June 12, 2013

Those rains of the past, sending nitrogen loaded moisture, has certainly given plants a growth spurt.  The combination with sunny days equals lawns (and weeds) growing by leaps and bounds.  Most days the roar of a lawn mower is echoing off our hillsides.

Lorraine Christensen flew to Indiana to spend time with daughter Carrie and Ken Melton  of Lafayette.  The family celebrated little Kenny’s third birthday with the paternal grandparents in Illinois.  Lots of grandparents made for a happy little boy.  When Lorraine returned from the Midwest she and her husband Royce took some vacation time around Lake Tahoe and Virginia City, and made their way to Phoenix, AZ, for the baptism of granddaughter Aurora Christensen.  

Clare Christensen and Linda Coverdale were married in an outdoor ceremony at the Mink Creek Park.  Friends and relatives gathered together to wish them happiness as they begin this chapter of their lives. Nearly all of Clare’s children and all but one of his siblings were able to be in attendance.  Linda is from Twin Falls and her mother, a sister and sister-in-law came down.  Following the ceremony, conducted by Bishop Kent Egley, the couple treated all to a feast.  Brent Sharp and Stuart Ostler had prepared BBQ ribs, Dutch-oven potatoes, baked beans, rolls, hotdogs & buns for the younger set and a selection of iced sodas and water. We are happy to hae Linda become part of our community.

Laural and Jody Janke gave their new baby boy a name and blessing at the LDS Sacrament Meeting.  He is named Theodore Jesse Janke, his first name after his paternal grandfather, the middle name for his great-grandmother on his mother’s side.

Kathy and Austin Jones had a full house for the weekend. Joseph and Rebecca Jones and their little girl were up from Herriman, UT. Two Jones daughters and their children, now living in Utah joined them:  Karenina Bullock and three children from Sandy and KayDee Clark and her five from Nibley.

Some of our mountainsides  look ablaze with gold, so thick are the blossoms of the mule’s ear flowers.  The local livestock are enjoying being able to graze on rich green pastures.  However, unless we get some more rain pastures and dryland fields will be looking pretty drab before long.  One understands why water rights have always been an important part of the development of land.

It is the annual Mink Creek School Reunion this weekend.  There will be a lot of sharing of memories.  I will report more next week, after I attend…I was made an honorary member years ago.  My status as an import has nearly faded into oblivion.

June 5, 2013

School year 2012-1013 is finished; the yellow buses are at rest.  A multitude of children in the county are enjoying some “sleeping in” hours.  Four teens from Mink Creek are celebrating having graduated from high school.  Nicole Straight, daughter of Avery and Pedro Gomez, and Thomas Biggs (better known as TJ), son of Cass and Dawnya Biggs, graduated from Franklin County High School.    Rico Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, and Cole Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen graduated from Preston High School.

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson have been on a wedding roll for grandchildren.  They were in Brigham City, UT, for the ceremony and celebration of #14 grandchild, Natalie Iverson.  They flew to Washington D.C., for nuptials of grandchild #15, Scott Shilling.   It had been six years since Johnny and Jeannine had seen this young man and the reconnection was wonderful.

The entire Mainini bunch, Steve, Terrie and children Tony, Angelina, and Mario  flew to California for a birthday celebration with family.  Steve’s mother turned 75 and the clan gathered in Ventura for a reunion with fun and festivities.

Memorial Day always brings past residents to Mink Creek.  The gates to the Pearson place were open, indicating that plans for summer occupancy was underway.  Colleen and Howard Hawkes were up from Kaysville, just part of the family.

Bruce and Shauna Crane of Logan have been preparing for family visits at the Crane Cabin.  The parking area by their place was filled with three different outfits.

Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen enjoyed having Glen’s brother, Bruce Jepsen and his son, Randy Jepsen, visiting from Kirkland, WA.

The family of Hugh and Bonnie Hansen circled the wagons, modern day campers, in their family park on the banks of lower Mink Creek.

Jon and Portia Jepsen and family members came up from Utah to warm up the walls of their Mink Creek home.

The Lewis and Clark Volunteers, a mountain man group, met for their annual spring rendezvousat the lush park on Vernon and Sallee Keller's farm.  It was a sunny weekend for the Mountain Men, great for all the outdoor, competitive activities. For the past several years this spring get-together has been gloomy and rainy.  The Volunteers are planning two more sessions of re-enacting historical lifestyles before the end of this year.

