July 11, 2012

There were a number of Mink Creek youth in the recent production of Mulan. Total count fifteen:  Brooke Checketts; Celina Crosland; Haylee, Dakota and Chance Hatch; Abigail and Keenan Janke; Clay, Claire, Ella, Ty and Tara Jepsen; River McKay; Ben and David Seamons. This turns into many hours spent by both kids and parents with practices and transportation to Preston.  It was well done, a good experience for the youth, thanks going to  directors Stephanie Buttars and Katie Smith.

Brooke Checketts, daughter of Hilary and Tim Checketts, is  now a member of Young Women in the LDS Ward, recently graduating from Primary. Michael Hawkes, son of Robert and Elizabeth Hawkes, is the newest member of the Ward, baptized and confirmed June 30^th.

Mink Creek enjoyed the annual traditional July 4^th gathering at the ballpark.  Activities going on throughout the day were softball, the ever-popular water slide, paintball target practice, rocket launching, even some backgammon and other board games and a pie-eating contest.  The official beginning started in the morning with the raising of our national flag by the Scout troop led by Johnny and Jeannine Iverson.  Mountainaire vocal group sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”   A children’s choral group under the direction of Jennifer Seamons voiced patriotic numbers. Glen Jepsen, retired Air Force, favored the audience with his feelings about our nation.  Later, Paul Carver of Soda Springs ( but raised in Mink Creek), entertained us with cowboy poetry.

The crew of cooks were:  Clare Christensen, Kent Beardall, Paul McKay, Richard Free, Stuart Ostler and Brent Sharp, resulting in a feast of Dutch Oven potatoes (of course), a choice of hamburgers, hot dogs, pork loin or beef brisket, corn on the cob, rolls, with a selection of drinks.  Dessert came by selecting from the entries of “best Dessert contest,” winners posted online.  Ice cream was also available.  Many hands went into the production of this yearly event.

            Those willing souls were Nate and Dana Olson, Eldon Wilcox, Dawnell Greene, Joe Jarvis, Glade and Corinne Larsen, Bryce and Terry Stromberg.

            Winners of the sweet tooth offerings were:    Adults: Best Tasting, 1^st Macy and McKenna Jepsen, 2^nd Royce Christensen, 3^rd Ramona Hatchett.  Most Patriotic, 1^st Ceclie Costley with a gigantic stars and stripes cake in the shape of the USA,  2^nd Sherry York with stars and stripes strawberries, and 3^rd Danita Wilcox, a flag waving offering. 

            In the Youth division:  Best tasting;  1^st, Ty Jepsen, 2^nd Henry Jones, 3^rd Jeanine Jones,

Most Patriotic:  1^st Claire Jepsen, 2^nd Celina Crosland, 3^rd Morgan McKay.  Most Creative:  1^st Carter Hadley, 2^ndTara and Ella Jepsen, 3^rd Talon Johnson.

            It is high time there was mention of the Mink Creek School Reunion, held here in June.  It was a great day, with lots of yummy food and the best of company.  Terry and Wendy Westerberg were in charge of the event this year., with some assistance from friends.  An effort had been made in the gathering of memories and historical pictures from Mink Creek’s past adorned the walls and tables.  Some fun was part of guessing who was who in the long ago photos, after all, the participants have all grown older.  The Seamons Five, children of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons, presented a fun string program, both fiddling and classical violin selections.

            For those of you readers now many miles distant, yes, it is very hot in Mink Creek right now.  Several days have broken the three digit numbers and all growing things are wanting water, daily, if at all possible.  Often it is not possible and things start looking a bit parched.  We are ever alert to the possibility of fires being started.  We are a long way from the end of "fire season."