Greetings, readers! I hope that you were able to enjoy the beautiful weekend and that you were able to relax as we watch July fly by us. For those who are looking forward to school starting, especially you parents out there, only 56 days until the school bells ring. This week our area mourns the loss of one of its teenagers. Chris Ashby, a student of the Luverne community, was killed while traveling south on Highway 75 on Wednesday afternoon. Chris was a very successful athlete and talented young man and he will be missed greatly. Let’s face it, sometimes life is too short.Let’s smile and be kind – life is so short and most of the way so rough; the times are trying, the road upgrade and always trouble enough. Yesterday’s hurts we’ll try to forego and tomorrow’s cares can wait; today with diligence let us keep our hearts from strain and hate. Life is too short for spite and revenge and paying back wrong for wrong — try patience and love and forgiveness, meet slights with a smile and a song; the sad world with all its repining, its bitterness, care and tears, needs the wealth of your lovingkindness to sweeten the sin-soiled years. Yes, life is too short to be hateful or scorning any you meet. Then strive to be pleasant and gentle, to always smile and be sweet; for the sunshine of love is needed to warm the world with its light, and to shed abroad its effulgence to bless humanity’s night. Life is too short to waste it.May we take these words of Margaret Scott Hall to heart and remember that we never know what tomorrow might bring.In other news:We still remain very warm and dry here in Steen. The 10-day forecast shows temperatures up in the 90s with very little chance of rain. Crops still continue to look good, but where the ground is a little lighter you can see that they are becoming stressed.Taking advantage of the heat this week, the Steen girls’ league traveled to Village West on Lake Okoboji for a two-day getaway. Dolly Van Der Weerd and Denise Dudley were the adult chaperones and had a great time with the girls. The Steen summer rec program continues to go well. It varies from week to week due to all the people vacationing, but this past week we had several kids at the Steen Park. We played Tami Tag, around the world beach ball style, water balloon Hula-Hoop relays, and kick ball. The kids had a great time and we would like to invite any kids through eighth grade to join us Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. in the Steen City Park.Friday night, July 14, Steen will host a block party for all Steen residents. It will be on Main Street right by the county shop. Harvey Rozeboom will be doing his famous hog roast, and the drink, meat, and dinnerware will be provided. If you are willing and able to bring a side dish, that would be great. There will also be free popcorn and ice cream. And after supper there will be a showing of the movie "8 Degrees." Come on out and meet your neighbors for a fun night of food and camaraderie!Tuesday noon Mildred Keunen and Bill and Bertha Bosch went out for lunch in Luverne at Chit Chat’s. Then that evening the Susies invited Mildred over for supper.This past Thursday afternoon Terry and Glenda Sandstede moved their daughter and son-in-law from Clara City to Sioux Falls. LaDonna has a job in Sioux Falls and Nick is looking into going back to school.Thursday afternoon Verla Baker of Ash Creek invited Brian Dengler to come and have coffee with her. She wanted him to pick up some baked goodies for the Inspiration Hills counselors. They had a great visit.Saturday Mary Jo Susie brought over a light lunch for Mildred Keunen, who hasn’t been feeling all that well this past week. They had a great visit and it made Mildred feel a little better. On Sunday evening Alan Baker took his daughter Kilee out on a horseback riding date. They rode around the section and had a great time.This week several Steen kids will be attending camp at Inspiration Hills: Danielle Baker, Brandon Bosch, Taylor Reese, Brooke Tilstra, Kayla Van Der Weerd, Dylan Kroon and Amanda Tilstra.In Sports News:The Steen softball team played in the Hills Fourth of July Tournament and received fourth place. On Friday night they played Rock Rapids and lost 0-1. This weekend they have off but there will be more exciting softball next week.In Hospital News:Pete Teune, who has been fighting cancer, received news from his doctor last week. He has a clear bill of health and no cancer! That’s great news and we celebrate with the Teune family!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!