The Elm Springs Fire Department responded to a large number of fires from Thursday through the end of the week, most notably the White Owl/Marcus/Two Rivers Fire, which started Thursday afternoon and stubbornly resisted the efforts of an increasing number of firefighters to extinguish it, breaking out like a herd of yearlings first this way and then that, reaching speeds of 45 mph, endangering at least seven houses and charring some 40,000 acres.

In the absence of most of their fire department, on Friday the kind and very alert citizens pounced on a fire just northwest of the Sam Johnston residence, and with the aid of an impeccably timed rainstorm, snuffed it out.

Understandably then, there was not a lot of other news.

Bill and Kay Abbott of Valentine, NE were Thursday visitors at the Marvin Anders residence.

On Thursday Clyde Arneson attended the Badlands Invitational Saddlebronc Riding in Wall, which was won by Mr. Ryan Elshere.

Peggy Gravatt visited the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday afternoon.

Tucker and Jace O’Rourke were afternoon visitors to the Andy Linn residence Wednesday. Thursday the Andy Linns attended the Badlands Invitational in Wall. And Saturday, Kellie Linn and children accompanied Cary Johnston and children to Al and Bridget’s Castle for a visit and afterwards young Carlee Johnston spent the night with Emily Linn. Cary and Kellie spent Sunday visiting each other until each had all of her own children.

John and Jean Linn went to Philip for parts Saturday.

Shirrise and Kassandra Linn returned from their visit to the Jim Magee residence in Glen Rock, WY Wednesday, and Jen, Cameron and Brody Magee returned the favor, arriving at the Morris Linns on Friday. Saturday night the Linns and Magees attended Georgie Howie’s benefit supper in Union Center, and Sunday they helped Sandy Van Vleck celebrate her birthday in Rapid City.

Bridget Trask was an afternoon visitor at the Brady O’Rourke residence Saturday.

Clay Tines won 1^st place at the First Annual Mondo Fishing Tournament, held on the Cheyenne River near Wasta Saturday. Mr. Tines’ winning fish was a four pound catfish.

Cary and Pam Tines joined a host of family and friends at the Glencoe Campground near Sturgis for an afternoon of concerts, including Big and Rich, Cowboy Troy, Keith Urban, and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Bob McDaniels of Philip took Shelia Trask to the airport Saturday, where she caught a plane to join her family in the Yukon Territory. Bob is in Elm Springs watching the ranch while they are gone. Those “Elk Creek Trasks” could just as well be called the “Canadian Trasks.”

Al and Bridget’s Castle now has a different car, a ‘97 Cadillac which was purchased Friday, and a new dog, which was picked up on Sunday in Rapid City by Al, Bridget and Patrick Wilson. The dog’s original name is Hank; new name pending. In other news, Al and Bridget visited Spearfish Tuesday and hosted Matt and Nick Trask for supper on Saturday night.

The “Upland Trasks” didn’t have a lot of time for goofing off. Steph went to Rapid City Saturday, attending a wedding reception for James Sullivan.

It was not reported in last week’s news that Matt Trask visited the Robert Dennis residence near Red Owl Friday, where he enjoyed himself immensely picking guitars on the front step and eating hamburgers in the kitchen. His eating is still better than his picking. This week he visited the Scott Simons residence Friday afternoon, hosted Joe and Nick Trask Saturday night, and visited the Cuny Table Cafe and the Jim Jepsen residence on Sunday.

Philip and Kenny Wilson took in the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Sunday. Young Kellie Wilson began her employment at the Wall Drug Store this past week.

The kind citizens hope they’ve seen the last of the fires.