            Karl and Marion Haws of Santa Barbara, CA joined with grandchildren and their friends at the Haws home.  Their son, Aaron and Heather Haws and their children, of the Boise area, drove down for a few days of Mink Creek time with the rest of the family.  Regardless of his California background, Aaron's affinity for Idaho is very strong, Mink Creek is still "home."

May 29, 2013

Music of blackbirds chatting is filling the air hereabouts.  Golden Mule’s Ear flowers dot the hillsides, along with a mix of lavender, pink and white May flower clusters.  It is a grand time to be living in Mink Creek.

Karen and Layne Erickson, plus their daughter Connie, drove to Mesquite, NV.  They were meeting family for the funeral of a nephew.  Along the way they spent time in Cedar City, UT, with Judy and Ervin Larsen and Sarah Westerberg.

The sons of Terrie and Steve Mainini were home recently.  Mario lives in Richmond, UT, and Tony is going to school at ISU in Pocatello. Their daughter, Angelina, has just returned from a vacation with friends to Mexico.

Mink Creek’s menfolk, all ages, held a Fathers & Sons campout, over a rainy weekend.

The weather may not have been cooperating  but the food was great.  The evening meal was the results of a Dutch-over cookoff, Winners were:  Meats, Forrest Christensen; Potatoes, Bob Erickson and grandson Keenan Janke; Desserts, Chad Greene and son Izac, for a fine apple cobbler.   Breakfast was “the usual,” eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes, plus juice and milk.  Even with the dampness the group was able to give the Mink Creek Ballpark a spring cleaning.  However, their annual ATV ride was cancelled due to mud and rain.

After returning from his mission to Bogotá, Columbia, Bridger Hall spoke in the LDS Sunday meeting. Many relatives were there.  The son of Brett and Kristi Hall, his grandparents are Sallee and Vernon Keller of Mink Creek and Dallas and Deonne Hall of Wellsville.  Extended family were: Doug and Shelley Keller and Kelsie from Preston, Rob and Kamee Summers and their three children of Wellsville, Kelton and Denise Keller and daughter Maury of Alpine, UT, Kaylene and Jeff Hill and Chelisa of  West Jordan, UT.  Those from Logan were:  Justin and Heather Torfin and baby Tate, Karma Wood, Karla and Chris Jensen and their children, Taylor and Kylie.   

Our local preschool, under the instruction of Dawnell Greene, held their “graduation” party at the county fire dept. building in Preston.  The children involved were Tia Hatch, daughter of Katie and Sam Hatch, Hazen Baird the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, and Cooper Janke, son of Jody and Laural Janke.  The three graduates put on a delightful program of stories and songs.  At the same time the Cub Scouts that were members of Liesa and Elaine Larsen’s den were present for a bit of instruction regarding fire safety. The combined group was treated to a tour of the Fire House by Head Fireman Scott Martin.  Refreshments were served to everyone.

School is coming to a close this week and the youth of the community are making various plans.  Some for jobs, on or off the farms, some considering 4-H club activity and/or county recreational sports that are offered during summer months.

May 15, 2013

Mink Creek had some fierce winds for a couple of days.  They howled about the homes and could be heard in our chimneys.  There have been no reports of serious damage so we must have been adequately prepared.   Good things followed the gloom and noise.  A lovely gently spring rain fell for several hours and the earth drank it in.  With warmth and the rain we have greening galore and flowers.  Plum trees, wild and tame, have burst into bloom, joining the cherry blossoms.

Marie Aupperlee’s daughter, Sandy Wylie, brought her friend Tammy for a week’s visit in Mink Creek.  The drive up took them twenty hours from Sandy’s home in Chilton, TX.   It had been a while since their last reunion and the mother/daughter team enjoyed catching up on each other’s lives.

Joseph Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, spoke in the LDS Ward prior to leaving for service in the Alpine, German-speaking, Mission.  Out-of-town family members came in abundance to wish him well:  Jeff’s siblings, Randolph, Morlyn, Rebecca and Dawnya; Jennifer’s sister, Mary, and fourteen of the Jarvis cousins.  Both sets of grandparents live here; Cathy and Scott Seamons and Kathy and Joe Jarvis.  Joseph has permission to let his violin be a constant companion on this two year adventure.  The Alpiine Mission is in for a treat with his abilities.

