Last of December, 2016

             With the chill of winter upon us it is noted that we have a number of new beards sprouting on the handsome faces of some of our menfolk. At a recent community gathering nine beards were in evidence, coming along nicely. One of these gentlemen commented that the biggest accomplishment to cultivating a beard was that of “getting it past the itchy stage.” Chances are, their wives feel the same way.

            The couple who purchased Sharon Moran's home, Chris and Christine Mueller, are getting their first taste of Mink Creek's winter. Sharon, in the meantime, has been enjoying her new life in Washington state, sharing pictures of the wonderful produce she has been able to grow this summer. She and her son, Willie Moran, drove back to Idaho to celebrate Christmas with her family in the Pocatello area.

            Kathy Jarvis is back home after having some serious surgery on her foot. She has been recuperating in Utah for several weeks and glad to be back in her own house. Her husband, Joe, is doing well after his knee surgery that took place not too long before Kathy's appointment.

            Our college-age population is coming home for their break from studies. Some are here full-time. Others who have jobs in Logan along with their USU student status are close enough to travel back and forth and still be gainfully employed.

            The youth of the community loaded onto hay wagons and went caroling, singing Christmas songs at the doors of homes. It was cold enough that their stops were a bit limited, mainly just around the center of our village. Blankets and warm layers of clothing were helpful, but their faces still felt the freezing temperatures. They were happy to head back to the meetinghouse, knowing that cups of hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls waited for their return.

           Snow began to arrive the evening of December 23. More came our way on Christmas Eve. Our dreaming of a white Christmas came to pass. The ice is still under the snow and our awareness is heightened, but the snow is welcome, not only because of the moisture it brings, but because of the wonderful feeling that comes. No complaints about shoveling just yet. Today, second day after Christmas, the temperatures have dropped again and it has been bitter cold.

            New Year's is a few days away, 2017. The positive approach will be good for starters. May it be a good year for all of us. Thank you for your continued reading support, feel free to make comments.

December 20, 2016, shivering days

            The Mink Creek community celebrated the Christmas season together with a Saturday morning brunch at the LDS meetinghouse. Those attending feasted on a breakfast casserole, a variety of sausages and a mixed fruit cup. Several crafts were offered, games played for the children. Memories of Christmases past were shared by Glen Jepsen. Joe Jarvis spoke on the Joys of the season. The narrative of the Nativity was given by Jimmie Olson. The group sang Christmas carols as they waited for the arrival of Santa Claus. The Elders' Quorum directed this activity, Royce Christensen is their president.

           The family of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst came home to find their perfect Christmas tree in our canyons. Jake and Holly Longhurst now live in Logan, and Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler call Parma, ID, home. With the other three children close to home they were able to get some good family pictures.

            Jimmie and Annabeth Olson enjoyed having Peggy and Jon Flinders and their little girls home for the holiday. Their son Jerry Olson and his wife Christine and their children came up from St. George for family fun while taking part in Preston's Rotary Christmas Concert. Annabeth is one of the directors of the vocal group and Christine was a featured guest soloist.

            Ivan and Lana McCracken have been doing some traveling here and there. They took a week to go to Alberta, Canada, welcoming Ivan's brother home and to meet his new bride who is from the Philippines. Their Thanksgiving holiday had a bit of an Asian flavor. After being back home in Mink Creek for a few days they drove down to Saratoga Springs, UT, to participate in the blessing of their grandson, Jude, the son of Devin and Maria Baird Flake.

            The water has been turned out of the Twin lakes Canal that begins in Mink Creek and the canal's winter path is now visible in the frozen jagged white line of ice that darts down the cliff on the cedar covered hillside to the Bear River.

            Not much to add this week. There have been neighborhood Christmas gatherings. Lots of potluck food and lots of visiting. The weather is on hold: cold, icy, little snow. Dawn comes and gives that cold steely feeling just to look outdoors.

            I understand that there are some plans for caroling among the teenage set one of these first evenings. They will surely need their warm woolen mittens and any other items to increase their comfort on these frigid nights.

            Today is the last day of school before the holiday break. Mink Creek's daytime noise level will increase tomorrow.

Decembeer 14, 2016

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen had a house full with three of their children and their families all congregated for fun at the same time. Annie and Steve Earl and their children arrived from San Jose, CA. Joe and Kate Jepsen's family and Jonathan Jepsen wall live in the Salt Lake City areaa. There was much hustle and bustle going on for several days.

           David Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons qualified for the Idaho All-State Orchestra that gathered, practiced and performed in Nampa, ID recently. Congratulations to this young man.

           We have two beautiful bald eagles in residence. They keep a close eye on all the happenings of man and beast in our community. What a lovely sight to see them soaring in the winter sky, enjoying the uninterrupted air space above us.

          The Wilcox family got together for the holiday, even though their parents are serving a mission in the Philippines. Jesse and Annavelyn are living in the Wilcox home and they welcomed most of the Wilcox siblings. Brigham and Jennifer Wilcox and children live in Idaho Falls. MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter are now located in Spanish Fork, UT. Elise and Jeff Hardy and family are in North Ogden, UT. The family of Ami and Tom Fenton are still in Tooele, UT, and Brittany and Matt Durrant and their little ones are currently in the Salt Lake City area. All were able to come except Lezli who lives in Texas.

         The Relief Society started off December with a night of warm food and warm friendship. The dining tables, set up in a U figure in the rec hall, were decorated by a living pine garland. Some of the women had brought their nativity scenes to share with all, making for a good variety. Twinkling lights and Christmas finery decorated the stage area. Things started off with a sock game, going right and left with a story until all ended up with a gift of a pair of socks. The menu was perfect: caramel soaked French toast, a fruit compote, slices of ham with a citrus slush beverage. The production committee for this event was Lacey Christensen, Jasmine Erickson, Laural Janke and April Rasmussen. All enjoyed a vocal duet by Terrie McKay and Candy Longhurst, a Christmas reading from Betty Jo Jepsen about the Keeper of the Flame, Christmas carols sung by all and watching the Light the World video.

