Our weather continues to be very unpredictable. We have several days with temperatures warm enough you hardly need a sweater! However, don’t trust it as the very next day the temperatures reach a new low and of course the wind has to blow. Rain has been predicted several times but it usually turns into freezing drizzle which makes everything slippery and then we have several inches of snow. It certainly makes life interesting as one never knows if it is going to be a nice late fall day or a cold stormy day with rain, or snow and the usual wind that blows. I think fall does not want to give up her role to winter, who is anxiously awaiting his turn to be in charge of the weather. I used to think the weatherman was a male. I have changed my mind for a short time. Now I thought the weatherman was a woman, as you know how easily we change our minds. However, I have changed my mind again. I think it is controlled by two spoiled children who want to have their own way. Regardless who is in charge, we know who is going to win as winter arrives on Dec. 22 regardless if we are ready for his appearance or not, so be prepared!Steen Senior Citizens had their December meeting on Monday, Dec. 1. Their December meeting is always a Christmas party. This year it was at Luverne Pizza Ranch where they enjoyed dinner together and spent the afternoon playing games and cards. Needless to say they enjoyed a delicious dinner and a good time was had by all!Our deepest sympathy goes out to Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker on the death of Karen’s mother on Saturday. Funeral services were Tuesday morning at Chandler Reformed Church in Chandler where she made her home at one time.Winnie Scholten and Mildred Paulsen joined the Frontier Bank Freedom Club in Rock Rapids to travel to Pipestone Friday evening to attend the Al Opland Singers Christmas Concert, "The Four Faces of Christmas," which was at the Performing Arts Center in Pipestone. They enjoyed dinner at the Glass House in Ihlen prior to the concert. Jo and Joyce Aykens, Vince and Laurie Kurtz and Makenzie, Aplington, Iowa, and Susan and Jadeyn Veldkamp, Orange City, Iowa, were Sunday dinner guests in the Paul and Carole Aykens home in Orange City. Following the meal they attended a Christmas concert at Northwestern College in Orange City. Funeral services for Gertie Martens were at Steen Reformed Church on Friday following a brief illness. Burial was in East Side Cemetery. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family. The Hills-Beaver Creek elementary students will present their winter concert titled "Presents without Packages" at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Sunday School Christmas Program for their granddaughter, Taylor Telford, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls Sunday evening. The pastor of that church is the daughter of Duane Gage, Lester, Iowa. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the lighting ceremony for Falls Park in Sioux Falls Sunday evening. The mayor of Sioux Falls, Mayor Munson, threw the switch for the lighting of the lights for the ceremony. Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen were Sunday dinner guests in the home of their son, Glen and Marla Paulsen, in Sioux Falls. They celebrated four birthdays from Marla’s family. Two were nieces from Sibley, Iowa, and two were from Marla’s family. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended their granddaughters, Emma and Isabel Bosch, daughters of Tom and Amy Bosch, Sunday School program at Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls on Sunday afternoon. Emma, who is eight years old, accompanied some of the singing. Congratulations to Kathy and Randy Fick on the birth of a baby girl, Kenadie Jo, on Dec. 3.The Steen Reformed Church Christmas Program will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. So, keep you schedule open. Leonard Bajema will celebrate his 85th birthday on Dec. 11. Birthday wishes can be sent to him at 605 South Josephine, Hills, MN 56138. Happy birthday to him!December has arrived! All of the stores are filled with beautiful gifts for those you love. The Sunday Schools are practicing for their Christmas programs and our homes are being decorated for the Advent season. A popular decoration is the Christmas tree. Almost everyone has one. They are usually evergreens. God made evergreens. From the seedlings in the palm of the ground to mature trees, they are the Christmas tree. They can be decorated in their natural state, with strung popcorn and cranberries, and slices of orange to feed the winter birds. They also provide shelter for some of God’s other little creatures. The Christmas tree is a symbol of joy. Its appearance during December, marks the advent of a season of gladness that is unmatched by any other time of the year. For the devout, the evergreen Christmas tree signifies the promise of eternal life. For the children, it means not only the fun of planning surprises for loved ones, exchanging packages with friends and receiving gifts too wonderful to hope for. It is the time of reliving and helping to celebrate again that birthday of long ago when a brilliant star guided travelers to Bethlehem. I hope this will help us remember the reason for the season as we prepare for the Christmas holiday.
