Online, only, Dec 31, 2013

This is the No News for the Mink Creek column, Dec 31, 2013.  If you are reading this online it will be a bit different than usual.  Usual?—I post  the column that comes out that week in the Citizen, plus a bit more of my blather.   This week I didn’t have anything in the rural news spot because my own paper arrives in the mail, sometimes afternoon;  this time it arrived on Dec. 24^th, and in it was a blurb stating the deadline for those columns was at noon that day.  Nope, not from me, too late for anything.   However, I thought those of you who read it in this format would still be expecting to hear about life in these hills and I love writing about that.   So, enjoy (or not, as suits your fancy.)

            There have been plenty of visitors here, spending good family time. The holidays are nearly a thing of the past, tonight being New Year’s Eve.  I note that there are two philosophies about the decorating for this seasonal thing.  One is that Christmas is over, let’s get that tree and its accompaniments down and out, put away the baubles, etc. and get on with a less messy life.  That certainly straightens a person’s living space back into order.  The other view is to hold on to the decorations that remind them of the season, maybe of past memories, until a day or so after the New Year arrives.  Then get back to “normal.”  Of course both are good---and if you have a live tree that has become brittle and dropping the needles it is time to move it elsewhere.

            The neighborhood gift exchanges have been a regular part of the last couple of weeks.  Some has been in the form of service, others in the form of various goodies:  popcorn ( in all its stages and flavors),  fudge,  soda, cookies, and cookies, fancied pretzels, rice krispie treats with a holiday flair, granola loaded with nuts, packaged mixes, soups,  and on and on.  Along with all of this is the knowing that others care and hope good things for you, a gift in itself.

            We don’t have much snow throughout our community, but there must be a bit more up in our canyons because the snowmobiling set has kept the highway busy in that direction.  Around here we have plenty of dry brown patches of dirt and lots of slick ice due to the weather warming enough to melt the top of the snow and turn it into a sheet of sliding.  I have not heard of any broken bones as a result of this condition.

            We have had the invasion of a winter flu bug.  This is no 24  hour variety.  Some have said it hangs around for a couple of weeks, and barely leaves the doorstep before turning around for another visit.

            I had best save whatever else might be “newsy” until it is in paper print.  Happy New Year, 2014, thanks for reading.

           

Christmas Eve, 2013

Snow, a nice soft, wet snow, covered our hills this morning.   A beautiful winter landscape in this mountain retreat. It should clear the air, as well as add to the Chrismasy feel needed for this last week of December.

Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson had a full house with children and grandchildren in abundance. Dana and Charlie Peterson and children were down from Meridian.  Peggy and Jon Flinders and family came all the way from Salmon, ID.  Jerry and Christin Olson and their bunch live in the cooler that usual St. George, and Mike and Anna Olson and children are in Brigham City, UT.

William Kyle Currie was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   He is the son of Wendy and Clayton Currie.  Their family have recently moved into our community. They are living in the house best known as “Mildred Keller’s place,” recently belonging to Mike Dyer, before it was Parm Keller, Mildred’s son. The Curries come from Tremonton and have three other children, Christopher,  Devlyn, and Larien.

Jessica Larsen, oldest daughter of David and Liz Larsen, has graduated from Utah State University this December.  She has been majoring in environmental science.  Congratulations to Jessica for a job well done!

The funeral of Sallee Keller brought all of the Keller and Torfin children  and families home to Mink Creek.  The Kellers are Kelton, Kim, Kay, Karma and Karla.  The Torfins are Kristi, Casey, Kurt and Clay.    Friends and relatives from the Grace area as well as Franklin county met to remember the life of this good lady.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP enjoyed a Christmas dinner together by going to the Blue Bird Restaurant in Logan.  The majority of the women in this camp live in Mink Creek now, or have done so in the past.  How fitting for a group centered on history to go to the Blue Bird, a restaurant that has a strong historical background in this vicinity.

Well, Readers, it is Christmas Eve, 2013, in Mink Creek.  I have paused to think of stories told to me when I first moved here, in 1963, by a neighbor who was then in her eighties.  I can’t help but think that while many things have changed in this little village, there are still some things that have stayed the same.

She grew up in the Klondike area and told they would drive down in a horse drawn sleigh to come to winter choir practices at the old rock church.   Her mother would heat rocks in the oven of their stove, they would wrap the rocks in quilts and put them in the bottom of the sleigh to keep them warm with more quilts wrapped around them.  What fun it was, she loved it, almost as much as she loved singing.

This good lady shared much wisdom with me and I valued her friendship to a newcomer to the community, a young mother with a brand new baby.  Mink Creek still welcomes new people and reaches out to them in warmth, particularly during the Christmas season.  I have been hearing of driveways being cleared of snow, of baskets of food appearing on doorsteps.  I saw women of the community disappointed to find that all the “give a gift” tags were taken from the Relief Society tree, to the point that the RS Presidency had to extend the project just a little longer, so that more could be given.

