“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts : 20-:35

The last of July, usually July 21 - Floyd Griswould’s birthday, has been the traditional time for the Griswould Family Reunion. It was appropriate that friends and family from all parts of the nation came to Eads July 20 for the memorial and dinner for Floyd. The memorial service began at the community building at the fairgrounds with his nephew-in-law, Gina Watt’s husband, Pastor Mark Harvey, leading the service. Videos were shown of his cowboy burial in the Arlington, Colorado, Cemetery in April, followed by the VFW Flag ceremony. After a spiritual message and friends sharing some experiences with Floyd, the guests enjoyed a lunch hosted by some family and members from the Eads Community Church, with Joyce Berry coordinating the lovely meal and fellowship. Floyd’s wife, Phyllis, and daughter, Amanda, supplied the main dish and appointments. It was a disappointment that Floyd’s son, Greg, couldn’t come from his ranch in Oklahoma because he had been ill with Covid-19 since helping sponsor a youth camp for hundreds of kids. Floyd was remembered as our County Sheriff, a 4-H square dancer, cowboy, and lawman, but most especially as a loving family member and friend.

There was a large group of seniors who came to the center in Eads last Wednesday at noon. The people certainly enjoyed the good fried chicken prepared by our director, Gail Voss, with mashed potatoes and gravy. Delicious sides and scrumptious desserts were on several tables for all enjoy. Guest was Mark Fields, the new Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site director, who assumed the position from Janet Frederick since her retirement. He and his wife and 14-year-old daughter are house-looking.

That evening, some ladies from Eads drove over to Haswell to enjoy the Haswell West End Senior Citizen group with friends and relatives. Director Pam Lessenden said all the food was eaten. They really have good times over at the west end center. I have heard that there is a need for housing over there also. If people have homes for rent in these communities, would you please let Gail Voss or Pam Lessenden know, or me at 719-438-5655, then we can relay the messages.

I feel that I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the dilemma, the mystery, the wonderment about the happenings this summer having to do with the Republican and the Democratic parties. The television shows are almost constantly reviewing the political news. We do need to pay attention and be prepared to vote to save our nation and democracy.

I have been told that there are 4 or 5 championships in the youth division that have been won the by youth teams in Eads. Wow, what potential for the future of the Eads Eagles.

One couple I can always count on is Bill and Charlotte Woelk, who always bring me the church bulletins at the beginning of the week. They drive over to Sheridan Lake, as do several other families from Eads, to attend the Bible Church. I like to read the hymns they sing and hum them. They have many committees and activities that the people take part in. It is gratifying to see.

Another church that I see that is growing by the many cars parked outside is Praise Community Church in Eads. We were pleased to have Pastor Mark Imel of the Eads First Christian Church bring a message to residents at the Weisbrod Extended Care Unit and Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community last Sunday.

County 4-H members and possible exhibitors are busy finishing their exhibits for the county 4-H fair August 5, and the county fair September 11-14. Readers in Kiowa County can make our fair better and larger if you get a fair exhibit booklet from Krystal Eikenberg or Tearle Lessenden in the CSU Extension Office at the courthouse, or possibly at some stores. Tearle, the Extension Agent, is scheduled to judge at most all fairs in Southeast Colorado.

Many families from Eads, and no doubt other towns, have been taking their children to Lamar for swimming lessons. It is usually for two weeks of sessions, which is important for the education of little ones. However, it is an expensive venture, so we will be so happy again to have swim lessons right here in Eads as we did for many years as soon as a new swimming pool can be built. At this point, it is a dream in the planning stages for the future.

When we drove north to Kit Carson Sunday to church, we were delighted to see little prairie ponds full of water. Betsy Evans said that over five days and three storms, they had five inches of rain in their vicinity south of Kit Carson. Oh, that green grass, and even the weeds, are so good to see.

We learned that Jack Johnson fell in his Kit Carson home and was there for quite a long time. He has been in a city hospital, and now his children are looking for a nursing home for him to live in.