With the frigid exception of Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the weather in Elm Springs was balmy and beautiful this week.

South Dakota was represented very well in the saddlebronc riding at the NFR in Las Vegas, especially in the tenth round, which was won by honorary kind citizen Jesse Bail and fellow South Dakotan Bryce Miller of Bison, while Oelrichs native Chad Ferley won the saddlebronc championship, losing the average race by three points to honorary kind citizen JJ Elshere. And it should be noted that Mr. Billy Etbauer, now of Edmond, OK took second or third place in round ten, depending on how you look at it. Way to go, boys!

Several of the kind citizens attended either the Ag Appreciation Banquet in Rapid City Thursday night or the Wasta Pie Day in Pierre on Saturday, or both. Young Jacob Linn assisted Santa Claus at the Ag Appreciation Banquet handing out gifts.

And the Dakota Trophies hunting organization held their annual meeting at the South Fork Lodge near Philip on Sunday.

Louisa Lang of Belle Fourche was a guest of Rod and Kelly Anders all week.

Lonnie Arneson left Monday for Las Vegas, NV, where he spent the week cheering his son-in-law JJ Elshere at the NFR.

Clyde Arneson and Jake Hall were coffee guests at the Lawrence and Doris Burke residence Tuesday morning. Friday, Melissa Burke and Barry Ellenbecker showed up at the Burke residence so that Melissa could do some more bowhunting. And on Sunday, Lawrence visited the Clyde Arneson residence to help Clyde with a job or two.

Larry and Peggy Gravatt spent time Sunday getting in the holiday spirit together, or as Peggy put it, “going up one draw and down the other” in search of the perfect Christmas tree. As if it weren’t hard enough to find a tree that is the right size and shape, it is now very difficult to find a tree which is not showing the effects of our extended drought. It should be noted that Morris Linn found an exceptionally healthy looking cedar tree, which is now beautifully decorated in the Morris Linn living room.

Kellie, Ben, and Emily Linn attended the Lori Line Christmas Spectacular in Rapid City Thursday night.

Shirrise Linn and Cheryl Simons returned Wednesday from Rochester, MN, while Morris left for Rapid City to keep a doctors appointment and do some Christmas shopping. Kassandra spent Wednesday afternoon at the “Big House.” On Friday, Morris left to spend his birthday in the company of Gene Pluth and Roger Shull in Deadwood. There was no ambush this year. Saturday, the Ryan Elsheres and the Sam Johnstons visited the Morris Linn residence to watch the final round of the NFR, and to celebrate Cary Johnstons birthday. Matt Trask dropped in later. On Sunday, the Morris Linns were visited by Clyde Arneson who stopped by for coffee, Jean Linn with a birthday cake, and brother Andy, who enjoyed cake and coffee.

Bunny Bail spent the week in Las Vegas, NV cheering on son Jesse. While she was gone, Bud and the girls went to Rapid City Sunday to do some Christmas shopping.

Jim Smith went to Rapid City Saturday to do his Christmas shopping.

The “Upland Trasks” had a week like they hadn’t had in a long time. Nick left Wednesday for St. Paul, MN, where he attended the Acres USA convention and had breakfast Sunday morning with Beth Wilson. RoseMary and Celine went to Wasta Wednesday evening to get their hair cut by Billy Hulm. Julie and Celine Trask visited the Matt Trask residence Thursday evening. Friday, Dan Lewis of Rapid City visited the “Upland Trasks,” Holly and Cameron Sukup of Chadron, NE, arrived to spend the weekend, and John Paul Trask returned from Wyoming, also to spend the weekend. The “Upland Trasks” hosted a very well attended Christmas tree hunting party Saturday, with wagon rides given by Mel and Dorothy Anderson and their horses Amy and Ginger. Several nice trees were found, the drought notwithstanding, and the tree hunters also wished Matt a happy Tuesday birthday.

The National Finals Rodeo is a chance for cowboys to use their skills for money, buckles and prestige, while noncompetitors can bet on who will do the best in the hope of winning some money. Matt Trask has discovered that the NFR is an excellent excuse to visit other people’s houses for ten days right at supper time. Matt certainly won the average in the eating contest. To that end, he “watched the NFR” Monday night at the Morris Linns, Tuesday night at Joel Deerings, Wednesday night at the Andy Linns, Thursday night at the Ryan Elsheres, Friday night at Al and Bridgets Castle, returned to the Morris Linns Saturday night, and entered up in what might be called the “eleventh round” at the Cary Tines residence Sunday night.

At the J. Scull Construction Co. Christmas Party in Hill City Friday night, Mr. Patrick Wilson was recognized as Employee of the Year. The kind citizens offer their congratulations. Philip and Mary Kay Wilson visited the Jim Smith residence Saturday night.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson visited the Audey Andersons near Isabel to help grandson Chance celebrate his birthday Sunday.

The winners of Morris Linn’s 2006 NFR Calcutta were Clyde Arneson, 1^st; Sam Johnston, 2^nd; and Bud Pauley, 3^rd. Nichols Caspers won the five dollar “dream team” bet.

Don’t forget these important holiday events; the Elm Springs Church holds services at 2:00 pm this Sunday, followed by the Elm Springs Hall cleaning/decorating. Ben Linn and Autumn Deering’s guitar recital will be at the Elm Springs Church at around 5:30, following the Hall cleanup. The Elm Springs School Christmas program is Monday, the 18^th, at 6:00 pm. And the Elm Springs Church Christmas program is Friday the 22^nd at 5:30 pm.

The kind citizens are trying to find their pencils.