Lincoln's Birthday, 2013

The Mink Creek area is a popular spot during the winter for snowmobile enthusiasts.  Many head up Strawberry Canyon to the forested mountains.  Birch Creek attracts another set and that parking lot, located where most of the farmed fields end, is full of trailers and trucks on most weekends.

The LDS Ward enjoyed a Linger Longer lunch following the block of meetings on Feb 3^rd.  Tables set up in the recreation hall were available for seating after the filling of plates.  There was a selection of soups, rolls, strawberry jam (a favorite, judging by how fast it disappeared), and several choices of salads.  Desserts were covered by choices of brownies, cakes and cookies.  This is an activity that is much enjoyed, giving our community that is spread out over ten miles an opportunity to catch up on one another’s lives.

Dr Kurt Iverson received some serious injuries recently. A tow chain came lose as he was trying to rescue a family vehicle that was stuck in the snow.  Dr. Iverson has some facial lacerations, a fractured nose, some damaged teeth and injury to an eye.  He has greatly improved since the incident and will soon be back at his dental practice. 

Juliana Packer  is home in Mink Creek to participate in a baby shower for her newborn infant, a bouncing baby girl.  She is the first child for Blaine and Juliana, the first grandchild for LaRon and Liesa Baird.  The Packer family live in Heyburn, ID.

Watch out for meandering deer.  This past week a lovely doe was mincing her way down the middle of the highway.  When she realized there was traffic coming at her from both directions she finally chose to jump a guard rail and bound down the steep hillside below.  So glad automobiles are equipped with brakes for the sake of both humans and wildlife!

For years our nation has lumped both Lincoln and Washington's birthday together and labeled it "President's Day" but I fondly remember celebrating each day separately and learning a bit about each man that had led our country through some momentous times.  Today is for Old Abe!

The deer are among us, looking for anything worth eating, particularly on the south side of our slopes.  Drivers may slam on their brakes to count how many deer they see.  Drivers may be paying more attention to the deer lying under the trees than they are to their driving.  Deer don’t go to sleep when the sun goes down.  Turkeys, on the other hand, find their favorite place to roost.

Lately most days have been rather dreary, gray and partially foggy.  Not many years ago our community always felt that we were above the fog.  The last couple of years have changed that outlook.  When an inversion moves in, causing Cache Valley to rate high with impure air, we are part of the package.  The clear days, however, are absolutely beautiful and glorious with the sun causing the banks of snow to be filled with jewels.

Feb 6, 2013

The weather has been an interesting combination of late.  A late January thaw came when a Chinook moved in. Everywhere was drip, drip, drip, with avalanches of snow sliding off our roofs. There was plenty of fog. A day later a strong winter storm hit and dumped a foot or so of heavy wet snow.  Wonderful stuff!  We have had a few storms since, so the depth must average out at about two feet where man has not disturbed it.

Residents from the past, Nettie and Joe Linton, of Logan, are headed for the mission field.  Their call was scheduled for a March departure date, but a recent phone call moved it up a month.  They will be speaking on Feb 10^th, at 11:30 a.m. in Logan.  The church is located at 100 E. 200 No.  The Lintons will be serving in the West Indies Mission.  This area requires FBI approval, fingerprints and the works, not to mention all the inoculations that go with foreign assignments.

Abigail Janke, daughter of Laural and Jody Janke, graduated from Primary in the LDS Ward.  She received her Certificate of Advancement and earned the Faith in God award.  She is excited to belong to the Beehive class of Young Women.

We regret the passing of Kristine Christensen, wife of Clare Christensen. Kris fought the cancer for about fifteen months before it won the battle. The Christensen family of Mink Creek is a large extended family and many relatives were present at her funeral held in the Mink Creek Ward church.  Kristine’s two sons, Joe and Jon Coplen, were here, as well as Clare’s children: Stephen Christensen, Janna Wolfley, Robin Francom, Tiffany Kinder, and Devin Christensen.  Kris’s mother, Barbara and Bernice Mecham came up from West Valley City, UT.  Some of Clare’s siblings were here, Clarice Feichko (his twin), Donald Christensen, Dorothy Shear, Verneal Lowry, DeeVirile Christensen,  and Royce Christensen.