 Our hills are covered with white snow, not very much, but the blanket is still there.  We are hoping for more in the days ahead. There is enough moonlight to activate the local owls and coyotes in a holiday chorus.  If you have Mink Creek blood running through your veins, or have lived here long enough to form friendships, know that we will be thinking of you, hoping you are also thinking of us.  Merry Christmas!  Remember our many blessings.

Dec 18, 2013

Much of the family of Lana Baird joined with her and husband Ivan McCracken for the last holiday.  Nathan Baird and LaRon and Liesa Baird and family live close by. Tamra and Jason Taylor and their children came up from Woods Cross, UT.  Owen Baird now calls Bountiful , UT, home. Daniel and Heather Baird and family are in Sugar City, ID, and Maria and Devin Flake in Orem, UT.

The Relief Society held their Christmas program entitled “My Gift” on Dec 5.  The evening was centered on keeping Christ in our Christmas celebrations.  Three of the women gave presentations.  Karen Erickson read The Parable of the Shopper, authored by our own Cecelie Costley a few years ago.  Judy Rasmussen’s story combined Easter thoughts with those of Christmas.  Laurel Wilde, told about her nephew, Matt Carter, a Navy Seal, and the sacrifices he made for family and country, particularly his final one.  A local women’s vocal group, The Mountaires, sang a lovely Christmas carol.  The program was followed by a tasting table of small sandwiches, a veggie plate, crackers and a cheese ball, and a cup of wassail.  Each woman who attended brought one holiday treat to share, so that each one could take home a plate of yummy goodies.

Sallee Keller, wife of Vernon Keller, passed away unexpectedly.  Her funeral was Dec 14 at the Mink Creek church.  She had a fun loving personality and she will be sorely missed.   Even after a knee surgery she has had difficulty walking much in the last few years.

One member or another of thee Haws family are still making regular visits.  Peter  and  Loren and their spouses were up from California  for a few days.  I am sure there was a big difference in the temperatures from southern California.

            Cecelie and Wynn Costley are currently teaching English at a college in China.  She reports that their home is close to the ocean.  The winds help in times of weather inversion.  Cache Valley is dealing with inversion right now.  As of today Mink Creek community was above the hazy air, but just dropping down into Riverdale as we drive south puts one into the murkiness.  It isn’t so cold, but just seeing the cloudy air gives one pause to think about the condition of healthy breathing.

            Garland Rasmussen had surgery on a shoulder and seems to be recuperating nicely.  It is one of things that waits until the farmer is done with his fall work before proceeding.

Heidi and Brendan Brown were here visiting with her parents, Richard and Vickie Free.

Cold Dec 11, 2013

Holiday time is company time.  Karen and Layne Erickson had all four of their children home for Thanksgiving.  Julie Kunz and her two children, Kamry and Kreighton, drove from Idaho Falls, Bryan and Shannon Erickson and their boys were up from Woodland Hills, UT.  Connie Erickson and her friend Adam Westenskow only needed to come from Logan.  Paul and Terrie McKay, plus Morgan and Andy, just live on Station Creek Road, in Mink Creek. It was a great day for all of them.

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson managed have only ten at their table.  From Highland, UT, came Gregory and Vicky Iverson and Kade and Juel along with banana cream pie and a tasty dressing.  Michael and Susan Iverson and their son Jared and his wife Kim came from Brigham City, UT.  Kurt and Margret Iverson and family, who live in Mink Creek full time, drove over the hill to Cub River to join Margret’s family, Walter and Sharon Knapp.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox hosted Brigham and Jennifer Wilcox and children, Brig is now going to school at Idaho State University.  Ami and Tom Fenton and their family were up from Utah.  Brittany and Matt Durrant and their little one drove from Salt Lake City to join in the fun.

Jerry and Ramona Hatchett enjoyed time with her daughter, Teresa Gray, in West Jordan, UT.  With grandson and friends they had about 20 people for the festivities.  They went to Salt Lake City to attend the presentation of the Dead Sea Scrolls.  So much learning to take place in such a small amount of time.

Mink Creek LDS Ward has stirred up parts of their organization. The new Primary Presidency  is: Sherrie Corbett, President, Julie Egley, 1^st counselor and Avery Gomez, 2^nd counselor, with Kristi Hall as Nursery Director.  The Young Women now have Candy Longhurst as President, Liz Hawkes and Terrie McKay her counselors and Wendy Westerberg, secretary. 

Sharon Moran did the holiday weekend with her mother in Pocatello, a break  from her life  on the Mink Creek hillside.  She doesn’t have much garden work these cold days, but it won’t be long before the snow shoveling becomes a regular task.

We do have snow, but not in much quantity.  Our temperatures the last few nights have been below zero, daytime it warms a  teensy bit, this afternoon it was 2 degrees at one  point.  The winter sunsets are gorgeous, streaks of iridescent orange across clouds of purple and blue just above those west side mountains.  Yep, breathtaking!

The season is bringing out some extra wildlife.  Cotton tail rabbits are coming into the yard.  The pesky raccoons with their innocent little faces are up to tricks.  We have had a busy beaver.  Of course there is the usual fox, deer, pheasant, turkeys always checking out us humans.  There seems to be quite a few eagles populating our skies this cold weather, and they are seen snacking on the road-kill deer carcasses.

