April 22, 2026

 

The cute baby goats, calves and lambs must be wondering about this snowy environment. Usually the weather is great for their playing, racing and general fun times in these early days of their life. Snow fall doesn't match up well. These young critters are very entertaining.

Even though he had been ill for several months it was unexpected when Reen Swann passed away the last day of March. His funeral was held in the Mink Creek chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His daughter, Penny, is an active part of our community and his son, Charles with his wife Sarah and children live in Donnelly, ID. Penny and Reed had been planning to move closer to Charles. The weather cooperated for the burial in the cemetery east of the church.

Former resident, Carolyn Spatig, wife of Ronald, passed away recently. She has been living in Smithfield for some years and of course was connected to her sons who live in Franklin County. They grew up in Mink Creek.

Kim and Sam Daines and their daughter were up from Lehi, UT, and brought Judy Clark, Kim's mother of Preston, up for a reminder of the many years they lived in Mink Creek and the beautiful spring surroundings.

The Young Women's group got together for their part 2 of a Health Class. Jillian Iverson, one of the leaders, taught about effective ways to exercise throughout the day as a person goes about their normal routines. They reviewed the first health session on eating habits and the goals they had made. Now they added individual exercise goals to their original plans. On such a night it was only appropriate to have some fun and easy exercises to do while they were together, along with a healthy snack.

Lawn mowers getting their first workout of the season. Daffodils, tulips. Racing to bloom with the wildflowers. Golden Mule's Ears filling acres of hillsides. The home greenhouses offer lots of opportunities of being outside while working inside.

My posts may be off and on for a bit.  I am dealing with some surgery soon---a new hip of plastic and metal and lots of unanswered questions, timing, etc.  My mind is floating around with priorities these days .   You may know more about the doings in MC than I do.

April 8, 2026

 

Royce and Lorraine Christensen have received a missionary call to serve in the Tennessee, Knoxville Mission. As senior missionaries they will enter the Provo Missionary Training Center on May 4 to receive guidance serving in Member Leader Support. After spending a week there they will drive out to Knoxville. This next month will go by speedily for the Christensens.

Raphael Arnsworth stopped by for a visit after spending the last few months in several countries across the globe. His anticipated travel goals will now take him to California and more traveling on the western side of the earth, as he casts off from southern California.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward held an early Easter celebration. The community was invited to gather in the Cultural Hall of the Meetinghouse for dinner, a program, music, sharing artwork depicting Jesus Christ and later, an egg hunt.

Our early spring weather made it possible to have forsythia and pussy willows as part of the decorations. The entry way, hall and front stage were full to overflowing with various pieces of art depicting our Savior Jesus Christ in some way, there were all sizes and from very simple to quite ornate. Appropriate dinner music was played by Linda Christensen while people were served. The first video viewed was “Because of Him,” and then some home prepared videos of the Primary children expressing their thoughts about Easter, and another from Eldon and Danita Wilcox who are serving a mission at Bluff Fort .

Emma Rasmussen sang a solo, “Hallalujah” while parts of the life of Christ was depicted in a shadow play on the stage. LaMar McKague, a counselor in the ward bishopric, shared his own feelings about the holiday and bore testimony that the tomb is still empty, that Christ lives this Easter season. Each family attending received a “take home gift, “ a packet of quotes to share during the approaching Holy Week. Following the dismissal there was an Easter Egg Hunt outdoors for the children.

Great weekend for hiking the hills, but might encounter some muddy areas. The days have looked warmer than they actually were, but still encouraging for some outdoor fun and work.

April 1, 2026

 

There was a multi-birthday party at Paul and Terrie McKay's for the family of Layne and Karen Erickson. Celebrating all family birthdays in 2026 up to this date for families of the Ericksons and their children. Included are Bryan and Shannon Erickson of Wellsville and theirs, Julie and Todd Kunz of Idaho Falls and Paul and Terrie and theirs, and Connie and Adam Westenskow of Logan and theirs. The weather was good enough this year for burgers outside and pot luck offerings to make for a festive occasion and family fun. This group had one set of twin birthdays, Mother Karen and daughter Terrie.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met at LuJean Young's home for the month of March. Julie Westerberg gave a very interesting presentation on the topic of the Jewish immigrants contributions to the early days of the state of Utah. There were many skills from this influential group.

After many years the Voting Poll locations in Mink Creek, and other communities throughout the county will change. In most of these situations the voting has taken place in the LDS Meetinghouses because it was the only public building in the village. While this is still the case these buildings are increasing their security regulations and will no longer fill the needed government requirements. Mink Creek voters will need to go to the new Community Center in Preston on the election days.

Royce Christensen has been ito Boston, MA, recently for a Father and Sons outing with his sons Kevin and Fred. They visited many of the historic sites in the area, as well as the Boston temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The smell of rain, the sound of rain, rain splattering our windows. Absolutely wonderful. Such a boost to the earth and the people. This dry winter has been discouraging. Only the first of April and already our valley is filled with blooming fruit trees, both wild and domestic. We are enjoying the scent, the visual beauty and hoping to avoid a wipe-out frost.