July 11, 2023

 

The barn swallows have returned in force. They are looking for insects with much swooping about. They are also packing mud and straw for nest building to anyplace that looks like it might adhere, often right above an entryway, which threatens the comfort and cleanliness for anyone who might approach a home.

Clifford and LaDawn Jensen just celebrated their Golden Anniversary, 50 years. All of their children came home to celebrate with them. Mercedes Mackelprang and her daughter Rachel of Statesborough, GA, Kristine and John Gore from Vienna, VA, and Jeremy and Heidi Jensen and their children of Preston. Extended family gathered in Mink Creek for lots of catching up on July 3^rd. The together time extended into the July 4^th activities at Mink Creek’s ballpark for even more fun.

Mink Creek’s July 4^th Celebration was a day for memories. With our huge national flag flying on the eastern side, our ballpark filled early with families coming to claim a spot that was in the shade as their headquarters for the day, with tables, pop up shelters, chairs, blankets. The airplane candy drop delivered several times with a group of children zigzagging from one drop off rto the next gathering the sweets. This activity is always a highlight for the day. Other activities were an ongoing Ultimate Frisbee under Conner Iverson’s direction, a popup Obstacle course with double slides, face painting, and a coin hunt in a small mountain of sawdust.

Jesse Wilcox was in charge of the patriotic program. Kurt Iverson was the master of ceremonies and the national anthem was sung by Ty Jepsen, Wally Christensen, Kerry Jepsen, Eldon Wilcox, LaMar McKague, and Mike Jepsen. They did well and set the stage for three speakers of patriotic thoughts: Warren Wilde, Clare Christensen and Mike Jepsen.

Many volunteers lighten the load and preparing food for around 350 people is no small task. Just preparing lemonade and homemade rootbeer is a bit daunting. Those in charge were: Clare Christensen, meat; Relief Society, tossed salad; Jody Rasmussen, baked beans; Jan and Necia Seamons, Dutch oven potatoes; Kim Christensen, rolls; Cecelie Costley, the gigantic cake. Just prior to being dismissed for the meal, Bishop Paul McKay reminded us of a past resident, Hugh Hansen, then a Marine in World War II, located just off of Iwo Jima, eating a basic diet of sardines for two months. It left a worthy image of gratitude for our free land of today.

For a time it felt like the melt-off of the winter’s snow would continue all summer long. It has backed off and streams are more normal. We’ve been getting frequent afternoon rain showers, nothing that lasts very long, but enough to be discouraging for those who are trying to harvest a hay crop and get it moved into a stack or barn, all the while with the next crop growing around the drying windrows.