Jumping Jehosephat, the kind citizens had a big time this week! Amid the wind and somewhat cooler weather, no less than five “moves” were conducted involving kind citizens in one way or another. Care must be taken to preserve order in the ESN this week, so that one account does not get mixed up with another.

Bearing that in mind, here we go.

The WTL Club met at the Andy and Kelli Linn residence Monday, to prepare food baskets for the college kids of the community, who are busy with end of the year testing, and for Matt Trask, who is usually busy eating. Ladies in attendance, besides Kelli, included Jean and Shirrise Linn, Dorothy Anderson, Caroline Wilsey, Janet Wilson, Margee Willey, Linda Tift, Sandy Fields, and Lorraine Ven Huizen.

Lawrence and Doris Burke assisted in what could be called the “first move,” helping Melissa Burke move across Rapid City Wednesday. Clyde Arneson was a coffee guest at the Lawrence Burke residence Saturday morning, and Matt Trask was a coffee guest Sunday afternoon.

Lawrence and Doris Burke visited Eula Ferguson at the Good Samaritan home in New Underwood Saturday, which was her 91^st birthday.

Lynn and Sandy Fields got away Thursday to Sturgis, mostly on business, but they did stop to visit Herb and Kathleen Morrell in Sturgis, with whom young Lynn stayed when he was in high school. Mrs. Morrell is recovering quite nicely from a surgery last month.

Wednesday, Dennis Chowen of Sturgis visited at the Andy Linn residence, where he helped Kelli rebuild her brick planter. Friday, Kelli and the kids went to Rapid City for the Josh McDowell Bold Truth Tour presentation. And Sunday, Pat Trask visited at the Andy Linn residence afoot in the morning, and Steph, Julie and Celine came for supper. Celine was left at the Andy Linn residence to spend the night.

Shirrise Linn visited at the “Upland Trask” residence Monday after the WTL Club meeting, to pick up Kassandra, who had ridden home in the Big White Van with the “Upland Trask” children. Matt Trask was a visitor at the Morris Linns Monday night. Tuesday, Morris went to Philip. Shirrise and Kassandra met him for supper in Wall, accompanied by Roger Shull and Larry Schell. Friday, Grandma Margaret was a visitor at the Morris Linns in the morning, before accompanying Shirrise and Kassandra to Rapid City for Kassandra’s seven year pictures and lunch with Grandma Arlene.

Saturday, Morris went to Wall to help with the “second move,” that of Sanden and Elaine Simons, who moved across the street. Morris and Roger Shull went on to Philip to attend an auction, while Sanden and Bummer Simons, and Pat, Nick and Joe Trask converged on everyones favorite town of Wasta to help with the “third move,” that of an antique piano given by Good Neighbor Margee Willey to the Morris Linns. Saturday night visitors at the Morris Linns, in stages, were Sanden and Bummer Simons, Pat, Matt, Nick, Al and Joe Trask, Patrick Wilson, and Clyde and Connie Arneson.

Sunday, Grandma Jean was a visitor at the Morris Linns.

John Tines, Amanda Humphrey, and Kody DeVries were supper guests at the Cary Tines residence Wednesday night. Sunday, Pams brothers Park and Paul Miller, both of Douglas, WY arrived at the Cary Tines residence for an extended stay.

The biggest news at the “Upland Trasks” was the “fourth move,” that of Matt Trask to the former Hal Oberlander residence in downtown Elm Springs on Sunday. The kind citizens were especially gracious to their resident mooch, loaning and donating things for his use. He was assisted in his move by Morris and Kassandra Linn and Coby Tines, along with an understandably eager horde of “Upland Trasks,” who hustled his effects out the door and into waiting vehicles, and seemed to grow more gleeful as his presence diminished.

Matt drove through the whole of Elm Springs, picking up items offered for his use and throwing them on a flatbed trailer, where a gaggle of kids tried their best to keep the pile from falling off onto the road.

Several things should be noted, first that Matts arrival in Elm Springs proper boosted the population “by twelve to fourteen percent,” according to Lawrence Burke, which figure made Matt a little unsure of his existence.

And secondly, the kind citizens of Elm Springs have little cause to rejoice, for Matts new abode has no kitchen, and at the moment, no food either. If anything, the prospects of a Matt-free existence have diminished.

And finally, should you so desire for whatever reason, all are welcome to drink water and stare at the walls with Matt at his new residence. Perhaps he could even get out one of his many guitars and massacre a popular tune for your enjoyment. For directions, ask a kind citizen.

Jim and Caroline Wilsey went to Rapid City and Sturgis Wednesday on business.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson went to Pierre Wednesday to assist with the “fifth move,” that of Melvins mother Rose Anderson, to a new apartment in Pierre. Saturday, Melvin and Dorothy attended a party at the Leon Martin residence south of Hermosa.

The kind citizens of Elm Springs are very tired after all that heavy lifting.