The March Lion roars, 2016

            Even with the cold the world around us is getting a start on greening up. Fields already planted are full of young plants, dormant perennials are poking green shoots up through the earth. Of course the weeds are always with us, first to show, last to go, and a constant problem in between.

            Turkeys were strutting their stuff, parading around with tails fanned, attracting and impressing the rest of the flock. These feathered beings are everywhere: Riverdale, Cub River, Mink Creek, etc. and we all have way more than we need. They are a bit hard on a field of fresh young grain or alfalfa.  At least they go to roost when the sun goes down. As dusk descends those big black lumps high up on the tree branches are turkeys calling it quits. Less chance of hitting one of these birds during night driving than that of our deer population.

           Larry and Lilly Hansen have been up from Utah, getting their Mink Creek home on Bear Creek ready for summer habitation.

            Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and their children came down from Blackfoot, ID, for some days at home. The building of his parents' home (Robert and Phee Crosland) always welcomes another pair of hands willing for construction.

           The Mink Creek Boy Scouts held a Court of Honor recently. Two young men received their Eagle rank. They were Angelo Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, and Ben Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. For their Eagle projects Ben collected and sent books to a community in need in Africa. Angelo repaired and painted the interior of the Robinson Building at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Several scouts received rank advancements: Jacobi Johnson and Dallon Baird to Life rank, Bryce Egley and Keenan Janke to First Class.

          Guess this is proof of the March “in like a lamb, out like a lion” truism. Those first days of this month got everyone in the spirit for spring and planting. Outdoors, here we come! Woke up to a snow-covered world the last two mornings. No visible green today. Inches of the stuff! There was a lone golden crocus blooming outside the LDS Ward on Sunday, brave thing. These storms are soggy and heavy so a lot of moisture has been delivered. More expected for a day or two. Perhaps it was necessary to match up with the spring break from school this week. The Easter weekend was beautiful, couldn't have been better, so no complaints are being heard....or not too many.

March 22, 2016

           In spite of the recent return of winter weather and temperatures there are all sorts of indication that a change is in the air. The sandhill cranes have returned, making themselves known with their peculiar cry. Robins hover in the snow, fluffing out their feathers to shake off the cold. Canadian geese are seen in their V formation as well as on our ponds and waterways, calling out to get attention. Our owls, not to be outdone, are having extended conversations in the dark of night.

           Brooke Corbett, daughter of Sherrie and Shane Corbett, has received her long awaited mission call. She will be serving in the Argentina, Resistiencia, Mission, heading to the Mission Training Center on May 11^th.

          Jeff Knudson has married recently. His new bride is Leigh Fuller, whose home is in Twin Falls, ID. For the time being they are sharing time between their two homes, according to the demands of their schedules. Leigh is a concert pianist. She has also worked in the Church Offices in Salt Lake City for about twenty years. We are glad to have her become a part of our community.

           Mary Jean Baird Lindhardt, wife of Sherman Lindhardt of Smithfield, UT, passed away recently after suffering with lung cancer. She was born and raised in Mink Creek, daughter of James and Bessie Baird. Sherm and Mary Jean lived here for a few years in their early married life.

           Members of our community gathered for a Snowmobile Ride early this month, just in time before the white stuff had receded too much. Organizer Andy McKay asked his dad, Paul, and uncle, Lin McKay, to lead the group. The ride started in Copenhagen Basin and headed to the Big Rock and Midnight Mountain. The weather cooperated and it was a fun way to signal the wrap up of winter.

           The Young Men and Young Women's basketball season has closed for the Preston North Stake. Now those same youths will be involved in the track and field events at their schools, or in the softball and baseball programs.

           Even though winter storms keep returning our farmers are getting ready to be back doing field work. Repairs are underway on equipment and every sunny morning is greeted with a smile.  Working the land gets so much of the persona of those who love it.

March 15, 2016

             The Mink Creek LDS Relief Society organization celebrated its birthday with a program entitled “Three White Dresses.” Lacey Christensen spoke of the blessing/christening dress. April Rasmussen talked about the white dresses used in her young family, her daughter Emma soon to wear a white dress for her baptism, Liesa Baird told of the white wedding and temple dress. Cecelie Costley brought the three altogether with the need for for the continual need for “the white dress” in our lives here on earth. Those attending enjoyed a meal of croissant sandwiches, with veggie trays full of healthy choices. All enjoyed the birthday cake and ice cream as the evening ended.

           Former resident of Mink Creek, Paul Deats, passed away on Feb. 15, 2016, in California. One of his sons, Ed Deats attended school in Preston. The years in Mink Creek were spent on the Two Creek Ranch. Paul was a hard worker. He came to us from Long Beach, CA, but started out his life in Kentucky. He was a very civic-minded individual and patriot no matter where he lived. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. Paul loved horses, often riding in the Rose Parade, and spent his last 37 years on a ranch in Santa Ynez.

            Judy and David Wilde drove down to southern Utah for a getaway weekend in the area around Manti. They enjoyed a production of “ The Scarlet Pimpernel” at the campus of Snow College in Ephriam, UT. Their son, Christopher Wilde, was playing the cello in the pit orchestra for the play.

           We have a resident bald eagle who perches on a high point, often atop a power pole. He keeps a wary eye out for tasty morsels and interesting activities happening from his observation post. We are pleased to have him among us.

