It has been a number of years since we have had a real old fashioned winter. I can remember a few of them and I haven’t missed them a bit. When we just have cold weather it isn’t so bad as the roads are usually in good driving condition so you can travel nearly anywhere. However, when it snows and blows we had better forget about going anywhere as the roads can develop both large and small drifts very quickly, making travel hazardous. Most of us have been wishing for some time that we could be home to catch up on a few things that not only need dong but that we would also enjoy doing such as putting your pictures into that photograph album you have had for a couple of years. I am sure we all have magazines, books and papers that we are keeping until we have time to read them before we throw them out. We want to do these things but there just is never enough time. Well, guess what, the weatherman can help us all out by sending some snow, then a strong wind and perhaps even a little more snow. I think it is sent with this message, "If you don’t know enough to slow down when you need to, the weatherman will do it for all of us!Congratulations to Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen who observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Feb. 5. Due to the inclement weather the celebration had to be postponed to a later date. Bernice and Orrin Aukes helped their grandson, Logan Aukes, son of Terry and Sherri Aukes, celebrate his fifth birthday at his home in Larchwood, Iowa, Thursday evening. Other guests were his other grandparents, John and Greta DeWitt from Brandon, S.D. Milton Bonnema, Bill and Bertha Bosch, Mildred Keunen and Jo Aykens, attended the Psalm and Hymn Sing at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne Tuesday afternoon. The Hills Christian School will have their annual soup supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Why not join them for delicious homemade soup and pie. A free-will donation will be accepted.Joan Hoogeveen and Diane Schwartz and her daughter left on Jan. 28, for Arizona where they spent the week visiting Diane’s parents, Bill and Marlene De Jager and Joan’s children, Janice and Jerry Peters. They returned home on Tuesday, Feb. 3. There was no school in the Hills-Beaver Creek schools on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3 and 4, due to the inclement weather. Dries and Laura May Bosch hosted a family dinner in their home on Sunday in honor of their family birthdays. Celebrating were Steven Bosch and a friend, Wendy, from the Cities, Paul and Diane Bosch and Eric, Brandon, Nathan and Erin Bosch, Sioux Falls, and Tom and Amy Bosch, Emma and Isabel, Sioux Falls. There were 13 Bosch family members there to celebrate. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Melba Boeve and Laura May Bosch helped JoAnn Paulsen and Henrietta Boeve celebrate their belated birthdays which were in November and December. They enjoyed breakfast together at Country Kitchen in Luverne. A Valentine banquet will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 10, at Inspiration Hills. Punch is served from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost per person is $13. Entertainment for the evening will be the Comedy League from Dordt College. Call for reservations if you wish to attend. Valentine’s Day will soon be here. Don’t forget to remember your valentine. Valentine’s Day has been a tradition for many years, traceable back to ancient Rome to a fest called the Lupercalia which had been celebrated on Feb. 15. At that time the young people drew lots for partners for the coming year. With the introduction of Christianity, an attempt was made to abolish all pagan rituals and the celebration of Lupercalia was banned. But the rituals had been too closely interwoven in the lives of the people, and kept showing up during the years. The Christian church decreed that St. Valentine should be honored on Feb. 14, replacing the pagan festival. As a result, St. Valentine’s Day took on the old custom of the Lupercalia, and still remains part of the holiday. A light-hearted and not too serious view is often taken on Valentine’s Day. But along with the smiles and huge colorful hearts and boxes of candy, flowers and cards, comes a much deeper meaning. It is a celebration that respects our love for one another. The love seen between a husband and a wife, emotionally and spiritually, caring and sharing. The love of a parent for a child, learning and growing together.The love that grandparents and grandchildren share, sharing memories and special times. The love between friends, in good times and bad, a loving and trusting acceptance. Valentine’s Day and all that it means is a day kept with us all year long. It is a special holiday — straight from the Heart!Happy Valentine’s Day!
