January 30, 2018

           The first storm lasted all day and was beautiful, a nice falling of flakes that built up and covered the dry tan countryside as it progressed. When it cleared out it left one of those “winter wonderlands” in its wake. The flocks of turkeys look very black against the background of white snow now covering our landscape. We have had two welcome storms this past week. No great depth of snow has been noticed but every snowflake is needed and appreciated, by farmers and snowmobilers alike.

          The community enjoyed the annual ski party at Beaver Mountain this month. It is a favorite activity for the majority of our families and often the first place our youngsters get a chance to try out skiing. Some are more involved in snowboarding than skiing, but who cares, it all works well together. Those attending brought pot luck lunch to be shared in the lodge while taking a breather from a run on the slopes. Some of us went up to just sit and enjoy a winter visit.

           Bob and Claudia Erickson drove down to Richfield , UT, to participate with the Jody Janke family with the ordaining of their son Keenan to the office of a teacher in the LDS Church. Mark and Carla Nielsen and their son Aidan of American Fork, UT, joined the family gathering.

            A new family has arrived. Jamie and Natalie Forbush have purchased the home of Koreann Rael. For those of long-standing Mink Creek roots it will be more identifiable by describing it as Harold and Verla Baird's home just off of Highway 36.

          Ben Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, recently participated in a well known wrestling tournament, the Rockwell Rumble, held at the Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. There were 81 teams from seven different state in the competition, but Ben was pretty much a lone wolf, even without a coach. He did well, coming away with 4^th place in his 182 pound class. This wolf has a number of bruises as a result, but that is an expectation of the sport. This same Seamons family were also involved in a wrestling tournament in Aberdeen, ID, for a younger son, David, who is part of the Preston High School team.

           The Thursday, January 25^th, earthquake tremor was felt in Mink Creek shortly after 8:30 p.m. Some residents reported feeling the rolling movement, others had wall hangings rattling or items jiggling about on flat surfaces. It served to put us all on emergency alert.

           A friend commented on the earthquake, “I thought we were done with those.” Methinks she hasn't lived along the Wasatch Front too many years. We may not be California, but an earthquake tremor isn't too rare. Californians take the shakes in stride much better than we do.

            Our LDS Ward meeting schedule begins a half-hour earlier than in the past. It is going to take some adjusting. Bare benches appear to be waiting for the straggling congregation. A change always take time.

January 23, 2018

        We are nearly to the end of this first month and I am still using 2017 as the year.  Breaking what become a habit takes time.

          Over the last couple of weeks Robert and Phee Crosland had all their family home with staggered arrival and departure times. Giovanni and Kristina and four kids down from Blackfoot for a break, sharing time with Kristina's parents in Franklin, Doug and Sherrie Rallison. Malia and Jason Kunde and children of Rigby, ID, were here with matching times for playing with cousins, including those belonging to Arianna and Ben Hostetter of Peyton, CO. Marco and Christina Crosland spent part of the vacation time with her family in the Boise area before heading to Mink Creek and then back to Provo and school. Rico fits in as much time home as he can, BYU/I in Rexburg, ID, doesn't seem so far away. Armando was the last to fly back to his job in Washington, D. C. Now life can get back to somewhat normal for those left in Mink Creek, Mario, Celina and Jacobi. Elder Angelo Crosland is serving in the Indiana, Indianapolis mission at this time.

           Bear Creek Road was nearly a thoroughfare for a couple of weeks. Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen enjoyed visits from their son Kyle and Stacy Jepsen of Dallas, TX, Jill and Mark Neitz and their children who dropped down from Stettler, Alberta, Canada to join in the fray, then Jana Musgrave and her family of Ogden topped things off at that Jepsen house. The visits managed to overlap by at least one day and the senior Jepsens made the time count by getting family pictures. Just across the road and up a hill is the home of another Jepsen son, Kerry and Melinda, Mink Creek residents, and they added their children to this number: McKenna from California, Macy from Provo, UT, Clay, down from the U of Idaho in Moscow and Claire from Utah State in Logan, along with their still-at-home quartette of Cole, Tara, Ty and Ella..