             Did I write about a thaw last week---believe I did. This week has given us the switch that goes with March weather, just when there was hope for some dry areas to attract our outdoor walkers. It has been a mix of snow and rain for the last four days. Temperatures to match, so we are glad to still have the winter wear close at hand. I do understand that ski resorts not too far away are smiling for the likelihood of an extended season. This will bring happy weekends a little longer for the many that head for our canyons with their snowmobiles.

           We do know that real spring is on its way, after all it is only mid-March. Evidence of this is that the “ditch meetings” and water boards are having their annual discussions of pre-irrigation needs for the coming season.  In all things, patience is needed.

March 8, 2016

           Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen escaped the winter blues for a stay at a beautiful resort in Cancun, Mexico. They soaked up the sun, and felt truly pampered with all the luxuries that came their way. Relaxation just when they needed it. It is safe to say this was a dream vacation.

          Kathy and Joe Jarvis are home from Africa. They have been serving at the South Africa, Johannesburg LDS Temple for the last 18 months. A swirl of languages has surrounded them: French, Portuguese, various African languages. They have soaked up the beauty of that continent and seen animals that were only names in travelogues while they were there. They are particularly fond of the gorgeous birds and the colorful plumage. The Jarvis couple spoke in the LDS Meeting this past Sunday and gave glimpses of the months away from home. Right now they consider going to the grocery store a big treat with all the selections of food we have to offer.

          AnnaBeth and Jimmie Olson are happy to announce the birth of a new granddaughter. This one is the fourth little girl in the family of Peggy and Jon Flinders. AnnaBeth has been able to spend a happy week with the Flinders family in Rigby, ID, and Jimmie has been up and back more than once.

           Our Boy Scouts, ages 11 to 13, have endured their Winter Camp, spending the night in snow caves they built near the parking lot at the Copenhagen Basin/Highway 36 connection. Their leaders were Jared Egley, Robert Crosland, LaRon Baird, Kim Rasmussen and Bishop Kurt Iverson. The scouts love having Kim on their staff, he is a qualified chef who plans for hearty appetites. The boys attending were Dallon Baird, Keenan Janke, Charles Iverson, Bryce Egley, Bracken Christensen, Chris Egley and Hazen Baird.

           Most likely you know by now that Preston High School's basketball team are the Idaho State Champions of 2016. Our community of Mink Creek did not have any of our youth playing on the team. However, we did have two young ladies who have been cheerleaders this past year: McKinley Longhurst and Hayden Egley, and Abigail Janke has been a strong trumpet player in the PHS pep band which plays at most of the home games and also at the State Tournament games. A number of our residents went to Boise to cheer for the team. It was an exciting week for our little corner of the world.

           The January thaw, that started belatedly in February, is continuing, off and on. Personally I have been happy to have it arrive. Finally, today, I was able to remove one of my outdoor Christmas decorations that had frozen solid to the outdoor planter in which I had placed it nearly three months ago.  Without this warmth, in a few more weeks I would have needed to devise some extra camo to make it appear that I had intended the decortion for Easter, ice block and all. 

             Nancy Reagan, thank you for being part of the history of our nation.   We will continue to miss you.

March lamb arrived, 2016

            Elder Tyson Hall is home after serving in the Chile, Antofagasta Mission. He is the son of Kristi and Brett Hall. He spoke in the LDS Ward recently and added some chuckles as he worked at speaking in English rather than the Spanish to which he has become accustomed. His grandparents, Dallas and DeOne Hall of Wellsville, UT, and Vernon Keller of Mink Creek were in attendance, along with many relatives from the Keller, Hall and Torfin families.

           Brenda Belew has left our village, headed up to her husband Greg in St. Anthony, ID, and a new job with Fremont County Extension office and more 4H activities. She goes with plenty of experience and training. Their daughter Mikayla will be staying here with her sister to finish out her senior year at Preston High School.

            Ben Seamons, son of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons, participated in All State Orchestra at the Idaho State University Concert Hall. Ben plays the violin. He is also a wrestler at Preston High and not long before had been in a wrestling tournament in Idaho Falls. Two Seamons sons, Ben and Sam, qualified at the district tournament to represent Preston High School at the Idaho State Wrestling Tournament. Excitement reigns in this household!

             Bob and Claudia Erickson flew to Tempe, AZ , for a weekend with the family of their son Drew and Hilary Erickson. This was a dual occasion: son Spencer was being ordained to the office of deacon in their LDS Ward and son Conner was receiving his Eagle Scout award. It was nice to soak up the Arizona sunshine.

            Canadian geese are returning, Their plaintive honking echoes off the mountains as they spot a good place for a temporary stay. Robins have been seen in bunches, busy clearing out anything that resembles bird feed, on the ground, in empty feeders. They are hungry visitors.

              March came in like a lamb, a nice calm lamb. The early morning looked like a storm might materialize, but a happy sun appeared and chased the gloom away. Mud season is upon us with patches of dirty snow all over the place, the one time of year when Mink Creek isn't picture postcard beautiful. Dirt roads are not dried out and with the melting they are apt to stay messy for quite some time, regardless of warmer temperatures.

             Paul Deats, a Californian who loved Mink Creek and lived here for a number of years, has passed away this month. The obit may be in this week's edition of the Citizen. If not, I will include more information in my next Mink Creek News column and blog.

             Celebrate the arrival of March. The winter has been good, welcomed, but we are looking forward to spring.