          Two storms have moved in since the above was written. It has been a rather dry December so far. We received an inch or so a few days ago, followed by rain that washed it away at the lower levels. It seems strange to listen to avalanche warnings in this area when there is little snow on the ground, but the weight of the moisture in the snow higher up causes the threat. The last storm has brought more snow, a bit more in quantity as well as heavy with moisture. One needs to be very careful walking outdoors with all these icy surfaces lying in wait to give a speedy, beyond control fall to the unwary.

           Night comes early now, and the homes decorated with Christmas lights dot our hillsides. The full moon on the snow-covered hills adds to that feeling of seasonal joy,

December 6, 2016

              Tomorrow is a day to be reminded.  Dec. 7, 1941, the day Japan hit our military bases in Hawaii.  I will be writing more of my thoughts on my other blog, but just had to mention it here, so that you too, would remember, or if too young for that, to recall what the history books describe.
            And now, back to the original column, plus the additions of tonight.

          Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, they are being gathered from our mountain canyons, and transported down our valley to unknown destinations in large quantities. There are trees tied to the tops of automobiles, trees loaded into pickups, trees filling up large trailers. It makes one wonder, are the mountain slopes bare after all that have been hauled out this past couple of weeks?

           Angelo Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, has received his missionary call to the Indiana, Indianapolis, Mission. He will be leaving Mink Creek in the middle of January. At present he is in the Washington DC area enjoying some time with an older brother, Armando Crosland.

            Jeff and Kayleen Hill were up from Utah to spend holiday time with her dad, Vernon Keller along with her brother Kelton and Denise Keller of Alpine, UT.

           Laural and Jody Janke and their children drove to Vancouver, WA, for a week of fun with the family of Claudine and LaMar McKague. With a total of ten cousins in the McKague house there was limited time for peace and quiet. They reported that the weather in the northwest was “wet, as usual.”

           Karl and Marian Haws came to their Mink Creek home from Santa Barbara, CA, to have Thanksgiving with some of their family. Aaron and Heather Haws and their children drove over from Meridian, ID. Lauren and Ken Nash who live in Solvang, CA were here, as were several grandchildren and in-laws.

            Rocky Mountain Power sent out a crew to remove some ancient cottonwood trees from the bank of the Riverdale Canal that runs through Mink Creek. One of the trees had toppled, rather crashed, and had sent wood and debris rocketing in its fall, barely missing a power line. Rather safe than sorry, the rest of the group of trees were brought down recently. A hawk that has been in residence for years in one of the trees watched closely while his nest was being threatened and eventually went the way of the world of machines. We hope he doesn't move out of the neighborhood and builds again close by.

            Our days are getting shorter. Proof of this yearly time crunch is that the solar lights in our yards tend to loose their glow after just a few hours once dark descends. And dark comes early in this month of December.

           Add Bob Erickson's name to the list of Mink Creek shoulder surgeries. This happened almost three weeks ago and Bob is doing well. It is a replacement of the shoulder, not a repair. Amazing stuff, the possibilities of the modern medical world.

Last day of November, 2016

          Thanksgiving Eve blew in with a snow storm that showed some promise, but ended up being a flurry. Morning light reflected off of a good sized skiff of the white stuff and nothing more than cold temperatures. Thanksgiving Day proved to be clear, cold and beautiful as only a day at the end of Fall can be.

           Kent and Tammy Beardall took a few days off to spend a few days in lovely Hawaii. They were soaking up some hours of relaxation before returning to the reality of life on the mainland. While they were gone their son Mikel and Rebecca Beardall put in some Mink Creek time.

         The Primary organization of the LDS Ward presented their program a little later in the fall than usual this year due to scheduling challenges. The theme was “I know that the Scriptures are True.” and many of the children spoke about why they felt this in their hearts. Juli Egley is the Primary President. Candy Longhurst directed the children's musical presentations with Judy Wilde accompanying on the piano.

         The family of Heath and Kaci Avery had one of those “mark your calendar” days recently. Their daughter Liberty Stanworth graduated from the Primary organization and now will be part of the Young Women group. Their son Brayden Avery was ordained a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.

          Trevor and April Rasmussen and their three girls were happy to have some time with both sides of their family. Trevor's mom,Teresa Rasmussen, and her daughter Kierstin and Eric and RexAnne Nielsen, April's parents, enjoyed watching the 3 granddaughter in the Primary program.

          Nancy and Kevin Alder were home in Mink Creek for the Thanksgiving weekend. Their “other home” is in Orem, UT. It has been a while since they have been here for any length of time.

          Mike Jepsen has been having some father/son time with two sons, Joe and Jared Jepsen. The trio has been at the Baja peninsula of Mexico participating in the Baja One Thousand race. Joe was the driver, Jared the navigator. The report is that it was a great race and they had about two and a half weeks of fun.

           So far three days with snow for the beginning of the season, with warmer days in between. None of those storms left us with much white. The last one, on Monday, gave us a couple of inches in the lower levels, now mostly melted in the sunny spots. Another storm is expected in the next few days. Our youngsters have their fingers crossed and have been experimenting with their snow gear on the little we have. At this point it makes for a bumpy ride.

         My first Christmas cards have arrived in the mail. So nice to receive, and it reminds me that it is time to shift into December gear, because things will start moving pretty fast towards the end of 2016.

Thanksgiving week, 2016

           The moon watching from the dark hills of Mink Creek the last few days has been superb. It is nice living where there isn't the glow of electricity between earth and the heavens. Even the night temperatures didn't require more than a light jacket. Binoculars or telescopes added a big boost to the experience.

