Spring is in the air! Temperatures have been in the 50s and have even reached into the 70s! Even the air feels and smells different. I hope we all survived our time change on Sunday when we had to set our clocks ahead one hour. I am sure we were all a bit draggy for a few days but we will get used to it. April is a very special time when spring arrived and I, for one, am ready and waiting.Sunday is Easter and all the earth seems to come alive to herald its coming of Easter. Let’s hope our weather continues to be favorable for family gatherings. Many families have not been together for a long time and have been looking forward to seeing everyone. I hope they don’t get too tired driving as we are not used to the time change as yet. Take your time and enjoy the promises of spring in the landscape as you travel along. Then you will arrive safely.The Steen Senior Citizens had their April meeting Monday afternoon at the Steen community building. Games and cards were played. Lunch was served by Henrietta Huenink. Verla Baker was taken to Sioux Valley Hospital Friday morning after a fall which left her with a broken wrist. We wish her a speedy recovery. Melba Boeve and Carol Zwaan attended the Spring Festival of Gospel Music at First Christian Church in Sioux Falls Sunday afternoon and evening. The programs were presented by groups from several different states and cities. Rapid City and Mitchell, S.D., Orange City, Iowa, and North Dakota. Mildred Paulsen accompanied the Freedom Club from Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Sioux Falls on Monday evening. They enjoyed supper together at Coyote Canyon following which they attended the Plumber Family Country Music Show at Washington Pavilion. Thursday evening the Reformed Church Women Spring Conference was at the American Reformed Church in Worthington. The program, "Memories Tied With Apron Strings" was presented. Those attending from Steen were Etta DeJongh, Karen Ramaker, Millie Klarenbeek, Cena Mae Tilstra, Melba Boeve, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens. Lori Scholten was taken by ambulance to Luverne Community Hospital Sunday evening where she remains a patient. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Falls choir concert Sunday evening. A former resident of Steen, Lexia DeWit of Sioux Falls, was the director. Lexia is the sister of Steve VanWyhe of Steen. Paul and Diane Bosch from Brandon, S.D., joined Dries and Laura May for the concert.Maundy Service will be Thursday evening at Steen Reformed Church beginning with a meal at 6:30 p.m. The Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae service will begin at 7:30 p.m. April is very special. A time when the whole world seems to be anxious for the milder weather which spring promises to bring to us. A moist smell in the air promises many splendors when time sound the summons. Small sprouts and leaves slowly unfolding to reach out to the life-giving sun. Birds twitter, busying themselves with nests in the great oak tree. The scent of blossoms floats up in the soft air. A green carpet creeping over the hills to cover winters brown ground. All the earth is ready and waiting for the coming of spring and Easter. The peal of Easter bells and the melody of Easter songs, are the signal for a throng of memories and a host of inspirations to every heart. There is no day in all the year so full of meaning to the soul as Easter, with its beautiful flowers and fervent songs to give it honor. It seems that Easter is everywhere as written so well by Agnes Choate Wonson and titled, "Easter Everywhere.""Suddenly I see the first blue periwinkles pushing small sky faces through the cozy coverlet of the last autumn maple leaves. Easter is everywhere!Gold and orange candles of tiny crocus blooms are seen, a flame of fire on the sunny side of my neighbor’s house. Easter is everywhere!The first red-breasted robin hops hopefully around my yard, I must remember to hang bits of twine for nesting time. Easter is everywhere!My Easter lilies sparkle in the dew — symbols of Resurrection — nature’s miracle of welcome release. Easter is everywhere! Dawnings gay with bird song, twilight, pinkly fair, shower our earth’s awakening to Easter everywhere."Easter is Sunday. I hope we will have the time to enjoy all of nature’s wonders that God has provided for and that we have a most blessed and joyful Easter. Happy Easter and drive carefully.
