The Elm Springs News
Most of the haying is already done here in Elm Springs, which is not a good thing. With the hot dry weather the kind citizens have received, winter wheat harvest may begin any day now.
And here we go…
Lawrence and Doris Burke went to the Heritage Village in Custer to watch the “Riders of the Sky” perform Friday. They stayed all night in Custer, going Saturday to the Mystery Mountain Resort near Rapid City to take part in the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival. They returned home sometime early Sunday morning with a carload of groceries and an earful of old-timey tunes.
Peggy Gravatt returned Wednesday from Las Vegas, NV. Whatever happened in Vegas is now probably happening to other people.
Jack Gravatt is moving to The Victorian Place in Rapid City. His new address is: 1321 Columbus St. Rapid City, SD 57701.
Dave Mathison of Nashville, TN and his new bride Connie, were visitors at the Sam Johnston residence, where they spent their honeymoon helping with the ranch work. On our honeymoons we would not care to, nor probably would we be allowed to, help Mr. Mathison fly airplanes.
Matt Trask visited briefly at the “Big House” Monday afternoon. Charlotte Wilsey and her girls visited John and Jean Wednesday through Friday.
Matt Trask visited at the Andy Linn residence Thursday evening. Friday, Kellie Linn took Ben and Emily Linn, Celine Trask, Tucker O’Rourke and Kelli Wilson, camp counselor, to 4-H Camp at Camp Bob Marshall near Custer, where they spent the remainder of the week. Andy, Kellie and Jacob attended the Sunday wedding of JT Vig to Kelsey Geisler in Faith and the reception held at the Juliet One Missile Site Bed and Breakfast.
Morris Linn went to Sturgis and Rapid City Monday, while Matt Trask was a supper visitor Monday night. You may have noticed that he made a perfect sweep of the Linn households duing the week. Wednesday Shirrise joined Shelane Graham in Rapid City for the afternoon and visited the “Big House” when she returned, while Morris accompanied Al Trask to Wall. On Thursday, Kassandra, who in her eight years has grown an impressive and very lustrous mane, accompanied her mother to Prhairie Country Cut n Curl in Union Center, where Cheryl Hammerstrom removed 14 inches of hair which will be donated to the Locks of Love program. Later Shirrise and Kassandra attended Francie Brink’s jewelry party. Kassandra and her shoulder-length hair visited cousins Ashlyn and Jared Simons near Union Center Friday. Clyde Arneson stopped by both Saturday and Sunday. Sandy Van Vleck was also a Sunday visitor, accompanying Shirrise to a stamp party at the Misty Walker residence in Union Center.
The “Upland Trasks” are trying to prepare the place for three days on auto-pilot while they attend their first family wedding. Prince Charming, in particular, has been busy at what are commonly called the Dalzell Buildings, readying the courtyard for the arrival of his castle. Soon there will be a new residence here in Elm Springs. Even at that, the “Upland Trasks” welcomed Joe Carter and his wife Iola on Wednesday, Nels and Melanie Crowser and family of Phillip on Saturday, and Brian Herr of Newton WS on Sunday. Matt and Joe Trask met Mr. Herr in Wall and helped him play tourist at the new missile site park, with stops at the Red Rock Restaurant and the way-cool Dixie Diner. Matt enjoys playing tourist when the opportunity presents itself.
Matt also spent Tuesday in Rapid City, where, among other things, he recorded a radio commercial which will be played on KICK 104.1.
Kenny and Janet Wilson joined Dave and Judy Custis and their children Todd and Lisa, on a motorcycle tour of western South Dakota Sunday.
Philip, Mary Kay, Patrick and Pam Wilson spent the weekend in Gettysburg where Mary Kay’s niece, Leslie Harer, married Brian Cooper.
Many of the kind citizens were not home to report what they had done this week. Hopefully they are enjoying themselves.
The kind citizens are pulling their hats down.
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Summer has arrived without preamble here in Elm Springs as Wednesday and Thursday’s temperatures peaked well north of the century mark. At this rate, it is going to be a very long summer.
