It is very hot these days, and fire has once again become a real danger in Elm Springs, as well as around the region

Several of the kind citizens attended the Wasta 4^th of July festivities on Wednesday. While not boasting last year’s turnout, Wasta nevertheless held another charming celebration.

Saturday, July 7^th, 2007 was touted as being a lucky day, having three sevens in the numerical date. Across the country, a large number of couples attempted to capture the luck by getting married on that date. Among these couples were Clint Hammerstrom and Lisa Pflaumer, who were married in a charming outdoor ceremony at the Hammerstrom residence Saturday evening, with several kind citizens in attendance.

Clyde Arneson went to Union Center on business Tuesday. Matt and Nick Trask and Morris Linn joined Clyde in his driveway Sunday afternoon, where most of them had a beer.

Lawrence and Doris Burke went to Rapid City for the 4^th of July, where they had lunch before visiting grandkids Skyler and Shawnee Burke. Mark and Fleda Jensen of Hoover visited the Lawrence Burke residence Saturday.

Larry and Peggy Gravatt and the grandkids went to Rapid City Monday, where Larry took Jack to a doctors appointment while Peggy and the grandkids watched a movie. They all met up at Chuck E Cheese afterward for fun and games. The Gravatts took Madi and Steele back to Rapid City after the 4^th of July celebration in Wasta. Peggy went to Rapid City Thursday to help Brad Bookbinder look for an apartment. Brad has found a job working for the hospital in Rapid City.

Ryan and Chrissy Elshere hosted the Sam Johnstons and Shirrise and Kassandra Linn on the 4^th of July.

And the Sam Johnstons attended a 4-H rodeo in Kadoka on Sunday, where Carlee won the breakaway roping.

The Andy Linns left Monday to go camping at Horse Thief Campground in the Black Hills. They returned Wednesday. On Sunday, Jim and Jean Ross visited the Andy Linn residence on their way home from a class reunion in Waubay.

Clyde Arneson was a Tuesday morning coffee guest at the Morris Linn residence. Shirrise and Kassandra went to Wall Wednesday, where they visited Sandy Van Vleck and Sanden and Elaine Simons. Shirrise took Kassandra to basketball camp in Union Center Thursday, and left her at the Scott Simons residence to help Ashlyn celebrate her birthday. Shirrise hosted a stamp party at her home Friday. Nick Trask was a supper guest at the Morris Linns Saturday night, and Matt Trask visited Sunday night.

Cary and Pam Tines and Samantha Scott traveled to Chapel, NE Friday to visit Coby, leaving Samantha there when they returned. John Tines and baby Lainee Mae visited the Cary Tines residence Sunday afternoon.

The “Madrid Army” arrived at the Castle in waves beginning with the Thursday arrival of Tim and Max, who had driven up from Las Vegas NV in Al and Bridget’s new used Dodge Dakota. Linda Haugen visited the Castle Friday to do some sewing. Elizabeth Wier of Omaha, NE and several Madrid girls arrived at the Castle Saturday afternoon, and the remainder arrived Saturday night. They had all come to witness the Sunday baptism of Patrick Alexander at the Cathedral in Rapid City, on Al and Bridgets first anniversary. Now isn’t that just the cutest story you’ve ever heard? The “Upland Trasks” and the “Madrid Army” spent the aftenoon at the Castle, having fun and paintball wars.

Gemma and Celine Trask spent Wednesday night at the Joe Deering residence. RoseMary, John Paul and Bridget Trask and the Three Little Girls attended the baby shower for Eva Marie and Kingston Oliver at the John Wulf residence Friday evening.

Matt Trask was put in charge of the Wasta Watermelon Seed Spitout at this year’s festivities. He went to Wall Wednesday to pick up the watermelons graciously donated bt the Wall Food Center. On the way he stopped at the Big Green Trask House to wish his uncle Milton a happy 4^th of July and help himself to a free can of Coke. He visited the Laura Jean Gunn residence Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by one of his guitars and his sister Julie, to practice for the talent show. Julie also served as Matt’s lovely assistant at the Watermelon Spitout.

The “Elk Creek Trasks,” the Mark Radway family, and Jaymie, Torrie and Tyler Trask went to Valentine NE Tuesday to spend the day on the Niobrara River.

Dorothy Anderson met the Deerings at the Colonial House restaurant in Rapid City Tuesday. Taylor Anderson of Spearfish arrived at the Melvin Anderson residence Tuesday evening to spend the 4^th with them. The Andersons met Mavis and Marilyn Madison at Wasta for lunch on the 4^th. On Friday, the Andersons hosted Bill Smoot, David Kalil, George, Sandy, Cheyenne, Autumn and Sheridan Deering and a birthday party for Jane Karp.

Although it happened in nearby Wicksville, this story is worth telling in the ESN. Lorinda Simon was to marry John Covell on Saturday the seventh at 3:33 pm, which seemed very lucky indeed. On Friday the sixth, though, things began to go wrong, beginning with word that the best man and the ring bearer were unable to attend. A windstorm ruined the canvas tent where the wedding was to be held, and the father of the bride, pay attention now, was bitten by a rattlesnake. To make things even worse, Saturday the seventh was at least 110 degrees everywhere. But the wedding took place at 3:33 as scheduled, with a hastily furnished tent, a beaming father with a swollen arm, a stand-in best man, and Grandma Norma Simon’s dog serving as the ring bearer. In addition, they took care to keep the service short so as to prevent heat stroke among the guests.

The kind citizens think thats a story they can tell the grandkids!