The Elm Springs News
Despite the lack of snow on the ground, we are having a magical season here in Elm Springs.
Due to the unwritten guidelines for the ESN, this edition will cover the events up to and including Christmas Eve, and not Christmas Day. Most of the kind citizens were apparently at Grandmother’s House celebrating Christmas, not home to report their news. Be that as it may, there is still a heaping sackfull, what with all the Christmas Eve goings-on.
The Elm Springs School Christmas Program was fabulously performed and fabulously well attended Monday night. The upper grades presented a very involved play called “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
The Elm Springs School Christmas party was Tuesday, hosted by Heather Neiderwerder and Marilyn Larson. And the kids got out of school for Christmas Break on Wednesday.
The Elm Springs Church Program Friday was a smashing success, featuring a made-in-Elm Springs movie of the Christmas Story and Gary Smith playing violin. Special thanks to Kellie Linn and Cary Johnston for all of their work on the program.
Several of the kind citizens used their musical talents in praise of the Newborn Savior on Christmas Eve. Mary Kay Wilson, in particular, almost exhausted herself praising the Lord on the organ, first at the 4 pm Christmas Eve Mass at St. Margarets Catholic Church in Lakeside, and then at the 5:30 pm service at First Lutheran Church in Wall. Her husband Philip joked that “we might as well go to the Methodist Church and make it a Grand Slam.” It is unclear whether Mary Kay was able to see the humor in the joke.
And Gary Smith and Wade Wulf met Matt Trask at his house Sunday afternoon to practice two songs for St. Margaret’s Mass. With only two hours of practice, the three, Gary on violin, Wade on guitar, and Matt on bass, surprised themselves and everyone else with their performance. And they gave Mary Kay Wilson a little break as well.
Clyde Arneson joined his family at the New Underwood Arneson residence Sunday for a Christmas Eve dinner.
While his brother Lonnie joined Gladys Arneson at the Bill and Shawna Eastman residence near Belle Fourche for Christmas Eve dinner.
Brad Bookbinder, now of Madison, WI, arrived at the Larry and Peggy Gravatt residence Saturday for the holidays, accompanied by his housemate Stefano of Italy. The Gravatts are also enjoying Peggy’s new dog, Teddy the Pomeranian Poodle, who when full-grown will weigh around three pounds.
Andy and Kellie Linn and kids left Saturday morning for Pueblo, CO to spend Christmas with Jim and Jean Ross.
John and Jean Linn hosted Charlie and Carol Linn, Morris, Shirrise and Kassandra, and Charlotte Wilsey and girls at the “Big House” Christmas Eve.
Maxine Smith and Hazel Stadel of Isabel joined the Jim Smiths for Christmas Eve dinner.
Cary, Pam and Coby Tines celebrated Christmas Eve at the Amanda Humphrey residence in New Underwood, while young Clay visited the Bill Steen family near Scenic.
Al and Bridget Trask attended a holiday party at the Mousel residence in Rapid City Friday night.
The “Elk Creek Trasks” attended the Philip High School Band and Chorus Christmas Concert Monday night, where young Tomilyn accompanied the band on her flute. They celebrated Christmas Eve at the Mark and Judith Radway residence.
And the “Upland Trasks,” the kings of last-minute Christmas shopping, made numerous trips to various towns with various combinations of people to get all of their shopping done. They put a tree up Thursday night, a very gorgeous one which grew right beside last year’s tree, according to Julie. Holiday well-wishers during the week included Morris Linn, Ray Olson, Jamie Lewis of Rapid City, David Kalil of Rapid City, and John Madsen of New Underwood. Ray Olson was a Christmas Eve guest as well.
And Matt Trask did what he does best, visiting the Terry Schell and Billy Hulm residence in Wasta on Wednesday, and the Russell Burmeister residence on Saturday. He also attended the Wasta Christmas doings Saturday night.
It was not reported in last week’s ESN that Jim and Caroline Wilsey attended the Saturday graduation of Ashley Wilsey from SDSM&T in Rapid City. She received a degree in Chemical Engineering. Tom, Kelly, Ashley and Ben Wilsey visited the Jim Wilsey residence last Sunday. Ashley’s sister Janette flew into Omaha, NE on Thursday from her semester of studies in Italy. Jim and Caroline Wilsey hosted Kent and Jo Wilsey of Edmond, OK for Christmas Eve.
Melvin and Dorothy Anderson celebrated Christmas Eve with Lisa Kraft and Leslie Anderson and their kids and also were visited by Matt and Nick Trask.
The kind citizens hope ol’ Santy Claus brought you everything you wanted.
