“Love your neighbor as yourself” Galatians 5:14

Greetings, dear reader friends, from sunny, warmer southeast Colorado!

Grandparents can have so much fun as they watch their grandchildren grow up. Sometimes they have to travel distances, but maybe that makes the time even sweeter. I admit I did quiz our nurse, Connie (Diamonds) Richardson, a little more about how deep the snow was over La Veta Pass to Alamosa last Saturday for them to get to Alamosa in time to watch their grandson, Luke, play hockey on the big ice rink. That night, they watched activities related to an ice festival downtown. Sunday, Neil and Connie drove to Colorado Springs to celebrate their granddaughter, Reen’s, third birthday.

We were pleased to have Pastor Mark Imel lead us in a devotional time for our “church time” Sunday. He comes to Weisbrod and then goes to the Prairie Pines. Later Jolyn (Gereke) Uney, Eads High School class of 1966, and her daughter, Tasha, came to visited us after they had been to Prairie Pines especially to visit Mary Mable. Bob Miller was so pleased to visit with her too. Bob is very interested in people of the county and keeps informed.      

One of our night nurses, Hope, and Bryce (Pete) Batterton, had a baby boy in January. His name is Clancy Dee-Walter.

Congratulations to Eads senior Brianna Lawrence-Wilson, who received the honor of being selected to be the Daughters of the American Revolution “Good Citizen.” At the DAR breakfast buffet the Cow Palace in Lamar. Brianna received $100 for her outstanding application which has been sent to the state committee where she could receive the $1,000 prize. Brianna is a peppy cheerleader, Student Council President, Knowledge Bowl Team member, and active in several other groups in leadership roles. She has been a helpful clerk in Crow’s Stop and Shop store for several years.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ron and Joyce Howard of Arapahoe who are celebrating their 70^th wedding anniversary. They lived in Eads in the 1980s when their daughters were a part of the basketball team. Maybe they will be at the 1984 Basketball celebration January 9.        

We extend our sympathy to the families related to Dick and Janet (Japhet) McDaniel. They raised their family in Eads and worked here. Dick passed away in November 2021, and Janet this past December. Their daughter-in-law, Rebecca, had a wonderful tribute to them in the Kiowa County Press.

Linda Trosper brought a lovely Afghan that Bonnie (Mays) Rogers crocheted of variegated purple colors to display in the dining room for us to enjoy this month. Linda is one of the three women who organized the Hospital Auxiliary Bingo.

Many people in the Kit Carson community are still in shock and sorrow after the deaths of two men. Mark Hogan, a father of young children, was buried January 26, and Rusty Paitin was buried last Friday.       

Last week, CSU Extension Agent Tearle Lessenden took Kiowa County 4-H officers Clayton Nelson and Haylie Trosper to Denver for three days to the Colorado State 4-H Leadership Conference. It was organized by the State 4-H officer team. The young 4-H officers benefitted from workshops, tours, and some social times. The highlight for many was Monday when they went to the Colorado State Capitol where they observed the Senate and House of Representatives approve Colorado 4-H Day January 29.

Middle school basketball fans have been most happy that the Eads girls basketball team won their district championship. When I study the photo of the young girls, I see such potential and talent for future years. I am hopeful that they will always be provided with fine coaches, the best of teachers and equipment, and sensible guidance and support from their parents and our community. They are such sweet young girls growing into talented young ladies. Their names are Lacy Kraft, Aspen Nelson, Addison Courkamp, Emma Wollert, Carmen McPherson, Mia Crow, Jordyn Turcotte, Peyton Eder, Aubrey Mitchek, and Reese Barnett. They were coached by Justin McCloud and Brenna Rouse.

I am so grateful to John Contreas, who has been writing high school sports reports since the 1980s or before. Last week, he reported facts of four wrestling matches at different schools that the County Line Rivals wrestling team (Wiley/McClave) competed in. With my magnifying glass, I identified the following wrestlers who do attend Eads High School and wrestled in all or some of these matches on the road. They are Phoenix Neal, Jaden Self, Alyxx Egley, Spencer Uhland, and Shaine Winder. Keenan Smith is an Eads senior who has been on the injured list a few weeks, but he did get to wrestle last week. Another good wrestler on this team is from Cheyenne Wells who has had several good matches this season. Aaron Musgrave moved from Eads to near Wiley, so we always are interested in him at the wrestling matches. Another former Eads student is senior Bo Arnold who now plays basketball for Wiley. I was pleased to read that Bo made 18 points in one game.

Robert Cloud of Kit Carson was delighted with the people who came to greet him at his 50th birthday party at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community in Eads.

Do “count your blessings and see what God has done.” I know, even before I do so, I am so blessed. Happy day to you.