May 1, 2024

 Happy May Day, Everyone!  In all the researching of the past that I do I have found that at the beginning of the 20th Century and for years beyond May Day was a time of big celebrations, at least in the farming areas.  They had a May pole, colorful streamers, danced around it.  Families gathered for a day of fun.  My guess is that it was a welcome day to take a break from the hard physical labor they put forth daily in order to survive and progress  with their neighbors.  

The last few nights have been beautiful with the full moon and a few cloud strips to serve as reflectors. Recently several of our residents were able to travel to an area in the United Stated where it was possible to observe the total eclipse of the sun with that same moon. Wynn and Cecelie Costley timed a visit to El Dorado, AR, and the home of their daughter Hannah and Spencer Singleton. The Kent and Tammy Beardall family made a trip to Oklahoma. Robert and Phee Crosland drove down to Texas, current home of their son Marco Crosland and his family. Most of our community enjoyed getting a smaller percentage of the eclipse here at home.

Emma Rasmussen, daughter of Trevor and April Rasmussen performed in the Bennett Cup vocal competition at Preston High School. She sang “It Might As Well Be Spring” and was accompanied by Judy Wilde. There was quite an “Emma Rasmussen Fan Club” in attendance that night to offer support and cheer. Congratulation on a performance well done!

Layne and Karen Erickson and their daughter Terrie McKay went to Logan for the blessing of the Erickson’s granddaughter. This tiny girl is the first child of Connie and Adam Westenskow. She was given the name of Emma Lynn Westenskow. Emma started her life as a preemie and it has taken a few months to be ready for this occasion.

Leon Loveland passed away in a motorcycle accident and his funeral was held in Mink Creek on April 20. He was buried in the Mink Creek Cemetery. His son Mike and a niece, Jamie  Osborne are residents.

There are blossoms on the apricot, peach and cherry trees, and wild plums. It makes for a fruity perfume in the outdoors. There are also sniffles and sneezes, as allergy season kicks into gear. With the snow receding there are more trails sufficiently dry for good hiking. We are hearing the roar of motorcycles rather than that of snowmobiles.

April 24, 2024

 

Some of our residents are getting ahead of the garden game. Those who own small greenhouses are enjoying the fun of watching for sprouted seeds. Some have devised ways of indoor planting without the greenhouse, and are looking forward to when the weather will be favorable to actually dig in the ground. It is that time of year. This includes getting lawnmowers ready for the ongoing task, checking on weed killer, lawn fertilizer and all the various activities that abound with warm weather.

It is also the time of year for our spring Roadside Cleanup morning. On the 13^th of April volunteers gathered at the Mink Creek Ballpark at 8 a.m for instructions and a supply of orange pickup bags, then headed to their assigned areas to search out debris that had been deposited, mainly by passing motorists, along the sides of Highway 36, that also happens to be the main drag of our village. Task completed, the workers gathered back to the ballpark to share a breakfast that had been created by Clare and Linda Christensen and their crew of helpers. The weather was perfect for the activity, a factor that always figures in on the success.

Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month at the home of Virginia Flippence in Preston, with nine ladies attending. The members were able to finalize their various assignments for the coming year. They are: Captain Mary Ann Jepsen, 1^st Vice Captain Linda Christensen, 2^nd Vice Captain LuJean Young, Secretary/Treasurer/Historian Ramona Lower, Registrar Linda Carlson, Chaplain Angie Griffeth, Lesson Leaders Julie Westerberg and Lorraine Christensen, Music Leader Mary Ann Jepsen, Parliamentarian Karen Erickson, Artifact Leader Mary Jean Rasmussen, and Museum Leader Virginia Flippence. Their historic lesson for this month was “Down and Back,” the church ‘train system’ of helping the pioneers with wagons and handcarts to travel the distance from the Midwest to Utah by having outfitting stations along the trail to help with difficulties and supplies.

Several days of spring beauty add sunshine for the soul as well as for our surroundings. The lacey pattern of new leaves on the bare winter branches is beautiful. It won’t be long, even with some storms along the way, before Mink Creek community’s main color will be green, in a variety of shades.

April 16, 2024

 

Eldon and Danita Wilcox enjoyed a reunion with a former exchange student who lived in the Wilcox home while attending Preston High. It has been 22 years since Omar Lopez lived in Mink Creek. Omar brought his wife and two children to share past memories of his life in Idaho. Living in Tijuana, Mexico, the kids were particularly interested in seeing snow. The group went up into our canyons in order to find enough to get in some sledding activity. MaKenzie Gunter and Brigham Wilcox were part of the Wilcox household when Omar was a teen and they came home to reconnect with Omar and meet his family.

