The temperature in Elm Springs has reached alarming highs over the past week, and the wind has blown rather steadily during the daylight hours. The kind citizens of Elm Springs are enjoying the beautiful sunshiny days, even while applying sunscreen with one hand and holding their hats with the other.

As this is the turkey season, Elm Springs has been beset with camouflage-garbed, shotgun-wielding outdoorsmen and women.

The talented schoolchildren of Elm Springs particpated in the Civic Oration Contest at the Alkali School Friday. Kelli Wilson placed 2^nd, Calder Johnston placed 3^rd, and all of the children did a wonderful job.

Several of the kind citizens attended the Catalyst Club’s Good Neighbor Banquet in Rapid City on Friday. This years honorees were Loyd and Margee Willey from everyone’s favorite town of Wasta, Linda Eisenbraun from Wall, and Norma Simon from the somewhat less glamorous but very charming community of Owanka. As this was the 25^th anniversary of the Good Neighbor Banquet, all past honorees were recognized, including kind citizens Jean Linn and the late Winnie Trask. Vocalist for the evening was Terry Trask Karrels.

Carolyn Anders, accompanied by Ken and Belva Riley and Twila Trask, left Friday for Branson Missouri.

Clyde Arneson accompanied the younger Linn brothers to the Baker Bull Sale on Monday and the Trask/Shearer Bull Sale on Wednesday. He hosted Morris Linn and Bummer Simons at his house several days this week, and Nick Trask once. And Sunday, he accompanied Cary and Pam Tines to Wasta, where they were met by Connie Arneson before attending an antique auction in Philip.

Lawrence and Doris Burke went to Rapid City Saturday, where Lawrence participated in a showcase reading of his book, “Hank Sez… Cartoons and Lies” at the Prince and Pauper Bookstore.

Jack Gravatt’s sister Dora Mae Jensen of Wall, and her son Gail of California, visited Gravatt Ranches Sunday.

Big Sam Johnston attended a South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership seminar in Rapid City Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, as part of the seminar, the SDARL crew toured the Sam Johnston ranch.

Saturday, Kelli, Emily and Jacog Linn went to Rapid City to go bowling with the Jolly Ranchers 4-H Club.

And Sunday, the Andy Linns had lunch at Wall Drug before going to the Burt Dartt residence to buy ten little pigs.

Matt Trask was a visitor at the Morris Linns Monday. On Thursday, Grandma Jean accompanied Shirrise and Kassandra to Rapid City for errands. Friday Sandy Van Vleck and Bummer Simons were visitors at the Morris Linns. On Saturday, Shirrise and Kassandra attended a party at the Bummer Simons residence in Enning before visiting at the Jack and Cheryl Simons residence. Bummer, meanwhile, was at the Morris Linn residence, where he spent the night. On Sunday, the inseparable Morris and Bummer, joined by Sanden Simons, quite successfully went fishing, while the inseparable Shirrise and Kassandra, joined by Misti Walker, attended yet another party, this one at the home of Kaye Andrews, before visiting even more Simons, namely Scott and Lynn. The week was ended at the Morris Linn residence in the company of the ubiquitous Bummer and Matt, Nick and Al Trask.

Bunny Pauley stayed with a friend in Custer Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cary Tines hosted Morris Linn and Bummer Simons Saturday night.

Matt, Steph and Julie Trask were visitors at the John Tines residence Saturday night. Sunday, John, Amanda Humphrey, Billie Gene Pippert and Kody Devries all went to Rapid City Grocery shopping.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” had a somber week, with the Fred McDaniels funeral in Philip on Monday, and the Jerry Young funeral in Pierre on Wednesday. Mark Trask left Friday for the FFA Convention in Brookings, and Bob McDaniels was a visitor to the “Elk Creek Trasks” on Sunday.

The “Upland Trasks” hosted representatives from the Flame Engineering Corp. of Lacrosse, KS Thursday and Friday, for a demonstration of their “Alfalfa Flamer” product. The demo, which was attended by Richard Johnston and Dale Keyser of Wall, was originally slated for Thursday, but the merry breezes postponed the event until Friday. Pat took alfalfa seed to eastern South Dakota over the weekend.

Mary Kay and Pam Wilson attended track meets Friday and Saturday, in Rapid City and Belle Fourche, in which Pam participated. Patrick Wilson was out over the weekend.

The kind citizens of Elm Springs advise you to wear a ratty hat, the kind you do not care for, until the wind blows over.