Boxing Day, 2012

Snow, beautiful snow, we have been receiving.  It has been the wet and soggy type lately.  When the temperature drops it gets solid.  We do express appreciation to the Franklin County road crew and the same for the Idaho state crews for keeping our roads open.

            Doug Bruderer is home for a few days.  He works in the oil fields in North Dakota and his days here in Mink Creek with his wife Beverly and their family are just not often enough.  I’ll bet this feels like spring, compared to the winter in the Dakotas.

The Community Christmas Party  was this past week and turned out to be a great night.  Everyone met in the recreation hall, sitting at tables festooned with old fashioned lamps, ornaments, pine cones and curling ribbons, courtesy of the Relief Society women.  To start the evening off the Young Women sang a vocal selection “Sing a Glad Noel,” accompanied by Laural Janke.  The serving table was filled with Dutch-oven potatoes, ham, chicken, steamed vegetables, tossed salad, rolls with a variety of cookies and cakes for dessert.  Various families provided the meats and desserts and the Elders’ Quorum were put together the potatoes and vegetables.

  After all tummies were filled to overflowing a Cecelie Costley inspired program began.  Jody and Laural Janke played a trumpet duet to introduce a production that involved both Santa and the Nativity.  Garland Dixie Rasmussen were Santa and his wife, the LDS Bishopric (Kent Egley, Kurt Iverson, Wally Christensen) were costumed as his zany elves.  Music for the skit varied.  A vocal solo by Emily Longhurst.  A quartette: Terrie McKay, Candy Longhurst, Austin Jones and Eldon Wilcox.  The Mink Creek choir sang Joy to the World and Silent Night while the skit finished up with the traditional Nativity scene modeled by Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their new baby Cassidy. The night came to an end with a sing-a-long directed by Cecelie, accompanied by the trumpeters.

                    Jacob and Renette Free and son have been down for a visit with his folks, Richard and Vickie Free.  The temperature here is a bit warmer than where they live near Rexburg, ID.

Nate and Dana Olson have been enjoying  a visit of several days from some  former California friends. Darryl and Carol  are no longer in California and now live in Heber City, UT.  The foursome have managed to keep the close friendship since they both relocated.

Christmas Day in Mink Creek was beautiful.  Blue skies, sun,  crispy cold, a perfect day for sledding after the early morning traditions of the holiday had been observed.  There were families looking forward to a phone call from their missionaries, depending on areas of service, some were calling on Chrismas Eve.   This was a highlight of the holiday for those involved. We have two families that would be getting two calls, with two sons each on foreign missions.

Enjoy your New Year celebrations, keep it safe and happy.

Dec 19, 2012

Happy Christmas Cards, Merry Christmas, the season is here for 2012.  We had some staying snow so our countryside looks more appropriate.  Still hoping for more, no doubt those who enjoy the winter sports duplicate those feelings.  The depth is too shallow for much activity, even a little sleigh riding needs more.

 Mink Creek Relief Society held its December Social amidst holiday decorations in the church recreation hall. Three women decked the hall:  Laurel Wilde, Patti Christensen and Camille Knudson. There was a dinner of chicken-broccoli casserole, festive green and red molded salads, rolls, a lime sherbet punch, with a slice of coconut cake for dessert.   Those responsible for this banquet were Tammy Beardall, Lorraine Christensen, Mary Jean Rasmussen, Elaine Larsen and Liz Hawkes.

The program that night was as delicious as the food.  Mary Ann Jepsen  introduced a male vocalist, her son Joe Jepsen of Salt Lake City and wonderful songs began.  Joe was accompanied by Judy Wilde.  The audience was treated to “White Christmas,” then a duet with his father, Mike, singing “Were You There.”  This was followed by Joe singing “Listen to the Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera and closing with “O Holy Night.”  All went home feeling the spirit of the season.

Cody McKay, son of Paul and Terrie, entered the MTC in Provo on Dec 12.  Friends and family came to hear his  remarks at the LDS Ward prior to his departure.  Todd and Julie Kuna and children drove from Idaho Falls.  Bryan and Shannon Erickson and boys are from Woodland Hills, UT. Connie Erickson lives in Logan.  Cody will be serving in the Alabama, Birmingham, Mission.

Rebekah Christensen received a mission call  to serve in Uruguay, Montevideo West Mission.  She will leave this spring for the MTC in Argentina. Her parents are Wally and Kim Christensen. 

Mink Creek has had a week that will make a person sit up and take notice.  There has been a concussion due to a car accident, a broken ankle from a fall,  badly burned face and hands in a work related accident.  And that is not all, but it is all I feel I dare report. Casseroles and soups have been delivered in the usual fashion. Maybe more details can be carried over to the paper news for next week with names included, I like permission for that sort of thing.

I had reason to go to Montpelier this week, in the middle of a blizzard.  Strawberry Canyon and beyond was beautiful, the winter postcard variety.  On the other side of the mountain the wind was whipping the drifts across the road and I was glad my husband was behind the wheel.  On the way back things had settled down, clouds lifted somewhat, no snow falling.  The snowplows from both sides of the mountains had been up to their turning spots and made the complete route.  Still beautiful, but could see a little further.   We do live in a lovely spot.  If you live a far distance it is ok to feel a pang of homesickness.

