“Start children off on the way they should go….” Proverbs 22: 6

Thinking of the beginning of school this week … this verse from Proverbs 22:6 seems to fit so well to warn us to guard and guide our precious children and teenagers. It says in full: “Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”

School open house is Thursday, August 11, for parents, guardians, and youth. The public is also welcome to go to the preschool room for homemade ice cream and cookies for $2-3. This helps fund scholarships from the Eads Education Association.

County 4-H members had an outstanding showing at their 4-H fair in the Eads Senior Citizen Center. There was an array of clothing, leathercraft, foods that were baked or canned, decorated cakes, science-related projects, and other type learning projects. “Learning by Doing” has always been a main theme of 4-H. The fashion show is always one of my favorites. Alexa Nelson will be the senior champion young lady representing Kiowa County in the Colorado State Fashion Show at the state fair in Pueblo. Aspen Nelson was the intermediate champion modeling her ivory-gray plaid jacket, and little Marley Zimmerman modeled her pretty flared skirt and top expertly for her first sewing experience. The room was filled with buyers and on-lookers for the food auction when auctioneer Rob Morlan came into call the annual auction funds scholarships. Some of the older 4-H members guided the little Clover Bud members as they carried their baked goods through the rows of chairs. During the day, out at the Kiowa County Community Building, leader Gloria Trosper and some helpers taught the young members how to peel and cut apples, make pie crust, and make their individual pie with cinnamon and butter and a lattice crimp top. They were so proud to take their pie home that night. Extension Office secretary Krystal Eikenberg also enjoys working with these little children. County extension agent Tearle Lessenden complemented the members on their fine projects being taken to the state fair.

The Eads Chamber of Commerce met last week to finalize plans for the county fair breakfasts. Volunteers or questions could be directed to Brandon Hoffman or Dennis Pearson. Donations are welcomed to cover the cost of those expensive eggs and bacon now-a-days.

Senior brunch was special around tables set with yellow and white clothes with sunflower centerpieces . Cindy McLoud, Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation Director, handed out colorful tourist brochures of our six-county area, and she explained the possible plan for transit vans. People filled out survey cards for this effort. August 17^, the Eads Senior Citizen meal and meeting is at noon, and the Haswell meal is at 5:30 p.m.

I am still wondering who gave mystery gifts to me of an angel statue with a halo of lights that beam at night and an envelope of stamps. I do thank whomever, from my heart.

The Eads Traveler’s Lodge is easing the housing problem by offering apartments to rent.

I encourage county residents to enter your fair exhibits for the fair September 7-10. Call Krystal Eikenberg or Tearle Lessenden at the County Extension Office, 719-438-5321, with any questions.

The Eads Christian Church folk went to Lamar for bowling and pizza last week. What a good way to have fun with your church family.

Forty years ago at the Addington Ranch, lightning hit 3,000 bales of hay, causing them to all burn. That ranch is adjacent to the Love’s Store and truck parking complex north of Eads. The south corner of the land is invaded with huge highway machines right now for the highway construction project.

Trevor La Cost, Jaton King, and other former students at Lamar Community College were sad to hear of the death of Dr. Hobbs. He had lived in the Weisbrod Hospital Extended Care Unit for some time.

Since we had rain last month, lawns and pastures are beautifully green. So are the weeds. I appreciate Angela Hoffman for encouraging a good work ethic in their young son, Callen, who mows my yard. I see that Heath Robertson has quite a professional set of lawn equipment.

In Lamar, I met Joyce Hebberd, cousin of Daisy Hebberd of Eads. We were youth in 4-H about 60 years ago.

Dorothy Buxton, Georgetta Temple, and I had a nice visit at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Center remembering 4-H friends and our county fair judging days.

Thank you to Delisa Weeks, who records the Commissioner’s meeting minutes. We thank our good commissioners, Donald Oswald. Mike Lening, and Butch Robertson.

After Shawn Kraft printed my Maine Street Bash photos, I was reminded of the teenagers Maddison McDowell, Brently Lening, and Colin Prince, who were selling lots of Eads Eagle sportswear, and what fun those Corn Hole tournaments looked. All those strangers wearing big wide sombreros -- they were Sharon Koch’s relatives, who were here to honor her brother, who died in a crash. He loved classic cars and motorcycles. His display was near the car show. Thank you to Trent Rittgers, who played such good music all day.

How grateful a church family is to receive a monetary donation from former members. Trinity Lutheran was blessed again by a lady who moved to the front range in the 1960s.

Let us pray for the people of Ukraine, and that area of the world, for their physical and emotional needs.

Shalom.