           Recently there has been a new family move into Mink Creek. Edward and Marian Beil have purchased the home of Austin and Kathy Jones. They come to us from Ft. Shaw, MT where Ed worked for the telephone company. Their daughter Mary lives with them. She is a graphic designer. They have two other daughters, one lives nearby in Riverdale, ID, the other lives in California. We welcome them and are glad they have experienced winter in these western states so that they won't be discouraged in the coming months when the snow arrives.

           The box elder bugs are enjoying the nice fall days we have been having. They are everywhere, as usual, but not in quantities as thick as in some past seasons. A freeze will be welcome to knock off their presence.

           Some of our residents have been involved in a great service effort called Operation Christmas Child. It is part of an international relief program, an effort organized by Samaritan's Purse group that follows the biblical instructions given with the story of the Good Samaritan, “Go Thou and Do Likewise.” Those wishing to be involved picked up shoe boxes, chose a child by gender and age and filled it with a gift appropriate to the child and meeting the requirements given by the Good Samaritan organization. These boxes will be dispensed around the world to needy children who would otherwise have nothing on Christmas Day.

           One day this past week we had areas of our community who were without electricity for several hours. When this happens it teaches us quickly how very dependent we are on this source of energy as homemakers and business owners. Life takes a whole new direction in striving to accomplish the tasks of the day.

            Thanksgiving, the holiday, is upon us. There will be much planning, cooking, baking, just as it has been for years, and years. Families will gather and feast on on another's company as well as the banquet on the table. It pleases me that we have a day set aside for Thanksgiving in this nation , hopefully that feeling exists in our lives daily, year round.      Regardless of the election results during this month we have a nation for which I give thanks. It disturbs me that there are so many violent negative responses to the outcome of the  recent election. I have said it before, and I am certain I will say it again, whoever is the President of the United States, they are a person who needs the prayers of its citizens.

           The storms of nature have been flitting about our little valley the last few days. Cold and wet, but only one day brought the snow level down to our yards. Most of the white is high on our mountain tops as of this writing.

           Happy Thanksgiving to you all. While you are giving thanks for the bounteous lives we lead include both the new administration of our nation in your prayer, along with the old residents of the White House. There is never a time when we don't need that extra help.

November 15, 2016

         The geese are on their way south. Several sightings of their V flight formation, plus accompanying honking were reported this week. The beautiful blue sky of fall makes for the perfect backdrop for these aviators. One more sign that winter season is approaching.

          Election Day was an active one at the Mink Creek polls. This year it was staffed by Lorraine Christensen, Vickie Free, and Sharla McKay. They kept busy all through the long day and reported a good turnout, including the absentee ballots, more than 93% of our registered citizens cast their ballot in this Presidential election.

           Two grand babies of Mink Creek residents have arrived this week. Landon and Amy Costley have a new baby boy, who will be named Wynn Maxwell. The grandparents are Wynn and Cecelie Costley. Chad and Dawnell Greene are please to announce another little boy in the family of their son Josh and Lizzy Greene. Oaklan Joshua is warmly welcomed by big brother Bentley.

          Bob and Claudia Erickson enjoyed nearly a week's visit with Davis Collins. This grandson goes to BYU/I in Rexburg, ID, and was able to spend nearly four days in Mink Creek with family. His parents are Jay and Kristin Collins of Lakeview, OR.

          Jeff and Deborah Olson have returned from a “little trip” that involved a few weeks this fall. Actually the title of the event would be appropriately called the Book of Mormon in the Heartland Chronology tour. Places visited were much of the midwest and eastern part of the United States. They went to museums, listened to anthropologists and archaeologists and met some new friends. Beautiful scenery and good company.

          We have a list of recoverees in our little burg. Kent Egley has had shoulder surgery, and is now fighting cabin fever. Joe Jarvis had knee surgery and is happy for physical therapy and his handy cane. Drew Ford is on the mend. Layne Erickson spent some hospital time with stomach distress, but is now home. There are many cases of the “fall cold” in our community. There is a variety, but we hope all this lessens in the coming weeks. 

           It is still seeming a little strange to have darkness by 6 pm. Strange, but nice, knowing the day is over and it is time to wrap things up in the chore department and spend some time with family, doing family things whether it is homework for school, or gathering around the table for the evening meal., or something in the line of entertainment.

          Very few leaves are left on the deciduous trees up and down our valley. The fall winds have made good sweepers as they have blown through. Though without their leafy garb the tree forms are more visible and still beautiful. We are so lucky to live in this small village nestled against the mountains.

            Help me with this, please.  The Citizen has changed the policy of only 300 words for the Rural Route columns.  I have no idea if those of you who read this blog  also subscribe to the paper and are just reading it for the little extra I tack on each week (or nearly each week ).  If you like having this in blog form please comment so that I can tell if it is a worthwhile venture.  I am not in favor of being redundant, but I also realize that most of the add-ons are just me gabbing about MC and not so much newsy stuff.   I have only 11 subscribers, but my statistics tell me that there are more readers than those 11.  Thanks, to everybody.

A month for extra Thanksgiving

            A strong south wind swept up our little valley the last Sunday of October and did a dandy job of redistributing the leaves that had already fallen and ripped many more leaves off to add to the piles. Many of our trees now stand naked and shivering as the temperatures drop, bit by bit.

           Warren Wilde, Layne Erickson, and Lin and Sharla McKay drove up to Lewiston, ID to attend a Snowmobile Convention with lots of plans for the coming winter months. River McKay, daughter of Lin and Sharla, joined them where she received a scholarship award from the Snowmobile Association that will assist in her college finances this year,

          The Mink Creek Community Halloween Party took a different twist this year. It was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark, costumes were many and varied. Those attending were encouraged to bring their best carved pumpkin and enter it in a contest. We had a chili cook-off, and those wanting a different brew brought soups. There were sooo many varieties to choose from that it made the potluck supper a tasting experience, a little of this one, a little of that. Prizes were awarded for costumes and the soups. With a fire going in our firepit and some space heaters on the other end of the pavilion the chilly air was kept at bay. The evening finished with all youngsters heading to the parking lot for the Trunk-r- Treat, loading their containers with candy. The event was organized by Melinda Jepsen and Lacey Christensen and they enlisted friends and neighbors to round out the production crew. Many thanks for those who helped make it a fun night.

