The kind citizens of Elm Springs were enchanted Wednesday night and all day Thursday by a soothing, steady rain, which worked magically to wash away the worries, at least for a day. Elm Springs received over an inch of moisture, which was less than that received in some other places, but the kind citizens are in no mood to begrudge anyone.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren participated in the Meade 46-1 Spelling Bee in Union Center Monday. Perhaps inspired by Matt Trask, who in addition to his prowess with a knife and fork, is also a noted speller, they did very well indeed.

Several of the kind citizens attended the Cammack Ranch Supply Open House in Union Center Thursday and Friday.

Matt Trask was a visitor at the Melvin and Dorothy Anderson residence Wednesday afternoon, where he correctly spelled “cookie” and “waffle,” and for his troubles received several of each.

Carolyn Anders returned home Sunday from her trip to Branson, MO with Ken and Belva Riley and Twila Trask, as reported in last week’s ESN. This group visited Biloxi, MS as well as Branson.

Lawrence and Doris Burke helped daughter Melissa move across Rapid City Wednesday.

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere and the rest of the Rodeo Kids went to the rodeo at the Seven Downs Arena near Spearfish Saturday night. The Rodeo Kids did very well.

Chrissy Elshere has been busy of late, making preparations for her move into Dimensions hair salon in Rapid City, with former kind citizen Mandy Wilson. The two will be open for business May 10^th.

Kellie Linn attended a supper and speaker function at the Union Center Church Thursday night. On Saturday she attended a nutrition seminar in Rapid City.

The Morris Linns had more fun with Simons’s over the week, with Bummer once again visiting on Monday. Shirrise and Kassandra went to Rapid City to welcome Grandma Arlene home from Arizona. They had lunch with Misti and Statler Walker. Matt Trask was a visitor Monday, probably not to help with spelling. On Wednesday Clyde was a supper guest. Clyde was a dinner guest Thursday as well, and the Sam Johnstons and Ryan Elsheres were supper guests. On Friday, dear Uncle Jim Linn visited the Morris Linns to ready Kassandra’s bicycle for summer adventures.

And on Saturday, what had originally been a small celebration of young Kassandra’s seventh birthday quickly exploded into a full scale extravaganza. The guest list included Ashlyn and Jared Simons, Carter Elshere, Savana Johnston, Andy Linn and children, John, Jean and Jim Linn, Sheryll and Alyssa Oberlander, Misti and Statler Walker, and the Brett Wilseys. The day began at the Morris Linn residence and moved to the Community Center in Union Center for roller skating. Sheryll and Alyssa Oberlander were supper guests at the Morris Linns. Sunday, Ashlyn and Jared visited in the afternoon, and Bummer and Scott Simons were supper guests at the Morris Linns.

Maxine Smith returned home Thursday from her trip to Washington DC, where she accompanied daughter Leslie Brown to the Rural Water Ralley. Maxine enjoyed the sights in DC, and got to see the golden berite from the Smith Ranch, on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The biggest news of the week at the “Upland Trasks” was RoseMary’s trip to Riverton, WY, accompanied by Maria and Celine. They left for Riverton after the Special Olympics in Sturgis, in which Maria did well. In Riverton they visited Becky, returning her car, visited the grave of Sacagewea, and went for a ride in a hot air balloon, returning Sunday. Matt Trask and a cow visited the Bruch ranch near Stoneville Monday. Pat and Matt attended a Meade County Farm Bureau meeting at the Ken and Anita Lee residence in Hereford Saturday night. It should be noted that Jim Smith attended this same meeting. Visitors included Mike Finnegan of Rapid City, several Tines, Sean Troxel, and several others.

Cary and Pam Tines hosted John Tines and Amanda Humphrey one night for supper, and Clyde Arneson several mornings for coffee. Sunday night, Cary and Pam celebrated their wedding anniversary with supper at Red Lobster in Rapid City.

Les Larsen and Bob Kelly, both of Rapid City, were visitors at the Jim and Caroline Wilsey residence Monday and Sunday.

Mary Kay Wilson left Sunday for Sioux Falls, where she accompanied the Wall FCCLA girls to the State FCCLA convention.

Matt Trask was a visitor at the “Brustol AFB” Friday afternoon.

The Elm Springs Church schedule for the month of May is as follows: services will be held on the 1^st, the 15^th, and the 22^nd, at 2 pm and the Memorial Day Program is the 30^th of May, also at 2.

There has never been a preview of next weeks news in the ESN, but it should be noted that the kind citizens have made plans to move everything they can lift, and maybe some things they can’t, next week. It promises to be an exciting week in and around Elm Springs, and you can catch all the hernia-popping action right here in the ESN.

The kind citizens would like to remind themselves to bend at the knees when lifting heavy objects.