Which month is this? True April

          We have golden 'curly flowers' dotting the slopes, gladdening the heart with their message of spring. Our lawns are sporting the tiny purple violets in bunches. (Both varieties of the violet family) The bees, stirring about, so happy are they to see some blossoms. We are hopeful that the 'mud season' is behind us for 2019.

         Wendy and Terry Westerberg made a long trip eastward to South Carolina. They were visiting son Matthew and Haylee Westerberg in Charleston where they set up housekeeping not long ago with new jobs. Matt is working as an immigration officer for Homeland Security and Haylee is a surgical nurse at the Medical University of South Carolina. At this early season of the year the countryside is beautiful and so pleasant. All know that the summer temperatures and humidity will likely increase.

          The family of Kent and Tammy Beardall made the trek to Rexburg, ID, for the occasion of blessing the newest granddaughter. She is the lovely little lady of Nicole and Nathan Denney, and was named Zaydee Lee Denney.

          A brother/sister team, Davis and Claire Collins, spent their semester break from college studies at BYU/I hanging out in Mink Creek with grandparents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. The weather being both wet and dreary and bright and sunny allowed for outdoor chores and plenty of indoor activities to fill this week.

          The family of Robert and Elizabeth Hawkes are back in town. During their absence one of their older children has been holding down the premises. They have enjoyed living in Treasureton for a few years and will soon have that house on the real estate market. Welcome home.

          Lori Muldner has relocated, still within reach, but in Preston. With the decision of returning to the southwest of Texas or Arizona, or staying in Idaho, the cooler, greener state got the vote.

          Karen Erickson had knee surgery at the Franklin County Medical Center and has been recuperating. Now she has progressed to the use of a cane and some physical therapy is on her schedule.

          Davanie Ostler, teenage daughter of Stuart and Alona, is co-coaching a young cheer team. Her little sister AliRay is an enthusiastic part of the team.

          A recent storm flung a robin's nest from its pine tree cradle. Only days prior this feathered mother had gathered grasses to line her home. It was a sad moment to pick up the perfect tiny blue egg cast onto the lawn.

          Our seasonal weather is being unreasonable. Snow today, a white gown for April as she leaves for 2019. Reminder: April showers bring May flowers---and just a little warmer temps will turn the snow into needed wetness that we can call showers.

          Please check the article in the Preston Citizen online about the trackhoe accident on the Twin Lakes Canal road. I wrote it, but the pictures from the Egley family you won't want to miss. For those of you with Mink Creek roots, you will know precisely where it took place.

April 24, 2019

           We have had two funerals within a few days. Larry Rasmussen, long-time Mink Creek resident, passed away after years of debilitating health. He was the oldest child in a family of boys and all his brothers and their wives were able to come home for these services: Brent, Lynden and Kaylan .Larry is the husband of Mary Jean Chambers. The Rasmussen children are Kim, Kenneth, Gene, all living in Franklin County and Terry and Jared who live in northern Utah.

           Jerry Hatchett has been a more recent resident, moving here in 2010, when he married Ramona Lower. The couple met in St. George and have lived in two Mink Creek homes, depending on the season. During the winter they have a home in the center of our village, in warm weather they climb to Ramona's beautiful dwelling high on a mountainside. In recent months Jerry has been a resident of Heritage Homes in Preston. Jerry's sons were able to travel here for the funeral this past week.

        The season for speed and race cars has begun for Kent and ReNae Egley as they follow their son Matt, of Riverdale, ID, to various locations on his schedule. Recently they were at the Meridian Speedway. All was going well, the lime-green Egley car was in 5^th place, but due to a heavy rainstorm the race was called for safety reasons at the halfway point, in lap number 25. Shucks!

          The newest members of the Mink Creek LDS Ward are Lauren and Brennen Ross. Their son, Zayden, is a welcome addition to the Mink Creek Primary organization. Lauren and Brennen were baptized and confirmed in March. The presidency of the Ogden, Utah, Mission attended the services to witness these events, along with several of the missionaries.