Filed under Elm Springs News | Comment (0)
The Elm Springs News
It’s almost certain that we will not have a white Christmas here in Elm Springs this year. Of course the lack of snow keeps winter chores to a minimum, but these Christmases might start turning blue if we don’t get some moisture.
Lynn and Sandy Fields spent their first night in their new house Tuesday. They were not home for comment when called, but we presume that they are pleased.
The WTL Club met at the “Upland Trask” residence on Tuesday, which happened to be Matt’s birthday. Club members in attendance, besides RoseMary, were Lorraine VenHuizen, Dorothy Anderson, Margee Willey, Jean and Kellie Linn, Sandy Fields and Caroline Wilsey. Julie Trask assisted in hosting the ladies, and starting the player piano when Matt came in to have dinner. In addition to wishing Matt a happy birthday and eating a turkey dinner, the ladies ended their “Secret Pal” game for the year with a public gift exchange.
The Elm Springs People Who Play Cards met at the “Big House” for the December Court Whist game and holiday soup supper. Everyone enjoyed beef vegetable soup and white chili, and Norma Pellegrin was the December winner.
And the Union Center Hurricanes, a traveling pick-up basketball team whose existence was heretofore unknown in the ESN, played their last game of the year Tuesday in Sturgis. Several girls from Elm Springs played for the Hurricanes including the Pauley girls, who were surprised when their brother Jesse Bail showed up to watch them, fresh from his NFR appearance.
Attendants at the Elm Springs Church service on Sunday were treated to Ben Linn and Autumn Deerings Christmas guitar recital, with distractions from their teacher, Matt Trask. After being introduced, with George Strait’s “Christmas Cookies” playing in the background, they sat down and played a simple and charming three song set, which included “We Three Kings,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Carol of the Bells.” Ben and Autumn played very well, mostly ignoring the antics of their obnoxious teacher, who at one point referred to Autumn as “Emily.”
Marvin and Carolyn Anders went Christmas shopping in Rapid City on Friday.
Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Lawrence Burke residence Friday morning. On Saturday, the Clyde Arnesons went to Belle Fourche, where they visited Grandma Arneson and Grandpa and Grandma Schmidt.
Lonnie Arneson accompanied Dan Piroutek and Bill and Eileen Markwed to Scotland Friday to attend the funeral for Ben Ireland. Mr. Ireland was Lou Roseth’s father.
There is a lot of birthday silliness in this week’s ESN. Carter Elshere had a birthday party Saturday night, with Jacob Linn and Carson Johnston in attendance. On Sunday, the Elsheres were visited by JJ and Lindsay Elshere and family and Jim Elshere.
Peggy Gravatt went to Rapid City Thursday evening to watch Madi and Steele Fuegen perform in the Meadowbrook Elementary Christmas program. Sunday, it was Larry’s turn , as he went to Rapid City to watch Madi in a holiday ice-skating program.
Ben Linn celebrated his birthday on Friday with John, Jean and Jim Linn and a cheesecake, and again on Saturday with overnight guest Tucker O’Rourke.
Jean Linn, Dorothy Anderson and Caroline Wilsey attended a quilting potluck at the Senior Center in Wasta on Friday.
Bummer and Cheryl Simons and Shirrise Linn left Wednesday for Rochester, MN. Morris and Kassandra went to Rapid City Thursday for appointments and visited Charlie and Carol Linn and Gene and Marsha Pluth. Morris and Kassandra went to Wall Friday for piano, and back to Wall Sunday so that Kassandra could perform in Carla Brucklacher’s recital. Morris and Kassandra visited Sandy Van Vleck afterwards. And they were very happy to welcome Shirrise home Sunday night. Shirrise for her part is happy to report that Cheryl’s surgery went well and she should leave Rochester Monday.
Mike Morrison of almost Wyoming visited the “Upland Trask” residence Monday afternoon. About the same time, Dan Ingalls of Powder River, WY arrived to spend a few days. He left Wednesday, after catching up from a fourteen year absence. Darlene Wulf and Alisa Machado visited the “Upland Trask” residence to bring Matt cupcakes and a birthday card. Pat, Julie and Gemma Trask went to Rapid City to keep dentist appointments Wednesday. Julie left Friday for Chadron to attend the Chadron State College graduation ceremonies. She joined Nick in Hot Springs on Saturday to watch Joe wrestling for the Wall Eagles. Julie and Joe came home Saturday night, while Nick stayed in Rapid with Patrick Wilson. As if all of that weren’t enough, the “Upland Trasks” had Holiday water trouble, and were visited by Mike’s Home Services Thursday, Lurz Plumbing Friday, and finally, J & L Services on Saturday.