          The weather of the past month has brought quite a bit of moisture. Our parched earth has welcomed every drop and judging from the results of plowed fields the soaking has gone straight down.

           The fall plowing is done and the fields lay ready for a winter's sleep, hopefully under a nice blanket of white snow.

          I hope you are aware that the Chicago Cubs won the baseball World Series this year. At our house it was a big deal, our son-in-law growing up not far from Chicago.I love the song "Go Cubs, Go," especially if it is performed by my grandchildren. 

          Visitors to our community have lessened with the coming of the school year. However, judging from comments I get around town, you readers are at least just as interested in the surroundings as you are the people. While I was raking those many leaves that the wind removed from our trees I heard a honking racket overhead. Looking up there were two flocks of geese, in V formation, headed south. At first they were separate, a V apiece, but as they made a wide turn they closed and the Vs interlocked to form a W. With the blue fall sky as a background it was a sight to stir the heart, and the audible honking added to the moment. Feeling of gratitude for the many natural beauties that are part of this spot on the earth.

November 1, already

           Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson, of Station Creek, hosted a couple that they had known when serving their mission in Great Britain. Linda and George O'Neill of Hull, Yorkshire are spending nearly a month touring about “the states.” The foursome did some sightseeing during the days the O'Neills were in Idaho, going to Yellowstone Park and Teton National Park and the Ft. Hall reservation. They took a tour during the open house of the new LDS Temple in Star Valley, WY. George discovered what it was like to ride a horse, an interesting experience. They enjoyed becoming acquainted with the residents of Mink Creek community at the Cider Fest and supping on the “milk can dinner”, also a new experience.

           The women of the community gathered together to tie some lap quilts and enjoyed the visiting time around their lunch table.. It felt good to have children playing beneath the quilting apparatus, a throwback to days gone by in this village. The quilts are intended for use by the residents of the Franklin County Transitional Center. Cathy Seamons directed this activity.

            The rains keep coming, although it has let up a little. Some fall plowing of our fields has been detained because the hillside was just too slick. That says quite a bit for the Mink Creek farmer who has farmed these slopes for decades. The water being received is penetrating deeply into the earth judging from the depth of a plow point being moist beyond that measure.

           The family of Marco Crosland gathered in Utah to celebrate the marriage of Marco to Christina Segovia. Marco is the son of Robert and Phee Crosland, Christina's parents, Ed and Megan Segovia, live in Mountain Home, ID. The young couple were married on Oct. 22^nd in the Ogden LDS Temple. A ring ceremony and reception took place in Salt Lake City at the Arbor Manor Reception Center. Marco and Christina are students at BYU in Provo.

            November, seems impossible. We haven't had snow down on the living level but it has come and gone, come again, with the frequent rainstorms we have had this month. It is a matter of watching the snowline descend and rise according to the whims of the weather.

            Hunting seasons are all but gone. I had a few pheasant hunters still roaming around last week. The elk season has turned from “only bulls” to cows.

            We are looking forward to the end of Daylight Savings Time this weekend. The kids getting on the school bus around 7am are doing so in total darkness. Those flashing lights on the bus make quite an announcement as they pause for kids to board.

October 26 or 27, 2016

        This week I have lost track of what day it is.  That tells you, my readers, why this is late.  Unexpected company arrived so the schedule juggling got things stirred up a bit.

         The turkeys are back. Not just in small flocks, more like herds of turkeys. A hundred here, another hundred there, give or take a dozen or so. For anyone driving our roads it is well to remember that all turkeys seem to think they have the right of way when it comes to navigating automobile traffic that invades their domain.

          Karen and Layne Erickson drove up to Idaho Falls to witness the baptism of their grandson, Creighton Kunz, the son of Julie an Todd Kunz. Other family members that joined with them in the event were Connie and Adam Westenskow of Logan, UT, and Bryan and Shannon Erickson and their boys of Mt. Sterling, UT.

          Our Naomi Wilde, 101 years young, is doing well after her surgeries and has now moved to Pocatello to an assisted living facility near her son Dean Wild eand family. We now welcome a new young family into the Wilde home. Jasmine and Miles Erickson and their daughter Madelaine are from Logan. They definitely have Wilde connections. Jasmine is the daughter of Laurel Wilde, wife of Ross, Naomi's son, who built a home not far from where he grew up here in Mink Creek..

         Laural and Jody Janke and their family and Bob and Claudia Erickson traveled down to Alpine, UT to listen to Mikell Abernethy speak about her time spent in the Oakland/San Francisco Mission of the LDS Church, as a Spanish-speaking Hermana. Mikell is the granddaughter of the Ericksons, the daughter of Danalee and Gene Abernethy. With the Abernethy siblings gathering for the occasion from Boston, MA, and California, this event turned into a small family reunion.

         Angelo Crosland was ordained to the office of an elder, prior to his plans for serving a mission in the future. Prior to that he is headed out to Washington, DC to spend some time with his older brother Armando. They are the sons of Robert an Phee Crosland.

         With various hunting seasons open at the present time our community has people coming and going. Pheasant season, deer season, and elk season serve as reasons for lots of excitement and frequent visitors.

         It has been an interesting fall weather-wise. A very wet October has produced fresh green lawns, after looking a bit on the dry side just a month ago. The leaves are falling off the trees, but they still retain moisture. There has been some stunning sunsets following bright days, then clouds gathering on the western horizon just prior to the sun's descent. It is getting darker each morning as the school buses come through to gather up the kids waiting at their stops. Please, normal time, return soon so we can have a little light in those early hours.