          The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mink Creek ward members, celebrated Palm Sunday together with a 'Linger Longer' luncheon following the usual schedule. At this time Preston North Stake High Councilman, Duke Mumford, instructed those attending about the Feast of the Passover as practiced in the time of Christ, complete with narration and samples of similar foods. It was a great way to begin the week prior to the Easter celebration.

          Shades of green colors are appearing among the winter drab. Robins are nearly frantic with nest construction. It is all encouraging that this long winter is going to close and be replaced by spring.

           A few dry days makes a big difference in our world. It is smiling, and green is bursting forth everywhere. The Easter weekend was filled with family, fun, and spiritual messages, as befits those days. Some of our residents have such a mixed flock of chickens that there was no need to dye their eggs for the holiday. They came ready-made, shades of brown, white, various greens and even some speckled.

April 17, 2019

            Paul and Terrie McKay headed to the northwest during spring break to spend a few days with Kristin and Jay Collins of Lakeview, OR. They had a good time at the McKenzie Riverside Cottages. Golf was available, but not compulsory. They loved having some 'cousin time' that comes too seldom. Games, reading, lots of relaxing and just catching up, filled some days.

          Candy Longhurst and her daughter Emily enjoyed a few days hanging out with another daughter, Tiffany, and Spencer Wheeler and their son Hudson, also known as “Hutch.” They were at Canyon, ID, and soaked up the beauties of Jump Creek Falls and the warmer weather. Crazy costumes were adapted to participate in a fun spring activity labeled 'Adventure Hunt.'

         The family of Shawn and Callie Beardall of Spanish Fork, UT, finished off a spring weekend with a trip to Mink Creek and time spent with his parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall. Cousins arrived, they made cookies with Aunt Heather, cut some trees with Grandpa Kent, played “school” with Grandma Tammy. A good time was had by all, and then it was time to go home, where it is still fun, just a different variety. At Shawn and Callie's variety is the order of the day.

        Eldon and Danita Wilcox and Wynn and Cecelie Costley have returned from a trip abroad. It was wonderful, so many things to see and do. They went to Amman, Jordan, to various archaeological sites, to Jerusalem, touring the many sacred spots pertaining to the life of Christ. The olive groves of Israel were impressive. Egypt was another destination with its allure of ancient times and civilizations. It was a time to dress in some of the robes of the cultures, a fun feature. Just think of the different foods there were for sampling. Of course, it is nice to be home.

          The Ostlers, all of them, Alona and Stuart and four children, had the best time in San Carlos, Mexico. They flew to Tucson, AZ, then drove the rest of the distance. Their days were filled with activities: zip-lining thru the trees, swimming with dolphins, shopping, kayaking, the beach and the Pacific Ocean. The nearest market was one less touristy so it provided some true culture as well. Kayaks were rented at the Sea of Cortez, where they went to a pearl farm. Alona and Davanie made it home in time for Davanie's cheer team competition taking place in Salt Lake City.

           In spite of the “on again, off again” weather around here, the hibernating wildlife are becoming active. There are multiple skunk fatalities along the highway and back roads. They are hard to avoid, both in contact and scent. It carries through the air quite a distance.

           Sooo much water! If our fields or yards are of the flat variety, and, yes, there are a few of those in this mountainous community, water is sitting upon the surface, wondering where to go. Saturated is a fitting description of those areas. All waterways are full and flowing speedily.

          The high school prom has come and gone. The fancy attire was a joy to see, along with the nervous and happy faces.

           Greening up is taking place, but it needs some sunshine to offset the drenched appearance. The early daffodils and narcissus look a bit weather-beaten.

April 10, Or maybe not---

Spring is known for not being able to make up her mind, but it gets rather discouraging, doesn't it?

