Our unseasonably warm weather has been punctuated by biting roaring winds, and it is always amazing how quickly one gets tired of biting roaring winds.

The Cheryl Simons fundraiser was a big success Sunday night, and most of the kind citizens attended. The Rev. Harold Delbridge was the emcee, and young Kassandra Linn, much to the Reverends surprise, drew his name in the rifle raffle. Being the sterling character that he is, he donated it back to be auctioned off, and then auctioned it himself.

Matt Trask was a guest at the Marvin Anders residence Friday night.

Richard Johnston visited the Lawrence Burkes for coffee Monday afternoon, Pam Tines and Jack Gravatt visited Tuesday afternoon, and Clyde Arneson visited Thursday morning. Friday, Lawrence and Doris went to Rapid City, where they had lunch with daughter Melissa.

Cherry Denke came to Elm Springs Saturday and spent the night with Jack Gravatt.

Sam Johnston returned from his SDARL (thats South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership) trip to Brazil on Wednesday. His wife Carrie picked him up at the airport.

Kellie and Ben Linn visited the Matt Trask residence Thursday evening for Ben’s guitar lesson.

John and Jean Linn returned from Conroe TX Monday.

The Morris Linns had a very busy week, on the heels of last week which was even busier. Morris went to Belle Fourche in the company of Clyde Arneson and Cary Tines on Monday. Tuesday, Shirrise helped out at Jack and Cheryl Simons. Wednesday, Shirrise and Kassandra visited Charlotte Wilsey in Rapid City before going to Wall where Shirrise hosted a stamping party at the Juanita Schroeder residence while Kasssandra visited at Sanden and Elaine’s. Thursday, Shirrise visited Misty and Statler Walker in Union Center while Morris took Kassandra to her piano lesson in Wall, visiting at the Chuck Van Vleck residence. Saturday, the Morris Linns went to Wood where they helped Jim and Shelly Jepsen unpack their belongings. The Linns stayed overnight at the new Jim Jepsen residence before hustling back to help with the Cheryl Simons benefit. Shirrise would like to thank everyone who helped make it a success.

Thursday, young Emilee Pauley received the saddle that she won last year. Donated by Lemmon Livestock, it says “Lemmon Series 2005 All Around Champ: Emilee Pauley.”

Jim Smith attended the Ben Kinney funeral in Sturgis during the first part of the week.

Sunday afternoon, Jim, Myrna and Melanie Smith visited the “Upland Trasks.”

The “Upland Trasks” had another doozy, too. Matt and Steph Trask left Monday morning for the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketers Association Trade Show, manning a booth for two days. At the conclusion of the trade show, Matt returned to Elm Springs while Steph went to Hyannis NE to work for the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska. It should possibly be noted that on his way home, Matt stopped at the somewhat famous Young’s Western Wear store in Valentine NE, where he felt compelled to buy a shirt after demanding the attention of half the sales staff for a full hour. One astute saleswoman, apparently sensing that Matt is an impulsive buyer, rounded up a scarf that matched the shirt and sold him that as well.

Back at the ranch, Emil Magnusson of Rapid City visited Wednesday. The lovely Ms. Bridget Madrid arrived Thursday night, to be greeted of course by her Prince Charming, who had better luck with his tires this time, and a bushel basket of wine-red roses. The two spent the weekend at a couples retreat at St. Martins, returning to the ranch Sunday evening. Friday evening Pat, RoseMary, and Nick attended an anniversary party for Dr. Jerry and Shirley Soderstrom at their home in Rapid City. On Saturday Pat went to Pierre, while John Paul and Joseph Trask competed in the district wrestling meet where they both qualified for the regional wrestling tournament. It should be noted that cousins Mark and Mick, wrestling for Philip, also qualified for the regional tournament. A sizeable contingent of “Upland Trasks” visited the “Big Green Trask House” for coffee and donuts Sunday morning after church. As proof that miracles do happen, the donuts were provided by none other than Matt Trask. A smaller contingent of “Upland Trasks” attended a birthday party for Don Lefevre in Rapid City Sunday.

Celine Trask stayed overnight Saturday at the Matt Trask residence. Matt attended the Wasta Centennial Committee meeting Sunday in Wasta, and then took a tour of the soon to open Dixie Diner. The prospect of a diner in everyone’s favorite town of Wasta excites Matt greatly. Sunday evening visitors at the Matt Trask residence were Nick and Al Trask, Bridget Madrid, and Kody DeVries.

Don and Joan Thorson of Keystone visited the Jim Wilsey residence Tuesday.

Kenny Wilson turned 50 years old on Saturday. Kenny’s 50^th birthday party was held on Sunday, and was very well attended by family, friends and kind citizens.

The Philip Wilsons, the Kenny Wilsons, the “Elk Creek Trasks,” and Amy and little Mary Wolberg of Eden Prairie MN attended the Wall Lady Eagles gymnastics meet in Wall on Friday, where young Pam Wilson qualified for the state competition in all four events, adding another star to the Elm Springs constellation. It should be noted that young Randi Moore of Wall qualified for state as a 7^th grader.