February 4, 2026

 

Wes Hansen has been up at the Hansen House for a weekend. It is a good break from his job in Ogden and will always answer that call of “home.” His sister, Roxann, married Wes Beutler of Dayton and so there are two Wes connections with the Hansen bunch. A son of the Beutlers came to have some down time in Mink Creek as well.

Greenlee Christensen, daughter of Kerry and Lacey Christensen, is a member of the Preston High Phi Dels performing group. These girls put in many hours learning dance routines and performing. As the school year moves along they also have competition events. The performances are beautiful.

Elsie McKague was barely returned from her studies at BYU/I in Rexburg before she was off on a cruise with a friend, Natalie Heki, of Providence, UT. They went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and . loved the warm ocean, scenery, relaxation following this fall session of school

The warmer temperatures of southern Utah have attracted some of our residents. ReNae Egley attended an annual Widow/Widowers Conference where she could reconnect with friends in similar situations and make plans for future gatherings. Candy Longhurst was off on a hiking adventure down around Moab, UT, on a Retreat. With her friends she traveled the Delicate Arch trail. They found some snow, did some hard hiking, and soaked up some winter sunshine.

Mink Creek got some snow this past week to put smiles on our faces. Following the snow some hours later came the winter fog, smiling not so much.

These warmer days are waking up our nocturnal wildlife. We are especially aware that the skunks are out and waddling here and there. When they meet with traffic in the night hours the whole neighborhood is affected in all directions.Aromatic!

January 29, 2026

 

With the winter sports programs at Preston High School in full swing the lives of two of our youth are pretty busy. Josie Christensen, daughter of Dan and Casey Christensen, and Conner Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, are both part of the PHS Cheer Squad. Practices and performances take up quite a few hours each week. Competitions for cheering are also part of these programs.

Charles and Sarah Swann and their children have been making frequent trips to Mink Creek lately to give support to his sister Penny and their father Reed Swann who has been recently hospitalized. Charles and Sarah live in Donnelly, ID.

Jay and Kristin Collins were able to have all three of their children in Mink Creek for a visit at the same time. With the three scattered: Davis in Logan, Claire in Boise, Bailey in Salt Lake City, schedules with jobs make this an event for the Collins family.

The Young Women group have been collecting cake mixes, disposable baking pans, frosting mixes and all such things as needed to combine for assembling Birthday Cake Packages to be available at local food pantries. Their philosophy is that everyone needs a celebration when it comes to being one year older.

A brief snowstorm, unexpected, moved through and brought enough to whiten the landscape.  The following morning Mink Creek woke to heavy winter fog that took several hours before lifting.  Things were white-- sky, mountains, backyards, sidewalks.  What a winter this has been!

January 21, 2026

 

The family of Kurt and Margret Iverson made a trip to Provo, UT, to witness the sustaining of their son Charles Iverson as a counselor in his Provo ward bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All of a sudden Charles has taken on a new maturity, as it goes with this calling.

Mink Creek basketball fans are having fun attending the PHS boys games and cheering for two players with Mink Creek connections. Elliot Keller, son of Jesse and Shawna Keller is playing on the JV team. Porter Galloway, grandson of ReNae and the late Kent Egley, is a starter on the Varsity squad.

The youth of the LDS Ward and their adult leaders gathered at the Per and Cassie Danfors home in this month of January, 2026. It was a great way to start the new year with a testimony fireside.

Kent and Tammy Beardall drove down to Spanish Fork, UT. Grandson Kaysen Beardall, the son of Shawn and Callie  Beardall was being ordained to the office of a priest.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month in Preston at the home of Linda Carlson. Nearly all members of the camp were able to start the new year together. Julie Westerberg gave a lesson on the Iron of Iron County in Utah and how the early pioneers had given some thought of mining in that area

The flu bug, new or old version, is not through with our village yet. There are others with serious health issues as well. Nate and Dana Olson went to Utah to be with family during the holidays. While there Nate suffered with a heart attack and they are still in Utah while he recuperates. Eldon Wilcox had some shoulder surgery and now, along with his sling he is wearing a heart monitor. We are happy to have him home.