         We have had a group of youngsters learning the art of ballroom dancing. They are Jyllian and Greenlee Christensen, daughters of Lacey and Kerry Christensen, Hazen and Dallon Baird, sons of LaRon and Liesa Baird, and three Jepen siblings: Ty, Tara and Ella, children of Melinda and Kerry Jepsen. They have done well and enjoy the elegance of performing. They performed at the Gem State competition held in Idaho Falls at the Thunder Ridge High School recently. All participated in team dancing and in Open and Syllabus competitions. Their company team, Cache Valley Ballroom, did a novelty number called Lion King, and were awarded 3^rd in the novelty section.

           The elementary team got second with a Cha Cha in the Latin Division, the junior high group took first with a foxtrot in the Smooth/Standard section. Jyllian Christensen and partner Hazen Baird were awarded 4^th with a Samba in the Syllabus. Ella Jepsen was third in the Rhythm Open and Tara Jepsen was second in the Rhythm Open. What a fun weekend! Melinda Jepsen is the director of the group and her daughter, Macy Jepsen did the choreography and costume designs. Everyone is looking forward to a local performance in May.

           Cheyenne and Kaden Lloyd are new parents, with the birth of a tiny girl this past month. Cheyenne is the daughter of Jody and Bret Rasmussen and is living here temporarily while her husband is stationed at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX. Kaden has been able to come home for a few days to meet his daughter.

           Angelo Crosland is engaged to Gracie Higginson of Caldwell, ID. She is the daughter of Kevin and Dana Haus. Their family, including a brother, Luke, came to Mink Creek to meet the Crosland family. Not all the Croslands were able to be here but Malia and Jason Kunde's bunch came down from Rigby, Dr. Giovani and Kristine Crosland and children of Tremonton and Mario and Amanda Crosland of Hyde Park were able to join with parents Robert and Phee Crosland and nephew Jacobi Johnson at the Crosland home.

           Kent and ReNae Egley and Lin and Sharla McKay took a snowmobiling vacation during Spring Break. They spent the days roaring around the Sawtell Park in the area near Island Park, ID. Beautiful scenery, time away from home stress and lots of cold crisp air. Just what the doctor ordered!

           Time marches on. We have moved from Dirty Season to Mud Season. It has rained all day today, and much of yesterday. There are still patches of snow and the closer one drives to our canyon entrances the more snow there is, still it is pretty safe to say that Mud Season is upon us. More snow is forecast but it comes and goes in repetitive fashion . We are holding tight to that season of promise---Spring.

April 3, 2019, maybe Spring

           David and Jonathan Seamons have been participating at the Utah Summer Games with their wrestling prowess. David took first in Folkstyle and second in Freestyle and Jonny took second in Folkstyle and second in Freestyle. This was in the high school bracket and Jonathan attends Preston Junior High. A big congratulations on these accomplishments!! That dedication pays off.

          Susan Hawkes has purchased the former Glen Keller home in Mink Creek and is happily raising goats and enjoying country life. She comes to us from Magna, UT, and is semi-retired. Sue declares herself a permanent resident of our village and loves the peace and sanity it offers.

           Connie and Adam Westenskow drove up from Woods Cross, UT, to help celebrate the birthday of her mother, Karen Erickson. It is always good to 'come home.'

          Robert and Phee Crosland have spent most of Spring Break at the home of Ben and Arianna Hostetter, welcoming their newest grandchild. He is Lincoln Albrecht Hostetter and schedules blended so that he could be blessed while the Croslands were there in Colorado Springs.

          Exciting news from the Iverson family. Walter Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, has received his mission call. He will be serving in the Dominican Republic Mission. His departure date is in June.

           Lin and Sharla McKay enjoyed some time when two sons and families were up for some fun before the snow disappeared. Payton and Joshua Newby, both now Utah residents, were here for some Idaho fun time.

            The party's over---Spring Break has come to an end and our vacationing population has returned. The fact is, it is still cold in Idaho and while one day may feel like spring is around the corner, the very next day may remind you that winter has not left because there are several inches of snow that descended during the night. The returning robins are as confused as everyone else.