“Every good gift, every perfect gift comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father; the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.” James 1:17

The Hospital Auxiliary lades hosted the annual Fall Bazaar at the Kiowa County Community Building in Eads last Saturday, which was well attended. We do thank all the people who took the effort to come to the Christmas and Fall Bazaar as a buyer or a vendor. Our long-time director, Linda Trosper, did a good job with the help of Diana Flory and President Alice Glover. Secretary Mary Ellen Englehardt was busy at the drawing table, where she organized donated items with Cleta Englehardt and Dianne O’Brian, writing names on tickets and money donations. This drawing is where we can earn more money to buy supplies, gifts, and furnishings for residents. We were pleased that the Prairie Queen 4-H club prepared lunch and coffee treats for those who liked to visit and watch the happy shoppers. Crow Luther Cultural Events Center Director Morena Lowe and her group of actors and actresses helped the vendors set up and clean up the community building.

November 24 was such a happy day for me and others who attended the Grace Lutheran Church in Lamar, which is the sister church to Trinity Lutheran in Kit Carson, since we share the same pastor, Tom Barton. We also were hosted with a traditional turkey Thanksgiving dinner.

Through the years since the 1960s, some community people have been attending the four seasonal services hosted by the Ministerial Alliance at different churches in Kiowa County. This year, it was at the First Christian Church in Eads. The host, Pastor Mark Imel, delivered a fine thanksgiving sermon. He was assisted by Pastors Lane and Deborah Gooden. Dawn G. James led such wonderful praise songs, and Joel and Annetta Maxey sang a duet. In the Fellowship Hall, Dawna Weirich and ladies of the church family served an exquisite array of finger foods and beverages. There were lovely fall displays and wall hangings all around the church, and when I asked, “Who did this?” They would reply, “Dawna did.” In my mind I thought, “her mother, Carolyn Howard, would be so pleased.”

When Areta Blooding-Laird drove me to the evening service, I was so delighted all the beautiful lights on the Maine Street light poles, and some of the store fronts were decorated with twinkling lights for the Christmas season ahead. The Future Business Leaders of America will be judging those homes of the family who had called the school club or sponsor, Denice Nelson, to be judged in the contest to win those Eads Bucks as prizes. In about two weeks the winners of the Chamber of Commerce Eads Bucks will be announced at the musical play in Plains Theatre during “Merry on Maine” on December 22 festivities.

The Haswell community has several gatherings planned in the December. There will be a “Santa Nigh,t” with a meal and at least two senior citizen events. The Christmas Eve service at the Community on Main Street is most memorable.

The folks at Haswell are mourning the loss of Alvin Davis, who died last week, as well as Lawerence “Bob” Alfano, who was the husband of Kemma (Eikenberg) Alfano of Haswell-Eads. Alvin’s services will be held December 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Haswell Community Building. Memorial contributions should be made to Haswell Seniors or Weisbrod Health. Bob's life will be celebrated December 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Praise Community Church in Eads. Memorial contributions can be made to the Bob Alfano Memorial Fund in care of GN Bank, PO Box 847, Eads, CO 81036. Our sympathy and prayers goes out to the loved ones remaining.

Junior high and high school sports schedules are jam packed for the month of December. Most schools are going to three-day basketball tournaments in Colorado or Kansas. In the case of Eads, the Elementary School singing concert that is usually during the first week will be performed December 12 .

I was telling Denise Nelson thank you for delivering the 2023-2024 yearbook (annual) to me at Weisbrod when she told me that people can still buy them. I assure you that they are well worth it. When I moved last year, I had a collection of yearbooks back to 1949. This yearbook staff did an excellent job of layout and graphic design. It is excellent, and such a joy to look at all the photos of our precious students and their activities.

Do look for lists of delightful activities for December 22 when Santa comes to town. There will be a chili supper and desserts in the fire station. Families can have photos taken with Santa Claus, get a bag of treats, and see some fire trucks.

Happy holidays during this Advent season as we await Christmas Eve.