March 12, 2025

 

On a Saturday morning the members of the Mink Creek Relief Society were invited to join a session of tying quilts. Spearheaded by Danita Wilcox this was a project long in the process. Donations of scraps and larger pieces of fabric had been given to Danita to assemble into quilt tops as a humanitarian service, quilts for those needing the same. The results, after several months of stitching, were six tops that had been pieced together, set in frames and now in need of tying. About twenty ladies volunteered their services and gathered at the recreation hall. A brunch was served of breakfast casseroles, a french toast casserole, fruit plates and veggie trays. Along with the task at hand there was the enjoyment of being together and socializing. The next step was to find volunteers to sew the binding of the quilt edges to have a finished wrap of warmth.

The Young Men also had a a couple of days of snowmobiling together, knowing the days of fresh white snow may be limited as spring nears. Dads and leaders went with the guys, starting out from the Birch Creek parking lot. Those on the ride were Bishop Jared and Morgan Keller, Jesse Wilcox, Carson Christensen, Matt Rhees, Brian Peterson, Kurt and Conner Iverson, Per and Krister Danfors, Jesse and Elliot Keller. They met at the warming hut in Horseshoe Basin for lunch then rode over to the Bear Lake side to spend the night at a cabin in St. Charles. LaRon Baird and his sons Hazen and Orrin drove over from Mink Creek with food to meet them in St. Charles and spend the night.  No injuries were reported and just a few scratches on the machines. Lots of smiles from a great activity.

We have multiple indications of health issues.  Among them are arms in special slings to keep  shoulders in place,  a leg scooter for a healing broken leg, several leg boots, not to mention absences due to respiratory disturbances. 

There are reports of crocuses putting in appearances and the recent warm days have pushed yard snow way back.  Spring?  Forecast is for three stormy days this coming weekend.  I guess that does make it spring.

March 5, 2025

 

The community Winter Dinner Night Out event was enjoyed by many. A nursery was provided for the benefit of those attending who had children needing a babysitter. The evening took place in the recreation hall of the LDS Church building and the room was full with ten round tables, seating eight at each table. The theme for decorations, of course, was Winter. Those in charge for the dinner were members of the activity committee: Lacey Christensen, Kim Christensen and Clare Christensen, all separate families, a common surname in this area. The menu was Beef brisket with a barbeque sauce, baked potatoes, mixed vegetables, rolls. Dessert was a choice of chocolate presentations, provided potluck style by those attending. The warmth of mutual friends was felt throughout the night.

Laura Cheney and Cindy Hanson have returned from their cruise to the Bahamas and the Caribbean waters. When they left to enjoy this venture the local temperatures were fairly warm and on their return they found that winter had arrived in this corner of Idaho.

Mink Creek has had two of its youth participating in the winter sports of Preston High School. Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird was on the wrestling squad until an injury made it impossible for him to be active. Elliot Keller, son of Jesse and Shawna Keller, played on the JV team in basketball.

Connie and Adam Westenskow and Emma spent an overnighter with her parents, Layne and Karen Erickson. The Westenskows live in Logan but this was an occasion of celebrating Connie's birthday at home in Mink Creek.

There is constant change. Is the mud season upon us? But it is only the first few days of March, which came wafting in as the proverbial 'lamb' weather-wise. Seed catalogs have arrived and some residents are even ready to do their indoor planting in preparation for a early spring with their gardens.

February 25, 2025

 

Did that beautiful Snow Moon bring this beautiful wet snow? For our valley and surrounding mountains every flake and drop will find a place over the next few months. It keeps coming, much better now than when the greening is taking place.

Adam and Camene Haws and their family are up from their place in Sol Vang, CA. Adam claims they brought the snow with them. His older brother, Kasey and Julia Haws are with us as well and they might make the same claim. Whatever, the welcome mat is out and even with the extra chores that come with real winter it is bringing smiles.

There have been a couple of changes in the Mink Creek Ward. Wynn Costley was released from his calling as the Executive Secretary and Trevor Rasmussen was sustained to fill that position. Corey Nielson was called to be the Ward membership clerk.

Bret Rasmussen offered his shop, a welder and some tools for a young men's activity with welding. Jesse Wilcox had some small tanks that the boys welded and painted to resemble the Minions from the movie Despicable Me. Their creativity will be displayed sometime in the future.

Finally, our youth were able to have snow activity, after some events have being canceled. Mid-February made it possible for their snow sledding night on the slopes of the Dan and Casey Christensen ranch, located near the mouth of Strawberry Canyon and having a bit more snow depth. Things started at 6 p.m., complete with a bonfire and various snowmobiles to pull sledders back to the top of the hill. Hot chocolate and cookies were waiting around the warmth of the fire. The slope was even lighted by some portable lighting, courtesy of Jesse Wilcox. It was a great night, fun with no injuries.

