The past week in Elm Springs was gloriously warm and muddy, until Sunday when it got rather chilly.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren, after undoubtedly breaking at least half of their new toys, trudged back to school on Tuesday.

Several of the kind citizens attended the ice cream social in Wasta on Saturday, to kick off the year-long celebration of Wasta’s centennial.

Rod and Baxter Anders took advantage of the warm weather on Saturday to hook up their team and wagon and take a drive to the O’Rourke residence, where they picked up drinking water and gave the O’Rourke children a ride.

On Monday, Andy Linn accompanied Clyde Arneson to Philip on business. Tuesday, great uncle Clyde drove young Carter Elshere to school, picking him up in the afternoon and entertaining him until his mother came to get him.

Rich Blair of Sturgis was an afternoon visitor at the Lonnie Arneson residence on Sunday.

Skyler Burke and his friend Ryan Timme of Rapid City stayed last Sunday night at the Lawrence Burke residence before going deer hunting with muzzleloading rifles Monday. Lawrence visited Russell Burmeister in Wasta Thursday afternoon, and Lawrence and Doris went to Sturgis Friday on business.

Kody DeVries and Robert Dennis went to Deadwood Friday night. Sunday, Kody took a horse to the horse sale in St. Onge.

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere returned Thursday from Nashville, TN, where along with Sam and Cary Johnston, they had met with Dave Mathison for an enjoyable New Year’s celebration. On Saturday the Elshere’s entertained Jacob Linn before visiting at the Sam Johnston residence in the evening.

Sam and Cary Johnston obviously returned from Nashville on Tuesday and entertained the Elshere’s on Saturday evening. They also entertained Matt Trask Saturday evening. In other Johnston news, young Calder has begun basketball practice with the Wall junior high Eagles.

John and Jean Linn visited Charlotte Wilsey and girls in Rapid City Thursday. The Wilsey’s are eagerly awaiting the return of Brett sometime in February.

Sheryll Oberlander and her kids were visitors to the Morris Linns Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, Shirrise took her mom home to stay, but not before extracting a solemn promise from Cheryl that she would not work too hard. Shirrise then visited Misti and Statler Walker in Union Center. On Wednesday, Shirrise and Kassandra went to Rapid City where they visited Grandma Arlene. Nick Trask was a visitor on Thursday. Andy Linn and Gene Pluth were visitors on Friday, with Gene staying overnight. Matt Trask was a visitor Saturday night. Shirrise hosted a very large stamp party on Sunday near Red Owl, and Matt Trask was once again a visitor Sunday night.

On Tuesday, Bunny Pauley took Mayzee to Rapid City for a doctors appointment. Jesse Bail spent Tuesday night at the Pauley residence. Tucker O’Rourke was a guest at the Pauleys both Thursday and Friday, while his brother Jace was a guest on Friday only. And Jim and Caroline Wilsey were afternoon visitors at the Pauley’s.

Matt Trask and Tracy Kluck were visitors at the Cary Tines residence Wednesday night. Saturday, Cary and Pam attended the funeral of Pam’s cousin Benjamin Eiden near Minneapolis, MN.

The “Upland Trasks” had a fairly busy week. Pat and Nick attended a Farmers Union meeting in Union Center Wednesday night. Pat met with Alan Aker in Rapid City Thursday night. RoseMary took Maria to the clinic in Wall Friday afternoon. Saturday visitors to the “Upland Trasks” were Mr. And Mrs Dean Reeves and a Mrs. O’Leary, all of Eagle Butte, and Drs. Soderstrom and Zimmerman of Rapid City. Pat and RoseMary Trask were visitors to the Andy Linns Sunday morning, Pat on foot and RoseMary in the van.

Morris Linn was the lone visitor at the Matt Trask residence during the week. He stopped Thursday morning for coffee, and left after getting nothing more than boring conversation.

Kenny, Janet, Kelli and Philip Wilson all attended the Wall Eagles boys basketball game Saturday night in Wall.

Kenny and Janet Wilson went to Philip (SD) on Sunday.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson returned from a wedding in Minnesota the first part of the week. Matt Trask was a visitor to the Melvin Anderson residence Thursday night. Saturday night, Melvin and Dorothy attended the fundraiser for Ms. Rodeo South Dakota 2006, the lovely Sorel McKay.

As you can see, this week’s ESN, while taking up a lot of space, is not terribly interesting.

Oh well, the kind citizens wish you another warm and muddy week.