Last day of first month, new year!

 

The Relief Society of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has changed its leadership with the start of the new year. The new officers are Margret Iverson, President; Cecelie Costley, First Counselor; Rebecca Jones, Second Counselor; and Robin Stevenson, Secretary. Released with a huge vote of thanks for their last four years of service are Kim Christensen, President; Cynthia Hanson, First Counselor; Phee Crosland, Second Counselor; and Annavelyn Wilcox, Secretary. These years have covered the many adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reed Swann and his daughter Penny drove to Donnelly, ID, to the home of his son Charles and Sarah Swann. The family occasion was the ordaining of Charlie’s oldest son, David, to the office of a deacon in their LDS Ward.

The heavy snows we have been receiving make us very conscious of weight on the roofs of homes, sheds and barns. So far only one cave-in has been reported. When the walks and parking areas are cleared of snow, no matter the age of those willing individuals, they are considered “snow angels” by the rest of the community. We appreciate the efforts of the state highway and county road crews that keep our roads open for our travel. The flashing lights and sound of a heavy snow plow at midnight or 4 a.m. is welcome in this season.

This is a season where our favorite outdoor tool is the simple shovel. It is nice if the tractor or the pickup with its front blade will start in the sub-zero temperatures. The starting of the shovel power is more constant, unless the object to be removed is frozen solid. Just another challenge.

The family of Dr. Kerry Jepsen and his wife Melinda, have returned from an extended vacation trip to Europe. Prior to making their home in Mink Creek they were a military family. Dr. Jepsen was a surgeon in the U. S. Air Force and the family made their home in Germany while he was deployed to various locations during those years. This was a trip to reconnect with the places they enjoyed, the environment and overall lifestyle, remembering and meeting with old friends. It is good to have them home again in Mink Creek.

January 24, 2023

 Another two week's worth of news.    No excuses, I just spaced it.   For the 18th---

The year 2023 started off with Mink Creek’s annual Ski Party for the community held at the Beaver Ski Resort in Logan Canyon. Invitations were out for friends to join us. Many of our residents took their first trip on skis while participating in the family event year after year. There were children just getting their first taste of the sport, along with veterans who had been skiing for 60 years. Those attending were encouraged to bring some sort of treat to share at the lodge in a potluck type of “snacks to supply the energy” refreshment. About 150 people took to the slopes for that night of January 6^th. Lots of fun, laughter and wetness! Snowboarders were welcome, but most choose skis. It is the sort of evening where some come just to sit and visit while observing the action from the lodge windows.

We are missing Judy Clark who moved last year to an apartment in Preston. After her initial departure she spent some weeks staying with children and grandchildren, here and there. Now she is back in Preston, enjoying being closer to family with less outdoor chores than her Mink Creek home required. With this winter of heavy snow, not having to shovel her walks has to be a plus.

Jeff and Kaylene Hill and some of their family were in Mink Creek for a few days to enjoy the slopes for sledding and all winter fun at the Keller farm. Kaylene is the daughter of Vernon Keller, and the family still considers Mink Creek part of their home life. The Hills live in Taylorsville, UT.

These storms that are rolling through with regularity are welcome for the most part. They are bringing needed moisture back to our water sources as well as the thirsty earth. They also bring difficulties. The roof of one shed in the neighborhood has crumpled under the weight. Driveways are quick to fill and hard to empty. Wildlife are challenged for food that might be a foot below the snow crust. They also find forage on ornamental shrubs around the houses, or give the fall leaves left on orchard trees a thorough trimming.

And this week:  Andrew Iverson, the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, is announcing his recent engagement to Annalise Brady. Their scheduled wedding day is March 31.

Shawn and Callie Beardall and their five children were here for a memory celebration over in Bear Lake with Callie’s family. These Beardalls live in Spanish Fork, UT. After the fun with the Rigby clan in Montpelier they came to Mink Creek to enjoy the snowy slopes near the home of Kent and Tammy Beardall, Shawn’s parents. They had a great time in spite of a few bruises, and love how convenient it is to have a great hill in the back yard at their grandparents home.

The inches of snow are piling up in our canyons and the weekends are full of those who enjoy the sport. The parking lots up Strawberry Canyon and Birch Creek are full of vehicles and people dressed in appropriate gear for at least 3 days each weekend.

The Young Women organization enjoys making and delivering soup and treats to various families in the community. This time it was to the their leaders who had recently been released: Jody Rasmussen, Amy Baldwin, and Lacey Christensen, as an expression of love and appreciation for all the experiences they had shared together. Clara Jones was in charge of this evening and six girls participated.

There has been some more cougar activity around here. This sighting was in the Birch Creek area, but it could be most anywhere. Even close to Highway 36 and more traffic seems to be available to the big cats on the prowl.

