November 30, 2021

 "Thirty days hath September, April, June and November"---and here we are in 2021.

Jesse and Celina Groesbeck spent a week in Hawaii, just having fun. The ocean, sightseeing, the gentle warmth, the beaches, just beauty of this wonderful vacation place, perfect for a break from the rigors of new parenthood.

Hunting season has wrapped up and there are many happy faces and photos to prove the success of the pursuit. The thought of full freezers of meat is also comforting in this time of escalating grocery prices. Our local deer are back to grazing leisurely in the fields and roaming around at all hours.

Michael and Mar Ann Jepsen headed to St. George, UT, for some family time with children over the Thanksgiving holiday. With their families in Utah and California, St. George is a central spot from all directions. Also it had beautiful golf courses, always a magnet for the Jepsens.

The home of Raphael Arnsworth was full of good food and good people. The good reviews of his culinary efforts has not gone unnoticed. Relatives and non-relatives enjoyed the hospitality of Raphael and ReNae over the holiday, along with the beautiful scenery of Mink Creek.

Claudia Erickson took a trip to Richfield, UT, with Jody and Laural Janke, now of Rexburg. Their son, Keenan, was performing in the Richfield High School’s musical, “Oklahoma” in the role of Will with its production this past weekend.

Nicole Denny and children were down from Rexburg for a visit with her parents, Tammy and Kent Beardall. The warm weather made for fun outdoor activities.

As you read above I was out of town last week on my usual blog day. It was great and I did play the role of the proud grandmother for Keenan’s job well done. Kicking up one’s heels in cowboy boots is not an easy task.

It may be the last day of November but our lawns are still green. Outdoor vehicles have frosty windows first thing in the mornings. It is certainly jacket-wearing weather, but we are still hoping for some good storms to arrive. There seems to be a cold-bug making the rounds and it is helping us to consider getting the flu and booster shots that are available.

November 16, 2021

 

The parents of little Desmond Wilcox had a birthday party when he turned one recently., and the whole community was invited to share in the fun. The community involvement is traditional in the Philippines,. His father, Jesse Wilcox, served an LDS mission to those islands, and Annavelyn, his mother, is Filipino. Annavelyn’s sister, Haydee and her husband Keith Moore came up from Casa Grande, AZ, for this event. The family had planned to do the celebrating outdoors but the day turned rainy and cold. The Filipino food smelled wonderful and the flavor matched the aroma. Mink Creek has a number of residents who have spent years in the Philippines.

The Syringa Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers met this month at the home of Ramona Lower-Hatchett. This camp have members who live in Mink Creek and Preston. They enjoyed a light lunch and Ramona shared a story about her ancestor, Patty Bartlett Sessions. Mary Ann Jepsen is he Captain of Syringa Camp.

The Jared & Juli Egley family, Hayden, Bryce, Chris and Ryan, plus Jared’s mother, ReNae Egley were down in St. George for some southern Utah relaxation along with bike racing. Bryce rides with the Green Canyon High School team and this was the State Finals of Utah high schools mountain bike competitions. While there they enjoyed a birthday party for Ryan at a fun park. It was a few days of family fun with pickleball, races, sightseeing and just being together.

Reed Swann took a hunting trip to the Cheyenne River reservation in South Dakota. He and Mark Mitchell, a friend from California, traveled there and met Mark's son, Brett, who lives in Kansas. The group were pheasant hunting. On their return trip they stopped at the Martin’s Cove Visitor Center on the Sweetwater River west of Casper, WY.

For me, a sure sign of approaching winter season is that of crickets making their way indoors. It seems like there have been more than usual. Hopefully that is an indication of the type of winter we need to replace dwindling water sources.

Bugs, bugs, I do understand that they are seeking protection, warmth for the winter, but could they try the barn or the woodshed instead of the house! Everyone is dealing with this, hoping that a good hard freeze would solve some of this problem, particularly for the box elder bugs, so persistent, in all rooms. Earwigs have gone dormant for the most part, a big beetle of one kind or another shows up, spiders, but the box elder bugs are on everyone’s “hit list.” Not Mink Creek news exactly, but a top mental priority for the author at this time. Wonder what plagues (other than COVID) some of you readers living in other places have at this season.