Dec 4, 2013

Thanksgiving weekend is the big weekend for Christmas trees to be harvested from our surrounding forests.   There have been a few going down the road prior to this, but many families make getting their tree part of their Thanksgiving tradition.  There will be trees on top of cars, trees in trailers, trees riding in the back of pickups, whatever will work to get the tree back to home base.

The family of Steve and Terrie Mainini were all together for the holidays, or at least part of it.  The Mainini sons, Mario and Tony were here for the whole time.  Daughter Angelina, wanted to experience Black Friday in Salt Lake City before she came up for the weekend.

The Mink Creek girls volleyball team came away with a win at the Preston North Stake Championship game.   Coached by Laurel Wilde, this bevy of young ladies gave it their all and beat the opposing team, one that had never lost a game all season.  Congratulations are in order!

Matthew Westerberg, son of Wendy and Terry Westerberg, has proven to have an eye on international doings in his educational goals.  Currently at the University of Wyoming as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he is a Masters Peace Corps International Student.  Matt is interested in civil-military relations in transitional democracies. He plans on developing his thesis around this topic and pursuing his research while serving as a volunteer for the Peace Corps beginning mid 2014.

Jeannine and Johnny Iverson had a great visit from her brother Allen and Vilma Pack of McKinney, TX.  An interesting tidbit is that Brenda Seamons Kemsley, daughter of Scott and Cathy Seamons of Mink Creek, is a Visiting Teacher to Vilma.  This is a surprise connection for both Brenda and Vilma! 

Health-wise, it seems to be cold season now.  Coughs and sneezes punctuate any community gathering.  Soft tissues are on the required list for children and adults alike.  It doesn’t help much to have a constant wind coming out of the north, with ice in its teeth.  Each morning we expect to see snow.  So far it has been short jabs of sleet and rain.  The forecast is for a 30 degree drop in outdoor temperatures.

The Christmas spirit seems to be hanging on to the coat tails of Thanksgiving.  Haven’t noticed any outdoor lights yet on our very dark hillsides, and we are three days into the month of December. The night sky is very dark right now too, but the stars are crystal clear and full of sparkle against that black navy background.  Don’t you wish you were here?!   There is probably some nostalgia for those nights if you now live in a city where there is no starlight.   It is one of my favorite Mink Creek bonuses!

Thanksgiving Eve, 2013

A drive through Swan Lake, ID, made me aware why it has the name.  There were about twenty swans on that nearby lake, that sometimes appears more like a swamp.  Beautiful creatures.  Generally I have seen swans on the upper end of the Oneida Reservoir on Bear River, a little north of the Maple Grove Hot Springs.

Lots of grumpy days, weather –wise.  Three days of waking up to snow.  The sun erased it by afternoon, except in the shaded spots.   It is staying cold, not winter-cold, but still cold.  The snow line on our mountainsides goes up and down, then up again.  One of these first days it will be down to stay.  These winds coming out of the north encourage curling up by the warm fire with a good  book for some relaxed reading time.  However, if there are outdoor animals on a farm, there are those freezing chores that are required, 24/7.  Reality  that comes with winter!

Elder Jared Andra has returned from 24 months of serving in the Oklahoma, Tulsa, Mission.   He is the son of Heather and Greg Andra.  Jared left for the mission when the Andra family lived in Corvallis, MT.   He has worked in three different states:  the cities of  Miami and Cedar Ridge in Oklahoma,  Mountain Grove and Stockton in Missouri, and  Fayetteville and Prairie Grove in Arkansas.

Patti and Forrest Christensen have recently returned from a jaunt to Hawaii.  The purpose of this visit was attending the wedding of Patti’s son Matthew. The ceremony was held on Hamona Beach in the Hana area of the island of Maui. Needless to say, the Christensens had a great time in that 86 degree weather.   Matthew and Marissa will be making their new home in Granite Bay, CA, east of Sacramento.

            Thanksgiving is on everyone’s mind.  Many are staying at home in Mink Creek, but some have travel plans.  Can you smell the pies and rolls baking?  It makes me think of the holiday with similar sights and smells, year after year since the beginning of this little valley community  in 1872 when Karen Valentine Keller came up to join her sons in homesteading.  It went from a lonely winter tending cattle to a home filled with good cooking smells.

            Things are still crisp and cold.  Ice crystals form on the ground once dark sets in good and proper.  Evenings come early since Daylight Savings Time is at rest.  It is perfect for reflecting on the many things in our lives, big and small, that add to our joy.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Nov 20, 2013

Flocks of turkeys are happily grazing in fields.  They take themselves to higher elevations, back from the highway, for most of the summer.  Now summer is over and they are back to their winter roosts, picking up grain that was scattered during harvesting season and anything else that appeals to their appetites. 

The young women of the LDS Ward are having a good time playing volleyball at home and around the stake.   Their coach is Laurel Wilde.  Girls show up regularly for practice and games, ages twelve to seventeen, loving the teamwork and fun. 