As of today, water is running off every roof, tree branches, shrub, anything that held snow or ice to be melted. Temperatures in upper 30's, 40's makes it so there is the constant sound of drip, drip, drip. It shouldn't be mud season yet. Perhaps this is a temporary break and that we will get more winter.

February 17, 2025

 

A trio of McKays, Paul with his sons, Cody and Andy, spent some days in the Island Park area enjoying enough snow for snowmobiling. Cody may live in Arizona at this stage of his life, but that has not dampened his love of various winter sports. It is nice that he can fly into Idaho Falls, meet up with the others for a weekend of fun.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox have recently returned from a vacation, the kind that gets a priority spot on the well known “bucket list.” At the end of December they flew to Santiago, Chile, and boarded a cruise ship in Valparaiso. The cruise stopped at three Chilean ports, sailed through fjords and visited Magdelena Island where they walked among the penguins. From there it was a fun visit to Ushuaia, Argentina, the most southern city in the world and the end of the Pan Am Highway. Things heard of in geography classes were on the agenda: the Straits of Magellan, the Beagle passage, Caper Horn. Crossing Drake passage brought them to Antarctica and the Palmer Station with icebergs, glaciers, more penguins and whales. The beauty of winter reigns in Antarctica with tall steep mountains, snow and ice. Rounding the tip of South America brought them to the Falkland Islands and Argentina and Uruguay. They were able to see three LDS temples, one in each of the countries visited. Eldon and Danita felt Antarctica was the highlight of the month-long cruise but Iquazu Falls in Brazil was a close second.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met at the home of Ramona Lower-Hatchett in the Narrows Estates for their February session. Lorraine Christensen presented a history of the settling of Santa Clara, down in Washington county of southern Utah. Fun songs were part of the entertainment. A new member, Peggy Hamilton, told the group how her husband was connected to the Parker family, that of famous Butch Cassidy.

We now have the appearance of a real winter, having received several inches of soggy snow. It is heavy and when it warms a bit slides of sloping roofs into a pile below. Icicles drip and lengthen when the temps drop, only to drip again the next day. Even with the work storms like this require, it feels good, reassuring, to have some winter weather.

February 11, 2025

 

It would be incomplete to not write just a bit of a recent tragedy in our community. I am speaking of the midnight fire that took the home of Phee and Robert Crosland during the early hours of January 31^st. The Citizen has an article about this in last week's paper. The community and beyond are feeling some mourning over the loss of the home and all the belongings of the Crosland family and those who were renting their apartment, Laura Cheney and Cindy Hanson. At the same time we are so grateful that everyone escaped with their lives. There is also gratitude for the county fire department who kept the inferno from spreading further.

Plans for a winter cruise by Wynn and Cecelie Costley were canceled when circumstances placed Cecelie in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Cecelie is home now from the hospital after a month of unexpected challenges and amazing miracles. She says thank you for all of your prayers. They were felt and appreciated.

Some of the young men of Mink Creek and their leaders gathered at the home of Jay and Kristin Collins for both a demonstration and then a follow up experience of making cinnamon rolls. The Collins had owned a bakery in Vancouver, WA. One technique that was new to some attending was the handling of a rolling pin. The results of this evening was both tasty and fun.

Do we call the recent weather a February Thaw, or a False Spring? The warm days melting the icy surfaces, closed driveways and paths are becoming the source of puddles, all set to find their way to the creeks, then to Mink Creek proper and on to the Bear River. The terrain of our village is made up of slopes and literally flat spots are not frequent. Snow is welcome.

It seems we have need of a variety of repairs taking place in our community— the human physical type: a couple of broken legs, a broken arm, a shoulder, even some heads sporting a band-aid or two. These are on separate residents, not a combination.

Happy Valentine's Day!  Because you read, I blog.  Thanks for keeping me updated on the life in this place I love so much.  

February 4, 2025

 

The youth of Mink Creek had planned to have a snowman construction party at the Mink Creek Ballpark for a winter activity. This month they resorted to plan B since there was insufficient snow at the ballpark to fashion even one snowman, and the weather was bitter cold. Adjustments were made, they moved indoors and played “ Do you want to build a snowman?”-- an original game patterned after the game “Burn Your House Down.” It all came together and a good time was had by kids and leaders. They topped off the party with hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls.

Ami Wilcox Fenton and some of her children came up from Tooele, UT, to have the house in readiness for her parents return from a lengthy cruise.

Maria Baird Flake, now living in Saratoga Springs, UT, came home to celebrate her birthday, bringing husband Devin and son Jude along for the party. They were able to be here several days, while Devin attended some business meetings in Idaho Falls. Maria is the daughter of Lana McCracken and the late Ronald Baird, growing up in Mink Creek.

