Toward the end of the week, the weather turned gorgeous in Elm Springs, which helped to melt the treacherous sheets of ice in everyone’s driveways.

The kind citizens had a lot of fun ringing in the New Year, and managed to have a little fun during the first few days of it as well, although most of the children had to return to school.

Marvin and Carolyn Anders hosted the Casey Trasks on New Year’s Day. Marvin and Baxter Anders went to Sturgis on business Saturday.

The Rod Anders attended a New Year’s Eve party at the Grady and Casey Matt residence in Hay Draw, which also served as the christening of the Matt’s new shop, which is very nice. It may as well be noted here that the Matts were brave enough to invite Matt Trask, who attended and stayed overnight. The Al Trasks were Thursday supper guests at the Rod Anders residence.

Lonnie Arneson hosted the Ryan Elshere’s for brunch Sunday morning.

When questioned for news, Doris Burke said that she was “comin’ up with a whole lotta nothin.”

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere accompanied JJ and Lindsay Elshere to the Buckin’ Ball in Gilette, WY on New Year’s Eve. The Ryan Elsheres spent New Year’s Day at the Marcia Arneson residence in Rapid City. Clyde Arneson was a supper guest Saturday night, and Clyde and Lonnie Arneson and Teri Ramsdell visited Sunday afternoon for a game of Skipbo.

The Sam Johnstons returned to Elm Springs New Year’s Day, after their extended holiday trip east. They toured Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania and visited Colonial Williamsburg, VA on New Year’s Eve. On Thursday, they attended a Wall Eagle’s basketball game in Murdo, and Ben and Emily Linn visited the Sam Johnston residence Saturday.

Clyde and Kelsea Arneson visited the Andy Linn residence New Year’s Eve. Jacob Linn spent Saturday at the Ryan Elshere residence. Clyde Arneson was again a supper guest at the Andy Linns Sunday night.

On New Year’s Day, Grandma Jean Linn, the Morris Linns, the Andy Linns, and Laura and Katie Wilsey went bowling at Meadowood Lanes in Rapid City. John and Jean Linn spent the rest of the day at the Don and Betty Erickson residence in Rapid City.

The Morris Linns went to Wall New Year’s Eve to visit Sandy Van Vleck and Sanden and Elaine Simons. After bowling on New Year’s Day, they went to a movie and visited the Bud Ireland residence. Matt Trask was a supper guest at the Morris Linns Wednesday night. Shirrise visited the Jack Simons residence near Enning on Thursday. Shirrise and Cheryl Simons went to Rapid City Friday where they had lunch with Grandma Arlene Talley and Dayton Shannon. Cheryl spent Friday night at the Morris Linn residence. On Sunday, Melissa Byrne of Viewfield accompanied Shirrise to a stamp party at Red Owl. And Matt Trask showed up once again Sunday night. where he mostly watched the Morris Linns undecorate their Christmas tree.

The Jim Smiths visited Hazel Stadel in Isabel on Saturday.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Cary Tines residence Saturday morning, and Lainee Mae spent Saturday night.

The Al Trasks returned to Elm Springs on Wednesday, having spent the holidays in Columbus, OH. John Paul Trask was a supper guest at the Al Trask residence Friday night, and Matt Trask visited Sunday.

Most of the “Upland Trasks,” accompanied by Ray Olsen, went to Rapid City New Year’s Eve. From there, Nick, Steph and Julie went to several locations, ending up in Sturgis. The “Upland Trasks” hosted on New Year’s Day, in no particular order, Ray Olsen, George and Sandy Deering of Ft. Collins, CO, Danny and Bobbi Arneson of Red Owl, Larry Schell of Wasta, Marvin Anders and Casey and Chance Trask from across the river, and Trent, Betsy and Jace Shearer and ReAnn Zancanella, also mostly from across the river. Dr. Jim McConaghy and Heather Stoner were Saturday dinner guests at the “Upland Trask” residence. RoseMary and Maria Trask attended the Wall Lady Eagles basketball game Saturday night, while Nick, Steph and Julie visited the Brady and Lane O’Rourke residence near Quinn. Fr. Leo Hausmann and Bart Williamson were Sunday dinner guests at the “Upland Trasks,” after which Pat and RoseMary left for Faith to attend a surprise 35th wedding anniversary party for Barry and Cheryl Vig. Ty and John Tines visited the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday night.

Matt Trask visited the Tracy Trask residence in Wall New Year’s Day to meet with Taylor before he left for Nashville, TN. Matt went to Rapid City and Sturgis on business Wednesday. And Saturday night Matt Trask, wearing one of his two brand new Star of the West hats and accompanied by the lovely Ms. Cassidy Rieb of Rapid City, attended the coronation of Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2008 Tara Trask at the Steakhouse in Philip. Matt’s Hubba’s House website is an official sponsor of Ms. Trask.

And yes you read that right. Matt Trask, in conjunction with Trask Entertainment, has taken his pot-licking, shady-spot-finding ways to the world wide web with the introduction of his website, www.hubbashouse.com. Parents are encouraged to limit the amount of time their children spend on this website so that they develop good work habits.

The Philip Wilsons hosted the Kenny Wilsons and Darlene Wulf on New Year’s Day.

Kenny and Janet Wilson went to gymnastics meets in Chamberlain and Ft. Pierre over the weekend, and hosted Katherine and Linda Tifft and the Philip Wilsons on Sunday.

The kind citizens hope you have the happiest of new years.