Robert and Phee Crosland were able to take a cross-country trip to see their daughter Arianna recently.  Arianna and Ben Hostetter and little boy, Skyler, live in Jacksonville, FL. where Ben is in law school.

Mink Creek has two LDS missionaries serving in the Philippines.  Following the typhoon, both are accounted for at this time, Elder Mario Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland and Elder Tyler Hickman, son of Eric and Lisa Hickman.

Vernon Keller’s children and their spouses surprised their father with a birthday party to celebrate his 80^th year.  Sallee, his wife, kept the secret perfectly. It was held at the Preston Fire Station.  A lovely dinner was served to extended family and close friends.  The children of this Keller family are Kelton Keller, Kim Keller, Kaylene Hill, Karma Wood, Karla Jensen, Kristi Hall,  and Casey Torfin.  One highlight of the night was the expression on Vernon’s face when he realized the party was for his benefit, the other highlight was a presentation of photos of Vernon’s life that his kids had put together.

Richard and Vickie Free have recently returned from a seven night Caribbean cruise, aboard a ship named “Oasis of the Sea.”  Definitely a luxury liner!  On board was an ice skating rink, and Richard had to try it, ending up with a broken wrist.  The Frees enjoyed the company of Vickie’s sister and brother-in-law from Logan. Some sight-seeing took place in Haiti, Jamaica, and Cozumel.

Danny and Nicky Coleman and their son Charley were up from  to spend a weekend with his parents, Nelson and Tammy Coleman.  Danny and Nicky live in Logan and drop up fairly often.

George and Bobbi Garr have headed back to their winter warmth in California.  We have several families who are here off and on all year round, with their main homes in Utah or California.  In checking out our community telephone directory, it is time for a rewrite.  There are around 40 changes since the last edition.  We have had three or four families move in, just in the last six weeks.

Nov 13, 2013

Mink Creek’s Trunk R Treat Fall Party took place the night of Halloween.  First item on the agenda was filling tummies.  There was a good selection of soups:   vegetable chowders, chicken noodles, potato  and chili varieties, beef noodle.  Homemade rolls accompanied these. Next on the program was the parade of costumes, snaking up and down, around the recreation hall.  All costumed figures were assembled on the stage, while those who had trunks prepared for viewing and presenting of treats headed out to the parking lot.  Then the treating began, and there was plenty!   Great night for all ages!

Eric and Lisa Hickman were back home with us for a few days.   While here they got in on the first staying snowfall of our season on Nov. 3^rd. They spend most of their time in Colfax, CA, but Mink Creek is still a place they can call “home.”  In all the catchup visiting we discovered that their son Tyler is now on a mission in the Philippines.

Karen and Layne Erickson traveled to Mesquite, NV, Karen’s hometown, for the funeral of her brother-in-law.  On their return drive they stopped in Cedar City, UT, to visit with Judy and Ervin Larsen and Sarah Westerberg.  Driving north farther, they spent some time with their son Bryan and Shannon Erickson and their boys in Woodland Hills, UT.

George and Jody Rasmussen enjoyed a visit from their son Neil and Becky Rasmussen and their children.  The younger Rasmussen family lives in Highland, UT.

Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson drove to Meridian, ID, to witness the baptism of grandson 

Jaxon Peterson, who became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Dana and Charlie Peterson are the parents of Jaxon.  The Olsons are doing as much grandparenting as possible after their absence of 18 months in Great Britain.

After some very tense hours we are relieved to report that our Philippine missionaries are safe.  Mario Crosland, son of Robert and Phee, and Tyler Hickman, son of Eric and Lisa, have both contacted their parents.  Jesse Wilcox, newly married and living in the islands, was here in Mink Creek this past weekend and his wife is safe in Manila.

That first snowfall didn’t stay long.  The shady spots lasted a little longer than others, but since it has been perfect fall, and dry.  There is always plenty of outdoor work and the community is enjoying these days.  The farms that have livestock are letting them graze on nearby fields, but they have brought the critters down from upper summer pastures.

Nov. 6, 2013

October is gone, all that is left is munching on the Halloween treats.  There is anticipation of a break from the morning darkness of Daylight Savings Time, Nov 3^rd.  The darkness will be back for a short time in about a month, but the interim will be nice.  Children of our community can get on school buses for a few more weeks in renewed light.

Our village has had much BOO-ING going on through neighborhoods.  This translates as anonymous good deeds.  When someone has been Booed ( received a treat or whatever) then they pass that forward by Booing another household.  It has become a regular October activity in this valley over the last several years.

Patti Christensen has been out of town, in New Jersey, no less, visiting her daughter Sara.  Sara lives in Point Pleasant, with lots of fun: shopping, an ocean beach and places for bike riding.  Patti was able to meet Sara’s boyfriend and his family.  They took a trip to New Hope, PA, located on the Delaware River.  The historical highlight was the spot where George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware on that cold winter night long ago.  Local rumors are that there are ghosts of the Redcoats in the woods near the crossing.

