“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV

The thought that explains that scripture is, “God’s love and faithfulness should lead me to love and respect God’s people."

The highlight of last week for many people in the county last week was the 4-H Banquet where the motto was: “4-H Stepping Stones to Success.” Leaders Michelle Nelson and Tim and Gloria Trosper guided their four daughters, Katherine, Hailee, Zoey, and Macey, who are all officers, along with Clayton Nelson. to lead pledges and give recognition to 4-H Leaders, Debbie Cornelius of the Sheridan Lake Livewires; Dave Englehardt and Scotty Englhardt for shooting sports; Mark Nelson for field crops, ceramics, and shooting sports; and Michelle Nelson, the County Council Advisor and leader for artistic clothing, construction, quilting, poultry, shooting sports, and rabbits.

Clover Buds is a club led by Gloria Trosper for younger children who learn some basic food preparation, community service, and entertainment. The members who received certificates are Adeline Adamson, Huxley Adamson, Henry Bell, Jude Deines, Lexie Ellis, Monroe Frey, Colt Hainer, Lacie Hainer, Prestlyn Keplar, Sloan Sagner, Adeline Smith, and Nigen Wilson.

The junior age division was called to the stage individually to receive their Certificates of Completion and awards. They are Jacob Dake, Jett Deines, Macey Trosper, Miranda Keplar, Taya Lawrence, Saige Sagner, Kaleb Shotton, Nathan Smith, Paitin Jones, Piper Uhland, Saylor Uhland, and Taylor Uhland.

The intermediate age group of 4-H members were called individually and given a number of awards for their project endeavors. Those young people were Braxtyn Ferris, Miles Frey, Gage Gibbs, Garrett Hainer, McKinzie Jones, Taivyn Kraft, Tinley Lawrence, Zoey Trosper, and Hudson Uhland.

Next coming to the stage were nine 4-H members who had spent 8 to 11 years earning awards and prize money. Those outstanding teenagers in school, sports, and 4-H are Mia Crow, Alyxx Egley, Selena Fehr, Braya Ferris, Aspen Nelson, Case Nelson, Clayton Nelson, Hailee Trosper, and Katherine Trosper.

The climax of the awards banquet was the announcement of the Outstanding 4-H member in each group. First, each member submitted a letter of recommendation, application, and was interviewed by a committee. Jett Dienes won the youngest group; Miranda Kepler the intermediate; and Mia Crow the senior division. Each Outstanding 4-H awardee received a plaque plus $100 from a generous donor. The three top record book winners received $50. I noticed that Extension Agent Tearle Lessenden walked around visiting with people, checked on details, and was not able to eat any of that wonderful dinner or tasty desserts.

There were several entertaining Halloween-related events around the county last week. At the Crow-Luther Cultural Events Center there was a “haunted house” experience. I heard from one of our nurses that the one she went to was based on local and intriguing facts. Thursday the senior center in Eads was the place to be for a chili cookoff and dessert bar fundraiser. This event was hosted by the Weisbrod Health and Prairie Pines Assisted Living Community staff. Prairie Pines Chief Officer, Sheri Weber Lieva, won the prize for favorite chili. Outside, there were 19 vehicles - according to Amy Barton’s photos - that were parked along both sides of Maine Street for “Trunk or Treat” goodies that was an entertaining sight to watch. Amy said that a person could look at Weisbrod Health Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/p/Kiowa-County-Hospital-District-100063609398221/ which has posted Braylynn (Peck) Eder’s pictures. After high school, Braylynn drove to Massachusetts, where she studied at a photography college. I am so glad that she returned to Colorado to share her skills here. Braylynn also has taken photographs at various functions, such as the annual fire district chili supper and photos with Santa.

Here at Weisbrod, 86 children from kindergarten to fifth grade walked through our dining room in their costumes on their tour to downtown businesses and county offices. It was fun for us at night because they came in slowly in costumes, mostly with caring parents, so we could enjoy them and learn what their names were. Then we could try to identify them. At one of our “coffee hours,” we enjoyed yummy cupcakes that were decorated by Christina Wolf.

A few weeks back, it was the battle of the Eagles. The Stratton Eagles came to Eads to play football and volleyball. Eads High School lost to the stronger Eagles team.

Nearly every week, Dawn James sponsors the high school students to train and compete in the Knowledge Bowl competitions. Alicia James sponsors the junior high students to other meets. Friday, teams will be traveling to Swink for a Knowledge Bowl meet. Some area local middle school teams will travel to Cheyenne Wells for the first of several nights of the Knights of Columbus Basketball Tournament.

Thursday evening in Eads, there will be a chili supper and a Future Farmers of America creed speaking contest. Mr. Lenox and Ms. Lenox returned home from the FFA National Convention last weekend that was held in Indiana. Nine students who went on this educational and memorable trip were Gabe Hadley-Valdez, Tayden Smith, Tyler Ward, Tucker Fry, Itzi Ramirez, Carmen McPherson, Aubrey Mitchek, Hailee Trosper, and Kara Wilson.

Mark your calendars now for the Thanksgiving dinner at the fairgrounds for the Weisbrod and Prairie Pines Family Thanksgiving Dinner November 9th. This is by reservation.

The Weisbrod Auxiliary Bazaar will be held November 22 at the Kiowa County Community Building on the fairgrounds.

Remember that middle school basketball games ae in full swing all around us. There are many high schools in quarter finals competition for football and volleyball.

Have a great November!