December 10, 2025

 

Two babies, cousins, girls, were blessed and named in the same Sabbath meeting of the Mink Creek LDS Ward. The girls were so beautiful in their white blessing dresses. They were born about a month apart. The first was Ida Nielson, infant of Corey and Savannah Nielson. The second was Jackie Salem Jackson, daughter of Justin and Kaytlin Jackson. Both girls have siblings to welcome them and they share the grandparents of Per and Cassie Danfors and the rest of the Danfors family. Other family members were there to witness this special event.

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering for food, fun and reflections on the many blessings we have. Some residents traveled away, other invited and shared the magic of Mink Creek. Robert and Phee Crosland and other family members drove to the home of their daughter Malia and Jason Kunde in Rigby. Claudine and LaMar hosted an Erickson Thanksgiving with siblings and expanded branches spending several nights: Carla and Mark Nielsen of American Fork, UT, Kristin and Jay Collins of Mink Creek with three of their children, a brother of LaMar's, plus a friend, add Bob and Claudia Erickson, equals a houseful. Another Erickson family, that of Karen and Layne Erickson gathered in Station Creek at Paul and Terrie McKay' home.

End of fall and the holiday brought a Haws group together. Kasey and Julia Haws of Mink Creek, Ken and Lauren Nash and family of Glendale, ID, and California, plus Adam and Camene Haws and family of Sol Vang, CA.

Doug and Kathey Wilcox were up from Utah to their new Mink Creek home that is still full of newness from the days of construction. Julie Workman kept a couple of her grandchildren for an extended stay.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox were able to be up for a mission break. Jesse and Annavelynn Wilcox and son Desmond added to the family festivities. Brad and RaOne Stuart, Danita's sister, journeyed from Utah.

Although the canyon drivers are reporting snow and ice, generally speaking we don't have much staying snow. It continues to surprise us. Mink Creek residents plan on winters with snow. Those in the process of home construction are pushing to make the leak-proof.

December 3, 2025

 Already December?  With the warmth of this fall and no staying snow in our village, only on the mountains the change to December is almost a surprise that greeted as we turned the calendar at the end of the November.

There are some residents still managing to get in some hiking time before the weather makes it nearly impossible. Candy Longhurst and Jamie Stevens report on beautiful crisp mornings, sometimes mingled with wisps of fog, but still worth the effort and uplift of spirit.

Wynn and Cecelie Costley are home after a trip to Brazil. Cecelie had lived in Brazil as an exchange student during her teen years and she wanted to reconnect with her host family. She reported that it was so good to do, the mother of the family had passed away, but the siblings recalled the days with gladness.

The teachers and other workers of the Primary organization were honored with a Primary appreciation dinner recently. The place was the multi-purpose area of the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse. The food was prepared and served by the ward Bishopric members and their wives. There are challenges for those who fill callings with the primary age group that often get overlooked and this was a small way to express thanks..

Christmas thoughts came early for the women of the Relief Society. They gathered to share some ideas on keeping Christ as the important theme of our holiday. Some shared traditions from their past experiences, some ideas were new and original. There were displays of various Nativities, others of Christmas music, holiday themed quilts and personal traditions. The group had a selection of suitable appetizers that might be included in family gatherings, without taking days of preparation and allowing more time for being together with family and friends. Each lady that attended was given a quantity of baking clay with directions to sculpt their own personal nativity, bake it and enjoy the season.

November 26, 2025

 

There was much preparation and practicing for the annual program from the Primary children of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the children in charge, assisted by Primary officers Kristin Collins, Anna Beth Olson, Laurel Wilde and Lindsey Ross and the Primary teachers, all went well. The Primary choir was under the direction of chorister Terrie McKay and Corey Nielson with ReNae Egley on the piano. It was both a delightful and spiritual program that bore witness of the love of Jesus Christ for all.

The Mink Creek community gathered at the Ballpark the evening of Halloween for their Trunk N Treat. The evening's events were under the direction of Lacey Christensen. Those attending brought a pot of soup or chili, to share. There were games for all ages, a costume parade, a carving pumpkin contest, Car Trunks were decorated and treats gathered from the parking lot. It could be called a “Spooky Good time,” best had for Halloween. The weather cooperated, adding to the fun of the evening.

There is a need to remember that our neighbor wildlife is also getting ready for the coming winter. One that is pretty noticeable is the presence of skunks out and about, whether a person is out for a late evening walk or a drive. Noted have been some fatalities on our highway with skunks and raccoons. The deer are taking on their winter coats, a slight color change. Late birds heading for warmer climates take to the skies.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month in Preston at the home of Virginia Flippence. Virginia and Mary Ann Jepsen were the hostesses for November and eleven members were able to attend. Julie Westerberg presented a lesson discussing the last ten handcarts that crossed the plains coming into Utah in the pioneer days. Imagine being part of that group of ten carts and the welcome they received!

