June 22. 2021

 

Sundance Watts and Anna Sadler were married June 12 at the Anderson Cove Campground near Huntsville, UT. Sundance is the son of Pearl Watts Lloyd and the late Joseph Lloyd. The new couple will make their home in Mink Creek.

Bill Despain came over from Fielding, UT, to visit with the Longhurst family and spent some time checking on other friends in the area. He is missed in this community, but we are pleased to have him living within easy driving distance.

Charles and Sarah Swann and their children have moved from our village. The past few months they have been here with Charley’s dad and sister, Reed and Penny Swann, while they were searching for a suitable area to settle with jobs, etc. They are now in McCall, ID, checking on possible property sites.

The Relief Society held a spring activity at the Mink Creek Ballpark, our favorite gathering spot. It was a potluck affair with advice to include a lounge chair for comfort. The time was spent visiting and sharing good gardening tips, most appropriate for this time of year.

Sherry and Ernie York are back on their mountainside. Glad to have them home, but I fear they will find this hot weather not much better than that of Arizona. Maybe with that as a perspective these hot days feels cool.

Candy and Emily Longhurst have enjoyed some days in Mexico as a celebration of summer break from school, Candy as an employee and Emily as a recent graduate. They have had fun swimming in the ocean, a slight change in diet, and some relaxing days.

The Mink Creek Ballpark was the scene of a Deacons’ Camp Over for those young men of the Preston North Stake on June 11-12. Those who camped over from our village were Orrin Baird and Morgan Keller. Adults camping with them were Orrin’s brother, James Baird, and Morgan’s father, Jared Keller. LaRon Baird, Orrin’s father was on staff for this event. Ryan Buttars, Young Men’s President of the Preston North Stake was in charge of this event. The guys formed teams and had an opportunity to go through an obstacle course using their united skills. A guest speaker, seminary teacher Brother Conrad, spoke the first night on the subject of the armor of God, comparing it to modern armor. No injuries during the camp out, lots of fun and the joy of learning to work together.

I saw a lovely yellow rose boutonniere in a gentleman’s suit lapel on Father’s Day. Pinned there with simple straight pins. A big smile on his face. For this family the yellow bloom is a tradition for Fathers’ Day, and I was so glad that the roses near that home were still producing blooms. With the dry weather I have noticed that many of those bushes that were full just 10 days ago are now looking pretty withdrawn and folded in.

Gardens, floral and vegetable, are calling for water. So far things are being managed. This season our water sources are not being taken for granted and we are having a thorough understanding as to why our founding fathers chose this little valley for settlement.

June 15, 2021

 

With the first week of June we started the Mink Creek June weddings. This first one was the marriage of McKinley Longhurst, daughter of Candy and the late Sheldon Longhurst, to Skyler Stevens, the son of Jamie and Steve Stevens. It took place at the beautiful outdoor park on the farm of Garland and Dixie Rasmussen on June 5. The weather cooperated with the sun shining on the new Mr. and Mrs. Stevens.

Dawnell and Chad Greene are announcing the birth of a new grandchild. She is Wakely Jade Greene, a lovely little miss and her parents are Heston and Tristin Thomas Greene of Preston.

Nancy and Kevin Alder have been in residence at their home near the top of the Riverdaledugway, enjoying the spring into summer days.

A Saturday morning, following a rainy day, and our Primary children and leaders had planned a “Sacred Grove Experience.” It took place on the farm of Wendy and Terry Westerberg at the end of Station Creek road. Wendy is the 1^st Counselor in our Primary organization. There, in a grove of trees they felt the wonders of such a spot, similar to one that had been chosen by Joseph Smith where he received what is referred to as The First Vision by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The morning was bright, the air was still, there was the scent of wild flowers and spring growth, the light filtered through the trees., even the twittering of birds. This setting encouraged listening when everyone noticed how quiet it could be. It provided a spiritual moment to be remembered for those attending.

The Lewis and Clark Volunteers held their annual encampment on the banks of Mink Creek at the farm of Kim Keller. The Mountain Men group look forward to this occasion on Memorial Day weekend. They have done it for many years. Muskets and costumes were in abundance. Several members of the Vernon Keller family spent the days in Mink Creek, with some participation with the Rendezvous.

