“The Lord guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me and your staff. They comfort me.” Psalm 23:3-4 NIV

The thought for this day related to the Good Shepherd’s 23 Psalm is: “God will never abandon me.” That is the way I feel in my life, and it is comforting.

We have just finished “fair week,” or recuperating from a lot of work - like the Fair Board: Cody Fox, Tabitha Ferris, Areta Blooding Laird, Kip Peck, Mikcheal Rogers, Tyler Swopes, and Donna Adame; Commissioners: Donald Oswald, Butch Robertson, and Mike Lening; Extension Agent: Tearle Lessenden and assistant, Krystal Eikenberg; Vocational Ag Teacher: Jason Lenox; Livestock Committee: Tim Trosper, Chairman, Junior McDowell, Mark Nelson, Michelle Nelson, Nathaniel Mitchek, Holly Mitchekk, Dally Jo Lessenden-Sagner; and, of course, Tim Wolf and all the good county workers who prepare and serve the beef and pork barbeques.

A huge thank you goes to Chamber of Commerce leaders, Dennis Pearson, Brandon Hoffman, and Jan Richards. We do thank all the men and women who mixed and fried the pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon, too. Both mornings were sunny and wonderful for all the friendly visits that people enjoyed. Some people I remember were the Scroggins sisters, Diane and Leann, from Wichita, Kansas; Carol Durrett was here with two of her sisters, Betty and Barbara; three of the Lujan Brothers were making lots of visits while they stayed at June Blooding’s home: Kelley from New Mexico, John, and Carl.

Floyd and Wynona Barnes drove down from Nebraska and spent time at Towner checking out their farm. It was so good to see them and Phyllis Griswould, who were very active 4-H members in the 1950s and 60s.

Erie Hammer drove from Wild Horse to three days of the fair in Eads. He seemed to be well Saturday when he sat by his cousin, Wanda Lessenden, at the rodeo. Sadly, he passed away early Monday morning. We have so enjoyed his columns in the Kiowa County Press of his remembering growing up, and he and his wife, Judy, and their adventures. I am told Ernie had given the Kiowa County Press permission to print excerpts from his book.

Johnny Leon’s singing at the Friday breakfast made the atmosphere so much more enjoyable for many people. John is from Tribune, Kansas.

Diana Flory, Adrienne Yates, and Marci Miller, officials from the Kiowa County government offices, so appreciated Mike Weeks, who came to the breakfasts the two mornings by 3:00 a.m. to be sure the fire was lit under the big pot of hot chocolate water and tea water. We like to think Delisa is looking down and telling our Deana Griswould, “Look, my guy remembered!”

Did you see the news article that a large United States flag was flown over the Colorado State Capitol in memory of our Delisa Eikenberg Weeks? It was later given to the Weeks family.

Richard Ritchie was honored by his family and many friends who gathered at the Eads Senior Citizens Center last Sunday. Richard’s siblings and relatives came from many states across the country to share memories of this dear man. I have vivid memories of him as an outstanding high school leader and athlete at Eads High School. He loved coming home during the county fair to visit his relatives and friends. And I do add that we really do love and enjoy the Ritchie brothers and sisters and extended family members who come to Eads.

There were a number of political candidates in town for the fair.

Trista Tuttle’s daughter was home from her college classes in Colorado Springs to help her in her delightful floral and gift shop south of the GN Bank. Be sure to circle the date of October 4. That is Trista’s date for a crafts fair, art show, food, music, and other good happenings. She hopes to have most of it outside - weather permitting.

Also remember that the Haswell Bazaar is October 4 in the morning, and have a great meal at noon. Christina Wolf and Tyler Hill are heading up the plans for that great day in Haswell at the Community Center.

Betty Crow had the sad news that her sister, Barbara’s, husband, Bill Calhoun, age 94, died last week in their home in Oklahoma.

The Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community staff had such a nice float in the parade. That added a spark to the day, as well as the Harris family float that advertised the great October weekends for hayrides, treats, and fun activities north of Sheridan Lake at the Rick and Kim Harris Farm.

Marisa (Dixon) and her husband, Dr. Brady Brunk, came home from Nebraska for the activities at the fair.

Celena Clark and Eve and Elkle spent most of the week at fair with her father, Dwight, and brother, Tearle.

Aiden Micheal of eastern Colorado, and Ty and Raylee Micheal of Wyoming, have been home for several weekends to enjoy family gatherings, especially to the joy of their grandmother, Gail Voss, and to see their uncle and aunt, Brett and Stephanie Rusher, from South Dakota.

Nikki (Hopkins) Lenox organized her class reunion that was held at the Eads Senior Citizen Center Saturday night of the fair.

Eads senior citizens and about 16 residents and helpers attended a juicy buffalo burger and salad bar lunch at the center.