Luella Schlueter spent the Christmas holiday enjoying the visit by her daughter and husband, Bonnie and Brian Olson. They traveled to Hills from St. Paul and spent the weekend with Luella. Mae Top spent Christmas Eve with her daughter Gerry Sandstede and husband, Jim, from Luverne. On Sunday, Christmas Day, Mae had dinner with son Allan and his wife Judy Top of Hills. Judy’s sister, Carol, of Granite Falls, was able to join them also.Marvin and June Albers hosted Christmas Eve in their home. Son Larry Albers of Ft. Pierre, S.D., and grandchildren, Abby Albers of Ft. Pierre, Lucinda Albers of South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., Jeremy Albers, Hills, daughter Cheryl Pavel and great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Albers, were all there. Santa paid a personal visit, and fun was had by all. Christmas Day everyone gathered at Marv and June’s for Christmas dinner, visiting and cards. Mae Top and family celebrated Christmas together on Friday, Dec. 23, in the evening by all gathering at the Hills Legion Hall. Homemade was the menu. Mae’s three children were there: daughter, Gerry and Jim Sandstede, Luverne, son, Allan and Judy Top, Hills, and son, Bill Top, Sibley, Iowa. Mae said that six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren made it also. Grandchildren are as follows, Candy Norgaard and husband, Sibley, Wade Sandstede and Kathleen, Minneapolis, Don Sandstede and Erin, Luverne, Mike and Melissa Top, Sioux Falls, S.D., Mark Top and Erin, Hills, Kris and Jared Van Maanen, Valley Springs, S.D.Great-grandchildren are as follows: Dylan and Riley Top, Carter and Brooke Norgaard, Tess Van Maanen, and Chantz Neil Top. They were also joined by Florence Sandstede, Hills, and her son, Kevin and his daughter of Sioux Falls, and Merlin Sandstede, Hills. Mae stated that there were five little ones under the age of five and by having their celebration at the Legion Hall there was lot of happy noise and plenty of room for the little ones to run and play. A very merry celebration was enjoyed by all, and Mae said that they would probably have the next celebration at the Legion Hall. It’s so handy and plenty of room. Happy Holidays, Mae!I wanted to take a little time to thank everyone who would call and supply me with news for the paper. You could always rely on certain people to call, and it was nice to get news from others, too, I want to wish everyone a Blessed Holiday and pray for a new year to bring good things to everyone. Small-town living is so wonderful! Where else does a person know the people who live next to them, wave at someone who you don’t even know, walk alone at night without fear; check on your neighbors if they don’t answer their phone? There are so many benefits to small-town living, that I could go on and on.There are downfalls also, as with anything, but the pros outweigh the cons so drastically. No matter where else I have lived, Hills is my home and I don’t ever foresee leaving here. I just pray that we always keep that "small town" atmosphere of loving and caring for each other no matter what the future may bring or how big Hills becomes. God has truly blessed all of us and our town. Thank you to everyone for your support and giving of yourselves. God Bless everyone and help to keep us "small town." Happy Holidays to everyone; may God bless us all.