Doris Lessenden

Favorite scripture of an Eads graduate, 2026:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

The children, teenagers, and adult volunteers who worked together to practice and present the Eads Crow Luther Players’ summer production of “Alice in Wonderland” are to be commended! Two productions of the show were presented to a delighted audience Saturday night, June 13. These are the actors and actresses: Dekora Lowe, Kaleb Shotton, Autumn Lowe, Bailey Echols, Samantha Kirkdoffer, Charleigh Lowe, Itzi Ramirez, Emily Echols, Gracelynn Gonzalez, Cici Ramos, Liliana Barton, Emma Greene, Henry Bell, Parker Shotton, Jaxon Specht, Avery Specht, Gracie Lynch, Brasen Wollert, and Garen Wollert. These youth seemed to really enjoy their parts and presentation, and so did we, the audience! Thank you to Merena Lowe, the director, and to young Calen Hoffman, the co-producer. The producer was the Crow Luther Cultural Events Center. Set design was by Debi and Fred Derby. Chris Bloom took care of sound and lighting. Volunteers were Deborah Gooden, Teri Jobi, Tom Jobi, and Val Briggs. It is so exciting that we can have these cultural experiences in Eads, America.

The funeral service for Sheri Woods Lyon was held at the Eads First Christian Church Saturday morning with Pastor Mark Imel officiating. I remember Sheri fondly as one of my science fair students and her peppy personality on wrestling Pep Club trips, especially when we went to Greeley to cheer for our wrestlers who competed at the state tournament. She had 13 grandchildren, most of whom sang “I’ll Fly Away.” Other children spoke about their memories of Sheri. It was a lovely tribute to Sheri and Jim. The community was invited to lunch at the senior center after her graveside service. I know her dear parents, Bob and Renee Woods, would be pleased to look down at their daughter’s funeral service.

Johnny Leon sang for us in the courtyard under the big umbrellas that the Hospital Auxiliary gave us for a while Friday afternoon, but it became rather windy! The staff moved the residents up on the veranda, and this nice man who comes all the way from Tribune, Kansas, sang to us. John will be singing at the Maine Street mini-bash July 3, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. He will be a good and relaxing pleasure to hear.

Thursday evening, Brenda and the staff took us to the original softball field north of the schools in Eads to watch the younger girls’ team, about 8 to 10 years old. Lucy Barnett wanted to see her little granddaughter, Dillan Rose. I wanted to see my nieces, Caroline and Lyla Buck, and the other little girls. I just didn’t know who was who, but we were so grateful that Tim Weeks was seated nearby and he told me, and no doubt some others, who these cute little girls were! Thank you to our wonderful school bus driver and super Eagle fan. Of course we will excuse him cheering for Wiley at the game. His grandchildren were playing for Wiley.

Last Monday night, the group who flew to Europe returned. It is so nice that some parents and family groups were able to travel to these exciting places to see together! Our nurse student, Kara Wilson, a recent Eads graduate, was one of those international travelers. They were joined in Canada by a smaller group from Georgia to make the flight to Europe, to Italy. Thanks to Dawn James, an Eads educator, and her daughter, Alicia James, who arranged the details of this fabulous experience. The following people enjoyed a great learning experience: Kara Wilson; Preston and Kelli Courkamp and Addison; Kim Barlow; Sharon Johnson; Derek and Brianna Shotton and Lexi and Tyler; Mia Crow and mother, Danielle Deines; Aspen and mother, Denise Nelson; Claire Prince and sons, Colin and Charlie; and Kelli Rittgers. Kara said that they went to Venice first, where the streets were waterways and that was fun riding in a gondola. Then they traveled to Florence, where they saw more art galleries and places. Lastly, they went to Rome. It was an unforgettable trip for the students and family members. We are so grateful to have Dawn James and her daughter, Alicia James, and the staff to arrange these marvelous opportunities for our students. Wouldn’t it be good to see a show of their photos?

Carol Shallberg is such a good friend to take the time to come over from Sheridan Lake several times a month to visit her friend, Edith Koeller, who lives at Weisbrod Extended Care.

Joann Peterson from Lamar was here one day last week. A lot of fun was had by all, and lots of photos were taken.

The Maine Street Bash is this week, June 19. Be sure to check out the fine talent featured there.

Families of younger children are busy this month if their little ones are on softball or baseball fields.

This week we plan to play Bingo on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and have a pet show on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Friday, we will have a Father’s Day lunch at noon in honor of Orville Mousel, who is a 105-year-old father and a WWII veteran. He has a very interesting story.

Let us pray for rain!