Pioneer Day, 2013, for this area of the country

Mink Creek’s July 4^th was a hit with a large crowd at the Ballpark.  Camille and Jeff Knudson did a great job organizing the day.  The Flag ceremony began the day officially, with Mink Creek’s veterans, under the direction of Glen Jepsen, retired US Air Force, furling the colors. Kurt Iverson spoke about his feelings when he visited Pearl Harbor.  Linda Christensen, a newcomer to Mink Creek, reminded us of those who chose to settle this valley.  Dancers from the Strictly Ballroom group entertained.

Many hands were involved in food preparations.  The meats, pork loin, bbq chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs were cooked by Clare and Royce Christensen, Richard Free, Ben Keller, Kent Beardall, and William Wolfley.  The Wolfley family shucked the many ears of corn.  there were around 400 attending, so that is lots of shucking!!   Relief Society officers and spouses took over preparing fresh fruit and rolls.  Dutch-oven  potatoes were supervised by Stuart Ostler who kept a crew busing peeling ingredients:  Ramona and Jerry Hatchett, Cllifford and LaDawn Jensen, Wynn Costley and anyone else who got close to the production line.

            The dessert contest was such a success last year that it was repeated this 4^th.  Tammy Beardall was the overseer.  Awards were:  Best Looking, a raspberry layer cake created by Macy, McKenna and Clair Jepsen and Brook Corbett; Best Tasting, a Blueberry sheet cake, produced by Clay and Tara Jepsen; Best Overall was a Firecracker cake made by Lauryn Hawkes; Terry Stromberg got Honorable Mention with a luscious carrot cake. 

            Laural and Jody Janke and children took advantage of the holiday to make a lengthy trip to Jody’s family in Illinois, the area around Ottawa.  They made a visit to an aquarium in Chicago, did lots of camping, and had fun with Jody’s brother, sister and extended family.

            Grandchildren of Wynn and Cecelie Costley have been at their home in abundance, enjoying  “Cousins Camp.”  Hannah and Spencer Singleton, coming from Arkansas for this event, turned into assistant  camp directors. 

            The community has had several summer sports nights, plus refreshments of hot dogs and fixins’.  The ball diamond is usually in use as well as the horseshoe area.  The final night will be tonight, Happy July 24th!  Not far into August our residents are all invited for a windup event on the shores of Bear Lake,  signaling that it is time to gear up for the county fair and school to follow.  Summer visitors will also begin to decrease.

            In the meantime, raspberries are starting to be consumed, in fresh form or as jam.  The peas are in the pod, picking and shelling required.