May 31, 2023

 

The risk of planting gardens is being taken with consideration given as to which plants are likely to withstand a freeze. The feeling of getting a late start is upon us, but there is a constant awareness of the fickle weather, particularly after the winter months we have endured and viewing snow still in our upper mountains to the east. Our fruit trees are bursting with blossoms, almost as if they couldn’t wait, all varieties at the same time, and there is that special scent in the air of an orchard.

There was a good turnout of willing workers for the semi-annual highway cleanup. It began at the Mink Creek ballpark at 8 a.m. with assigned areas, sending out laborers north and south, empty trash bags in hand. Most of those involved returned to the park when their task was completed for a breakfast to revive their spirits and start people on to their own chores.

Mink Creek’s Naomi Wilde will be turning 108 on the sixth of June. Her family is having a celebration for her on June 14^th at the Grace Assisted Living in Chubbuck, ID between noon and around 3:30 p.m. There will be a BBQ, followed by Naomi’s favorite, ice cream. This year she has chosen to go for a horse and buggy ride for her treat. She came into this world on a horse and buggy so this is a perfect match. Anyone who would like to drop by to visit will be welcome.

The youth of the community have been preparing for upcoming Trek with hiking our mountain slopes. Enjoying the beautiful spring views and the blooming of spring in the wild. Multiple flowers to identify, cascades of color, plenty of places for climbing and getting in shape. Their destination will be the Seller’s Ranch near Bone, ID. One of their assignments is to find suitable pioneer type clothing, similar to what would have been worn in the 1850’s of our nation.

The Mink Creek Cemetery was at its usual best for this weekend. Pictures of those resting there were enjoyed by the many visitors. A couple of rain showers passed through over the few days, the wind tipping over some floral arrangements, but mainly the nature’s watering system just brightened things. The usual field of golden mule’s ear flowers that stretches to the east is in full bloom.

May 23, 2023

 

This May is a month for changes. We have been waiting and hoping and finally we have had spring arrive. It may be short because temperatures are already heading toward summertime. Some of those changes may involve graduation from various educational institutions.

Three of our youth are graduating from high school. They are Davanie Ostler, daughter of Stuart and Alona Ostler; Liberty Stanworth, daughter of Kaci Baldwin; and Samantha Petersen, daughter of Brian and Jill Petersen. Now is a time for big decisions for the months ahead.

Rico Crosland graduated from BYU/Idaho in Rexburg and has already had some break time away from studies and moved to Logan while making future plans.

Benjamin Seamons and his wife Mollie have both graduated from Utah State University. Ben graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Applied Mathematics and three minors in Biomathematics, Biology and Chemistry. His goal is that of becoming a doctor, so he is well onto that path. Mollie Seamons graduated with a degree in Dietetics. Ben is serving an internship at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City for the coming summer months.

David and Melanie Law of Kaysville, UT, spent some time at their Mink Creek home, grateful to have the snow receded sufficiently so they could enjoy being here. They brought friends, a roommate of Melanie’s from their college days.

Devin and Maria Flake and their son Jude spent a weekend with her mother Lana and Ivan McCracken. The Flakes live in Orem, UT.

Candy Longhurst took a dream vacation to Italy, one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences. She made new friends within her travel companions that will last forever. One of Candy’s favorite activities is hiking and she had plenty of opportunities in that way to see the beautiful scenery of Italy.  Besides the lovely countryside the group visited the usual tourist spots, spent some time at the ocean, and enjoyed wonderful Italian food.

We’ve had some rain recently. I wouldn’t call the storms “spring showers,” more like cloud bursts of relatively short duration. The rain has only served to make things still greener, but adding a bit more to our already full waterways. The blossoms on the budding fruit trees are intact thus far. However the various fruits are not blooming in turns as is the usual, instead they are all in flower at the same time, just couldn’t wait with lateness of the season.

May 16, 2023

 

The green green grass of home is suddenly very much in evidence. The mountain tops are still white but we are enjoying the arrival of spring, some warm days feeling nearly summer, some days chilly, but the forever hope is upon us.

Members of the Syringa chapter of the DUP(Daughters of Utah Pioneers) met this month in the home of Ramona Lower Hatchett in Riverdale. This was their closing social for the year and it was a potluck affair. Julie Westerberg gave a fun lesson about the development of the railroads coming west with some entertaining anecdotes from the past.

Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen had some days with their son Jared and his two sons. The younger Jepsens live in the St. George area.

Jeff and Barbara Olson drove down to South Jordan in Utah for a family event. Jeff’s daughter Leslie and Jared Nehmer were blessing Jeff’s newest grandson, giving him the name of Townes David Nehmer.

Hazen Baird is part of PHS Track and Field team. He was awarded 3^rd place in the triple jump at a high school invitational track meet at Skyview High School in Smithfield, UT. Congratulations, Hazen!

