God in His infinite wisdom on Saturday saw fit to send a rain shower to the kind citizens of Elm Springs, which amounted to .27”, as measured at the “Big House.” The kind citizens pray that He has more “infinite wisdom” of this sort up His sleeve.

And along with the rain, there was a flood of hunters in Elm Springs on Saturday for the opening of prairie deer season. Their endeavors were largely hindered by the rain and accompanying high winds.

Marvin Anders went “to town one day for tires,” according to his wife.

Melissa Burke and Barry Ellenbecker were visitors at the Lawrence Burke residence a couple of days this week. Clyde Arneson on Friday accompanied Lawrence Burke to Enning for service, Red Owl for parts, and Union Center for lunch. Keith Bowman of Lander WY was a Saturday visitor at the Lawrence Burkes.

Kody DeVries accompanied Clyde Arneson to Rapid City Sunday.

The Ryan Elsheres were Friday night supper guests at the Sam Johnstons. Sunday night, Lonnie Arneson was a supper guest at the Ryan Elsheres.

Larry Gravatt brought Jack out to Elm Springs from Ft. Meade for a visit Saturday. Jack and his dog had a very happy reunion. In addition, Cherry Denke, Lawrence Burke, Keith Bowman, and Andy, Ben and Jacob Linn all visited Jack.

In addition to the Elsheres, Morris and Kassandra Linn were supper guests at the Sam Johnstons Friday night, after Kassandra had spent the afternoon.

The Andy Linns entertained Carlee Johnston on Thursday and Carter Elshere on Friday, in addition to entertaining Kassandra Linn at various intervals throughout the week.

Emily Linn and Carlee Johnston attended the Becky Hammon basketball camp at Stevens High School in Rapid City, being driven by Kellie Linn on Saturday and Teann Rogers of rural Enning on Sunday. Sunday night the Andy Linns hosted the ElmSprings Jolly Ranchers 4-H Club meeting. In addition to the Linn children, Jolly Ranchers present were Mayzee and Mattee Pauley, Kelli Wilson, and Calder, Carson and Carlee Johnston.

Shirrise Linn spent the whole week with her mother and family in Rochester MN.

Pam Tines spent the first part of the week in Wyoming where she visited her sister Cheryl Gerard in Buffalo before staying with her parents, Max and Sarah Miller, in Douglas. Matt Trask was a supper guest at the Cary Tines residence on Friday night, and Kody DeVries made his appearance there Saturday night.

Of course the opening of prairie deer season means that the “Elk Creek Trasks” are busy hosting the Dakota Trophies hunting camp, including the various neighbors who serve as guides on their own ranches. Perhaps of more importance is Tom and Shelia’s Friday trip to Vermillion to watch the Phillip Scotties football team play in the state championship game against Hanson. Although they lost the contest, theyshould be heartily congratulated for making it to “the Dome,” especially since they had to triumph over Matt Devine and the Gettysburg Whosits to get there.

The Big News of last week, Bridget Madrid, accompanied Al Trask to Martin on Monday for an R-CALF function. Although Al is well versed in the intricacies of the cattle market, he may have a thing or two left to learn about women. On Tuesday, Al drove Bridget to the airport where she departed. Nothing of particular note happened at the “Upland Trask” residence the rest of the work week. David and Kevin Kalil of Rapid City were visitors both Saturday and Sunday, and Fr. Tim Hoag, most recently of Spearfish, was also a Sunday visitor.

Matt Trask made what he considers to be a grave error Friday afternoon as he was driving home from wherever he had been. Spying Jim and David Smith along the side of the road near their home, he stopped to talk without realizing that they were building fence. When he came to his senses, he was horrified to realize that not only was he holding a “tamping bar,” but that he had apparently even been using it. Although it is doubtful that he set more than one or two posts, the Smiths should be congratulated for extracting a small amount of work from him without feeding him anything.

Gemma Trask was an overnight guest at the Matt Trask residence Saturday night, and Kody DeVries visited briefly as well. On Sunday, Matt attended a meeting of the Wasta Centennial Committee, where he delivered several completely irrelevant insights before devouring the last of the cookies.

Bruce Wilsey of Sioux Falls, Dan and Ryan Konz and Wayne Miller of Brandon were all weekend visitors at the Jim Wilsey residence to hunt deer. Jim and Caroline, meanwhile, were in Orlando FL, vacationing with the Kent Wilsey family. They returned Sunday afternoon.

Philip, Mary Kay and Pam Wilson returned Monday from Minneapolis MN, where they had spent the weekend visiting Josh, Amy and Mary Ann Wolberg and Beth Wilson. Philip attended the Wasta Centennial meeting mentioned above. It is an almost offensive understatement to say that Philip Wilson is more helpful than Matt Trask. With that being said, Philip would like to hear from people who know about the happenings in the Wall/Wasta/Owanka etc. area in or around the year 1906, or even better, from those who may have the great good fortune to personally recall those events. Philip Wilson can be reached at 798-5303.

A word about the Wasta Centennial Committee; these people are a dynamic lot and their enthusiasm for their cause is dangerously infectious. With even the smallest amount of luck, they will make a loud Centennial roar in 2006.

Back in Elm Springs, Carolyn Anders would like everyone to know about the Elm Springs Church Fall Festival, not to be confused with the recent Elm Springs Hall Halloween Festival. The Fall Festival begins at two o’clock pm this Sunday, the 20^th of November, with church service and a potluck and special music following.

The kind citizens hope that the skunks don’t provide the special music!