Elder Bridger Hall has come home from his two year mission to Columbia.  Amazingly, he was speaking fluent English within one day after being submerged in Spanish. His parents are Brett and Kristi Hall.

Ty Beardall, son of Kent and Tammy Beardall, was ordained to the office of a Teacher.  Besides his siblings living at home, Kyle, Heather, and Nicole, his married siblings were here to witness this event.  Shawn and Callie Beardall and their four children live in Spanish Fork, UT.  Michelle Wall and her two youngsters drove over with her mother-in-law, Candy Law,  from Grand Junction, CO. 

           Jim and Debbie Harrison zigzag between Mink Creek and St. George.  Recently they were found up here preparing their place for the coming of summer with mundane plans of plants and dirt, much like the rest of us.

Kayleen and Spencer Johnson spent a few days with her parents, Austin and Kathy Jones.  The Johnson pair is attending BYU in Provo.

It is garden time.  Time to get the plots ready, pick up the seeds, make decisions on the layout and make sure the water is available.  Also time to get ready for some aching muscles that have rested during the winter.  Our creeks are running, not as high as some years, but still making their way down to Mink Creek, which then empties into Bear River.  Their sound is music, especially in the cool of an evening when the daylight noises retreat.

May 8, 2013

Most of our local deer have retreated from sight for the casual drive through Mink Creek.  That doesn’t mean they are gone, and there are still deer fatalities on our highway, though not as many as in winter months.  Our foxes are out and about, I have seen several of the red coats and busy tails this spring.

Rebekah Christensen , daughter of Wally and Kim Christensen, will be entering the MTC and spoke in a Sunday meeting.  Her area of service will be in Uruguay, Montevideo West, Mission. All of the Christensen siblings attended:  Jeremy and Crystal Christensen and children of Provo, UT, Angelie and Thane Winward and their family from Garland, UT, Aaron and Nick Christensen, both of Logan.   Her grandmother, Shirley Keller of Thatcher, and grandparents, Reed and Pauline Christensen of Layton were there.  Aunts, Uncles, cousins, friends, all lent their support.

Bob and Claudia Erickson took a trip to Vancouver, WA to the home of their daughter, Claudine, and LaMar McKague.  Sam McKague, the eldest son, is soon departing for an LDS mission to Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.  While there they had the fun of going to a pro baseball game for the Seattle Mariners playing the Los Angeles Angels. 

Mink Creek has two new baby boys.  April 17^th brought a son to Jody and Laural Janke, weighing 7 # 7oz. , 21 inches. April 29^th was the delivery date to Stuart and Alona Ostler, this boy weighed 7 # 9 oz., 19 inches.  These boys have a ready-made friendship through their parents.

Kyle Jepsen, son of Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen, has spent some vacation time in Mink Creek.   He has a dental practice in Dallas, TX.  Kyle and Glen put in some physical work on the farm and it was good to have some country moments after life at a more hectic pace.

Juliana and Blaine Packer and their baby girl, Cedar Ann, came down  from Heyburn, ID, for a weekend with her parents and their family.  They are LaRon and Liesa Baird.

Cherry blossoms are lightly pink upon the branches.  Daffodils and tulips are putting on a show.  There is evidence of spring upon the land after suffering a series of cold days.  Many of the wild trees are showing blossoms of white.  Mink Creek abounds in a variety of trees.  I had heard about the trees years before I ever dreamed I would end up living here.  I only knew of its existence from a missionary in Wyoming.

The missionary count from the Mink Creek Ward is not decreasing. One has come home while two have left to serve, more on that in next week’s news. 

May 1, 2013

The sound of sandhill cranes, flying high, nearly out of sight, reassures us it is spring. 

Another sure sign is the song of the meadowlark, perched on a bare  tree limb with just a faint touch of green leaves starting to show.  2013 is a cold Rocky Mountain spring. 

Tiffany Longhurst is home from several months of employment at Disney World in Florida.  How would that be for a fun job?   She is now headed back to the grind of college at BYU/I in Rexburg, ID.  The employment has been a nice warm break.

Spencer Wilde, son of David and Judy Wilde, has received a mission call to the South Dakota, Rapid City, Mission.  He’ll be leaving in August, so he has just a few short months of preparation time.

