The first full week of 2008 turned out to be balmy and beautiful, which was nice.

The Elm Springs People Who Play Cards met at the Andy and Kellie Linn residence Wednesday, where they were greeted by Ben and Jacob Linn, who with their Christmas flashlights, served as traffic directors. When everyone was satisfactorily parked, they had a rousing court whist tournament. Myrna Smith got the high score for January and Lawrence Burke got the booby prize.

And several of the kind citizens attended the Wall Ag Appreciation banquet in Wall on Friday night, where they were entertained by humorist Wanda Blair and the Twin River Band.

The Rural Basketball Team, for lack of a better name, played the Wall Eagles junior high basketball team in one and a half close-fought games Saturday in Union Center.

Carolyn Anders spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Sturgis on business. On Sunday, Glen and Loy Hamm of Wall visited the Marvin Anders residence.

Chase Arneson spent several days this week in Elm Springs helping Clyde. On Thursday, Morris and Andy Linn and Matt Trask accompanied Clyde and Chase to the Hugh Ingalls residence near Faith.

Lawrence Burke visited the Russell Burmeister residence in Wasta on Tuesday.

Lynn and Sandy Fields went to Sturgis on business Thursday, and found the time on the way back to visit Don and Opal Grubl. On Saturday they attended the Lage Construction Customer Appreciation party at Canyon Lake Resort in Rapid City.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee visitor at the Larry Gravatt residence Tuesday morning. Larry and Peggy went to Rapid City on business Wednesday. On Saturday Brad Bookbinder brought Jack Gravatt out from Rapid City, and the two spent most of the day.

The Sam Johnstons spent the weekend attending basketball games. Friday and Saturday night, the Wall Eagles played in the West River Tournament, Friday night in Wall and Saturday night in Rapid City. The Wall Eagles made it to the championship round, but lost to Newell. In between those, the Johnstons went to Union Center to watch the Rural Basketball team playing against the Wall Eagles. Don’t worry, even the Johnstons are a little confused.

John and Jean Linn accompanied the Andy Linns to the basketball game in Union Center Saturday, and afterwards visited the Andy Linn residence for supper. Maxine and Myrna Smith visited the Andy Linn residence Sunday evening.

Morris Linn went to Wall Monday, where he had lunch with Roger Shull. Grandma Arlene Talley and Dayton Shannon visited the Morris Linn residence Monday evening. Kassandra visited the Bunny Bail residence Tuesday afternoon. Thursday morning, the group that went to Hugh Ingalls, plus Grandma Jean, met at the Morris Linn residence. Bunny and Jesse Bail visited the Morris Linn residence in the middle of the day, and Matt and Nick Trask were supper guests Thursday night. The Morris Linns attended the Wall Eagles basketball game Friday night in Wall. Morris attended a meeting in New Underwood on Saturday, and Matt, Nick, Steph and Julie Trask visited the Morris Linn residence Sunday evening. Kassandra spent Sunday afternoon at the Bunny Bail residence.

Jim and Myrna Smith had supper with Bill and Rene Kluck of Mud Butte in Alzada, MT Thursday evening.

Matt Trask visited the Cary Tines residence Monday evening, but determined rather hastily that the Tines’ were not home and left. The Tines’ are so unbelievably gracious that they called him and informed him that they were home, whereupon he returned and ate supper. On Sunday night, JW and Dara Wrachford, John Tines, Amanda Humphrey and Lainee Mae were supper guests at the Cary Tines residence.

Little Pat was ill most of the week, which kept Al and Bridget close to the Castle. On Thursday, the Al Trasks went to Rapid City, where they visited the Paul Yantes Jr. residence and met infant Maximillian Robert Yantes who was born on Christmas Day in the morning, as in immediately following Midnight Mass. One would think that such a baby would be named Nicholas Mistletoe or something. The Al Trasks also visited the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday afternoon where among other things they opened their Christmas presents.

John Paul Trask left for Winona MN on Monday. Pat, Austin and Gemma went to Rapid City Tuesday to keep appointments, and Kelly Yantes of Rapid City arrived at the “Upland Trask” residence for a three day stay Tuesday afternoon. Ray Olsen was a supper guest at the “Upland Trask” residence Friday night. Tyler Wilson, Heather Sessions and Saber and Tracy visited the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday afternoon.

Matt Trask went to Wall and Wasta on business Friday afternoon, throwing in a stop at the Big Green Trask House for good measure and cookies. On Saturday, Matt was a very early morning coffee visitor at the Bummer Simons residence before accompanying Brian Scott of Hereford to Ft. Pierre for a meeting. Along the way, they picked up Trudy Flesner at The Ridge and Zay Norman at Hayes.

Tyler Wilson and family of Newcastle WY arrived at the Kenny Wilson residence on Friday to spend the weekend.

Pam Wilson left the Philip Wilson residence Saturday morning for Brookings. Shirley Kitterman visited the Philip Wilson residence Saturday. And Sunday, Philip and Mary Kay went to Rapid City to have lunch with Patrick.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson returned Monday night from their bus trip to California. On Thursday, the Anderson’s Make-A-Wish child Christina Nible and family of Buffalo visited. And Mavis Madison and her nephew Travis visited the Anderson residence on Saturday.

The kind citizens hope you have a wonderful week.