It seems like dear ol’ Santy Claus filled everyone’s stocking with the flu bug this year, because darn near everybody came down with the flu on Wednesday the 26th. At least most of us were healthy enough to celebrate Christmas.

Matt Trask’s Christmastime musical group, which he has jokingly named “Whoever Shows Up,” performed at St. Margarets Christmas Eve mass on Monday. Because the mass was scheduled at the unusual hour of eight o’clock pm, Mary Kay Wilson was unable to attend, and so “Whoever Shows Up” had to expand their repertoire to include four songs, double that of last year. They performed “Away in a Manger” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” instrumentally and invited the congregation to sing “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.” This year, “Whoever Shows Up” included Austin Trask (who learned all of his parts in forty five minutes before mass) on bass guitar, Matt Trask whacking away on rhythm guitar, and the talented Mr. Gary Smith on fiddle.

Marvin and Carolyn Anders joined the Casey Trasks of Creighton and were joined by the Rod Anders at the Jo Strong residence near Union Center on Christmas Day. The Rod Anders arrived at the Strong residence from Terry Peak, where they had spent the morning skiing.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Lawrence Burkes Monday morning, and he left just in time to be replaced by Jim and Caroline Wilsey, who visited and brought goodies. Melissa, Skyler and Shawnee Burke, all of Rapid City, were Christmas dinner guests at the Lawrence Burke residence. And Matt Trask visited, as Doris put it, “Christmas Day night.”

The Ryan Elsheres visited the Paul Elshere residence in Philip Christmas Eve, and spent Christmas Day at the Lonnie Arneson residence. On Thursday, friends from Rapid City visited at the Elshere residence. And Friday, the Ryan Elsheres joined the Elshere family at the Jim Elshere residence near Milesville for another Christmas get together.

Lynn and Sandy Fields had so much news, they submitted it in two emails, one entitled “news” and the other entitled “more news.” Thats a lot of news, partly because some of it happened last week. Rob and Heather Langley and family of Sioux Falls arrived last Saturday for the Christmas weekend. They were joined by Jason Fields, Karlen Davis and Micah and Moshe of Rapid City Sunday night for a Holiday Dinner, as Karlen had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, Lynn and Sandy entertained the Langleys and Leona Fields, and Christmas Day they had seventeen people (they beat the “Upland Trasks!”) including the Langleys, Jason, Micah and Moshe, Leona Fields, Bob, Gala and Wade Parker of Lodgepole, and Chuck and Luverne Larsen. On Wednesday, Lynn and Sandy attended the funeral of Sandy’s uncle Gene Sagan in Rapid City. And Jay and Connie Price visited the Lynn Fields residence Thursday.

Matt Trask visited the Andy Linn residence Friday night for supper and dominoes.

John and Jean Linn hosted the Andy Linns, the Brett Wilseys and the Morris Linns Christmas Eve, and the Andy Linns and Brett Wilseys Christmas Day.

Shirrise Linn and Cheryl Simons went to Rapid City Monday, where they visited Grandma Arlene Talley. Christmas Day, the Morris Linns hosted Jack and Cheryl Simons, Sandy Van Vleck, and Amber Brookman of Rapid City. Clyde Arneson visited the Morris Linn residence Wednesday, JW Wrachford visited Thursday morning and Cary and Pam Tines visited Thursday afternoon. Andy and Ben Linn were helpful visitors Saturday, while Matt Trask visited Saturday and Sunday nights to offer a different kind of help. And Jean Linn visited the Morris Linn residence Sunday afternoon.

Matt Trask also visited the Cary Tines residence “Christmas Day night.” Cary and John Tines were Friday coffee visitors at the “Upland Trask” residence.

Cary, Pam, Clay and John Tines, Amanda Humphrey and Lainee Mae left Saturday for Douglas WY to visit Max and Sarah Miller.

Most of the “Upland Trasks” went to Rapid City Monday to do their Christmas shopping, of course. Matt, Nick, and John Paul visited the Melvin Anderson residence Christmas Eve before supper at the “Upland Trask” residence with Ray Olsen. Christmas Day was pretty routine, an oversize tree trying to shelter a mound of presents, which included a wire feed welder for Pat, and a laptop computer for John Paul. Ray Olsen was a guest again Christmas Day. On Thursday, several of the “Upland Trasks” went to Rapid City again to finish their Christmas shopping. Steph and Julie Trask attended a birthday party for Amanda Humphrey and Dara Wrachford in New Underwood Thursday night. Todd Jacquot of Rapid City visited the “Upland Trask” residence Saturday, and several of the “Upland Trasks” helped Uncle Milton celebrate his birthday in Philip on Sunday.

Matt Trask hosted Steph and Nick Trask and Gary Smith at his house for a recital on Monday. Taylor Trask visited the Matt Trask residence Saturday, and Matt went to the Ruland Arena near Wall Sunday to meet Mark and Bobbi Misar, who were spectating at the roping.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey had Christmas Eve dinner at the Bunny Bail residence. Christmas Day, they hosted Carol Price of Wall and Kenny Wilsey of Rapid City. Jim drove Carol home Wednesday. On Friday, the Kent Wilseys of North Carolina and the Bruce Wilseys of Sioux Falls arrived at the Jim Wilsey residence for a Christmas celebration. The Bruce Wilseys left Sunday.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson boarded a bus on Wednesday, bound for Las Vegas, NV and Pasadena, CA.

Members of the Dakota Trophies hunting organization met at the South Fork Lodge near Philip Sunday for their annual meeting.

The kind citizens wish you a Happy New Year!