February 27, 2019

           It has been a few years since our community has had a set of twins entering the mission field for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Marco and Mario Crosland were the first pair, one going to the Philippines, the other to Indonesia. Sons of Samuel and Kim Clark Daines, Noah and Matthan, are now at the MTC in Provo. Noah is headed to the Michigan, Lansing mission and Matthan to warmer country, the Georgia, Atlanta, mission. They have been students at BYU/I in Rexburg, ID, and are the grandsons of Judy Clark. Out of town relatives gathered to listen to their remarks, along with local family and friends. Mariah and Bracken Atkinson and their girls and Casey and Constance Clark with their family, all came from Dayton, ID. Dinner at Grandma's house was a bonus for all.

          The word has been spread that a Roof Rake is available to any home that might need it this winter. The last winter when the snow was so heavy and deep resulted in a number of injuries from guys trying to clear the roofs of home and it is hoped there will be no repeats by the use of this tool.

          The long President's Day weekend lured several of our residents to southern Utah for various activities. Shane and Sherrie Corbett's family enjoyed time in Ivins, UT, and Snow Canyon State Park.  Candy Longhurst, with girls Emily and McKinley, were in St. George, where Emily was playing with the Volleyball Club from Smithfield. Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen have been down that way with family and have missed out on our latest storms. However the weather indicates that that area of the country is getting a sample of our winter in the last few days.

          Sid and Lisa Whitehouse have had a houseful of family lately. Lisa's daughter Lauren Chipman, her significant other, Brennan Ross, and her son Zayden are here for a lengthy visit, hoping to get a new start. Three year old Zayden brings lots of fun and activity into their home. They come to us from California, by way of Atlanta, GA. Lauren is currently employed at Big J's in Preston and Brennan is working in construction.

          Lambing and calving have been underway, that process is decided long before the weatherman tells what the storm pattern is going to be. Those with livestock have had their work load increased with all our snow. Not sure the proper term, but one neighbor has been dealing with the birthing of pygmy goats. That puts a new twist on the word 'kidding.' No, I am not kidding you!

         Only one more day to go before we are into March. 2019 is moving right along!

February 19, 2019

         The recent open house of the Rome Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Italy has been of interest to many people in this area. Three of our residents were able to be in Rome during this time for one of those “once in a lifetime" experiences. AnnaBeth Olson, Terrie McKay and her daughter Morgan Curtis, spent a week in the famed city while performing with a choral group. The group, Gem Valley Community Choir, performed in both cathedrals and a country village. Franklin county was well represented in this group. AnnaBeth's sisters, Carol Jean Jardine and Linda and Roger Kennan joined them along with Peggy Christensen, her daughter Heather, and Judy Geddes from Winder, ID.

          They were able to see many of the tourist sights during the week. The Colosseum, the Forum, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and other parts of Vatican City, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon which was built in 27 B.C. The last was Morgan Curtis' favorite with her background of art history from college. There was ancient history no matter where they toured. The weather presented a little rain daily, but compared to Idaho they enjoyed the warmer degrees.

           Kent and Tammy Beardall are announcing the arrival of a new granddaughter. She arrived the last day of January, her parents, Nicole and Nathan Denney.

          Ramona Hatchett invites all ladies who might be interested to join the group “Stitch 'r Knit”. Actually any type of handwork is the order of the day. In the “little house” behind Ramona's home, the women get together Wednesday afternoons between 2 and 6 pm for knitting, crocheting, embroidery, mending, whatever, plus lots of visiting and camaraderie.

         Candy Longhurst, with daughters Emily and McKinley, plus married siblings Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler, and Justin and Cynthia Longhurst all gathered for the blessing and naming of a new grand daughter. Little Alice Longhurst is the first child of Jake and Holly Longhurst of Smithfield, UT.

          The family of LaRon and Liesa Baird has been in a whirl lately. Their son James brought his fiance, Rebekah Wilmes of Chico, CA , plus other friends, Spencer and Sierra who are planning their own wedding, and Rebekah's roommate Darcy, all students at BYU/I in Rexburg, ID, for a winter weekend in Mink Creek. One of their objectives was to obtain help from Liesa in the sewing of Sierra's wedding dress. The goal was achieved. Just recently Katiana Baird, daughter of LaRon and Liesa, has undergone surgery on her left foot. This took place in Murray, UT, and will help Kati's walking. She now has six weeks before she can put any weight on the foot.

          Some travelers on our highway must not realize that turkeys have the right of way, all over the road and along each side. Driving back home this afternoon there were three turkey fatalities that had not been there when I left earlier. These were not in a group, miles between. This is unusual because those creatures can be in the middle of the road, but move out just before a car reaches them. They appear fearless of all the traffic that uses Highway 36. That includes snow plows and logging trucks.