October 18, 2016

             The headline for this column should be that of the barn burning. This barn has a history and has been a part of the Mink Creek scene for more than 100 years. It has stood by Highway 36, an imposing structure as one travels to and from Strawberry Springs. Currently owned by Richard Free, the former owner was Delmer Keller, and Delmer's parents before him. Richard was not at home at the time, but luckily his wife, Vickie, was. Neighbors, seeing smoke rising, came and got their horses out of harm's way. The flames were reported to the Franklin County Fire Department around 3pm, Oct. 11^th, and there was quick response with multiple trucks, equipment and firefighters. The barn burned to the ground, but the other farm buildings close by escaped injury. As of this writing ( the 14th) the pile of blackened wood and hay is still smoldering, awaiting a possible rain storm to help further extinguish the heat.

            A Fall Social titled a “Cider Fest” was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark for the adults of the community. Even though it was a cold night around sixty people attended the event. "Bundle u" goes with planning outdoor activities at this time of year. A nursery was provided at the LDS Meetinghouse for those parents who had small children.

           A milk can dinner was prepared by Glade Larsen and Mike Jepsen and their ever helpful spouses. Reports are that it was delicious. There were layers of corn on the cob, red potatoes, cabbage, carrots, celery, ham and other lovely morsels of food. Rolls were part of the menu and the ladies in attendance brought various fruit desserts to share. Cider pressing was a main part of this activity and the planning committee has been collecting apples from around our village in preparation for the event. Three different ciders were produced this evening: apple of course, pear, and plum. The group enjoyed the warmth shed by a bonfire in the pit and people stayed and visited even after dark.

            The Cider Fest event is replacing two community events of past years. For several years in the past our town has had an outing on the shores of Bear Lake to celebrate the end of summer. Also, this year the Harvest Social that was combined with a trunk n' treat in the past is no longer on our calendars.

          We have snow on our mountain tops, but a friend from Bear Lake reports that they had 3 inches over there. We are still green within the community boundaries.  It has been several days of rain, rain and more rain. A rather soggy October thus far. It has helped to douse the Free barn embers. No complaints.

           There has been some frost. It is a bit patchy, hitting here, missing there. Alas, lawns are still in need of mowing.  After two dry months we are re-greening with all the wetness.

Columbus Day, 2016

        I hope you all know who Columbus is and why we should recognize his contribution to the world, as well as this nation.  It was a big day in school rooms of the past, but no longer.  Happy Columbus Day yesterday.   I had some friends remind me that it was the Canadian Thanksgiving, but no one mentioned Columbus.

          It is the time of year, just before Daylight Savings Time shuts down, that our children are getting on the morning school bus while it is dark. The return trip deposits them at their various stops while is is still light, at least for now. Our thanks to Mink Creek's two bus drivers for this school year, Shelly Bray and Glen Smedley.

         Ivan and Lana McCracken took a drive to Burley, ID, for some family celebrations. Ivan's grandson, Dallyn McCracken is leaving to serve on an LDS Mission in an Argentine area at the tip of South America, Terra del Fuego. He will be speaking the Spanish language. This area is mountainous and has a subpolar oceanic climate situated so closely to Antarctica. Chances are, Dallyn won't be warm again until he is back in the United States.

         Bill and Myrna Despain traveled to Colorado to see multiple family members in several different locations. One objective of the trip was to help Bill's brother finish building his garage. Another was to attend the open house of the LDS Temple in Ft Collins, CO. Both were accomplished along with much visiting.

         Sherrie Corbett and Melida Jepsen have returned from an adventure in New York. They were running in a relay race, such a challenge to run fourteen miles over a period of 48 hours. Lots of fun things came up on their agenda, such as sleeping in a barn, a tour of downtown New York City, beautiful countryside, congested populations. Just naming a few, but so proud of these two friends meeting this undertaking together.

          We had three days of rain and cold. The night with the most wind must have been frightening to our wildlife as well as to our residents. There were branches blown out of the trees, even the evergreens. Three deer were hit and killed along the highway during the storm that night.

          Hunting Fever has hit this area. Both  the hunters and the deer are feeling the pressure of the opening of the season. By this coming weekend this little valley will likely sound like a battleground from the past.

          Two other types of wildlife are putting in an appearance now that the weather is changing. The turkeys have dropped back down to the easier feeding grounds of farmer's fields. The pesty box elder bugs are accumulating in numbers, on outside walls, around doorways, windows. The people residents are doing their best to reduce the bug population.

October, already

          Our beautifully colored foliage is rapidly fading in intensity. A drive up our canyons is still rewarding, but the season is progressing rapidly. Our resident deer are invading our orchards for any fruit to add to this diets, this includes what has fallen to the ground and any other within their reach. One lovely buck even took time to have a nap in my backyard.

           Dallon Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was ordained to the office of a Teacher in the LDS Ward. This ordinance took place in Franklin for the convenience of family members. Recent birthdays affected two young ladies in Mink Creek as well. Celina Crosland is now a Laurel and Emily Longhurst is a Mia Maid, both in the Young Womens' Program.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been enjoying some family time in San Jose, CA, with their daughter, Annie and Steve Earl and their children. Annie's oldest daughter will soon be leaving to serve a mission in Norway so there is much excitement being shared.

           Brayden Avery, son of Heath and Kaci Avery, was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He was baptized by his brother, Kamren Avery.

            Juliana and Blaine Packer have a new baby girl. This little one managed to arrive while Juliana's mother, Liesa Baird, was traipsing around Europe with the maternal great grandparents as they were released from an LDS Mission to Albania. The timing was unexpected, but babies have a way of doing what is best for themselves.

           Elder Tyler Gibbs, son of Tracey and Michelle Gibbs, spoke in the LDS Ward to his “new neighbors”, the community of Mink Creek. The Gibbs family have moved to our village while Tyler was serving in the Texas, Houston, Mission. We are happy to have him arrive to this new home.

           We have three young people competing in equestrian contests. They are Austin Corbett, son of Shane and Sherrie Corbett, and Tara and Ella Jepsen, daughters of Melinda and Kerry Jepsen. They all participated in the Eastern Idaho State Fair events. Tara is involved with High School Rodeo.

