July 14, 2021

 

The Mink Creek Originals reunion was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended, around a hundred people. The event had been planned by Karen Olson Tribett a year ago, then canceled due to the COVID restrictions. Her ‘assistants’ were Mary Olson Carter, Nanct Olson Puente, Janet Olson Bergera, LaNae Larsen Orbin and Kathy Keller Hyde. The party took place at the Mink Creek Ballpark, rather than the customary potluck menu there was a bounteous sack lunch for purchase. The program rolled out as the eldest of each family there reported on the current situation for their extended families represented in the gathering, most of whom have long-time Mink Creek roots. About 30 ancestral families of the community reported. Next year’s gathering will be headed up by Katherine and Leon Noorda.

Claire Jepsen & Smith Larsen were married June 25 in the Ogden Temple, Ogden, UT. Claire is the daughter of Dr. Kerry and Melinda Jepsen. They held a reception at their home on Birch Creek Road that evening. It was planned for outdoors, but a wind and rainstorm blew in and forced the party to move indoors. Inconvenient, but with smiles, in the drought year we are so grateful for any moisture received.

The daughters of Kerry and Lacey Christensen are busy with summer rodeos. Jyllian is the Princess of the War bonnet Rodeo in Idaho Falls, Greenlee is part of the royalty for the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo. It is good to have the rodeo season open again in this area.

Jeff Olson spent some time with his daughter, Leslie, and her family at their Bear Lake retreat. Cooler days were welcome.

Karl and Marion Haws of Santa Barbara, CA, have spent a month here at their home. Family visitors have been in and out during their stay. Kasey and Julie Haws were up first, to get things opened up and going. Adam and Camene Haws and their children from Solvang, CA, spent a few days reconnecting with the Idaho roots. Aaron and Heather Haws and children from Meridian drive over this direction fairly often.

The smoky heavens have thinned a bit, not gone yet.  It is wonderful to see clouds and blue sky still up there beyond the grey, smelly haze.  The sunsets are still streaked with that orange hue that goes with smoke on the horizon. The winds that have come through are hot, but helps to clear the air.  If you remember the David Kolstad family that lived in Mink Creek a few years ago, then purchased a farm in the Clearwater River area----their sons are fighting fires now within a few miles of their home.  We all need rain, for more reasons than the dry farmland.