August 7, 2018

          We are certainly located in that part of southeastern Idaho that is listed as 'smokey skies.' To go along with the haze and the red sun is the smell of burning wood that wafts through the air.

           The sight of our country's flags flying at Pete Bennett's place as one drives on Highway 34 is wrapped up for a season. For nearly a month I have loved soaking up that feeling of patriotism that Pete regularly displays around certain holidays.

             We have one family moving out, another moving in. Kristi and Brett Hall have sold their riverside home to Garth and Robin Stevenson. On the evening of the official packing up some twenty individuals showed up to help Brett and Kristi load their belongings. The Halls will be living near the golf course in Preston. Garth is getting his fishing poles all in shape for a life on the banks of the Bear.

           Claudine and LaMar McKague and their family drove down from Vancouver, WA, to spend a week with her parents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. From Mink Creek all headed to Idaho Falls for the wedding of Jarin McKague, the McKague's second son on July 28^th. They were met there by three of Claudine's siblings. Laural Janke, Danalee Abernethy and Carla Nielsen, and their families for a memorable day.

             Rodeo weekend brought past residents back for the festivities. That includes a fair sized group of Mink Creek's children of the past for the 50 year reunion of Class of 1968. Marilyn Jepsen Godfrey, Jeff Olson and Garth Wilde attended. Lois Larsen was absent. Sheryl Crane May had moved to Burley about 7th grade, and Ray Keller and Bruce Jensen have passed away. Lots of memories shared.

          The rodeo parade was high on the list of fun for those lining the streets of Preston.. Our April Rasmussen caught a Frisbee tossed out by a passing commercial float and their family ended up with 3 tossed T-shirts. Her husband, Trevor, says this is a first for their family. Our Jyllian Christensen was riding her horse, decked out in beautiful western wear as she represented the Cache County Fair and Rodeo royalty as the Junior Princess.

           Raphael Arnsworth is in the process of a big remodel of the home he purchased a few years ago in Mink Creek. It was the home of Floyd and Jessie Erickson and their family. He has made some ancestral discoveries in the walls and attic in his dismantling process that he has shared with the former owners.

           The week of the county fair is nearly upon us, and after that school will begin. 4H projects are being completed, any procrastination ha to be a thing of the past. The few stores we have in our county are offering 'School Sales' and the teachers are gearing up for another year in the classroom. In Mink Creek we have several teachers in the public schools, we have several families who homeschool. We also have several residents who are employed by the school district in other positions, so the start of the school year has an impact on this community.