“Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Haswell senior citizens often have card parties with good food and fellowship Sunday nights. Their next dinner meeting will be always on the third Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the community building. If locals have questions about meetings or activities, they can call the director, Pam Lessenden. Pam and leaders of the local community church are planning for their Christmas Eve service that is so important to families and friends.

Haswell area folk welcome a new family to their town, Karl and Sarah Eikenberg and their teen age son, Jaden Self and young children, Reona, Brody, and Waylon. They had the misfortune to lose their belongings in a house fire that destroyed the interior of their home on Rittgers Street in Eads. They were blessed to find a nice home in Haswell, and the real blessing of this new home that it is in the same town as their business, to which they have been commuting for several months. They bought and completely renovated the big Quonset building on the Haswell curve from Paul and Glenda Stoker. Karl and Sarah continue to sell gas and deliver propane to a large area of farmers and ranchers. Karl continues his to use his skills in diesel mechanics and has a repair shop in their place of business. Travelers will really appreciate having a gas station at Haswell. So will the many bicyclists who have used this station and park for a stop-over place since it was designated 1976 during the Centennial.

My niece, Glenda Stoker, blessed me so much after Thanksgiving by setting up a silver Christmas tree with rose pink bulbs in my room, and decorating my door with a gorgeous, glittery ribbon fabric wreath on my door. Then she showed me photos and videos of their daughter, Colby’s, wedding ceremony to Tyler Hill in Kentucky. It was gratifying to see how many friends from Colorado drove or flew out to Nashville to enjoy the wedding parties and all the families who drive 14 to 16 hours. Glenda had rented a huge home that had many beds, gym room, pool room, kitchen, dining, and other places to play or visit. The large barn that Glenda and Paul rented was some distance from there, and was designed especially for weddings, parties, and dances, which looked lovely and so fun. Glenda was glad that Brad Musgrave, Aiden Michael, and Bryson Whatley came early on the wedding day and helped set up furniture for the guests. Meanwhile, Colby’s bridesmaids were in a cabin getting ready for the outdoor wedding. Molly Kelley, Amber Kopasz, Emily Guyrman, and a Tennessee girl were in the bridal party. Since I couldn’t travel that distance, it was a joy for me to see my relatives, and our Colby’s new relatives who live in that area.

December 7, at 6:30 p.m. is the Eads Elementary School concert that families always look forward to.

Another Christmas program is at the Sheridan Lake Bible Church December 17 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a basket dinner after the program. Several families from the Eads area travel quite long distances to go to the church in Sheridan Lake. My neighbor, Charlotte Woelk, is a pianist for their congregation, and her husband, Bill, helps with the Sunday school. Recently, Bill and Charlotte went to visit Nate Rose in Las Animas. He remembered that Cathy Woelk had been in his class. He looked at Bill and said, “You were a tough teacher.”

Eads students in the Future Business Leaders of America club were out November 29 to decorate some store fronts. Students can come up with some creative things. I remember late this fall that that Sean Kraft, manager at Kiowa Pharmacy in Eads, had the three teenage employees decorate the top front windows. Zoe Kraft, Alyxx Egley, and Lacy Kraft did excellent jobs of attractive spirit window decorating.

There are a number of businesses throughout Kiowa County to shop for that unique gift, or gift certificates.

Remember when you shop to sign up for the Eads Chamber of Commerce Eads Bucks. Each weekend, another name is drawn for some fortunate shopper in Eads.

The County Line Rivals wrestlers had their first matches at the Grizzly Tournament in Fowler Saturday. Next weekend, the local wrestlers will travel to Limon. The Eads basketball team will be traveling to the three days of Border Wars in Kansas.

The volunteers of the Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center have planned some wonderful events for the ”Merry on Maine” Street Festival for December 10. Do read your newspapers to see all the advertisements for inexpensive holiday fun. It is “come and go” on Maine Street. Here is a quick summary:

• Art Show for all ages in the Eads Senior Citizen Center
• From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. there will be the Firefighters. Chili Supper in the center and a photo shoot with Santa. Santa come into town by rail
• There will be a Jungle Jog to support the Karl and Sarah Eikenberg family
• Vendors along Maine Street
• Corn Hole Tournament
• Kid’s Crafts from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• People can take carriage rides in a horse drawn wagon plus listen to Trent Rittgers’ music.

Happy holidays!