Lawrence Burke, that sage observer of meteorological trends and animal behavior, observes that for the fourth or fifth year in a row, the barn swallows, having no mud with which to build their nests, have vacated the area. Elsewhere in the community, hands turn unenthusiastically to the haying equipment, readying it for half-hearted laps around withered hayfields. If the Good Lord intends to do something about all of this, we are asking in our most polite voices for Him to please do it soon.

Meanwhile, most of the branding smoke has wafted away on the breeze, and cattlemen are moving their herds to summer pasture, while their tired ponies dream of summer vacation.

The Elm Springs Memorial Day program was held Monday featuring the Reverend Harold Delbridge as speaker and Sylvia Rhoden as pianist. Notable performances included the very talented Gary Smith and his fiddle, and guitarist Ben Linn, who finished his guitar instruction for the year with a gleeful performance of “This Land is Your Land” with Matt Trask and one of his guitars providing accompaniment. Mr. Linn did an excellent job.

Several of the kind citizens attended the Wall Regional High School rodeo over the weekend, where young Baxter Anders competed.

Dillon and Ryan Kjerstad of Creighton and John Paul and Joseph Trask visited the Rod Anders residence Thursday, where they had fun bothering the Anders’ new roping stock with the Anders boys. And Kelly Anders attended a wedding over the weekend.

Clyde Arneson attended the REA meeting in Wall Wednesday night. Apparently emboldened by Matt Trask’s unapologetic gluttony, Clyde admitted that he went there mostly to eat. Saturday Clyde accompanied Ryan Elshere to Ft. Pierre for the Casey Tibbs matched saddlebronc ride, where Ryan traded leads with his brother JJ of Cottonwood before JJ overtook him in the final round to win first place. Ryan got second. Coupled with his first place win last year, and the Elshere family hogging of first and second place in every round this year, it is plain to see that the Elshere’s are stylish saddlebronc riders.

Back on the ground in Elm Springs, Shannon Burke arrived at the Lawrence Burke residence Friday from Utah, driving son Skyler’s new Ford Ranger. All of the Burke’s attended Shawnee’s eighth grade graduation from a Rapid City middle school. Saturday, Shannon and Skyler Burke and friend Ryan Timme went fishing in the Belle Fourche river and then the Burke’s had a picnic in the yard. It should be noted that although the fishing party caught several sizeable fish, the Burke’s elected to grill hamburgers.

Carter Gravatt of New Underwood visited the Larry Gravatt residence Saturday.

Calder Johnston was a guest of cousin Shania Johnston on a Saturday trip to a rodeo in Bison, where they watched Shania’s sister Echo compete.

Kellie Linn attended Continuing Education classes in Rapid City Friday and Saturday. Sunday, Bob and Kara Campbell and family and horses arrived at the Andy Linn residence from McLaughlin for an extended stay.

John and Jean Linn visited Kenny and JoAnn Holst of Sturgis Friday afternoon.

Shirrise and Kassandra Linn left for Rochester, MN with Cheryl Simons Monday, returning Friday. While they were gone, Matt Trask accompanied Morris Linn to Rapid City instead of working on a very unpleasant Friday. Sunday, Shirrise and Kassandra visited at the Jack and Cheryl Simons residence near Enning.

JW and Dara Wrachford and Sammi Stein were supper guests at the Cary Tines residence Saturday night.

You may have noticed by now that this week’s ESN is lacking N. The “Upland Trasks” can’t even remedy the situation. They were visited by some of the Bruchs and Bestgiens of Sturgis Saturday, and ate in Rapid City Sunday.

Matt Trask attended a Wasta Centennial meeting Wednesday evening, and visited afterwards at the Mike Rausch residence. He visited briefly at the Dan Turgeon residence in Wasta Sunday afternoon after the rodeo, and stopped at the way-cool Dixie Diner as well.

It was not reported in last week’s ESN that Ms. Kelli Wilson attended the Meade 46-1 eighth grade graduation exercises in Sturgis, where she gave a speech. This week, Kelli attended the 4-H Teen Camp, held at Camp Bob Marshall over the weekend.

The kind citizens are hot, thirsty and tired.