Claudine and LaMar McKague and daughter Elsie traveled to Vancouver, WA, for a family gathering. The main event was the blessing and naming of the McKague's newest grandson, Henry Samuel McKague, tiny son of Samuel and Sierra McKague. The whole family, fourteen in number, from Utah and Idaho, shared a few winter days back in Vancouver, former home for the family.

There has been a winter activity for those interested in playing Pickleball. Spectators are as welcome as participants and all levels of ability have been welcome. No injuries reported but lots of fun and laughing, good for the winterized soul.

Chances are, if you have any Mink Creek connections, you already know of the consuming fire that took the home of Robert and Phee Crosland last week. All of those living there were able to escape, but everything was lost. There has been much about it on Face Book and The Citizen of this week carries an article and photo so it will only be mentioned here. Needless to say, our whole community is feeling both sorrow and gratitude at this time. Many decisions to be made as life goes forward.

January 21, 2025

 

Jeff and Barbara Olson spoke to the congregation of the Mink Creek Ward prior to their leaving for mission service to California, They will be laboring in the San Francisco Mission, serving in the Oakland Temple Visitors Center in Oakland, CA. Ron and Millie Mower, Jeff's sister, drove over from American Falls for the occasion. Jeff's daughters, Liz and Leslie, came up from their homes in Utah and Barbara's sons and families were also here giving support.

Adam and Camene Haws and family were up from Sol Vang, CA. to enjoy some ski time. It was good timing for the annual Mink Creek ski night at Beaver Resort. There was a good turnout from the community and lots of fun. Riverdale First Ward joined this activity. Mark and Carla Erickson Nielsen and their family made the trip from American Fork, remembering their days on the Beaver slopes.

Skiing brought in the new year for the family of Drew and Hilary Erickson. They drove from Tempe, AZ, staying with grandparents Bob and Claudia Erickson. All were ready for Beaver: Conner, Spencer, Paige and Drew, while Hilary, a non-skier, visited with other family members. During the holidays Laural and Jody Janke and their children came down from Teton, ID, to spend time with the Ericksons.

Most of the family of Robert and Phee Crosland came to ring in the New Year at the home base in Mink Creek. When counting kids, spouses and grandchildren it all adds up to a fairly large group enjoying food, games, memories and strengthening connections. A favorite for all is the treasure hunt which takes months of planning ahead.

Families and friends gathered for the recent ordinations of two young men to priesthood positions. Orrin Baird, son of Liesa and LaRon Baird, was ordained a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and Danny Keller, son of Hollie and Bishop Jared Keller, was ordained a teacher.

We are all feeling like hibernating. It is very cold and we are told it is going to get colder. That sounds like the Idaho winter we expect. This is not the time that we need balmy weather. Usually we are looking at a January thaw, but for now there isn't much snow or ice to give a thaw something to work on.

January 15, 2025

 We appreciate every skiff of snow received, and they do add up.  Our canyons attract the snowmobile crowd,  both up Birch Creek and Strawberry Creek. Even with brown dirt and scrub brush poking through  patches of snow Mink Creek is a beautiful place to live.

The family of Kurt and Margret Iverson were busy people as 2024 wound down with the wedding of their son Charles Hamilton Iverson to Taylor Romney, daughter of Michael and Nicole Romney of Preston the last weekend of the year. All of Charles siblings were able to be here for the occasion. Johnny and his family live in Rexburg, ID. Alexis and her family are in Colorado, Walter and his wife, Andrew and his wife are at school at BYU in Provo, UT, and Conner is here at home base. It was so much fun to be together for a few days.

The family of Tom and Donna Nicholls brought the New Year in together at a gathering at the home of Brady and Shoni Henderson in Mink Creek. Cade and Leigha Nicholls also live in Mink Creek. Kaylee and her husband are in Utah, so it was close traveling for all of them. Grandchildren were part of the assembly. It was a potluck affair to make it easy on everybody, as long as it wasn't all potato chips and dill pickles.

Some holiday get-togethers got blown apart this season, even the night before when various forms of the flu took over and made for an instant quarantine that lasted a few days. Illnesses are making the rounds and in some cases, hit every member of the family.

Lin and Sharla McKay were able to have visits from all four of their children and families, grandchildren and dogs. Mallory, Peyton, Joshua, and River. The visits were spread out over most of a month, some from Utah, some from Idaho, but all fun.

Even with scanty snowfalls winter brings some wildlife visitors down among the human inhabitants. A bear showed up some weeks ago, perhaps having made its way over from the Worm Creek area. Currently a moose has been visiting various yards, they can cover quite a territory when they get moving along.