            MaryAnn Jepsen slipped in an icy parking lot and broke some bones just above her ankle a few weeks back.  After surgery and a cast she found she could use a scooter to allow her some limited mobility.  Now, after following the Doctor’s instructions for the past six weeks, she has graduated to a walking cast.  Bit by bit, this new experience is moving her forward so that she can return to “normal.”  It will have been a long time of relative inactivity for this woman who is always on the go with her job, golf, family and other interests.

            We are still living in winter beauty, along with winter cold temperatures.  The thawing was short-lived, as it should be this time of year.  One can see the wildlife trails, criss-crossing snowy slopes, as they make their way down to water and back to winter shelter.   

            We are having a bit of trouble with the school buses---our kids ride on two buses, depending on the location of their homes.  Sometimes the dirt roads have been so slick that it has been difficult for the buses to navigate.  The temperatures have been cold enough that the buses gel up, due to the diesel fuel, and then the replacement bus arrives somewhere between an hour or 30 minutes later than usual.  When the bus shows up early, it presents a totally different type of challenge.  Hopefully these things will ease off as the weather decides to warm.

Jan 30, 2013

We are getting plenty of soupy London Fog.  One good thing about fog is that the decreased visibility causes traffic to slow down a little.  ‘Tis the season of rocks-coming-at-the-windshield any time you are on the road and increased speed makes for a stronger impact.

The LDS Ward held its annual Ward Conference on Jan 20^th.  Leaders of the Preston North Stake were in attendance, all three of the presidency, President Dax Keller and his counselors, Richard Swainston and Blaine Rounds.  All of the stake auxiliary organizations were well represented and these members instructed local membership in their particular callings.

MaKenzie Gunter, daughter of Eldon and Danita Wilcox, is presently enrolled at ISU in Pocatello.   While at Preston High this young lady excelled in several athletic pursuits.  She is now participating in track at ISU in the pentathlon event. This is a new one for MaKenzie as she does the shot put, hurdles, the high jump, long jump and the 800 meter race. In a recent competition she qualified for the Conference Championship in the high jump.

Beverly Bruderer took the long drive to Dickinson, ND, and back. Her husband, Doug, is employed there in the oil fields.  She reported that temperatures up there were similar to our locality, just plain cold, but that the prices of most ordinary items were sky high.  An example given was a gallon of milk for $4.50.

Betty Jensen Corbett passed away.  She grew up here, married and moved to Preston.  Her son Shane and Sherrie Corbett and children live here in the Albert Jensen home.  It was good seeing Betty’s daughter, Jackie, and  Jensen cousins that are now living in Utah:  Mark lives in Roy, Zina in Lehi, Joyce in Smithfield, Craig, here in Preston, and Clifford.  Cliff is the only one still in Mink Creek from that side of the family.

Moonlight nights seem to bring on owl talk. When the nights are bright the Mink Creek owls get in a conversational mood.  This isn’t just a winter happening, they gab during the warmer months as well.  Things are so beautiful right now, covered with sparkling snow that I am sure that is the topic of their discussions.

We have been dealing with the results of snow storms this week.  It has gone from rain turning into ice, to lots and lots of snow.  The county plows have shown up a bit late and that makes all glad to have equipment of our own to ge us in and out.  Two mornings so far this week and the school bus was late by more than an hour the first morning, then early the next day.  Of course buses have a right to difficulties on snowy morning, slick roads and big snowbanks don’t help anyone.

There has also been another funeral since the last news deadline.  Kristine Christensen passed away, that will be covered in next week’s column.

Jan 23, 2013

Jeff and Camille Knudson had a fun time with a visit from their son, Cameron and Rebecca Knudson and their children.  The family lives in Marysville, CA.  They had a good time with Idaho winter weather sledding and enjoyed the proximity of horses in the country.  Their son Trevor will be leaving for the MTC in  Sao Paulo, to begin his mission call to Brazil.

Steve and Terry Mainini took a trip to California for one week.  Their first stop was with Steve’s folks in Santa Maria, then to Steve’s mother and Terry’s folks in Ventura.  It wasn’t as cold as Idaho, but not as warm as they would have liked. 

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson were California bound as well.  They visited a daughter, Christine and Charles Clark in Roseville, picked oranges, enjoyed family times and warmer-than-Idaho weather.  They went for the occasion of Johnny ordaining a grandson in the priesthood of the LDS Church.

            Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson have reported that they may be on a mission in England, but they now have a Chinese-speaking LDS Branch that meets in their home.  The Olsons are serving in the city of Hull, England.