           Weatherwise it has been an exciting few days since I wrote the above paragraphs. We have had some tornado warnings for southeastern Idaho. We had a couple of days of heavy storms with lots of lightning crackling about. The strong winds broke off some branches here and there , other than that , all is well. My lawn that had been looking a bit dry is as green as it was in May.

           We have a return of the turkeys. Swallows return in the spring and the turkeys go to higher elevations for a time. Our local wild turkeys drop down to easier grazing when it turns cooler.

September 27, 2016

           It is hard to believe it is the last of September. Seems like it has barely begun and in just a few days it will be time to turn the calendars to October.

           Steve and Terry Mainini have returned from a trip to Ventura, CA. They have been gone about a week, visiting with family and friends where they grew up. When they left here their main goal was to spend some time with Steve's father and Terry's grandmother. They came home to Mink Creek with a change in our Idaho weather . Fall arrived while they were gone!.

           The youth of our community has completed another semi-annual roadside cleanup. They gather trash along the length of our main road, Highway 36, about 9 miles worth. Orange bags were filled and waiting the next day for pickup. After the task was completed the youth gathered for refreshments at the LDS Meetinghouse. Those refreshing rootbeer floats were perfect after hours of work.

           We have several youth involved in sports at Preston High School this fall. Travis Greene and Ben Seamons are playing Varsity football. Walter Iverson, with an injured ACL early on, is out for the season and now has some surgery on his horizon. His brother Andrew Iverson is part of the Freshman team. Izac Greene plays for the JV football team. David Seamon plays on the boys JV Soccer team and Abigail Janke plays on the girls JV Soccer team. McKinley Longhurst and Hayden Egley are on the cheer squad this year.

            Liesa Baird and her daughter Katiana have returned from a three week trip to the other side of the globe. They went first to Albania to meet LeeAnn and Terry Orton, Liesa's parents, who were being released from their LDS mission. The Ortons have been serving in that country for the last two years.. After time spent in Albania the group did some touring in Germany, Switzerland and France. Liesa told of beautiful scenery, farms and vineyards extending up and over hillsides, going on endlessly. Switzerland had numerous tunnels and bridges. They spent some time getting a taste of their genealogy with family lines going back to places where they were able to visit. Terry Orton took the family to visit relatives in Germany. This has been an exciting opportunity for Liesa and Katiana.

           Kelton and Denise Keller were up from Alpine, UT, for a weekend with his dad, Vernon Keller. It is always good to have a chance to visit with them.

           After three days of rain it felt like we had moved Mink Creek to the Pacific Northwest. Judging from the on-site rain gauge, which happens to be my old no-longer red wagon, we received about 4 inches of rain, possibly more because the wagon was full to the top. The whole countryside was nourished, and it needed that moisture badly. Those dry crack in the earth of our fields just soaked the wet like a sponge.

September 22, 2016

            Once again this post is a couple of days late.  Things are astir in my  mind lately,  too many things going on.  Have patience, please.

            Austin and Kathy Jones have moved to Thatcher, ID, to a home on one level with no stairs. This is a result of Austin's injury falling from a roof in his contracting business, and crushing bones in his ankle. Their Mink Creek home has been perched on one of our hillsides so even the entry to their house presented challenges after his accident.

          Tracy and Michelle Gibbs have their new baby girl. This tiny little girl is named River Anne Gibbs. She is welcomed by a good sized group of siblings. All the friends and neighbors in Mink Creek were happy to meet her.

          Johnny Iverson, newly returned missionary from the Japan, Kobe, Mission reported to the LDS Ward. He is the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson. Visiting relatives present to listen to his remarks were from both the Knapp and the Iverson sides of his family. His grandparents are Johnny and Jeaninne Iverson of Mink Creek and Sharon Knapp of Cub River. Johnny's parents and siblings took some days off to fly to Japan and see some of the country where he had been serving.

            Danalee and Gene Abernethy of Alpine, UT, spent a few days with her family, parents Bob and Claudia Erickson and sister Laural and Jody Janke and their children. The Abernethys had friends riding bicycles in the LOTOJA race and Mink Creek provided front row seats for that event. They enjoyed family soccer games and just hanging out, away from the bustle of Utah Valley.

           The Mink Creek LDS Ward sustained a new Sunday School Presidency. Jody Janke is the president, his counselors are Ron Norris and Justin Longhurst, with Douglas Bruderer serving as secretary.

           Fall temperatures, a full moon and the resident coyotes are excited enough to sing most of the night. A certain type of music for our country ears. The maples are red, showing off among those dark green evergreens. We are getting some yellow and orange leaf color down in our lower levels. There is the anticipation of a beautiful Fall. A strong wind that blew through a few nights ago broke off a few branches and scattered things about. One never knows when those winds might arrive.

            The rain that had been foretold arrived. They say more is to come over the next few days. This storm was not violent, just a steady gentle dropping of drops from the sky for several hours, if not all night long. Everything looking brighter today. Garden bits and pieces are in the process of being cleared off, root crops gathered in. The preserving process goes on for a little longer. Here and there, tthroughout the community one will see pumpkins and similar outdoor decorations appearing around our homes.

Sept 13, 2016

           Colleen Wilde and her sisters, Lynne Cherrington and Beth Alford, traveled to California to attend funeral for another sister, Ann Stephenson. Ann has been in poor health for several years. Recently Colleen and Warren drove down to Salt Lake City to check on the new home of their son Randy Wilde in West Jordan. It is a first time visit since the home was completed. A bonus was attending a Bee's ballgame, fun all around.

          Cheryl and Mitchell Cowgill and their children of Oregon spent some happy days with Cheryl's dad, Craig and Elaine Larsen. The children particularly lived the horseback rides and the 4-Wheeling. The goal now is to move the Cowgill family closer to the Mink Creek farm and grandparents.

