“We live by Faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 

Monday morning, family and friends gathered at the Eads Cemetery for the memorial and burial of Shirley (Bickel) Wissel. Her husband, Raymond, told their life story of over 66 years of marriage; their moves and home in Rock Springs, Wyoming, after his service in the US Navy. He introduced their four children who were in Colorado with their children. Raymond emphasized how important “home” was to them. His cousin, Ed Buck, closed in prayer.

After the funeral, we were eating under the Theatre umbrellas when Floyd Griswould told me that the man in the red shirt was David Bright’s son. Anthony and his family had come in their red Camaro from Arkansas to visit and take photos around their family’s land and former home. While he was there, he sent messages from me to his aunt, Glenda (Jeff) Immer, who just retired after 30 years of teaching and his aunt, Cindy, who is a Nurse Practitioner.

Liz Hulteen accompanied me to the Bible Study hours at Weisbrod and the Prairie Pines Tuesday. Liz has interesting stories to share after living in Israel for seven years.

The talk about town is, “Martha’s tiny house has been delivered!” Martha Johnson decided to stay in Eads after her husband, Mike Johnson, died last summer out at the McBride Ranch. July 17, Martha’s three daughters, along with Texas relatives, hosted a Mike Johnson memorial sorting competition for cowboys and cowgirls.

More people came to enjoy Gail Voss’s good cooking of fried chicken at Eads senior citizens center last Wednesday. Some of the newer people who came were Deb Lening, who brought her mother, Marteal Johnson, from Grand Junction; Lou Turner; and Floyd and Phyllis Griswould. It was so good to have Marsha Schmitt and Pam Mousel from the Denver area to bring Rita Mousel. Don and Esther McCoin were able to come after many months at home. Several senior ladies worked the Theatre concession stand last week. Remember, the first and third Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. is card playing or game night. Debbie Gooden rushed in to join us at the end and to thank all the people who had made cookies or had done something for the community Vacation Bible School that she and the Praise Community Church revived. They expected to have about 30 kids but the first day 61 came! They had creative teachers who supplied more crafts and modified the schedule. They rented a bouncy house from a Lamar church for the children to take turns playing in. VBS is vital for children’s education.

Betty (Kelley) Crow said that they had the Kelley family reunion at South Fork recently. They used her brother, Gary’s, home as the central place, and she rented houses for her children’s families. They have gatherings every year and sometimes at Christmas.

Richard Ritchie called from near Chicago to ask me to tell people that the Eads High School class of 1961 will have their 60-year reunion during the Kiowa County fair. They invite the class of 1960 and 1962 to join them at the various gatherings during the fair, September 9-11. They will meet at the Cobblestone Inn Saturday evening. Richard said they had the largest class of students and were the last graduating class from the old school.

The Weisbrod Hospital Extended Care Unit hosted the first Thursday coffee hour in about 16 months. It was good to see some of our friends who live there. Tanya Lane is a good hostess. Afterward, some of the residents went out to sit on the balcony under the new awning. There were several Lamar Community College students who were in training to be CNAs. Two were Eads High School students, Caleb Lane and Kaylie McKibbon.

Brandi Thompson is making residents at Weisbrod and Prairie Pines Assisted Living Center happier since she gives them haircuts or perms. She also has a small salon above the Social Services office where she does nails and waxing also.

The families of Richard Scott enjoyed playing disc golf on the course named in his honor July 24. Anyone who wants to buy two discs to play this game may purchase them at the Commissioner’s office or possibly in a local store.

Saturday was a special time to honor four veterans and a special person in our community. That person was Gloria Peck, well-known quilter, 4-H mother, bank clerk, fair quilt and afghan superintendent, supporter of Babe Ruth baseball teams, school board member and all-around wonderful woman. She sewed four quilts which Marilyn Hagins of Sugar City quilted for Areta Laird of Eads; Roland Sorensen of Eads; Tim Greene of Amarillo, Texas, her granddaughter Klayce Peck’s husband; and Tim Walsh of Eads, her granddaughter, Leisha Peck’s, fiancé. 

The Maine Street Bash is building up to be a really super time for free entertainment and fun from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday, July 31, with the Kid’s Zone, face painting, many vendors, fine food court, 3-on-3 basketball, climbing wall, five bands, three solo performances, car and cycle show and more. One may bring a chair and just enjoy the whole time.

Linda Watt’s parents, Ronald and Joyce Howard, were the marshalls for the Cheyenne County fair parade last Saturday. Linda and her siblings were all home to visit them and enjoy this time to honor their parents with the county.