April 25, 2017

           Sandra Wylie of Mink Creek recently became the bride of Daniel Reed Mason, of Dallas, TX. Their current plans are to live in Mink Creek. This couple first met in an LDS Primary in Nevada and have each gone their own way over the years. Now, each with grandchildren of their own, the friendship has been rekindled.

              The excitement of the Pinewood Derby brought the families of the Cub Scouts to line the side of the aluminum racetrack and cheer for the racers. Cubmaster Sharla McKay had the recreation hall decorated with racing flags and the roar of racing motors added some sound effects. Adult helpers on her crew were Lin McKay, Phee Crosland, Marie Keller, and Margret Iverson. The judges at the finish line were Jeff Olson and Kent Egley. Dads and big brothers served as pit crews to keep the cars in top racing condition. Every car in the derby won an award: Sportiest went to Cooper Janke, Best Idea for Weight to Conner Iverson, Best Detailed to Chris Egley, Most Organized to Grayson Stanworth, Best Side by Side to Jake Stanworth, Flashiest to Hazen Baird and Mink Creek Fastest to Jacob Seamons. The snack bar offered Rice Krispie race cars, chocolate mini donuts and fruit snax, all chased by glasses of milk. Perfect for the occasion.

            The funeral of Debra Lee Pettitt Swann, wife of Reed Swann, filled the LDS Chapel. Friends and family came from California, Idaho, Utah. The early years of the Swann family in Idaho were in Banida, ID, Reed's hometown and Deb's parents moved up from California to spend their last years in Mink Creek. Interment was in the Mink Creek Cemetery.

            Grayson Stanworth, son of Heath and Kaci Avery, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The grin on his face and the light in those mischievous eyes were a positive statement about how Grayson felt about this day.

            The Twin Lakes Canal Company continues to have a crew working to repair a problem spot on the side of Cedar Hill. Bulldozers, backhoes and pickups make their presence known, standing out against the greening earth of the canal bank. They are harassed by the frequent rainy days that hamper their progress. From all appearances they are working to avoid a slide down the eastern side of the canal.

           Tulips are blooming. My cherry tree is in full blossom. The wild Hawthorne bushes are filled with tiny white flowers. And it has all been dripping with rain for the last couple of days. If April showers do bring May flowers we should have beautiful flower gardens in the next few weeks.

            It was Prom weekend and it has been fun to see the beautiful gowns and the stately tuxedos. Some of the mothers were scrambling to fix that special feast to start the actual date just right.

April 18, 2017

            When we don't have snow our world is starting to look very green. Leaves appearing, fields brushed with green growth (unless the excess water has killed the young plants), weeds bustling to get a head start on all other desired greenery. Various birds are announcing their presence: mourning doves, geese, owls, magpies,robins,to name a few. Dormant insects and animals are waking up to warmer days. However we did wake up to two mornings with snow this past week so we aren't taking spring for granted.

           The farmers' fieldwork is crying to be done, but most fields are still to soggy to welcome machinery's weight. Workshops are busy places with repairs underway. The hunt for replacement parts can be a big challenge as machinery ages.

             Larry and Lillian Hansen were up to open their home to spring and the possibility of family gatherings. They were surprised to find their yard on the banks of Bear Creek covered with snow.

           Kelton and Denise Keller and their daughter Mauri have driven up from Alpine, UT, for a few days with Kelton's dad, Vernon Keller.

           Rita Warburton Cargill is amongst us once again. She has come up from her home in California to assist her father, John Warburton, with his recovery program after his recent hospitalization.He is back in the hospital now with pneumonia.

         There is a new grandchild in the family of Kent and Tammy Beardall. Michelle and Gary Wall of Grand Junction, CO, have a new son. Tammy has been in Colorado, enjoying the role of grandmother with the Wall children while welcoming the newest one.

          The work of a farmer is hard on a person's joints. Craig Larsen has recently had some knee surgery and is in the process of recuperation. He has also worked as a farrier, another one that takes some knee challenges.

         Davis Collins, grandson of Bob and Claudia Erickson, spent his spring break from BYU/I in Rexburg enjoying some down time in Mink Creek. Rico Crosland, son of Phee and Robert Crosland, did the same. It just so happens that these two young men attend the same ward in Rexburg while attending school.

         As I write this evening it has been raining for the last 3 hours. This is not helping the problem that the Twin Lakes Canal company is working on where the canal goes around our Cedar Hill. There has been a crew of men working there for several days.