It has been reported that people are hiking in this mid January dryness. Granted it is cold, but dressed appropriately for the outdoors, hiking is a warm activity. The scenery is still beautiful, the views amazing.

January 14, 2026

 

There is nothing like the holidays to having residents on the move. Wayne and Jackie Olsen drove down to Morgan, UT, for some good family time. Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen went to Coalville, UT, to be with their son and family. Jeremy Christensen and his children came home to Mink Creek to be with his parents, Wally and Kim Christensen

Steve and Terry Mainini  had their kids come home. Angelina and Iyar Koren and their two girls live in the Salt Lake City area. Tony Mainini came down from Pocatello where he is employed with his computer skills at Idaho State University.

Beverly and Doug Bruderer celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary in Hawaii recently. They came home with tanned complexions and loved soaking up the real warmth of the islands as opposed to the strange winter warm around here.

Adam and Camene Haws and family of SolVang, CA, were able to spend a couple of weeks at the Haws central home. Now that two Haws siblings, Kasey and Julia Haws and Lauren and Ken Nash, have relocated to Franklin County from California, this was a lengthy family reunion type holiday.

Phee and Robert Crosland went to Rigby, ID, to the home of their daughter Malia and Jason Kunde. Their daughter Kaylee Kunde was speaking in their LDS Ward, prior to her leaving to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic.

Four young men in the Mink Creek Ward of the LDS Church have recently been ordained to priesthood offices. Conner Iverson to the office of an Elder, Jared Cheney to the office of a Priest, Isaac Cheney as a Teacher, and Timber Christensen as a Deacon. Timber is the newest member of the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum.

We have been given enough snow to attract the snowmobiling enthusiasts and are receiving happy reports. One caution is to be careful of snow-covered lumps and humps—there could be boulders or tree stumps lying in wait for your machine.

Happy New Year, 2026

 

If a person has had a hard time getting in the spirit of the season, being part of the congregation on the Christmas Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would bring it home. It was filled with Christmas songs and thoughts of Jesus Christ bringing Light to the World. A special program included a Christmas Choir, directed by Corey Nielson, singing “Little One” and “Still, Still, Still.” Jillian Iverson and Emma Shurtz combined for a duet of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Our Primary children rendered, “Sing for the King,” under the direction of Terrie McKay. Mink Creek ward is blessed with musical talents and four accompanists for these numbers were Judy Wilde, Terrie McKay, ReNae Egley and AnnaBeth Olson. Appropriate thoughts for the season were expressed by Emma Rasmussen, Casey Christensen, Erik Danfors, and Bishop Jared Keller.

Mink Creek community has enjoyed having two Christmas stars shining in the December darkness as one travels the main road. One is atop the Erickson/McKay grain silo, another graces the wall of the Danfors barn, they are different in design, but both meaningful. Reminders of the joy of the season.

Jim and Debbie Harrison have bee enjoying the lengthy fall weather of Mink Creek. The temperatures of St George have not been a sufficient temptation to transfer there for the the winter just yet.

We have had a seasonal illness making its way through our homes for several weeks. These circumstances do have a way of taking much of the enjoyment out of the holiday season when plans disappear for the endurance.

Wally and Kim Christensen always welcome a visit from a former neighbor, Sharon Moran, of Pocatello. Sharon reports recently that she is planning a trip east to North Carolina to visit her son Will Moran and his wife.

To say there has been no snow, it may seem strange to report the slick, icy, snowy road of Highway 36, over into Bear Lake County. Recently a large truck didn't make a curve, turned over and it took some time before the law enforcement and repair crews could get the road cleared for “normal winter travel.” Motorists going up to Copenhagen for some snowmobile activity drive very carefully, particularly if they are pulling a loaded trailer.

