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.