            Our Easter dawned bright and beautiful, as an Easter morning should be.  Hope yours was a special day wherever you were.

April 11, 2017

          Mink Creek's geese have returned and made themselves at home. They fly between ponds and their vocal visiting can be heard most hours of the day. This is truly home ground for some of them, they were born and spent their gosling days within our boundaries. They could be labeled semi-wild Mink Creek Canadian geese because they are quite comfortable around humans.

          Speaking of wildlife that are comfortable – our resident deer are enjoying every green shoot that pops out of the ground, including some that are in our yards. They leave behind evidence of their presence on grass and pavement as they gaze into the windows of our homes. They have had a hard winter these past months and are looking quite scraggly.

           Some  residents have been in the hospital in Preston. John Warburton's poor health is catching up with him. James Baird had surgery on his broken leg and is now home learning how to maneuver the wheel device that he will need to use while healing.  He will be adjusting to being home from his mission at the same time.

            Kurt and Margret Iverson and their crew of young men spent several days in southern Utah. Besides enjoying the warmth they did a lot of hiking and biking in the area around Moab. All returned safe and sound, no injuries reported.

           Sharla McKay indulged in one of her favorite activities recently. She drove down to Farmington, UT, to tend grandbabies for her son Josh.

           Jeff and Leigh Knudson have had a spring visit from two of Jeff's sons. Tony and Camille Knudson and their three children came up from Stansbury Park, UT. Their boys, Simon and Porter, ages 12 and 7 are already studying foreign languages. Lucy, at age three, provides entertainment for the whole family. Shawn Knudson of Provo, brought his daughter Michelle for a good cousin get-together with Tony's kids. It's always fun at Grandpa's house.

           Since the above was written we have awakened to two mornings of more snow. A bit disheartening after such a winter when everyone is seeking some warm days that will help to dry out the fields sufficient for farm work. Water standing on growing plants can drown them.

         Looks very likely that the home Easter Egg hunts will take place indoors this weekend. Dampness seems to discourage the Easter Bunny, at least at my house.

April 5, 2017

             March came in like a lamb, it lasted about two days. We have had many lion days since. Spring break from school for the Mink Creek kids has been about half and half. A bit more than half rain, a bit less than half sunshine. Things are greening up, more noticeable on the sunny days. Residents are grabbing hours of sunshine cleaning up flower beds and giving the yards a working-over. Garden spots are still a bit too wet, with more moisture every day or so, to put on the spring chore list just yet.

           Elder James Baird has had an accident while serving a mission in the North Dakota, Bismarck Mission. He broke his leg and is now home having had surgery at the Franklin County Medical Center. He is the son of Liesa and LaRon Baird. LaRon traveled to his missionfield to bring him home. James' Uncle, Daniel Baird of Sugar City, ID, came to provide some empathy, having had a similar situation in his younger days.

           A Boy Scout Court of Honor was held when two young men, Walter Iverson and Clay Jepsen, had achieved their Eagle Rank in scouting. Walter is the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, Clay the son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen. Walter's Eagle project took place in Preston, painting the Rodeo Parade safety line along the route the parade follows each summer in an effort to make it safer for the children on the sidelines. Clay's project was that of Mink Creek cemetery veteran identification and recognition. Flags of our nation have been placed at the grave sites on specific holidays. Grandfathers, Eagle Scouts themselves, presented the awards to these two: Johnny Iverson and Glen Jepsen. Merit badges were awarded to several of the young men who are on the scout path. Those attending enjoyed refreshments of a chocolate pudding, a piece of Congratulations cake and a citrus frappe.

          Alexis and Scott Strong were up from studies at BYU in Provo, UT, for a weekend with her family, the Kurt Iverson bunch.

           Landon and Amy Costley and their family, plus some friends and families drove up from their home in Utah to enjoy some time at the Wynn and Cecelie Costley residence. It was still home and fun regardless of the excess moisture this spring has produced.

          Between April Conference and Spring Break for the school age residents have taken trips, done fun things. Things are settling back to whatever is normal. Now there is the anticipation of Easter on the horizon, and the hope of some warmer days. The sun has been shining this week, but that wind from the north has kept teeth chattering and the need for a warm jacket uppermost in any planning or venturing outside. Still hoping for some drying days so the farm work can begin.