November 26, 2019

          We have received the happy news that Jake Longhurst, son of Candy Longhurst, has qualified and will now be a commercial airline pilot for Skywest Airlines. Congratulations, Jake, on reaching this long time goal.

            Eldon and Danit Wilcox have been busy attending granddaughter baptisms. They went up to Idaho Falls to witness the baptism of Olivia Wilcox, a child of Brigham and Jenipher Wilcox. On another weekend they drove to Midvale, UT, for the ceremony of Adrienne Durrant, the daughter of Brittany Wilcox.

             Danny Keller, son of Jared and Hollie Keller, was baptized at the Preston North Stakehouse. This makes Danny the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mink Creek Ward. He is most welcome.

           Nicole and Nathan Denney and their little Zaydee were down for a few days spent with Nicole's parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall. The Denneys are students at BYU/Idaho in Rexburg, ID.

            We have to do a little button-popping over some recent activities of some our youth. In the high school muscial, “Tuck Everlasting,” Ty Jepsen had a lead role and Dallon Baird worked on the lighting crew. When the ballet “The Nutcracker” was performed at the Worm Creek Opera House Greenlee Christensen played the lead, Clara, and Ella Jepsen and Jyllian and Kassidy Christensen were part of the cast. Here again, Dallon Baird lent his skill in the lighting department.

           The turkeys are back in herds. Flock might be the right word for groups of birds, but when they get too many 'herd' might be a better descriptive term. They are patrolling Highway 36 and when bright taillights suddenly flash chances are it is because a turkey or turkeys have decided to cross the road. They pretty much go where they please, usually in single file. I notice that the Cub River birds have the same attitude.

           Angelo and Gracie Crosland have moved to McCall, ID. Angleo, the son of Robert and Phee Crosland, has a job with the construction of a home being built in that area. McCall is closer to Gracie's childhood home and family.

          I have noted some geese in their V flight pattern flying northeast in the skies above Mink Creek. My first thought was that they were using the wrong direction system. However, the second thought was that they were the tame Canadian geese that call Vernon Keller's ponds their year-round home and likely they had just been out for a visit to other local ponds of water, and were headed back to home base.
           Happy thanksgiving, everyone. We have so much for which to feel thanks.

November 20, 2019

          Josh and Brooke Reichman spent a weekend with her parents, Sherrie and Shane Corbett. The Richmans are currently living in Provo. Josh is going to BYU and Brooke is studying at Utah Valley University, both having full time jobs in addition to school.

           Reporting on some of our housing changes. Lisa and Sid Whitehouse are now living in the southern end of Mink Creek, in the former home of Opal and Merlin McKay on Bear Creek.

          Eldon and Danita Wilcox are building a new home on Valley View, living in Danita's parents' home in the meantime. The Wilcox duo sold their first home to Kade Nicholls and Leigha Beckes. Kade and Leigha had Halloween decorations out and seem to have settled right into the neighborhood.

         Raphael Arnsworth has sold his Utah holdings and is now a permanent resident of Mink Creek and Idaho, living in Floyd and Jessie Erickson's home which he purchased a few years ago. Raphael has spent considerable time in the remodeling stages since his purchase. Things are quite nicely “spiffed up ”and looking good.

          Lizzy and Josh Greene and their three small children have moved back to Mink Creek and have spent the summer remodeling their former home, that of Marlene and Orvid Christensen, at the top of Capitol Hill. Lizzy has been pursuing college classes and is close to meeting her goal.

           The Relief Society members of three area wards, Riverdale First, Riverdale Second and Mink Creek met at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Riverdale for an evening of fun and enlightenment. The Riverdale Second ward invited a local artist, Brent Borrup, to share his talent and his beliefs with the group. Lynn Sharp introduced Borrup and the stage was well set for his presentation. He is becoming well known for his artwork of Jesus Christ and various LDS Temples. All felt a spiritual boost for having been there. Refreshments of caramel apple cake were served to top off the night.

            The Mink Creek Ward Relief Society has had a change in their presidency. Laurel Wilde, who has been serving as the Second Counselor, has been released. Now being given an opportunity to serve in that calling is Cynthia Hanson. Cindy is relatively new in our community and we look forward to getting better acquainted.

             There was a wreck close to the entry of Strawberry Canyon that caused some excitement around here. Sirens and emergency outfits zipping up the highway. It made a couple of TV newscasts. A semi truck, loaded with containers of molasses was headed to his parent company in Montpelier and went down a steep embankment, flipping the rig over. Scrapes and bruises to the driver, no passengers, he had his seat belt in place. The highway was closed for cleanup and that took a portion of a couple of days. They needed some heavy equipment to get that semi upright. The wildlife may be licking up bits of molasses for an unexpected treat.

November 12, 2019

           Our Oct 31 party was titled a Fall Extravaganza and it was great! The recreation hall of the meetinghouse was packed with people of all ages. The central serving table, laden with varieties of chili and soups, looked full enough to provide a pot of soup for everyone in attendance. A trio of judges gave prizes for the most traditional, the most exotic, the spiciest and then the consuming began. Decisions had to be made and it was difficult, just so many! There were bread-sticks and crackers to add to the menu. Two or three servings were then followed by an assortment of pies---fruit pies, cream pies, caramel pies, nut pies, and so it went.

