Monday morning I was awakened with the raindrops tapping on my window. Do you suppose spring is finally going to have to admit that she has arrived! As I was driving home from church I noticed two fields of corn that were up high enough that I could row them across the field. They were the first ones I have seen. However, my asparagus is ready to eat and so are my winter onions. My strawberries are blooming and my rhubarb is beginning to go to seed. None of these things happen unless it is in the spring. The birds have built a nest in my hog barn and are serenading me every time I go in. And this Sunday I went out to do my chores without a coat! That has to be a sure sign spring has arrived as you just don’t do that in the winter in Minnesota. We haven’t had a lot of rain at one time but every drop of it has soaked into the ground. Things are looking great! Even my garden looks just like it did last year. The weeds are right where I left them and are doing very well. When springtime enters your heart it is time to forget the winters of your life — and only remember the lesson you have learned from them. Guess I had better get to the garden! For regardless of the extra tasks that lie ahead as we get out of doors once more I look forward to all of the springtime beauty.Sunday afternoon Milton Bonnema, Joan Hoogeveen and Joyce and Jo Aykens were guests in the Wilmer and Betty Elbers home in Hills to visit their guests, Geneva Fredericks and son Ryan from Ripon, Calif. Congratulations to Randy and Jane Baker on the birth of a baby boy born on May 10 at Luverne Community Hospital. He weighed eight pounds and 11 ounces and was named Cole Randy. Grandparents are Curtis and Mary Smook and Warren and Loretta Baker. Great-grandmother is Verla Baker. There was a bridal shower in honor of Joni Brouwer, Saturday morning in Steen Reformed Church. Barb Bos underwent surgery at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls on Friday. Ron Van Ruler and Milton Bonnema were Wednesday afternoon coffee guests in the Arnold and Jane Bonnema home. Jo and Joyce Aykens attended the Tulip Festival at Orange City, Iowa, on Friday. They also visited in the Paul and Carole Aykens home. Their daughters were home for the Tulip Festival also, so they spent some time visiting with Andrea Aykens, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Lori Kurtz and daughter McKenzie, Aplington, Iowa, and Susan Veldkamp and daughter Jadeyn from Orange City. The Hills-Beaver Creek High School Class of 2003 commencement exercises were in the Hugo Goehle Gymnasium on Friday, May 23, for 28 seniors. Their class colors were navy blue, sky blue and metallic silver. Their flower was the white rose tipped in navy blue. Their motto was "The memories we’ve shared, the times we’ve had together will stay with us always … Goodbye is not forever!"The Senior Trip to Valleyfair is Wednesday, May 23. The last day of school is on Thursday, May 29. Congratulations to the Senior Class and good luck with your future plans. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended a graduation reception in honor of Adam Lee, son of Steven and Becky Lee, in Sioux Falls Sunday afternoon. Clarence and Ann (Wissink) Kooistra, Ripon, Calif., are spending the week in the Joan Hoogeveen home. There will be a four-family rummage sale in Steen on Friday and Saturday which will be at the home of Bobby Jo (Scholten) Quigley. Marilyn (Scholten) David, Rick and Lori Scholten and Chuck and Ann Jess are the three other families involved. Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens attended the crowning of the King and Queen at Tuff Home on Monday in honor of "Homes for the Aged Week." The theme for the week was "Quality, first in the hearts of the matter." King was Ed Brandenburg and Queen was Norma Herman. A Mother’s Tea followed the ceremony. John and Jane Bosch were Thursday evening coffee guests in the home of Arnold and Jane Bonnema. Where does the time go? It seems May just began and next week we will observe Memorial Day on Monday. However, the official Memorial Day is on Friday, May 30. At any rate, it is a time for remembering our loved ones who are no longer with us and also our Servicemen who have given their all for our nation. I think we should spend some time remembering what this country was founded on and how well it has worked for us. This article titled "The American Ideal" was taken from The Forum. "When this country was founded, the principles which are dear to the hearts of all freedom loving citizens were the basis for what became the American Ideal of Freedom. In essence this Ideal stipulates that every person should be free. — To pursue his ambition to the fullest extent of his abilities, regardless of race or creed or background. To worship God in his own way.To choose his own trade, and to apply for any jobs he wants — and to quit his job if he doesn’t like it or if he gets a better offer. To go into business for himself, be his own boss, and set his own hours of work. To use his honestly acquired property or savings in his own way — spend it foolishly, invest it wisely, or even give it away.To offer his services or products for sale on his own terms, even if he loses money on the deal.To buy or not to buy and service for product offered.To disagree with any other person, even when the majority are on the side of the other person. To do as he pleases in general, as long as he doesn’t interfere the equal rights and opportunity of every other person to do as he pleases."After reading this the thought came to me that I have always taken all of these ideas for granted. I had never thought of not being able to do any of these things and it gave me some things to think about that I had never considered before. Just think how different our nation would be if these were denied all of us! Do you think that these things we enjoy each day are worth fighting for?