A snowing Dec 12, 2012

We may not have reindeer around this month, but we certainly have deer.  Three of the antlered variety has been guilty of snacking on our fields recently, along with female companions.   Remember that these critters think they have the right of way when crossing Highway 36, and they usually don’t stop to look both ways.

Kevin and Nancy Alder were up from Utah to spend a few days in their Mink Creek home.  They enjoyed relatively balmy weather to help them through the fall tasks.

Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen spent the holiday in San Jose, CA, with their daughter Annie and Steve Earl and their four children.  All of Mike and Mary Ann’s children and their families were able to gather to celebrate Thanksgiving together.  A bonus blessing for the trip was attending the baptism of a granddaughter, Olivia Earl.

 Past residents, Nettie and Joe Linton are getting ready for a LDS mission call.  These preparations are tending  to the medical side of things with inoculations, etc.  At this point the Lintons have o idea of their destination.   They have promised to feed us more information as things progress. Stay tuned.

This past week our little community has had misty clouds hanging down into our valley, swirling around the homes.   Minus the singing and dancing of that well known musical, there was a Brigadoon type feeling as one moved about outdoors.  Generally we are above the fogs that grip Cache Valley.  For a day or two, moisture was at every touch, but it wasn’t raining.  I understand the residents of neighboring Treasureton had similar days.

            Kerry Christensen was on a trip back east taking care of meetings connected with his employment.   Lacey and their three little girls are delighted to have him home again.

            The Sheldon Longhurst family welcomed a group of friends from Riverdale, UT.  This bunch has made it a tradition to gather together to get their Christmas trees up this way.  These are neighbors of the Longhursts where they lived prior to the move to Mink Creek.

We have snow, lovely white fluffy stuff.  It put in its first appearance Monday(10^th) morning, upon arising.  Off and on throughout the day it continued falling.  By evening there was about 5 inches in the lower end of our village with another couple of inches coming later.  Now that it has settled the depth isn’t so much, but things are still covered.  The exception is where the county snowplows have cleared the dirt roads.  This storm brought fluff, not my favorite snowman building variety, but no complaints. 

December, 2012, already

The local turkeys seem to have enjoyed their holiday.  Large groups gather in harvested fields, gobbling up grain that spilled from combine and trucks.  They are so busy feasting that they appear more like a group of black rocks, until one raises a head, or the whole bunch starts to move to a more abundant feeding spot.

Jamison Daines came up from BYU/Provo to spend the holiday with his grandparents, Dennis and Judy Clark.  A recently returned missionary who served in the North Ogden Mission, he felt a sense of being back in his field of labor.  Dennis and Judy enjoyed a big group of family members at their home.

Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen hosted the feast for three of their children.  Kyle Jepsen flew from Dallas, TX.  Jana and Matt Musgrave and children drove from Ogden.  Kerry Jepsen’s family joined in the festivities but Kerry was absent, out of town for medical stuff.

Mark and Karen Arnout had a houseful.  Travis and Amber Arnout and their three, Brayden, Maci and KrissyLynn, from Heber City, UT;  Lance and Tosha Arnout with theirs, Remi, Ashtyn and Trey of Midway, UT, plus Tosha’s sister’s family, Aaron and Brook Lower of Draper, UT.  All these kept things lively for a few days.

The Haws home was busy for the holidays.  Ken and Loren Nash and children came up from Solvang, CA, to put a little Idaho time in their lives.

Morgan McKay, daughter of Paul and Terrie, has been chosen to represent our community on the Preston North Stake Youth Council.   Tawni Hall, daughter of Brett and Kristi Hall, has turned sixteen and will now be part of the Laurel class in Young Women organization.

            People have inquired about snow in our mountains.  As of this writing there is snow up on top of our highest peaks, but generally things are back to being brown.  I haven’t driven Strawberry Canyon, over to Bear Lake, so can’t comment for that direction.  We have been getting some rain, things are muddied up a bit, but so far only enough snow to blow away with the slightest wind.

Mink Creek’s matriarch, Naomi Wilde, has made the trip to her winter destination down south.  She will be missed and we hope she is following doctor’s guidelines while recovering from knee surgery.  This woman is hard to keep restricted!  The warmth of St. George will be good for her.

            Katherine and Leon Noorda, now serving a humanitarian mission in Thailand, have been involved in delivering wheelchairs to disabled persons.   Recently they were participating in a training session given to potential recipients and their caregivers.  Operating a chair may appear easy, but certain abilities are necessary.  The Noordas were also able to spend some time at Thailand’s Elephant Roundup in Surin.  They mentioned that some parts of this event reminded them of parades, etc. of our Preston Night Rodeo, just the activities, not the size of the participants.

post-Thanksgiving

Mink Creek wasps are slowly retiring for the season.  A few still make drowsy visits, often meeting with their demise.  Box elder bugs are awaiting a good freeze, but their activity has lessened somewhat. Grasshoppers have left for warmer climes.  It is amazing how quickly the change can take place.

