Predictions last week were for severe storms and high winds. However, we lucked out on that. We received from three to five inches of snow and of course, the wind had to blow! This was accompanied by a little freezing drizzle that made travel a bit hazardous for a short time. It was a mild warning of what is to come. Old Man Winter is just awaiting his chance to become a permanent resident for the winter. We have had a few miserable days in November but nothing serious, so far. Let’s hope winter can be patient for another month. Then the holidays will be over and it would be nice if we could settle down to a long winter’s nap! However, stories of winter storms remind us of winter storms in years past. Instead of taking a nap we had better check the snow blower and polish up the snow scoop as they are predicting a very wet winter, and I don’t think they mean rain!Art and Henrietta Boeve, Glen and Ann Boeve and Erin, Michelle and Greg VanWyhe and Riley joined Henrietta’s family, the DeJonghs, with her brother and sister at the bank in Rock Valley Iowa, Thursday evening where they enjoyed a Thanksgiving potluck supper together. Thanksgiving Day guests in the Roy and Cheryl Hup home at Hills were Melba Boeve and son, Brian Boeve and family, from Sioux Falls. Thanksgiving Day guests in the Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen home were their sons, Mark and Lisa Paulsen and family, Marshall, Glen and Marla Paulsen and family, Sioux Falls, and Laura Paulsen, Hills. Dries and Laura May Bosch left Wednesday for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they spent Thanksgiving in the home of their son, Greg and Anita Bosch. Other guests were their children, Chad and Sherri Bosch and Mickayla, and Ryan Boeve and fiancée, Amy. Steven Bosch, Minneapolis, also joined them. Dries and Laura May returned home on Saturday.Henrietta Huenink was a guest in the home of her son, Kenny and Gwen Bodewitz, at Valley Springs on Sunday where they helped Kenny celebrate his birthday. The Orrin Aukes family enjoyed their Thanksgiving together at the home of Mary and Clair Crawford in Beaver Creek on Thursday. The Heunink and Bodewitz families enjoyed their Thanksgiving together at Steen Town Hall at noon on Thanksgiving Day. Friday Joyce and Jo Aykens met Paul and Carole Aykens and their daughters Andrea Aykens and Susan Veldkamp, Orange City, Iowa, in Sioux Falls for dinner and enjoyed the day together.The adult choir of Steen Reformed Church will present a cantata "The Shepherd Song" at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A fellowship hour will follow. Joyce and Jo Aykens enjoyed Thanksgiving at the home of Ben and Elaine Korselman in Hull, Iowa. The Hills-Beaver Creek junior high and high school music department will present their concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the high school gym. There will be a cookie exchange following the concert. Donations from the community would be appreciated. The Hills-Beaver Creek elementary students will present their winter concert, "Presents Without Packages," at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. The matinee will be at 1:30 p.m. The Hills-Beaver Creek Adult Community Education Department is sponsoring a trip to Luverne on Saturday, Dec. 6, where they will enjoy many Christmas activities. They will travel by school bus. Pick up time is 4:15 p.m. in Steen. There is no charge for the trip as it is in appreciation of those who traveled with Melvin and JoAnn Paulsen this past year. For more information or reservations contact Marilyn at 962-3240 at the high school or Joan Paulsen at 855-2317. December has arrived and so has the Christmas spirit. We are hearing the phrase, "Let us keep Christmas," as we are all so busy making preparations for Christmas that we get caught up in all of the many and varied jobs and activities that we have a tendency to forget the real meaning of Christmas. Santa is busy preparing gifts for all the little girls and boys on his list. Sunday School and school programs are being practiced to share with others later. The stores are filled with Christmas shoppers. Our homes are busy putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations while baking Christmas cookies and other goodies. In all of the hustle and bustle of the season where is the "Spirit of Christmas?" It is in the love that was shared with us at the birth of a tiny baby in a manger. He taught us to love one another, the love which he had given to us on that day. Christmas would mean nothing if it were not shared with someone. It is the festival that cannot be indulged in alone. The brightest ribbon around the simplest gift causes that gift to take on a new meaning that it did not possess before and just a single rose may light up a room. One word on a card written in sincerity may brighten the dimmest winter day. The love that came down on the first Christmas night was meant to be shared with others and by doing so creates the true Christmas Spirit and the reason for it. Sharing this love is what and why we celebrate and keep Christmas within our hearts and lives to share with others at the most meaningful time of the year. Yes, let’s all keep Christmas, not only in our hearts, but share our love with others the real meaning of Christmas this year.
