How many of us can remember the old saying, "When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen." We have had a good example of that this past week. We can’t help but wonder who wrote those words of wisdom! They really understood our weather. Last week we enjoyed temperatures in the 40s. When Saturday arrived temperatures dipped below the zero mark. We are also aware of the fact that we are gaining two minutes more of daylight each day. We certainly shouldn’t be complaining as we’re so fortunate to have had such beautiful weather for the holiday season. That was the time that everyone wanted to be with their relatives or friends, both near and far. Snow and freezing drizzle had been forecast for this past weekend but we lucked out one more time. We had no snow, however, the temperatures were below zero but driving conditions remained good. We all have to learn to be prepared for whatever the weatherman has in store for us. We are all anxious to have the winter weather behind us. I can remember that March can be a heavy snow month. In fact, in the 1930s we had so much snow in March that schools were closed. My dad had to bridle up the horses to hitch onto the bobsled to take his cream to the creamery in Rock Rapids, as all of the roads were closed and you couldn’t find them to drive on, so he went across country, over the fences, to get there.Just remember, March can bring lots of snow so be prepared. It may be spring, but the weatherman might play an April Fool’s joke on us. When we live in Minni-snowta, our lives have very few dull moments weather wise!Travis and Amber Arends, who live in Warrensburg, Mo., and attend Missouri State University where they are working toward their master’s degrees, spent the holidays in the homes of their parents, Don and Cindy Arends, Hardwick, and Steven and Marilyn VanWyhe, Steen.Kathleen Esselink entered Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday and was able to return to her home on Friday. Hills-Beaver Creek schools are sponsoring a tubing night Thursday, Jan. 23, at Great Bear Recreation Park. Those wishing to participate will meet at 6 p.m. at H-BC High School. For the trip home, we will leave around 8:30 p.m. Call for reservations at H-BC High School. Omitted from my column last week was an important announcement. I apologize for the omission. It was congratulations to Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen on the arrival of a grandson born on Jan. 8 to Mark and Lisa Paulsen of Marshall. They named him Bryant Mark. He joins two brothers and one sister. Great-grandmother is Laura Paulsen, Hills. Vern Behr underwent surgery at Luverne Community Hospital on Wednesday and remains a patient there at this time. Mildred Paulsen attended the Western Minnesota Advisory Council for Rock, Nobles, Pipestone and Cottonwood counties on Monday evening in Worthington. Scott Johnson from the Luverne Mental Health Center was the guest speaker. Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen and Laura Paulsen, Hills, visited their new grandson on Saturday at the home of his parents, Mark and Lisa Paulsen and family, in Marshall. The H-BC Ski Club is scheduled to have begun at this date and will continue through Feb. 25. For more information contact the H-BC schools. Monday was a holiday in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. who did so much for this nation. The year of 2004 is an election year for many in this nation who serve in various capacities, including our president. We will hear many political speeches before election time comes in November. In fact, the state of Iowa has already begun! Hopefully we don’t get too confused with what they are trying to tell us. I ran across these words that were titled "The Words Men Live By," which was written by Walter and Sunny Sweeny."Patriotism, loyalty, self-respect, democracy, honor and work are these words. These are the labels which built this country, saved the world, still feeds the hungry and supports the old and the sick. These things are the only hope of the future. Courts may seem to condone treason, labor leaders downgrade hard work, TV’s and theaters show filth, politicians smirk at dishonor, too many sneer at self-respect. But in spite of all these things, there are still hundreds of thousands of Boy and Girl Scouts, thousands who work without pay for Red Cross and Family Service; there is still junior achievement; churches are so crowded they hold two services every Sunday; still hundreds of thousands too self-respecting to go on relief as long as they can get work of any kind; there are still countless boys and girls who get up at 5 a.m. in the morning to carry newspapers, to shovel snow, or run errands; still hundreds of thousands of men and women who do jobs so they can help buy an education for a child, or a home for old parents.I have to agree with these words. We don’t always hear the rest of the story!Yet, in spite of the greedy who want something for nothing, most of America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave."Don’t anyone dare change it!