The community enjoyed a Harvest Hoedown, with a great variety of dances offered.  In addition to regular ballroom dancing, Wynn Costley directed dancers in the old fashioned Virginia Reel and Oh Johnny.  These made for some lively action and fun memories of performing in elementary school events.  The recreation hall was decorated as a barn dance and western garb was the style for the evening.  Refreshments were a variety of pie and ice cream, with nut cups on the side. Laural and Jody Janke were in charge of this event.

Thanksgiving Day in Mink Creek dawned bright and clear.  All day the temperatures were perfect, just a light jacket needed for outdoor activities.  There were some people who came up our canyons seeking the perfect tree to adorn their homes for the Christmas season.  The trees left----in the back of pickups, tied to the tops of cars, roped to 4-wheelers, whatever worked.  The next holiday season is beginning.

Alexis Iverson, daughter of Kurt and Margret Iverson, received a mission call.  She will be serving in the Texas, San Antonio, Mission, English speaking, leaving in early spring of 2013.  Alexis is excited, the first one from Mink Creek ward to receive her papers since the announcement of age change in LDS October Conference.

Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their three little girls took some vacation time in sunny southern California.  They managed to see several tourist highlights.  The favored spot for the girls was Sea World, visited over and over again.   There was much water splashing that they enjoyed.

Thanksgiving holidays brought visitors to Mink Creek.  At the Bob Erickson household were two families:  Jay and Kristin Collins and children from Lakeview, OR, including their daughter Bailey Collins who is attending BYU/Idaho, and Mark and Carla Nielsen and boys from American Fork, UT.  Laural and Jody Janke's family, Mink Creek residents joined the group.

There were plenty of other visitors over that past weekend.  However, those names will keep until the printed version of next week’s Citizen since I more than  met the 300 word limit for the paper’s column.   Those of you who read the online version get my  extra rambling thoughts.

Those Christmas trees are continuing to go down to the flatlands.  Every day there are outfits toting a lovely green tree. It is a tradition of long standing with many families.  How nice that we have those lovely evergreens in our backyard.

Leftovers from Thanksgiving were gratefully used by homemakers in our community.  Now it is time to get back into the normal routine of “What to fix for___.”  It is a question that never goes away.  How wonderful it is to have food to fix!

It has felt a little unusual to have a whole week of November left after the holiday.  Christmas lights are coming out, decorations starting to sprout, and it is still November.  Of course the businesses have been hawking Christmas gifts and décor since before Halloween.  Better not start on that topic!  The real December is just a couple of days hence and for many of us that feeling of “Get ready, set, go,” will keep us on an emotional run for most of the ensuing days.  Let’s enjoy it!

Thanksgiving Eve, 2012

There is no longer any question as to where the Mink Creek community begins.  A beautiful metal sign marks  the entrance to Mink Creek, just to the right as one crosses the bridge over  Bear River.  This is another village improvement resulting from Boy Scout Eagle projects.  The young man responsible is Justin Coleman, son of Tammy and Nelson Coleman.  

We have had several recipients of knee surgery lately---Marie Keller,  Sherrie Corbett,  Ron Norris.   There are quite a number of our residents who have needed this procedure in the past.  I would hesitate to start a list..  Do you suppose it is due to this living on hillsides and the old folk tale that all Mink Creek residents had one leg shorter than the other?  Or the challenge to a person’s gait while walking about?

The recently performed PHS musical, “The Music Man,” was well done.  There were four youths from our community participating:   Nicole Beardall as one of the costumed townspeople, Josh Greene working as stage hand, Abi Janke , a member of the stage band, and Spencer Wilde, playing in the pit orchestra. 

Mikel Beardall, son of Tammy and Kent Beardall , is now at the Mission Training Center in Provo, preparing to serve in the Russia, Novosibirsk, Mission.   He spoke to friends and relatives recently in an LDS Meeting.  Immediate family able to attend were:  Shawn and Callie Beardall and children from Spanish Fork, UT, Laura Beardall of Preston,  Michelle Wall and her two youngsters of Grand Junction, CO.  Kent’s brother, Dave Beardall, and his family drove up from Mapleton, UT.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox enjoyed having some of their family here for a few days, following the funeral of her brother, Lyle Christensen.  Brigham and Jennifer and their children were down from Idaho Falls, ID,  Ami and Tom Fenton and their family from Tooele, UT, and MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter of Pocatello, ID.

Bruce Crane of Logan was up with his son and a friend, checking out the Crane Cabin in preparation for the oncoming season.  Jim and Debbie Harrison were up from St. George again, now if we just could move them up for lengthier spells it would be great.

Some hunting is still going on.  Ducks and pheasants are not safe yet.  Occasionally I hear the boom of a shotgun, or my doorbell rings, someone requesting permission to hunt.

We have been the recipients of some moisture lately, sufficient to make it muddy for walking.  Leaves now decorating our lawns are soggy, challenging to chop as mulch or to rake into burnable piles.  No complaints about receiving moisture, we need every drop after this past dry summer.   Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and some relax time with it.

