May 31, 2016

           The days are marching along and soon Mink Creek will be missing a friend. A Good-Bye Open house was held so that everyone could come and visit, wishing Sharon Moran success as she moves from our community. She has lived here for 22 years and after about 15 of those being a widow, she has decided to move closer to her son, Will, who is living in the state of Washington. We look forward to her return visits.

            Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their children have been soaking up some southern California sun. They took in Newport beach, did some whalewatching and crammed in as many fun, learning experiences for the kids as they could.

            Mink Creek community is proud to announce that we have five young people graduating from high school. River McKay is the daughter of Lin and Sharla McKay. Shelby Larsen is the daughter of David and Liz Larsen. Mikayla Belew is the daughter of Greg and Brenda Belew, Sam Seamons is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. Angelo Crosland is the son of Robert and Phee Crosland. Congratulations are sent their way.

            George and Bobbie Garr are back home among us after a winter in warmer climates. They are all set to enjoy an Idaho summer for as long as the weather will allow.

              Kimber Christensen passed away recently. Born and raised in Mink Creek, he moved to Preston to raise his family. He served as sheriff of Franklin County for a number of years. When he was laid to rest in the Mink Creek Cemetery he was honored in the funeral cortege with law enforcement officers from Franklin county accompanying the procession.

             Karl and Marion Haws are up from Santa Barbara, CA , getting the Haws home ready for the host of family that arrive throughout the summer months. They have already entertained some grandchildren and their families.

             Memorial Day came in bright and sunny, perfect for the many visitors to our little cemetery. It is always surprising how many visitors arrive over the weekend to pay their respects and enjoy the beauty that surrounds this out-of-the-way spot. Our founding families chose the location well perhaps with some inkling of how it would feel to their descendants a century plus later. It is a peaceful, nurturing place, perched on the hill above the LDS Meetinghouse, with a field full of golden mule's ear blossoms stretching beyond, eastward toward the mountain range.

May 24, 2016

           Elaine and Craig Larsen enjoyed a visit from Elaine's brother Larry Mikesell and his wife Cherry. This included a horseback ride for the guys in our beautiful green canyons. Top notch entertainment! Larry and Cherry recently moved to Hyde Park.

           Justin Longhurst loves his 250 bike. Recently he rod in the Moto Cross RMX Series in an event at Rupert, ID. It was Round 3. Justin placed third in the 250 Class and first in the 450 Class. He is the son of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst.

           Bryce Egley, son of Jared and Julie Egley, was ordained to the office of a deacon in the Mink Creek LDS Ward.

           Paul and Terrie McKay managed to take a week away from job and family to enjoy a well earned vacation in Hawaii. The warm, the sand, the ocean, just Hawaii, has a way of rejuvenating a person suffering from the winter blahs.

           Mink Creek Fathers and Sons gathered at our ballpark for a camp-over recently. The evening meal was under the direction of the Elders Quorum and the High Priests took care of breakfast. Tents and campers filled grassy spots and for the first time in several years the weather held. No rain this year, was a reason to celebrate, barring all else! The young men took advantage of the ball diamond, managing a game of baseball even though they were a bit few in numbers. After games and stories time for lights out was welcome. After cleanup the following morning many of the group took an ATV ride on the paths around Station Creek and nearby mountains. Glade Larsen entertained the riders with stories from his Mink Creek childhood. The view was a new one for many on the ride.

            The chokecherry trees are heavily laden with clusters of white blossoms, promising a good crop when it comes time to harvest. That has its provisions: enough water, no freezing, and just the right conditions in our Mother nature.

             Our Junior High students have been rambling through the community and adjacent areas trying to get a head start on science projects expected next year. They are seeking flowers, leaves, etc, that will be needed in identification collections, but likely not too available when the the new year gets underway. The word has been passed down from older students as to what is expected, and this can be helpful when scramble time arrives.

           Our waterways are still high, and the weather continues to send us rain, hail and even snow.

We welcome a warm day to dry out a bit, get our lawns mowed, before the next storm front moves in. Memorial Day is just around the corner and we will look beautiful for our many visitors....providing it doesn't storm.

May 17, 2016

           Patti Christensen, a local artist, is fortunate to have a nicely lighted studio at her home. Her work is exciting. Patti has some of her paintings on display at the Larsen-Sant Library in Preston. They are there for viewing through the month of May.

           Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox took some time to visit the Philippines, Annavelyn's home turf. The trip was fun, it was great to renew connections with her family. However, Annavelyn now calls Mink Creek home and she welcomed getting back to a more temperate climate.

            The Relief Society met on the May 5^th evening for a session of instruction on making soap. Not just any soap, this was flavored with a lovely citrus scent and had a smooth creamy touch. AnnaBeth Olson informed the group of women about the procedure, one of her favorite hobbies. While solutions bubbled and stirred, Penny Swann filled the “waiting moments” with a question and answer period regarding Essential Oils. Refreshments under the direction of Dana Olson took on a Cinco de Mayo flare with spicy dips and tortilla strips.

