“A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9

One of the highlights of last week was the annual high school prom at Eads and Kit Carson High Schools, and possibly many other schools in the region. At Weisbrod during the evening dinner hour, several couples came up for us to see their attire and admire them. Of course we were curious to know their names. What amazed me is how, just in a year or two, those boys grew so quickly and have become such handsome young men. And the girls! They were so beautiful! They look attractive on the sports floor, but when you see them up close with fluffed up hair in such gorgeous gowns! We have such lovely young ladies in southeast Colorado. We marveled to see so many sequined gowns and pretty, sparkly fabrics!

By 8:00 p.m. the Plains Theatre was totally packed with families and lots of cheering children as the students in formal dress walked slowly down the right aisle to be announced by Betsy Barnett as they stood in the spotlight. Each couple struck pose for photos and then stood formally in their style. The queen of the prom was Alessandria Paez, and Colin Nelson was the king. The young crown bearers were Dylan Barnett and Andy Paez. The other two young men attendants were Phoenix Neal and Kayden Dunlap.

The juniors and some parents decorated for the prom, and the seniors and some parents hosted the after-prom party. They played Bingo and casino-type games of chance, mingled with food and lots of music, good prizes, and fun. This had been the custom for many years in Eads to discourage “woodsias” out at the lakes unsupervised.

Parents were glad to have the option to rent tuxedos in Eads and to buy lower also. We really do appreciate the new business, “Country Elegance,” on Maine Street. Another lovely fact is couples could reserve a dinner in their lovely dining room at round tables with long while table clothes and black napkins. It must have been lovely when we had a “peek” as we went into the Grand March.

The Eads baseball team has been winning many games, in fact they haven’t lost. We heard that they were ranked fourth in the state a few weeks ago. The league playoffs began April 29. May 3 were the finals. Holly played Cheyenne Wells and McClave played Eads. The winners, #9 Chyenne Wells played #3 Eads, with Eads winning that game. Coach Kyle Barnett’s team is doing very well. He no doubt appreciates his assistant coaches, Jason Lenox and Brian Bolander.

Several Kiowa County residents drove to Lamar for the Southeast Colorado Power Association meeting, and to vote on board members. Some Prowers County 4-H members served a superb roast beef dinner. Sylvia Weeks of Eads won a $100 prize for Blooding Farms. There were several other big electronic prizes drawn by the attendees. What interested me especially was which seniors were awarded scholarships. We were proud that two fine young men from Eads, Colin Nelson and Case Nelson, were recipients.

The Future Business Leasers of America, one of the larger clubs at Eads High School, attended their state conference near Denver last week. Denise Nelson is their faculty sponsor, and was assisted by Mary Vasquez on this trip.

Charlene Gifford and her Eads third grade class visited their adopted grandparents at Weisbrod last week. The children like to come to see us, but I think we like and love them more. We like to hear their chatter, and to see how kind they are to each other. We had fun playing a game. Each month, we are in awe of what a marvelous teacher Mrs. Gifford is. What a legacy she has brought to so many lives in Eads and Haswell.

One of the most delightful experiences of the week is to get to “walk and roll” for a few blocks around town. It is special to see many flowering trees and bushes, and so many blooming flowers - and the robins are here.

News reports are that our Eads girls golf team is doing well. It is exciting to me that we finally have a golf team and coaches at Eads High School. If I had a son or daughter, I would be hopeful that they can develop skills for this lifetime sport.

Some of my friends who have rancher husbands or boyfriends have told me that their “significant other” is busy on the weekends, especially as they help one another brand cattle, move cattle, and other such chores. Some of them have interesting meals, and entertaining times afterwards too.

This week, we are celebrating Hospital Week, so there were certain dress days, and many fun experiences or contests, ending with a community barbeque and groundbreaking for the new clinic Friday at 5:00 p.m.

There are many heavy, sad hearts this week in our town because our dear, esteemed friends who did so many good deeds for our county died last week. They were Bob Miller and LaVerle Kelley, who died in the last days of April. Friends around the nation are praying for their families.

Happy spring days ahead. Support your local schools by attending events. Shalom.