Nov 14, 2012

It isn’t just our strip of highway that holds hazards for deer population.  In a recent trip between Smithfield, UT and Franklin, ID,  I counted a total of seven recent deer fatalities, in groups of three, two and two.  In our area the collisions are generally only with one animal. Can’t help but wonder if the change from Daylight Saving Time had anything  to do with such a large number---crossing  the road at a time of unexpected heavier traffic?  Just guessing!

The days are a bit lighter when the school buses roll through our community in the mornings.  For the last week or so children have been picked up while it was still quite dark.

No matter the results of the recent election there is a feeling of relief in the air. Election tension has dissolved, and with it, the wearing affect on one and all.  Mail delivery can get back to normal. No more phone calls soliciting either funds or votes.  No more verbal bashing on the TV channels.  The voting turnout in Mink Creek District was very good.  Although our community and surrounding area are not over-populated there was at least an 87% of registered voters that cast their ballots in this election, 2012.  Great participation!

Marie Aupperlee is the newest member of the LDS Ward, baptized  and confirmed last weekend.  Her daughter Mona and Darren Bryson and their son Zack drove over from Rock Springs, WY, to witness the occasion.  Other special friends from beyond our boundaries were members of the Hugh Hansen family:  Bonnie Hansen of Preston, Dirk and Pat Bowles , Fairview; Roxann Beutler, Dayton; Sid and Geraldine Hansen, Richmond, UT.  The Hansen and Aupperlee families have been close friends for many years.

Lyle Christensen passed away on Nov 4^th. He was hospitalized only a short time, but has been suffering long-term.  His sons live here in Mink Creek, Phillip and Krysta Christensen and Bryan Christensen.  His two daughters live in Preston, Julie and Jim Cooper and Lyla Dettmer.

Lyle was only 70 years old and leaves behind many extended family members.  The Christensen family name goes back to some of Mink Creek's early  Scandinavian settlers.

            Another evidence of  the arrival of snow and colder weather is the return of the turkey flocks.  One can find bunches roaming up and down the length of Mink Creek.  They even frequent the Mink Creek church parking lot for some reason.  No food on that new pavement, but they show up there nevertheless.

            Weather wise we have had more snow, mornings usually greet us with a casting of white.  The sun  warms up the earth and things are dry by noon.  It feels like winter is being held off at arms length, few are ready to welcome it, still much to be done.  The canyons are already attracting the die-hard snowmobile set, but there isn’t much depth of snow as yet.  Speaking of that activity, Warren Wilde and Layne Erickson attended the Idaho State Snowmobile Convention in Boise recently.

Nov 7, 2012

Pheasant and elk are still on the lookout for hunters.  Our deer, however are feeling safe, happily grazing in fields.  Both bucks and does do check out a passing driver but go right back to the munching with little concern. 

October is the month for the annual program produced by the LDS Primary. This is always something to look forward to as attendees are both taught and entertained, children being a bit unpredictable no matter how much they practiced for the event.  Their theme this year dealt with choosing the right.  In addition to speaking parts children participated in a both a vocal choir and a bell choir.  They sang hymns and Primary songs.   Along with the Primary teachers, Primary president Candy Longhurst, chorister Melinda Jepsen and pianist Cecelie Costley worked with the children.  The Preston North Stake officers were represented by Jolene Tanner and Kathy Winward.

The Primary organization was also in charge of the community Trunk r Treat for Halloween.  This event began with a Harvest Dinner of a variety of soups, rolls and crackers, and brownies.   A parade of costumes went all through the dining area, looping around the table, up over the stage so that the audience got a good view.  The evening ended with children gathering treats offered from trunks of cars of all our neighbors in the parking lot.

Fred and Victoria Christensen drove up from their home in Provo for a weekend with his parents, Royce and Lorraine Christensen.  Fred is going to school at Utah Valley University.

Claire Jepsen celebrated an important birthday, 16^th, and moved into the Laurel Class in the Young Women’s organization.   James Baird, with a similar birthday, was ordained to the office of a priest.  He was presented with recognition for earning the Duty to God as a Teacher.

            The Christmas DI Drive is underway.  Items that would be good purchases for the holidays are requested:  gently used clothes, decoration items,  domestic upgrades, toys (also gently used, or now ignored).  Actually anything that comes to mind that might be needed or wanted for this particular time of year.

Some variety of a stomach flu is making its way around this area.  It seems impossible not to share, hitting one member of a family and moving on through most of the rest.  It is of short duration, but intense during the 24 hours or so that it afflicts an individual.

By the time this is published all the months of politics will be a thing of the past.  Some faces will be all smiles, other full of frustration.  No matter the outcome at least our phones will resume normality, the mail glut will decrease.  I keep telling me---there has to be some positive, regardless of which way it goes.

Halloween, 2012

The colors of our canyons have faded.  The recent winds have whipped off whatever leaves were sufficiently dry to rip off the branches.  There are still many leaves yet to crisp up and fall into the yards and hollows.  The first snow of the year arrived during the night and we woke to a white countryside the morning of Oct 23^rd.  The heat of the day erased that white blanket at the lower levels but the mountaintops are still covered.

