October 5, 2021

 

With hearts full of gratitude for the produce raised this past summer, members of the Relief Society held their own version of a Farmer’s Market activity at the Mink Creek ballpark. Kathy Jarvis directed the event and had assists from several others: Jonia Jackson gave tastes and information for using coconut oil in making popcorn. April Rasmussen shared pieces of her goat milk soap , told about the making of it, and brought a pair of baby goats as accessories. Brittnee Phillips and Kathy Roy combined efforts on making use of elderberries for both health and goodies, sharing elderberry caramels. Jasmine Erickson had recipes for various vegetable dishes, while her mother, Laurel Wilde showed how to use herbs, both wild and domestic, for health benefits. Those attending brought excess produce from their gardens to share as well as ideas and recipes on the preserving of the bounties of our summer’s plantings and harvesting. There were handouts for health from A to Z (zucchini). Light refreshments went along with a tasting table.

With the cold temperatures at night there are still hopes of continued harvest for tomato plants, squash, and late blooming flowers as we cover those plants each evening. It is a yearly ritual to cling to the great tastes of ‘homegrown’ every fall.

Danita and Eldon Wilcox are very excited to announce that they have a new mission call! They will be serving in the New York and Pennsylvania Historic Sites Mission starting next March. They have invited us all to come visit them while they are serving.

Ken and Loren Nash have made a fall visit to the beauties of Mink Creek as the year moves along. They have ‘double residency’, being part of the Haws family, in California and Idaho.

The admonition of “Watch out for deer” as people drive through our village is one worth heeding. Lately we have had several instances of deer being hit during the night as vehicles go barreling down or up Highway 36. The evidence for blood all over the pavement and mutilated flesh to the side tells at least a portion of the incident. So, yes, when one hears that familiar “Watch out for deer,” it isn’t just a habitual comment. This is wildlife country---deer, elk fox, moose, raccoons, cougars, coyotes, possible wolves, even bear, live in our valley.