The youth who are playing basketball with the LDS Ward are having fun  in both practices and their games.  Kerry Christensen is coaching both teams, girls and boys.

Kurt Iverson was released as the Second Counselor in the Mink Creek Ward Bishopric.  He is now serving on the Preston North Stake High Council.

Night skating was enjoyed by the Scouts; their leader is Paul McKay.  The Longhurst family has created a small rink on their property, equipped with lights and music.  There are bumpers of straw bales to line the outer edges.  The sounds of fun echo off the mountains, as well as shrieks when bruises occur.

Two turkey fatalities have occurred along our highway.  The birds feed along the road sides in groups, and they seem to feel that they have the right-of-way and might step out suddenly in front of a vehicle.  I often wonder if there is any way to judge the IQ of these creatures. 

Bob Erickson and Vernon Keller went up to Pocatello to take in the annual Agricultural Expo at the Holt Arena on the ISU Campus.  They returned with new ball caps and florescent vests to add to their wardrobe of farming attire, plus a new gadget or two.

We are still in the grip of below zero weather.  The forecasts are not one bit encouraging.  It is hard on the human residents and their livestock; imagine what it must be for the local wildlife.  My backyard magpies seem plenty lively but I note their feathers are fluffed out for more warmth.  Even when the sun shires it is brittle and sparles, beautiful but bone-chilling.

I just realized that I have been writing this blog for a little over a year.  It started because I am too verbose to match the imposed limit of words by our publisher.  I have struggled during this time wondering which was the most important to put in the printed column---the names and activities, or the local color and scenes.   54 posts later, I still haven't come up with the answer for that one.  Most people tell me they don't do the online thing, no technology for many readers.  So I am still seeking the answer---tell me what you think.  This blog is not connected to the newspaper at all, it just includes info that I wrote for said paper.

Jan 16, 2013

It has been frigid up here as well as the lower regions of the county.  We have had our share of fog and hoar frost.  While it is beautiful it does not make for comfortable living.  Cars don’t want to start, water sources for outside animals have to be broken regularly, house pipes freeze, etc. etc.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox had most of their family here to wrap up 2012:  Matt and Brittany Durrant and their baby girl from Salt Lake City where Matt is at the U of U. Tyson and MaKenzie Gunter, now going to school at ISU in Pocatello. Ami Fenton and her bunch of four from Tooele, UT. Elise and Jeff Hardy and family of six from North Ogden.  When the family gets together it really fills up the Wilcox home quickly, not to mention their lack of  parking spaces for that many vehicles.  Located up against a hillside, their place doesn’t allow for spreading out or turning around.

Michelle Wall brought her two children from Grand Junction, CO. for a stay with her parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall.  Michelle also brought a batch of puppies.  She is a brave woman to make that trip in the winter with all these noisy passengers.

Hayden Egley, daughter of Jared and Julie Egley, has graduated from Primary.  She received her Certificate of Graduation and also earned the Faith in God award.

The community enjoyed their annual ski party at Beaver Mountain.  It was a very crisp night and families enjoyed visiting together in the lodge and sharing victuals of all sorts. Preston 4^th Ward joined in the fun. Approximately 90 people had fun on the slopes, with all levels of skill involved.  In addition to skiing there was snow boarding and sledding going on.  No injuries were reported.

           

We have had more than our share of the flu that is going around.  A person doesn’t know for sure whether “flu” is the right label to attach or not.  Some cases are a flu match.  Much of the problems are more along the bronchitis line---coughing, coughing for several weeks.  Not much voice, tired to the bone. Not much fun!!

            Some of you may be missing a familiar smiling face at the United States Post Office in Preston.   Eldon Wilcox has been retired for several weeks.  He is happy with his new position of house husband.  The smiling face is still intact along with the sense of humor.

Jan 9, 2013

Anyone living in this area needs warmth---clothes, furnace, blankets, maybe even attitude.  Below zero temperature stuff is hard on all living things, indoors or outside.  We can enjoy the beauty of the frost encrusted landscape.  Such beautiful trees and shrubs.  Rustic fences and buildings look like fairyland.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward has had some changes in the Bishopric.  Kurt Iverson was released as the First Counselor.  Kent Egley is still the Bishop, Wallace Christensen is now the First Counselor and Kent Beardall is the new Second Counselor.

