The kind citizens were reminded this week what the weather can be like in April in western South Dakota. The wind blew fiercely, upsetting hayracks, bending and breaking things, and causing general mayhem. The temperatures dropped, so that the poor kind citizens, some of whom never learn, had to scurry around and retrieve their jackets which had been put away “for the season.” It should be clearly noted that the kind citizens are grateful for the additional inch of moisture they received, but it came in rather uncomfortable form.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren had a rather interesting week. The lower grades took a field trip to Sturgis on Tuesday, with stops at the Civic Center and the new Library. Wednesday and Thursday they had no school due to weather cancellations. And Friday they had a half-day to make time for the Civic Oration Contest, with children from several schools. Paige Neiderwerder got 3^rd place, Elm Springs’ Mary Berry got 2^nd, and Elm Springs’ Kelli Wilson got 1^st.

Marvin and Carolyn Anders entertained friends from Kalamazoo, MI over the weekend.

Clyde Arneson and Andy Linn attended the Cammack Ranch Supply open house on Thursday, and Clyde Arneson and Morris Linn attended the same on Friday. On Saturday, after brother Danny’s branding, Clyde went to Rapid City on business.

And Lonnie Arneson visited the “Upland Trasks” Sunday afternoon.

Clyde Arneson was a coffee guest at the Lawrence Burke residence Tuesday morning. On Sunday, Lawrence attended the Coin and Stamp Show at the Ramkota in Rapid City while Doris went shopping, also in Rapid City.

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere hosted Matt Trask and his guitar Thursday evening and Jacob Linn Sunday afternoon.

Orange Johnson and son of Rapid City were guests at the Sam Johnston residence to help finish planting trees Saturday. And Emily Linn stayed Saturday night at the Sam Johnston residence.

Tucker O’Rourke was an overnight guest at the Andy Linn residence Friday night.

John and Jean Linn had supper Friday with Charlotte Wilsey and girls before attending Don and Betty Erickson’s 55^th wedding anniversary, all in Rapid City.

Shirrise Linn and Cheryl Simons returned to ElmSprings from Rochester MN Tuesday. Jack Simons was a dinner guest at the Morris Linns Thursday. Friday Shirrise and Kassandra went to Rapid City. Alyssa Oberlander returned to Elm Springs with them and stayed overnight. Saturday, young Kassandra presided over a party for her eighth birthday, which several relatives and most of the small girls of Elm Springs attended, and which included dinner, birthday cake and bicycle riding at the Morris Linn residence and roller skating in Union Center. Jim, Jen and Cameron Magee of Glenrock WY were overnight guests at the Morris Linn residence Saturday night. And Matt Trask was a visitor Sunday night.

The Brady O’Rourkes hosted Jim and Trish Eisenbraun and George and Christi Micheal on Sunday.

The Bud Pauley’s lost power for a day or two during the inclement weather. Wednesday morning, very kind citizens Jim and Caroline Wilsey visited, bringing coffee. Sunday, the Pauley’s visited the Kenny Wilson residence, where they got trees and a “real good dinner.”

Matt Trask was a guest several days this week at the Cary Tines residence. Young Coby Tines spent the weekend in Aberdeen, where he attended the AHS Prom with girlfriend Erica. John Tines and Amanda Humphrey were supper guests at the Cary Tines residence Sunday night.

Mark and Mick Trask were sold in the Phillip High School FFA auction Tuesday, and left with the PHS FFA group to attended the FFA Convention in Brookings over the weekend.

The “Upland Trasks” had a big one. Al Trask left Thursday on a business trip to Iowa and North Dakota, returning Sunday. Friday, Steph went to Rapid City to help with an ag show, Julie and John Paul went to Spearfish to get a milk cow, Pat and Joe went to Philip to get a truck, and the rest of the “Upland Trasks” met the above named ones at the Pirates Table Restaurant, where in the additional company of John Geartner of Rock Springs WY and Holly and Cameron Sukup of Chadron NE they celebrated Stephanie’s birthday. After eating, Matt, Nick, Steph, Julie, Holly and John went out on the town. John stayed over night at the Matt Trask residence, while Holly and Cameron spent the weekend at the “Upland Trasks.” During the course of the evening, the “Upland Trasks” encountered family friend Pat Paur, who they hadn’t seen in years, and later, the kids encountered several Volmers, a distant cousin they had never met, and a classmate of Matt’s. Between the fourteen of them, those “Upland Trasks” know just about everybody.

Matt Trask hosted Andy and Ben Linn Thursday evening, Wade and Ward Wulf and Kevin Tift and several guitars Saturday night, and attended the Wasta Centennial meeting Sunday afternoon, with a stop at the way-cool Dixie Diner.

Jim Wilsey’s college buddies Bob Kelly and Les Larsen of Rapid City visited the Jim and Caroline Wilsey residence Friday. Saturday Jim and Caroline went to Rapid City where they visited Sammy Wilsey and Gale and Cliff Keiser.

In addition to the Pauleys, Kenny Wilson hosted Justin Tschetter and Mandy Wilson Sunday afternoon, and Jim Smith Sunday night, who left a pie while Matt Trask cried foul.

On Saturday, Philip and Mary Kay Wilson and Kenny, Janet and Kelli went to Kadoka to watch Pam compete in the track meet. That night they all met at the Wall Wilson residence to celebrate Pam’s eighteenth birthday. The Wilsons arranged this trip so that all of them spent at least part of the day on one of the two Wilson Bros. Motorcycles.

And a doughhead, dearest Shirley, is someone who asks what day Easter services will be held.

The kind citizens think maybe their writer is getting a little carried away.