Matt Trask had a merry birthday week, with cards and wishes from lots of people. RoseMary and the Three Little Girls even visited his house to put up a small Christmas tree and hang some lights. He visited the “Big Green Trask House” in Wall Friday night and cleaned up several plates of leftovers. Saturday, George and Autumn Deering, Andy and Ben Linn and Maria Trask met Matt at his residence for a rehearsal of the Sunday recital.
The “Elk Creek Trasks” spent the weekend in Dickinson, ND, where Mark, wrestling for the Philip Scotties, won first place in the 215# division at the Dickinson State Wrestling Meet.
Kenny and Janet Wilson went Christmas shopping in Rapid City Friday, and stopped to see Justin Tschetter and Mandy Wilson. Meanwhile Kelli accompanied the Wall Lady Eagles gymnastics team to the meet in Ft. Pierre.
Philip and Mary Kay Wilson visited Kevin and Joan Howland in Rapid City Tuesday. Pam Wilson was released from SDSU Wednesday, and spent the next two days visiting Darell and Norma Harer in Hoven. On Saturday she met Mary Kay at the gymnastics meet in Ft. Pierre.
Dorothy Anderson visited the National Cemetery to decorate graves on Wednesday. Philip and Kenny Wilson visited the Anderson residence Friday, and Saturday visitors were George and Autumn Deering, Tyler and Taryn Caspers, and Mona Thompson.
There has been some confusion in the ESN regarding the specific times of various holiday activities. It is now for certain that the Elm Springs Church Christmas Program, which Cary Johnston and Kellie Linn and the Elm Springs Church youth have worked very hard on, begins at 5 pm on Friday the 22nd of December. Please bring a dessert if you attend.
The kind citizens wish you a very Merry Christmas, white, brown or blue.
Filed under Elm Springs News | Comment (0)The Elm Springs News
With the frigid exception of Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the weather in Elm Springs was balmy and beautiful this week.
South Dakota was represented very well in the saddlebronc riding at the NFR in Las Vegas, especially in the tenth round, which was won by honorary kind citizen Jesse Bail and fellow South Dakotan Bryce Miller of Bison, while Oelrichs native Chad Ferley won the saddlebronc championship, losing the average race by three points to honorary kind citizen JJ Elshere. And it should be noted that Mr. Billy Etbauer, now of Edmond, OK took second or third place in round ten, depending on how you look at it. Way to go, boys!
Several of the kind citizens attended either the Ag Appreciation Banquet in Rapid City Thursday night or the Wasta Pie Day in Pierre on Saturday, or both. Young Jacob Linn assisted Santa Claus at the Ag Appreciation Banquet handing out gifts.
And the Dakota Trophies hunting organization held their annual meeting at the South Fork Lodge near Philip on Sunday.
Louisa Lang of Belle Fourche was a guest of Rod and Kelly Anders all week.
Lonnie Arneson left Monday for Las Vegas, NV, where he spent the week cheering his son-in-law JJ Elshere at the NFR.
Clyde Arneson and Jake Hall were coffee guests at the Lawrence and Doris Burke residence Tuesday morning. Friday, Melissa Burke and Barry Ellenbecker showed up at the Burke residence so that Melissa could do some more bowhunting. And on Sunday, Lawrence visited the Clyde Arneson residence to help Clyde with a job or two.
Larry and Peggy Gravatt spent time Sunday getting in the holiday spirit together, or as Peggy put it, “going up one draw and down the other” in search of the perfect Christmas tree. As if it weren’t hard enough to find a tree that is the right size and shape, it is now very difficult to find a tree which is not showing the effects of our extended drought. It should be noted that Morris Linn found an exceptionally healthy looking cedar tree, which is now beautifully decorated in the Morris Linn living room.
Kellie, Ben, and Emily Linn attended the Lori Line Christmas Spectacular in Rapid City Thursday night.
Shirrise Linn and Cheryl Simons returned Wednesday from Rochester, MN, while Morris left for Rapid City to keep a doctors appointment and do some Christmas shopping. Kassandra spent Wednesday afternoon at the “Big House.” On Friday, Morris left to spend his birthday in the company of Gene Pluth and Roger Shull in Deadwood. There was no ambush this year. Saturday, the Ryan Elsheres and the Sam Johnstons visited the Morris Linn residence to watch the final round of the NFR, and to celebrate Cary Johnstons birthday. Matt Trask dropped in later. On Sunday, the Morris Linns were visited by Clyde Arneson who stopped by for coffee, Jean Linn with a birthday cake, and brother Andy, who enjoyed cake and coffee.
