November, Election Day, 2018

          It was a chilly evening for the Ciderfest of the village, held at the Mink Creek Ballpark on Halloween Eve. A bonfire helped to ward off the coolness somewhat. An apple press was available for those who might want to use it. Those attending brought some sort of treat to share. The Trunk R Treat took place around the bonfire, for the ghost and goblin set. Fun was the order f the evening.

            Ernie and Sherry York endeavored to enjoy a trip to the Midwest in their motor home. They got as far as Sidney, NE, when their outfit had coughing spells and they checked out the reasons. As it often goes things did not go smoothly getting the correction and Sherry ended up taking their small car and coming back home to Idaho to take care of other obligations. Ernie followed a few days later, and had yet another siege of motor problems. When it finally got straightened out it appears the fuel filter was the main culprit. Oh, the joys of taking trips!

           Bryce Egley, son of Jared and Juli, took the District title with his mountain bike racing, He has worked and trained hard in this his freshman year. The State races took place in Green Valley near St. George, UT. He was 1st in the North division and finished 5th in the State race of 187 riders, even with his chain slipping twice. Congratulation, Bryce!

              Wynn Costley has been called to serve as Second Counselor in the bishopric of the Young Singles Ward in Preston. Due to this his wife, Cecelie has been released as Mink Creek Ward's Young Women's president, so that she might be part of this calling. Melinda Jepsen will now serve as the Mink Creek Young Women's president and her counselors will be Terrie McKay and Jennifer Seamons.

              Lori (Strawberry) Muldner is happy to have her brother Carl Muldner staying here in Idaho for a lengthy visit. He hails from Goodyear, AZ, where he was a property storage manager. He is a diesel mechanic by trade, been an outside salesman for Freightliner of Arizona, a parts man and various other jobs, including being a fix-it man. Currently he is doing just that with the maintenance of the old Aupperlee home where the Aupperlee daughter Sandy Wylie and Lori now live. Carl is a man of the outdoors and is enjoying our cooler temperatures along with the beautiful surroundings.

           Our owl population keeps up a steady stream of comments during our dark nights. It goes back and forth, back and forth, chatting across the valley.

           Today was Voting Day, 8 am to 8 pm. Mink Creek community still casts their ballots in the multipurpose room of the LDS Ward Meetinghouse. It is the only public building in our village. Sometimes newcomers have a hard time figuring that this event takes place at a building owned and used by a church. The answer is simple, it is the only place possible. It is now nearly the end of the day and I have no idea what percentage of our community voters came to the polls. I was part of the election board for Mink Creek for many years, but have tossed in the towel with the aches and pains that go from sitting too long. I hope the turnout was good because we should never forget what a privilege it is to have a vote.