It is hard to believe that December is just days away and we have yet to get any staying snow for this year. The mountain tops stay white, the canyon road to Bear Lake is receiving frequent trips from the State Snow Plow crew to keep it open and hopefully safe. But our valley floor, the length of the village, is clear. Cold, but clear.

November 19, 2025

 

The season for finding the perfect Christmas tree has arrived. It is always amazing to witness the huge numbers of evergreens that are harvested from the canyons near Mink Creek each year, a great many of them headed for homes across the border into Utah.

Elder Eldon Wilcox and Sister Danita Wilcox are home in Mink Creek on a temporary leave from their mission activities in Bluff Fort, UT. Eldon has injured his shoulder and they are here for medical advice and treatment. Their plans are to return to the missionfield once the injury is healed. In the meantime it will be nice to have them amongst us again.

Bennett and Lori Keller were up from Hyrum, UT, for a short visit checking on their recent purchase of his grandmother's home, that of Mildred Keller. Things are improving at the site, a step at a time.

The Young Men's group have been learning about shooting, gun safety and hunting safety. In this area of the country this is essential information for all ages, particularly beginners.

Mink Creek has been a near perfect place for observing the northern lights that have brightened the night skies recently. The few yard lights throughout the community haven't dimmed the light show on our northern rim of our mountains.

The leaves that have been full of crunchiness, bunching up in any welcoming cavity are now very soggy. We had a day and a night of rain and more rain that left anything that was outdoors in a state of saturation. Most tree branches are bare and naked. It is amazing that there are still dry leaves clinging to branches, being stubborn.

November 11, 2025

 

October is the month for the program from the Primary children of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the children in charge, assisted by Primary officers Kristin Collins, Anna Beth Olson, Laurel Wilde and Lindsey Ross and the Primary teachers, all went well. The Primary choir was under the direction of chorister Terrie McKay and Corey Nielson with ReNae Egley on the piano. It was both a delightful and spiritual program that bore witness of the love of Jesus Christ for all.

The Mink Creek community gathered at the Ballpark the evening of Halloween for their Trunk N Trest. The evening's events were under the direction of Lacey Christensen. Those attending brought a pot of soup or chili, to share. There were games for all ages, a costume parade, a carving pumpkin contest, Car Trunks were decorated and treats gathered from the parking lot. It could be called a “Spooky Good time,” best had for Halloween. The weather cooperated, adding to the fun of the evening.

A Family History class at the LDS Meetinghouse is offered twice a month for anyone who is interested. Kent and Tammy Beardall are the consultants who can help with instructions or field questions and challenging problems of ancestor research.

Sounds of sirens of ambulance and fire trucks headed up Highway 36 always cause concern for possible traffic accidents in our canyons or one of our residents needing to deal with an emergency of some kind. It makes for gratitude for the services that are provided when the need arises.

Remember Veterans' Day, even if you are reading this and it comes as a day late reminder. Most people have someone in their family who has “fought in the war.” It doesn't matter which war, there are plenty that have called soldiers, sailors, marines from their families to deal with conflicts across the globe. Many sacrifices' that deserve respect and remembrance.

November 5, 2025

 

Jay and Kristin Collins and their son Davis recently drove to Jay's hometown, Lakeview, OR, for the funeral services of Jay's mother. They picked up their daughter Clair in Boise where she is an elementary school teacher and their other daughter, Bailey, drove to Oregon from her home in Salt Lake City. A most fitting occasion to be together.

Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen have had family up for hunting. There is always excitement for these adventures and fun provided for both those doing the hunting and the rest being together for games and fun. This get-togethr was a success on all points.

Oh the Places she goes! My neighbor, ReNae Egley is back from another jaunt taken with her traveling friends, Jill Hobbs and Lelan Daines. This time they went to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Lieturve and likely more. The architecture was fascinating: onion tops, steep slanted roofs, towers with skyward spires. Medieval castles and palaces are not the same thing. Of course there was lots of interesting food and one intriguing spot was called the Mountain of the Witches---with carved wooden witches in the forest. Always these trips mean meeting new friends and new cultures.

Mink Creek has welcomed another tiny baby to the village. She weighed in at 6 pounds but is a good eater and gaining. This little girl was born to Justin and Kaytlin Jackson and joins the Jackson sibling ranks of sisters Sloan and Murphy and brother Moab.

The weather held and the community Trunk n Treat was able to happen at the Ballpark. Best description of the outdoor temperature would be lukewarm, because it couldn't qualify as warm, just tolerable and costumes make for extra layers. Lots of fun for a variety of ages.

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.