April 28, 2015

          We have had a few bursts of heavy rain as the week is ending. The most lengthy only lasted about 15 minutes, but it poured during that time. It is all good and appreciated, even with short bouts of power outage. Weeds are prolific no matter the weather and do their bit to add to the green color that abounds on our hillsides.

           MaKenzie Wilcox Gunter, daughter of Eldon and Danita Wilcox, came away from a recent college track event in California with a knee injury. This has meant yet another surgery, having had one approximately a year ago. It has been officially diagnosed as a torn ACL. MaKenzie's athletic abilities will be put on hold for a time.

            Celina Crosland and McKinley Longhurst earned their Young Womanhood Recognition award and medallions were presented to them in the LDS Ward this past week. Celina is the daughter of Robert and Phee Crosland, McKinley's parents are Sheldon and Candy Longhurst.

           Joseph Seamons has returned from two years serving in the Alpine, German-speaking Mission. This mission covers areas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. When he spoke in the LDS Ward he warned the congregation that he might intersperse German words here and there while he was talking.  He is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. His flight home was delayed, causing some confusion and concern for the welcoming group assembled at the Salt Lake Airport. Relatives from both the Seamons and Jarvis families came to Mink Creek to hear him relate mission experiences.His grandparents are Scott and Cathy Seamons  and Joe and Kathy Jarvis, also Mink Creek, but currently serving an LDS Temple Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa.

             A beautiful baby girl has arrived in Mink Creek. Her parents are Mariah and Bracken Atkinson. She weighed 7 lb 14 oz and was 21 inches on her entry date of April 2^nd. Her grandparents are Greg and Brenda Belew. I understand she has just enough hair to attach a cute bow.  My main source of information about this young lady is her very pleased great-grandfather, Dennis Clark.

             The rain kept coming for a day or two after writing the above news column. In fact one day it was reported that we received 2 inches over the storm period. April showers may bring May flowers, but they are bring Apri flowers as well. The tulips are just right in most yards. Tiny violets are popping out amongst the weeds and grass. The curly flowers should be soon, I haven't been in a situation to notice lately. Dandelions are brightening up the landscape. It is a lovely time of year. One young man who has been here recently, visiting his grandparents, evidenced his maturity when he said, “This place is beautiful, why didn't I appreciate it when I was a kid?” Never too late!

April 21, 2015

                A freak spring storm moved in, lots of heavy wet snow that stayed for nearly three days. It is likely the best snow we have had during this “winter.” Our green growth appears to have survived. It has been fun to watch the snow line creeping slowly up our mountain sides as the temps got sufficiently warm to melt. The report was that it brought 2 feet of new snow to our mountainsWe endured the lack of electrical power for several hours, helping us to appreciate this marvelous invention.

             The season for dancing competitions is coming to an end along with the school year. This seems to apply whether you are dancing with a school team or with another performing group. Mink Creek has quite a few youth that are participating. On the Preston High team is James Baird, Ty Beardall and Travis Greene. Dancing with Strictly Ballroom are Celina and Angelo Crosland, Jacobi Johnson, River McKay, Shelby Larsen, Andy McKay, Haylee Hatch and her twin brothers, Dakota and Chance, Walter and Andrew Iverson, and Claire,Tara, and Clay Jepsen. They have all had a great year with the process of developing these skills that will be used the rest of their lives.

           Layne and Karen Erickson enjoyed a weeekend with daughter Connie and husband Adam Westenskow. The couple live in Logan so contact is frequent, but an overnight stay is not too often.

            Marlene Christensen had family company at her home following her return home after a hospital stay. Her sister Diane and Gary Nelson came up from Nevada for a much needed visit.

            Clay Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, was ordained to the office of priest in the LDS Ward. His sister, Tara, with a recent birthday, is now in the Mia Maid class. Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His sister, Juliana Packer, and family drove up from Nevada to witness the occasion.

            Driving down the road towards the center of our village is like driving inside a bower of plum blossoms. The scent is heady from those Pottawatomie plum trees that hang over the road. Cherry trees are full of pretty blooms too, but they are not quite so accessible to the public. All over, the trees are in that lacy green pattern of leaf unfurling. All in all, the season is one that strongly appeals to the soul.

            However, the condition of the lawns and fields from the winter of the vole infestation causes much frustration. Even riding a lawn mower is akin to being on a bucking horse.

April 14, 2015

         Spring break scattered quite a few of our residents. Liesa Baird loaded up her children and drove to Nevada for a visit with her oldest daughter, Juliana and Blaine Packer, and their family. The big project during the stay was building shelves for Juliana's home. The Packers are living in Battle Mountain where Blaine is a welder for Phoenix Mines.

           Laural Janke took her mother Claudia Erickson and the Janke children to the northwest. They made a loop, first to Lakeview, OR, spending a few days with sister Kristin and Jay Collins and Claire. Next stop was Vancouver, WA, home of sister Claudine and LaMar McKague and family. All sorts of fun: a forest picnic, a trip to the gorgeous Oregon Coast, a tour of a Pendleton Wool Factory, waterfalls, boy scout activities.  Along with this was the daily rain of the northwest, a different experience for those of parched Idaho.

