New Year's Day, 2019

           The Mink Creek community gathered for a Christmas celebration. It was a banquet of roast beef and roast chicken, potato casserole, tossed salad, rolls, with a choice of a variety of desserts. Three long tables stretched the length of the Recreation Hall, beautifully decorated in holiday fashion, greenery, lights and ribbons. A program was presented by the children expressing their thoughts about the Nativity. In such circumstances it was a bit unpredictable, but still enjoyable. After singing a few Christmas carols, the jolly red gent arrived and listened to concerns of the younger set.

          Matthan and Noah Daines, sons of Kim and Samuel Daines, have received their mission calls. Matthan will be serving in the Georgia, Atlanta, Mission and Noah will go to the Michigan, Lansing, Mission. They are currently attending BYU/Idaho in Rexburg and will enter the MTC in February.

         The song “It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes” can have its lyrics reversed. Fun for Grandpa with the kids come home. This was the case in several Mink Creek homes just lately. Jake and RaNette Free and their children came over from Pinedale, WY, to enjoy Christmas with his parents, Richard and Vickie Free. Connie and Adam Westenskow of Woods Cross, UT, spent the holiday with her parents, Layne and Karen Erickson and the family of Paul and Terry McKay.Bryan and Shannon Erickson and sons, Seth and Jesse all of Wellsville. UT, joined the group for Christmas Eve fun. Eric and Rexanne Nielsen drove up to listen to their daughter, April Rasmussen, perform a flute solo during the LDS Christmas program.

          Ben Keller traveled to Pocatello recently for the blessing on a new grandchild, the son of Becky and Josh Oliverson. He was given the name of Carlyle Oliverson. Other family members witnessing the event were Dustin and Doug Ayotte who drove up from Utah.

          Our snow may not be any great depth yet, but it is winter in Mink Creek. With both snow and ice outdoor activities can be both fun and dangerous. We also have the wildlife population who are also dealing with winter and its challenges. The ever present turkeys, the deer, the raccoons, pheasants, owls, ducks ---not all birds fly south for the winter.

         Happy New Year, remember to put the correct year on any documents you might need to write in the next while.  It always takes some time to shuck the past year and be settled on the new one in those instances. I assume I am not alone.

         Snow, and wind, and temperatures below zero. Enough wind for drifting, but could be worse. One report was -10, but that isn't official. It is fitting for the first day of January.

          Most of the holiday visitors to our village have headed home, to jobs or to school tomorrow. The college-age set, who don't really qualify as visitors, are still hanging around since most don't have to be back in their classes until January 7, some a bit later than that.