Eldon and Danita Wilcox spoke in a meeting of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to share experiences that they have had this past year as missionaries at the Church Historic Site in Harmony, PA. They conducted tours around the site as well as doing service in the area. Much of their immediate family attended this report. Of course Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox life in Mink Creek, Jeff and Elise Hardy and family are in Ogden, MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter and children of Arimo, Brittany Durrant and her girls live in Sandy, UT. Jenipher, Brigham Wilcox’s wife and children were down from Idaho Falls, but Brigham had to work that weekend. Two of Danita’s siblings were here: Jay and Vachelle Higbee of Perry, UT, and Brad and RaOne Stuart of Bountiful. A cousin, Jay and Joyce Christensen, dropped over from Pocatello. Very nearly an entire “family reunion.”

Hillside wild flowers are suddenly bursting into bloom, the delayed curlies, not too thick, but putting in an appearance, the mule’s ears that cover whole slopes. We’ve had some strong night winds that have snapped off some tree branches here and there, but I haven’t heard of any severe damage.

May 10, 2023

 

There has been some changes in leadership of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On April 23^rd Trevor Rasmussen was released as the 2^nd counselor in the Bishopric and was called to be a High Councilman in the Preston North Stake. Miles Erickson was sustained as the new 2^nd Counselor to Bishop Paul McKay. Kurt Iverson was released as a High Councilman from the Mink Creek ward. The following week the Elder’s Quorum Presidency was released. The new leaders sustained are Bret Rasmussen, president; Wynn Costley, 1^st counselor; Jesse Wilcox, 2^nd counselor; and Jeff E. Olson, secretary. Those released with a vote of thanks for work well done are Clare Christensen, president; Clifford Jensen, 1^st counselor; Brint Phillips, 2^nd counselor; and Miles Erickson, secretary.

Rhonda and Ray Tinker of Casper, WY, spent an afternoon with Claudia and Bob Erickson. Rhonda and Claudia are cousins, but it has been several years since they were able to be together. Genealogy is a hobby for both and it was fun to share.

Elder Dallon Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, is home on a temporary medical leave from his field of missionary labors in Arizona. He has experienced several concussions and it is hoped this time will allow him to heal more effectively.

The new home on the Hugh and Bonnie Hansen farm has enjoyed family visitors recently. Pat and Dirk Bowles of Fairview came up and were surprised at the depth of snow still in the area. Wes and Heather Hansen drove up from Ogden, UT, for a weekend, glad to find an approachable driveway.

The birthday of Judy Clark was a good reason to celebrate. We miss her since she has moved to Preston. Her daughter Kim and Sam Daines, now of Lehi, UT, came back to Mink Creek for some extra friendship time.

With a few warmer days the snow is slowly retreating. In some areas it has been sufficient for some spring planting to take place in the fields. It makes for late hours on farm machinery when more wet weather is in the forecast, but it has always been the way of life on a farm. The weather dictates activities around the clock and calendar.

The color of green, always so prevalent in Mink Creek during spring and summer, is finally taking over. It feels extra wonderful due the delay we have had with the lengthy winter.  Our oldest residents cannot recall one such as this.

May 3, 2023

 

The normal burst of green in Mink Creek is a tad behind schedule, but the snow banks and drifts are slowly receding, in the way that is best. No blossoms yet, but the daffodils, tulips and early flowers are poking up green shoots in domestic gardens where the snow has disappeared.

The family of Jerry and Christine Olson of St. George, UT, spent some days with Jerry’s parents, Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson. They found plenty of snow at the Olson home on Station Creek. The women of the family added their talented voiced to that of our local choir making it fun for all concerned. All that was needed was a moment’s notice.

Armando Crosland has been able to spend most of the last three months working in this corner of Idaho. He is the son of Robert and Phee Crosland and his employment, government related, usually finds him in Washington, D.C. so this felt a little like a working/vacation to be back home. He has since returned to the east.

LaMar and Claudine McKague and all of their children were able to gather in Idaho Falls to witness the blessing and naming of the first grandchild in their family. He is the small son of Jarin and Brynlee McKague and was named Deacon Taylor McKague. Jarin’s siblings came from Utah, Idaho and Washington for this occasion. The following weekend most of the family were in Mink Creek to attend the production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and support Claudine’s role in that event.

Nicole and Nate Denney with their little girls, Zaydee and Zella, were here for a few days with her parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall. These fun little ladies add lots of fun to the Beardall household.

With the increasing temperatures some of our residents are on water patrol, often into the night time hours. We are glad of sandbags to give direction to the flow where needed. We have multiple waterways and they are running full, not to mention the ditches and canals. If a person steps outdoor the first noise to hear is that of roaring water.

The traffic on Highway 36 is making its seasonal change. Winter brings snowmobile enthusiasts with trailers, pickups and places for warmth. The sunshine brings motorcycles, individuals and packs. It is still a little damp around our canyons to attract many campers so far.