           The family of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst spent their days in southern California, visiting people and places that were part of 18 month mission for their daughter, Tiffany. She refers to the location as the “sunnyside of CA.” Along with the friends made there, the family enjoyed some beach time at the ocean and various tourist spots.

            PHS track competitions are underway with the coming of spring. Mink Creek youth participating are Andy McKay doing sprints and relays, and Brooke Corbett whose specialty is long jump .

            Terry and Steve Mainini had their whole family home for the Easter weekend, Mario, Tony and Angelina. They reconnected with their Italian nationality, having fun making homemade pasta and dishes that went with it. High on the menu list was homemade ravioli.

           There is a new baby girl in Mink Creek. She is a bit of a celebrity, being the 2015 Farm Bureau Ag Baby born at the Franklin County Medical Center.. Her parents are Harvey and Tiasha Britton and she is named Adrianna June Britton.

           Our Easter day was one of beauty, reassuring of the rebirth of the world. The sky was bright and clear and, with this season a bit ahead of itself, there was plenty of lacey greenery on bushes and trees.

           Spring weather awakens many wondrous things in this part of the country. It also stirs the bugs and insects. The dormant box elder bugs are in evidence. Lifting a lovely green leaf in the flower garden is apt to reveal earwigs, on the run to escape the sun. The flying bug varieties are being plastered on the windshields, leaving their varnish remains to be removed.

           And, not to be ignored, is the return of allergies to various types of growth. The human respiratory system goes on overtime to reject its own individual enemies. Maybe a positive note is the boost to the economy with the increased purchase of tissues, nose sprays and antihistamine meds.

March 24, 2015

         Tammy Beardall has returned from a lengthy vacation. She has been cruisin'. Tammy, along with her sisters, Diane and Sherry, have been soaking up the sun and relaxation of the Caribbean. The Hibbert sisters took in Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, St. Croix, St Maarten, and others. They have been hiking, exploring waterfalls, beaches and the ocean. This three week float gives new meaning to the words, 'family reunion.' This party was a celebration of Sherry's retirement. Tammy's family met her in California for the return trip to Idaho and did a little sightseeing on their own. They took in a tour of the infamous prison, Alcatraz, and did some tasting of jelly beans at the Jelly Belly factory.

         The family of Sam and Katie Hatch gathered for the day  that their teenage twins, Chance Hatch and Dakota Hatch, were ordained to the office of priests in the LDS Ward. Katie's parents, Burnell and Darlene Hall came up from Fairview, ID.

         An occasion warranting dressing up in beautiful formal attire has just happened for the youth at Preston High School. This was the spring prom known as the Unity Ball. It is always a treat to see the lovely gowns and the striking tuxedos displayed.

         The sandhill cranes are back in town. They appear to be crazy, gangly birds, performing a long-legged dance to the music of their own weird calls. The turkeys that inhabit our area have been seen pillaging a freshly planted field in Riverdale. There was much scratching and digging in progress. One wonders what they were seeking. It could have been the new seeds, or insects freshly exposed to the surface, or, one might hope, the many voles that inhabit the ground, wreaking havoc to anything planted.I must check with our local biology teacher, Robert Crosland to see if they target rodents.

          The last two days have been soggy and gloomy. There have been three types of moisture falling, not all at the same time of course. Snow, both fine bits and fluffy flakes, rain, and then there was what appeared to be slush falling. Usually that stuff waits until the snow and water mix on the earth. The lawns will take a growth spurt when things warm back up. What a strange winter this has been!

St. Patricks, 2015

           There is a single lonely crocus blooming in a nearby plot. The golden cup is beautiful, but where are the others? To my mind, crocus is a flower of groups, some purple and white, some gold..

This doesn't seem a sign of true spring, even with the warm days. One robin has been sighted, a bit on the straggly side. So far these are not signs of real spring in Mink Creek. We shall wait and see.

           Steve and Terry Mainini have returned from some fun days in Las Vegas at the NASCAR 2015. Their daughter Angelina joined the family group. Steve's mother and his sister Kris and Rick Rodarte met them, coming over from Ventura, CA.

          The Relief Society held their birthday party at the recreation hall of the LDS Meetinghouse. Women from across the whole community came and celebrated the 173^th year of the forming of the organization with a taco salad dinner and birthday cake and ice cream. Those responsible for decorations and food were Judy Wilde, Terry Stromberg, Corinne Larsen, Tammy Coleman and Dana Olson. The room glowed with pearly pastel colored balloons and streamers on both walls and tables. Considering the recent fire that destroyed the Crosland's family home the women brought recipes to share with Phee Crosland. Imagine not having any recipes, and a family to feed!  A surprise for Phee was a miscellaneous shower of gifts, given anonymously, to help with some of the small details of making the future house “home.”

