July 19, 2016

            Many thanks to the Idaho State highway crew for mowing those tall grasses that bordered the highway through our little town and beyond. This will save some lives of our deer population and other wildlife as they are prone to pop out of the growth into the roadway when least expected. Also, it will significantly improve the vision of our human approaches to merge with the highway from the six main intersections throughout the length of our community.

            Hannah Singleton and her sons have been visiting her parents, Wynn and Cecelie Costley.. The Singleton family lives in Eldorado, AR. Her siblings who live within driving distance have gathered off and on during her stay. Lots of cousin time at the Costley residence lately.

           Ivan McCracken returned from a trip to his native Canada. His mission was helping older brother Sam who was moving into a home in Raymond, Alberta. Sam and his wife Roberta were returning from the Philippines so Ivan enlisted the help of the LDS Ward to get the house in shape.

           The entire family of Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson were here, totaling up to quite a few people. Jerry and Christine Olson and children are in St. George, UT. Mike and Anna Olson and children live in Brigham City, UT. Lydia and Jason Stucki and family call Moscow, ID home. Dana and Charles Peterson and youngsters reside in Meridian and Peggy and Jon Flinders and their girls are at home in Rigby. The Olsons were glad to have their bunkhouses ready and available.

         It has been quite a while since we have had some visiting time with George and Judy Rasmussen. They came up for our 4^th celebration and now live in Highland, UT.

           Marie Keller is home after nearly a month in the Midwest visiting her children.  They live in Indiana around Portage and Ft. Wayne. There was a family wedding while she was there so it lent itself to a family reunion.

          The drying southern winds are making themselves known. If the land isn't under irrigation the appearance is one of dryness. Dryland fields are full of cracks in the surface of the ground, suggesting caution when walking across so a foot doesn't drop in an unexpected hole.

           Justin Longhurst has undergone surgery on a foot that was damaged in a recent race. He took a bad tumble on his racing bike during a competition.  It takes the fun our of the hobby for a time.

July 14, 2016

                There was 100% attendance of our young women at the Girls Camp held at Preston North Stake Campground. The theme was “Pressing Forward.” Both 4^th year and 2^nd year groups had good hikes. The food was good, it was noted that Mink Creek girls know how to start fires. The weather treated them well this year and all became aware of birds singing and the sun shining each morning. Having secret sisters added to the fun. Any pranks were good-natured. There was enough activity that not too many hours were spent sleeping for either leaders or girls. Mink Creek leaders were Laurel Wilde, MaryAnn Jepsen and Melinda Jepsen. Due to recent surgery Dawnell Greene was unable to attend. Appreciation was expressed for the priesthood leaders who came up in shifts.

                The traditional Mink Creek July 4^th provided an entire day for celebrating at the Mink Creek Ballpark. Glad and Corinne Larsen were at the helm of planning this year. The baseball diamond was filled with eager participants of all ages. An airplane candy drop caused lots of excitement, especially when the pilot mis-timed his drop and candy poured down on the parking lot and pavilion instead of the grassy park. All day many activities were offered: rock-wall climbing, face painting from the Jepsen sisters, bottle rockets engineered by Nate Olson, a bouncey house, a catapult under Johnny Iverson's supervision.

               A flag ceremony with our veterans raising the nations flag, was presented by our veterans with Glen Jepsen calling the cadence. The Jody Janke family, with trumpets and drum, furnished accompaniment for singing the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. Glade Larsen shared some memories of his War experience and several vocal groups added to the program

              Patriotic banners and table decorations were on display thanks to efforts of Kim Christesnen. Dinner was prepared by a committee of Clare and Linda Christensen, Forrest and Patti Christensen, Jeff and Deborah Olson, Kent Beardall, Sam Stanger, Royce Christensen and Denny Clark. Sheldon Longhurst and his crew proved a lovely iced drink of raspberry and lemons,. Following the full tummy activity the popular water slide was set up and others enjoyed a moving paint-ball target assembled by Phillip Christensen.  Farmers are inventive people and the moving targets were a huge hit.  No pun intended.

                 The ticket count for the dinner indicates that about 400 people were enjoying our lovely ballpark and the many activities that were offered. 

July 6, 2016

            The celebrating is done,  traditional Mink Creek style, and details will be in next weeks blog with the Citizen's edition matching my deadlines.  In the meantime, enjoy what happened prior to that, along with the extras usually attached.

            The recent demolition derby in Preston had some exciting moments for our residents. L.D. Larkins of Mink Creek was a contestant. He was the winner of the Chain and Bang heat and had a great time.

           Mary and Ron Norris are pleased to announce the marriage of Carli Gressman to Scott Duncan. Carli has lived in Mink Creek with her grandparents ever since they moved here several years ago. Scott is from Goudon, Scotland. The marriage took place in the Millennium Falls Reception Center in Draper, UT, with kilts and bagpipes adding to the Scottish flavor of the event. The Duncans have gone to Disneyland for their honeymoon. They hope to make their home in Cache Valley.

            We have a new family in our village. Heath and Kaci Avery purchased the home of Mark and Karen Arnout. The Averys come to us from Franklin. They have five children: Brayden, age 16, Liberty, 11, Jacob, 9, Grayson, 7 and Grady, 5. They are enjoying the tree covered hillside near their new backyard.

              Another family has returned to Mink Creek. Robbie and Tanishia Greene and their little boy Derek have moved into the Orvid and Marlene Christensen home on Capitol Hill. Robbie spent some of his teenage years with grandma Marlene.

            The Crane Cabin is humming. Linda Shewmaker of Rupert, ID, and Sheryl May of Paul, ID, the Crane sisters, are having a vacation and family get together with their brother, Bruce Crane of Logan. He spoils these two “big” sisters for a few days as they recall their growing up years in Mink Creek.

              David Kolstad, formerly of Mink Creek, took advantage of his travels for his job to stop by for a visit while he was in the neighborhood. He reports that his and Mary's family are doing well and enjoy their farm up in the Clearwater River country. They have remodeled their home more to their liking and are still in love with Idaho.

             Over the weekend we had numerous people using their GPS systems attempt to get to the Oneida Dam by taking the “road” that goes up Ant Hollow, north of Highway 36. Some were even pulling watercraft and such, all ready for a day on the water. Imagine their consternation when the road not only had a gate across it but soon disappeared in the brush and gullies a bit beyond. There was no convenient turn-around provided.   The road has been closed for years, no maintenance, and weather and time has taken a toll. I doubt that a prairie schooner would be able to navigate it now. It is only fit for ATVs and horses. When told by our residents that it was no longer a road the drivers were a little frustrated with the trusted GPS.