December 19, 2017

           December is certainly underway in Mink Creek. The Relief Society enjoyed a Christmas Dinner, held in the decorated multipurpose room of the LDS meeting house. This was a full-fledged Christmas dinner, with all the extras. Dana Olson was the chief chef of the preparations with assistance from several others. A reader's theatre, written by AnnaBeth Olson was part of the program. Musical numbers were a trio from Emma, Kate and Annie Rasmussen and a duet featuring McKinley and Emily Longhurst. Those attending sang several carols to celebrate the coming season.

           The community met on a frosty Saturday morning to have a holiday breakfast, prepared outdoors by Forreset Christensen, LaRon Baird, Clare Christensen, Pedro Gomez, Doug Bruderer, Royce Christensen, Mario Crosland and Kim Keller. The menu included mounds of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, ham, hashbrowns and pancakes swimming in syrup. A good crowd attended. Crafts kept the children busy following the meal as they waited for the arrival of Santa. A program featured some stories. One, told by Lana McCracken was The Candle in the Window and was illustrated through a video for the entertainment of the listener. Another, told by Paul McKay, was about an old man who had been a boxer in his youth, now dying with a huge debt to leave behind. With no training, no practices, a final match was arranged, the old boxer was declared the winner and receiving the prize money was able to pay his debts before his passing. A gift to leave for those he loved. Songs were sung by the audience as Santa entered the recreation hall and began interacting with the waiting children. The traditional bag of nuts and candy, along with a cute felt Christmas mouse decoration was sent home as the group parted for the day.

            Greenlee Christensen, daughter of Lacey and Kerry Christensen, was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is the 'newest' member of the Mink Creek Ward.

             The Relief Society leadership has had a bit of a shakeup. ReNae Egley is the new second counselor and Annavelyn Wilcox is the secretary. Patti Christensen as president and Anna Beth Olson as first counselor remain the same.

              Thus far we don't have much in the way of snow. The little we have had is still in evidence because the bitter cold has prevented much melting. The heavy nightly frost contributes much in the way of glittering crystals all over, as though some giant as just broadcast a handful of diamonds in our direction.

            There is gruesome evidence that a couple of deer met their demise during a night this past week. The highway was thoroughly bloodied in two separate spots between milepost 7 and the lower Bear River bridge in Riverdale.

            The power company has installed a new bulb in the farmyard light at the intersection near milepost 6. The light has been going off and on every three minutes for the last two or three months.

Even the wildlife that live in the neighborhood must have been confused by this erratic behavior.