            Doug and Beverly Bruderer have become great grandparents, Avery and Pedro Gomez are happy to be grandma and grandpa. All because a little boy was born in February to Nicole and Matt Van Buren of Grace, ID.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen are grandparents again,due to the arrival of another little boy at the home of Joe and Kate Jepsen. He has been named Prescott. The family lives in the Salt Lake area.

           In the five days that have passed wince I wrote those first paragraphs three more crocus blossoms have appeared. Robins are challenging my backyard magpies for space in the pine trees. I heard and saw a V formation of Canadian geese in this morning's sky. We still have snow in the mountains, but the green is spreading even there. Happy St. Patarick's! Everyone is ready for the official arrival and hoping it is more than just official. Still, the days are much warmer than “normal” and that is of concern for the coming months.

March 10, 2015

        Sheldon and Candy Longhurst's family had reasons for celebrating this past week. Their daughter, Tiffany Longhurst, returned from her missionary service in the California, Anaheim, Mission. The cherry on top of that treat was witnessing their son, Justin, taking fourth place in his weight division at the Idaho State Wrestling Tournament.

          Mink Creek had another family of wrestling fans doing some celebrating. Samuel Seamons, son of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons, placed second in his weight division at the state tournament. A younger son, Ben, also qualified to wrestle in the tournament. These two probably had some parental tutoring along with that of the PHS coaches since Jeff was a wrestling champion when he attended PHS, a few years past.

         The Relief Society and Young Women participated in a Preston North Stake humanitarian project, preparing hygiene kits for women and girls of the world. Dixie Rasmussen headed up the efforts from our community. It was truly rewarding to view the results of the time and supplies given by those taking part.

          Tamara Taylor of Woods Cross, UT, daughter of Lana Baird McCracken, drove up for a rest and a weekend visit. Her two little girls, Tabitha and Autumn, came with to enjoy some grandparent time.

          The Young Women group enjoyed their New Beginnings evening with parents and guests. The girls commented on the importance of the Young Women Values in their personal lives and sang a musical number. Tiffany Longhurst spoke of how those same values will help them prepare for adulthood. Refreshments were served.

          The new son of Lacey and Kerry Christensen was named and given a blessing in the LDS Ward. He is Timber Blake Christensen. His grandparents are Forrest and Patti Christensen and Doug and Beverly Bruderer, all of Mink Creek, LaRae Graham of Cody, WY, and Howard Larkins of Layton, UT. Out of town relatives attending  this event were Andy and ReNae Cates from Fort Hall, ID.

          There is the sound of tractors filling the air as our local farmers are getting a jump start on spring planting. There are multiple activities going on, repairs on equipment, attending farm auctions to see if there is something for an upgrade, checking out the price of seed, and on and on. All of this anticipation might be delayed if the weather decides to revert to the winter we have missed. Farming is a risky business.

March Lion, 2015

           How about a headline other than Mink Creek for this column announcing that we had some snow! Yes, real SNOW! But it came in the last of February! We woke one morning about a week ago to a white world, trees, roads, yards, the works. It wasn't very deep and only lasted throughout that one day before things warmed up again. Since then we have had a few more days that sent snow flurries our way. There was nothing that stuck, but it felt good to see the white stuff falling. Perhaps we will have a wintery spring.

          Our Bonnie Hansen has been spending some time at the McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT. The viral infection was one of those sudden things, but she is now on the mend and under the care of her son, Wes Hansen, who is the administrator of a rehabilitation facility in Layton, UT..

           Two sons of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons were chosen to perform in select high school orchestras. They auditioned several months ago. Sam Seamons, who plays a string bass, was selected to go to Spokane, WA, performing with the All Northwest Orchestra. Ben Seamons, qualified for All State Orchestra with his viola, performing in Coeur d' Alene, ID. These events happened to take place on the same weekend, a bonus for Jeff and Jennifer. The guys traveled to the northwest on a bus with other students from this area, but there wasn't room for Sam's bass. So the Seamons parents were able to haul Sam's bass to the needed spots, plus get a bit of vacation time for themselves while they enjoyed the performances.

           Karen and Mark Arnout enjoyed a visit from Travis and Amber Arnout and their children: Brayden, Maci, Krissy and Willis. These Arnouts live in Logan, UT.

          
           The night of March 1st we started getting  a nice wet snowfall. It brought enough to whiten the landscape, more came during the 2nd, ending up with 2-4 inches here in our valley, more in the mountains. We are glad for whatever moisture we get. Already we have some daffodils pushing their green fingers up through the dirt and some tulips shells up near the LDS Church. Hope these colder days might slow things down a little, hopefully avoiding frozen fruit blossoms.  However, increasing warmth is the forecast.
           I am changing the background of the blog to the old barn look.  Walking about our community in the spring  the barns warm my heart, hope the taste of it appeals to you.