We had a thin blanket of white most of the week in Elm Springs, and very seasonable temperatures.

The members of the “Elm Springs December Birthday Club” are a jolly bunch, and seem to make a big deal of their birthdays. Matt Trask in particular stretches his into usually a weeklong celebration, and graciously accepts all cakes and cookies that come his way.

The Elm Springs People Who Play Cards met at the Morris Linn residence on Wednesday, which happened to be Matt’s actual birthday. Linda Tift got the high score for the night, and Sandy Fields got the booby prize.

Matt Trask and Andy Linn visited the Clyde Arneson residence Tuesday night to watch the NFR.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Lawrence Burke residence Thursday morning, and Nick Trask, while waiting for Pat, visited Friday morning. Lawrence Burke visited the Russell Burmeister residence in Wasta to watch part of an antique car auction on television. They might have watched the whole thing, but the television quit.

The Ryan Elshere news may become horribly mixed up with the Andy Linn news because Carter Elshere’s birthday was on Sunday and Ben Linn’s was on Saturday, but we’ll try to make some sense of it. Friday night, after Ben’s birthday supper at the Andy Linn residence, the Ryan Elsheres hosted Jacob Linn and Carson Johnston for a sleepover. The Ryan Elsheres visited the Cory Levine residence Saturday afternoon to watch the final round of the NFR. Lonnie and Clyde Arneson and Teri Ramsdell were supper guests at the Ryan Elsheres Sunday night to celebrate Carters birthday again.

Peggy Gravatt went to Rapid City Thursday night to watch Madi and Steele Fuegen perform in the Christmas Program at the Meadowbrook school. Larry and Peggy picked up Madi and Steele in Wasta Friday night, where they ate at the way-cool Dixie Diner before going to Elm Springs for the weekend. Brad Bookbinder visited the Larry Gravatt residence Saturday, where he pulled the kids through the snow with the four wheeler. Lance and Heidi Fuegen arrived Sunday afternoon to pick up the kids, but not before Lance took a ride behind the four wheeler.

And now the Andy Linn news; Clyde Arneson and Matt Trask visited the Andy Linn residence Thursday night. Friday night, Ben had a birthday supper with John and Jim Linn, Tucker O’Rourke, Carson Johnston and the Ryan Elsheres in attendance. Jacob Linn was with the Ryan Elsheres, so in a sense he was a supper guest at his own house. Tucker O’Rourke meanwhile spent the night with Ben. On Saturday, the Andy Linns, with Tucker O’Rourke, Carson Johnston and Carter Elshere went to Rapid City where they ate at Fuddruckers and raced cars at Flags and Wheels.

John and Jean Linn went to Rapid City Thursday to watch Laura Wilsey’s Christmas concert.

Bud and Peg Ireland of Rapid City visited the Morris Linn residence Tuesday. Shirrise, Kassandra and Grandma Jean Linn attended the Enning Christmas program Friday evening. Shirrise had lunch in Rapid City with Sandy Van Vleck on Saturday. The Morris Linns attended Carla Bruchlachers piano recital in Wall on Sunday, at which Kassandra performed.

The Al Trasks went to Rapid City on Wednesday, where among other things they attended the Spanish Mass to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Blessed Sacrament. On their way home, they stopped at the Matt Trask residence to give him birthday presents.

Jon Madsen visited the “Upland Trask” residence Tuesday. Ray Olson visited the “Upland Trask” residence Wednesday morning to help Matt celebrate his birthday with breakfast. Julie Trask and Tracey Orsburn arrived from Colorado Friday night, Julie for good and Tracey for the weekend. The “Upland Trasks” hosted their annual Christmas Tree party on Saturday, which was very well attended. Several people brought more presents for Matt Trask’s birthday, and special recognition was given to Theresa Bruch, who intends to join a convent this spring. Melvin and Dorothy Anderson and Grant Shearer brought their teams out to give wagon rides in the chilly air. Steph Trask and Tracey Orsburn attended a Christmas party in Rapid City Saturday night. On Sunday, most of the “Upland Trasks” met the Bob Hale family in Rapid City for supper.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” spent the weekend in Dickinson, ND at a wrestling tournament, while Tomilyn played basketball with the Lady Scotties in Edgemont on Saturday.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey went to Sturgis on business Wednesday. Bunny Bail and the girls visited the Jim Wilsey residence Saturday to watch the final round of the NFR.

Kenny and Janet Wilson attended a gymnastics meet in Ft. Pierre on Saturday, at which Kelli Wilson competed.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson attended the funeral of Ruth Geyerman in Rapid City on Friday. Sunday Bunny Bail and the girls visited the Melvin Anderson residence to cut a Christmas tree.

John and Darlene Wulf and Bunny Bail flew to Las Vegas and spent the week taking in the NFR. They returned Friday.

Everyone is invited to the Elm Springs Church Christmas program starting at 5:30 pm this Sunday.

The kind citizens hope to see you there.