           A parade of costumes twisted up and down the room, much applause given. Prizes again, this time for creativity, cuteness, most frightening, best family group. More applause. Then let the games begin: eating doughnuts on a string, Jesse Wilcox was #1 with Justin Longhurst a close second; feeding a grown man a baby bottle, Kerry and Lacey Christensen aced it; shaking a box of pingpong balls (hard to describe, but hilarious). The winner here was our own Dr. Kerry Jepsen, staid orthopedic surgeon in our midst. Another was a balloon stomp where two gals ganged up on the male victor to declare victory for themselves! A twisted bowling type game appeared to be perfect for Eldon Wilcox, until he was challenged by Hannah Greene with her splendid strategy.

            After all the main-floor activities there was time for pictures being taken in a photo shoot and then the trick r' treat set moved to the basement for that part of the evening. All were grateful to be out of the cold this freezing Halloween night. Using a common phrase, “A good time was had by all.”

          The Egley family is having a bit of a break from following the racing circuit of their son Matt Egley. This past season Matt's car has raced four times in Meridian, ID, and twice in Hermiston, OR. He managed to get his first Heat win in Meridian. The last trip for the Egley fans will be to Las Vegas with a big race coming up the last part of November. In the meantime Matt's crew is making sure that #86 lime green car is in top condition.

           Deer are visiting yards on a regular basis. Perhaps they see themselves as the Cleanup Crew after the freezing nights wiped out whatever was left in gardens and froze much of the fruit that was not quite to the picking point in our orchards.

           It is that season when we see thin strands of spiderweb floating through the air outdoors, attaching here and there. We also have a frequent need to swipe our indoor walls and ceilings. Somehow that cobweb that is hanging at eye level, not there yesterday, is revealed in just the right light this time of year. It is getting cold enough that our outdoor world is seeking entry into our warmer homes. Likely the same condition exists where ever you live, reader of this blog. Happy Fall! For a week or so I feared we were going to jump from summer right into winter.

November 6, 2019

         Patti and Forrest Christensen have another adventure on their schedule. They visit Florida often, with Patti's daughter living there. Now the Christensens have purchased a house in Florida. Interestingly, it was the home of Nelson Coleman's parents, Nelson being a former resident of Mink Creek. The plan for the future for Patti and Forrest is to be snowbirds in Florida during winter months, soaking up the beaches and warmer climes and then head home tp Mink Creek when warm weather arrives.

          The families of Kathy and Joe Jarvis and Jeff and Jennifer Seamons have been filled with returning missionaries lately. They traveled to Utah to welcome Elder Jackson Jarvis who was returning from service in the Australia, Sydney, Mission. This past week the families have gathered again, this time in Mink Creek to hear Elder Samuel Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer, speak about his time in the Philippines, Legazpi, Mission. Samuel returned at the beginning of October. His fraternal grandparents are Cathy and Scot Seamons also of Mink Creek.

          Laural Janke and her children Sophia and Theo of Richfield, UT, spent the Utah School Break with her parents Bob and Claudia Erickson. A highlight of their visit was checking out the annual Halloween display of a friend, Arda Smith, in Riverdale. This display is always a treat for spectators this time of year.

          Vernon Keller and members of his family gathered to celebrate the wedding of Kylie Jensen a granddaughter. She married Britton Peterson. Kylie is the daughter of Karla Keller and Chris Jensen. The marriage took place at the Mt. Naomi Farms Vineyard in Hyde Park. Karla's family were there, both from Utah and Idaho. Oldest brother Kelton and Denise Keller and their daughter Mari came up from Alpine, UT; Jeff and Kay Hill of Taylorsville and some of their family; Karla's twin, Karma and Doug Wood of Logan; a brother Kim Keller of Mink Creek; sister Kristi and Brett Hall of Preston and their children. These are Bridger and Kenzie Hall with baby Drew, Tyson and Ashlie Hall, and Tawni and Tayson Reid and brand new baby, Trapper.

          Spencer Wilde, son of Judy and David Wilde, is engaged to Paige Hilton with wedding plans for November 23. The two met while attending school at BYU/Idaho in Rexburg. Paige hails from the state of Maryland.

           Since we have no choice but to endure the very cold days of late, we are hoping the box elder bug population will also be more than uncomfortable. Any warm surface seems to attract them in droves outdoors. Although they don't bite, indoors they are a constant nuisance.

           The first week of Mountain Standard Time. It always takes time to make that mental/emotional adjustment. While it is nice to be able to have it light in the morning, getting kids on the schoolbus, off to work, someone always complains about it getting dark 'so early.' Actually it is just a tradeoff and the dark hours are when humans are designed to slow down after their work day. It always amazes me at how fast things lighten up in the days following our “shortest day of the year.”

          Our day time temperatures have risen a bit and it seems we may have some Fall weather after all. We will welcome it after having this scare of an early winter setting in.