First Day of Spring??? 2023

 

Today is the first day of spring, according to the calendar. Things are still very white, but dripping has been part of the day. Yesterday brought blizzard conditions and times of whiteout. Being the type of community we are we are still planning on flowers, gardens and fruit trees with crops, just with a late start. We have had an extra tidbit to deal with this week when the boiler in our LDS Ward building shut down and some water in the basement. This birds that are returning with their usual spring travels must feel a little confused and wonder if they are in the right place. An aerial view might look like  this is a big white blanket.

The Young Women and Young Men enjoyed a new activity. The group drove to the turn-about area at the end of Mink Creek Road, near the Christensen farm buildings. Here they fastened on this ‘new’ footwear and went snowshoeing. For some it was a first time experience. Jancy Henderson, who has past experience in this method of travel on family outings, led the way. There were about a dozen youth, with leaders Bishop Paul McKay, Jesse Wilcox, Trevor and April Rasmussen and Claudine McKague. They finished things up, wearing headlamps in the early dark. A bonfire and making s’mores completed the winter fun. The snow depths this year are deep and there were lessons learned about what some of the early settlers with harsh winters had in their everyday lives.

The Relief Society hosted an evening for book enthusiasts on March 1. It was planned to be at the home of Jeannine Iverson, but due to the wintry roads and snow depth, with the extra challenge of the hill climb to access the Iverson home, it was relocated to the ward building. Even that parking lot and sidewalks needed extra attention from the local “snow angels.” Fifteen sisters were able to attend and brought recommended reading suggestions. Rebecca Jones was in charge of this event.

We have had weeks of being concerned about the weight of the snow pack on the roofs of our homes and out buildings. Many people have been active in climbing up and shoveling the piles off. Several buildings have caved-in. Now, with the change in temperature, anyone driving through our community will see highway signs posted, warning of water running over the road as it makes its way down to the bottom of our valley, and the main stream from which we are named. There aren’t many places in Mink Creek that are “flat,” homes, yards, all of it is perched on a slope. The force of water flowing downward may be enough to push a vehicle off the road, it has happened in the past. Our buildings stand in the path of this natural onslaught and we are dealing with the threat of water in our basements, flooding our barns, etc.