July 30, 2025

 

JoAnn and Kevin Auger came home to Preston to take part in the celebration of the 100^th birthday of DeOne Auger, Kevin's grandmother. JoAnn and Kevin now live in Woodland Hills, UT.  JoAnn grew up in Mink Creek, daughter of Freemon and Ada Jepsen and she always tries for a visit here when they are up this way.

Ben and Arianna Hostetter and their children have spent a week with her parents, Robert and Phee Crosland. The original plan was to be of assistance with the roof of the Crosland home now under construction. When the ordered trusses did not arrive other projects took over with much fun thrown in before the Hostetters returned to their home in Falcon, CO.

After spending more time in the Portneuf Regional Hospital in Pocatello than she would have preferred, Penny Swann is now home in Mink Creek, working at following her doctor's orders. The first stop was at the Franklin County Medical Center prior to the transfer to Pocatello. The doctors are still unsure as to the cause of her suffering. She has a number of restrictions: in diet, in strength, breathing. She is limited on visitors. Penny appreciates your concerns and welcomes prayers in her behalf.

The Kent and Tammy Beardall family gathered for a family reunion at the Mink Creek Ballpark recently. The plan was for a four-days of togetherness, memories and fun. Siblings able to attend were Michelle and Gary Wall and family of Grand Junction, CO, Shawn and Callie Beardall and children of Spanish Fork, UT, Mikel and Rebecca Beardall and son of Preston, Heather Tuttle of Garland, UT, and Nicole and Nate Denny and their girls of Rexburg. A nephew, Trevor Williams and his family of Downey, ID, joined the reunion. A highlight of these four days was the birth of a second son to Rebecca and Mikel Beardall at the Portneuf Regional Hospital in Pocatello. He will be named Ethan William Beardall.

The July Community Family Night at the Ballpark was well attended. It was good – good food, good company, good fun, a time of getting to know your neighbor. There were a few game groups and before the evening finished there were enough people interested to get up a game of softball.  We will miss this monthly get-together when schedules and weather changes.

July 23, 2025

 

Darron and Tracee Pulsipher have moved to Mink Creek. At first they had difficulties with building permits, but once solved their new home began to take shape. When the trusses arrived recently suddenly their efforts took off with a new house on the hillside.

Steve and Terry Mainini have returned to the heat of this summer. They took a five-week extended tour of Alaska and their only extra passenger was their housecat, Trouble. It started with a motorhome drive to Washington state, boarding a ferry there three days later, 1000 miles to the north, which carried them up to Skagway, AK. The adventure provided a mix of views and experiences: The Yukon, Jasper, beautiful scenery, wildlife, landslides, glaciers. Some areas were burnt after wildfires. It was smoky around Denali. The motorhome indicated a trip of 6500 miles. Steve said they traveled the Alaskan Highway, in reverse. It was great, it was fun, and the three of them are glad to be home in Mink Creek.

Katharine and Leon Noorda are at their summer apartment in the Keller Apartments for the next few weeks. This is a family tradition and more guests are expected.

Carol and Richard Wall are summering at the home of her parents, Larry and Lillian Hansen on Bear Creek. This place once belonged to Larry's ancestors.

Members of the congregation of the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered for giving their meeting place a thorough deep cleaning. There were some interesting discoveries along the way in various closets and each nook and cranny is now dusted and polished, ready for more use in the future.

One of those quick storms that brought little moisture but lots of wind recently passed through. Windrows of hay in the fields were scattered, stalks of growing corn bent over, and gardens left in various styles of survival. Mink Creek's green is gone, now our hillsides are looking crisp and dry. A stroll outdoors is apt to bring you back with burrs and cheat grass attached to your hems and socks. We are grateful for every drop of water for both farms and yards.

July 16, 2025

 

Even the outdoor temperature for Mink Creek's annual Fourth of July celebration was great. The ballpark was full to the brim with people and activities. The day commenced with a softball game played by volunteers. Even with some light rain clouds the airplane candy drop made a couple of rounds. A patriotic program was under the direction of Capt. Michael Jepsen with assistance from other veterans. Games spread all over the park: a slack line, a barrel bull, doughnuts on a string, volleyball, dodgeball, face painting, a tipsy table, roping a longhorn(wooden), puck-it, a bounce house, and possibly even more. No could complain about lack of opportunity for fun. John Dahle provided his special brand of music throughout the day. Clare Christensen's crew and the Ostler's Dutch-oven potatoes rolled out a very satisfying meal, topped off with a piece of celebratory cake created by Leah Costley Gilbert. It was decorated with the Declaration of Independence. The hill hosting the water slide was kept busy most of the day.