The yellow and copper rose bushes have looked so beautiful. In the lower part of the valley they are now looking past their prime, but in the higher levels the beauty is still hanging on for a few more days. The dry weather affects all living things. Some of the dryland hay fields don’t have enough growth to even bother harvesting.

June 8, 2021

 

Bret and Jody Rasmussen scattered some time with family arrivals. Their youngest daughter, Cheyenne Lloyd and family spent some days with them. The Lloyds are currently living in Japan where Cheyenne’s husband is deployed. A bit later another daughter, Brandi and her family enjoyed some Mink Creek time.

Brooke and Josh Reichman were up for a weekend stay with her family. They celebrated the break from school at BYU in Provo, UT, by coming home to the Corbetts, Sherrie and Shane Corbett and Brooke’s brother Austin. Home is a good place to recharge.

Memorial Day increases our local population by about 3 times. So many people come home. There is no way to begin to name all the wonderful friends that were here over those 3 days.

The Hansen House, recently completed on the Hugh and Bonnie Hansen farm, was full of activity. Wes and Heather Hansen and family now live in Ogden, Pat and Dirk Bowles are just down the road in Fairview, ID, and Roxanne and Wes Beutler are over on the west side in Dayton.

Lisa and Sid Whitehouse have been back for a couple of weeks from their new home on the east coast.

Dwain and Carrie Larsen drove down from their home in the Ketchum area and so many memories surfaced. We don’t get to see them often.

Terry and Hayes Carr of Centerville, UT, combined the holiday with the graduating of their daughter, Courtney from USU. Terry is the daughter of MaryJean Rasmussen and the late Larry Rasmussen.

JoAnn and Kevin Auger joined the Jepsen families. Her brother Glen Jepsen and nephew, Kerry Jepsen and family both live on Bear Creek and it was a good time of memories and sharing. The Augers live in Woodland Hills, in Utah.

The Mink Creek cemetery is a beautiful place all year round with a beautiful view of our little valley and then extends to the mountains far to the west. There is even a field of nature’s flowers that crown the top of the area, full of golden mule’s ears at this time of year. Many thanks to those who take care of this sacred acreage.

This isn’t quite within the boundaries of Mink Creek, just over the lower border. A new house is going up in the Narrow Estates. Word has it that it is to be the home of Doug and Diane Higley. There are now 4 homes in that subdivision, and likely more to come.

The fields of alfalfa are being dropped both on irrigated fields and dryland. One can certainly see the difference that water can make in the yield of the crop. With the early heat this year the bales are being hauled off as quickly as possible in order to begin irrigating again, in the hope of a decent second crop.

June 1, 2021

 

If you are in the vicinity of Mink Creek take a moment to breathe in the lovely scent of our blooming chokecherry trees. Both domestic and wild are bursting with the white clusters of fragrant blossoms. Hopefully this is an indication of a season with a good harvest of cherries to turn into syrup and jellies.

This month of June has meant the Mink Creek Reunion for many of those who read this column. The is a reminder. The day is June 19, the place is the Mink Creek Ballpark. Bring lawn chairs for comfort. It is not a potluck affair, due to the many restrictions in the planning. Instead there will be box lunches for sale. Karen Olson Tribett is in charge she would love an RSVP if you are planning to attend so there will be a sufficient number of lunches available.

Forrest and Patti Christensen are home again. They have had a long enough time of soaking up the Florida winter sunshine and are ready for the summer Mink Creek life. We have had quite a bit of rain since they returned but it is a totally different type of humidity to be enjoyed.

Bob and Claudia Erickson drove to Rexburg, ID, to connect with their daughter, Claudine and LaMar McKague and their family. The occasion was a temple session in the Rexburg temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The McKagues live in Vancouver, WA, but two of the McKague children are attending BYU/I. The Ericksons returned to Mink Creek and within a few days Claudine and LaMar and daughter Elsie joined them on the home turf for a few days of spring break. Laural Janke and her son Keenan drove up from Richifield, UT, to expand the mini reunion.

Devin and Maria Flake and their son Jude were up from Orem, UT, to soak up the space and greeness of Mink Creek while spending time with Maria’s mom, Lana and Ivan McCracken.

Memorial Day in Mink Creek was beautiful. So many people come ‘home’ for this weekend, some whose only connection to the community is that an ancestor, perhaps 3 generations past, is buried in this lovely valley. A trip to the cemetery results in hugs, waves, conversations and reconnecting.