“Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause you great joy for all people.” Luke 2:10

I looked a long time in for a meaningful verse to share with you. I decided on Luke 2:10 because of the word joy. It is one of my favorite words. I am usually joyful every day, but today, I need to guard my thoughts because I am not as ‘joyful’ as usual. That is because of my concern for two people that I love very much who were injured and hospitalized in different states - my friend, Henry Ashida, and my sister. Henry was taking photos of the Ordway homecoming football game when two football players landed on top of him, so he has been in a Colorado Springs hospital. My sister says she is better and walking around. So, I am more prayerful these days.

Last week was also homecoming week at Eads High School. The students in the elementary and the high schools had a good time dressing up and having new experiences. I am eager to see more photos as soon as my computer is more “restored” and I have time to sit and view them. I did see a photo of the Homecoming Court. The Eads King and Queen were seniors Karston Buller and Tailee Weeks-Johnson. The senior princes were Jaden Self and Shane Winder. The senior princesses were Lexi Shotton and Kara Wilson. The juniors were represented by Anna Woolert and Jason Bletzacker. Sophomore royalty were Aspen Nelson and Landon Zimmerman, and the freshmen chose Itzi Ramirez and Tyler Ward. The children who carried the Crowns were Axton Eder and Tinley Uhland. The students could go to the homecoming dance Saturday night. I think that would be more pleasant than we so often did in past years when the dance was right after the football game when it was often chilly or cold and there were only a few minutes to get “freshened up.” The volleyball games were exciting.

I heard that the Eads team lost the football game, but we knew there were several of our players who were injured before the game. I remember that Cheyenne Wells was the state football champions last year, and they have a larger stronger roster than ours.

The girls in the homecoming court wore such pretty dresses. Tailee, who was the queen, was reminded after the football game that her grandmother, Delisa (Eikenberg) Weeks, was the Eads High School queen her senior year, too. When Darci, her mother, who is one of our dear nurses, showed me a photo from her 1981-82 annual, it made tears come to my eyes. Darci said. “Tailee’s Nana would be so pleased.” I told Darci that “I think that Delisa is looking down from heaven on her precious granddaughter now.”

Thank you to Mary Vasquez, the Pep Club sponsor, for helping arrange fine homecoming activities.

The Eads girls who play on the Southeast Angels softball team won the district playoff last week. Thursday morning, they were leaving after a morning pep rally for the Colorado State playoffs in Aurora. The Eads girls who play on the team are Kara Wilson, Lexi Shotton, Emma Woolert, Bailey Sierra, Kennedy Guyrman, Cheyenne Brown, Lacie Kraft, Savannah Brown, and Emma Woolert. Walk-ons are Hailee Pearson, Maddie Wertz, Zoe Martinez, Dixie Bitner, and Laila Garcia. These young ladies were so dedicated to practice and travel, and some of them also played on their home school’s volleyball team.

Steve Shotton of Tulsa, Oklahoma has driven up from Tulsa to several Southeast Softball games especially to watch his niece, Lexi Shotton play in games. He called his sister-in-law, Connie Crow Shotton to say that he and his wife, Delee, were on their way to support the Eads girls and teammates at the State tournaments. I have always admired Steve’s Eads Eagle pride.

Wanda Ball Lessenden and her daughters, Glenda Stoker and Shannon Dixon, prepared many of the foods for the Ball family reunion that was held at the Haswell Community Building last Sunday. Shane and Pam Lessenden were on hand to help with the arrangements. The families enjoyed the get-together very much

The Mike Johnson Memorial Cattle Sorting happened October 19 at the fairgrounds near Eads. Mike is remembered as a good friend and rancher. He and Martha’s daughters were active in the 4-H program here. Their lives changed a great deal after he died at their ranch north of town. We also are grateful to Mike for his contribution on the Kiowa County Fair Board.

The Harris pumpkin patch outside of Sheridan Lake has been the place to be on Sundays in October. I have seen photos and heard accounts of the wonderful time parents and children are having as they enjoy the hospitality of the Harris family and helpers

The Prairie Pines and Weisbrod chili cookoff will happen at the Eads Senior Citizens Center as a moneymaker and a good time. Watch for posters.

Terri Voss’ birthday was special for her when a number of relatives and friends came, plus pretty presents that her little granddaughter, Elana, helped her to open.

Friends, I have exceeded my word count, so I will tell you about our beautiful memories of the Down East Boys gospel concert at Praise Community Church next week - those especially for Bill and Charlotte Woelk and myself.