Kent and Tammy Beardall drove to Spanish Fork, UT, to hear their grandson Braxton Beardall speak prior to leaving for his missionary training. He will be speaking Spanish and laboring in the Columbia, Medellin Mission. His parents are Shawn and Callie Beardall.

Robert and Phee Crosland and some of their children were able to attend a tradition titled Crosland Cousins' Reunion. The location depends on the residency of the host, this year it was held in Farmington, UT.

Mink Creek's population increased by three in the last few weeks, all babies arriving this summer. Emma and Logan Shurtz with their first, Leigha and Cade Nicholls, with their third, and Marissa and Cole Jepsen for two.

Carson Christensen was ordained an Elder of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Mink Creek Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.. Family and friends gathered to witness this occasion.

Another crop of hay is in the middle of harvest, various stages as the weather is very drying, unless it decides to send a cloudburst. As for gardens-- some items seem to be thriving in the heat, others fighting for life with voracious insects. One of those kinds of summers.

July 9, 2025

 

The family of Karl Haws brought him to Mink Creek from California to celebrate Fathers' Day. The perfect gift in this case. All of his children were able to be here except Max who had scheduled a cruise long before. It was so fun to have them all here. For now Kasey lives in Mink Creek, Lauren in the area, but the rest did some traveling: Peter, Adam, Aaron, Andrea. Mink Creek is second home to the whole bunch.

Hazen Baird, the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, has received a mission call to serve in the Chile, Vin`a del Mar Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will begin the home mission training program in October. Hazen will be speaking Spanish and will later go to the MTC in Mexico City.

The first Family Night at the Ballpark for the summer of 2025 was attended by around 60 people, all ages. Sloppy Joes were provided for dinner and it was potluck for side dishes and desserts. There are always interesting choices to be made with the offerings, salads, chips, pickles, etc. Cookies, cakes, sometimes even a pie. Some had brought board games, others games that could be played in the grassy areas of the park. It was a great night and there is anticipation for the next one. We like being together.

Summer goes with family reunions. The Harley and Lima Jepsen family gathered at the Mink Creek Ballpark for this family event. Eighty-four Jepsens were able to be in attendance. The group later met at the family farm, now home to Michael and MaryAnn Jepsen. The children of Harley and Lima are Eleanor, Carolyn, Lee Ann, Michael, Jonathan and Susan. Activities were plentiful, one many tried was that of climbing “Harley's Hill”, eastward, at least to the banks of the canal. Family heritage stories and lessons were shared.

The amazing July 4^th celebration is a wrap and already it feels like it is mid-July with everyone talking about the coming Preston's Famous Night Rodeo. Summer seems to just go scooting at a fast pace.

July 2, 2025

 

The family of Karl Haws brought him to Mink Creek from California to celebrate Fathers' Day. The perfect gift in this case. All of his children were able to be here except Max who had scheduled a cruise long before. It was so fun to have them all here. For now Kasey lives in Mink Creek, Lauren in the area, but the rest did some traveling: Peter, Adam, Aaron, Andrea. Mink Creek is second home to the whole bunch.

LaMar and Claudine McKague flew to Vancouver, WA, for a special occasion. Their son, Sam, was being called to serve as a counselor in his local bishopric and an ordination was needed. LaMar was honored to be able to perform that for Sam. Getting to spend time with Sam's wife, Sierra and little boy Henry was the icing on the cake.

With county roads getting the chip and seal work done now our village has been full of gravel trucks and all the equipment intended to improve our traveling. Thank you, Franklin County Road Department. The State Highway Department is also working on Highway 36.

Hazen Baird, the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, has received a mission call to serve in the Chile, Vin`a del Mar Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will begin the home mission training program in October. Hazen will be speaking Spanish and will later go to the MTC in Mexico City.

The first Family Night at the Ballpark for the summer of 2025 was attended by around 60 people, all ages. Sloppy Joes were provided for dinner and it was potluck for side dishes and desserts. There are always interesting choices to be made with the offerings, salads, chips, pickles, etc. Cookies, cakes, sometimes even a pie. Some had brought board games, others games that could be played in the grassy areas of the park. It was a great night and there is anticipation for the next one. We like being together.

Things are gearing up for the annual Mink Creek July 4th celebration, this is a long-standing event.  There have been changes over the many years---no longer a ranch rodeo, the menu is different, the grandstand is gone.  It still brings many ex-residents home for the holiday along with guests to enjoy the fun.