May 9, 2017

          After a stormy month of April May arrived with sunshine and a degree of warmth. There seems to be a season called Spring slated for the year 2017 after all.

           Our local blackbirds are making us feel like warm weather has arrived. They chortle and gurgle as they march around our territory, in that step that makes one think of the German troops of WW II.

           We are living in a green environment as May gets underway. The trees are bursting into leaf, fruit trees in bud or blossom, weeds prolific, and the earth is starting to dry enough for field work.

           It has been a lengthy repair job for the maintenance crew of the Twin Lakes Canal company. A threatening bulge in the hillside below the canal at the base of Cedar Hill in Mink Creek has had heavy equipment and dump trucks busy for quite some time. The arrival of rain or snow has not helped to accomplish this project. Now the water is back in the canal and on its way to the Twin Lakes and everyone connected is glad to have the tension evaporated.

           The youth of the community were finally able to find an evening without storm that enabled them to take care of the semi-annual cleanup of our section of Highway 36. As usual there was plenty of litter to be gathered. After filling the orange bags they group met back at the LDS recreation hall for a cookie reward.

            Peter Haws has been called to be the president of the Santa Barbara LDS Stake in California. He spent considerable time in Mink Creek in his younger years. Peter is the son of Karl and Marion Haws who have been off and on Mink Creek residents for at least fifty years. They have dual citizenships in California and Idaho. Peter, his wife Gretchen and children live in Solvang. Peter is the Vice Principal at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

            The Mink Creek LDS Ward held its annual Ward Conference on April 30^th. Officers of the Preston North Stake attended and presented information and inspiration for the entire block program. President Dax Keller presided over the Sunday meetings.

          The end of the school year is fast approaching. The seniors have presented the dreaded Senior Projects and seem to have survived nicely. The elementary grades are busy going on field trips. Jr.High science teacher, Mr. Crosland's leaf collections are due. Spring sports are trying to fit in makeup games that were postponed due to our very wet spring months. All signs that it won't be long before graduation day.