June 25, 2014

          We have had three days of gloom and rain. Most of the time the word “rain” would sufficiently describe the wetness, but there were occasions of lengthy deluge. Needless to say we have the allotment of nature's moisture for the month of June. However we still have a couple of weeks left so there is no guarantee we will not receive more.

          Accompanying this wet the temperature has been cold enough to be grateful for extra warmth. Tendrils of smoke could be seen rising out of our chimneys. There was concern about gardens getting frozen, just when they are showing a good start after planting. Snow crowned our mountain peaks.

          Two children of Chad and Dawnell Greene have had a milestone day recently. Hannah turned twelve years old and graduated from the LDS Primary and became the newest young lady in the Young Women group. She also earned her Faith in God award. Izac Greene, had his 14^th birthday and was ordained to office of a Teacher in the priesthood.

          A group of young men have been on a campout near Mink Creek. It was discovered they are a scout troop from the Las Vegas area, here to do a high adventure project. We don't normally think of Mink Creek in those terms.  Home, not high adventure.

          The family of James and Bessie Baird gathered at the Mink Creek Ballpark for a reunion. Four of Ronald and Lana Baird's children made it: Daniel and Heather Baird and children ,, down from Sugar City; Maria and Devin Flake from Saratoga Springs, UT, Tamra and Jason Taylor and three children of Woods Cross, UT, LaRon and Liesa Baird and family of Mink Creek. Mary Jean(Baird) and Sherman Lindhardt brought children and grandchildren for the occasion. All enjoyed fun and games, plus the food prepared by LaRon and Clare Christensen, a neighbor with chef instincts.

         Allergies are plaguing some of us. Swollen eyes, hacking coughs, bronchial disorders in general. Spring and summer are good times, but this time of year can certainly bring on some seasonal discomfort for those who suffer.

         One of our residents has reported having elk visiting their home. It is an off season for their presence and has caused some wondering about what might be up in the wildlife department.

           For those of you who might be interested, the annual July 4th festivities are coming up.  Lots of plans are being made for a fun day of varied activities, not to mention food.

June 17, 2014

         The first crop of hay harvest is underway. Swathing, raking, baling, in that order, is the agenda for days for residents who farm. The smell of newly mowed hay fills the air, and the stripes , parallel across the patches, by length or breadth, or diagonal, leave an artistic design in each field.

        The Relief Society held a Summer Girls Night Out at the Mink Creek Ballpark. Girls of all ages from 0 to 100 were invited. The theme of the evening was “You Are My Sunshine,” and Jyllian Christensen played a violin rendition of that long favored tune. Claire Jepsen sang a solo, “There are a Few of My Favorite Things.” The pavilion and stage were decorated in the colors of green and yellow. Some of the balloons were yellow smiley faces.

         Tammy Coleman was in charge of the event and got everyone involved in games. Me Too game ended up making a yarn web as participants exclaimed, “me too,” and tossed the yarn. More fun came with the Mother/Daughter version of the TV show Newlywed Game. Everyone had been instructed to be prepared to share something about themselves that others may be unaware. These were a few of our favorite things. Lacey Christensen assisted with the decorations and planning. Candy Longhurst and daughters served Sprite floats, with a choice of ice creams, and cookies.

          Connie Erickson, daughter of Layne and Karen Erickson, became the bride of Adam Westenskow, recently. All of her siblings and their families were here as well as aunts and uncles. It was a treat for the entire family to have Great Aunt Sarah Westerberg in attendance. She came up with her daughter Judy and Ervin Larsen of Cedar City.

         Jon and Portia Jepsen and family were in residence at their Mink Creek home for a few days. This Jepsen family lives in the Salt Lake area.

         The wail of sirens announced a head-on collision that happened at about milepost 8 on Highway 36 in the middle of our village. In addition to the law enforcement vehicles two ambulances and a fire truck were on the scene. Traffic was rerouted over the loop on Birch Creek Road and Capitol Hill Road while occupants were taken care of and the cleanup took place. More information was reported in the regular edition of the Preston Citizen.

         Along with the rest of this section of the Rocky Mountains, we have had a couple of days of cold and rain. It has left some snow on our mountaintops and caused some soggy situations in the lower levels. There has been a scare for frozen gardens, but I have not heard any reports along those lines.

