucks as prizes.

Prairie Pines residents spent much of the day last Tuesday in the Beauty Salon with their weekly beautician, Tracy Smith, to get ready for their annual Christmas Dinner Party.  Families and towns people also attended the special evening.

Many vehicles surrounded the Court House last Tuesday at noon for a big pot luck meal for the many county employees and some family members.  Commissioner Cindy McLoud prepared the turkeys, which must have been a huge undertaking.  The employees received cash door prizes.

When we went to the weekly, “Coffer Hour” at the Prairie Pines Friday, there was an elegant tea party in progress.  It was a nice surprise to see Dally Jo Sagner and her mother, P.J. Lessenden, pouring hot water into dainty tea cups with a choice of fragrant teas.  There was an array of foods on the buffet that were made with the Dove Chocolate Products that Dally distributes.  There were all kinds of dips for meat balls, chicken, veggies, fruits, and lovely desserts.  Chef Kristina also assisted them in serving.   The previous week, Linda Eder, had a tea and coffee tasting party during the weekly Coffee Hour.   The Pines is a lovely place to live.

Robin Musgrave went with me to the Cheyenne Manor in Cheyenne Wells to carry in gift packages for some residents.  We went to the Bible Study that was led by Jeannette Wollert with Charlie Howard who formerly lived in Eads.

Many Eads Eagle fans went to the Holiday Basketball Tournament for three days to support the Eagles and watch the games.  At home the Eagles hosted a Wrestling meet on Thursday with their new Coach, Dustin Uhland and Assistant, Justin Lenox, who just finished his student teaching at the Kit Carson School in Agriculture Education.  He is a senior at Oklahoma State University at Goodwell.

It is so good to see many of our former students who are returning from colleges.  Last week we saw Logan Smith working in the HealthMart, Bryce Batterton took his last final at Frank Phillips College in Texas and drove home in time to sit at his grandmother’s table at the Prairie Pines party.  His sister, Chelsea, who teaches at Cheraw came home to greet her younger brother and family.   Eboni Nash came home from Hastings, Nebraska.  Recently her Mother, Teresa, and sister, Stormi, went to Kearney, Nebraska to watch Eboni, throw her longest distance in a Shot Put meet so she already qualifies to go to National’s in the spring.  Fort Hays, Kansas students: Brittanie Newman, Brooklyn Lenox, Marisa Dixon, and Dylan Dixon are returning.  I saw Savanna Gyurman from Otero Junior College and no doubt, Reagan Lane will be here soon from Sterling, and Chyann Sewell from Lamar College.  The two fellows, Rustin Jensen and Trenton Mitchek, who went to Colorado State University –Fort Collins are back.

When the Hometown Grill and the Love’s Store and Subway opened a few weeks apart and on the same side of the highway, a lot of people mused, “I wonder if they will both make it?”  Financially, I suppose was their wonderment.  It appears that both new businesses are doing very well by the amount of people who patronize both establishments.   One of the things I like to do is to park outside the Gas and Grill while my friends go in to get us beverages, and I watch all those people rushing inside out for  ordering food or paying for gas.   I assure you Readers that things are going well around Eads….as I see them.    And it is a Merry Christmas most every place.

Family and friends of Harvey Hollis celebrated his 99^th birthday with him last week.

He is a retired farmer from northwest of Eads.  Harvey has especially appreciated the daily visits of Bill Woelk in his home through the years to check on his welfare.

A friend of Evelyn Garner was concerned about her absence.  Her sons took her to the city for cancer treatments, but she is expected to return soon.  Typing the C-word reminds me that there are several families in our County whose hearts are heavier this Christmas time because one of their loved ones is suffering with cancer.  I thank you readers who

have been praying for them and trying to help care for those who are not well in various friendly ways.  Please know that your kindly service is appreciated by the recipient and their families.

I want to warmly thank the generous businesses and individuals who donated toys, Eads Bucks, cash, hats, balls, candies, ice cream, Icees, and other gifts for the Children’s Matinees.  Those people are:  Crow’s Stop n’ Shop, Kiowa HealthMart, Jan Richard and KCEDF, Eads Consumer’s, NAPA and Hardware, Kiowa Country National Bank, Cardon and Joyce Berry, Kim Richard’s Abstract Office, and Valorie Briggs.