          There has been a reorganization of the Elders' Quorum in the Mink Creek LDS Ward. The new president is Royce Christensen. His first counselor is Kim Rasmussen, second counselor , LaRon Baird. Forrest Christensen will be the secretary for the group. Shane Corbett has been released as Asst. Financial Clerk in the LDS Ward. Clifford Jensen was called to fill that position.

            Marco Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, brought his fiance, Christina Segovia home to meet friends and neighbors in this part of the world. The wedding plans are for October. Christina is from Peru.

            We are announcing that our Naomi Wilde, senior citizen extraordinaire, at age 101, has just had another surgery, this one on her knee. That makes two surgeries in the last month and she is doing well, her attitude and smiles still intact.

            Nearly all of the children, plus spouses, and grandchildren of Wynn and Cecelie Costley gathered in Lewiston, UT at the home of McKay and Lindsey Costley. The special event was for the blessing and naming of McKay's newest tiny daughter. She was named Helen Jean Costley.

           Sam and Sylvia Stanger have received their mission call. They will soon be serving in the Florida Cattle and Citrus Ranch Mission.--located in Florida, obviously.

           Howard and Colleen Hawkes spent a few days here at the Pearson Lodge. It is time to consider battening down the hatches with the approach of fall weather.

          There hasn't been any frozen gardens yet, but we had a nice night of gentle rain that should give the earth a much needed drink.

           One more LOTOJA Bike Race from Logan to Jackson, WY, has come and gone. Those first riders met with some chilly temperatures through our village and on up the canyon. No snow this year, most likely something to always be considered. Some bikers that came through a little later stopped along the way and shed some of the layers they had needed in the early hours.

Sept 6, 2016

         The day after Labor Day,  hope you gave a few minutes to of thought to the joy of having a job.  We moan and groan about work in general, but life would be pretty boring without it.

           Our Scouts enjoyed the last camp of summer at Camp Bartlett, over on the Montpelier side of our mountains. The scouts worked on all kinds of merit badges , totaling 66 while they were there. Activities included: archery, shotgun safety, a mile swim, a Polar Bear swim in early morning, a 5K run, wilderness survival, along with nature facts, new songs, and new games. The young men were Ty Jepsen, Bracken Christensen, Keenan Janke, Charles Iverson, Bryce Egley and Dallon Baird. Their leaders were Robert Crosland, Jared Egley, Kim Rasmussen, and LaRon Baird.

           Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen have had their daughter Jill Neitz and her four children visiting for a month. The Neitz family live on a ranch in Stettler, Alberta, Canada. Oldest son, Carson went back early, having been notified he would be the starting quarterback for his high school team and needing to be there for the practices. The rest stayed for all the family fun. Part of it was the Freeman and Ada Jepsen Family Reunion held at the Mink Creek Ballpark. There were representatives from every branch of the family tree, 72 in all. The Neitz family have headed back to Canada when their school year commences for the children and for Jill who teaches second grade at the elementary school.

           Kent and Tammy Beardall have been involved in family occasions. They were able to participate in the baptism and confirming of their granddaughter, the daughter of the late Adam Beardall and Laura and Cameron Reeves. Beardalls enjoyed having Shawn and Callie Beardall and their four youngsters come up from Spanish Fork, UT, to start harvesting firewood for the coming winter season.

            Marco Crosland is home for a few days before being back in school at BYU in Provo. He has been on an internship in the area around Dallas, TX. Marco has been doing landscaping and getting a feel for that as a possible business. He is glad to be home for a break before going back to school. Now he can help his parents as they work on completing the building of their home on the banks of Birch Creek. Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and their children have been down from Blackfoot, ID, for a day or two to welcome Marco home

           Our hospital list is shrinking we are happy to report. Jerry Hatchett and Nate Olson are both back home recuperating from their stay at the Logan Regional Hospital. Naomi Wilde is still under the care of the Franklin County Medical Center.

           We are happy to report that Eldon and Danita Wilcox have arrived safely in Quezon City in the Philippines and will soon be immersed in serving the people of that area. They were able to come home for one weekend after training at the MTC in Provo before their flight was scheduled.

             Highway fatality statistics in this neck of the woods are that we have more skunks getting hit during our night-time hours than deer. The normal warning to drivers has always been, ” Watch out for deer” when driving through our hamlet after dark. Lately it has been altered to “Watch out for those skunks!” Hitting a deer may do damage to your vehicle, but the aromatic affects of connecting with a skunk are long lasting to one and all.  That includes any residence within smelling distance of the collision.

             Our days are still warm, though a little cooler. But when darkness approaches a jacket is getting to be a requirement.

August 30, 2016

             Naomi Wilde, our local centenarian plus 1, had a upper femur bone snap while she was chatting on the phone. That dropped her to the floor, but help arrived quickly and the ambulance was called. She has undergone surgery and is now in the hospital, entertaining the staff in Naomi's own unique way. Reports are that she is doing well.

            A good sized family group traveled to American Fork, UT, to attend a farewell meeting for Collin Nielsen, son of Carla and Mark Nielsen., who will be going on a mission to the Washington, Everett, Mission at the end of August. He will spend some time at the Training Center in Mexico City for language studies. Family members were: Grandparents Bob and Claudia Erickson, Layne and Karen Erickson, Terrie and Andy McKay, Jody and Laural Janke and their children.

            The Mink Creek Ballpark and various family parks are in use most weekends lately. Not long ago Preston 3^rd Ward camped out at the Ballpark. Egley's park has hosted the Tate Family Reunion. Garland Rasmussen's park was the site for the Harley and Lima Jepsen Family Reunion. They had some 70 people attending. The Preston 10^th Ward scouts were having a hard time finding a spot to throw their sleeping bags one weekend and ended up camping around the Erickson pond in that park. So nice to have these convenient, beautiful spots in our village.

             We are sorry to report that Elder James Baird, the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, has been spending some time in the hospital in North Dakota. He is suffering with a MRSA infection, following an insect bite, while serving in the North Dakota, Bismarck, Mission.

