Doris Lessenden

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

This has been such a good, happy week for me and my friends to live through. Let me share some of those moments with you.

Our Activity Director, Brenda Leon, arranged with Marla Darnell and the Weisbrod staff for two or three residents to get to go to Kit Carson each Monday to visit and have breakfast at her new shop, Buc-Up Boutique on Highway 287 in that little town right across from the churches. Marla and her son, Logan Rasmussen, prepare tasty foods for busy travelers and locals who see her flag waving in the breeze outside. On the day we went, she had little cinnamon rolls or apple fritters or walking tacos. They offer many cold and warm beverages that we saw people grab and go. Some sit around their cozy tables while others went outside to check their vehicles on the electric chargers. What I liked to do was look at the handmade jewelry made by local artist Patsy States and the handcrafted clothes and yarn pieces by local lady Sara Ivicic. Marla has an array of wonderful leather handbags, toys, and small gifts.

Wednesday at noon, on the first Wednesday of the month, the Eads Chamber of Commerce meets. I was grateful to my friend Liz Hulteen for being my driver to JJ’s Restaurant to attend the business meeting over lunch. President Pearson and business manager Brandon Hoffman updated us on the Kid’s Free Fishing Day, which was a success. Several bills and projects were approved, and we are looking forward to county fair time.

Ever since the 1960s I have helped with the Vacation Bible School in Kit Carson. I was so happy when Liz Hulteen volunteered to drive me up. It was great, and it was heart-warming to watch the children and all the adult teachers and teen helpers singing, listening to Bible stories and songs, and finishing their crafts under the leadership of Laura Negley, who was assisted by Jasmine Jacobs and Nicole Kepler. Tracey Jacobs Weeks and Sara Crawford were the lead teachers, assisted by musician-teacher Betsy Evans, who also organized the treats and assisted with all the staff and happenings. One of the most gratifying parts of the day for me was to see how very well teens Avery Johnson and Jolie Oswald led the songs and how they sang with such zest! The girls told me that Ava Oswald had helped them lead songs on the first day but now was at the State FFA Convention. The children and parents donated $1,037.11 to the town of Campo for restoration after that prairie fire caused by lightning.

The first “Mini-Bash in the Park” happened last Friday night. It was terrific! The next date will be Friday, June 19. That evening we can enjoy hearing Jerrica Hainer sing on the stage near the south side of the Independent Newspaper office, so you can enjoy looking at that fine mural designed and painted by the grandson of Cardon and Joyce Berry, Billy Brandt. He is the son of Cindy and Mike McCloud. When you go to hear Jerrica, you might take a folding chair or get there early to find a place at a picnic table or sit on the grass.

We saw a tall, tall man walking to the south dining area. Then we were curious to know who it was. Next, I saw Connie Richardson accompanying the tall man. When I heard Shirley Watts gasp, “Marvin!” I knew then he was “The Gentle Giant.” That was the name some Eads fans called him after he played in the Colorado State Basketball finals. We were happy for Shirley because this was her youngest son, who had just come from Houston, Texas. Shirley didn’t know that Marvin’s son-in-law was driving through Eads to a city in northern Colorado to get a truckload of furniture to take back to Houston. They had a good visit till the next day.

Friday evening there was a really large gathering of JoAnne Peterson’s family in the courtyard, who brought their own potluck supper to enjoy under the tent shades outside. They took a lot of family photos. What a pretty setting.

Remember the noon senior citizen lunch next week Wednesday, June 17, at the Eads Senior Center on Maine. Monday the 15th at 2:00 p.m. will be the Coffee Hour for visiting.

Gail Voss showed me photos of her granddaughter Molly and husband Johnathan Rosler’s baby shower up in Limon. Their baby girl should come soon. Molly is a paraeducator with the BOCES department in the Limon schools, and Johnathan is a tow truck driver and mechanic for many distressed drivers.

Congratulations to Bill and Charlotte Woelk of Eads on their 71st wedding anniversary last week. They are so dear and kindly helpful to so many people! Every week they come up to Weisbrod to visit and bring us good items from their mail about four or five days a week. They are so generous and kind to others!

It seems every evening or night there are baseball games in town and others traveling to Lamar or another town for youth games.

Let us pray for rain!