Mario Crosland is on his way to the Mission Training Center in Provo, UT.  He has been called to serve in the Philippines, Bacolod, Mission.   This is a single island in the Philippines with a language all its own.  Mario will  stay at the MTC for two months while learning to speak Hiligaynon.  Friends and family were here this past week to give him their best wishes.  He is the son of Robert and Phee Crosland.

Mink Creek’s matriarch, Naomi Wilde, has recently undergone the scoping of a knee.  She is 97 years young and is now enduring physical therapy twice a week.  Naomi says she is considering using some WD 40 on all of her joints.  All things considered, she is doing well.

Dennis and Judy Clark have enjoyed a whole week of catching up on the life of their daughter, Kim Daines.  Kim flew out from her home in Maryland for some good R&R in Mink Creek where she spent her growing up years.  She has loved the calm of our surroundings, soaking up the fall season and just getting the boost that is part of “coming home.”

Matthew Hawkes, son of Robert and Elizabeth Hawkes, is the newest member of the Mink Creek LDS Ward.  He was baptized and confirmed, surrounded by family, in Logan recently.

            The full moon of this week is perfect for the Halloween festivities.  I find it interesting that this month’s moon goes by several names.  The weatherman recently called it a “Hunters’ Moon.”  The newspaper referred to it as the “Harvest Moon.”  I wonder what it was called when the beginning of Halloween stuff first took place.  Maybe I need to do some research into the Druids to find that out.  Happy Halloween, online readers.

            We have had a sale of the Bybee homes here in Mink Creek.  The couple moving in already live in Mink Creek, but for the winter months Ramona and Jerry Hatchett will find being in the Bybee homes much more to their liking with roads being plowed, closer to the center of our village, closer to the highway, etc.  Just all sorts of positive features.   I would think both the buyer and the seller would be happy with this arrangement.

            To begin this week’s column there was mention of the first snowfall.  We have had several nights since bringing similar amounts, also disappearing once the sun got up an took over the hours.

            Hunters are still out and about in this community.  Some seasons have closed, or at least changed gender.  It won’t be too long before this activity is winding down.

Oct 24, 2012

Rain!  We got a downpour, a badly needed downpour, from the tops of our surrounding mountains, all through the boundaries of the community and out into Riverdale below us.  No one complained about the drenching. Chances are more will be coming, probably a more solid variety.

Vehicles have been parked out in fields, along sides of the canyon roads, any place where hunters can get access to the area of their search.  Deer hunting has begun and the season is open for antlered elk as well.   Pheasants are running for cover.

Bob Erickson has returned from a trip to the northwest.  He and his brother, Gary, plus some friends of Gary’s, have been fishing for salmon on the Columbia River.  They came back with smiling faces, caught 5 fish over their four-day sessions on the water.

Crews of experienced fire wood harvesters gathered here and there in our canyons for a community wood cutting project.   This year Jeff Knudson was supervising. All ages were represented and entered into the effort with gusto. Logs went from trees, to blocks, to split pieces, to nicely stacked and stored fuel for the cold days anticipated.  Many in our community are unable to get wood they need for winter and the goal of this project is to provide for that need.  A worthwhile project when considered from all sides.   Busy workers were fed lunch by the Relief Society under the direction of Danita Wilcox, Liz Hawkes, and Sharla McKay.

The semi-annual Highway 36 cleanup was undertaken this week.  Some stretches along the highway were full of rubbish tossed from passing vehicles, other areas virtually litter-free.  We have no signs that indicate this is the space to litter.  “Do Not Litter” covers the whole length of our community, and beyond.  Our youth do a great job of pickup and orange bags dotted the road the following morning. 

Jim and Debbie Harrison have been up for their fall visit, battening down the hatches at their off and on home here for the advancing season.

Bryce and Terry Stromberg have headed back to California.  Hunting season is coming to a close and that is Bryce’s favorite time of year in Idaho.  They will be missed because they get very involved in our community when they are here.

There has been a change in some of the LDS ward boundaries in Preston, but Mink Creek is not affected by the shift. 7^th ward was dissolved and the people from that area now part of 10^th and 3^rd, if my information is correct.  One woman said she walked into her meeting and decided that there were nearly half of those present that she planned to get to know as friends.  That is the way it should be, love that attitude.

Oct 17, 2012

Wildlife carnage on Highway 36!!  Just what got hit I do not know but there was much evidence of impact and the results.  A deer, one or more turkeys, a stack of raccoons, someone’s cow?? It is a reminder that all need to be vigilant, drive to our best ability, no texting or cell phones, while we are meandering down the road, powerful motor and machine beneath us.

Members of Relief Society enjoyed a fall evening sharing ideas for approaching holiday seasons.  Decorating and gifts on a shoestring budget was covered by Laural Janke, Lacey Christensen, and Hilary Checketts.  Loads of crafty ideas were presented, along with websites for more information.   Terry Stromberg shared her recipe for coconut cupcakes while giving a demonstration which included improving baking techniques.  Candy and treats ,  plus a bit more baking, took place in the kitchen under the direction of  Colleen Wilde, Julie Egley, ReNae Egley and Melinda Jepsen. Recipes and a tasting table followed, along with friendship.  In charge of the entire session were Tammy Coleman and Betty Jo Jepsen.