Bunny Bail spent the week in Las Vegas, NV cheering on son Jesse. While she was gone, Bud and the girls went to Rapid City Sunday to do some Christmas shopping.
Jim Smith went to Rapid City Saturday to do his Christmas shopping.
The “Upland Trasks” had a week like they hadn’t had in a long time. Nick left Wednesday for St. Paul, MN, where he attended the Acres USA convention and had breakfast Sunday morning with Beth Wilson. RoseMary and Celine went to Wasta Wednesday evening to get their hair cut by Billy Hulm. Julie and Celine Trask visited the Matt Trask residence Thursday evening. Friday, Dan Lewis of Rapid City visited the “Upland Trasks,” Holly and Cameron Sukup of Chadron, NE, arrived to spend the weekend, and John Paul Trask returned from Wyoming, also to spend the weekend. The “Upland Trasks” hosted a very well attended Christmas tree hunting party Saturday, with wagon rides given by Mel and Dorothy Anderson and their horses Amy and Ginger. Several nice trees were found, the drought notwithstanding, and the tree hunters also wished Matt a happy Tuesday birthday.
The National Finals Rodeo is a chance for cowboys to use their skills for money, buckles and prestige, while noncompetitors can bet on who will do the best in the hope of winning some money. Matt Trask has discovered that the NFR is an excellent excuse to visit other people’s houses for ten days right at supper time. Matt certainly won the average in the eating contest. To that end, he “watched the NFR” Monday night at the Morris Linns, Tuesday night at Joel Deerings, Wednesday night at the Andy Linns, Thursday night at the Ryan Elsheres, Friday night at Al and Bridgets Castle, returned to the Morris Linns Saturday night, and entered up in what might be called the “eleventh round” at the Cary Tines residence Sunday night.
At the J. Scull Construction Co. Christmas Party in Hill City Friday night, Mr. Patrick Wilson was recognized as Employee of the Year. The kind citizens offer their congratulations. Philip and Mary Kay Wilson visited the Jim Smith residence Saturday night.
Melvin and Dorothy Anderson visited the Audey Andersons near Isabel to help grandson Chance celebrate his birthday Sunday.
The winners of Morris Linn’s 2006 NFR Calcutta were Clyde Arneson, 1st; Sam Johnston, 2nd; and Bud Pauley, 3rd. Nichols Caspers won the five dollar “dream team” bet.
Don’t forget these important holiday events; the Elm Springs Church holds services at 2:00 pm this Sunday, followed by the Elm Springs Hall cleaning/decorating. Ben Linn and Autumn Deering’s guitar recital will be at the Elm Springs Church at around 5:30, following the Hall cleanup. The Elm Springs School Christmas program is Monday, the 18th, at 6:00 pm. And the Elm Springs Church Christmas program is Friday the 22nd at 5:30 pm.
The kind citizens are trying to find their pencils.
Filed under Elm Springs News | Comment (0)The Elm Springs News
The weather turned bitterly cold in Elm Springs the last half of the week. The biting wind made outdoor work especially unpleasant.
There is a fair pile of news in the ESN this week, so we shouldn’t waste our time with idle observations.
Five of the “Country Red Hat Ladies” ventured to Rapid City on Saturday. The five who were brave enough to face the cold and wind, Jean and Kellie Linn, Sandy Fields, Caroline Wilsey and Dorothy Anderson, had a ball while on the town, and gleefully reported their adventure, almost as a “na-na” to those who hadn’t.
And what an adventure they had. They started at the Vintage Vine gift shop with coffee and tea tasting, and then deciding they hadn’t had enough, moved to the Mostly Chocolates store for coffee and chocolate tasting. They then went to the Colonial House Restaurant where they met with Natalie Termes, Judith Olsen, Paula Eisenbraun, Dorothy Blanton and Jewel Tatum.
Here we must pause the narrative of the CRH outing for a sidestory. Blanton and Tatum accompanied Termes, Olsen and Eisenbraun to the Colonial House not knowing the CRH. When they got there, Jean Linn recognized them as having been on the bus to Branson that she took last week. She had no idea that they were friends of her friends. In addition, Sandy Fields recognized Dorothy Blanton as Sandy and Dorothy’s daughter had been classmates in grade school.
After eating at the Colonial House, the Leatherfaced Five took a drive down West Boulevard in Rapid City to view the Christmas lights. They stopped at the home of Jean Linn’s friend Maxine Sieler, who graciously invited them in to view her spectacular Christmas decorations. After this they stopped to visit Jack Gravatt, who was pleasantly surprised to be visited by the CRH.
