October 15, 2024

 

Apples were not going to go to waste this season in Mink Creek. There was a gathering of apples all over the village, wild and domesticated. These were to contribute to the goal of an apple pressing party on the agenda of the Elders Quorum. On the designated evening the party began and the crop was put through the apple pressing equipment at Clare Christensen’s workshop. Snacks were available. Interested members of the community brought their own containers for filling with the juice, which could be frozen for future use or consumed soon. Reports are that over 70 gallons of cider were pressed and taken home for enjoyment. People could bring more apples to contribute but it wasn’t a qualifier for anyone who wanted some fresh cider. It was under the direction of the Elders Quorum with Bret Rasmussen as the chief gatherer with his equipment that could reach high branches.

Fall has brought a regular stream of part-time residents home for a few days to Mink Creek. Melanie and David Law were up from Utah. Larry and Lillian Hansen with their daughter Carol and Richard Wall spent some time at their place on Bear Creek Rd. Doug and Kathy Wilcox are getting comfortable with frequent visits to their recently constructed home.

Leon and Katherine Noorda spent a month at the Keller Apartments, a tradition of years. Sam and Sylvia Stanger are becoming regulars in Mink Creek again, but the weather change will take them south before long.

Jonathan Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons of Caldwell, ID, has been living here this summer with his grandparents while working locally to finance his coming mission to Brazil. He was ordained an Elder over the conference weekend and his family gathered to witness this special event.

When we heard about Hurricane Helene and the devastation we were glad to get the report from Patti and Forrest Christensen who now live in Florida that their power was restored after some time without.  Now they are helping neighbors with restoring their surroundings after the storm.

Deer hunting season has begun and one can hear the echo of gunfire as it bounces off our mountainsides. Camouflage duds and binoculars are part of the acceptable equipment. Some past residents come home to hunt familiar territory.

October 8, 2024

 I am hopeful that the paper version of part of this blog will soon match with what I write here.  Hang in there with the Citizen staff as we struggle to make adjustments with a new editor.  I will try not to be redundant, but because I don't know what he will choose to run before I put this out to you online readers you may get repeats now and then.  My apologies, but beyond my control.  

Phee and Robert Crosland drove east over to Colorado on a bit of a whim. They were visiting at the home of their daughter Arianna and Ben Hostetter in Peyton. They arrived to find several home projects underway and were able to lend both new ideas and helping hands. Time with the Hostetter grandchildren was a bonus.

Jay and Kristin Collins, LaMar and Claudine McKague, Paul and Terrie McKay, and children and spouses of the McKays gathered together in southern Utah for a brief vacation before the onset of cold weather. They did some lengthy hiking, soaked up the scenery change, attended a theater, ate good food and enjoyed each other’s company.

ReNae Egley took a few days of family time when she drove up to Idaho Falls to celebrate daughter Erin’s birthday. Fun with grandsons, but the crowning activity of the visit was attending a Wynonna Judd concert. Not your “every-year birthday!”

Our colorful hills are starting to fade in brilliance. The bright red of the maples is now orange, the yellow aspen leaning toward tan. It is drying season for Mother Nature. Only irrigated lands still show green. This is perfect hiking weather and the view is great regardless of which trail or climb a person might take.

October 1, 2024

 

It was a Sunday for a historical First—there was a reorganization of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the first time as part of the new Preston East Stake. Those who are called to fill the positions of leadership are: Jared Keller as the Bishop; LaMar McKague as First Counselor; Jesse Wilcox as Second Counselor; Wynn Costley as Executive Secretary; Jacob Cheney as Ward Clerk. These men were set apart by the presidency of the Preston East Stake: President Michael Romney; Counselors Nathan Hess and David Larsen, and Cliff Keller, the high councilman assigned to the Mink Creek Ward. Jacob Cheney was also ordained to the office of a high priest. Those released from having served in these offices were Bishop Paul McKay; Counselors Miles Erickson and LaRon Baird; secretary Wallace Christensen; clerk Jay Collins.

The children our community, ages 8 to 11 held an Art Fair. It was planned to be at the Mink Creek ballpark but due to inclement weather they moved inside at the LDS Recreation Hall. The kids have been learning about creativity under the encouragement of the Activities Director, Jody Rasmussen. There were displays of paintings, tie-dyed T shirts, home grown flower arrangements and more. Here were also culinary creations: cookies, popcorn balls, various goodies. Some items were for sale. The group is planning a field trip to the grounds of the Smithfield Temple and are raising funds to finance some pizza and ice cream treats before coming home to Mink Creek. The Art Fair was well attended, supported and the idea has become part of their future plans before the weather changes.

