September 27, 2017

           Anyone reading will get a double dose this posting because I was out of town last week and unable to chat.  Now life is back to my version of normal, or at least close to it.  I am still catching up, and canning along with it.

          Wedding bells, again in Mink Creek. Wally and Kim Christensen's son, Aaron married Amanda Anderson of Logan in a beautiful ceremony at Logan's Lundberg Park, followed by a reception These two young people met years ago when Amanda's family lived in Mink Creek for a short time when Aaron and Amanda were children attending Primary. They will be living in Logan where Aaron is employed.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen had a visit from their son Jared and Andrea Jepsen and their three children. Jared and Andrea live in West Point, UT.

             Fruit in the Mink Creek orchards are few and far between due to a spring freeze this year. Our local deer are cleaning up any fruit that has fallen from the trees and often giving the trees an unwanted pruning on branches they can reach with a good neck extension.

           The Pearson place was visited on a couple of weekends. Howard and Colleen Hawkes of Kaysville, UT, and their daughter Melanie Evans and her family of Lehi, UT, were up to soak up some Idaho summer one weekend and another group commandeered the Pearson driveway on the day of the LOTOJA race, cheering on the bicyclists as they went up the hills towards our canyons.

           Two of our young ladies are involved in Preston High School fall sports programs. Emily Longhurst is playing volleyball and Hannah Greene is on the girls' soccer team.

           Speaking of volleyball, the word has gone out inviting young women, a little older women and also a co-ed group to join and play the game at the Preston North Stake House on Wednesday nights. Good chance for some fun exercise for those so inclined.

           Alexis Strong has been enjoying some time with her parents, Kurt and Margret Iverson, and her brothers. Alexis currently lives in California. Her husband, Scott came up to join her as his employment allowed.

             Rico Crosland was home with his family, Robert and Phee Crosland, for a few days before heading back to college at BYU/Idaho in Rexburg, ID. He has spent his summer months in the eastern part of the nation with a job selling pest control. 

           Many hands lighten the load, so true in this community. A Roadside Community Cleanup morning was held recently with all ages encouraged to lend support. We ran out of the traditional orange bags and resorted to multiple colors of bagged trash from the gathering efforts. A great breakfast was served at the LDS Ward meeting house following the activity. Terry Westerberg and Bishop Kurt Iverson turned out the pancakes, Paul McKay kept the potatoes warm and plenty, Glade Larsen had piles of scrambled eggs, Clair Christensen did a brisket to perfection, Bryce Stromberg was the overall help with the entire menu. Wives and other committee members made it a memorable occasion, a breakfast to remember. The event gave a wonderful feeling of community unity.

           Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, has received a mission call. He won't have much time since he is due at the MTC in Provo on November 15^th. He will be serving in the Iowa, DeMoines, Mission, English speaking.

           There has been a change in the LDS Sunday School Presidency. Second counselor, Heath Avery, has been released and Pedro Gomez sustained in that position. Douglas Bruderer, Sunday School President and Kim Keller, First Counselor remain the same.

Karen and Layne Erickson and Paul and Terrie McKay and Andy drove to Wellsville, UT, celebrating the return of Elder Seth Erickson, from his mission to Spain, Madrid, Mission. Seth is the son of Bryan and Shannon Erickson who live in Mt. Sterling.

           The Lewis and Clark Volunteers met in their fall Rendezvous on the banks of Mink Creek on the farm of Vernon Keller. This black powder group headquarters in Soda Springs, ID, and meet in our community several times annually. Curt Keller, a leader in the Volunteers, has family roots in this valley.

            Kerry and Lacey Christensen and children took a late summer trip to Glacier National Park. Theirs is an outdoor family and they had a great time. Lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery, clean air and fun in the package.

          The youth of the village worked on hauling in some extra dirt and improving the back yard of Sandy Mason's home. It had suffered during the flooding this spring. Sandy expressed her gratitude for the service, a job she could not tackle alone.