The weather here in Elm Springs has begun to rise to alarming temperatures, while laundry rooms in the community take on the odors of burnt hair and calf scours.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren competed at County Rally Day in Sturgis Tuesday, and did very well indeed.

It was very unfortunate for the kind citizens that the schools of New Underwood and Wall chose to hold their graduation exercises on the same afternoon, with only one half hour’s difference in starting times. The kind citizens, most of whom knew someone who graduated from each, were forced to choose which exercise to attend. Some multiple-person households divided the personnel, so that the household was represented at both. It is hoped that that never happens again.

At any rate, six of Elm Springs’ finest received their diplomas on Saturday. In Wall, Mr. John Paul Trask and Ms. Pam Wilson received theirs, and in New Underwood, Mr. Coby Tines, Mr. Sean Troxel and Ms. Kelsey Arneson received theirs, and in Rapid City, at the First Assembly of God church, Mr. Gary Smith received his from Rapid City Christian. Ms Wilson, it should be noted, was valedictorian of the Wall High School class of 2006. The kind citizens are very proud of all of them.

Clyde Arneson attended the NUHS graduation, where he proudly watched his daughter graduate. A reception was held in her honor at the New Underwood Arneson residence.

The Ryan Elshere’s attended the NUHS graduation as well, before traveling to Miles City MT where Ryan competed in a matched bronc ride.

Sandy Fields attended the USD Nursing Department graduation ceremony at Mt. Rushmore on Saturday, where Jason Fields girlfriend, Ms. Karlen Davis, graduated.

Jack Gravatt moved to Rapid City on Monday. He would appreciate cards and letters. His address is: Jack Gravatt, 931 Fox Run Dr. Box 106 Rapid City SD.

Larry and Pegge Gravatt went to Rapid City Saturday, where they watched Steele Fuegen’s last soccer game of the season before going out to eat and visiting Jack.

Cary Johnston attended nephew Clint Kling’s graduation in Belle Fourche on Saturday.

The Andy Linns attended the New Underwood graduation and receptions for Kelsey Arneson and Travis Printz.

John and Jean Linn attended the NUHS graduation Saturday.

Jack Simons was a supper guest at the Morris Linns Wednesday night. Matt Trask was a coffee visitor Thursday morning. On Saturday, Shirrise and Kassandra attended the Wall graduation, while Morris attended the New Underwood graduation. On Sunday, Grandma Arlene Talley, Dayton Shannon, and the “Simons Crew” all descended on the Morris Linn residence to visit Amber Brookman of Wichita, KS.

Taryn George, Shelly Effertz, Cindy Carter, and Cathy Erickson, all of Jamestown ND were all weekend guests at the Bud Pauley residence.

The Jim Smiths attended the Wall graduation on Saturday, and the Rapid City Christian graduation on Sunday.

The “Elk Creek Trasks” are missing two, Tom and Mick, who are in the Yukon Territory on a hunting and fishing trip. Shelia, Mark and Tomilyn attended the Wall graduation on Saturday, and although he was not present to receive it, Mark Trask was awarded an Outstanding Sophomore award from the Governor’s Office Saturday.

The lovely Ms. Bridget Madrid spent the entire week at the “Upland Trask” residence, which made Mr. Al Trask very happy indeed. At all times of the day and night during the week, spare “Upland Trasks” spent their time filling envelopes with wedding invitations. Pat, RoseMary, John Paul and Joe Trask all attended the Athletic Banquet in Wall Friday night. John Paul then spent the night at the Jem Kjerstad residence. Most of the “Upland Trasks,” Ray Olsen, and visiting cousin Steve Bucher went to Wall to watch “little paul-pauley,” as his mother used to call him, graduate. John Paul’s reception was held in the Wall Community Center, and afterwards, various “Upland Trasks” went here and there to other receptions.

Matt Trask visited the Andy Linn residence Thursday evening for Ben’s guitar lesson. On Saturday, the often forgetful John Paul, already in Wall, realized that his cap and gown were still in Elm Springs, so Matt was commissioned to go to Wall early so that John Paul would get his cap and gown in a timely fashion. After the graduation, Matt availed himself of the celebratory goodwill of Wall and the surrounding countryside, even enlisting the aid of his uncle Milton, before going home satisfied that he had done his part to rid the world of cake. On Sunday, Matt attended a Wasta Centennial Committee meeting. It almost goes without saying that Matt made a ridiculous number of stops at the way-cool Dixie Diner.

Pam Tines accompanied Cary on his second fish haul into Canada during the first part of the week. The Tines’ of course attended the New Underwood graduation, where young Coby graduated. On Sunday, the Tines’ and the Wrachfords made strenuous last-minute preparations for Coby Tines’ and Sean Troxel’s graduation reception at the Elm Springs Hall in the afternoon, which was well attended by family and friends and classmates.

Philip and Mary Kay Wilson had a busy week. They attended the Wall Academic Banquet on Tuesday night, Amy and Mary Wolberg arrived from Minneapolis Wednesday, Mary Kay, Amy and Mary attended the Regional Track Meet in Kadoka on Thursday, Josh Wolberg arrived Friday, and they all atteded the Athletic Banquet in Wall Friday night. On Saturday, Beth Wilson of Minneapolis, Darrell and Norma and Monty and Lori Harer, all of Hoven, the family members already mentioned, and Susan Akers, now of Denver, CO, were all on hand to attend the Wall graduation, Pam’s reception at the Community Center, and supper at the Wall Wilson residence. Whew!

Dorothy Anderson attended a computerized sewing class in Rapid City on Monday. Tuesday, she attended the Spearfish High School band concert, where grandson Taylor played trombone. After the concert, Dorothy, Mark and Taylor Anderson ate at Perkins. Thursday, Melvin and Dorothy went to Casper WY to watch grandson Ryan graduate from Casper College. The graduation was preceded by a picnic. On Saturday, Melvin and Dorothy attended the New Underwood graduation and supper afterward at the Fred Karp residence in honor of young Charles Karp’s graduation. And on Sunday, Melvin and Dorothy had dinner with Slim and Darlene McNaught at the way-cool Dixie Diner.

Once again, the Elm Springs Memorial Day program will be at 2 pm Monday, May 29^th at the Elm Springs Church.

The kind citizens are getting very busy.