The weather in Elm Springs has gotten into the Holiday Spirit like it hadn’t for at least seven years. Friday’s blizzard was, as the song says, “just like the ones we used to know,” leaving a fresh blanket of snow on the ground and the road ditches littered with upturned vehicles.

But when we can make it, we have had fun in the snow, oh boy.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren put on their Christmas program to a packed house at the Elm Springs Hall Monday evening. The program featured the public debut of the Elm Springs school band, which made admirable attempts at “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” This years program also featured a play titled “Shaping Up Santa,” in which Ben Linn played a grossly overweight Santa who is being coaxed into losing weight by his family, employees and fitness zealot Betty Body, played by Carlee Johnston.

And the Elm Springs Church Christmas program was Sunday night at the Elm Springs Church, which was also packed. The Elm Springs school band performed again at this function, but as some of them were dressed for their roles in the Nativity play which followed, the band consisted of, from left to right, Joseph the husband of Mary on the trombone, Mattee Pauley on the trumpet, an angel on the clarinet, Carlee Johnston on a trumpet, the innkeeper at Bethlehem on the drums, and a shepherd on the xylophone.

The WTL club met for their Christmas luncheon at the Lynn and Sandy Fields residence Wednesday. Those in attendance, besides Sandy, were Peggy Gravatt, guest Carolyn Anders, Jean Linn, Shirrise Linn, Caroline Wilsey, RoseMary Trask, Margee Willey, Linda Tift and Dorothy Anderson. At the luncheon, they revealed their “Secret Santa” identities to each other.

After the Philip Livestock sale on Tuesday, Marvin and Carolyn Anders met friends for supper in Philip. On Wednesday, Marvin and Carolyn went to Sturgis in a borrowed pickup, which they traded for their own, which had undergone repairs.

Clyde Arneson accompanied Danny and Bobbi Arneson of Red Owl to Sturgis on business Thursday.

Lonnie Arneson and Teri Ramsdell met the Ryan Elsheres, the JJ Elsheres, the Travis Arnsons, and the Bill Eastmans at the Marcia Arneson residence in Rapid City Sunday for a Christmas celebration.

Clyde was a visitor at the Lawrence Burke residence both Tuesday and Friday. Lawrence Burke accompanied Russell Burmeister to the Jack Tines residence on Tuesday afternoon.

Larry Gravatt brought Jack out to Elm Springs Tuesday, and Cherry Denke arrived Tuesday afternoon to visit. Friday’s blizzard interrupted the Gravatt plans, so they went to Rapid City Saturday to see Mike, Amber, Abigail and baby Grant Miller, who they got to meet for the first time. The Gravatts and the Millers had supper Saturday night at the Brett and Coral Erickson residence. They were unable to bid Brad Bookbinder farewell, as he left Rapid City on Friday to spend the holidays in Orlando, FL.

Kellie and Emily Linn attended the Lori Line Christmas Spectacular at the Civic Center in Rapid City Friday evening.

John and Jean Linn went to Rapid City Friday to pick up Laura and Katie Wilsey, who they brought to Elm Springs with them. Brett and Charlotte Wilsey arrived at the “Big House” Sunday evening..

Clint Hammerstom and Cory Levine visited the Morris Linn residence Tuesday. Bunny Bail and the girls visited Thursday to frost Christmas cookies, and Jon Madsen of New Underwood visited in the afternoon. Morris Linn went to Rapid City Friday, where he ended up staying all night at the Gene Pluth residence while back at home, Sandy Van Vleck arrived to stay all night. On Saturday, the Morris Linns went to the Sanden and Elaine Simons residence in Wall to celebrate what could be called a “Simons Christmas.”

Andrew and David Smith both arrived home Saturday to spend Christmas at the Jim Smith residence.

Matt Trask visited the Cary Tines residence Monday evening.

Matt Trask visited Al and Bridget’s Castle Friday night, because they left Saturday for Sioux Falls to board a plane bound for Columbus, OH, where they will spend a week and a half.

Sentences that start with “Matt Trask” are getting pretty redundant, but there’s more. Clay Tines visited the Matt Trask residence Monday evening. On Wednesday, Matt visited the Larry and Faye Volmer residence, where he conducted some business before devouring a tub of Christmas goodies and received a second-hand stove. Finally, someone is hinting at the boy that perhaps he could do his own cooking. But on Thursday, Matt embarked on a Santa Claus mission to Wall and Quinn, with stops at the Tracy Trask residence, the Mike Heathershaw residence, and the “Big Green Trask House.” Of course, “Santa Claus” arrived in time for supper at the Mike Heathershaw residence, and goodies at the “Big Green Trask House.” And Saturday night, Matt attended his ten year class reunion at St. Thomas More in Rapid City, where he spent the evening near the food reflecting occasionally on just how little he has accomplished in ten and a half years. At the conclusion of the reunion, Matt accompanied a gradually dwindling bunch to the Coco Palace (it’s a Chinese restaurant) and then to Minerva’s Bar. Baxter Anders visited the Matt Trask residence Sunday evening.

John Paul Trask arrived home from Winona, MN Tuesday night, in time to join a handful of “Upland Trasks” at the girls basketball game in Wall. Morris and Andy Linn were dinner guests at the “Upland Trask” residence Wednesday. Pat, RoseMary and John Paul Trask attended a mass and seminarians dinner at the Bishop’s residence in Rapid City Thursday evening, while Nick and Steph Trask attended Joe’s wrestling meet in Philip. RoseMary and John Paul went to Rapid City Friday, where John Paul had his wisdom teeth removed. Most of the “Upland Trasks” were supper guests at the David and Kandy Kalil residence in Rapid City Saturday night. On Sunday, RoseMary, Austin and Gemma went to Wall to help the youth group decorate St. Patricks Church for Christmas, while Steph and Julie went on a Santa Claus mission of their own, also to Wall.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” attended the Philip High School band Christmas concert Monday evening to watch Tomilyn play. On Tuesday, they attended the Philip Lady Scotties basketball game in Kadoka, again to watch Tomilyn play. And on Thursday, they attended the Philip wrestling quadrangular against Lyman County, Wall, and Hill City, in which Mark and Mick wrestled. Philip won the quadrangular.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey went to Rapid City Thursday to finish their Christmas shopping.

Kenny and Janet Wilson attended the Wall High School Christmas concert, also on Monday, to watch Kelli play.

Philip and Mary Kay Wilson welcomed Josh, Amy, Mary and Samuel Wolberg, Beth Wilson and Pam Wilson home, all on Saturday

On Sunday, the Philip Wilsons and the Kenny Wilsons were guests at the Bruce Kroetch residence in Philip for a Christmas get together. Tom and Shelia Trask visited the PhilipWilson residence Sunday evening.

The kind citizens hope you have lots of frosted Christmas cookies.