Joseph Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, has received a mission call to the Germany, Alpine, Mission.  He will be leaving this spring.

Bob and Claudia Erickson drove to Burley, ID, to spend some time with Keith and Ramona Crane.  The Cranes lived in Mink Creek and started raising their family here.  It was hours well spent, enriching a long time friendship.

Shawn and Callie Beardall and their three youngsters came up from Spanish Fork.  They enjoy being able to have good grandparent time with Kent and Tammy Beardall.

Things were busy up Bear Creek at the home of Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen.  They had their daughter Jill and Mark Neitz and their four children from Canada for the holidays.   Jana and Matt Musgrave and their five came up from Ogden to round out the group.  The Jepsens were able to update family pictures with Kerry and his bunch living here and Kyle up from Texas.  That is a big accomplishment!

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson’s home was full of noise and hilarity during the holidays as their children and grandchildren from Brigham City, UT, and Utah valley descended upon them. The group comes upto Mink Creek to take advantage of the slopes on Iverson property for sledding and snowmobiling. 

            The hooting of our owls adds charm to the moonlit winter nights.  They seem to carry on conversations up and down the valley.  In the silent night the sounds indicate the location of several birds as they answer each other.  It is one of those great things about living in the country.

            Just in case you don’t get the printed or online version of the Citizen newspaper I will include some info that was in the last week’s paper.  Franklin County was organized in 1913.

            “In honor of the county’s centennial year the paper will run an column dedicated to rediscovering the county’s rich heritage.   Readers are invited to send in pictures and stories pertaining to the county’s history to be considered for inclusion in the column.  They can be sent to Necia Seamons at jnseamons@hotmail.com, or Claudia Erickson at mcerick@juno.com.  Please add ‘Franklin County’ to the subject line in any emails.”

            This  column will be taking off now and will last the entire year, so help us out by sending in memories of things that would make for interesting reading.    Don’t be bashful, you all have something that would be just what is needed.

Happy New Year, 2013

Local deer have been seen pawing through the snow to reach dry growth beneath for snacking. The critters are also pretty intent on any stacks of hay that are left unguarded from their approach.  Now even more snow has fallen so the search will be more concentrated.

Tammy Beardall’s mother, Doreen Wells, is here for a long Christmas vacation with Kent, Tammy and the family. Mrs. Wells lives in Pocatello.

Royce Christensen is on leave from a job he was working on in Nevada.  He had a freak accident, causing a flash burn to his face and hands.  He is healing, but it will take some time before he no longer needs gloves to protect the skin on his hands.  He is up and about, grateful that this wasn’t any worse. Royce is employed by a Salt Lake company.

One weekend the family of Lin and Sharla McKay went up to Rexburg, ID, for the wedding festivities of their son, Josh Newby and Sara Erickson.  The next weekend the families combined in Preston for an open house for the new couple at the Franklin County Firehouse.

Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and children have been home for the holidays.  For these two “home” covers most of Franklin County. Gio’s home is in Mink Creek with Robert and Phee Crosland.  Kristina’s home is in Franklin with David and Sherrie Rallison.   When they travel from as far away as Kirksville, MO, it makes it nice to be able to have time with both families.

We have had the young single adults  of our community come home to celebrate Christmas. Some are going to school, others employed elsewhere. There have also have been some sets of young married couples.  There were too many to mention individually, they have come from all directions, wherever life has taken them.

            Our snowy hillsides are full of snowmobile tracks, particularly where there has been sledding in progress and the machines keep the energy alive in those enjoying the swoosh down the slopes.  Hiking back up can wear a body out after just a couple of rides.

            There was a minor car crash in front of our house during the holidays.  A visiting family were on their way back to Utah, their vehicle slid off the road on the ice and careened into our utility pole that holds our yard light.  Luckily no one was injured, just the pole.  The following day we were without electricity for a few hours while the power company came up and did repairs.  Now the  night time glow is better than ever.

            Turkeys are all along the main road, as well as out in the fields.  Their black bodies really show up against the whiteness of the snow.  No matter the season these are birds that change their minds quickly.  Remember that if you happen to be slowing for them to cross the road.  A bunch of them may get almost across, then do an about face and the whole flock will parade in front of you in the opposite direction.  Don’t let your foot off the brake just yet---totally unpredictable.   Sounds a lot like the coming year--- Happy New Year to you all.