News From Lowell Township

Easter Sunday morning, Steve and I set our alarms for 'early' and drove to the bluffs south of Alton for the traditional sunrise Easter pageant. Lightning was flickering in the west, and soon it was sprinkling on the almost fifty spectators bundled up and sitting on blankets or lawn chairs. Soon the clouds rolled on to the east, and we were only dampened. We were among the first to arrive, and another couple introduced themselves and had driven up from Lincoln. They were impressed and needed to return to Lincoln for their church services. They were initially from Leonardville and knew my sister and her family from that area. We hadn't attended for many years, and a pageant is still a special event with almost thirty cast members. The sunrise cooperated perfectly as the three crosses were raised upon the hill to the east. Beautiful music is played, and the story is narrated as the pageant unfolds. Jesus and his followers greeted the crowd, and breakfast was held at the church.

Dan Melton, Walton, came Saturday afternoon and helped his dad with some fencing. Granddaughter, Daniele Melton, Wichita, arrived late Saturday evening. We attended Cedar Christian Church Sunday with James Swanson, Smith Center, bringing the message. Dan drove on to Norton for Easter dinner with the Kats family, and Michele Melton had driven up that morning and planned to stay overnight with her folks since Hillsboro did not have classes on Monday. Mark Trumbo was an Easter dinner guest, and Daniele and I colored more boiled eggs than our families could consume. Dan returned in the evening to help with chores, and Daniele enjoyed feeding the bucket calf. We did FaceTime with Josiah in Seattle to show off our colored eggs and his calf. He was showing a home for the realty business, so he was working on Easter Sunday. Even the Masters couldn't take time out for religion!

I may need to be putting my chickens on a diet. A column by the 'Chicken Chick' cautioned not to spoil and over-feed the birds, ensuring they exercise daily. She stated chickens of today are being raised more like pets. We name them and give them too many treats. Chickens of our grandparent's era were raised for egg production and meat and were free-ranging.

Betty Lala enjoyed the Easter egg hunt and the many children at the Smith Center event on Saturday. She had dinner at daughter Barb McClain's with family Sunday, and an Easter egg hunt was held in the afternoon.

Ken and Patty Lay and their daughter and husband, Ali and Grady Imel, enjoyed Easter dinner and took dinner to Jeff Besperat. Thomas and April Yakish hosted her family's gathering on Saturday at their Fellowship Hall and held an Easter egg hunt.

Bonita Oliva had surgery in Hays on Friday and spent the weekend recuperating at her sister's home in Hays.

Cowboy Quote: 'Don't expect the scenery to change if you're sittin' on the fence.'

A young man from the city went to visit his farmer uncle.Forthefirstfewdays, the uncle showed him the usual things-chickens, cows, crops, etc. After about three days, however, the nephew was getting bored, and the uncle ran out of things to amuse him. Finally, the uncle had an idea. 'There's no one around for miles. Why don't you grab a gun, take the dogs, and go shooting?' This seemed to cheer him up, and off he went. That afternoon the nephew returned. 'How did you enjoy that?' asked the uncle. 'It was great.' Exclaimed the nephew. 'Got any more dogs?'