Where does the time go? It seems with the coming of spring we inherited a lot of special holidays. Perhaps it is with the coming of spring we are all anxious to get outdoors no matter what the reason! This coming week we will observe one of our more special holidays, at least for me, the 4th of July! Perhaps after that we can all settle down and catch up on our yard work, or maybe take a vacation!Former Steen resident, Beth Sakuri, daughter of Mickey and Nelson Bonnema, who makes her home in Japan and has for a number of years, arrived at the Sioux Falls airport on Friday evening on her way home to this area. She was met at the airport by several relatives including Ginger France, Sioux City, Iowa, Mike and Jody Bonnema, Joyce and Jo Aykens and Mildred Keunen, all from Steen. They enjoyed supper together at the Fryin’ Pan in Sioux Falls before leaving for their homes. Ginger and Beth stopped at Tuff Home in Hills to visit her mother before going home. Beth will stay with Ginger France at her home in Sioux City. She plans to return to her home in Japan around the middle of July, if you wish to see her. Friday morning Mildred Paulsen and her friend Jean Fellman from Worthingon attended the United Methodist Women officers’ retreat at Redwood Falls. The retreat was for former officers who had worked together through the years. It is an annual event and plans are now being made for the retreat in Luverne in 2006. Orrin and Bernice Aukes attended the Winkalwinch family reunion at Wall, S.D., last Friday and Saturday. They meet every three years so we had better believe they had much to talk about. The Steen Opportunity Extension Club joined the Master Gardeners Tour in Luverne Monday evening. Gary and Carlotte Paulsen, Ogden, Iowa, were Monday callers in the home of his mother Mildred Paulsen. Later, they traveled to Pipestone on business and also to Rock Rapids and back to Mildred’s before they returned to their home that evening. Cheryl Hup and Melba Boeve attended graduation on Saturday for Brian Boeve, who graduated from the Colorado Technical School in Sioux Falls.Several from Steen Reformed Church attended the American Reformed Church observance of their 50th anniversary on Sunday. Quartette music was provided for both afternoon and evening services. Several from Steen attended the Christian Women’s meeting at Rock Rapids United Methodist Church Wednesday noon for dinner with a program following. Those attending were Henrietta Huenink, Winnie Scholten, Joan Hoogeveen and Lucy VanWyhe.This coming week we will celebrate the 4th of July when we as Americans prepare to acknowledge all of our many and wonderful freedoms. In case we haven’t thought about that for some time, here are a few things to remind us all of the many things freedom allows us to enjoy! Happy 4th of July!Symbol of FreedomBy W.G. VollmerOn June 14, 1877, the Congress of the United States enacted a resolution:" ,,, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be thirteen stars white on blue field representing a new constellation."In 1895, eighteen years later, June 14 was designated officially in the United States as Flag Day.The flag of the United States is a symbol of freedom and justice.It is a symbol of hope to the millions of people who live in fear, in poverty, and in slavery. To millions of people throughout the world, it is a symbol of rich material blessing and a land of opportunity. In the hearts and minds of these millions of people is a deep yearning that some day … somehow … they may have the opportunity of making their home in this great land of ours. In these days of doubt and fear and uncertainty, when freedom and justice are so seriously threatened, it is fitting that we should pause to rededicate ourselves to the basic principles symbolized by our flag. These principles have sustained us throughout our history.They have enabled us to triumph when our freedom and our security were threatened. They have made it possible for us to grow in power and in prosperity. They have strengthened us when we faltered … given us courage when we were afraid … united us when we were divided. In the principles of freedom and justice which our flag symbolizes lie our strength and our hope for the future. For our own sake, and for the welfare of those who follow us, we should make sure that they do not perish in our time.