November 9, 2021

 A Christensen Cousin’s Reunion seemed like old home week when this group got together. A few live here in Mink Creek: Clare and Linda Christensen, Royce and Lorraine Christensen, Eldon and Danita C. Wilcox, Forrest and Patti Christensen., Lee and Sandra Christensen. Clare’s twin sister,Clarice C. Feichko, came up from Centerville, UT. Verneal Lowry is from Tooele, UT. Brad and RaOne C. Stuart have homes in both Mink Creek and Bountiful, UT, Jay and Joyce Christensen are located in Pocatello. Vance Christensen and Sonja C. and Melvin Rae are now in Vernal, UT. Two cousins live in Franklin County, DeVerl Christensen in Dayton and Jeanette Christensen in Preston. Carolyn Younger came over from Caldwell, ID. Three came up from Utah’s Davis county, Marlene Elgin, DeAnn Childs and Roy Christensen. More cousins were unable to come due to conflicting dates. The connecting links for this bunch are their fathers, Allen, Lloyd, Jewel, and Carl Christensen, all Mink Creek residents from days gone by. The cousins are planning to make this an annual event.

River and Hunter Morgan are beginning a new chapter in their lives, locating in St. George, UT, buying a house, settling in. They were here staying with her parents, Lin and Sharla McKay, for some fall Mink Creek fun.

Paul and Lisa Auger had the fun of a grandkid visit. Two grandsons, Derek and Draven Owens, spent some time at the Augers while their parents were at at survival course in Nevada. The young men were a great help during this cleanup time of year.

Our village held a Halloween party on Halloween Eve at the ballpark where there could be a bonfire. There were inviting activities: a fishpond with prizes, doughnuts on a string for those willing to get a little sticky, a cakewalk and a costume parade. The dinner for the evening was a baked potato bar with the fixings: chili, cheese, broccoli, bacon bits, sour cream, and of course butter and seasonings. Jonia Jackson’s sister, Virginia Burbank was visiting, and attracted lots of speculation in her witch costume—was she the “real deal?” “Jini” resides in Riverton , UT. (picture of witch)

Our fall colors are lasting. Such great golden leaves, just now starting to drop the blanket of gold, brown and green at our feet. What a great backdrop of blue skies the last few days! The moisture received seems to just brighten the environment and keep things looking clean and sparkling.

That last paragraph was changed overnight. A night and day of rain has sogged every inch and sodden leaves are off the branches and making for slick footing in our yards. It has been cold with a low cloud ceiling, likely hiding snow covered mountain peaks above.

November 2, 2021

 

The rainy weather, though not particularly comfortable for the hunter, has helped some of our residents bag their deer for this season. Several of our youth have experienced their first successful hunt and their smiles reflect that feeling of accomplishment. There will be stories to tell, to remember.

Michael and Mary Ann Jepsen have been called to serve in the branch presidency of the Legacy 3^rd Branch. Mike will serve as the 2^nd counselor to President Jay Jensen, Mary Ann is to be the 2^nd counselor to the Relief Society president, Nancy G. Jensen.

Angelo Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, and Karissa Weekes were married last month in Pocatello, ID. Karissa is from Archer, ID, the daughter of Suzanne and Jody Weekes, and is now teaching at Preston’s Pioneer Elementary. Angelo’s brother, Marco Crosland and his wife Christina were able to come from Texas with their family to attend this event. Mario and Amanda Crosland of Smithfield, UT, Celina and Jesse Groesbeck and baby Oakley of Mink Creek, Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and family of Franklin, and Rico Crosland of Mink Creek/ Rexburg (depending on the season), were all able to be there, a fairly big percentage of Angelo’s immediate family. Robert and Phee and Karissa’s parents held a feast for over 100 people following the ceremony as the families celebrated the occasion.

Several days of rain were enough to wash the blood stains that have been on our Highway 35 for at least a month, evidence of collisions with roaming deer as vehicles speed through our village during the dark night hours.

Mink Creek has to recognize the birthday of one of its daughters, although she now lives just south of our village boundary, in Riverdale. Arda Keller Smith is 98 years young, achieving that distinction on October 28, 2021. Even now, with family help, she has a beautiful yard and home, the envy of many. She is an amazing lady and has a memory bank full of the experiences she has had during the last century. She is the wife of the late Theo Smith, the mother of Sam Smith, LaDawn Hansen, Wendy Westerberg, and Kelleen Smith. Happy Birthday, Arda, another one celebrated by the many people she has influenced over the years.

We are looking forward to the end of Daylight Savings Time. For now it is mighty dark when the school bus comes our way in the mornings. The resident turkeys are still slumbering in their night-time tree perches.