The opening social for the Syringa Camp of the DUP was exciting and unusual. The members went to the Thomas Merc in Swan Lake. Perfect for their luncheon with choices like Merc burgers, taco salads and BLTs. Lorraine Christensen gave their lesson and then Kaarin, the owner of the Merc shared the history of Thomas Mercantile. It has been owned by 3 generations of the Thomas family and is a bit of a landmark for this part of our state. Ten DUP daughters and a guest, JoAnn Steele, enjoyed this afternoon.

If you receive the Preston Citizen newspaper, either the printed version or the online issue I am sure you are aware that we are dealing with some editor and work up difficulties.   The rural news may have made this weeks paper, or not. At the Citizen office there are complaints being made regularly and any solution is out of our hands since we are under the umbrella of the Herald Journal.

 Much of the weekly Citizen is filled with Logan news, often already covered in the Herald Journal a few days before the Citizen is published, or it might have stuff about USU, or ISU, or Montpelier, etc.   This does not mean news about Franklin County has not been submitted, just not chosen.  It is possible that any, or all, of you could send an email to the current editor, Timothy Epperson, at tepperson@hjnews.com and let him know that you would prefer items connected with Franklin County.   He is also the Managing Editor of the Herald Journal and his boss has assigned the task of the Preston Citizen to his desk. I am sure he must be feeling overwhelmed.   It is my understanding that he would like feedback from our readers. 

September 25. 2024

 

The opening social for the Syringa Camp of the DUP was exciting and unusual. The members went to the Thomas Merc in Swan Lake. Perfect for their luncheon with choices like Merc burgers, taco salads and BLTs. Lorraine Christensen gave their lesson and then Kaarin, the owner of the Merc shared the history of Thomas Mercantile. It has been owned by 3 generations of the Thomas family and is a bit of a landmark for this part of our state. Ten DUP daughters and a guest, JoAnn Steele, enjoyed this afternoon.

The evening of observing that day of 9/11 was certainly a mixed bag for our community. It was a day of smoky air, but there was still an effort made to do the semi-annual roadside cleanup of our highway, particularly following the LOTOJA bike race that had recently passed through. About 30 volunteers offered their services. Along with the murkiness of the air, a storm moved in, providing rain and thunder and lightning. A tree on Thatcher Hill attracted a lightning bolt and set it afire. Vehicles with county firefighters arrived, but evidently felt it was beyond their reach. There was observation of the tree and its lightning trail, which lasted about an hour. The fire did not reach any of the homes or outbuildings in that area, we are happy to report.

The newest member of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Derek Ross Greene, the son of Robert and Taniesha Greene. Family and friends were happy to witness this event. He was baptized by his grandfather, Chad Greene at the Preston East Stake Center on September 14^th.

Craig Larsen is now living with his daughter Cheryl and Mitchell Cowgill and their family in Rupert, ID. His health has improved, all his life has been in Mink Creek on the shores of Birch Creek and no doubt he will be missing these slopes as hunting season nears.

The leaves are getting a good start on telling us it is harvest time. Yellows, reds, bright greens on the trees mixed in with our evergreens is soul food. There is constant talk about bottling peaches and pears and applesauce. It is a working, but happy time of year.

September 17, 2024

 

Vickie and Richard Free have returned from an Alaskan cruise enjoying the summer of the north for a few days. They had planned on a European cruise but various challenges got in the way, so they opted for Alaska. Their nephew, Alex Huxford has come to Mink Creek several times as the summer months are closing.

Once again the LOTOJA bicycle race has made its way through our community on the Saturday morning of September 7. As the days get closer to this event there are always some bikers that are getting in a practice run ahead of time. On the day of the race the cyclists are scattered out, some individuals, alone, others in packs, all speeding with wheels spinning.

Jon and Peggy Flinders and their girls of Rigby, ID, spent Labor Day weekend with Peggy’s parents, Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson at their Station Creek home.

Per and Cassie Danfors, the new owners of the Egley Farms, are now in residence. Besides Justin and Kaytlin Jackson and their children who came earlier, there are four more brothers. Kalle Danfors has recently returned from serving a mission in the Sweden, Stockholm Mission. Erik and Kjell are missionaries at this time, Erik in Dares Salaam Tanzania and Kjell in Louisiana, Baton Rouge. The youngest, Kriste, is at home. Welcome to the Danfors family.