January 8, 2025

 

Missing that issue before Christmas, then Christmas, has put news items a week behind. The Relief Society held a beautiful Christmas party with feelings of both warmth and elegance. A program planned by Cecelie Costley centering around the reason for the season, the birth of Christ, was the highlight of the evening. Debra McCloy sang a vocal solo entitled “Certain Women” accompanied by Judy Wilde and a narrative about the Ten Virgins and strengths appropriate for our day and time. A lovely meal was served to those attending by the Bishopric and Elders Quorum.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP held their Christmas party in town. Julie Westerberg gave a history of some holiday songs and the group sang the song after hearing the story. Leah Gilbert of Fairview catered a fun luncheon of soup, salad, breadsticks and chocolate caramel pretzels. LuJean Young involved the ladies in some special holiday activities. There was a fun 10 question quiz of Christmas history questions and prizes were mini Nativities. Beautiful table decorations were the nutcrackers of Mary Jean Rasmussen and a Christmas village belonging to Lorraine Christensen.

After living for years in Mink Creek Juan Argbella has moved to warmer country. He has gone to Florida to work with his brother and be closer to family.

The holidays were filled with much coming and going, particularly with Christmas coming in the middle of the week. Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen went to Coalville, UT, to be with their son, Joe and his family. Joe and Kathy Jarvis drove to St. George for family and warmth. Tiffany and Spencer Wheeler and their children spent a few days at the home of her mother, Candy Longhurst.

Steve and Terry Mainini welcomed all of their family home for the holidays. Tony Mainini is in Pocatello, providing computer and technology guidance for Idaho State University. Angelina and Iyar Koren and their two girls live in the Salt Lake City area.

There are days when looking at the surrounding hills, with little snow cover, makes a person wonder if this really is the month of January in a new year. Up in the canyon it looks like winter, feels like winter, drives like winter. Perhaps the mindset just depends on where one is located at a given moment. While it is nice not to be shoveling snow, there is always that need for future water.  We all want 2025 to be a good year.  Happy New Year!

December 31. 2024

 A day late, but considering that it was New Year's Eve, it doesn't matter.

The Community Christmas Party was held December 12. Friends and neighbors filled four long tables to enjoy the dinner. The menu was ham, cheesy potatoes, tossed salad, rolls and butter. The first course was an appetizer veggie cup that was front and center while the youth were serving the many plates of food. There was apple cider as a result of our fall party or wonderful Mink Creek water. Dessert was a scoop of peppermint ice cream and a brownie.

The program was a blend of Jesus and Santa, and nicely done from the stage of the recreation hall. Corey and Savannah Nielson, dressed in pj's and their kids, plus a couple of older “additions” started the narrative. Corey read the Christmas story from Luke and then they sang a duet “Silent Night,” with Terrie McKay at the piano. Anna Beth Olson led the group in singing Joy to the World. Exit Nielsons , and there was Santa, taking special notice of the Nativity set in the room as Kurt Iverson presented an appropriate poem. The woodshop of Clare Christensen had produced a wooden ornament  imprinted with an image of the creche as a take-away favor for each family attending the event. This event helped with moving into the season.

Alan and Nelada White were guest speakers in a December meeting in the Mink Creek Ward.. Just before their mission where they served in Delaware. The Whites served as High Councilman and wife to the ward for three years and were involved in our community activities during that time.

The family of Glen Jepsen gathered in Mink Creek for his funeral on a cold but clear day. The four Jepsen children, Kerry, Jill, Jana, and Kyle and their families plus Glen's siblings who grew up in Mink Creek, Bruce, Dan, Marilyn and JoAnn were all able to be in attendance. After a beautiful service they met in the Mink Creek Cemetery and Colonel Glen Jepsen's military career was closed by a U. S. Air Force Honor Guard.

Shalayla and Carson Christensen have moved into the home of Carson's grandparents, Lyle and Ruth Ann Christensen. While the home has been in the remodeling stages the couple have been living with Brian Christensen, Carson's dad.

Royce and Lorraine Christensen spent the Thanksgiving holidays in Arizona with their son Kevin. The change to warmer temperatures was an added bonus.

A recent youth activity, simple but enjoyable, was when everyone shared their favorite hymn and then the group sang them. Everyone brought potluck treats for samples all around.

It's the last day of the year 2024. Mink Creek has had a lot of changes over the past 12 months. People moved in, people moved out. New houses built. Some activities in our cemetery with new residents. Hopefully this blog has helped to update you readers at least a bit. It is still a great place to live. If you have been fortunate enough to get a copy of the book “Women of Mink Creek” that Cecelie Costley, with sponsorship of the Relief Society, has compiled and edited, I hope you enjoy it. It has a historical flavor, but the contributors are women who are living in Mink Creek now, with some exceptions. That was the original plan but things branched out a bit as stories were submitted. Happy New Year to each of you.