            Mothers' Day brought visitors. Peggy and Jon Flinders and their four girls came from Rigby to the home of Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson. Maria and Devin Flake brought their Jude to see Grandma and Grandpa, Lana and Ivan McCracken. Brittany Durrant and her girls spent the weekend with her parents, Eldon and Danita Wilcox. It was the perfect holiday for our college-age residents to be welcomed home with open arms.

           Walter Iverson, having reached the ripe old age of 16, was ordained to the office of a priest in the LDS Ward. He is the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson.

            We have had some rain, some snow on our mountain tops, and lastly some sunshine. It is encouraging. Our honeybees are enjoying every fruit blossom and love the abundance of dandelions.

There is the hum of spring in the air.

             An evening drive up Strawberry Canyon was beautiful, water still running high, with plenty of patches of snow up in the pines yet to melt. The predominant color of wildflower is yellow, but there are lots of blues and pinks mixed in. On the return trip we had to slow for a total of 23 deer as we drove back from Montpelier. They are looking a little scraggly right now., a bit on the thin side with lumpy winter coats.

           I forgot to mention in the printed version of this news column that the LDS ward gave all of the mothers a potted geranium for spring planting as a gift for Mothers' Day. It has become a tradition and brings feminine smiles as the women choose from pink, salmon and red blossoms. Then it is enjoyed all summer long, if not longer.

May 10. 2016

           The ditches that bring water to our farmers' fields are flowing. Lin McKay, operating his backhoe, has been grooming, cleaning out, preparing the canals that run through this community so that they can adequately carry that much needed liquid in the right directions.

            Our high school youth involved in Track and Field events are literally off and running this spring. Andy McKay takes on the high jump, the 4x2 relay, and the 100 and 200 yd sprint. Walter Iverson works on the 110 and 300 hurdles and the pole vault.

           Mink Creek also has youth participating in America's favorite pastime. Ty Beardall plays 3^rd baseman and pitches for the PHS baseball team. Abigail Janke is the center fielder for the PHS softball team.

           Josh and Lizzie Greene, with son Bently, have moved from their home on Capitol Hill in Mink Creek. We are missing them. They are currently living in Fairview, ID.

           Joe and Kathy Jarvis recently had a family get-together. One thing fairly certain, there would be conversation about their beautiful experience in Johannesburg, South Africa. This sort of thing makes an impact that lasts a lifetime.

          Jacob and RaNette Free and their children had a weekend of fun at the home of his parents, Richard and Vickie Fee. It is always nice to have these extra hands for the goings-on at the Free ranch.Jacob and RaNette are from Pinedale, WY.

            Our domestic and wild fruit trees have been heavily laden with blossoms. The recent warm spring rain seems to have dissolved them. The local bees have been very busy with a steady humming heard at any spot close to the trees.

           This morning there was snow on our mountain tops. The clouds have hung down around them like wreaths. Rain again during the night, chilly, but all is still green and looking forward to some warmth on the morrow.  The birds seem to think it is spring and the dampness doesn't discourage them.   We even have a couple of new wild geese families in our neighborhood.  Those little goslings are not much more than a ball of fuzz., but cute.  By the way, geese parents are very protective.

            Mothers' Day was celebrated in the usual fashion and visitors abounded. More details on that score in next week's column. College graduation from Utah State brought a few more people in this direction.

Cinco De Mayo, accidentally, 2016

         Hope you have enjoyed a Cinco de Mayo something, if only a tortilla chip.  This blog should have been available for readers two days ago, but this authoress got tangled up in other facets of her life.

           Even with all the cloudy days, rain intermittent, Mink Creek is such a beautiful place. No wonder those who move away have such fond memories of being here. In quiet moments a step outdoors gives you the sound of rushing waters as every little trickle and stream os water rushes down to the valley floor. The returning birds of many varieties are having a heyday, sweeping and swooping, with some aviary arguments thrown in among their chatter. Although we are lush and green in our living quarters the highest mountains still have snow on their peaks and banks on the north side of the slopes. There you are, I hope I have made you all homesick!

           Highway cleanup evening was a success. Those plastic orange bags lined our main street as crews roamed the roadsides up to the fence lines on either side. Our community is not large in population, but our main street, Highway 36, stretches for about 10 miles. The youth and leaders all met back at the LDS Ward meetinghouse for refreshments.

         Bill and Myrna Despain basked in the smiles of a new great grandchild. This darling baby came to visit with a set of parents from Logan and a set of grandparents from Wyoming. Put Bill and Myrna into the picture and it was the perfect time for taking four generation pictures for posterity.

         Brooke Corbett, daughter of Sherrie and Shane Corbett, will be leaving shortly to begin her service as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Argentina, Resistiencia, Mission. Relatives on both the Corbett and Golightly sides of her family came to wish her well, along with many friends. She will enter the Mission Training Center the first part of May for intensive language instruction.

         Just have to tell you how full we are of the blooming yellow Mule's ears flowers. Every hillside, of which there are many, has at least one big splash of yellow color to go with the vivid green. Less obvious is the scattering of light blue blossoms of the bluebells currently in season.

         School is winding down around here, the kids are counting how many days are left until.....and there are plans in the making. Preston High's graduation is scheduled for May 26^th.