As if all this hadn’t been enough, they still hadn’t done what they had set out to do, which was attending the Christmas Symphony concert at the Civic Center. They thoroughly enjoyed the music and the opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”
And that was just what the Red Hat Ladies did!
Carolyn Anders and Twila Trask met Kathy Cordes for lunch in Rapid City Thursday.
Clyde Arneson hosted Matt Trask for NFR viewing Friday night and Lawrence Burke for the same Sunday night.
Ryan Elshere left Thursday morning for Las Vegas, NV, to watch his brother JJ compete in the saddlebronc riding at the NFR. He returned Sunday, just in time for daughter Camry’s birthday party in the company of Marcia Arneson and Billy and Shawna Eastman and family.
Sandf Fields spent Monday in Rapid City with her mother, Carmen Aigner, who underwent surgery. Carmen returned home Wednesday and is doing fine. And Lynn met his brother-in-law Bob Parker of Lodgepole in Ft. Pierre Saturday.
Larry and Peggy Gravatt left Friday for Denver CO where they met Mike and Amber Miller for granddaughter Abigail Miller’s first ever Christmas program, where she had to walk across the stage. She performed splendidly. After the program, Larry and Peggy watched young Abigail while Mike and Amber took a mini vacation in the mountains.
Matt Trask was a visitor at the Andy Linn residence Thursday evening.
John and Jean Linn hosted Kassandra at the “Big House” for supper Tuesday. Thursday, John, Jean and Jim Linn all went to Rapid City to have supper with Charlotte Wilsey and her girls.
Morris Linn left Tuesday for Deerfield, where he accompanied Gene Pluth on a deer hunt. While they did not find any deer, they “saw a lot of elk.” Morris returned Thursday. On Thursday, Shirrise and Kassandra went to Wall to have supper with Shelane Graham and Delayna Jensen, while Morris hosted his third NFR calcutta party. This years entrants are Morris and Andy Linn, Matt and Nick Trask, Clyde and Lonnie Arneson, Ryan and Chrissy Elshere, Cory Levine, Clint Hammerstrom, Nichols Caspers, Jay Price, Larry Gravatt, Bud Pauley and Sam Johnston. Chrissy had to select a team for Ryan, as he was in Las Vegas. Friday, Shirrise met Jen, Cameron, and Brody Magee and Walt stone in Rapid City while Morris took Kassandra to her piano lessons in Wall, accompanied by Clyde Arneson. And Saturday, Shirrise and Cheryl Simons had lunch in Wall with Sanden and Elaine Simons before leaving for Rochester, MN. Matt Trask was a visitor at the Morris Linn residence Sunday night.
The Brady O’Rourkes hosted Matt Trask Wednesday evening.
Al and Bridget Trask returned to the Castle from Columbus OH, Wednesday evening and were promptly visited by Matt Trask Wednesday night, who helped them move a small amount of furniture before sitting down to eat a large amount of supper. RoseMary Trask and the Three Little Girls visited the Castle Sunday afternoon.
Pat, RoseMary and the Three Little Girls went to Rapid City Monday for dentist appointments. On Friday, the “Upland Trasks” hosted a birthday party for Ray Olsen. Al, Bridget and Matt Trask, and Joel Deering and kids all attended. It was quite a bash. Several of the “Upland Trasks” ate at the Wall Drug Store after church on Sunday.
Matt Trask went to the Stampede Bar Saturday night to watch his buddy Mitch Kimball and the “Decibel Bros.” play. It should be noted that after Saturday night’s performance, the “Decibel Bros.” will be known as “Whiskeymouth.”
Jim and Caroline Wilsey went to Rapid City twice this week, Tuesday to take Jim’s horse Pedro to the vet and do some Christmas shopping, and Thursday to do some more Christmas shopping. Poor Pedro contracted pidgeon fever, but he has recovered and is doing well.
Philip and Mary Kay Wilson left Sunday for Pierre to attend a conservation meeting.
The Holiday Season is a terribly busy time, and care must be taken to check the calendar before scheduling an event. Ben Linn and Autumn Deering’s guitar recital was inadvertently scheduled on top of the Deering children’s piano recital in Wall. Of course this will simply not do, and so Ben and Autumn are pleased to announce their guitar recital will be held around five thirty pm on Sunday December 17th, at the Elm Springs Church.
The kind citizens are enthusiastically cheering JJ Elshere, Jesse Bail, Jeff Willert, Chad Ferley, Bryce Miller, and of course Billy Etbauer, all from South Dakota and all in the saddlebronc riding at this year’s NFR.
Filed under Elm Springs News | Comment (0)