It’s almost certain that we will not have a white Christmas here in Elm Springs this year. Of course the lack of snow keeps winter chores to a minimum, but these Christmases might start turning blue if we don’t get some moisture.

Lynn and Sandy Fields spent their first night in their new house Tuesday. They were not home for comment when called, but we presume that they are pleased.

The WTL Club met at the “Upland Trask” residence on Tuesday, which happened to be Matt’s birthday. Club members in attendance, besides RoseMary, were Lorraine VenHuizen, Dorothy Anderson, Margee Willey, Jean and Kellie Linn, Sandy Fields and Caroline Wilsey. Julie Trask assisted in hosting the ladies, and starting the player piano when Matt came in to have dinner. In addition to wishing Matt a happy birthday and eating a turkey dinner, the ladies ended their “Secret Pal” game for the year with a public gift exchange.

The Elm Springs People Who Play Cards met at the “Big House” for the December Court Whist game and holiday soup supper. Everyone enjoyed beef vegetable soup and white chili, and Norma Pellegrin was the December winner.

And the Union Center Hurricanes, a traveling pick-up basketball team whose existence was heretofore unknown in the ESN, played their last game of the year Tuesday in Sturgis. Several girls from Elm Springs played for the Hurricanes including the Pauley girls, who were surprised when their brother Jesse Bail showed up to watch them, fresh from his NFR appearance.

Attendants at the Elm Springs Church service on Sunday were treated to Ben Linn and Autumn Deerings Christmas guitar recital, with distractions from their teacher, Matt Trask. After being introduced, with George Strait’s “Christmas Cookies” playing in the background, they sat down and played a simple and charming three song set, which included “We Three Kings,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Carol of the Bells.” Ben and Autumn played very well, mostly ignoring the antics of their obnoxious teacher, who at one point referred to Autumn as “Emily.”

Marvin and Carolyn Anders went Christmas shopping in Rapid City on Friday.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Lawrence Burke residence Friday morning. On Saturday, the Clyde Arnesons went to Belle Fourche, where they visited Grandma Arneson and Grandpa and Grandma Schmidt.

Lonnie Arneson accompanied Dan Piroutek and Bill and Eileen Markwed to Scotland Friday to attend the funeral for Ben Ireland. Mr. Ireland was Lou Roseth’s father.

There is a lot of birthday silliness in this week’s ESN. Carter Elshere had a birthday party Saturday night, with Jacob Linn and Carson Johnston in attendance. On Sunday, the Elsheres were visited by JJ and Lindsay Elshere and family and Jim Elshere.

Peggy Gravatt went to Rapid City Thursday evening to watch Madi and Steele Fuegen perform in the Meadowbrook Elementary Christmas program. Sunday, it was Larry’s turn , as he went to Rapid City to watch Madi in a holiday ice-skating program.

Ben Linn celebrated his birthday on Friday with John, Jean and Jim Linn and a cheesecake, and again on Saturday with overnight guest Tucker O’Rourke.

Jean Linn, Dorothy Anderson and Caroline Wilsey attended a quilting potluck at the Senior Center in Wasta on Friday.

Bummer and Cheryl Simons and Shirrise Linn left Wednesday for Rochester, MN. Morris and Kassandra went to Rapid City Thursday for appointments and visited Charlie and Carol Linn and Gene and Marsha Pluth. Morris and Kassandra went to Wall Friday for piano, and back to Wall Sunday so that Kassandra could perform in Carla Brucklacher’s recital. Morris and Kassandra visited Sandy Van Vleck afterwards. And they were very happy to welcome Shirrise home Sunday night. Shirrise for her part is happy to report that Cheryl’s surgery went well and she should leave Rochester Monday.

Mike Morrison of almost Wyoming visited the “Upland Trask” residence Monday afternoon. About the same time, Dan Ingalls of Powder River, WY arrived to spend a few days. He left Wednesday, after catching up from a fourteen year absence. Darlene Wulf and Alisa Machado visited the “Upland Trask” residence to bring Matt cupcakes and a birthday card. Pat, Julie and Gemma Trask went to Rapid City to keep dentist appointments Wednesday. Julie left Friday for Chadron to attend the Chadron State College graduation ceremonies. She joined Nick in Hot Springs on Saturday to watch Joe wrestling for the Wall Eagles. Julie and Joe came home Saturday night, while Nick stayed in Rapid with Patrick Wilson. As if all of that weren’t enough, the “Upland Trasks” had Holiday water trouble, and were visited by Mike’s Home Services Thursday, Lurz Plumbing Friday, and finally, J & L Services on Saturday.

Matt Trask had a merry birthday week, with cards and wishes from lots of people. RoseMary and the Three Little Girls even visited his house to put up a small Christmas tree and hang some lights. He visited the “Big Green Trask House” in Wall Friday night and cleaned up several plates of leftovers. Saturday, George and Autumn Deering, Andy and Ben Linn and Maria Trask met Matt at his residence for a rehearsal of the Sunday recital.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” spent the weekend in Dickinson, ND, where Mark, wrestling for the Philip Scotties, won first place in the 215# division at the Dickinson State Wrestling Meet.

Kenny and Janet Wilson went Christmas shopping in Rapid City Friday, and stopped to see Justin Tschetter and Mandy Wilson. Meanwhile Kelli accompanied the Wall Lady Eagles gymnastics team to the meet in Ft. Pierre.

Philip and Mary Kay Wilson visited Kevin and Joan Howland in Rapid City Tuesday. Pam Wilson was released from SDSU Wednesday, and spent the next two days visiting Darell and Norma Harer in Hoven. On Saturday she met Mary Kay at the gymnastics meet in Ft. Pierre.

Dorothy Anderson visited the National Cemetery to decorate graves on Wednesday. Philip and Kenny Wilson visited the Anderson residence Friday, and Saturday visitors were George and Autumn Deering, Tyler and Taryn Caspers, and Mona Thompson.

There has been some confusion in the ESN regarding the specific times of various holiday activities. It is now for certain that the Elm Springs Church Christmas Program, which Cary Johnston and Kellie Linn and the Elm Springs Church youth have worked very hard on, begins at 5 pm on Friday the 22^nd of December. Please bring a dessert if you attend.

The kind citizens wish you a very Merry Christmas, white, brown or blue.