July 24, 2019, Pioneer Day

          If you are a night owl, like me, it isn't quite July 24, there is still a hour before that, but the mood is on to think of Mink Creek's pioneers  and how pleased I am that they chose this lovely little corner of what became Idaho.  It is a beautiful place that appeals to the aesthetic senses, nearly all year long.  Mud season is the most discouraging--not much in the way of color and even the black and whiteness gets a bit blurry.  It is a short season and there is the anticipation of the spring greens that carry us through.

          It is a joy to hear the county mosquito abatement trucks come patrolling our entire community, dirt roads, paved roads, they hit all the places that might be spots where the bad guys may lurk We appreciate their efforts on our behalf.

          A trio of young ladies have moved into our village. Laura Cheney, Cindy Hanson and Amanda Sidwell are renting a home from Richard Free, establishing community connections while anticipating the building of a home to be constructed on the western slopes of Strawberry Creek.

         It is so good to have Mary Jean Rasmussen back home. After the death of her husband Larry, she spent some time in the northwest with Larry's brothers and their families. Her daughter Terry Carr and granddaughter Courtney Carr traveled with her. They had fun at a surprise birthday party for Brent Ramussen in Deer Park, WA. Courtney Carr has been in the Mission Training Center in Provo, UT and will soon be on her way to serving a mission in Ohio. Mary, with her son Kim and Terry recently went to Sacramento, CA, to attend the funeral of a great aunt. While there they were reconnected with twelve cousins. Traveling is good, but it is nice to be home.

          Jared and Juli Egley took some time off and celebrated their 20^th wedding anniversary with a trip to Isla Murjes, Mexico and its coast and beaches. It was timed just right before Jared would be caught up in the production of hay with his parents, Kent and ReNae and brother Matt at Egley Farms.

         The Bill and Marie Aupperlee home has been purchased by Roxy and Mac DeVries, formerly of Franklin, ID. They are the parents of a little girl, Adalyn, and the proud owners of two dogs. Mac drives a big rig semi and Roxy is employed in Smithfield, UT.

         As usual our community is host to multiple summer visitors, some with a quick overnight stay, others visiting relatives and soaking up life in these green mountains.

          Hot and dry days and the big gun sprinklers are in action, as are pipe lines and wheel moves. Anything that can deliver water to needed crops are being used, but I haven't heard of anyone going back to the use of a shovel on an irrigation ditch.

          Both our young men and our young ladies have just returned from Summer Adventure trips and they had a great time. More about that next week.