The LDS Ward thoroughly enjoyed the annual Primary program in Sacrament Meeting the last of October.  It is always delightful, as well as instructive.  The theme this year was “How We Know That We are God’s Children.”  There is something very special about a child performing, looking out at the audience to find those they care about.  Primary President Candy Longhurst and chorister Melinda Jepsen with Terrie McKay at the piano,  were in charge of this performance.

Tammy Beardall of Mink Creek and Keene and Dellene Rigby of Montpelier, ID, traveled with their children, Shawn and Callie Beardall, and grandchildren for a fall trip to Oregon.  They loved the sights of the Columbia River Gorge, the beauty of the river, and the fun of being together on the beautiful Oregon coast.

            We have had some snow that has stayed, at least in the places of constant shade.  The temperature matches. The whitened mountains are standouts.  So far there isn’t enough snow to encourage the snowmobiling crowd, but they are keeping close watch.  Meanwhile, most of us are enjoying the comfort of a wood fire within our homes.  Chainsaws are getting a good workout, trying to beat the next storm, whenever that might be.

            Halloween outdoor decorations are stashed for another year.  Jack-o-lanterns adorned this weeks garbage pickup.  We had fun while it lasted.  Happy November, everyone, remember to be thankful.

Oct 29, 2013

       Sorry if you tried to check this and there was zilch.  My life has been full of glitches this week and I forgot about it, until here I am two days later.   Let this be a warning to those of you who think retirement always goes along smoothly.  It is still life, and that should explain everything.

        We have had gorgeous fall days!  The red of the maple tress has gone, but the dark  green pines and yellows of other deciduous trees still appeal to the soul.  Warm temperatures in the days, more and more chilly at night, but hard frosts still  only here and there.

Our skunk population has to be dwindling.  This statement  is made due to the number of carcasses along the highway, giving off their own special aroma.  It does raise a person’s awareness of their existence!

Kent and ReNae Egley went north to Alaska for a much deserved vacation.  They saw so much breath-taking scenery, mountains, glaciers; plus having some great getting-away time.  The stillness of great lakes and nature was just what was needed for this pair.

Victoria Taylor and Toni Cox of Hull, England visited with Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson for five lovely days.  A favorite activity was riding the Olson’s 4-wheeler.  They took in a corn maze and enjoyed the Logan Temple.  The Olsons' intent was to show them the beautiful Teton Mountains, but due to snowy weather conditions the park roads were closed; the group got as close as Jackson, WY and enjoyed the scenery offered from that distance.

 Lauryn Hawkes, daughter of Robert and Liz Hawkes, has turned sixteen  and received the Mia Main certificate. She will now be in the Laurel class at the LDS Ward.

Shawn and Callie Beardall and their trio of children are up from Spanish Fork, UT, to enjoy the fall and hunting season with his parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall, and their family.  It is a family tradition, going back for years.

Ray and IlaRae Van Vleet of Grace are having a break during their mission service at the Heber Valley Girl’s Camp in Utah.  They dropped over to see their daughter, Tammy and Nelson  Coleman and family. 

Max Haws and his family have been up from California.  Mink Creek residents think of Max as the deliverer of avocados because he brings what extras he has from his crop in California to share with his Mink Creek neighbors.

A wild wind visited us one day this week for most of the morning.  The trees were whipping around in the style of Harry Potter movies.  One child commented that it looked like the branches were jumping rope.  Fall leaves marched southward, no obstacle was too big in their paths.  After hours of this, it quieted, and then the rain began.  A rather gloomy, but interesting, day.  Since then we have had a smattering of snow, but it has only stayed in the tops of our mountains.

Oct 23, 2013

Deer hunting season is upon us.  Mink Creek area is known nationally for its deer and we attract hunters of all varieties.  Some years ago this area was featured in the Sports Illustrated magazine as a home of mule deer.  Now one finds vehicles  parked willy-nilly up our back roads and in pastures while the hunt continues.

Maria Baird, daughter of Lana  and Ivan McCracken and the late Ronald Baird, was married recently to Devin Bryan Flake.  The ceremony took place at Rock Canyon Park near Orem, UT.  Her brother, LaRon Baird had the privilege of giving her away.   Later the couple was honored at a reception and dinner at the Sky Room of the Wilkinson Student Center on the BYU Campus. Along with Maria’s parents and LaRon’s family other siblings gathered were: Owen and Penny Baird of Bountiful, Madeline Baird of Brian’s family, Nathan Baird of Mink Creek, Annette Batchelor of Albuquerque, NM, and Tamra Taylor and family from Woods Cross, UT.

David Seamons, son of Jeffrey and Jennifer Seamons, was presented the Faith in God certificate, recognizing accomplishments in Primary.  He was ordained to the office of  deacon.  Both sets of grandparents live in Mink Creek:  Scott and Cathy Seamons and Joe and Kathy Jarvis.

Todd and Julie Kunz and children Kamri and Kreighton, of Idaho Falls drove down for a weekend stay with her parents, Layne and Karen Erickson.  Todd and Kamri enjoyed going to a USU football game in Logan while they were here.

