The community of Elm Springs saw a dramatic warming trend toward the end of the week, with a stiff southerly breeze which almost literally blew away the snow on the ground. While the kind citizens prepare for Christmas, the weekend weather was more reminiscent of the Lenten season in March.

The Elm Springs Parents Club served lunch at the Bert Outka auction held near Union Center Saturday. Several kind citizens attended this auction.

There is not much news this week, because almost no one was home Sunday night to report what they had done. Much of the social activity this week centered on the NFR, with people going to one another’s houses to watch the televised performances. Morris Linn hosted his Calcutta Party Sunday, and when the final whistle blew on round number 10, Al Trask’s team had won first, Clint Hammerstrom’s team won second, and Andy Linn’s team won third. You may recall that Al Trask did not even attend the first party to select a team. His first place team was selected by Cheryl Simons.

Two more things should be noted, first that South Dakota’s own Jeff Willert of Belvidere is the 2005 PRCA Saddlebronc Champ, and that South Dakota’s own Billy Etbauer, now of Oklahoma, performed splendidly at the NFR, as he always seems to. The kind citizens hats are off to both of them.

After 25 years of faithful service, Marvin and Carolyn Anders’ refrigerator gave up the ghost sometime Tuesday night. Carolyn had fun attempting to keep food cold in various old fashioned ways until Sunday afternoon, when the Anders’ took delivery of a new refrigerator. Here’s to another 25 years!

Andy Linn and Matt Trask were visitors at the Clyde Arneson residence Wednesday night to watch the NFR.

Kelli Linn and her aunt Helen Arends left Friday for Minnesota, possibly St. Paul.

Jean and Emily Linn went to Union Center Sunday to watch the Circuit Riders and others giving their musical Christmas peformance.

Shirrise Linn attended an actual stamp party at the Ann Shaw residence near White Owl Monday. Matt Trask was a visitor Monday night. On Thursday, Morris and Shirrise went to Rapid City where they visited Charlotte Wilsey and the girls. The Morris Linns had supper Thursday night at the Ryan Elsheres. Friday Morris was a visitor at the Roger Shull residence, while Matt and Nick Trask were NFR watchers at the Morris Linn residence. Saturday, Sandy Van Vleck of Wall visited the Morris Linns, Shirrise attneded a stamp party at the Dana Keffeler residence near Red Owl, and Morris, in the company of Gene Pluth, Roger Shull, and Bob Parks, finally got to go to Deadwood for his birthday. Sunday, Jean Linn visited in the morning, the Linns hosted their NFR party, and Matt Trask visited bringing with him a cheesecake to share in celebration of his Monday birthday. Matt’s own mother remarked rather drily that the Linns would be shocked to see Matt bringing food to their house.

Cary and Pam Tines returned Wednesday from Las Vegas NV, where they had joined in the NFR festivities.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” had a busy Saturday, following Tomilyn to a basketball game in Kadoka, and Mark and Mick to the Rapid City Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

And the “Upland Trasks” had a whirlwind weekend, with Kelly and Megan Yantes of Rapid City staying all night Friday night, a well attended Christmas Tree hunting party Saturday, and Megan Yantes again staying overnight Saturday. Sunday visitors, besides Megan, were Mike and Shonda Morrison of almost Wyoming, Don Curtis and Cliff of Rapid City, and Francis Jahner, Theresa and Maurice, mostly of Rapid City.

Rob Goodman, now of Kyle, Andrea Neumann of Rapid City, and a girl named Sonya, probably also of Rapid City, were visitors at the Matt Trask residence Saturday afternoon.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey went to Rapid City Wednesday, where they took granddaughter Ashley out for supper.

Pam Wilson joined Chelsea McConnell and Courtney Humphrey on a trip to Rapid City Saturday. The three stayed overnight at the Philip Wilson residence Saturday night.

Marilyn Larsen and boys were Christmas tree cutting visitors at the Kenny Wilsons Wednesday, and stayed for supper.

And Nick Trask visited briefly at the “Brustol AFB” Tuesday.

The kind citizens would like to offer a farewell to Speed Williams and Rich Skelton, who made their last appearance as a team at this year’s NFR, and their condolences to Jake Barnes, who lost a thumb at this year’s NFR.