March 17, 2026

 Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Mother Nature is sure trying to wear green.  Weeds and spring flowers way ahead of themselves.  Can't help but wonder what will be coming up.  Saw a tractor in the field today.

Several Mink Creek residents made the trip to Boise to cheer for the Preston Indians at the Idaho State Basketball Championship tournament. Most of them have been attending the PHS games the whole season so this is just taking their enthusiasm to follow the team. It has been a great year with much thanks to Coach Jones and the team.

Richard Free managed to recover from his most recent health issue so that he and his wife, Vickie, could make a trip to the Philippines for a lengthy vacation. There was plenty of motivation involved when it came time to cancel the planned trip. The Philippines was where Richard had served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints quite some time ago and it is the first time for Elder Free to return to the lands of those years of service. According to reports he is doing very well in the warmth of the tropics and having the opportunity to rekindle many fond memories with Filipino friends.

It was a four generation celebration for the blessing and naming of Carter McKay recently. This tiny boy is the son on Andy and Brittany McKay, the grandson of Paul and Terrie McKay of Mink Creek, and the great -grandson of Layne and Karen Erickson, also of Mink Creek, all witnessing the occasion. This event took place in Preston. Carter's family history lines on his mother's side also take him back to Mink Creek with great-grandparents, Elmer and Loenza Oliverson

The snowmobile bunch are continuing making the trip to the northern canyons, postponing their closing day as long as possible. It makes one wonder how there can be enough parking areas for them and their outfits near accessible snow depth for the machines.

Marching On, March 11, 2026

 

The young men of the community and their leaders spent an evening at the wood workshop of Clare Christensen. The project for that night was to make their own wooden mission plaques. These will be finished at a future time, when each young man is called to serve as a missionary somewhere across the world and these plaques displayed in the church building while they are serving.

Jenny and Phil Christensen have retuned from a vacation in Mexico and have returned safe and sound. The recent upheaval among the drug cartels of Mexico occurred during their vacation. The Christensens managed to relax and soak up lots of southern sunshine before returning home.

The Young Women's organization attended the Legacy Branch in Preston at the Franklin County Medical Center, Transitional Care. It was fun getting to know some of the residents. There is a lot of history that comes to light with these activities. They shared a trivia game and then asked questions that allowed all ages to share memories and experiences from their lives.

The community activity night for February was a throwback to days long ago. The Activity committee dubbed it as “Silly Songs and Chili Night.” The food, obviously was potluck chili and desserts, with instruction to those attending to bring one or the other to share. No two chilis were the same, one more chance for creativity. The program consisted of any and all who were willing to come up with something along the silly line in theatrics and song. Costumes were encouraged but not necessary. This evening did not disappoint, around 15 numbers were performed. Two of them performed and then gave instructions for the audience to learn the basics. One of those was a Swedish folk song about frogs and pigs. The night was bursting with creativity and all ages could perform. There was laughter, music, and food, a perfect party.

Mother Nature is in charge and when she decides to go full-speed ahead, that is what happens. Early spring plants that wait for warmer temperatures are answering the call to rise and it is happening. This past confusing season now has green shoots popping up, totally ignoring that our calendars claim it is only March. The winds however are coming in true March-style. Warm jackets and kites can be part of the agenda.

March 4, 2026

 

Conner Iverson, youngest child of Kurt and Margret Iverson, has received his much anticipated call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be serving in the Mexico, Mexico City West Mission, Spanish-speaking. Conner will enter the home mission training on June 4 and then transfer to the MTC in Mexico City later in the month.

Jesse and Annavelynn Wilcox and their son Desmond recently returned from a cruise. Based in Florida their activities took in several items connected with the Kennedy Space Center and checking out NASSA. There were lots of fun aquatic events included and lots of learning. It was not part of the plan, but they brought home a flu bug of some sort, not intended as a souvenir. All three are now recovered we happily report.

There has been music in the air when the Young Women's group invited the Young Men group to a dancing activity to learn some line dances and cultural dances. The instructors were Greenlee Christensen and an adult leader, Jillian Iverson, both of whom have experience in the field of dance. There was a good turnout and claimed to be “one of the best” combined activities in the community for quite a while. That indicates everyone had fun and learned new things. There is nothing quite like new dance steps for one's social repertoire.

The mail has brought seed catalogs and local home greenhouses are getting ready for the approaching season. Not sure what to expect—will it be spring, or has spring sprung and maybe it will be winter. After the strange winter where it should still be snowing, any local green thumb has to feel a bit in suspension. There are rumors of crocus and early tulips, daffodils already.

It is turkey time and you need to be aware during those speedy drives through Mink Creek, on your way to get to work or wherever on time.  Those critters do like to graze near the highway.

February 25, 2026

 

The month started off with a faith and fun gathering at the home of Johnny and Jeannine Iverson. It was labeled as “Testimony Cake.” The local youth and leaders were invited to attend.

