“Count your blessings … name one by one.” --Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Konda (McKnight) Howard called me one evening to ask if she could bring a classmate over to visit me. I was surprised and delighted to recognize Laura (Linsacum) Pullman from the class of 1978! Both ladies looked as pretty as they did in 1978. Since Laura moved to California, I hadn’t seen her for so long. She lives often in Washington state to help her daughter care for young children. Laura’s family returned to Eads for the burial of her older sister.

The senior center in Eads was decorated in fall colors when they entered last week for the monthly noon meal and meeting. Thanks to Lanni Heir for the lovely silk floral wreaths and arrangements and for helping our director, Gail Voss, decorate. Lanni set little ceramic pilgrim couples on each table that the “ceramic ladies” painted for us. The center is going to be used for two family gatherings and a baby shower this week. Rick Glover assisted Gail by smoking two turkeys and she baked one. He carved the turkeys for the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that we enjoyed. Marsha and Pam Mousel brought two turkeys down from Denver last month. Pam said that her grandfather, Orville, really likes the foods we send out after the meal to him and Rita in their home in Kiowa Creek Estates. Pam said that he seems to like to eat the desserts first. Vice President Alice Glover chaired the meeting and Treasurer Joyce Berry told us that our finances are more favorable since the KCEDF reimbursed us after the Cooper Clark Foundation of Kansas paid the grant to help restore our center. People who are 55 or more are welcome to come to our activities. The brunch is Thursday, December 2, at 10:00 a.m. and the noon dinner is December 15.

West end senior citizens enjoy cozy meals on the third Wednesday also in the evening. Some of the Eads ladies who often attend the meals in Haswell tell me they like the friendly people over there. 

It is very important for people of all age groups to get together often in small groups to visit, especially in these days of isolation and tension. One can gather in a small group at the senior center, Hometown Gas and Grill, J.J.’s Restaurant or other places, or maybe in homes. How about you, dear reader - do you have friends you can just chat with?

Linda Trosper has been the lead organizer for over 40 years of the Weisbrod Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar. She told me Saturday that, even though we didn’t have as many vendors, people had been more generous than usual by donating to our fundraiser for the sake of the nursing home residents and those who donated gifts for the drawing, which is our main fundraiser. One precious lady in our community donated three gorgeous, crocheted items: an afghan, a throw cover, and a triangular shawl. She doesn’t want us to print her name. Thank you, dear lady friend of Weisbrod. The Tim and Gloria Trosper family and some 4-H members served three different soups and sandwiches and other foods.

November 27 is Small Business Saturday around the nation. There will be some specials in businesses in Eads and Kit Carson.

Friends and family of Mary Ann Richardson were shocked to hear of her sudden death. Her services were Saturday at the Sheridan Lake Bible Church. I am so glad that she had such a good time on the October trip to Branson, Missouri, with Kiowa County friends.

Mary Shafer called to tell me that she is home in Haswell and learning to care for herself and use the new equipment for her health. I love to hear her cheerful voice.

Eads Chamber of Commerce members have set out some cans in Chamber members’ businesses. Sign up for the drawings to be awarded the next four Fridays.

Also, sign up to be judged for home decorations at rhealie.rittgers@eadseagles.org. by December 1. The winners will be  announced December 5 during the Merry on Maine festivities. There are two categories: General and Trains.

Sunday, December 5, there will be food vendors on Maine Street in Eads beginning at 1:00 p.m., or treats from the Maine Scoop. There will be fun and crafts at the Kidz Zone and, if it is too cold, there will be an enclosed trailer. Tickets are being sold for the musical show of local children and young adults at 3:00 p.m. in the Plains Theatre. Then Leo LePrairie’s band from Pueblo will entertain the audience. There will be fire pits, caroling around the tree, lighting of the tree, Parade of Lights, and other entertainment. Come on out and socialize. It is free. Let us be joyful.

The Victim Assistance Law Enforcement board met around the Town of Eads board room table last week. Bob Woods, Kathy McCracken, Deborah Gooden, and Doris Lessenden are currently serving on this board. One discussion topic was “how can we bring awareness to people of all ages to know that counseling and help is available in this community?”

There was a very large funeral service for Oney Morlan Jones in the Lamar Christian Church last Friday. Her three children stood together to tell her obituary. It was a heart-touching time for this family and friends whose lives were so touched by Oney.