10 years ago (1993)"The city of Steen continues to improve itself for the residents. The city purchased the old ball stand which was at the ball diamond but not in use, as a new one was built last summer. Monday they moved it down near the booster (lift) station. They will put their generator in the old club house to have it a little more convenient in case the electricity would go off during a storm." 25 years ago (1978)"The Hills-Beaver Creek Patriot Marching Band completed their summer season Saturday with an eighth-place finish at the Minneapolis Aquatennial Grande Day Parade, the band’s second performance in that parade in as many years.Another highlight of a month filled with highlights for the H-BC band was last Wednesday when they received a telegram informing them that they had been chosen as the winners of the 1978 Toast of Cherryland Award for their performance at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Mich."50 years ago (1953)"The members of School District 39 had a picnic on Wednesday, July 8, at the school grounds. More than 50 were in attendance, the second, third and fourth generations of one of the founders were present. A short talk on the changes and progress of times was given by Supt. V.M. Barrett. Mrs. H. Opheim read the original records of the organization of this district. Proceedings were begun in 1877. Seventy-five years ago on March 27, 1870, the site was chosen and the schoolhouse built before the Great Northern tracks were laid past this ground. The records show the cost of the first schoolhouse to be $186.97, which is still in use on a neighboring farm. Members of the first school board were F.B Myrick, Clerk, Ole Severtson, director, and W.H. Doran, treasurer. The first teacher received $8 per month. School was in session during the spring and summer months. The school building now on the grounds was erected in 1918 at a cost of $3,845. In the afternoon kittenball by young and old was the grand finale.75 years ago (1928)"Mrs. Marit Sjolseth is having the city water installed in her home, and when that job is completed workmen will begin connecting up the Chris B. Sjolseth home. So far, 31 are now "hooked up" and enjoying the city water. Everybody finds it is the most convenient, and cheaper than a well. Besides, it costs so little to use it for sprinkling the lawn and garden, even though the village dads should decide to install meters."100 years ago (1903)"Last Thursday evening about 7:30 everybody in town was badly scared by a sharp lightning, accompanied by a terrific crash of thunder. Quite a number of persons saw the shingles and bricks flying off the roof of the O.H. Wyum residence now occupied by W.F. Finke, and immediately there was a general stampede for that place to see if any one was injured, but luckily enough Mrs. Finke escaped unharmed. The chimney was demolished, the roof ripped up to some extent and the house was filled with soot. As there was no storm or threatening clouds at the time of the crash it proved very startling."
