April 27, 2021

 

Armando Crosland spent some long hours behind the wheel in his car as he drove from his lliving quarters in Washington DC all across the nation to visit family. His first stop was in Texas to see his brother Marco and his family. Next stop was in Colorado where his sister Arianna and Ben Hofstetter and their children live. By now he had added two passengers, one on his way to school in Rexburg, but the three spent some days in Mink Creek with Armando at the home of his parents, Robert and Phee Crosland. Armando has been employed in DC for several years and this is the first time he has used the trip home as a road trip rather than flying.

The members of the congregation of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been able to gather in their chapel with lessened COVID restrictions for the lat two week, even using the hymnals for the joy of singing. It is good to feel unified once again, rather than separated.

Danalee and Gene Abernethy came up from Alpine, UT, bringing with them technology equipment and cases and folders of ancestor information for several days of being steeped in the past. Danalee is the daughter of Bob and Claudia Erickson. Many family pictures and documents were preserved during their stay, with promises to continue on this project.

The Relief Society organized a night for the community to learn about the “History of Mink Creek.” That was the title that Bruce Crane, retired history teacher of Logan, UT, and his wife, Shauna, attached to the presentation they gave to our residents. Bruce spent the early years of his life in this community and developed a deep love that has only grown as he learned more about it. Many people attended, those with deep Mink Creek roots and those barely moved into the village. Crane finished up with a challenge for all to research the history of our homes, back to the original owners. For some that will be a short task, for others it will go back several generations. The night finished up with much visiting while enjoying a plate of strawberry shortcake.

The storm that moved in for a couple days did a wonderful job of greening up everything the rain touched. The outdoors has been so dry, just not our usual spring, or even close to it.  This won't alleviate the drought, but it will certainly help those seeds that have been newly planted to get a start.