The funeral of Arden Rasmussen brought many Rasmussen relatives home.  There was a great deal of reminiscing with friends and family.  Arden was the 6^th child born in a family of 15 children.  Six of these siblings are still with us. Arden and his wife, Sheila Stephenson, had four children, two boys, two girls and all of these families were able to be here for his burial.

Bob Erickson spent the first week of October fishing for salmon.  This is an annual trip taken with his brother Gary Erickson of Chubbuck, ID, and other friends.  It is always a fun time, no matter how large or how small their catch.  Now comes the task of smoking the slabs, but worth the work!

We now have pheasant hunting going on, along with the deer.  It makes a person wonder if it is safe to step outside with shots being heard from all directions.

Oct 16, 2013

The slopes of the mountains surrounding us look as if washed in red-orange paint as the maple trees predominate for a week or two.  Stations Creek, Bear Creek, South Canyon, Mink Creek, Birch Creek, Strawberry,  all have their share of color, Riverdale included.  Bits of yellow and fall’s bright green make it gorgeous.

At this end of Riverdale are a herd of cattle; among them are some that must be related to the Texas Longhorn, judging by the span of the horns they carry.  This is a motley bunch of bovines, blacks, browns, brockle-faced and those that pack a rack of horns.

Tyson Hall, son of Kristi and Brett Hall, was ordained to the office of an elder in the LDS Ward.  His brother Bridger came up from Logan to witness this event.  His grandparents: Sallee Keller of Mink Creek and Dallas and Deone Hall of Wellsville, UT. were in attendance.

Rico Crosland was awarded his Duty to God achievement certificate for services rendered during his Aaronic priesthood years.  He also spoke in the LDS meeting prior to leaving for the MTC in Provo.   After a few October days in that locality he will be flying to Auckland, New Zealand, to serve in the New Zealand, Wellington, Mission.

Macy Jepsen, eldest daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen,  has received her mission call to Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Mission.  The call arrived at her home in Mink Creek and her parents were given permission by Macy to read it to her with a Skype communication while Macy is in Italy a little longer.  She will be leaving here in February.

Mike Dyer must be moving outside of our community.  His home is posted as rentable with the intention of buying.  There are several homes within our boundaries that are now available.

Karl and Marion Haws have enjoyed a lengthy visit with us this summer.  If they aren’t careful they are liable to receive assignments of community tasks for village activities.   Lately they have had one foot in California, one in Idaho, and yes, that is an mightyl big step!  Other family members have flitted in and out of the Haws home during the last few weeks.

The community wood project gets underway this time of year.  First there is the gathering and then follows the splitting of logs at various homes where the homeowners might not be able to provide the physical labor required to lay in the fuel.

Oct 9, 2013

Colors of fall enhance our valley, but there is no brightness, being muted this season.  It is like looking through a tinted lens that removes intensity of red, orange, yellow and lime green.  

There is no walking through fallen leaves, listening to the crunch, recent rains have softened those sounds.  For the upcoming hunting season those hunting will consider this a plus.

The Eldon and Danita Wilcox family is home from the Philippines where they traveled to attend their son Jesse’s wedding to Annavelyn Malate.  The wedding took place in the Manila LDS Temple. Being the last in the family to marry, as many relatives as possible traveled to witness this event: besides his parents there were  three sisters,Elise Hardy, Brittany Durrant, Ami with her husband Tom Fenton, and his uncle Forrest and Patti Christensen.  The group toured as much as possible in their two week stay.  Annavelyn’s family is from the Bicol region of the country, home of the Mayon volcano, a live volcano and very tall.  They swam in the ocean, visited a nearby island, did lots of shopping and visited friends of Jesse’s.  The Wilcox’s are a tall family and certainly stood out amongst the smaller Filipino people.   There were places they just didn’t fit!

 Riding on the pudjaks, bikes with a sidecar, a means of public transportation, was an event in itself.    They found travel crowded with many people walking on the roads, as a result it took a longer time to go between places.

The family took in some historical sites:  Corregidor Island, location of WWII battles, and the American Cemetery in Manila.  Here they were impressed with the perfect grooming of the lawns and the exactness of the monuments. They spent some time on Luzon Island. The group was there for two weeks and tried to take advantage of every day to tour as much as possible.   Their return flight to the states was held up for a few hours due to a typhoon that moved in.  Jesse and  Annavelyn are still in the Philippines, with Jesse  now called to serve as a counselor in a local bishopric.  This was a surprise to all, even though he had served a mission there several years past.  Not sure how the visa thing works in this situation.

My apologies to those of you who look for this blog on the same day that the newspaper comes out.  I was out of town for a couple of days and I forgot all about the blog for several hours.

So far we have had a wetter fall than usual.  It is cloudy and threatening as I post this.  But the big freeze has held off for some reason.  Just in the last few days have the more fragile flowers frozen.  I still have hopes of my chrysanthemums blooming once more if all is favorable.  They made it last year, perhaps it is too much to hope for two years in a row.

Oct 2, 2013

The youth and leaders had a very wet fall highway cleanup.  In a downpour, thunder rolling around our mountains, towards the end they needed car lights to find the trash. The occasional sheet lightning was not sufficient.  Refreshment were more than deserved.