The snow may be falling outdoors, there are skiing and sledding activities on a regular basis, but parents, leaders and youth are already starting to think about the coming Trek adventure that will take place this summer. This will happen in the country near Bone, ID, and pioneer costumes, pioneer equipment, pioneer ways of thinking are starting to ramp up in anticipation of this event.

January 10, 2023

 Happy New Year!  Because there was no newspaper published during the Christmas week  I did not post.  The following week, January 4th issue, was considered a "small paper" and indeed it was--no rural news, no Out of Our Past, no Development, and not much else either.  It is a decision not made by the Citizen, but by those at the Herald Journal, the reason being that we did not have enough advertising to support a larger paper.  That being said, I am including what I had written for the Mink Creek news for both the 4th and the 11th in this  blog post. I figure that is why you read this, to learn what is going on in this little village.

The Syringa Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers met in Preston last month for their Christmas Social. Captain Mary Ann Jepsen reported that Julie Westerberg gave an inspiring lesson. In spite of the winter flu and colds that were circulating in the area eleven members were able to attend. LuJean Young filled the group with laughter with fun activities, befitting the season. A tasty lunch was catered by Leah Costley Gilbert and she knew just the foods that would hit the spot. The group donated money for the local Angel Tree program as a great way to wind up their 2022 year of activity.

Some of the children of Hugh and Bonnie Hansen gathered for a weekend at their Hansen House on the shores of Mink Creek where they grew up. Schedules and illness caused some cancellations. They were celebrating the 100^th birthday of their father, Hugh Hansen.

The recreation hall of the Mink Creek church building was welcoming with subdued lighting for the Community Christmas Party. Beautifully decorated tables filled the room, just waiting for the diners. The menu was ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, and rolls. Cheesecake for dessert. Jared and Hollie Keller were in charge of this event. The Primary children portrayed the lyrics of “Picture a Christmas.” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was illustrated by participants with appropriate props. Judy Wilde played a medley of Christmas songs on the piano. There were candy canes and the arrival of Santa who took the attention of the younger set on his entrance. The more mature group enjoyed memories shared from earlier years at this annual event of looking forward to a small brown paper sack, filled with an orange, ribbon candy, peanuts and a few chocolates.

The youth of the LDS Ward gathered at the Preston Elk’s Lodge to help assemble the Christmas Baskets for this season. Volunteers and donations are always needed for this worthy project. Jackie Anderson was in charge of this event and reported that they gave away 760 baskets this year.

Elder David Seamons reported on his mission to Argentina. He is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seasmons. Due to the COVID restrictions of 2020 he began his service in the Alabama, Birmingham, Mission, and then in January of 2022 was transferred to the Argentina, Cordoba, Mission for his second year. A brother to David, Samuel Seamons and his wife AnaMae and their baby, have recently moved to Mink Creek. The couple has been living in the Philippines since their marriage. Their son was given a name and blessing in the Sunday meeting. He was named Elijah Jose Buenavista Seamons. Family and friends from out of town gathered here for these two events.

January 11-- Mary Jean Rasmussen is beyond happy with the educational pursuits accomplished in her family as this year closes. A granddaughter Courtney Carr, daughter of Terrie and Hays Carr of Centerville, UT, graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Elaine Rasmussen, Mary Jean’s daughter-in-law, wife of JR, completed her Master’s degree in Education. JR and Elaine live in Riverdale, UT.

The Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began the new year with some ordinations of young men. Hazen Baird and Conner Iverson were ordained to the office of priests. Hazen is the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird. Conner is the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson. Orrin Baird, a younger son of the Bairds was ordained a teacher. Danny Keller, the son of Jared and Hollie Keller was ordained to the office of a deacon. Their individual quorums are small in number and these are most anticipated additions.

LaMar and Claudine McKague had family with them for the holidays. Elsie McKague is now living in Mink Creek while she has a semester break from BYU/I. Sage and Nathan Ricks came down from Rexburg, where they are BYU/I students, Ethan McKague is in his last semester at BYU/Provo.

It is a time to be aware of the resident wildlife. Some may spend the cold months sleeping, but a goodly amount are out and about. Winter is hard on their survival. Cougars, deer, raccoon, elk, moose and more live among us. Eagles, owls, hawks, on a perch or flying, keep a sharp eye for possible treats that might be a household pet.

Candy Longhurst enjoyed having kids and grandkids together for the festivities. Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler and son Hudson were down from Boise. Justin and Cynthia Longhurst and their two little girls, Jake and Hollie and their two children were up from Cache Valley. McKinley and Skyler Stevens flew out from North Carolina and Emily Longhurst and Tony Viviano of Franklin –all made for a full house of fun and noise for Grandma Candy.