Here in Elm Springs, we didn’t get our White Christmas until Thursday, four days afterwards, and it wasn’t so white at that.

But we did have fun, oh boy.

Marvin and Carolyn Anders and Jo Strong and the Rod Anders literally went over the river and through the woods on Christmas Day, but instead of going to Grandmother’s House, they went to Casey and Shirley Trask’s House. By going over the river and through the woods, they saved seventy five miles each way. Rod, Kelly and family were supper guests at the Marvin Anders Thursday night.

Baxter and Dunbar Anders attended a practice roping at the Ruland Arena Wednesday night, and the New Year’s Eve Roping at the Ruland Arena Sunday night.

Lawrence and Doris Burke hosted Melissa, Shannon, Skyler and Shawnee Burke Christmas Day, Shannon and Skyler Burke and Clyde Arneson Tuesday, and Melissa and Stacey Ritter Wednesday. “They plumb cleaned us out of turkey,” Lawrence said.

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere and family visited Marcia Arneson in Rapid City Christmas afternoon. Ryan, Chrissy and Camry accompanied JJ, Lindsay and Talon to Gilette, WY, Sunday for the New Year’s Eve Bucking Ball, in which the Elshere brothers competed.

Lynn and Sandy Fields had marvelous Christmas in their new house, with daughter Heather and Rob Langley and kids, son Jason, his girlfriend Karlin Davis, and her kids.

And Larry and Peggy Gravatt had an equally fabulous Christmas, although they had to use the same house they had last year. It was filled to capacity, with the Jerry Gravatts, the Barry Gravatts, the Byron and Cherry Denke’s, Jack Gravatt, Brad Bookbinder, and Stefano. Brad and Stefano left Wednesday. Larry and Peggy went to Rapid City New Year’s Eve, and Peggy stayed with Madi and Steele Fuegen.

The Sam Johnston’s spent Christmas Day with Norma Pellegrin in New Underwood before going to visit Kim Kling and family in Belle Fourche for Christmas Evening. They spent New Year’s Eve at the “Big Green Trask House” in Wall.

The Andy Linn’s were detained in Pueblo, CO by the winter storm which passed through Wyoming and Nebraska. It actually wasn’t too bad in Pueblo, where Andy went golfing at least twice. Anyway, they had a very Merry Christmas with the extended Ross family and returned to Elm Springs Sunday night.

John and Jean Linn hosted Charlie and Carol Linn and Charlotte Wilsey and girls on Christmas Day and Charlotte and girls again over the New Year’s weekend.

The Morris Linns joined Jack and Cheryl Simons at the Scott Simons residence on Christmas Day. Tuesday, Kassandra visited the “Big House” in the afternoon, while Charlotte Wilsey visited at the Morris Linn residence. Shirrise, Kassandra and Cheryl Simons went to Rapid City for appointments. Amber Brookman of Kansas was an overnight guest at the Morris Linns Wednesday night. Shirrise attended a stamp party at Dana Keffler’s near Red Owl Friday. Jack, Scott and Jared Simons were both dinner and supper guests at the Morris Linns Saturday, while Clyde Arneson and Nick Trask were only supper guests.

The Bud Pauleys had Christmas dinner at the Jay and Connie Price residence before going to Rapid City to view lights and take a stroll through Storybook Island. On the way home, they stopped at the John and Darlene Wulf residence. Darlene and Alisa Machado returned the favor Tuesday, before the Pauleys left for supper at the Rev. Harold and Karen Delbridge residence near Red Owl. And now you really have to pay attention or you will get lost. Thursday was Jesse Bail’s birthday, and the Pauleys traveled to Bowman, ND, where Jesse was teaching a bronc-riding class. Bud helped with the class, while Bunny and the girls visited Grandma Vigoren. Papa Rex Burghduff, also in Bowman, took Mayzee home with him, while the rest of the Pauley’s traveled to Porcupine, ND (yes, North Dakota) to visit Cody and Tracy Maher. They left the Maher’s Friday for Mclaughlin, where they visited Layton and Sarah Redmond, and where they left Mattee before briefly visiting Shawn Hinz. The three Pauley’s who were left returned to Elm Springs. Bud left on business Saturday, and Bunny and Emily celebrated New Year’s Eve by going to the Wilsey’s to feed their dog.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” celebrated Christmas at the Todd Trask residence. Saturday, they attended Milton Trask’s birthday party at the Red Rock in Wall. And Sunday they hosted the Kenny Wilson’s for New Year’s Eve.

The “Upland Trasks” were short Sr. Magdalena and John Paul, but they had Bridget Trask and Ray Olson, so they had the same number of people. They gathered under an enormous tree to delve into a mountain of presents. Pat and RoseMary got “Grandpa” and “Grandma” coffee cups from Al and Bridget, and Bridget, much to her surprise, got a lever action .410 shotgun from Matt, who had drawn her name in the family drawing. John Paul came from Wyoming on Tuesday, and stayed until Thursday. On Saturday, Pat and Matt attended Milton’s birthday party in Wall. While Pat stayed to visit, Matt went to the Laura Jean Gunn residence in Wasta, where he replaced Terry Gunn at Laura Jean’s cribbage board. Matt lost the cribbage game just as Terry had, but he got apple pie so he didn’t even notice. He also visited the Justin Wulf residence briefly before attending church at Lakeside.

Shane Green of Wasta and Ben Anderson of Wall visited the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday afternoon to get in trouble with Joe and Austin. Pat, Nick, Julie, Joe and Austin went to Rapid City Sunday night where they met Al and Bridget Trask and Patrick Wilson at Mass before going out to eat. From there, Nick and Julie went to Deadwood, while Al, Bridget and Patrick attended a New Year’s Eve party at the Paul Jr. and Taryn Yantes residence. Meanwhile, back in Elm Springs, RoseMary and the Three Little Girls brought their blankets and popcorn to the Matt Trask residence to watch movies on his laptop computer. They had a great time spilling popcorn on the floor, most of which Matt ate.

“Oh, just say I had a houseful for Christmas,” said Janet Wilson. OK, she had a houseful for Christmas. The Kenny Wilsons went to the Tucky Tift residence Friday to celebrate Katie Tifts first birthday. Katie is the daughter of Kale Tift, now of Texas, who was home with his family for the holidays. Eudell and Marilyn Larsen and boys were visitors at the Kenny Wilson residence Sunday afternoon.

Philip, Mary Kay, and Pam Wilson left Wednesday for Sioux Falls, where they met with family to travel to Toronto, Canada, for the New Year’s Eve wedding of a cousin.

Sean Troxel got to spend Christmas at the “Brustol AFB” before heading back to Gilette, WY. Rancie Pattison of Oral arrived at the “Brustol AFB” to spend a few days with the Wrachfords. He left Sunday.

The kind citizens wish you a Happy New Year, and they would like you to wish them a Wet New Year.