Jay and Kristin Collins spent Easter weekend with their daughter Claire Collins in the Boise area. One of the objectives of their visit was helping Claire move to a new apartment, always a daunting task and extra hands help to lighten the load.

Doug and Kathy Wilcox have been building a lovely home on a spot of land they have owned for a number of years. They were up from Utah recently and brought some family as well, Steve and Brooke Wilcox and Darin and Maddie Wilcox. Mink Creek is a great place for a second home, especially during the warm, green months of the year.

Robert and Phee Crosland have recently returned from a long anticipated trip to New Zealand, in the company of two of their sons, Rico and Armando Crosland. Rico Crosland served as the organizer, planner and tour guide for this venture, having served in New Zealand for two years as a missionary. They loved the beautiful scenery, enjoyed a visit to the Hamilton, New Zealand, Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and survived a flat tire with no spare.

We have had a respiratory bug making the rounds with the coming of spring. Several of our citizens have reported three weeks of dealing with a congestion, head aches, etc. that simply will not leave. It is more than the annual “Spring cold” with the sniffles.

April 10, 2024

 

Easter in Mink Creek this year dawned with snow, sleet, and slush, all depending on where you were located in terms of elevation. That is how it works in the community. But it was a great weekend for people coming home and being together.

Kim and Sam Daines and their daughters were up from Lehi, UT, soaking up some village time and adding joy to the day of Kim’s mother, Judy Clark. Devin and Maria Flake and son Jude expanded the ranks of the Baird family, particularly with Lana McCracken and Nathan Baird, but stretching out to LaRon and Liesa Baird’s family.

Dane and Rebecca Jones and Clara made a long trip from Washougal, WA, for some time with her parents, Johnny and Jeannine Iverson. The Jones family lived for a year in Mink Creek so even without Mink Creek roots, this was a homecoming for them.

Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler of Parma, ID, brought their children, Hudson and Charlotte, home to grandmother Candy Longhurst so she could introduce them to the fun of farm chores and animals.

Mink Creek will always be home for Wes and Heather Hansen of Ogden. The Hansen House near the mouth of Mink Creek is a frequent host of Hansen siblings.

Ami Fenton and her family shared Easter traditions with her parents, Eldon and Danita Wilcox.

Easter activities combined with birthdays for some celebrating for Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson’s bunch. Jerry and Christine Olson and daughters came up from Santa Clara, UT. C J Peterson, a grandson, joined the group.

LaMar and Claudine McKague are enjoying living closer to three of their children. They had Sage and Nathan Ricks down from Rexburg, Ethan McKague from Lehi, UT, and Jarin and Brynlee McKague and sons from Idaho Falls, visit on separate weekends recently.

David and Melanie Law, part-time residents with one foot in Utah, the other in Mink Creek, brought a good group of family to spend these special days.

As the holiday weekend approached many residents wondered how to make plans with the regularly changing weather. As reported it appears there was a good mix of both indoor and outdoor plans made, always with some flexibility.

The youth of the Mink Creek ward made a trip to Pocatello, ID, for a visit to the Pocatello Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After their activities there they enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls produced from the kitchens of their local leaders. It was a sweet experience for all connected, in all aspects.

April 3, 2024

 

Spring Break from school means a variety of daily changes for those few days. So much of it depends upon the weather received during that time. There have been plans for aerating of lawns, cleaning out sheds, getting rid of the proverbial ‘junk.’ Even thoughts of planting might “dance in our heads.” Unless it snows and rains for that week, which pretty much describes how it has been for this break.

The Kasey and Julia Haws family made an early spring trip up from California, with a number of their family in tow. The weather they met in Mink Creek was fairly decent and they were able to combine some fun with spring preparations.

Kurt and Margret Iverson and their son Conner were able to head to the eastern part of the country and tour various historical sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some were around Palmyra, N Y, others in Nauvoo, IL and Kirtland, OH. That covers a considerable amount of miles, but such was the case in the history of the church.

The family of Chiara Crosland gathered in Mink Creek in a memorial service, honoring her life. She passed away at age 42 on February 19 in Safford, AZ. Chiara grew up in Mink Creek, her parents are Robert and Phee Crosland. Her children, her siblings and extended family came together to share memories.

The Young Women’s organization discovered that there are multiple types of toppings for freshly made scones. Prior to the main activity they indulged in frying the dough and topping the creations with butter, cinnamon sugar, various icings, various jams. Then they met at the home of one of their leaders, Casey Christensen, to learn the art of assembling silk flowers into lasting corsages or boutonnieres. The outcome was as many different designs as there were girls, plus the fun of creativity.