Fae Larsen passed away recently. She has been a resident of the Franklin County Transitional Center for several years.   She was married to Dale Larsen and they lived on Dale’s farm on Bear Creek.  The funeral and burial for Fae was in Tremonton, UT, her home prior to meeting Dale.

 In the LDS Ward, Esther Andra, daughter of Greg and Heather Andra, received her Primary graduation certificate.  Clay Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen,  was recognized for having earned his Duty to God as a Deacon. 

The Mink Creek youth took care of their spring highway cleanup tradition.  The evening was damp and cold, with spits of rain and snow, but the job was just more challenging because of that.  Usually this time of year the trash isn’t too bad, but for some reason it was big on garbage this time around.  Does that mean people are littering more, having little regard for our environment?  Makes a person wonder!  When they finished Clare Christensen had prepared a wonderful warm treat for their return to the church building.  It was a choice of peach or berry Dutch-oven cobbler---yum!               

In just a week, when I wrote the above for the paper deadline, the color of our village has changed.  With several days of warmth we are now that lovely shade of varied Mink Creek green.  The grass, the trees, the evergreens, the newly planted fields, ---just wonderful, and chances are, if you are reading this you understand completely about  that which I write.  Curly flowers are dotting our slopes and garden flowers are matching the quote “April showers bring May flowers.”  April showers we have surely had!

The chill wind still visits frequently, making spring slow in coming.  It is enough to make me shiver when I see the new lambs and calves.  However, the ones around here are not “brand new” and they look like they are having a good time, galloping and jumping, but keeping an eye on their mothers.

April 24, 2013

The youth of the Mink Creek LDS Ward enjoyed a combined activity with lots of action and enthusiasm.  Brooke Corbett was in charge and took a page from the TV show Minit to Winit in providing entertainment for the evening.  It turned out to be lots of fun, you might say, “a good time was had by all.”

Shane and Alyna Graham and boys have moved to Preston.  We hope they return for community celebrations.  The Graham sons are getting involved in activities in town and the constant back and forth driving will be a thing of the past.

Pinewood Derby, a roaring event for Cub Scouts, was decorated with racing flags and banners.  Kurt Iverson and Eldon Wilcox weighed each handcrafted vehicle to make sure they qualified.  Cars were displayed on a special table prepared by Katiana Baird. The track was in perfect condition for the thirteen boys to race.  Race they did, over and over, with cheers and applause.  Sharla McKay was the track boss, with Pedro Gomez and Ben Keller the line judges.  Scorekeeper was Lin McKay and everyone won in the Pinewood Derby.  Each racer was awarded a certificate.  Cubmaster Dawnell Greene and her assistant, James Baird, kept the enthusiasm high.

Part of the Pack meeting was the receiving of awards, beads and advancements for boys in the Cub Pack.  The Bears, under the direction of Ivan and Lana McCracken, displayed soap sculptures they had created.  Refreshments of cookies, always a favorite, finished off the night.

Jim Call, past resident of Mink Creek, is celebrating his 80^th birthday this spring.  His family had an open house on April 20^th for all friends and relatives in Perry, UT, where Verdell and Jim Call now reside.

Two children of the Kerry and Melinda Jepsen  family met milestones in their lives recently.  Their son Clay was ordained to the office of a Teacher.  Daughter Tera received her certificate of graduation from Primary and the Faith in God award.

            Tammy and Nelson Coleman’s house was full of family recently.  Tammy’s parents, Ray and Ila Rae Van Vleet drove over from Grace, ID.  Danny and Nicki Coleman and their baby were here visiting at the same time. The Van Vleet Great Grandparents  just couldn’t resist coming to see that youngster.

            Terry Stromberg has made the spring move to Mink Creek, joining her husband Bryce just a week or two after he arrived from their home in California.

            The skies have stayed on the gloomy side for the most part of the last week.  Today was bright and full of cold sunshine.  One thing about this weather—it is definitely a deterrent to cases of spring fever.  Even the daffodils and the pansies are having a struggle showing their happy faces.

            If you get the printed Citizen you will already know this, but just in case you don’t…

Wynn Costley is retiring from the Preston School District this year.  He is currently working as principal of both the alternative Franklin County High School and the Pioneer Elementary School.  His wife, Cecelie has applied for, and been accepted, to teach English in China.  So the Costley’s will soon be bound for the Orient.  Exciting prospects!  They have had some Chinese experience through their children who have served there on missions and later been employed in China.