The Syringa camp of the DUP held their monthly meeting at Ramona Lower's home in Riverdale. This camp has members who live in Riverdale, Mink Creek and Preston. Colleen Wilde and Karen Erickson were hostesses and furnished a nice pasta salad lunch, wrapping it up with Colleen's specialty of homemade candy, pioneer style.

Jordan and Kassidie Gunnell are now full-time residents of Mink Creek. Jordan is the son of Jill Peterson and the Gunnells are living in the home on Brian and Jilll's ranch. It is a good arrangement with the Petersons having one home in Mink Creek and another in Utah to maintain with livestock and ranch chores.

Jeremy Christensen and his children have been at his parents home, that of Kim and Wally Christensen. It is always startling to see how fast those kids are growing up.

If you run into Stuart Ostler of Mink Creek, ask him how the fishing has been. He recently did a trip and came home with a big grin on his face. Ice and cold were the surroundings but the catch totally offset any discomfort he may have felt.

A two day snow storm that really happened! We have waited all winter! Shovels, snowblowers, snowplows were alert and in action. Newcomers to our village who came thinking this would be their first winter and wondered where it went are now getting a taste of the real thing. The moisture is needed and the sparkling scenery is beautiful. There may even be enough for sleigh riding in some areas.

And then it melted, we have had rain,  sun and the snow is scheduled to return according to the nightly news.  I think this season must be Sprinter, and that has nothing to do with speed or racing.  One thing is certain, we have no idea what to expect.

February 18, 2026

 

Usually one thinks of vacation time in the brightness of summer but we have had several of our residents take some time recently for a cruise with their families. Kent and Tammy Beardall joined their son Shawn and Cassie Beardall and their children for a cruise out of Florida. The ocean beckoned they did some snorkeling, found treasures and made lots of memories. A visit to Gatorland and becoming acquainted with the ways of alligators was a highlight of this trip.

Robert and Phee Crosland combined with their son Marco and Christina Crosland and their little girls on a Caribbean cruise. Marco and Christina live in Texas. On their return Robert and Phee spent some time with their daughter Arianna and Ben Hostetter and family, taking advantage of being in Texas. The Hostetter family recently moved from Colorado to Texas with an employment advancement. Trying to get flights that were not canceled on their journey back to Idaho was a challenge and they spent numerous hours in the Houston airport before finally getting a connection to get home. The motto from this experience, “There's No Place like Home.”

With the strange winter weather of this year the outside construction of two houses was finished. Both Darron and Tracee Pulsipher and Logan and Emma Shurtz were able to move into their homes. The finishing work continues from the inside, but it is ok to be inside out in this situation.

Generally we think of “winter camp” as something the young men tackle, building snow caves for a campout. Recently the Young Women of the LDS Ward and their leaders had a winter camp held at a cabin in Island Park. The activities differed from those held in warmer months, but they enjoyed every minute of learning and friendship.

Preston High basketball has quite a few dedicated fans from the Mink Creek population. Some of them had played on the high school team when they were students at PHS, or had a sibling or friend with that connection. Whatever the reason, for the girls and boys teams, it make for good entertainment on winter nights.

February 11, 2026

 

Elder Jeff Olson and Sister Barbara Olson have returned from their year of service at the Oakland Temple Visitors' Center of the San Francisco Mission. They spoke of their experiences to the Mink Creek Ward and described the beauty of Temple Hill that attracts many people from all over the world to come to the Visitors' Center. It was a day of family togetherness with relatives from both sides congregating, along with many friends to welcome them back.

Youth of the LDS Ward and their leaders made a drive to participate in work at the Star Valley Temple in Afton, WY. It is a beautiful place in beautiful surroundings. It is the first temple to be built in Wyoming by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves members in both Wyoming and Idaho.

A fun learning culinary activity for the Mink Creek youth was entitles “Chopped”, with similar activities to the televised show of that title. They were given ingredients and then needed to prepare food in the categories of appetizers, main dish and dessert. This involved about eleven young people and took place at the home of Per and Cassie Danfors. Cassie is the president of the Young Women's organization. Hopefully some of the attendees were also part of the cleanup crew.

David and Melanie Law brought some friends from Utah for a weekend at their place here. Bill Despain, former Mink Creeker, drove over from his present residence in Fielding, UT. His ties to our village bring him home every so often.

Keeping close tabs on weather forecasts, we were hoping for some storm this past week. However the storm at the village level was more of a skiff during the early morning hours. At this point the beginning of February looks like the normal end of March. Don't forget Valentine's Day, it is a day worth remembering, we all need to feel valued. From me—thanks for checking out the blog on this great spot on the map. Recently circumstances caused me to skip a couple of weeks. I so appreciated it when one of you called to see if all was well. Friends mean so much.

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!