July 21, 2020

        Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their children have been touring Idaho and beyond. This family are good campers and could take in lots of beautiful scenery. They spent some time at Stanley Lake and even in some chilly moments donned water suits and gear for some exploring. They connected with the Bear Valley Rafting Company on another day. All sorts of activities: the Route of Hiawatha, Fish Lake, Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald, and more After soaking up the outdoor life they are back home and pleased with a great vacation.

         The Bob and Claudia Erickson household has had ongoing family guests for a few weeks. So glad these grown children still consider Mink Creek as 'home.' Claudine and LaMar McKague of Vancouver, WA, gathered all of their family here from Utah and Idaho to do a family photoshoot. Then the family of Jay and Kristin Collins of Lakeview, OR, arrived. Lots of work and fun were accomplished, besides just enjoyment of being together. Carla and Mark Nielsen and sons came up from American Fork, UT, to finish off the July 4^th holiday. The visits overlapped and, as it worked out, there was room space for all as it was needed.

        Sherrie, Shane and Austin Corbett did some camping out recently. This was a quick overnight session at White Pine Lake. Just a break from the usual routine gives a feeling of freedom much needed in these days of restriction.

         Matt Egley is on the road again, in more ways than one. He gets behind the wheel of a big semi to haul hay for the Egley Farms. As a race car driver he has been itching to get on a race car track during this shut down summer. The first race this year was at the Magic Valley Speedway near Twin Falls with the intermountain outlaw modified series. There were eleven cars in the field. Matt said," it was our first time running in division 1 Nascar series and we ended up 6^th out of ll, so not so bad.” They had a few mechanical issues but fought through it.

         We are relishing the cool nights. It is such a respite from the hot days when the evening breezes come in for comfort. There are many reports of seeing the comet above our northwestern horizon.

          It is the inevitable season of earwigs. They seem to invade every crack and cranny. When it is time to haul hay, it is time for the bugs to arrive. The boxelder bugs are still around, but not in quantities yet. I feel grateful for the mosquito abatement program and smile each time I hear them making the rounds.

July 14, 2020

        We have a new baby in town, always a reason for rejoicing. Roxi and Mack DeVries had a little boy, to be named Kayson James. He is a healthy chunk, weighing in at 10 lbs 2 oz. And 22 inches in height. Welcome to our cray world, little one.

         The Mink Creek annual July 4^th celebrations did happen, with the limitations of COVID-19 in place. Around 230 people participated, spaced in family groups throughout the Mink Creek Ballpark. Having shaded areas is a plus at this location. Naturally some changes had to be made but on the whole it was a good day. The flag ceremony was under the direction of Warren Wilde. A brief program was offered and Sheri Scott and Brittnee Phillips performed a beautiful violin duet of appropriate songs. There were some old-fashioned games for the children and the favorite water slide down the slope was available to all ages. The food committee also had to consider the limitations and so the menu consisted of a hamburger on a bun with all the fixings, a bag of potato chips, a drink, watermelon and an ice cream bar. The 'chefs' were Patti and Forest Christensen, Phee and Robert Croslandand Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox. We were able to get an airplane candy drop, one of the highlights of July 4 for the kids.

           A severe windstorm that swept up our valley had ripped off some limbs from the Ballpark trees prior to this event. There was a crew of residents with chainsaws and muscle who gathered to clean things  up and haul the wood away so that the park would be ready for company.

         We are sad to report the deaths of two of our residents. Myrna Despain has been in a Sr. Living facility in Lovell, WY, for several months. Her husband Bill had made a quick visit to Mink Creek the last weekend in June before her passing and he was welcomed here with open arms. The couple have been missed. Myrna and Bill both grew up in the Lovell area and moved to Mink Creek from Wyoming years ago.

         After a long siege with illness, Betty Jo Jepsen, wife of Glen Jepsen, passed away on July 4. Her funeral was July 11 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mink Creek, for family members only with the COVID 19 restrictions. After being raised in Mink Creek, marrying her sweetheart Glen, the Jepsens' lives have been in many places throughout the world with his military assignments and church service. Retirement brought them back home to Mink Creek. Her obituary was carried in local papers last week.

         Second crop hay is doing well. AT this point weather is cooperating. The waters spraying over the fields in the early morning sunlight has a sparkling beauty all its own, and that swishing sound provides a musical background for the scene.

         This season I had a new thief in our cherry trees, challenging the horde of robins that flock there when the fruit is barely pink. A raccoon got his fill and no one could argue about who was the biggest in this case.

July 7, 2020

         The Young Women of the Preston North Stake had fun with their Summer Girls' Camp this year, held at the Mink Creek Ballpark. COVID 19 precautions were observed and there was still fun to be had. No one stayed overnight, the stake was divided in half, each group attending for only one day. Each ward had their own designated area. Activities were based on team building, learning to work together to accomplish desired goals. Stake President Richard Swainston had the opportunity of speaking with each group. Mink Creek girls attending were Emma Rasmussen, Jyllian Christensen, Ella Jepsen, Tia Hatch and Shalee Forbush.

        The twisted weather we have had over the last week has had farmers shifting their schedules with day jobs and night work. When dark clouds threaten and even the TV forecasts are foreboding the farmers may be hauling bales off their fields in the dark of the night. Trucks and tractors keep rolling until all is safely gathered in. Only then does the exhausted man call his day done.

        Candy Longhurst, who happens to be one of the head 'lunch ladies' for the Preston School District, reports that the service is well received. Lately patrons have been picking up the lunches at the High School cafeteria, with tables laden with individual sacks just waiting to be retrieved. The service will continue, four days a week, until the end of July.

       The presidency of our local Relief Society provided a fun evening for ministering sister interviews with a tune-up theme. It took place at our ballpark with a turnaround driveway set up for those driving in for a 'tune up.' Distancing was observed. Once the driver of a car (or motorcycle) was in the designated spot, masked members of the presidency approached to hand a clipboard interview questionnaire for completion. While the form was being filled out the car windows were washed. Each participant received a Ministering Maintenance Kit made of snacks representing such things as pressure, fuel, oil, and the spark to get moving. It was so cleverly done.

         At the end of June we had our share of snow capped mountains. A couple of strong wind storms blew through, breaking tree limbs, shaking loose anything not securely attached. Lightning shook things up a bit. Yards were full of debris the following morning and the following day promised to be more of the same. We are hoping the 4^th of July will allow us to celebrate without our winter snow attire.

         Our Mink Cree Ballpark took a hit from that angry wind that swept up the valley. Some big limbs came crashing down and it required a crew of men with chainsaws to tidy things up and haul off the chunks of wood in order to have the place ready for the July 4^th events just a few days away. We do live in an area where such equipment is readily available, and that is generally a plus.

        Our summer sunsets have been beautiful to behold and a group of cedar waxwing birds have put in some visiting time. Some of our fruit and garden crops seem to be a little ahead of the usual this year. June has been a wet month, good for some things, not so good for others.