October 28, 2025

 Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, has begun his service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Extended family gathered in a show of support, among them his grandparents, Terry and LeAnn Orton of Whitney and Lana Baird Swainston and her husband Paul Swainston of Preston. Siblings were Julianna and Blaine Packer and family of Weston, ID, James Baird and his children and Dallon Baird of Burley, ID, plus aunts and uncles. Hazen will be serving in the Chile, Vina del Mar, Mission, speaking Spanish. After his time at the Home MTC he will be transferred to the Mission Training Center for language training in Mexico City for a month.

We regret the recent death of Joseph McPherson Jarvis on October 21, 2025. He was hospitalized at the time, suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. He is the husband of Kathy Jarvis. Their family who ghave lived in this area are their daughter Jennifer and her husband Jeff Seamons and their sons: Joseph, Samuel, David, Benjamin, Jacob and Jonathan who is curreently serving an LDS mission in Brazil. Funeral services were in the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 26, 2025.

The community held their annual Apple Press Party at the Workshop of Clare and Linda Christensen. It is always a fun night. The Elders Quorum are in charge and invite people to bring apples from their orchards. This is not a requirement to attend and it is suggested to bring empty containers to hold the juice. All who so desire can take home a jug or two of apple juice. Several people share the use of their apple presses and the party begins. Along with the activity there are hot dogs and plenty of snacks to brighten up the evening.

It is Box Elder bug invasion time, along with various other creatures that are seeking an indoor housing arrangement for the coming winter months. We've had a little bit of snow, but nothing of the staying variety, barely a flake formed before it hit the ground, turning into just a raindrop.

October 21, 2025

 

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month at the LDS Meetinghouse in Mink Creek. Lorraine Christensen and Mary Jean Rasmussen were the hostesses. Eleven members of the camp attended and the DUP county representative was Beverly Cox. Julie Westerberg gave a beautiful lesson about a pioneer artist, Frederick Piercy. Born in Great Britain, his art depicted the migration of the members of the church as they croseds the nation to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.

Hunting season has been successful for many this year. Living in 'deer country' has lots of disadvantages as they rob our gardens and orchards all during the growing season, they pop out onto the roadways with no warning often causing collisions. Still, when the season of deer harvesting comes around there is no need to travel great distances in order to find some likely specimens of venison for winter freezing.

College getting underway has taken several of our residents northward to BYU/Idaho. Elsie McKague, daughter of Claudine and LaMar McKague enjoyed a class that took her to Europe earlier this year. Erik, Kalle, and Krister Danfors, sons of Per and Cassie Danfors, are all attending school in Rexburg, ID.

Claudine and LaMar McKague took a week's break to go to Vancouver, WA, for fun and help. The help was in a building project, a shed in the backyard of their son Samuel and Sierra McKague. The fun was visiting and playing with Sierra and their year-old son Henry, who is now mobile and into everything.

Janet Olson Bergera, of Payson, UT, passed away on October 11, after a long siege of illness. Janet grew up in Mink Creek, the daughter of John and Edith Olson. John taught biology at Preston High.  Janet's surviving sisters are Margaret Wright, Karen Tribett, Nancy Puente, Mary Carter, and Emily Johnson. The Olson sisters have kept in close contact with Mink Creek with frequent visits throughout their adult years, it will always be part of “home.”

This is a fall to make you wish you were here. It has been beautiful, and still is, with colors muted. Our hunters were happy for the most part. Fields plowed and ready for the deposit of rain and snow to soak deep the earth rather than running down the slopes on frozen ground. The air is crisp, great for breathing, and a jacket can take care of the accompanying chill.

October 15, 2025

 

Four homes are under various stages of construction in Mink Creek as the signs of cooler weather arrive. Logan and Emma Shurtz and their son Guy are located at the top of Capitol Hill Road. Darron and Tracee Pulsipher are building a home off of 5600 East, and have been living in a trailer on the site during much of the building process. The Crosland home is literally rising from the ashes after the fire that wiped them out this past winter. After making numerous decisions the couple decided that Mink Creek is still the place that is “Home.” The home of Stuart and Alona Ostler and family has been getting a huge remodel, with a totally new look, designed by themselves.

Additional building has been going on all year at the Matt and Chelsea Rhees ranch on Birch Creek Road. New ranch outbuildings and yards, plus more yards of gravel, fences, are transforming their place.

In spite of the very soggy rain-filled day of October 4 the wedding of Stetson Ostler and Abby Lyon was bright and radiant. It took place at the Mountain Maple Ranch, in beautiful surroundings. Due to the situation umbrellas simply became part of the décor. It was a day of rejoicing for their friends and family.

The Mink Creek Makers, a title for ladies of all ages that choose to get together, getting to know each other. The time could be called a “Crafternoon” as they bring their own choice of craft to work on, be it crocheting, knitting, embroidery, etc., or nothing, just for the sociability. It takes place at the Per Danfors home. There is no “stated membership” just fun and interest. It is a throwback to Mink Creek's early days when a chance to visit was sought and distances rather far between homes, and no phones, electricity. It brings joy and friendship. The day and time may vary.

Our first day of snow was beautiful and cold. It turned the upper reaches of our surrounding mountains into clean, white sparkling splendor for the morning hours. We are glad it didn't stay, but expect its return visits, up and down the slopes until our yards and gardens are also white.

October 8, 2025

 

Several residents have spread the word that they have pears, peaches, garden produce to share, all ready for picking. Pumpkins and gourds are starting to show up on decorative entryways. The milk-weed pods are bursting with clouds of seeded puff. Some home owners have the large sunflowers still following the sun, but the wild small sunflowers are past their best season, ready to bow out and turn to seed.

The community held an Emergency Preparedness Evening with workshops for both youth and adults. Kim Christensen was in charge. Childcare was provided so parents of youngsters could attend and take advantage of ideas that were featured in several areas.

Robert and Phee Crosland and various parts of their family, plus Richard and Vickie Free, have been on an early fall ocean cruise. Fun in Florida, fun on the water, glitches taken care of. The whole point was being together, relaxing and having fun and that was accomplished for all ages.

Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson were able to attend a farewell meeting in Brigham City for their granddaughter who is leaving to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the daughter of Michael and Anna Olson.

This past weekend was the date for the wedding of Stetson Ostler, son of Stuart and Alona Ostler of Mink Creek, and Abby Lyon. Congratulations are in order.  Yes, it was a rainy day, but umbrellas and cooperation from all involved in any way made it an absolutely beautiful day for the starting of this new Ostler family.

There has been a young bull moose doing some wandering around in our Birch Creek area. He is given a wide berth by the neighbors most of the time. One of the residents' fences suffered from an encounter with this guy.

There are still turkeys  feeding on spilled grain from trucks driving through.  They can have a big impact on passing vehicles and they always think they have the right of way.