The latest report is that Andy McKay is home in Mink Creek, enjoying the luxury of sleeping in his own bed.  After nearly a month of hospital beds, Andy was more than ready.  He is doing well and now is working on catching up on life events that he has missed since his accident.

The October Pack Meeting of our Cub Scouts was a fun family affair. The theme for this  session was Zoo Animals. Cubmaster Dawnell Greene was assisted by James Baird with scout cheers.  The Bear Den, leaders Ivan and Lana McCracken, performed skits, sang songs, and told jokes.  Young and older enjoyed  zany games.  Matthew Hawkes was welcomed into the Wolf Pack, leaders Avery and Pedro Gomez.  Awards were presented to: Michael Hawkes, Charles Iverson, and Bryce Egley. David Seamons completed his Arrow of Light and will be moving on to the Scout Troop.  Refreshments of cookies wrapped up the night.

‘Tis the time for the final sharing of the bounties of neighbor gardens---squash,(so many varieties), pumpkins large and small, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes.  A couple of families in our community even have a bumper crop of kittens they are hoping to give away.

This fact will be a surprise to some of you readers.  The Mink Creek  LDS Ward will have 10 missionaries  actively serving in various parts of the world by the end of 2012.  Ten, and of those ten one is a retired couple, just being counted as a single.  They are scattered over the globe, east, west, north, south.This isn’t a very big ward, it isn’t a very big community.  All of the addresses in this little hamlet go under the Preston, ID, umbrella.  Our population increases during the summer by a few,  holidays bring the numbers up for a few days, but we settle back to normalcy with around one hundred homes humming.  Many of that number are in the empty nest and retirement stages.  Just thought that little tidbit  might be an update for some of my readers who called this home at some stage of their lives and now live elsewhere.

Oct 10, 2012

The true Fall has come in on the wings of an icy wind.  It is time to clean up to garden remains, at least anything above ground.  If not, start wrapping multiple blankets to ward off the dropping temperature from those still frail plants.  Beautiful mums, all set to bloom this fall, are threatened.

Mink Creek’s LDS Ward enjoyed an autumn Linger Longer.  The menu was potluck, with mainly salads, desserts, and a casserole here and there.  These are popular events and give residents a chance to chat and relax with their neighbors on a day when there is less pressure from employment.

The parking lot for the LDS Ward is completed.  New black top is adorned with new yellow parking lines, and the entryway has officially moved a bit easterly.  There are more designated slots for vehicles and an additional handicapped space. 

Austin Straight has had a milestone birthday.  The son of Avery and Pedro Gomez, Austin was ordained to the office of a teacher in the LDS Ward.  His Mink Creek grandparents are Beverly and Douglas Bruderer.

Noel and Jeff Hadley came up from Plain City, UT, to introduce their baby to Noel’s hometown.  She is named Mia Taylor Hadley.  Grandparents, Wynn and Cecelie Costley, enjoyed being able to have some “getting to know you” time with this latest addition to their group of grands.  Other family members came by to join the fun of a new baby.

We are still having the battle of the bugs, particularly the persistent box elder.  This one arrived early and by now is present in hordes.  There is little that deters the creatures as they adhere to all surfaces, including hair and clothing.

A bit short on news this week, no guarantees for the online version to change, but it will still be posted for those readers.

I note that the Halloween Treat Ghost is making the rounds in our community.  Any knock on the door  or a ringing doorbell on a darkened evening might mean there are goodies awaiting somewhere in the area of the door.   Just don’t look too hard for the delivery person, sometimes it is hard to hide when that door gets opened.  Instructions will be left so that each recipient can have a chance to play the role of the friendly ghost.  All this turns out to be a fun way to connect with neighbors.

           

Oct 3, 2012

Fall colors are filling the canyons of Mink Creek and Cub River.  The mountainsides are a blend of orange, red and green, with an occasional splash of yellow.  In both locations red is the predominant color where the maple trees are in abundance.  I understand from a friend that the Oneida Narrows is worth a tour.

A Boy Scout Court of Honor was convened at the home of leaders Jeannine and Johnny Iverson recently, a time for rank advancement and merit badges.  Three boys made Tenderfoot:  Carson Christensen, Jacobi Johnson and David Hawkes.  Braxton Nye advanced to First Class,  Travis Greene, Ty Beardall and Ben Seamons were awarded Star rank and Andy McKay earned his Life rank.  Ten merit badges were earned throughout the troop.  With families having been invited, seventy people attended.  All enjoyed sloppy joes, gelled salads, veggie salads and a special Dutch-oven carrot cake that had been prepared by Kurt Iverson.  It would be true to say that “a good time was had by all,” the younger set enjoying recreational activities that Johnny and Jeannine have around their home for Iverson grandkids.

People from this end of Preston North Stake attended the televised Brigham City Temple dedication at the LDS Ward Meetinghouse in Mink Creek.  There were three sessions throughout Sunday, Sept. 22^nd.

Will Moran is now living in Brighton, UT.  He is employed by the ski resort. While biding his time for the snow season, Will is tutoring students in English, his college major.