           The community was surprised with an unexpected funeral. Cameron Christensen, age 44, son of Royce and Lorraine Christensen and Noreen Critchlow (deceased) passed away January 7, 2018, in Seattle, WA, the result of a pulmonary embolism. Cameron's siblings and families were all in Mink Creek for the services. Two brothers, Kevin Christensen of Queen Creek, AZ and Fred and Victoria Christensen of Orem, UT. Sisters: Colleen and Justin Carter of Preston, Carrie Ann Melton of Lafayette, IN, Kim and Joe Tracy of Meridian, ID. His grandfathers were in attendance: Fred Bingham of Weston and Dale Critchlow of Blackfoot. Cameron's daughter, Jamaica Rolfe and her mother Deanna King, drove from their home in south Salt Lake City. Many aunts, uncles and cousins gathered with the family.

            We had a storm move in and dump snow for the most of one day, the depth varying according to how far up the canyon you went. The lower end was about six inches and did require someone to shovel walks at the church house before the Sunday meetings could welcome the congregants.

           There has been a report of elk creating some havoc on hay ground. If there is a stack of hay available it is even more tempting.

           Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen were able to go to Salt Lake City and the LDS Conference Center to attend the funeral of Church President Thomas S. Monson. Some years past, Betty Jo served on the General Primary Board of the church.

January 16, 2018

              A wedding reception for Nicole Beardall, daughter of Kent and Tammy Beardall, and Nathan Denney, a young man from Rexburg, ID, kept the LDS Recreation Hall busy that last weekend of December. Nate's parents are Brenda and Kerry Denney of Rexburg. All the Beardall siblings were able to be in attendance. Kyle Beardall and Laura and Cameron Reeves and family live in Logan. Shawn and Callie Beardall and their four came up from Spanish Fork, UT. Michelle Wall and her children drove from Grand Junction, CO, to spend several days with family. Mikel and Rebecca Beardall are at home in Preston,Ty Beardall in Richmond, UT, and Heather Beardall in Mink Creek.

           A part-time Mink Creek resident, Dr. Lynn Lawrence Wilcox of Salt Lake City, passed away on Dec. 23^rd. He and his wife Shirley have had a home here for many years. This was a place to get-away. Born in Ogden in1946, his medical studies led him to the field of gastroenterology. He died at their home in the Holladay area and was buried in the Holladay Cemetery. Two of Lynn's siblings, Doug and Con, are also part-time Mink Creek residents.

             Wynn and Cecelie Costley's home was bursting at the seams during the holidays. Everyone was home except for their daughter Hannah Singleton. Everyone includes the grandchildren that go with each set of parents. Noel and Jeff Hadley and Kate and Erick Drake live in Plain City, UT. McKay and Lynsey Costley are in Lewiston, UT. Josie and Dave Hulme and Landon and Amy Costley, both are in the Ogden area. Leah and Davin Gilbert's bunch live in Fairview, ID.

            Some of the children of Danita and Eldon Wilcox gathered in Mink Creek during the holidays. Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox live in his parents home. Brigham and Jenipher Wilcox and their children came down from Idaho Falls. McKenzie and Tyson Gunter and their new one-month-old son, Dryden Ty Gunter, joined them. The senior Wilcox couple ar serving a mission in the Philippines and are due home in a few months.

              Snow, turned to rain, turned to snow, turned to rain again – has left us with patchy looking scenes up and down the length of the community. Snowplows continue going up the canyon road over to Bear Lake so some inches must be accumulating in our mountain tops.

            This snow/rain business has made outdoor walking hazardous, even for as simple  a thing as picking up our mail.  For those of us with driveways or walks that don't see much sun those areas are solid ice. Several residents have slipped and gone down and are now trying to recover from bruises and aching bones. I haven't heard of any breakages thus far, just dangerous footing.

             Another bane at this time of year is the visit of the flu bug, and this season it is a nasty one. Seems to be the viral type and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to run its course, during which time the sufferer is contagious and needs to keep to themselves.

January 10, 2018

        Don't forget, in your paperwork, to use 2018 as the year. This moving ahead transition every twelve months takes concentration. In this blog  post I can tell it is something I still need to consider, not habitual yet.

