April 28, 2015

          We have had a few bursts of heavy rain as the week is ending. The most lengthy only lasted about 15 minutes, but it poured during that time. It is all good and appreciated, even with short bouts of power outage. Weeds are prolific no matter the weather and do their bit to add to the green color that abounds on our hillsides.

           MaKenzie Wilcox Gunter, daughter of Eldon and Danita Wilcox, came away from a recent college track event in California with a knee injury. This has meant yet another surgery, having had one approximately a year ago. It has been officially diagnosed as a torn ACL. MaKenzie's athletic abilities will be put on hold for a time.

            Celina Crosland and McKinley Longhurst earned their Young Womanhood Recognition award and medallions were presented to them in the LDS Ward this past week. Celina is the daughter of Robert and Phee Crosland, McKinley's parents are Sheldon and Candy Longhurst.

           Joseph Seamons has returned from two years serving in the Alpine, German-speaking Mission. This mission covers areas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. When he spoke in the LDS Ward he warned the congregation that he might intersperse German words here and there while he was talking.  He is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. His flight home was delayed, causing some confusion and concern for the welcoming group assembled at the Salt Lake Airport. Relatives from both the Seamons and Jarvis families came to Mink Creek to hear him relate mission experiences.His grandparents are Scott and Cathy Seamons  and Joe and Kathy Jarvis, also Mink Creek, but currently serving an LDS Temple Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa.

             A beautiful baby girl has arrived in Mink Creek. Her parents are Mariah and Bracken Atkinson. She weighed 7 lb 14 oz and was 21 inches on her entry date of April 2^nd. Her grandparents are Greg and Brenda Belew. I understand she has just enough hair to attach a cute bow.  My main source of information about this young lady is her very pleased great-grandfather, Dennis Clark.

             The rain kept coming for a day or two after writing the above news column. In fact one day it was reported that we received 2 inches over the storm period. April showers may bring May flowers, but they are bring Apri flowers as well. The tulips are just right in most yards. Tiny violets are popping out amongst the weeds and grass. The curly flowers should be soon, I haven't been in a situation to notice lately. Dandelions are brightening up the landscape. It is a lovely time of year. One young man who has been here recently, visiting his grandparents, evidenced his maturity when he said, “This place is beautiful, why didn't I appreciate it when I was a kid?” Never too late!

April 21, 2015

                A freak spring storm moved in, lots of heavy wet snow that stayed for nearly three days. It is likely the best snow we have had during this “winter.” Our green growth appears to have survived. It has been fun to watch the snow line creeping slowly up our mountain sides as the temps got sufficiently warm to melt. The report was that it brought 2 feet of new snow to our mountainsWe endured the lack of electrical power for several hours, helping us to appreciate this marvelous invention.

             The season for dancing competitions is coming to an end along with the school year. This seems to apply whether you are dancing with a school team or with another performing group. Mink Creek has quite a few youth that are participating. On the Preston High team is James Baird, Ty Beardall and Travis Greene. Dancing with Strictly Ballroom are Celina and Angelo Crosland, Jacobi Johnson, River McKay, Shelby Larsen, Andy McKay, Haylee Hatch and her twin brothers, Dakota and Chance, Walter and Andrew Iverson, and Claire,Tara, and Clay Jepsen. They have all had a great year with the process of developing these skills that will be used the rest of their lives.

           Layne and Karen Erickson enjoyed a weeekend with daughter Connie and husband Adam Westenskow. The couple live in Logan so contact is frequent, but an overnight stay is not too often.

            Marlene Christensen had family company at her home following her return home after a hospital stay. Her sister Diane and Gary Nelson came up from Nevada for a much needed visit.

            Clay Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, was ordained to the office of priest in the LDS Ward. His sister, Tara, with a recent birthday, is now in the Mia Maid class. Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His sister, Juliana Packer, and family drove up from Nevada to witness the occasion.

            Driving down the road towards the center of our village is like driving inside a bower of plum blossoms. The scent is heady from those Pottawatomie plum trees that hang over the road. Cherry trees are full of pretty blooms too, but they are not quite so accessible to the public. All over, the trees are in that lacy green pattern of leaf unfurling. All in all, the season is one that strongly appeals to the soul.

            However, the condition of the lawns and fields from the winter of the vole infestation causes much frustration. Even riding a lawn mower is akin to being on a bucking horse.

April 14, 2015

         Spring break scattered quite a few of our residents. Liesa Baird loaded up her children and drove to Nevada for a visit with her oldest daughter, Juliana and Blaine Packer, and their family. The big project during the stay was building shelves for Juliana's home. The Packers are living in Battle Mountain where Blaine is a welder for Phoenix Mines.

           Laural Janke took her mother Claudia Erickson and the Janke children to the northwest. They made a loop, first to Lakeview, OR, spending a few days with sister Kristin and Jay Collins and Claire. Next stop was Vancouver, WA, home of sister Claudine and LaMar McKague and family. All sorts of fun: a forest picnic, a trip to the gorgeous Oregon Coast, a tour of a Pendleton Wool Factory, waterfalls, boy scout activities.  Along with this was the daily rain of the northwest, a different experience for those of parched Idaho.

           The family of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst spent their days in southern California, visiting people and places that were part of 18 month mission for their daughter, Tiffany. She refers to the location as the “sunnyside of CA.” Along with the friends made there, the family enjoyed some beach time at the ocean and various tourist spots.

            PHS track competitions are underway with the coming of spring. Mink Creek youth participating are Andy McKay doing sprints and relays, and Brooke Corbett whose specialty is long jump .

            Terry and Steve Mainini had their whole family home for the Easter weekend, Mario, Tony and Angelina. They reconnected with their Italian nationality, having fun making homemade pasta and dishes that went with it. High on the menu list was homemade ravioli.

           There is a new baby girl in Mink Creek. She is a bit of a celebrity, being the 2015 Farm Bureau Ag Baby born at the Franklin County Medical Center.. Her parents are Harvey and Tiasha Britton and she is named Adrianna June Britton.

           Our Easter day was one of beauty, reassuring of the rebirth of the world. The sky was bright and clear and, with this season a bit ahead of itself, there was plenty of lacey greenery on bushes and trees.

           Spring weather awakens many wondrous things in this part of the country. It also stirs the bugs and insects. The dormant box elder bugs are in evidence. Lifting a lovely green leaf in the flower garden is apt to reveal earwigs, on the run to escape the sun. The flying bug varieties are being plastered on the windshields, leaving their varnish remains to be removed.

           And, not to be ignored, is the return of allergies to various types of growth. The human respiratory system goes on overtime to reject its own individual enemies. Maybe a positive note is the boost to the economy with the increased purchase of tissues, nose sprays and antihistamine meds.