October 8, 2024

 I am hopeful that the paper version of part of this blog will soon match with what I write here.  Hang in there with the Citizen staff as we struggle to make adjustments with a new editor.  I will try not to be redundant, but because I don't know what he will choose to run before I put this out to you online readers you may get repeats now and then.  My apologies, but beyond my control.  

Phee and Robert Crosland drove east over to Colorado on a bit of a whim. They were visiting at the home of their daughter Arianna and Ben Hostetter in Peyton. They arrived to find several home projects underway and were able to lend both new ideas and helping hands. Time with the Hostetter grandchildren was a bonus.

Jay and Kristin Collins, LaMar and Claudine McKague, Paul and Terrie McKay, and children and spouses of the McKays gathered together in southern Utah for a brief vacation before the onset of cold weather. They did some lengthy hiking, soaked up the scenery change, attended a theater, ate good food and enjoyed each other’s company.

ReNae Egley took a few days of family time when she drove up to Idaho Falls to celebrate daughter Erin’s birthday. Fun with grandsons, but the crowning activity of the visit was attending a Wynonna Judd concert. Not your “every-year birthday!”

Our colorful hills are starting to fade in brilliance. The bright red of the maples is now orange, the yellow aspen leaning toward tan. It is drying season for Mother Nature. Only irrigated lands still show green. This is perfect hiking weather and the view is great regardless of which trail or climb a person might take.

October 1, 2024

 

It was a Sunday for a historical First—there was a reorganization of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the first time as part of the new Preston East Stake. Those who are called to fill the positions of leadership are: Jared Keller as the Bishop; LaMar McKague as First Counselor; Jesse Wilcox as Second Counselor; Wynn Costley as Executive Secretary; Jacob Cheney as Ward Clerk. These men were set apart by the presidency of the Preston East Stake: President Michael Romney; Counselors Nathan Hess and David Larsen, and Cliff Keller, the high councilman assigned to the Mink Creek Ward. Jacob Cheney was also ordained to the office of a high priest. Those released from having served in these offices were Bishop Paul McKay; Counselors Miles Erickson and LaRon Baird; secretary Wallace Christensen; clerk Jay Collins.

The children our community, ages 8 to 11 held an Art Fair. It was planned to be at the Mink Creek ballpark but due to inclement weather they moved inside at the LDS Recreation Hall. The kids have been learning about creativity under the encouragement of the Activities Director, Jody Rasmussen. There were displays of paintings, tie-dyed T shirts, home grown flower arrangements and more. Here were also culinary creations: cookies, popcorn balls, various goodies. Some items were for sale. The group is planning a field trip to the grounds of the Smithfield Temple and are raising funds to finance some pizza and ice cream treats before coming home to Mink Creek. The Art Fair was well attended, supported and the idea has become part of their future plans before the weather changes.

The opening social for the Syringa Camp of the DUP was exciting and unusual. The members went to the Thomas Merc in Swan Lake. Perfect for their luncheon with choices like Merc burgers, taco salads and BLTs. Lorraine Christensen gave their lesson and then Kaarin, the owner of the Merc shared the history of Thomas Mercantile. It has been owned by 3 generations of the Thomas family and is a bit of a landmark for this part of our state. Ten DUP daughters and a guest, JoAnn Steele, enjoyed this afternoon.

If you receive the Preston Citizen newspaper, either the printed version or the online issue I am sure you are aware that we are dealing with some editor and work up difficulties.   The rural news may have made this weeks paper, or not. At the Citizen office there are complaints being made regularly and any solution is out of our hands since we are under the umbrella of the Herald Journal.

 Much of the weekly Citizen is filled with Logan news, often already covered in the Herald Journal a few days before the Citizen is published, or it might have stuff about USU, or ISU, or Montpelier, etc.   This does not mean news about Franklin County has not been submitted, just not chosen.  It is possible that any, or all, of you could send an email to the current editor, Timothy Epperson, at tepperson@hjnews.com and let him know that you would prefer items connected with Franklin County.   He is also the Managing Editor of the Herald Journal and his boss has assigned the task of the Preston Citizen to his desk. I am sure he must be feeling overwhelmed.   It is my understanding that he would like feedback from our readers.