Hansen House, or ‘the cabin’ was occupied by Hansen’s for the holiday. Wes and Heather Hansen were up from Ogden, Roxann and Wes Beutler from Dayton, and Pat and Dirk Bowles from Fairview. It is a great place for sibling gatherings.

Patti and Forrest Christensen, now living in Florida, have survived the recent southern hurricanes and were home in Mink Creek for some summer time with family and friends. It is great to get at least an annual visit since they have relocated.

The youth of the community met at the Egley-Danfors Park for an outdoor movie party. It was a perfect night with no wind and all were glad for electricity and electronics to be working.

The weather has taken a rather sudden shift. Warnings going out to cover up our gardens. People thinking about getting in a wood supply, if that is the source of winter fuel. Lightning, thunder, lots of rain, and asking the question, “Are we ready for this? It could be an early winter, or just a wet end of summer.”

September 11, 2024

 

A large group of motorcyclists and other vehicles passed through Mink Creek on August 24 as they remembered and honored fallen veterans from world conflicts. This Ride For the Fallen started in Elk Ridge Park in North Logan, went through Preston up Strawberry Canyon. Their goal was to noon in Paris, ID, for a break, then rode through Logan Canyon, back to the park. Most of the bikes included driver and passenger there were others participating in following cars.

The family of Dana and Charles Peterson of Meridian came down for a weekend to her parents, Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson. Their oldest son, CJ, was introducing his fiance to Mink Creek family and friends.

Robert and Phee Crosland took a road trip to Worland, WY, to spend a few days with their daughter Celina and Jesse Groesbeck and their little girls. Grandparenting is a fun activity. They discovered how beautiful that area is and had family fun. On their way home they stopped in Thermopolis and did some exploring.

The Fall Social for the community was enjoyed by nearly 200 people. It was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark and featured a tasty dinner of tri-tip and brisket, accompanied by Dutch-oven potatoes, beans, green salad and rolls. Clare Christensen and his crew and Stuart Ostler’s bunch were the main cooks for the evening. There was live musical entertainment--a duo called “Carter Junction” that are located in May, ID, an area close to Challis. The Carters are a young married couple that have three little boys who contribute in their own way to the Carter’s performance. After several disruptions to their presentation Clinton Carter asked if there was anyone in the audience that might be willing to entertain the boys for a bit while they finished up. Elsie McKague jumped at the chance and off to the playground they went. She had a great time with the trio, and Clinton and Sarah, on guitar and harp, finished up the evening in grand style.

Our backyard squirrel is having a busy time gathering summer apples and stashing them high in a tree in the yard.  This creature makes for entertainment in his endeavors and so far seems to have avoided any serious  meetings with our cat.  I have heard some squirrel 'cursing' when the cat is too inquisitive, but so far both are enjoying the freedom of the orchard.  Time will tell.

September 4. 2024

 I have always loved the month of September, even the way the word sounds.  I love the shift in the daily routine, school coming up, school supplies in the stores, harvests going on, winding down of hot days.  Getting ready for hunting season--I was raised in a hunting family, getting the hunting license and daydreams of a successful hunt. 

Enough about me,  I feel you should have an explanation as to why the usual Mink Creek news column isn't here this week.  We had another foul-up in the production of the Citizen.  Our editor took a trip,  articles had been sent to his email and I understand he had made arrangements to print a day later than usual with the company in Montana that sets up the paper.  However  the head honcho in this area, bypassed that and assigned the Pocatello paper editor to put it together---all well and good, except he didn't have access to our editor's email.  As a result nothing that the Citizen staff/writers had reported made the paper this week---the paper this week is filled with stuff from other locations, etc.---only our sports editor who became alerted to the situation as it was happening and she could send her stuff, raising a little dust as she did it, to include a bit about Franklin County, which is what we strive for.

This being the case the Mink Creek weekly news from this week will make print in the Sept. 11 edition, so I should not include it here.  I could give you the Out of Our Past column for this week, because, being dated, this is when it fits and it won't work for the following week.  I don't know if any of you readers are even interested in the historical columns I write.  Maybe you think history is boring...or something we can somehow change.

I just didn't want you to feel frustrated with nothing for today.  Hence you get the workings of my mind.

Feel free to make comments,  I always wonder who is reading and only a few of you claim to be signed up for the blog.  Thanks for the read.  Next week will be more "newsy."