“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” Romans 8:28 (NESV)

This has been one of my guiding scriptures for many years. I have learned to trust and persevere in hard times and then those times don’t seem like troubled times. I like the phrase in Spanish, and say it to people often: "Eso es la vida" (“such is life”).

Areta Blooding-Laird, a Navy veteran from the Eads, returned this month from the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight for Veterans. Rocky Mountain Honor Flight is a Denver-based non-profit organization formed in 2007, and is a member of Honor Flight Network. This wonderful expense-paid trip to Baltimore, Maryland, the group of veterans and their guides or mates dressed in their red shirts daily went to tour various monuments and places of historical significance.

A large and lovely wedding happened this month in the Kit Carson Catholic Church for Faith Johnson to Paul Mitchek. We pay God’s blessings for these two special young people in their family life and jobs. Faith is a beautician, and Alex is a famer and owner of the new popular café in Kit Carson, where his aunt, Debbie Mitchek, is an invaluable hostess and manager.

Last week, after a morning pep rally, a busload of Eads athletes and coaches took off for Denver to the state track meet led by local police vehicles with lots of flashing lights. That is so exciting for me to see and remember years past when our students went to state tournaments.

Congratulations to Cade McDowell of Eads, who graduated from Panhandle Oklahoma State University in Guyman, Oklahoma. He was blessed to have completed so many college classes while attending Eads High that he could have a full-time teaching job at Plainview High School near Sheridan Lake before he graduated.

Congratulations to Case Nelson, who signed on with McPherson College in Kansas to play baseball. It was a good sight to see him seated at a table draped with the purple Eads Eagle banner signing his letter of intent with his parents, Sam and Denise; sister, Aspen; and coach, Kyle Barnett.

Koree Ellenberger, daughter of Eric and Shannon (Barlow) Ellenberger graduated this month from Lamar High School. One of her scholarships was from the Zonta Club of Lamar.

What a wonderful treat to see the Class of 2025 swish down the upper and lower hallways at the Elementary and High Schools in their purple graduate gowns donned in their mortar boards. Hopefully this will encourage younger students to desire to graduate also.

Rhealie Kenzelyn Rittgers graduated from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas, this month. I have heard that she has a job in Grand Junction as a dental hygienist.

Ruth Fees retired from her teaching position at Plainview High School, which serves the students in the areas near Sheridan Lake, Towner, and Brandon. After 51 years in the classroom, this dynamite lady has left a definite positive mark on numerous students who have been in the Plainview School through the years. I admired her talent for encouragement and organization and inspiration to her students. This remarkable woman is certainly deserving of Superintendent Buller declaring that there will be an annual “Miss Fees” Day marking the last day of school. What an honor! Ruth deserves it!

Skyler Weeks married Brandi Thompson where his best man was his nephew, Taite Weeks-Johnson, who came from Vail. Taite's wife, Kiley, who is a nurse, stayed with his grandmother, Delisa Weeks, who is waiting a transplant. Darci and Tailee were at the state track meet, where Tailee was on the winner’s podium two times to receive medals for herself and her school.

Occasionally, Melody Mitchell of Kit Carson brings down some of her dogs and unusual pets to share with the residents at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community in Eads. Almost every week she brings Robert Cloud to play games and do activities with the residents.

We enjoyed having Connie (Crow) Shotton dine with us at Eads Senior Citizens Center Wednesday. She has come to town from her home south of Galatea several times in the last two weeks to make popcorn and serve bottles of water to hundreds of grade school children who come in school buses. The children from Eads walk to the Plains Theatre, which must be a wonderful experience for all children who get to go to the movies. Connie also mentioned she made popcorn for McClave and Wiley. The Crow-Luther Theatre group is asking volunteers to make cookies to serve during the several breaks during practices for the summer children’s theatre play. Auditions are in early June.

I am looking forward to some free movies on some Saturday afternoons this summer in the Plains Theatre. There will be an educational discussion before and after the movie, organized by Kiowa County Public Library District. It is an opportunity for culture and education.

The Crow-Luther group is planning to have several Saturday evenings featuring music in the park this summer rather than one big “bash.” Do watch for dates of some good singing and instrumental music.

We had a great lasagna lunch at the Eads Senior Citizens Center Wednesday. Vice President Mary Ellen Englehardt chaired the meeting. The Summer children’s play director asked if anyone would volunteer to make cookies for hungry children. We will have Bingo night June 1, game nights on the second and fourth Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. Bunch is on June 5 at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be June 18.

The Kit Carson Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting their 4-day Vacation Bible School June 9-12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Peace be with you.