Before any idle comments about the weather or thoughts about human nature, we must make a correction. It was incorrectly reported in last weeks ESN that Mark, Mick and Mackenzie Trask visited the Mike and Anita Heathershaw residence near Quinn when in fact they visited the Mike and Terry Karrels residence near Terry, MT. In our author’s defense, feeble though it is, both subjects are named Mike, both married Trask women, and both raise horses.

Now on to the idle comments. Our blazing blistering hot heat was interupted by a cool front which arrived Thursday and left Saturday morning, dropping temperatures in some cases to the high eighties.

The Elm Springs Fire Department responded to its first fire of the season Wednesday, on the Scott Shoun place right here in Elm Springs.

Most of the kind citizens joined friends and neighbors from near and far at the “Upland Trask” residence Saturday night for a spectacular outdoor reception for Mr. And Mrs. Al and Bridget Trask, who arrived in a procession of four white vehicles, and walked from the van to the dance floor on a red carpet. Guests enjoyed hamburgers grilled by David Kalil and Jay Behrends, both of Rapid City and both of whom work for Farm Credit Services, and drinks served out of the horsetrailer by family friends Jim Jaquot and Paul Yantes, also both of Rapid City. Matt, Steph and Julie played the first dance, a cover of Emmylou Harris’ “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” and mostly thanks to Matt’s lack of practice, it was atrocious. The newlyweds either appreciated the attempt more than they loathed the execution, or else were gracious enough to appear that way. After that, the pickin’ and grinnin’ was left to the professional Classic Country Band, who kept the dance floor packed with lots of classic country. The party shut down about 3:30 in the morning, and everyone called it a success.

Marvin and Carolyn Anders hosted most of the Kim Kling family of Belle Fourche Saturday night after the reception.

Lawrence and Doris Burke joined Shannon Burke at Chuck Davis’ funeral Monday in Rapid City. Clyde Arneson visited the Lawrence Burke residence one or more times during the week.

The Linn households were almost barren this week. Kellie Linn and children left Monday for Pueblo, CO where they returned Greg Ross to Scott and Judy and then spent the week with Jim and Jean Ross. While they were gone, Andy had supper at the Clyde Arneson residence Wednesday night.

And John and Jean Linn left Tuesday for Union, OR to attend Jean’s cousin’s fiftieth wedding anniversary.

While Shirrise, not to be outdone, sent Kassandra to spend the week with Jim and Jen Magee in Glenrock WY before catching a plane to Salt Lake City, UT Monday to spend most of the week at the Stampin’ Up! Convention. Friday, Morris took Shirrise out to dinner at TGI Friday’s in Rapid City for her birthday. And Gene Pluth was a dinner guest at the Morris Linn residence Sunday.

Matt and John Paul Trask and Clyde Arneson were coffee visitors at the Cary Tines residence Wednesday morning. Morris Linn visited the Cary Tines residence more than once during the week.

At Al and Bridget’s Castle, the phone was busy. We do know that they arrived Wednesday night from their honeymoon in St. Thomas and have been busy directing their subjects in the establishment of their house. We also know that on a trip to Rapid City Sunday night, they bought groceries to stock their house for the first time.

The “Upland Trasks,” needless to say, were very busy this week preparing for the reception. George Leonard of Iowa arrived Thursday and spent the weekend, while Brent Turnipseed of Brookings arrived Thursday and spent the night. Friday, a crew came out and set up an even bigger tent than the unfortunate one they had set up the year before. Saturday, the “Upland Trasks” received much appreciated help from Troy Schulz of the Wall Food Center, who brought along Tony and Dean Schulz, Chad Walker and Stan Andersen; Philip and Patrick Wilson, and Chris “Slim” Fischer of Pierce, NE. Saturday night, the “Upland Trasks” hosted Mike and Steve Bucher and Jim Haneke in a camper in the driveway, and Ashley Turgeon and Cody Elfrink and Mauri Bestgen and assorted other people in the house. Sunday was spent entertaining reception guests.

Gemma Trask spent Friday night at the Matt Trask residence, helping him clean it so that Saturday night he could host Tom Bruch and John Bestgen of Sturgis, Ty White of Rapid City, Andrea Neumann of Rapid City, Rob Goodman of Kyle, Chris “Slim” Fischer, Gene Baker of Farmingdale, John Munk of Brookings, and Kevin “Homer” Vaith of Aberdeen.

Tyler Wilson, his fiancee Heather Sessions, and her brother Nick, stayed at the Kenny Wilson residence Saturday night.

The “Upland Trasks” would like to thank everyone who helped make their reception the success that it was.

And the kind citizens are very hot.