We have had a beautiful Christmas weekend. I think it is time to thank the weatherman for providing such a nice weekend so everyone could travel to their destination without worrying about the weather or the road conditions. This hasn’t been happening very often of late. Do you suppose the weatherman is making a New Year’s resolution to be more considerate for all who have to travel or work out of doors? We would really appreciate his thoughtfulness! However, if he is anything like the rest of us, his good intentions will not last long. But, no matter what lies ahead we had beautiful weather this year for the holiday season. We may have to pay for it later on but guess we will just have to take our chances. If we do have some bad weather there will probably not be so many traveling for family gatherings. Just remember, every day brings us closer to spring!Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Bodewitz family and to Henrietta Huenink on the sudden death of her grandson, Adam Bodewitz, son of Stanley Bodewitz, who live in Iowa. Adam was killed in an automobile accident the day before Christmas. Christmas Day dinner guests in the Joan Hoogeveen home were her daughter, Rick and Audrey De Boer and daughters, Dana and Terry, Canton, S.D., and Harold Wissink, Steen.Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen and Joan Hoogeveen and Arvin and Cena Mae Tilstra were among those from the Steen area who helped Don and Agnes Hoogeveen celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary at the Rejoice Reformed Community Church in Le Mars, Iowa, Saturday evening. Christmas Day dinner guests in the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City, Iowa, were Jo and Joyce Aykens, Mildred Keunen, Susan and Jadeyn Veldkamp, Andrea Aykens, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Ron Kollenbrander, Roanoke, Va. Mildred Paulsen left Wednesday morning for Ogden, Iowa, where she spent Christmas in the home of her son, Gary and Carlotte Paulsen and their families. Her sister, Marjorie Stickkel, Sheldon, Iowa, was also a guest. The Orrin and Bernice Aukes families enjoyed Christmas together in the home of their daughter, Nancy and Steve Willers, in Fairmont Christmas Day. Christmas Day dinner guests in the Scott Perrenoud home in Sioux Falls were Joan Hoogeveen, Harold Wissink and Willma Wissink and family, Canton, S.D.Christmas Day dinner guests in the Melvin Paulsen home were their son, Glen and Marla Paulsen, Grant and Megan, Sioux Falls, and Laura Paulsen, Hills. Christmas Day afternoon guests in the Jo Aykens home were Les Hengeveld, Valley Springs, S.D., Lois Bosch, Richfield, Lexia Bosch, Shakopee, Ladine Markquart, Gresham, Ore., and Cory and Katie Bosch, daughters of Keith Bosch, Steen. Those who will be ordained and installed as officers in Steen Reformed Church for the coming year are elders, Robert Sandbulte and Terry Sandstede, and deacons, David Esselink and David Tilstra. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Boeve family on the death of Jesse Boeve who passed away Tuesday afternoon. Funeral services were Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, at Steen Reformed Church. Where does the time go? What happened to 2003? By the time you read this the New Year will soon arrive. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? It is always good to look back at what has happened this year as well as what we want to have happen in the New Year. This article, titled "A New Beginning," which is what we have with a New Year, was written by Wilma Dye. I would like to share her thoughts with you."As the month of January begins a new year it brings with it a sense of hope, as resolutions made for the future plans for improving ourselves, our lives and our world. But as we work toward making changes to reach those goals of personal self-improvement, a happier family, new friendships and a better community and world, let’s not forget to include a very important part of the future — our past. When looking toward a better new year, not only do we want to put past mistakes and disappointments of the past year behind us but remember, as we move forward, to include our successes of the past as well. The joys we shared with family and friends, the accomplishments we made, both personally and professionally and the experiences, both good and bad, that helped us grow and learn to be better people.January is a new beginning, is a month for celebrating the past as well as the future!"Happy New Year to all!
