April 30, 2014

       

      Lorraine Christensen spent more than a week at the home of her daughter Kim and Joe Tracey in Meridian, ID. Kim, recovering from surgery, needed assistance with her family of young children while getting back on her feet.

       We have had two sessions of needed rain. The first storm brought a nice gentle rain that lasted for several hours. Storm #2 blew in on a powerful wind that shook trees and caused a power outage of nearly two hours. It was one of those lack-of-preparation awareness moments. Both have been great for planted seeds just waiting to sprout.

       Haylee Hatch, daughter of Sam and Katie Hatch, was awarded her Young Womanhood Medallion recently in the LDS Ward. Her grandparents, Burnell and Darlene Hall of Fairview, ID, came to recognize this achievement in Haylee's life.

      Johnny Iverson and Morgan McKay, currently seniors at Preston High School, were released from callings as Mink Creek delegates for the Youth Council in Preston North Stake. Taking these positions for the coming year will be Justin Longhurst and River McKay.

       Juliana and Blaine Packer and their little girl were here over Easter weekend, livening up the home of her parents, LaRon and Liesa Baird. The Packers live in Henderson, NV.

      Family members gathered to welcome Elder Christopher Wilde home as he spoke in the LDS Ward. He shared some of his experiences from the Arizona, Tempe, Mission. Aunts and uncles were here: Dottie Casperson, Janet and Jolene Schenk, of Preston, John and Nancy Tippets of Bennington, ID.

       Three beautiful young ladies from our community participated in the Distinguished Young Woman Program recently. They are Brooke Corbett, daughter of Shane and Sherrie Corbett, Haylee Hatch, daughter of Sam and Katie Hatch, and Claire Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen..Melinda's sister-in-law, Sandy Checketts and her daughter Lauren and Christopher Warne of Nampa, and Becky Jepsen and her girls of Pocatello, were here to see the production.

       Due to extremely damp weather, translated as rain for several days consecutively, the semi-annual cleanup of Highway 36 was canceled, or at least postponed. The youth of Mink Creek have done this service for years and it has often rained, but this season was wetter than usual. The plan was to also tidy up the Birch Creek parking lot. That too has been put on the back burner of planning.

       However, the weather for Easter weekend was perfect. Great for the family traditions of egg hunts, hikes, spring picnics to celebrate the coming of Spring. Also great for remembering the true meaning of the holiday.