Lord have mercy, do the kind citizens have some big news this week, but more on that later.

The weather here in Elm Springs has not changed for the better or the worse, with very pleasant days and cold nights. As the long range forecast calls for a warm and dry winter, the Catholics of Elm Springs, under the direction of Fr. Leo Hausmann, have altogether ceased praying for “rain” and now pray merely for “weather favorable to agriculture,” apparently trusting that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows what type of weather is best suited to the agricultural man.

The Elm Springs Rebels basketball teams finished their season with a Thursday night basketball game and the basketball tournament Saturday in Union Center. The boys won both of their games to become tournament champs, and the girls, while playing very well, lost both of theirs. However, the Elm Springs Rebels teams won the Sportsmanship Award for the tournament, Tyler Trask won the free throw contest for his age division, and Calder Johnston won both the free throw contest and MVP awards. Congratulations to the Elm Springs Rebels and thank you to coaches Sam Johnston and Rusty Lytle.

Clyde Arneson was a morning visitor both Tuesday and Friday at the Lawrence Burke residence. Melissa Burke and her bow were visitors Saturday.

John and Jean Linn visited Charlotte Wilsey and the girls on Friday in Rapid City, to help young Katie celebrate her 7^th birthday.

Cheryl Simons was taken to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, Wednesday for further treatment. Shirrise Linn went as well to be with her mother, so during this time the Morris Linn news could be rather short. In the absence of her mother, young Kassandra, who has been spending a lot of time at the “Big House” and the Andy Linn residence, did her best to report the weeks happenings. She remembered that Clyde Arneson was a visitor one day, and that Matt Trask was a visitor both Friday and Sunday nights.

Young Jace O’Rourke celebrated his fifth birthday Friday, with guests, Pops and Gramm O’Rourke, Bud Pauley and family, and Jesse Bail. This last visitor caused young Jace fits of delight.

Cary and Pam Tines attended the Thursday night basketball game in Union Center. Saturday night visitors at the Cary Tines residence were Danny and Treshelle Hall, Kody DeVries, and Nick Trask.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” hosted the Dakotra Trophies pre-camp meeting Sunday afternoon.

And now for the big news mentioned earlier. The “Upland Trasks” entertained Al Trasks girlfriend, Ms. Bridget Madrid, who currently resides in Virginia, over the weekend. Ms. Madrid was in fact the purpose of Al’s weekend trip to Columbus OH, a few weeks ago. At the time, the whole business was largely shrouded in secrecy, but now that she has come to Elm Springs, as we say, “it should be noted.”

In other “Upland Trask” news, David Kalil of Rapid City was a visitor Monday and Tuesday, and Brian Herr left Thursday for Newton, WS, taking Pat with him to pick up a truck. Friday night, John Paul and Joseph Trask joined Conrad and Ryan Kjerstad, Rawlley Dartt, and Ryan Holsether, all of Wall, and others, for a night of mischief in and around Elm Springs. And Sunday, the “Upland Trasks” joined several other Catholic families and Fr. Leo Hausmann on a Prayer Walk from the four way intersection at Elm Springs to the Elm Springs Cemetery, afterwards hosting the prayer walkers for brunch at their house.

Matt Trask accompanied Todd Trask to the final football game of the Wall Eagles, against the Stickney/Mt. Vernon Knights. And what a heartbreaker, a 14-18 loss, with no points scored by either team in the whole of the second half. It was a very well-fought contest, and the Eagles, with a 9-1 record for the year, have nothing to be ashamed of.

On Saturday, Matt and Maria attended the basketball tournament together, afterwards going to the Jack Simons residence. Jack Simons was not home, and upon returning to Enning, Matt and Maria realized that they had driven right by him on their way to his place. He was at the Bummer Simons residence in Enning, where Bummer, with the help of Malcolm Price of Wasta, was inspecting a new flying machine. In addition to Bummer Malcolm and Jack, their was a large group of supervisors of the type that can be found at any weekend jobsite across the nation.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey returned Monday from a weekend trip to Elk River MN, to visit Tim Wilsey and family. Wes and Joann Wilsey of Hay Springs, NE were weekend visitors at the Wilseys.

It should be noted that Sgt. Brian Wilson and family will be returning stateside to Newport News, VA, after being stationed in Germany for a couple of years.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson had supper in Rapid City Thursday night with Fritz and Mary Judson. Friday night, they entertained the Schearer trail-drive crew, who overnighted in the bunkhouse.

The kind citizens have quite a bit to talk about this week.