Surprise! Surprise! Summer has arrived at last! We have had two or three days with temperatures in the 80s and the sun was shining. These are the days for the golden warmth of family reunions, friendly gatherings at the ballpark or just catching up on the latest news. Now is the time to share the wonders of these golden days with family and friends, keeping the warmth of fun and fellowship glowing deep within our hearts. Congratulations to Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom on the arrival of a new great-grandson, Regon Jon, born to Jeremy and Marita Smidt of Pipestone on July 8. Grandparents are Arlan and Barb Rozeboom, Pipestone, and Roger and Gloria Smidt, Pipestone. Harlan and Yvonne Rozeboom and Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom attended the dedication of Tye Everett Rozeboom at the Baptist church in Burke, S.D., on Sunday, July 4. He joins one brother, Jon. They are the sons of Dean and Christy Rozeboom, Holland. Great-grandparents are Harvey and Gertrude Rozeboom, Hills, and Everett and Jeanette Vande Voort, Beaver Creek. Thursday, July 1, noon luncheon guests in the Jo Aykens home were her children and grandchildren, Paul and Carole Aykens, Susan Veldcamp and daughter, Jadeyn, Orange City, Iowa, Andrea Aykens, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Laurie Kurtz and daughter, McKenzie, Aplington, Iowa, and Joyce Aykens, Worthington.Pastor Dan and Karen Ramaker spent this past week vacationing in Colorado. They returned home Monday evening.The Orrin Aukes family celebrated the 4th of July with a family gathering in a Worthington park on Sunday, July 4th. Those attending were Nancy and Steve Willers and family, Fairmont, Mary and Clair Crawford, Beaver Creek, Brian and Christi Aukes, Lisa and Taylor Telford, Sioux Falls, and Orrin and Bernice Aukes. The Steen softball team won their game with Beaver Creek Friday night at Steen. Steen played Carmel at Sioux Center, Iowa, Tuesday, July 13. Steen Senior Citizens had their July meeting Tuesday, July 6, because of the July 4th celebration. Cards and games were played. Lunch was served by Winnie Scholten. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the softball tournament which their granddaughter, Emma, was a member of. They won both of their games which were played at Frank Olson Park in Sioux Falls. Her team will play again on Monday evening. Good Luck to them!Our 4th of July weekend emphasized our independence as a nation and as an individual. Independence is very important to every one of us. However, there are times when we need to think about a declaration of dependence. You will realize dependence is also very important! I would like to share with you the thoughts in this article written by Lilia Dornak and titled "Declaration of Dependence.""How great it is to live a free and independent life, subject to no one, relying on our strength for welfare and happiness. However, it can be better to realize dependence on ourselves and find out our weaknesses. I am happy to declare my dependence … Upon God, who gives me life, and who sustains other things for my benefit. Upon human kind which orders and perseveres civilization fit to promote my well-being, and encourage me and sustain me when I fall.Upon enemies and malefactors, who make me aware of my own evil tendencies and to inspire me to control. Upon ideas offering me the sure accomplishment of inner realities.Upon imagination enabling me to cope with ideas.Upon memory and growth for the heightened experiences of growth and knowledge.Upon forgetfulness and sleep, when problems loom too large for me. Upon trees for shade, animals for beauty, and rocks for foundation. Upon sun and rain and air and all other elements of nature woven together for survival.And especially upon love, for the life it brings to all cr