By Ida Lessenden

“Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  I Peter 5:7

There are family and friends with a lot of “cares” this week since we have lost four dear citizens from our community over the last week.

First we extend our sympathy to the families of Viola Adela “Vi” Koch who passed last week.  She worked at the Bartlett Elevator for years.  Her friends knew that her favorite motifs and items to collect were light houses plus she was an avid quilter.  Her funeral was last Friday morning at the United Methodist Church.

Edna Hishinuma died also.  When she lived in Eads, Edna was always so loyal to visit each week at Weisbrod and Prairie Pines.  She went to the elder facilities regularly to play cards as well as at the Senior Center.  Edna had such a willing heart to be helpful to other people.

Our friend, Bill Krum, who was in his mid 80’s died at his home on the former Eldrige ranch.  His friends were encouraged because his health had seemed improved in December.  Bill’s service has been scheduled for the Catholic Church in Lamar and then his family lunch will be catered in the Eads Senior Center Thursday the 19th.

Larry Wyatt’s life has been hanging in a balance since Christmas Day when a vicious virus invaded his weakened breathing system.  He lost his valiant battle for life last week after many medical strategies and medicines had been used.  Larry’s wife, Cheryl (Simmons) was with him all the time in a Denver hospital.   His children are Sean Wyatt and family of Greeley, Ryan Wyatt of Westminster, and Amanda Brown and family of Eads.

Larry’s funeral will be at 11:00 a.m.  Friday the 20th, in the Praise Community Church.  I always valued Larry who was such a kind, soft spoken man who was so willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors.

When I went to the Prairie Pines Tuesday morning, the voices and laughter was louder than usual.  Then I saw that Dr. Tim Richardt was leading a circle of ladies with caretaker, Cindy Newman, to teach new chair exercises.   They told him “Thanks” for the new “moves”.  Our Weisbrod physical therapists, Dr. Tim and Joe Zinger, go regularly to the Pines to work individually with the residents to do helpful exercises or balance training to maintain their health.  They really appreciate the physical therapy services of these young men.

After the Weisbrod Hospital Auxiliary met Tuesday at noon, Madonna Pollreis, Loretta Seibel, Barb Diel, Alice Glover, LaVerle Kelley, and Doris Lessenden went to the ECU with Teri Castle to assist in playing Bingo, most resident’s favorite activity.  They like this annual Bingo Party because the Auxiliary ladies bring envelopes filled with coins or dollar bills.  The games ended with Black Out where three ladies tied.  One of them was Ruth Rose who will be 101 years in February.   Linda Trosper sent lots of Little Debbie pastries and other goodies that were served with other treats.

Because the voting statistics revealed that 85.1 % of Kiowa County voters voted for Donald Trump, now we are being called the “Trumpiest County” in the state.  As a result some Denver television interviewers and camera men came to Eads and interviewed our Mayor Joe Shields in the Town of Eads offices.  He represented our views very well.  As a former school superintendent and a present college professor, he has good speaking skills and is informed.  He was impressive.  The show also included quotes of Mrs. Dawn James, Educator and Republican Party Officer and Larry Watts of the Democratic Party before a background of elevators and Pete Koch and Gary Crow in the Home Town Gas and Grill.

Randy and Fran Larrew have been to a basketball game recently where their daughter, Kristi and Martin Maltbia’s son plays with the Fountain -Fort Carson Team.  Keyshawn Maltbia is a freshman who stands over six feet tall.  As a 9th grader he started on the A-Varsity team for his 5-A school.

Justin Lenox an EHS 2013 graduate entered Oklahoma Panhandle Start University as a sophomore because of the dual credit classes he has completed at Lamar Community College.  Justin finished his course work there and now has a job as an Adjunct Professor in Ag Classes at LCC.

How really generous and wonderful that the parents of Nathan Yip gave $23,000.00 to Eads High School particularly for the Science Department and its student and teacher, Mr. Joe Wagner’s classes.  I am glad that our students will have more up-to-date equipment in our Science Department, after receiving such a great gift for our students!

Welcome back to Jeramy McNeely who is our new 4-H and Ag Resources Agent.  He worked here before but left to follow his musical dreams, then married Lisa, worked on a ranch and now has come back to our county.

Winter sports are in full swing with many ball games and Wrestling tournaments at which our teams are doing very well.  There will be basketball games at home this Saturday, the 21st with Granada at 3:00 p.m.  The Wrestlers will be in Strasburg.

On Friday, the 20th Eads Schools will host the big Invitation Knowledge Bowl. The public can watch some rounds after 9:00 a.m.