Two weeks worth, Mink Creek, Dec 17, 24,2025

 17th--Roxy and Mack Daniels and their three children have recently returned from a lengthy road trip. It covered thousands of miles as they visited eight different states. It was an exciting fun time with many things to see and discover.

DUP Syringa Camp enjoyed a Christmas party held in Preston. Mary Ann Jepsen is the captain of the camp. They considered the celebrations for the day from years ago and trials of getting the mail. Lorraine Christensen told of stories from early mail carriers, riding horseback or with a team and wagon, dealing with challenges along their routes. Leah Costley Gilbert of Fairview catered the group with a festive luncheon.

The youth of our community were invited to see The Forgotten Carols, at the Worm Creek theatre. They joined youth from other wards, including Glendale for this event. Activities are often combined for the young men and women since our numbers are few. Earlier they played miniature golf, indoor, in the basement classrooms and hallway of the meetinghouse. It makes for some interesting and careful maneuvers with golf clubs on the unusual “ golf course.”

Dallon Baird , son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, and Emily Waddoups, daughter of Jeff and Heidi Waddoups of Preston were married in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A reception followed that evening of Dec 10 at the Preston North Stake House.

Not long ago an accident in the Strawberry Canyon due to the icy road left behind a frightened dog named Olive. Olive could be heard barking by those that frequent the canyon for several days. Her owners were desperate to locate her. From all reports, after several days the task has been accomplished and Olive is once again warm and comfy where she belongs.

24th--Huxley Lyn Colleen Rynes, infant daughter of Whitney and Zach Rynes, was given a blessing with her name at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mink Creek. This was a five generation

occasion and celebrated with a family gathering. Great great grandparents, Warren and Colleen Wilde live in Mink Creek. Many last names of connected family were happy to witness this young lady's official naming: Rynes, Chatterton, Wilde, Carter, Ashbeaker, Bishop. Most were able to meet for lunch later at the Riverdale Resort.

The youth of the community, plus anyone who wanted, went Christmas caroling throughout the village. With this open invitation it turned out to be a good sized group. They had hot chocolate and cookies arranged for refreshments and some of the home visited offered hot chocolate or cider and treats as then made their way to various homes.

Brandi and Jake Allred and their family came down from Idaho Falls for a weekend with Brandi's parents, Jody and Bret Rasmussen. Kim and Sam Daines and daughters of Lehi spent some days with Kim's mother, Judy Clark.

Phee and Robert Crosland made the drive to Worland, WY recently. They were able to spend several days there with daughter Celina and Jesse Grosebeck and their little girls before home obligations sent them back to Mink Creek. They managed to slip through a gap in Wyoming storms as they traveled with the snow and winds making for difficulties.

The community Christmas Party was well attended, held in the cultural hall of the LDS Church. Beautifully decorated tables with evergreen boughs and sparkling ornaments done by Laurel Wilde, added much to the evening. A dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, carrots and rolls with a serving of carrot cake for dessert was served by the youth. Lacey Christensen was in charge of the evening with Kim Christensen, Jonia Jackson, Vickie Free, Kaytlin Jackson and Sharon Moran sporting aprons in the kitchen. The youth presented a program reminding all of the Light of Christ in the season with carols and narration. Santa made a visit and all headed for home ready for the holiday.

 And... add to this that the editor of the Preston Citizen passed away from a massive stroke, which made for some questions about future issues, etc. for a bit.   That said, we did not have a New Year's Eve paper.    Hopefully we are now settled in with a new editor and our last two issues have been ten pages in length, rather than the dwindling six that we have had for some time.

The Citizen is also hopeful that residents will call us with upcoming events so we can cover things locally.  The new editor is also willing for residents to write up stories of local interest and submit to copy@prestoncitizen.com for possible publication.  We are hoping for more writers, we have been very limited in the past and one person can only cover so much mileage/places in any given week.  Help revitalize our local newspaper, the only one that really cares about Franklin County, Idaho.

I appreciate your concerns for me personally when no blog arrived.  I was a bit on overload, more than usual. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!