Thirty days hath September, 2020

 

In this neck of the woods when the colors of the leaves are telling us it is fall the Relief Society gathers to share recipes for harvested foods from their gardens or food storage. It was still possible with the restrictions of this time and the ladies of the village brought their fragrant dishes to the Mink Creek Ballpark for a sampling social. Casseroles, side dishes, salads of a big variety were enjoyed. Local deer are also aware of the harvest time and take it upon themselves to sample from our gardens and fruit trees.

We have had another wedding. Lauryn Hawkes, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Hawkes, was married to Zach Robb on Sept. 19, 2020. Zach is from Gooding, ID, and his parents are Brad and Lorri Robb. A reception was held in their honor at the Mink Creek ballpark the following evening. Lauryn and Zach will make their first home in Gooding.

Mink Creek has three young men participating on the Preston High School football squad. They are Stetson Ostler, son of Stuart and Alona Ostler, Charles Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, and Jonathan Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. There had been some concern earlier in the year as to the likelihood of various sports programs in the county with current restrictions for both players and spectators. Thus far the team is going forward and is having a good season.

Reed Swann and daughter Penny have been entertaining company. Reed’s nephew David Hale from California came this way, with two granddaughters along. He was delivering one of them, Alexandrea, to BYU/I in Rexburg and her sister Olivia came for the ride.

Another young equestrian enthusiast of Mink Creek participated at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot. Jancey Henderson, daughter of Shoni and Brady Henderson, placed fourth at the horse show in the walk-trot division. Hats off to Jancey!

The hillsides that surround us have taken on that seasonal change of color. We have yellows, oranges, reds, lime greens; sometimes just as a splash of color among our perennial evergreen. Other places, such as Evans Hill on our south end is awash with the reds of maples.

Our hillsides are so dry, looking parched and a bit on the brittle side. But it is the time of year for that. We would not complain for a nice gentle rain that helps erase the cracks that run through the fields. The weather has cooled sufficiently that I haven’t noticed any river runners going down the Bear. There are times during the hotter months when it looks like a flotilla of rafts and kayaks going down. I love living with the changing seasons. The work that goes with the changes, well, not so much.

September 22, 2020

 

McKenna Jepsen, daughter of Dr. Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, became the bride of Landon Johnson at the Jepsen home in Mink Creek. He is the son of Dr. Brian and Elizabeth Johnson of Jefferson City, SD. McKenna and Landon met at Utah State University. The new Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will begin their together lives in San Diego, CA, but have plans to move to Utah.

Another daughter in the Jepsen family, Tara, was scheduled to leave on her mission to New Zealand. As is often the case with the COVID-19 situation there has been some changes in that announcement of last week’s Citizen. At the present time Tara is not certain of her place of service, but she will begin the two weeks of Missionary Training at her home this week.

The LOTOJA commanded our highway for several hours over the weekend with its annual presence. After some rather chilly days the day of the race was ‘just right’ with the participants being able to take care of their layered outfits to suit the temperatures. Mink Creek residents recall the year that the summit of our canyon greeted the bikers with snow and the need of extra care, even with ambulances waiting if needed.

Wynn and Cecelie Costley are again serving in a mission capacity. The first call was to be in Russia, but with the twists and turns of 2020, they are now part of the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission.

Jyllian Christensen, daughter of Kerry and Lacey Christensen, received awards at the Eastern Idaho State Fair for her work with the Working Ranch Horses program. Austin Corbett, son of Sherrie and Shane Corbett, took second in quality at the sheep showing at the Fair. Congratulations on their accomplishments.

Emily Longhurst surprised us with a new event. She had appendicitis and was hospitalized for some surgery. Now she is getting back in shape to play volleyball for PHS.

One can both see and feel the days getting shorter in length. Summer visitors are all but disappearing with schools across the country beginning in some form or another, whether in the classroom, masked, or online with a ZOOM class. One young man is ‘attending’ school in Texas, while sitting in the comforts of his grandparents house in Franklin County, ID. This is something beyond the imagination not too many years ago. The current school year is an experiment for many families, and with children of all ages. Online kindergarten?

September 15, 2020

 Life has been a little crazy lately.  I have had my husband in the hospital.  He is home now, but we are in quarantine and that presents several challenges just by itself.  My friends and neighbors have been so good to us,  I am always finding  treats on my doorstep:  food, jigsaw puzzles, books, and more food. Offers to pick up anything I might need in town.  

Last night my dishwasher decided to quit, in the middle of a cycle.  So that is one more item, and, being out of contact, no repairman.  Good thing I still  know how to wash dishes by hand. 

The big winds that tore things up to the south of us did come through, but with less damage.  Some of the apples from our orchard were flung to the opposite side of the house. A few tree branches littered the yard. That advance warning, and tucking things in prior to the hit was most helpful.   

Tara Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, has received a mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will be serving in the New Zealand, Hamilton, Mission and receive her training at that Training center. Her departure date is September 24^th.

Bob and Claudia Erickson and two daughters, Carla Nielsen and Laural Janke made a road trip to Wyoming with two goals in mind. One was to pursue some genealogy information on Claudia’s lines and the other was to donate a vintage dress belonging to an early Wyoming settler to the Carbon County Museum in Rawlins, WY. After trudging through two cemeteries the needed info was retrieved and the dress delivered the following day. They took advantage of their location, taking the Snowy Range highway through the Medicine Bow National Forest.

The wedding of Conner Nielson and Harley Carlisle took place at the Egley Park in Mink Creek. The son of Tara and Jeff Nielson, Conner’s grandparents are Kent and ReNae Egley. The new couple will be making their home in Pocatello and pursuing studies at Idaho State.

Elder Walter Iverson, formerly assigned to the Dominican Republic Mission, is now serving in the Alabama, Burlington, Mission and is currently part of the mission home staff in that city.  He is keeping busy. Kurt and Margret Iverson now have two sons in the missionfield. Elder Andrew has just started in Texas.

Henry Wayne Phillips, oldest son of Brint and Brittnee Phillips, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All of his grandparents were there to witness this occasion, Jonia Carlson of Mink Creek, and Dick and Babette Phllips of Glendale, ID. Other family members came from Oregon, Utah and Hawaii. Later that day family and friends enjoyed a watermelon bust in celebration at the Mink Creek Ballpark.

Kim and Joe Tracy of Star, ID, brought their children Perry, Kayla and Krystal for some grandparent time with Lorraine and Royce Christensen. Two sisters joined the group for a family cookout, Carrie Melton and her sons, Kenny and Thomas coming from Layton, UT, and Colleen Carter and her daughters Melanie and Addilee from Preston.