Every one of us who lives in a rural area enjoys a ride in the country to enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature provides for us, and many times we do not take the time to relax and enjoy.There is much peace and beauty in nature, yet struggling mankind fails to drink deeply of it. Life could be simple, but we make it complex. We fail to see the bigness of the universe and the perfect organization of the universe. Even in the budding of trees and blooming of flowers, the colors of nature always blend. They do not clash but work together for good. I think we could learn a lesson from Mother Nature. Sunday, Melvin and Joann Paulsen drove to Avon to attend Samantha Randall’s graduation. She is the granddaughter of the former Donna Mae Paulson, Melvin’s sister.Henrietta Huenink, Joan Hoogeveen and Winnie Scholten attended the Memorial Day service at Valley Springs, S.D., for those who lost their lives in service for their country. Following the service they enjoyed a broasted chicken dinner before returning home. Hills Friendship Days will be Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. This is a fun time for all where we meet old friends and enjoy all of the many and various activities. Better mark your calendar now!The Hills Beaver Creek FFA had their annual FFA banquet on May 31. Officers for the coming year were installed and other business taken care of. The new officers are as follows, Jason Martens, president; Jason Hup, vice president; Stacy Bush, secretary; Brandt Klarenbeek, treasurer; Kathryn Bos, sentinel; Kathy McGaffee, reporter; Andy Blank, historian; and Mitchell Leuthold, parliamentarian. Congratulations to each of them!Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Jessie Schouwenburg who passed away suddenly at Sioux Valley Hospital last Monday. Funeral services for her were at Steen Reformed Church this past week. She is survived by one daughter, Rozella (Virgil) Vahl, Steen; and two grandsons. There will be an open house bridal shower for Abbey Franken (bride-to-be of Ryan Behr) at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Steen Reformed Church. In the hustle and bustle of our world toady it seems we are always striving for more of everything. However, there are a few priceless treasures we are still able to enjoy.Priceless TreasuresThe late George Horace Lorimer, for many years the editor of The Saturday Evening Post, once wrote these words — "It is a good thing to have money, and the things that money can buy, but it is good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure we haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy." The things money cannot buy would make a long list. Here are some of them:Money cannot buy real friendship; friendship must be earned.Money cannot buy a clear conscience; square dealing is the price tag. Money cannot buy the glow of good health; right living is the secret. Money cannot buy happiness; happiness is a mental attitude, and one may be as happy in a cottage as in a mansion. Money cannot buy sunsets, singing birds and the music of the wind in the trees; these are as free as the air we breathe. Money cannot buy inward peace; peace is the result of a constructive philosophy of life. Money cannot buy character; character is what we are when we are alone with ourselves in the dark.From Kleinknecht Gems of Thought