Warren & Colleen Wilde have returned from a five day trip to Sacramento, CA, attending the Lewis Family Reunion.  Colleen’s brother Ben Lewis and his wife Julie are the Mission President and Mother of the Sacramento Mission and since they couldn’t be elsewhere the family took the reunion to them.  All the siblings and spouses were able to be there:  Lynn and Steve Cherrington were already there, serving a mission,  Beth and Bud Alford came from Idaho Falls, Bob and ReNae Lewis from Denver and Ann Stephenson and her son from Los Angeles.

Lorraine Christensen is home after a much extended stay of two months in Lafayette, IN.  She was there to give help and support to their daughter Carrie and Ken Melton with their expected baby arrived in June, well ahead of his September schedule.  He weighed 3 #, 4 oz and  dropped to 2 #, 7 oz, but is now about 9 pounds.  He will be named Thomas Henry Melton.  Big brother Kenny enjoyed a trip to the zoo with Grandma and helped pick blueberries.  A canning session went on with Carrie and Lorraine, yielding raspberries, apples, peaches, tomatoes and salsa. 

Tyson Hall, son of Kristi and Brett Hall, has received his call for an LDS mission to the Chile, Antofagasta, Mission.  He will be entering the Mission Training Center in Mexico in January, 2014.

Mary Jean Rasmussen and son, Kim Rasmussen, have been down in Centerville, UT, with her daughter Terry and Hayes Carr and family.  Grandson Kenneth Carr is soon leaving for his mission to Riverside, CA and extended family members gathered around for the occasion.

            The dampness of fall continues, the lawn keeps growing and the need for mowing hasn’t lessened one bit.  No hard freeze yet, although there are a few spots  up and down the village that show some frost damage.

            We have had some snow in our upper elevations, but it isn’t the sticking variety.  Forecasts this week sound like some of that might arrive in a few days.

            River McKay, daughter of Lin and Sharla is playing on the PHS girls volleyball team this year.  So far it has been a pretty successful season.

Sept 25, 2013

Our fall weather is starting off like a bouncing ball, up, down, up, down.  We have had a good share of rain with gloomy skies lasting all day.  After a summer of drought conditions we are now getting a drenching.   Harvesting that last crop of hay is a pure gamble.  It is hard to trust a sunny day.  As this is written some fields are full of soggy, brown hay.

There was a good representation of both Riverdale and Mink Creek residents recently at the funeral of Relda McGregor in Niter/Thatcher, ID.  Relda  Ane Smith was born and raised in Riverdale, ID, then married Bob McGregor of Thatcher who had several relatives living in Mink Creek.  With the passage of many years there were quite a few additions to those Smith and McGregor lines.

Macy and McKenna Jepsen, daughters of Kerry and Malinda Jepsen,  have been both excited and nervous about their plans for a trip abroad.  Now they are in Italy for three months of study and fun.  One very nice thing about this is that they have each other for support.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward was invited to view the Preston North Stake Conference at the Riverdale Church.  These two communities have been strongly connected since their founding years in the late 1800’s.

With a chill coming in with the weather change people are more conscious of the need to get their winter’s supply of firewood.  Our forested canyons are beginning to be filled with the sound of chainsaws in action.  Some families make getting wood a planned outing, complete with picnic and games.

            Quite a few kids from Mink Creek are involved in the Preston Recreation Program’s soccer season.    Between school, practices, and games they keep pretty busy.  There are Mink Creek players on three different teams, mixed with  other players from across the county.  There are also three Mink Creek men who volunteer to coach in the soccer league.  They are Kerry Jepsen, Jody Janke, and Kurt Iverson.

            The Lewis and Clark Volunteers, a mountain man group active in southeastern Idaho, met again at a favorite camping spot.  This is located on the banks of Mink Creek on the farm of Vernon and Sallee Keller.   The change in the seasons will soon have them heading indoors, planning the next rendezvous.

Sept 18, 2013

The LOTOJA brought some family fans to stand along Highway 36, cheering for their personal bikers.  At the Pearson place Dean and Rebecca Pearson of Cedar City, UT, Howard and Colleen Hawkes of Kaysville, UT, and other relatives were happy to see Gerald Olsen come pedaling by.  Gerald, of Roy Pearson’s family, has ridden this race for five years.  Further along the road a good portion of the Keller clan was there to greet one of their biking kin, giving questionable advice, snacks and fresh water bottles as needed.

Robert and Phee Crosland made good use of various buildings they have built at their home on Birch Creek. Bunkhouses were needed.  Robert’s sister, Carolyn and Mick Michie of Moroni, UT, brought their sons, Brad and Jacob, plus several of the boys’ friends for an end-of-summer visit.  The Michie family also brought Micah and Camy Glad and their six children, also of Moroni.

Andrew Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, recently turned twelve. In the LDS Ward he was presented with a certificate of graduation from Primary and the Faith In God certificate.  Andrew was ordained to the office of a deacon.

