May 22, 2024

 

Skyler and McKinley Longhurst Stevens are back home in Franklin County. They have finished their educational pursuits in Raleigh, North Carolina and are now checking out opportunities for future plans. It is nice to be on their home turf. It has been a year of learning a new culture in the east as well as the schooling.

These two did some “house sitting”, along with Emily Longhurst and Tony Viviano, for their mother Candy Longhurst while she was on a trip to the British Isles. Candy is a hiker of our green mountains and she loved hiking in Scotland and Ireland, that are equally green right now. She spent two weeks roaming the spring beauty with friends. They took in Inverness and its history in Scotland, loved the beauty of the lochs (lakes). Then there was Dublin in Ireland and the Blarney Castle and gardens. Candy was able to kiss the famous Blarney stone.

LaMar and Claudine McKague drove down to Lehi, UT, to attend a surprise farewell party at Thanksgiving Point that was honoring Jeff and Christine Waddoups Rich. Jeff, Christine and Claudine grew up together, best friends during their high school days at Preston High School. They were joined by another classmate, Kim Clark. It will be President and Sister Rich this coming summer as the couple depart to serve in Thailand as the Missionary President and wife for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in that area. Jeff is the son of Larry and Dorothy Rich and Christine is the daughter of Jerry and Caroline Waddoups.

We are saddened to write of the death of Elaine Mikesell Larsen, the wife of Craig Larsen. She had recently spent some days in the hospital and was happy to be going home. She has lived in Mink Creek for nearly fifteen years and will be missed by many. A graveside service took place on May 17^th, at the Fairview Cemetery.

We hear of the “wind sweeping down the hills,” but this week we had the wind roaring up into our mountains. Local amateur weathermen recorded it at 32 mph steadily, with gusts at over 37 miles per hour. At least one barn roof was damaged and multiple loose outdoor garbage cans and furniture went rolling to new locations. The downpour of rain that was part of the blitz gave us a good soaking.

We got an unexpected freeze last night. Ice on the sprinklers this morning and any unprotected garden plants likely taken out. Around here the general rule is don’t plant until after Mothers’ Day—that was 10 days ago.