The past seven years, the kind citizens have had to pretend to be happy after every quarter inch rainfall. With the rain we received Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we have now received more than eight inches of moisture for the month of May. Considering that the yearly average in this part of the country is twelve inches, we truly have something to be happy about. The dams are full, the grass is green, and the “Elk Creek Trasks” can’t cross Elk Creek.

The Elm Springs schoolchildren participated in the Meade Co. Spelling Bee in Union Center on Monday. By the end of the week, most of the area schools were out of session.

The kind citizens and others banded together Wednesday for the annual Cemetery Clean Up Day followed by a potluck.

And the Saddle Tramp Association held their annual trailride in Elm Springs over the weekend. Due to all the rain, the original plans were scratched and the Saddle Trampers camped in Al and Bridget’s yard.

Justin Lineberry and family of Vermillion were weekend guests at the Marvin Anders residence.

Clyde Arneson accompanied Danny and Bobbi Ann Arneson to the Shirley Winchell memorial service at the National Cemetery on Friday. Chase Arneson will spend the summer helping Clyde in Elm Springs, while Kelsea will spend the summer working in Chadron, NE. Clyde proudly points out that Kelsea made the President’s Honor Roll at Chadron State College while working part time.

Kylee Ramsdell and three friends of Rapid City were weekend guests at the Lonnie Arneson residence.

Lawrence Burke returned from Texas Tuesday evening, and Melissa left Elm Springs Wednesday. Friday Lawrence and Doris went to Union Center on business.

The Ryan Elshere’s took Rylan to his checkup Thursday in Denver, CO. They are happy to report that young Rylan has been pronounced a perfectly healthy boy. The Elshere’s spent the weekend camping on the Hanrahan ranch near Bridger, keeping an eye on the swollen Cheyenne River.

Lynn and Sandy Fields joined Rob and Heather Langley and family of Sioux Falls and Jason Fields and Karlen Davis of Rapid City at the Mooney Family reunion in the Old Hotel at Wasta over the weekend. Saturday they went to Wall Drug where they had breakfast and toured. It should be noted that Lynn Fields became the Mooney Family Horseshoe Champion.

Jack Gravatt and Dora Mae Jensen of Wall accompanied brother John of California to Dickinson, ND to visit family on Thursday. Larry and Peggy Gravatt went to Dickinson Sunday to pick up Jack and Dora Mae.

Kellie Linn and kids left Thursday for Pueblo, CO where they attended the graduations of cousins Mike and Clint Ross, one from Pueblo West High School and one from Pueblo County High School.

Charlie and Carol Linn of Rapid City visited the “Big House” Wednesday.

Roger Shull of Creighton was an overnight visitor at the Morris Linn residence Tuesday. Roger, Gene Pluth and Larry Schell visited the Morris Linn residence Wednesday afternoon. Shirrise went to Rapid City Thursday, where she visited Grandma Arlene Talley. Bummer and Maverick Simons of Enning visited the Morris Linn residence Thursday afternoon. Grandma Jean and Kassandra visited the Jim Smith residence Saturday evening. The Morris Linns attended the Wally Hoffman benefit at the Wasta Bar on Sunday afternoon.

The Cary Tines’ attended Lainee Mae’s first birthday party in New Underwood on Thursday. Lainee Mae spent Saturday night at the Cary Tines residence, and Clyde and Connie Arneson visited Sunday afternoon.

Bridget and Little Pat Trask went to Rapid City Thursday, and decided to spend the night due to the muddy roads. Al Trask joined them Friday, where they attended the Megan Yantes graduation reception at the Paul Yantes residence. The Al Trasks returned home Saturday evening.

Katie Legg left the “Upland Trask” residence Tuesday morning. Tedd and Jackie Rhodes and family of Gettysburg, PA arrived at the “Upland Trask” residence Wednesday afternoon. Supper guests Wednesday night, besides the Rhodes’, were Morris Linn, Mike Bergmann of MI, and Al Trask. Austin Trask joined the Wall Eagles track team at the state tournament in Sioux Falls Thursday, and the Rhodes’ returned to visit at the “Upland Trask” residence. Saturday, District 29 senatorial candidate Nick Trask appeared in a radio debate on KBHB. After the debate, Nick, Steph and Julie Trask were driven around Sturgis in a wagon pulled by a team of mules belonging to Dr. Wenzel Kovarik, where they campaigned. Col. Dennis Wier and family of Offutt AFB, NE arrived at the “Upland Trask” residence Sunday evening, and John Paul left for Rapid City, to begin training for his summer job helping with Duc En Altum summer youth camps.

Matt Trask attended the St. Thomas More graduation in Rapid City Sunday before going to the Northern Hills Sod Farm north of Sturgis to help John and Mauri Bestgien celebrate their graduation. He ate well. Joe, Mark and Mick Trask visited the Matt Trask residence Sunday night.

The remainder of the “Elk Creek Trasks” went to the movies in Rapid City Sunday evening.

Kelli Wilson broke her arm Monday afternoon, and had to go to the hospital in Rapid City. Later in the week, she began work at Wall Drug.

The kind citizens are loving this rain!