February 12, 2019

         We have had whiteout in plural this past week. Heavy, wet snow falling off and on for several consecutive days. There was no horizon, it was white from the bottom of the valley up into the heavens, even when the falling flakes had ceased. Lots of water in these storms. It makes for very heavy shoveling of walks and much gratitude for tractors and pickups that have plows for our driveways. Thanks to both the state and county highway crews for keeping our roads open.

         Wayne and Jackie Olsen went to Paradise, UT, for the baby blessing of their 14th grandchild, a baby boy named, Jared Evan Erickson and to celebrate our granddaughter's 6th birthday.. We had a wonderful time despite the bad roads to travel. The following Sunday, January 13th, the Olsens traveled to Morgan, UT, for our grandson, Davis Erickson to be given the Aaronic Priesthood and be ordained a Deacon.

          Pedro Gomez and LD Larkin have had fun with ice fishing this winter. These brothers-in-law have a nifty little shelter that helps break the cold while they dangle those hooks through the hole in the ice. Pedro's son, Austin and Ashlyn Straight are getting involved too. This makes for a cold family outing. They have tried several locations, Blackfoot Reservoir and Chesterfield among them.

          Justin and Cynthia Longhurst have moved to Mink Creek. They are remodeling the yellow home on the Longhurst farm. They made the move a little earlier than was planned when their Utah digs sold quicker than anticipated. Part of their family is their dog Mocha, who is enjoying

freedom in the snow.

         Bob and Claudia Erickson had an active weekend when there was a family gathering here to witness the ordination of Keenan Janke to the office of a priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Janke family of Richfield, UT, drove up to share this event. Danalee and Gene Abernethy of Alpine, UT, were part of the group. Celebrating the birthday of Laural Janke the same day made for perfect timing.

         Devin and Maria Baird Flake and son Jude were celebrating Maria's birthday just a day later, by joining with her mother Lana and Ivan McCracken. The Flakes live in Saratoga Springs, UT. Through their growing up years Maria and Laural had fun with back-to-back birthdays.

           With the heavy snows most our local wildlife are hunkered down. It pays to be alert to their possible whereabouts because there are times when they might claim an old barn or shed and present an unwelcome surprise to the human who enters unexpectedly.

         The deer are out and about, I nearly hit two on my way home from Preston this evening. They are really scratching for food with this deep snow. Earlier I saw 14 head of deer moving up a southern slope that had some bare spots with a little feed, the next day that same slope was snow-covered again. That is the story of the storms moving in and out in our neck of the woods.  Birds are struggling too.  I had a magpie working on a 2nd story wasp nest under the eaves and he was diligent.

          Don't forget Valentine's Day coming up this week.  We have the ability to make someone's day a little nicer with just a kind comment. 

February 6, 2019

           The temperatures of this winter have had several of our residents taking a break to places around the globe that offer warmth and comfort, as opposed to the need to shovel snow while dressed in layers of clothes.

          Kent and ReNae Egley celebrated their 45 Anniversary spending several days in the warmth of Arizona's sunshine. They checked out some of the wild west tourist spots. There was beauty unexpected at the Desert Botanical Gardens, the landscape blooming at this time of year. Time was spent in Gilbert and Phoenix. Shirt-sleeve weather for a few days before returning to our freezing.

           Kim and Wally Christensen have been on a Caribbean Cruise, more warm days. A hiighlight was a stopover in Half Moon Bay. Having monkeys perched atop their heads while on a jungle tour was a first-time experience.

            Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox have been gone nearly a month. They have been in the Philippines visiting Annavelyn's family. While there they were able to make connections with Elder Samuel Seamons, a missionary from Mink Creek, the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. There is nothing quite like a familiar face from home when you are far away.

          The Birch Creek parking lot is a busy place these days. It is the starting spot for a great snowmobile ride on groomed trails. One weekends there is barely room for a vehicle to turn around, and even during the week it is well occupied by enthusiasts. There is deep snow and the road is closed to normal traffic.

          Christopher and Heidi Wilde were up from Logan, UT, to spend a few days with his parents, Judy and David Wilde. Later, they entertained another guest, Susan Robison, Judy's sister, who lives in Preston.

          Phee Crosland spent a week plus doing the grandma gig for the children of Malia and Jason Kunde of Rigby, ID. Malia and Jason were another couple who sought a few days of tropical sunshine in a Puerto Rico Cruise.

           Every driveway in our village has been covered with ice. When most driveways are on a slope this is no small challenge for getting to or from our homes. There is plenty of gratitude for 4-Wheel Drive vehicles and years of experience.

          Speaking of experience, Sid Whitehouse was one of the speakers at an afternoon session of stake conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the Preston North Stake last week. Looking out over the congregation can make a person a bit nervous in his position, but he inspired listeners as he shared his story of how he has been led to this village and the changes in his life.