The kind citizens of Elm Springs had so much fun last week that it should have been illegal. There were so many comings and goings that the ESN could become a convoluted mess if we are not careful.

But first, a bit of silliness from the Sam Johnston Ranch, where a newly arrived goat escaped last Sunday afternoon. Having no sense of belonging at the Sam Johnston Ranch, the escaped goat wandered far in search of whatever it is that escaped goats search for. The poor kind citizens, upon seeing a goat where no goat had cause to be, began to wonder if their food or drink had been surreptitiously laced with narcotics. It eventually became known that the goat belonged at the Sam Johnston Ranch, and expert goat-ropers Al and Joe Trask captured it and returned it to its rightful owners.

Several of the kind citizens attended the Memorial Weekend Steak Fry at the Wasta Bar Friday night.

Rod and Baxter Anders attended the practice rodeo in Martin over the weekend.

Clyde Arneson attended the New Underwood FFA Banquet Monday night. He was a visitor at the Morris Linn residence Wednesday and Thursday nights, and had coffee at the Sam Johnston residence Sunday morning.

Matt Trask was a visitor at the Lawrence Burke residence Friday night.

After Brad Bookbinders graduation last Sunday, Brad accompanied Larry and Peggy Gravatt to Duluth, MN to attend Peggy’s sisters wedding. RoseMary, Gemma, Maria and Celine Trask were visitors at the Larry Gravatt residence Sunday evening.

Peggy Gravatt reports that granddaughter Abigail Miller of Denver, CO, got to come home after spending the first six weeks of her life in the hospital.

Cary Johnston, Carolyn Anders, and Twila Trask visited the Belle Fourche Cemetery Thursday in observance of Memorial Day. Afterwards they visited Kim and Chris Kling.

Charlotte, Laura, and Katie Wilsey were guests at John and Jean Linns over the weekend. They visited the Andy Linns Sunday morning.

Bear in mind, dear reader, that the following account of the weeks happenings may not be entirely in chronological order, or any order at all. As usual, the confusion was caused by the “Upland Trasks” and the Morris Linns, with the addition of the Jim Jepsen family, of almost Iowa.

On Tuesday, Cary Johnson visited at the Morris Linns. Wednesday, Jim and Shelly Jepsen and family arrived in Elm Springs, where they headquartered, more or less, at the Morris Linns. Thursday morning, Matt Trask was a coffee visitor. Thursday night, Morris and Shirrise hosted a Saladmaster cooking demonstration for Jim and Shelly Jepsen, Cary and Pam Tines, and JW and Dara Wrachford. It probably won’t surprise anyone to know that Matt Trask happened upon this little gathering and had the good sense to bring his empty stomach along. Matt, it should be noted, heartily recommends the Saladmaster line of products. Later guests were Clyde Arneson and several more polite “Upland Trasks.” While Shelly, Kalee, and Bralee kept Shirrise and Kassandra company at the Morris Linn residence, Sutton stayed two days at the “Upland Trasks” and Jim accompanied Morris on the annual Saddle Tramp ride. Saturday, Shirrise and Shelly and the girls went touristing in Wall before visiting the “Upland Trask” residence. That night, an impromptu gathering was held at the Morris Linn residence. Those in attendance, besides the Jepsen women, and Sutton, who was returned that night, were Matt, Nick, Al, Steph and Julie Trask, Cary and Coby Tines, and Chris “Slim” Fischer of Pierce, NE. Sunday, Morris and Jim were returned to Elm Springs by Lane Butler of Enning. Matt Trask was once again a visitor Monday night.

Tucker and Jace O’Rourke and horses went to Interior to help “Pops” and Tom with branding and moving cattle. While Jace has returned to Elm Springs, Tucker and his horse are still at large.

Fred and Eula Ferguson were visitors at the Cary Tines residence Sunday afternoon. Morris Linn, Jim Jepsen and Lane Butler, the Saddle Tramp Champs, stopped at the Cary Tines residence on their way home Sunday evening.

Pat and Matt Trask went to Sturgis on business Tuesday. Nick went to Des Moines, IA, to pick up a baler, returning Saturday. Visitors at the “Upland Trasks” were, in no particular order, Shirrise and Kassandra Linn, Shelly, Sutton, Kalee and Bralee Jepsen, Patrick Wilson, Clay Tines, Sean Troxel, Shane Green from everyones favorite town of Wasta, Baxter and Dunbar Anders, and Chris “Slim” Fischer.

Despite the fact that there are several birds in the area, including a very conspicuous robin, there have been no visitors at “Hubba’s House,” possibly because there is no food in “Hubba’s House.” The corresponding lack of food at the Matt Trask residence did not stop Roger Shull of Wall from visiting on Thursday, or Andy Linn from visiting Sunday morning, or Richard Johnston from visiting Sunday afternoon. Gemma, Maria and Celine accompanied Matt to his house Sunday after church, and helped him tidy the place up.

Bud and Bunny Pauley and girls were dinner guests at the Jim and Carolyn Wilsey residence, to bring over a phone desk which Bud had made.

The Kenny Wilsons went to Oral to visit Russell Curtis Sunday afternoon.

Pam Wilson left Sunday afternoon to catch the bus to the Girls State Camp in Vermillion.

David and Brenda Flint and family, and Ross Wilburn, were dinner guests at the Wes Wilburn residence Sunday afternoon.

Melvin and Dorothy Anderson made two trips to Pierre over the week, to see Mels mother Rose, who is in the hospital. Friday, they attended the dedication of a bronze sculpture of TC Holloway, in Deadwood. They then visited graves of family in Rapid City and at the Black Hills National Cemetery. At the Black Hills National Cemetery, they were met by Leslie and Taylor Anderson and Eileen Buus, who accompanied them to lunch in Sturgis. John Nachtigall was a visitor at the Melvin and Dorothy Anderson residence Friday morning. Sunday Melvin and Dorothy attended a graduation reception for Aaron Reule in Rapid City.

The kind citizens of Elm Springs sure hope you don’t lose your goat.