Our Fourth of July weekend turned out to be perfect as far as the weather was concerned. Do you suppose our weatherman has finally gotten our message that when special holidays arrive we would appreciate a real nice day? It was a perfect day for picnics, and family get-togethers and also to take a couple of days to visit relatives you hadn’t seen for several years. If we didn’t get to do anything we had planned we certainly couldn’t blame it on the weatherman. However, on July 5th we had an entirely different story. Monday morning arrived bright and sunny but by noon the raindrops began falling and they continued to fall all afternoon. We were very fortunate to receive a little more than an inch of rain. It was really appreciated as the crops and gardens were beginning to need some moisture. We also have to be thankful that we didn’t receive the three or seven inches of rain that other areas received. Do you suppose our weatherman has changed his ways and listening to our desires and needs? Art and Henrietta Boeve attended a Boeve family reunion on Monday, at Hull, Iowa, State Park. There were 50 relatives who gathered to enjoy the day together. The Hills Town softball team had their annual Fourth of July Tournament Friday and Saturday in Hills. The Steen team and the team from Carmel, Iowa, couldn’t play as several ballplayers were attending family reunions at Inspiration Hills.Jo Aykens’ son, Paul, and his wife Carole, joined a tour group of 28 people and traveled to Holland. They went sightseeing in Holland, riding bicycles. They returned home Wednesday. Dries and Laura May Bosch attended the Bosch Opener Golf Tournament, in Minneapolis this year. The Bosch Opener is made up of family members. The tournament began Thursday and they returned home Sunday. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. The Steen Softball team got off to a good start this year. They won five out of six games they played at the beginning of the season. On Friday, July 9, Beaver Creek plays at Steen and on Tuesday, July 13, Steen plays at Carmel, Iowa. Hope their good luck continues.The Girls’ League of Steen Reformed Church left Tuesday morning for Lake Okoboji, Iowa, for their annual campout. They return home on Wednesday afternoon. Harold Wissink entered Luverne Community Hospital Saturday and was able to return home Thursday. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ron VanRuler and family on the death of his brother-in-law, Ed Brands, who passed away early Monday morning. Funeral services were Wednesday.Anita (Boeve) Bosch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, visited her parents Art and Henrietta Boeve and other family and friends Sunday. She returned home Friday. Mildred Keunen spent several days this past week visiting Ginger and Jim France, Sioux City, Iowa. Brian Dengler led the worship services at Steen Reformed Church Sunday morning. Sunday evening, the youth shared their experiences on their mission trip to Urban Ventures. Kenneth Bosch and Kari Rozeboom will attend camp at Inspiration Hills this week. This past weekend was a long weekend celebrating the Fourth of July and the founding of America. Most of us are so accustomed to all of the freedoms we have and enjoy that very seldom do we think of what this nation was like before. Personally, I think it is time for all of us to think about all the freedoms we have and appreciate them a little bit more. With all the turmoil in the world today I feel we must have faith in America. I quote, "Breathe there a man with soul so dead who never to himself has said, ‘This is my own, my native land.’ ""America … land of opportunity.America … land of dreams and hopes for millions of oppressed people throughout the whole world. America … the land where individual liberty gave to individuals the right of useful expression and achievement. America … where Henry Ford could start in a little one-room shop and build an industrial empire providing work for many people.America … where Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Alexander Graham Bell turned ideas into wealth and enjoy the accumulations of their efforts. America … rich in natural resources used in acreages with unlimited use to future generations. America … is bulging with good things for all … for all willing to work and save and build. America … pulsing with life and opportunity. We must remember America is not great because of what government did for the people, but because of what government permitted free people to do for themselves." Lots of food for thought here. However, because of these things we have a strong free country, and it is up to us to keep it that way!