I don’t know about you, but I am still adjusting to the Daylight Saving Time shift. The last meal of my day is late because my brain doesn’t realize it is time to get hustling up food. Even my cat’s inner timer is off-kilter.

These last few days have felt like spring, and not just “Idaho spring.” Even though we are expecting another storm in a day or two, it has been great to have the feeling of moving forward.  It really is April!

March 28, 2024

 

The bird population is exploding with the more definite coming of spring. Trumpeter swans have stopped by for a few days rest. The little twittery birds are scratching about in yards looking for any leftover morsels to eat as they check out nest building materials that will be needed before long. The local owls are enjoying the warmer night time hours for longer chatting sessions, echoing across our valley. Nearly every year I have lived here we have a flock of Evening Grosbeaks that visit for a few days, checking out the pine cones in our yard and any dried chokecherries that might be on the top branches of our tree. 

Several of our residents have undertaken the making of maple syrup from the local maple and box elder trees. The activity has been one encouraged by County Agent, Brackin Henderson and it has proven interesting. It takes gallons of the sap from the trees to boil down into usable, small containers of the sweet stuff, but the challenge has been inviting. It is no easy task.

The family of Stuart and Alona Ostler have taken a spring trip to San Carlos, Mexico, for a week’s worth of ocean-fishing and fun. The weather was perfect this year. Stuart and Alona took their whole family and then some more. Alona’s parents, Brent and Jody Sharp, went along and this was a first time for Brent.

March Madness and a love of basketball took Kim Rasmussen along with some other family to the bright lights of Las Vegas for the tournaments. It is an annual event for Kim.

The Relief Society held a social to celebrate the anniversary of the organization. It was a brunch held in the recreation hall entitled “Aren’t We Lucky!” There was meet and greet and some fun games. Decorations spoke of spring, mixed with some St. Patrick’s luck, created by Hollie Keller and Kim Christensen. The theme was that of having an Attitude of Gratitude, for blessings received. The food committee members were Barbara Olson, Kristin Collins, Lorraine Christensen and Robin Stephenson and they served French Toast Strata with blueberry syrup, bacon and sausage with ample amounts of fresh fruit and a festive punch.

It appears we are going to have a rather wet Easter weekend.  Get ready for egg hunts in the house and some good indoor games for entertainment.  Hiking and picnics outdoors likely won't be an option.   Don't forget to have some thoughts of the real reason we celebrate Easter, Christ's resurrection, and those things we receive because of Him.  

March 20, 2024, a day late

 I thought February was a short month, but this one is zipping by even faster it seems.  We've had the official first day of spring, according to this Leap Year calendar, and it has been measuring up to Spring.  People talking about planting gardens,  daffodil shoots pushing up through the earth.  And the weather talking about possible snow storms in a day or two.  That does sound like spring, hoping to avoid the freezing of the green.

Wynn and Cecelie Costley were able to go to Utah to witness the ordination of a grandson. He is the son of McKay and Lynsey Costley.

Lana Baird McCracken was surrounded by immediate family and friends for the funeral of her husband, Ivan. Her oldest son, LaRon and his family live in Mink Creek, as does Nathan Baird. Daniel and Heather Baird and family came down from Sugar City, ID. Maria and Devin Flake live in Saratoga Springs, UT, Tamara Taylor is in Woods Cross, UT. Twins, Owen and Brian Baird, are both Utah residents. Lana’s sister Loretta Goodwin and much of her family came down from the Downey area. Lana’s brothers, Arlon Bennett of Garland, UT, and Clell Bennett and his daughter Laurinda of Pocatallo joined the group. The Baird/Lindhardt family was represented by Mike, Paul and Barbara.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month at the home of Terrie McKay on Station Creek. Lorraine Christensen gave a lesson about the families of the Mormon Battalion. Karen Erickson shared the history of her great grandfather, Elijah Knapp Fuller, a pioneer of Nauvoo who made the trek to the Rocky Mountains. The ladies elected officers for the coming year. Refreshments were served to the ladies by Terrie McKay and Kristin Collins.

The funeral of Lyla Ann Christensen Dettmer of Preston, was held at the Preston North Stake Center and she was interred in the Mink Creek Cemetery. Lyla grew up in Mink Creek, the second daughter of Lyle and Ruth Ann Christensen. Her sister, Julie Cooper lives in town and her brothers, Phil and Brian, are Mink Creek residents. A number of Christensen relatives were here for that memorial.

This weather that flips on a weekly basis is stirring up the wildlife. Perhaps you have had occasion to notice that the skunks are coming out of hibernation and making themselves known. Perhaps you are fortunate enough that you haven’t had reason to be aware of that seasonal outing.