Here we are in the middle of the holiday season and would you believe the weatherman has been very good to us. We have had some very cool temperatures and with a strong wind blowing, making it very uncomfortable to stay out-of-doors for any length of time. The roads have remained in very good driving condition making it possible for everyone to be with their friends and family for Christmas. I think we have been one of the very few places in the United States where the weather has been goodHere’s hoping we can remain on the good side of the weatherman at least until our New Year has been properly welcomed.How many of you remember Otto and Mamie Paulsen and their family? Last Saturday evening I received a telephone call from Mary Clair (Moser) Paulsen whose name now is Mary Klienjon who lives in Arizona for the winters. I haven’t heard from her for many years. Consequently we had about an hour visit to catch up on many and various things. She also wanted to tell me she always reads my column on the Internet. Christmas Day dinner guests in the Melvin Paulsen home were Mark Paulsen and family from Marshall, Glen Paulsen and family from Sioux Falls and Laura Paulsen from Hills. Wednesday evening, Dec. 29, an all-church Christmas party for Steen Reformed Church was at the Luverne Pizza Ranch. There was a gift exchange for adults only. Bernice and Orrin Aukes spent Christmas at the home of their daughter Mary and husband Steve Willers in Albert Lea. Darrell Bosch, Blacksburg, Va., spent Christmas at the home of his parents, Bill and Bertha Bosch in Steen. Guests in the Jo Aykens home Christmas Day were Susan Veldkamp and Paul and Carole Aykens, Orange City, Iowa. Christmas Day guests in the Henrietta Huenink home were her children and their families. Delwyn Huenink, who makes his home in Worthington, underwent knee surgery a few weeks ago but has infection in his knee now. We wish him a speedy recovery. Winnie Scholten spent Christmas at the home of Harm and Lola Loverink in Albert Lee. Jane Bonnema was admitted to Luverne Community Hospital on Tuesday. We wish her a speedy recovery. Word has been received here of a death in Yvonne Rozeboom’s family. Howard Hockel, her brother-in-law, died Friday, Dec. 17. Our deepest sympathy goes out to their family.Mildred Paulsen left on Thursday for Ogden, Iowa, where she spent Christmas in the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Carlotte Paulsen and their family. She returned home on Monday. Christmas vacation is flying by rapidly. It will soon be time to think about going back to school. School resumes on Monday, Jan. 3, 2005. It won’t be long now!However, it isn’t only the children that have to go back to their old routine, but all of us have changes to make if nothing more than the change when we write the new year down. I got to thinking about all the changes and when I saw this article by Wilma Dye, I thought it might be fun for all of us to read."As the month of January begins a new year, it begins with a sense of hope, as resolutions are 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 us 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 the mistakes and disappointments of the past year behind us, but remember, as we move forward, to also include our successes of the past year, as well as 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 become better people.January, a new beginning, is a month for celebrating the past as well as the future."Happy New Year!
