The weather man has been very kind to us most of the time as he has allowed our farmers to have most of their crops in before "Old Man Winter" puts in his appearance as I am afraid he is going to want to stay!It seems time passes so swiftly that there are times I would like to say, "Wait for me!" However, that is not going to happen. When I take the time I do enjoy watching the autumn leaves drifting down, sighing as they pass. As with regret they say farewell to brothers and sisters on the parent bough whose wicked fingers may have pushed them off the parent bough, pushing them earthward with the wayward wind. We must accept the autumn gay, the last fling of autumn gay. It is for us to treasure, and for a moment brief to capture or captivate your heart against the time when the snow and sleet shall be against the windowpanes. Let’s enjoy autumn while we can!It does not seem that it is time for Thanksgiving but it will be here before we know it. The Hills-Beaver Creek Schools’ Thanksgiving break will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 28. School will dismiss at 1 p.m. at the high school and 1:15 p.m. for the elementary students.Monday afternoon guests in the Verla Baker home in honor of her birthday were Henrietta Huenink, Joan Hoogeveen, Winnie Scholten, Jennie Schouwenburg and Jo Aykens. Her birthday was on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Happy Birthday to her! Bernice Aukes and Mildred Paulsen joined the Freedom Club in Rock Rapids on Friday afternoon to attend the Midlander Promotion Concert which was at the Ramkota Inn in Sioux Falls. They enjoyed supper together at the Rolling Pin prior to the program. Monday morning coffee guests in the Mildred Keunen home were Milton Bonnema, Bill and Bertha Bosch and Jo Aykens in honor of Mike Bonnema of Federal Way, Wash., who came Sunday to visit his mother, Mickie Bonnema, at the Tuff Home in Hills. Mike Bonnema also attended workshop at Rochester. He serves as a Chaplin for the hospital and nursing home in Federal Way.Betty Elbers and Melba Boeve attended the Midlands Promotion Concert from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Friday evening at the Ramkota Inn in Sioux Falls. Time does pass quickly but I will tell you one thing, I have not missed the campaigning promises, both good and bad, the criticism, the political speeches and all that goes with an election year. It brought to my mind how very fortunate we are to live in America and enjoy all of our freedom.It is difficult for us to think how it would be if we lost our freedom. I think many of the derogatory speeches that I hear are not aware of all of the time and effort it will take to help those who have never had freedom.Confucius said, "To put the world in right order, we must first put the nation in order; we must first put the family in order; we must first cultivate our personal lives; we must set our hearts right." "Our American way of life is built on the concept of brotherhood — giving to others the rights and privileges we would like for ourselves. Our duty is to implant the principal to the fullest extent in our everyday practice. This country is the home of the greatest experiment in liberty and equal rights developed by mankind. Here is demonstrated before the world the ability of men and women to live and work together in peace and harmony regardless of differences in race, creed or cultural background. Despite the overall success of these efforts, there are times when we have failed to measure up to our democratic ideals and the teaching of the Christians and Jews. The brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.Let us stop for a moment and consider these principles so as to better know and appreciate each other and to make brotherhood a year-round practice."Author UnknownThe above is good advice!