As of this writing the progress of Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie, is very encouraging.    On Sept 15^th Andy had a motorbike accident, as mentioned last week.  He was recently moved from the intensive care unit of Primary Children’s Hospital and physical therapy is already more than once a day.  Even though they know his total recovery will take some time his parents report that his responses thus far are surprising the doctors.

  People, local and otherwise, are feeling the nip in the wind.  I see truckloads of winter fuel (in the form of logs) headed down to the flatter lands on a regular basis.  Harvest season is bringing in the crops from the field but it is also preparing for that time when there are no crops.

            Just have to give a little information about the lives of Elder Jimmie and Sister AnnaBeth Olson who are serving a mission in England.  It is interesting to note that these two are also teaching English. One wouldn’t consider that particularly because of their location.   If you are among the Brits everyone speaks the language.  Not so, it seems that many of the friends that they have made there are Asian and benefit from the instruction that the Olsons can give.  I like that idea.

Sept 26, 2012

Our skies are full of smoke from fires to the west of us.  There are days when we cannot see our mountains. The mountains I am referring to are nearly in our backyards.  We will welcome some wind to blow this smog out.  Mink Creek residents are not accustomed to bad air quality.

Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, is in intensive care at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, due to an accident on his motor bike.  It happened as he was traveling homeward on the dirt road between Bear Creek and Station Creek.  This report is most likely unnecessary because, judging from inquiries the family has received, the entire county populace is already aware, and beyond.   Word does get around, Debbie and Jim Harrison checked up on Andy, they live in St. George. Elder Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson had even heard about it, and they are serving a mission in England.

The Fall plowing of our fields is underway.  On the irrigated land the tractor and plow go fairly smooth. However, on the dry-land fields the ground is rock-hard.  It is like breaking up concrete.  This is just further evidence of how little rainfall there has been this past summer.  The wild sunflowers are at their peak, another indication of the warm season starting to wind down.

By now those who graduated from high school last spring have moved on with their lives.  Some have found jobs, two are ready to go on missions shortly, others gone off to college in one direction or the other.  It has been interesting to hear comments from the college bound group of being concerned about getting lost on campus, after feeling secure and confident at PHS.

Several of our residents reported attending the High School Version of Les Miserables recently on stage at the Ellen Eccles Theater in Logan, UT.  All reports were expressed surprise and delight at the expertise of the cast members.  Age was no deterrent for the quality of voices or the ability of acting.  Laural and Jody Janke, of Mink Creek, were part of the pit orchestra for this production.  They seem to be sought out to perform on their trumpets in various parts of Cache Valley.

Weatherwise, we no longer have the intense heat experienced this summer. Nor have we had a freeze that has wiped out our gardens, so no complaints.

Sept 19,2012

Mid-September , is it time to drag out the blankets to cover tomatoes?   The dip in daytime temperatures is a relief after the baking of summer, but no one is ready for winter.  Now that school is underway everywhere there is a slow-down of visitors to Mink Creek.  The routine for the next nine months is getting set in place.           

Wynn and Cecelie Costley have been on the move with family matters.  In Plain City, UT, they were present for the blessing of a new grandchild, the first child for Noel and Jeff Hadley.  Then Josie and David Hulme’s oldest son was ordained to the office of a deacon in their LDS Ward in North Ogden and Wynn and Cecelie were able to be there.  Lastly, they drove to Salt Lake City to celebrate the birthday of Cecelie’s father, Bill Allen.  All of this in one weekend!

Many residents have enjoyed driving down to Brigham City to attend the open house of the Brigham City LDS Temple.  Marie Aupperlee was able to go with Bonnie Hansen and the family of Dirk and Pat Bowles of Fairview.  She loved the art work particularly and is grateful to them for that opportunity.  Many have made the drive over:  Bryce and Terry Stromberg, Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen, Layne and Karen Erickson, Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen, Glade and Corinne Larsen, Nate and Dana Olson, David and Judy Wilde, the Sheldon Longhurst family, Terrie and Paul McKay.  I am sure there are others of whom I am not aware. Our Erickson family made the event a family outing, three families went together, us, the Janke family and the McKague family of Vancouver, WA.  Simply the whiteness of the edifice makes it standout against the backdrop of the mountains, just beautiful!

Mink Creek residents---don’t forget the DI Drive this coming Saturday morning!  By 7 am have your “stuff” either on your porch or by your mailbox.  If your Stuff is the large variety give Camille a call for arrangements.

Bob and Claudia Erickson headed south to Salt Lake City for a previous appointment and then took in the Utah State Fair for a few hours.  Lots of things and people to see, but no carnival rides, please.  Then they drove on past Point of the Mountain to Alpine for an overnight stay with Gene and Danalee Abernethy.  The next day was filled with visiting and going to the BYU football game.  Is anyone surprised?

Bryan and Shannon Erickson of Woodland Hills met them in Provo with great pre-game food and a great time was had by all.

Doug Wilcox came up from his place in Salt Lake with a pickup load of veggies.  He drove around Mink Creek handing out the produce:  boxes of tomatoes, peppers of all descriptions, cucumbers, etc., and no zucchini!  He could have started a farmer’s market!  Thanks for stopping here, Doug.