The last child of William and Christina Rasmussen has passed away, Verda Rasmussen Wagstaff, born in Mink Creek ninety-nine years ago.  She has lived many of her years in Orange, CA, but was in Arvin, CA, at the time of her death.  Verda grew up here with no running water, no electricity and has seen many changes in lifestyle during these 99 years.  She was flown back to be buried in the Mink Creek Cemetery alongside her parents.

Dick and LaDawn Jensen have a new grandchild.  Shirley and Kevin Ahrens of Pocatello have recently added a beautiful dark haired little girl to their family.  She will be named Jordan Shaun.  She is welcomed by a big sister and two brothers.

            That fall feeling has arrived.  Storms have arrived with regularity as well.  Even when the day has been dry the dew forms on the grasses well before midnight, so things keep pretty moist.  Lawns are prospering; weeds are having a hey-day!  Any harvesting on the fields of farms are at a standstill.   Pears, apples, peaches are at the picking stage. 

            It is that special bug season---the time when the jr. high kids are on high alert for the extra bugs to add to those they have been saving in their freezers, etc. for Crosland’s collections.  I understand that now other science teachers are on board and no bug is safe in Franklin County. 

Whole families are outdoors searching for any creature that qualifies. 

Sept 11, 2013

Labor Day weekend sent campers galore headed up to our canyons and beyond.  Besides the RVs, the 4 wheelers and motorcycles there were plenty of boats.  That translates into hours spent on Bear Lake and its shores, just over the mountains east of Mink Creek.  These recreation enthusiasts had Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy sunny weather.  Labor Day itself started raining with gusto early on, and stayed gloomy with persistent moisture coming down most of the day.

            Our ground has been so dry that it was most welcomed, but there is no doubt that all that dampness put an end to many celebrations.  It is continually amazing how dry the terrain can be, nearly to the crackling point, and a good storm paints the surroundings with green once again.

Bryan and Shannon Erickson and sons came up from Woodland Hills, UT and split their weekend between his parent’s place, Layne and Karen Erickson, and  the beachfront home they have in Bear Lake.  It made for a nice combination.

Ella Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, turned eight years old before the closing days of August and was baptized and confirmed the newest member of Mink Creek’s LDS Ward.  Friends and relatives were here to witness this occasion.

Sharon Moran has returned from a late summer water trip.  She has been kayaking in the Puget Sound in Washington with her son Willie Moran and friends.   Willie is now employed in that area of our country, growing organic produce, and loving it.

Jody and Laural Janke and their family took a quick drive to Pleasant Grove, UT, to witness the wedding of a friend who has moved there recently.

Fall plowing is part of the work to be done for those of us here that are still in the business of farming.  That recent rain was certainly sent at the perfect time for this necessary task.

It is bow hunting season.  Camouflage clothing, silent steps, good equipment and tools required, have all made it a good hunt for the bow enthusiasts.   I have heard some success stories already this fall.

            Canning season is underway in most homes.  Some apples are ready, zucchini abounds,  cucumbers are turned to pickles, the fall raspberries are on….and there are plans for more as the weeks pass and harvests increase.  Garden tomatoes grace the tables, but they are also being turned into many variety of tomato recipes:  salsa, chili sauce, chili, spaghetti sauce,  plain old tomatoes, and the list goes on. 

Sept. 4, 2013

 Grasshopper season is upon us.  These creatures seem to be very present when it is time to harvest the grain.  They came in all sizes and a variety of colors, red-winged, yellow, non-descript, bodies of grey, dull tan, slightly green.  The bouncing legs are of different lengths, but all able to be is places not desired by humans.  Their flying fills the air, and then, almost by magic, the grasshoppers are gone, disappeared.

            It is also the time to lock your cars at public gatherings or a person is apt to find a deposit of zucchini squash in your vehicle when it is time to go home.  Luckily, there are lots of things a cook can do with this particular item.

            Donald Christensen passed away recently.  He was raised in Mink Creek, a son of Allen and Pearl Christensen.  Over the last months he has been hospitalized several times.  He and his wife, Jeanette, now call Preston home, living in the Whitney boundaries.  His dedication to genealogy research, serving three missions to find and digitize important records, leaves a monument that will benefit many.

            Karl and Marion Haws of Santa Barbara, CA. are enjoying their Mink Creek residence during these warmer days in California.  They come here often, all year round, as do their children and families. 

Kent Egley has had some knee surgery and is recuperating.  Having a nurse for a wife keeps him in line when he is tempted not to follow the doctor’s orders.  He'll be farming as soon as he can.

Jacob and Ranette Free and their son have been down from the Rexburg area to visit the Richard Free ranch.  It seems one of those situations where “you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”

Our local owls and coyotes make their presence known, particularly when there is a good moon.  Between the howling of one and the hooting of the other, it makes for an interesting combination. 

We had a day of rain on Labor Day, in quantities that varied throughout the day.  We needed every single drop.  There were several celebrations that got cancelled, but all for a good cause.  No flooding was reported, although the water level in our various creeks increased some.

The excitement of school starting has worn off.  Now there are moans and groans about having to be out of bed and moving to catch the bus,  along with concerns about lab fees, etc. that accompany some classes.