The Almighty saw fit to shower the kind citizens with even more blessings this past week, rain and even some snow. Although the temperatures were at times a little chilly, the kind citizens could not stop smiling. And the wet, cold days provided numerous opportunities to complete those little projects lurking in basements and garages all over the world.

Baxter and Dunbar Anders, accompanied by their mother, attended the homecoming ceremony for the 193^rd Battalion, held in the Cobbler gymnasium in Rapid City Friday.

Clyde Arneson and Andy Linn went to Sturgis Wednesday on business. Sunday Kody DeVries was an afternoon visitor at the Clyde Arneson residence.

Carlee and Carson Johnston had a spectacular birthday party Friday at the Sam Johnston residence, with virtually the entire lower room of the Elm Springs School in attendance. At the party, young Ben Linn, performing antics on his bicycle, suffered a nasty fall which required a trip to the emergency room to treat lacerations of his lower lip and nose. We are reminded once again that children through the ages have to be told that “it’s all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out,” or words to that effect.

The Morris Linns went to Rapid City Monday, where they visited Grandma Arlene Talley , Charlie and Carol Linn, and Kei and Sheryll Oberlander. Monday night Matt Trask was a visitor. Wednesday, John and Jean Linn were coffee guests at the Morris Linns. Thursday, Morris and Kassandra visited Ray Olson and the “Brustol AFB.” Friday Shirrise and Kassandra had supper with Kellie and Emily Linn at Red Lobster in Rapid City. They then attended Katie Wilsey’s tap dance recital. Saturday, Shirrise attended a stamping party at Jodi Shaw’s near Red Owl, while Kassandra stayed with Nana and Papa Simons. And Sunday Cheryl Simons was a visitor at the Morris Linns before accompanying them to Wall to view Sanden and Elaine Simons new house. Matt Trask was once again a visitor Sunday night.

Pam Tines and Dara Wrachford attended a brunch fundraiser for Rhonda Thompson in New Underwood Sunday morning.

Shelia and Tomilyn Trask attended the Philip High School graduation Sunday afternoon.

The ranks of the “Upland Trasks” increased by two with the return of Stephanie and Julie from Chadron, NE. Visitors at the “Upland Trasks” included Morris Linn, several Tines, Sean Troxel, Steve and Nick Hobart, Kade McVeigh, Tim (last name unknown), and Ray Olson. During the week, Pat, Julie and John Paul went to Rapid City, where among the many things they did, Julie had several inches of her hair cut off and donated it to the Locks of Love organization. Friday night, Matt, Nick and Al Trask attended a college graduation party for young Justin Wulf at the John and Darlene Wulf residence. Saturday night, several of the “Upland Trasks” went to Rapid City to have supper with Becky, who was in town with a group of fifth graders from the school where she works. Pat visited at the Big Green Trask House in Wall Sunday afternoon.

Matt Trask was forced to bid farewell to his “subdued” lifestyle, with the Monday night visit of Tom Bruch and Kelly Kolb, both of Sturgis, and EJ Karp of Owanka, the Tuesday morning visit of Morris, Kassandra, and Andy Linn, Nick Trask, and Lawrence Burke, the Thursday night visit of Steph, Julie and Nick Trask, the Sunday visit of Colby and Clay Tines and Sean Troxel, and seven more phone calls during the course of the week. Besides visiting at the Morris Linns twice, Matt also managed to visit the “Brustol AFB” Saturday night and the Tom and Jackie Shull residence Sunday afternoon.

Jim and Carolyn Wilsey went to Rapid City Thursday to see Jims brother Chuck. Bruce Wilsey of Sioux Falls was a weekend guest at the Jim Wilseys to help with the branding.

Young Kelli Wilson celebrated her 14^th birthday a few days early Sunday, with Philip, Mary Kay, and Pam Wilson, Josh, Amy, and Mary Wilson, who arrived Friday and are here for the week, and Shelia and Tomilyn Trask.

Melvin Anderson left early Sunday morning for Pierre, to be with his mother Rose, who suffered a fall and required hospitalization.

The kind citizens of Elm Springs are now listening to the grass grow!