August 27, 2025

 

Wedding bells will be ringing for Chalis Jensen and Vanessa Griffeth on September 13. Chalis is the son of Kalee Jensen Bair and the late Shawn Jensen. Vanessa is the daughter of Debbie Griffeth and the late Kent Griffeth. The wedding will take place at the Eagles Landing in Smithfield, UT. Let the celebration moments begin!

A trio of Abernethys from far away came to Mink Creek for a quick overnighter among family. Danalee Erickson and Gene Abernthy and their son Daniel were in the Salt Lake City area for the funeral of Gene's mother and postponed their return to their homes to reconnect for just a few hours to Danalee's home in this valley. They stayed with a sister, Kristin and Jay Collins, visited with another sister, Claudine and LaMar McKague and Danalee's parents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. The senior Abernethys live in Prescott, AZ and Daniel Abernethy has a home in Massachusetts.

Our final ballpark party for the year, that we think of as “End of Summer,” was more structured and very well attended, people filling up the complete pavilion space and overflowing to chairs in the park. The complete dinner was furnished---chicken, tri tip, pork chops or lamb chops, Dutch-oven potatoes, tossed salad and rolls, chased by ice cream sandwiches for dessert. The lamb chops are a throwback to Mink Creek early celebrations where members of the community would donate a lamb from their flocks for the menu of a celebration. The program for this evening was live music from Carter Junction---a man and wife duo, Clint on guitar, Sarah on harp and hand drum. Their selections were varied: old-time country, Johnny Cash, some original, Irish ballads. It was a wonderful evening, a new resident commented that “This place is always doing 'something' together.” It has always been this way and is oft referred to as “the magic of Mink Creek.”

A last a good overall rain that lasted in a gentle continual dripping. Music to the land, our wildlife, our residents. Already there is a boosting for all things live that need this moisture. Gardens are being shared throughout the community with many smiles accompanying having some surplus to share.

August 19, 2025

 

4H leaders and kids have wrapped up their summer projects for the Franklin County Fair. It is show time no matter the project, be it an animal that has become a pet, a hand crafted project, cooking, sewing or just learning a new skill. This also means that school days are just around the corner.

The youth of Mink Creek took advantage of having the Bear River flowing down their backyard and had an evening of floating the river. Life jackets were required, in addition to their tubes and floating devices. Food is always a part if these activities, this time it was pizza and milkshakes.

The Young Women group drove over to the Paris Ice Caves near Bear Lake for a learning adventure. Paul McKay instructed and helped them with rappelling. It is an experience to learn “I can do hard thing.” Fourteen people participated in this activity and had a great time.

Charles and Sarah Swann and their children came down from Donnelly, ID, to give some assistance to his father Reed and sister Penny while they have been dealing with some health issues.

Recently Kristina and John Gore and their children Joseph, George and Siena were able to spend some time with her parents, Clifford and LaDawn Jensen at their place perched on the hillside above Station Creek. Besides Mink Creek they managed some time at beautiful Bear Lake. The Gores live in Vienna, VA and were checking some colleges in the west for the futures of their children.

The first day of school in the Preston School District has arrived. First day pictures being taken, some with happy smiles, others a bit more disgruntled, that may only last until they meet their friends in the school halls or on the playground. There is even the possibility of making new friends. It is a time to adjust schedules, mentally and physically. Even with this overly hot season this year, it is a welcome change in most homes.

August 13, 2025

 

It is that time of year when aspiring pedal bikers are practicing for the upcoming LOTOJA race that takes place annually in the fall. A portion of the race takes place on East Highway 36 as it climbs the canyon here in Mink Creek and drops into Montpelier. Even these hot afternoons do not discourage these athletes as they pedal their way through Mink Creek.

Rodeo weekend is another “come home” event. Dean and Michelle Wilde and family were down from Pocatello. Daughters of John and Edith Olsen came up from their various homes in Utah, so glad they still consider Mink Creek 'home.' Peggy and Jon Flinders and children of Rigby, and Dana and Charles Peterson's family of Meridian were spending this time with their parents, Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson.

Elder Erik-Niklas Danfors is home with his parents, Per and Cassie Danfors, after spending two years of missionary service in Tanzania, Africa. The Danfors family have moved to Mink Creek while Erik has been gone so he is becoming acquainted with new territory even on his return.

The infant son of Walter and Jillian Iverson was given his name and a blessing while the Iverson family gathered at the home of grandparents, Kurt and Margret Iverson. The baby was named Wells Walter Iverson. All of the Iverson siblings shared this day: Johnny and Gabby Iverson and children from Texas, Andrew and Annalise Iverson and Charles and Taylor Iverson of Provo, UT, Alexis and David Strong and children now of Colorado, plus Conner, now a senior at PHS. Great grandparents, Johnny and Jeannine Iverson were excited for the joy of this day.

Our community has had some dog problems lately. Some canine, or canines , on the loose during night hours, have gotten into a couple of flocks of chickens and killed them all. Hopefully the culprit(s) will soon be located and taken care of.

August 6, 2025

 

With the approach of school days once again, the leaders of the Young Women and Young Men organizations combined efforts to have a career panel to present a variety of future employment possibilities. In addition to job descriptions there was ample time for questions and answers. Most of those participating on the panel are currently residents of the Mink Creek community. Occupations included were: diesel mechanic, doctor, nurse, military, teacher, farmer, geotechnical engineer, retired FBI agent, commercial real estate and therapist. This activity was well attended and was a time of expanded learning for all connected. There were refreshments of homemade carrot cake to top off the evening.

Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was ordained an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this past week. Friends and family witnessed this occasion, among them were grandparents Terry and LeAnn Orton and Lana Baird and her husband Paul Swainston. The new Elder Baird will begin his missionary service in October.

There has been a recent change in the Sunday School Presidency of the Mink Creek LDS Ward. The new president is Kasey Haws with Wynn Costley as his First Counselor and Walter Iverson as the Second Counselor. Released after years of service in these positions were Terry Westerberg, president and Kim Bullock and Paul Auger, counselors. Robert Crosland was released as the First Counselor in the Stake Sunday School for the Preston East Stake organization.

Our highway 36 is looking spiffy, thanks to the state crew with the new paint up, fix up business this past month. The summer traffic is heavy this year, day and night. One of our resident deer was taken out the other night and I think that will leave 2 fawns orphans.