June 10. 2014

          The yellow and copper rose bushes are full and blooming, making bright spots against the local greenery. Chokecherry trees are full of white clusters of blossoms, hanging from slender limbs.. A ride up into our nearby mountains reveals that the higher altitudes are about a month behind, just now the curly flowers dot the forest meadows and snow can still be seen in the shady shelter of the pine trees. With each warm day there is constant change.

           At the lower elevations the blue and purple lupine and yellow ladyslipper/cowslips climb their green stems and the golden mules ears cover whole fields. Even ferny yarrow is full of white flowers.

          Carrie Ann Melton and her two little boys, Kenny and Thomas, have been here spending some time with Carrie's parents, Lorraine and Royce Christensen. The Melton family lives in Lafayette, IN.  The boys had a good time playing with Idaho cousins.

         Mike Stenberg came to the Mink Creek Ward to present a scouting award to Kent Beardall. It was the District Award of Merit. Kent has been active in the scouting program, one way or another, for thirty years.

         The Mink Creek School Reunion is scheduled to take place on June 21^st in the recreation hall of th LDS Meetinghouse. The time is at noon. This year Glade and Corinne Larsen are the family in charge. With these two individuals their Mink Creek roots run deep.

          Our community is dealing with a mudslide this spring. The oozing, bulging earth is trying to make its way across a section of Capitol Hill Road and county road crews and equipment are doing their best to keep it contained. It is taking out trees and brush, shoving things aside as it makes its way downward.

       It is irrigating time in Mink Creek, both domestic and industrial needs. Some are using garden hoses, others irrigation pipes, still others the big water guns than can cover an entire field. Water in the creeks is still high but bound to be backing off soon as the snow melt ceases in our surrounding mountains.

        The snowmobile crowd have called it quits for another season. Now the motorcycles roar up and down our main thoroughfare, with an occasional boat on a trailer, most likely headed up the canyon to Bear Lake and its attractions.

 

June is busting out, all over!

    

         There was good weather for our semi-annual Road Cleanup by our community youth. They go the whole length of Highway 36 running through Mink Creek boundaries. It is an eye opener to see what people toss out the windows of their vehicles. Volunteers were served a dinner of sloppy joes, chips and brownies after those hours of search and find..

         Swallows are dive bombing entryways and any open space, hunting for spots to attach their mud nests. They are very busy, packing mud and straw to attach to eaves and walls, an empty corner is their perfect choice. Humans inhabitants try to discourage the feathered friends, knowing guests are not fond of being attacked by birds while ringing a doorbell, and droppings that accompany the live-in situation is not favored either.

          Memorial Day visitors to this small spot on the globe are many. Here are a few that connected over those few days. The Pearson place was full. The Haws house welcomed Aaron and Heather Haws of Meridian and their family, plus grandchildren and their friends. The Crane Cabin had a full parking lot. Judy Nelson, daughter of Burnell and Elmyra Baird came up from Logan. Lyndon, Kaylyn and Brent Rasmussen, brothers of Larry, came down from Washington. Jeremy and Crystal Christensen and their family visited with his folks, Wally and Kim.

            The spring gathering for Lewis and Clark Volunteers, a Mountain Man Rendezvous was held on Vernon Keller's farm. There was a little rain at the beginning of their stay, but it dried up and held for all their activities. The sound of muzzle loaders were echoing off our hillsides.

           The Kurt Iverson family was pleased to have a day of ordinations for two of their sons. Walter was ordained to the office of a Teacher, Johnny was ordained an Elder, in preparation for serving a mission to Japan this summer.

           Vernon Keller's family gathered for their annual Memorial Day BBQ. Vernon is a good man with a Dutch oven and his children and grandchildren consider this a day to come home for the feast. Two of the Keller kids live in Mink Creek, Kim Keller and Kristi Hall. Four live in Cache Valley or the Wasatch Front, Kelton Keller, Kaylee Hill, Karla Jensen and Karma Wood.

         It gives a nice historical feeling to watch the progress of restoration going on at the Yellow Brick Schoolhouse. Sam and Silvia Stanger are dedicated to this project and we welcome them.

Mink Creek is looking postcard perfect right now. We are as green as Ireland the entire length of the village and beyond. A nice gift of water this spring has spoken to every living thing.