February 10, 2015

        Mink Creek has had a more than crazy week. By now nearly all readers will have read or heard about out horrible fire. Phee and Robert Crosland discovered flames shooting out from their home around 3 am on January 31^st. They and the children who were at home got out just minutes before the fire began in earnest. The home burnt to the ground, with only the chimney still standing among a few skeletons of trees. The out buildings, animals, and such are in good shape. For those familiar with the Mink Creek of old, it was the home that had previously housed the family of Tom and Vera Jensen on Birch Creek Road. The Crosland family purchased the place twenty-three years ago. We are happy to report they will continue to live in Mink Creek, a temporary home is being readied as this is written. The county and beyond have responded to this tragedy and it only serves to remind all of what a great place this is to live.

         The same weekend we had sirens howling for another reason. This was the injury of a person snow mobiling up Birch Creek Canyon. Even though our weather has been dry and the lower grown is bare, the snow in our canyons pulls in many people for recreation at the end of each week.

         At the Sugar-Salem Wrestling Invitational two of our local high school wrestlers placed in the tournament. Sam Seamons was third place at 170 lbs, Ben Seamons, was fifth at 185 lbs. Both are sons of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. Travis Greene, at 160 lbs, was third in the JV division.

         Lorraine Christensen has gone down to Phoenix, AZ. Royce and Lorraine's son, Kevin Christensen, and his children have enjoyed some days of special care from Grandma.

         There has been a ring around the moon on a few nights, but the storms produced have been brief. We need whatever moisture might come, but were hopeful of a snowfall, rather than scattered showers. Preston received some snow one day, but for us, nothing.

         Plans are being made for a new Mink Creek community phone directory. Between marriages, deaths, people moving in, people moving out, my speculation is that there is about thirty changes that need to be made for an updated version.

        Happy Valentine's Day to my readers, I do appreciate each one of you!