Sept 12, 2012

The sun is having a harder time climbing up the eastern mountains in the morning, not many hours later he is tired and heads to the west for an early rest.  All this summertime activity has worn him to a frazzle and he is ready for fall and the onset of winter.  Most humans are feeling the same way.

Armando Crosland is in Bejing, China, studying abroad with his major in international studies.  While he learned Korean on an LDS mission, now he is tackling Chinese and their history.  He is on a scholarship and this will serve as an internship for Armando.  We know this will be a rather intense year of work for him.

Cheryl and Mitch Cowgill and their little girl have been visiting Cheryl’s dad, Craig and Elaine Larsen.  The Cowgill family live in Gresham, OR, and don’t get down this way too often.

Austin and Katie Keller and children of Franklin, ID,  and Josh and Noel Keller and their baby of Brigham City, UT, have been putting in some summer hours here, They are the sons of Kim and Dianna Keller and have had fun at Grandpa Vernon Keller’s farm.

Michelle Wall and her two children came over from Grand Junction, CO, to her parent’s home relaxing for a few days.  Joining the crew at Kent and Tammy Beardall’s were Shawn and Callie Beardall of Spanish Fork, UT, and their three youngsters.  Five grandchildren around equals lots of activity.

Driving from Vancouver, WA, Claudine and LaMar MaKague and their five children were able to spend a week with her folks, Bob and Claudia Erickson.  They were bringing their oldest son, Sam, to start his first year at BYU/I in Rexburg.

            Several young people in the LDS Ward were recognized recently.  Celina Crosland  graduated from Primary  and now moving on to the Beehive group in Young Women.  Travis Greene was ordained to the office of a teacher.  Kendrick Nye and Justin Longhurst were both ordained as priests.  Joseph Seamons received his Duty to God Award.

            The eldest son of Bruce and Shauna Crane  has recently returned from a mission to Chile.  He, his parents and his sister came to the Crane “Cabin” for few days.  They live in Logan, bu the Mink Creek roots go deep.

It is time for mowing the third crop of alfalfa.  That only applies to the irrigated fields, of course, but it is an encouraging cutting after the dryness in the earlier cuts.   Farmers are feeling fortunate if they can get this third crop.  After this crop is in the barn the hay equipment can be retired until the 2013 season.

With fall approaching the canning of the garden’s harvest is speeding up.  In addition to the locally grown food the Brigham City peaches are appearing in roadside stands and the grocery store.  They seem to be a winter staple for most homes.

I hope all readers took a moment today to reflect on the date, 9-11.  The students at Preston Jr. high were wearing the colors of the USA to recognize Patriot's Day.  All lives of our citizens have changed since that tragic event.

Sept 5, 2012

There is a nip in the air most mornings, reminding us that Fall is on its way.  Otherwise the days are still plenty warm.  All summer long the countryside has looked dry, now it looks over-baked, tan and crisp, brittle, and alive with the arrival of seasonal insects:  grasshoppers, boxelder bugs, and, of course, wasps and bees.  Fruit fallen off the trees attract the wasps and boxelder bugs so a person has to be careful picking them up and disposing of them.  Even the truit still on the branches are covered with layers of black boxelder bugs, feasting on the juices, and most like on each other.  Yuck!

The community held a Harvest Social at our Mink Creek Ballpark.  The temperature was perfect and there is nothing quite so nice as sharing time with good friends.  The tables were full and there were lots of choices in the potluck version of salads and desserts.  Provided were pulled pork sandwiches and the choice of water or lemonade.  Reed Jensen was to be the guest of the evening and we missed having him with us.  Program replacements were stories of Mink Creek past as told by Bob Erickson, Garland Rasmussen and George Garr.  George hasn’t lived here quite as long as the others, but he has enjoyed his place here for the past fifty years.

It is great to see the lights on in the Egley home.  Jared and Julie Egley and their four children have moved into the home of Jared’s grandparents, Bryce and Carlene Egley,  and some further back Egley great grands before them.  They have been living in Preston and we are so pleased to have them make the decision to move here.  Another young family perks up the village for all of us.

Dixie Bybee  is leaving us, again.  She is moving to the Boise area to be near her children, Darlene and Jason Travis and their family, and Lloyd Bybee.    We do understand the need for this decision. We are happy for them, but she will be very missed in our community.

 Beware of the zucchini growers!   This seems to have been a very good year for that particular crop and the green giants and even smaller sizes are arriving by the box loads on unsuspecting doorsteps. 

We have several residents recovering from recent surgery.  They prefer to remain nameless to the public, however there are general terms one can use when thinking of them and feeling concern.

Karl and Marion Haws are here from Santa Barbara, CA.  They make frequent visits to the Haws house in Mink Creek, sometimes with children and their families, other times just to soak up the quietness of the sound of the creek in their backyard and few cars passing by.

Jim and Debbie Harrison are similar residents of Mink Creek.   Home is still the one on Hwy 36, Idaho, regardless of the time spent in St. George.