          Bill and Myrna Despain were pleased to have a visit from her son, Blaine Jolley, his daughter Cassy and her baby. The Jolley family live in Greybull, WY, not far from where the Despains spent their early years in Lovell, WY. Another son, Bruce, his wife Cheryl, their daughter, Shanna plus her baby, came a few days later. Bruce and Cheryl Jolley call Lovell their home. All the hustle and bustle added to the Despains holiday enjoyment.

          Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been on the run for the holidays. First they spent some time in the Salt Lake area with their sons, Jonathan, Jared and Joe and their families. Then it was a flight to San Jose, CA, to see their daughter Annie and her husband, Steve Earl and their children, not to mention enjoy the warmer temperatures. Between missionaries, carolers and wonderful food the Jepsens had a grand time.

            Karen and Layne Erickson moved around in their celebrations. They spent Christmas Eve with their family members at the home of Bryan and Shanny Erickson in Wellsville. Back home, then to daughter Terrie and Paul McKay's home for a Christmas breakfast with the whole McKay family, Morgan and Cody and their spouses being home for the holiday. Later in that day it was back out to the Station Creek home to share in the Skyping with grandson Elder Andy McKay from Iowa.

             Elder Samuel Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, has finally had his visa cleared. He was called to serve in the Philippines, Legaspi, Mission and due to the visa hang up has been serving in the Salt Lake City West Mission awaiting approval. He is happy to be on his way to the Philippines.

            Justin and Kristal Mason and their children were in town for a visit. It has been a while since we have seen them so it was a special event for the community. The Masons now live in Wisconsin.

          The outdoor holiday lights throughout the community have been retreating to their storage boxes for another year. However with this beautiful moon the night scene in Mink Creek is still picture postcard perfect. We are informed it is called a Supermoon, the first of 2018, and because it is closer to our Earth in its orbit, appears bigger, brighter.

           Have you noticed how fast our days have expanded with lighter hours? December's winter solstice seemed to bring darkness before 5pm and now the sun goes down a bit after 5, and there is dusk for those driving home from 9-5 jobs.

            We don't have much snow yet and we are hoping for more. In our area snow is welcome every winter, not a year goes by but that we depend on that snowpack to provide for good things in our summer months.

Happy 2018, day 2

          More snow, just perfect for these holidays. Guests often come hoping for snow as they have journeyed from California or Arizona, even southern Utah, hoping for some snow activity while they are in Mink Creek. Our white slopes await for now.

           Sherry and Ernie York were happy to have a holiday visit from Ernie's son, Don York and their grandson, Brayden, better known as BJ. This limb on the York tree lives in Clearfield, UT, but it has been nearly five years since he has come for a stay.

            Some Birch Creek residents have been grateful for those in the medical profession recently. Ron Norris has had surgery with a shoulder replacement and has had extra challenges with his chores. Craig Larsen suffered from a mini stroke that has affected his left side a bit. Both men are slated for physical therapy appointments in the near future.

             Black Angus cattle are easy to spot against the backdrop of bright,white snow in our daylight hours. However if they are meandering near the highway or other roads in our community during the night they become invisible and may become the cause of considerable damage to man and vehicle. There were two of these critters parading around in our neighborhood last week.

           Jacob and RaNette Free and their children came over from Pinedale, WY for some holiday fun at the grandparents place, Richard and Vickie Free.

            Justin Longhurst is hanging out off and on at his parent's place these days. He is assisting in the coaching with the Preston High School wrestling program.

             The snowmobiles have been active in our canyons. From all reports there is enough snow depth to make the trip up worthwhile.

           Drew and Hilary Erickson and their children spent some holiday time at the home of his parents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. Living in Tempe, AZ, the Idaho snow was a big attraction. They managed to fit in some sleigh riding and a winter walk around the neighborhood.

            Mink Creek college kids have been home for the break and have either left to return to their various educational institutions, are packing and planning to go this week, or, third choice, are on an alternate schedule and will be home for a semester before getting back to their classrooms.

           We have had some January Thaw type weather this last week of the old year. It was a bit earlier than usual, but perhaps it isn't the last. With all the dripping the snow patches are shrinking rapidly, but there is still enough to make these moonlight nights of the beginning of 2018 sparkling and beautiful.

          The outdoor holiday lights throughout the community have been retreating to storage for another year up and down the village. However with this beautiful moon the night scene in Mink Creek is still picture postcard perfect.