Dry, dry, dry as a pie on the Fourth of July. The lack of rain is the big news item in Steen this week. It’s another week without rain, which makes for six weeks without measurable precipitation.Lawns are shriveled up and even the weeds are starting to show their thirst. The crops continue to hang tough but are starting to fire on the bottoms. All you have to do is turn on the six o’clock news and you will quickly see that we are not the only ones dealing with this drought. Cattlemen out in north central South Dakota are looking for new homes for their herds of cattle and have to sell herds that they have worked decades to build. I guess when you look at their situation, we don’t have it all that bad.Governor Rounds of South Dakota declared a week of prayer, asking South Dakotans and neighboring states to pray for rain. This week I would encourage all of us to pray that God may shower us with quenching rains. Enduring the heat this week and last is the Ver Hay Concrete crew who are laying new sidewalks in portions of Steen. They started last week by pouring concrete on the east end of Church Avenue. This week they hope to finish the east end and move to the west end of Church Avenue. The city of Steen is helping residents remove the existing sidewalks and is encouraging those who can afford new cement to take advantage of their offer.Escaping from the heat are many Steen families who are on vacation or are just getting back. Two weeks ago the Art and Henrietta Boeve family vacationed at Roberd’s Lake in Minnesota. Present were Glenn and Ann Boeve, Tara and Derek Venenga, Matt and Andrea Boeve, Erin Boeve and boyfriend Rex Metzger, Greg and Anita Bosch, Ryan and Amy Bosch, Chad and Sheri Bosch and two girls Mikayla and Olivia, and Greg and Michelle Van Whye and children Riley, Rex and Regan. They had a wonderful time; activities included the Mall of America and a Twins game. Dale and Zach Van Westen kept the farm running smoothly as the Boeve family enjoyed a few days of R&R. Other families gone on vacation this week are the Baker and Bosch families. They are on their annual family outing to North Long Lake where fun is always center stage. More than 50 family members gather for some laughter, food and fishing. Friday evening another Steen family gathered to celebrate a long heritage of togetherness in the Steen Reformed Church fellowship hall. The Nelson Bonnema family gathered to celebrate the lives of their parents and to celebrate Aunt Mildred Keunen’s 77th birthday. This was the first time that all six Bonnema siblings had gathered together since Nelson’s passing nine years ago. Mark and his wife from Seattle, Wash., were present, along with Stan and his wife from the Twin Cities, Mike Bonnema and wife of rural Steen, Beth Sakurai of Japan, Ginger France and husband of Sioux City, Iowa, and Don Bonnema of Rock Rapids, Iowa, along with many children, aunts and uncles and family friends. Special guests Naomi and husband June Neuchi of Japan, daughter to Beth Sakurai, were present bearing Japanese gifts and hospitality. More than 50 people were present for this event. I would also like to extend a special happy birthday to Mildred Keunen, a close friend who celebrated her birthday on Friday. We all wish you many more happy and healthy birthdays. And we want to thank you for all you do for the people in Steen! Saturday Linn and Mary Jo Susie of Steen and grandson Bailey went to Sioux Falls to see the air show. They had a great time and a little personal tie to the air show as son Tyler Susie was in charge of fueling up the jets for the Air Guard. The summer rec program continues in Steen. If you are driving through town on Wednesday night, you can see several town kids and country kids having a blast in the city park. This past Wednesday evening we played water balloon volleyball which went great with the heat and we had bubble relays. Both were big hits! Any kids ages 5-12 are invited to join us on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. This past Thursday Henrietta Huenink had company. Sister Margaret and husband Orval Harbarts of George, Iowa, came for an afternoon visit. Also her Son Kenny and grandson John Bodewitz shingled Henrietta’s garden shed. I apologize that there is no softball news this week. My reporter is on vacation and so next week I will update the softball news. Keep in mind that over Labor Day weekend there will be the Steen softball tournament. Mark your calendars.In upcoming events mark your calendars for the Steen Back-to-School Yard Sale which will be at the Steen City Hall. All members of the community are invited Aug. 14-18 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to come and rummage through clothes for their kids and pick up school supplies. Free popcorn and pop will be provided.Another large Steen event is the Steen summer carnival which is to be Aug. 23 at the city park and church parking lot. Events include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with the registration fee being $10, train rides, jump tent and slide, obstacle courses and food, food, food. Harvey Rozeboom will once again do his famous hog roast, there will be laser tag, pony rides, several carnival games and much, much more.Lots going on in Steen during the month of August, and we encourage you all to come out and capture the spirit of Steen.That’s all for this week. If you have any news you would like placed in the Steen news, please contact Brian at 855-2232 or at knowgrowshow@hotmail.com. Blessings!