Last week it was reported that RoseMary and Steph Trask went shopping for a dress for the matron of honor. RoseMary pointed out that she, being the person for whom the dress was purchased, is the mother of the groom, which is not the same thing as a matron of honor. The “Upland Trasks” and the kind citizens would like to apologize for their writer’s ignorance of wedding personnel terminology.
Sandy Sorenson of Rapid City spent several days tooling around Elm Springs in her mustard yellow Mustang convertible, while she programmed the kind citizens various business band radios so that they could function as a fire communication system. Although she drives her car rather conservatively, it was still fun to see a little yellow sports car go by.
Several of the kind citizens attended the steak feed at the Wasta Bar Saturday night.
Matt Trask visited the Marvin Anders residence for lunch Thursday.
Baxter and Dunbar Anders competed as a roping team at rodeos in Wall on Saturday and Belle Fourche on Sunday.
Clyde Arneson went on a business trip Wednesday, with stops in Sturgis, Rapid City, and New Underwood. Sunday, he spent Fathers Day with his family, who were in the company of Connie’s family, the Schmidts, for a day of touring the Black Hills.
Melissa Burke joined Lawrence and Doris Burke in Wasta on Sunday. From there the three went to Cedar Pass, where they enjoyed Fathers Day supper.
Ryan Elshere and his brother JJ accompanied Brandon West of Philip to rodeos in Buffalo, MN and Stanley, WS Thursday and Friday.
Sandy Fields went to Rapid City Wednesday to visit her mother, Carmen Aigner and sister Micaela Jacobs who herself was visiting from Baltimore Maryland. On Saturday Lynn and Sandy Fields went to Winner to an open house celebrating aunt Keo Kern’s 100th birthday. The mayor of Winner deemed the event remarkable enough to proclaim the day as Keo Kern Day. Sandy’s mother was in attendance, as were three of Sandy’s siblings, Todd Aigner and family of Shepard MT, Lisa Aigner of Rapid City, and the aforementioned Micaela Jacobs, as well as great aunt Arlis Burns of Billings MT. Land of Goshen, talk about fun!
“What happens in Vegas,” we are told, “stays in Vegas,” but perhaps we can report that Peggy Gravatt left ElmSprings on Saturday to meet friends in Las Vegas, NV.
The Sam Johnston children competed at the 4-H rodeo in Wall on Saturday, where young Carlee won a buckle.
The Andy Linns went to Rapid City on Fathers Day for summer fun.
The Morris Linns week was surprisingly bereft of social activities. On Monday Morris had supper with Gene and Marsha Pluth in Rapid City. Then we go clear to Friday before Shirrise and Kassandra went to Wall, where they ran errands and visited Sanden and Elaine Simons and Sandy Van Vleck and Nick Trask visited at the Morris Linns in the evening. On Saturday, Clyde Arneson visited for dinner, and the Morris Linns elected to spend Fathers Day at home.
Family friend Joe Carter of Custer spent a few days with the “Upland Trasks,” where he was given a tour of the ranch by Matt Trask. The tour managed to have a stop at the way cool Dixie Diner. Al Trask returned from Columbus OH on Thursday. Saturday Nick and Al Trask attended the wedding reception of Miles Hovland and Erin Riggins. On Sunday, a sizeable chunk of “Upland Trasks” visited Rapid City and the Black Hills for Fathers Day fun.
Matt Trask attended the Wasta Centennial picnic and meeting at the Lurz Park in Wasta on Thursday, and visited the Mike Rausch residence for pie and coffee afterwards. Saturday he attended the Miles Hovland/Erin Riggins wedding and reception.
Jo Wilsey and boys of Oklahoma City, OK, visited the Jim Wilsey residence on vacation during the week.
Glen and Betty Alishouse were visitors to the Philip Wilson residence during the week. Mary Kay took Pam to Brookings, where she attended freshman orientation.
The kind citizens would like to extend their sympathies to Janet Wilson and Linda Tifft, whose brother suffered a family tragedy last week.
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The Elm Springs News
While we have received reports of much needed rainfalls happening in other parts of the country, here in Elm Springs, the kind citizens have yet to receive theirs.
By now, most of the cattle have been moved to summer pasture, leaving the kind citizens to decide between making hay or playing baseball. Fishing is already out of the question in most places.