            Samuel Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, was ordained to the office of an Elder in the LDS Ward. Before too long Sam will be headed to BYU to begin his college years.

           Brenda and Greg Belew have been down from St. Anthony, ID, to celebrate the wedding of their daughter Mariah to Bracken Atkinson. The wedding took place in the beautiful yard of Bracken's parents in Preston. Mariah is the granddaughter of Dennis and Judy Clark. Bracken and Mariah will live in Mink Creek while making plans to build a home of their own.

            A flock of buzzards are enjoying the recent cooler air. They take advantage of the updrafts and perform an aerial dance all dressed in their somber black costumes, ever having an eye for what might be delectable down below. It is quite a performance.

            Only one day left of the month.  The weatherman has reported that we can expect a fifteen degree temperature drop in the next few days.  It has been a hot, dry summer and the change to coolness will be welcome.  It may mean that we need to wrap up the remains of our gardens at night in order to get the squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins and such to the desired maturity.  Perhaps the cooler weather will discourage our marauding skunks.  Seems like we have a larger population of those than most years.  They are really hard on a corn crop.

August 23, 2016

            Eldon and Danita Wilcox are soon bound for the Philippines, Quezon City, where they will be serving a mission for the LDS Church. They will spend some time at the Mission Training Center in Provo before departure. All of their children and grandchildren have been here to soak up some family time. Elise and Jeff Hardy and their children live in North Ogden. Ami and Tom Fenton and family are in Tooele, UT. Lesli and David Evans brought their children from Savannah,TX. Brigham and Jennifer Wilcox and children are now in Idaho Falls, ID. Brittany Durrant and her girls came up from Bountiful, UT. MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter recently moved to Spanish Fork, UT, where MaKenzie will begin her first year of teaching in the elementary schools and coach volleyball.. Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox are here in Mink Creek.

            Sandy Wylie has friends from the days she spent driving cattle truck visiting her this summer.  Lori Muldner, aka Strawberry, is a transplant from Glendale, AZ. She and Sandy have been friends a long time and are enjoying the reunion to share the past and plan the future.

            Ramona and Jerry Hatchett managed to fit in an Alaskan vacation during our hottest weather. They stayed at the Boardwalk Lodge amidst beautiful mountain scenery and were able to visit an island village and learn of the totem poles there. The Hatchetts came home with pounds and pounds of the pink and grey salmon they had caught. They timed this getaway perfectly before Jerry was due for some surgery on his back when they got back home.

           Matthew Westerberg, son of Terry and Wendy Westerberg, was welcomed home with open arms after time well spent in a Peace Corp assignment in Ethiopia. He has been reporting his activities for the Preston Citizen. Matt's current plans include returning to the University of Wyoming in Laramie to continue his education.

            The Cub Scouts and their leaders, Elaine Larsen , Phee Crosland, Layne and Karen Erickson and Lana and Ivan McCracken spent an evening riding the Bear River. Family members who tagged along in tubes were welcome. The group was in a large rubber raft, guided and provided by Cubmaster Sharla McKay and her husband Lin McKay.

            Skunks and raccoons are raiding our gardens. They favor corn, fresh and young. The skunks are causing moments of panic for our early morning walkers Perhaps the skunk is returning home from their night of raiding and it corresponds to the cooler temps desirable for a morning stroll..

            The county fair is over, along with the pressure and the fun that go with it. Some of the projects from Mink Creek residents have been brought home, others are awaiting being entered in the Eastern Idaho State Fair that comes up in September

             Tomorrow signals the end of summer, the kids go back to school and the two yellow buses that pick up Mink Creek youth will be making their rounds.  Families will be getting back into the routine and the scheduling that goes with school activities. We have a few families that homeschool but most attend school in Preston.

August 17, 2016

          Friends and family gathered at the home of Steve and Terry Mainini to celebrate the life of their oldest son, Mario Mainini. He was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 30 as he was returning to his home in Richmond, UT, after spending the day here in Mink Creek. He was 31 years old. Relatives and friends came from Colorado, Oklahoma, California, Utah and Idaho.

        Clifford and LaDawn Jensen have had two of their children come home this past month. Jeremy and Heidi Jensen and their children live in McCammon, ID. Kristine and John Gore and family are on the East coast.

         Patti and Forrest Christensen and Linda and Clare Christensen took some days away from the heat, vacationing in Alaska. They spent the time in a cabin owned by Brad and Raone Stuart, Forrest's sister, near Ketchikan. They had a great time fishing for salmon and halibut.

         Terry and Hayes Carr and their family were up from Centerville, UT, to attend Terry's Preston High School class reunion. Terry is the daughter of Larry and Mary Jean Rasmussen.

          Cooper Janke , the son of Jody and Laural Janke, was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Out of town aunts and uncles here for the occasion were Gene and Danalee Abernethy of Alpine, UT, and Mark and Carla Nielsen of American Fork, UT.

           The Primary organization of our LDS Ward has changed leadership. Sustained as the President was Julie Egley, with Wendy Westerberg as 1^st Counselor, Lana McCracken as 2^nd Counselor, and Kasi Avery as secretary.

           Members of the Mink Creek Ward assisted at the Legacy Branch in Heritage Home during the month of July. They also filled an assignment to the cannery in Ogden early one morning.

            A herd of elk are calling our eastern mountains home these days. They lounge about in one field for a day or two and then move a bit to greener pastures. They make themselves at home, it is easy to tell they have been here before.

            Travelers passing through might be seen parked along the highway harvesting our wild chokecherries. Others might knock on the door and ask directions for finding a good patch of the fruitful trees.

           The grain combines are in action, loading up the trucks for a haul to the granary. So far it is looking pretty good in quantity, but the price is down by half from a year ago.

           The local coyotes are excited about these last few nights of the full moon stage. Way into the wee hours they are at choir practice.