But by golly, we can still have fun!
John and Darlene Wulf’s 25th anniversary party was well attended by kind citizens and others Saturday evening. Most of the attendants also attended the Saturday night Catholic Mass at Lakeside, where a vacationing family from Los Angeles, CA also happened to be. Poor St. Margaret’s hadn’t seen that many people since Christmas Eve.
Baxter Anders and team roping partner Jana Jasper gained their berth at the State High School Rodeo with a placing at the Regional Rodeo in Sturgis over the weekend, while Dunbar Anders and partner Dan Brower won second place at a team roping in Bowman ND and Kelly Anders competed in a barrel racing in Belle Fourche.
Clyde Arneson went to Rapid City Friday on business.
Lawrence and Doris Burke entertained Russell Burmeister Saturday morning, and Clyde Arneson Sunday afternoon.
The Ryan Elsheres went to Bellevue IA Saturday where Ryan competed in a rodeo. From there they went to Sioux Falls where they visited Travis Arneson, returning home Sunday.
Sam Johnston’s neice, the one and only Cinnamon Timber Johnston, has begun her summer term of employment on the Sam Johnston ranch. The Sam Johnstons and their new hired hand spent the weekend in Broadus MT.
The Andy Linns had a big time this week. Robert and Kara Campbell and family of MacIntosh were guests of the Andy Linns until Thursday. During their stay, the Andy Linns and the Robert Campbells traversed the whole of Elm Springs on horseback and called it fun. Wednesday night, in addition to the Campbells, the Andy Linns hosted Clyde Arneson and Matt Trask. Thursday, Kellie Linn and kids went swimming in Rapid City. Emily and Jacob Linn spent the night in Rapid City at the Jamie and Karen Brunch residence and were returned to Elm Springs Friday by Karen, who brought her children along as well. Matt Trask was a coffee visitor Friday morning. And Saturday, Kellie accompanied Tucky, Catherine and Kevin Tifft to Faith to help Marlon and Ethel Ingalls celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Young Kassandra Linn attended swimming lessons all week in New Underwood. Tuesday Morris and Kassandra went to Wall. Thursday Morris helped the Jim Jepsens move from near Wood to near Scenic, while Shirrise went to Rapid City with Sandy Van Vleck, then to Jepsens new house, and finally to Wall to visit Sanden and Elaine Simons. JW Wrachford and Sean Troxel visited the Morris Linn residence Thursday evening. Friday, Shirrise had lunch in Rapid City with Sheryll, Kylee and Alyssa Oberlander, and Nick Trask was a visitor at the Morris Linns in the evening. Sunday night Shirrise and Kassandra had supper in Rapid City with Jack and Cheryl Simons, Arlene Talley and Dayton Shannon, Margaret Simons and Deb Brookman.
It is getting to be that time of year where the Brady O’Rourkes encounter lost, confused and unprepared “Upland Trasks” in their driveway. Several of these encounters happened during the week. In other news, Susie Costello of Phoenix AZ spent a few days with the O’Rourkes and Tucker and his horse spent the weekend helping Mitch O’Connell brand.
RoseMary Trask, Julie and the Three Little Girls went to Rapid City Monday for dentist appointments. Prince Charming left Thursday for Columbus OH. Saturday, RoseMary and Steph went to Rapid City to purchase a dress for the Matron of Honor. When describing the dress upon returning home, Steph used words like “darling” and “absolutely gorgeous” until most of the “Upland Trasks” left the room. Sunday, while a big pile of “Upland Trasks” attended the wedding of Danelle Kluck to Matthew Stieglemeyer in Spearfish, Clay Tines accompanied Nick, John Paul, and Joseph Trask to Wall, where they went swimming. They visited at the Cary Tines residence Sunday night.
Matt Trask, who has been spending an inordinate amount of time in Wasta, um, spent an inordinate amount of time in Wasta, with two visits on Saturday as an example. He also visited the Cary Tines residence Sunday night.
And all of the “W’s” were either not home or had done nothing in the way of social activities.
The kind citizens have umbrellas for rent.
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Lawrence Burke, that sage observer of meteorological trends and animal behavior, observes that for the fourth or fifth year in a row, the barn swallows, having no mud with which to build their nests, have vacated the area. Elsewhere in the community, hands turn unenthusiastically to the haying equipment, readying it for half-hearted laps around withered hayfields. If the Good Lord intends to do something about all of this, we are asking in our most polite voices for Him to please do it soon.
Meanwhile, most of the branding smoke has wafted away on the breeze, and cattlemen are moving their herds to summer pasture, while their tired ponies dream of summer vacation.
The Elm Springs Memorial Day program was held Monday featuring the Reverend Harold Delbridge as speaker and Sylvia Rhoden as pianist. Notable performances included the very talented Gary Smith and his fiddle, and guitarist Ben Linn, who finished his guitar instruction for the year with a gleeful performance of “This Land is Your Land” with Matt Trask and one of his guitars providing accompaniment. Mr. Linn did an excellent job.
Several of the kind citizens attended the Wall Regional High School rodeo over the weekend, where young Baxter Anders competed.
Dillon and Ryan Kjerstad of Creighton and John Paul and Joseph Trask visited the Rod Anders residence Thursday, where they had fun bothering the Anders’ new roping stock with the Anders boys. And Kelly Anders attended a wedding over the weekend.
Clyde Arneson attended the REA meeting in Wall Wednesday night. Apparently emboldened by Matt Trask’s unapologetic gluttony, Clyde admitted that he went there mostly to eat. Saturday Clyde accompanied Ryan Elshere to Ft. Pierre for the Casey Tibbs matched saddlebronc ride, where Ryan traded leads with his brother JJ of Cottonwood before JJ overtook him in the final round to win first place. Ryan got second. Coupled with his first place win last year, and the Elshere family hogging of first and second place in every round this year, it is plain to see that the Elshere’s are stylish saddlebronc riders.
Back on the ground in Elm Springs, Shannon Burke arrived at the Lawrence Burke residence Friday from Utah, driving son Skyler’s new Ford Ranger. All of the Burke’s attended Shawnee’s eighth grade graduation from a Rapid City middle school. Saturday, Shannon and Skyler Burke and friend Ryan Timme went fishing in the Belle Fourche river and then the Burke’s had a picnic in the yard. It should be noted that although the fishing party caught several sizeable fish, the Burke’s elected to grill hamburgers.
Carter Gravatt of New Underwood visited the Larry Gravatt residence Saturday.
Calder Johnston was a guest of cousin Shania Johnston on a Saturday trip to a rodeo in Bison, where they watched Shania’s sister Echo compete.
Kellie Linn attended Continuing Education classes in Rapid City Friday and Saturday. Sunday, Bob and Kara Campbell and family and horses arrived at the Andy Linn residence from McLaughlin for an extended stay.
John and Jean Linn visited Kenny and JoAnn Holst of Sturgis Friday afternoon.
Shirrise and Kassandra Linn left for Rochester, MN with Cheryl Simons Monday, returning Friday. While they were gone, Matt Trask accompanied Morris Linn to Rapid City instead of working on a very unpleasant Friday. Sunday, Shirrise and Kassandra visited at the Jack and Cheryl Simons residence near Enning.
JW and Dara Wrachford and Sammi Stein were supper guests at the Cary Tines residence Saturday night.
You may have noticed by now that this week’s ESN is lacking N. The “Upland Trasks” can’t even remedy the situation. They were visited by some of the Bruchs and Bestgiens of Sturgis Saturday, and ate in Rapid City Sunday.
Matt Trask attended a Wasta Centennial meeting Wednesday evening, and visited afterwards at the Mike Rausch residence. He visited briefly at the Dan Turgeon residence in Wasta Sunday afternoon after the rodeo, and stopped at the way-cool Dixie Diner as well.
It was not reported in last week’s ESN that Ms. Kelli Wilson attended the Meade 46-1 eighth grade graduation exercises in Sturgis, where she gave a speech. This week, Kelli attended the 4-H Teen Camp, held at Camp Bob Marshall over the weekend.
The kind citizens are hot, thirsty and tired.
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