June 16, 2015

        The highlight of the week was the celebration for Naomi Wilde's 100^th birthday. Her sons, Ross, Van, and Dean and families made it a gala affair at the Mink Creek Ballpark. Weather cooperated and the turnout was wonderful. The parking lot overflowed into the adjoining roads, the pavilion was jumping with people remembering special moments from associations with this good lady. Refreshments were plentiful and two huge birthday cakes needed no candles.

         The Relief Society started the summer monthly meeting with one of genealogical flavor. Tammy Coleman directed the evening, giving possible internet sites to use in the ongoing search. Each woman who attended brought an ancestral story to share . All sorts of things were revealed and left some motivation for the writing of their own life stories. A tasting table of the ladies' heritage recipes helped to illustrate how even food is passed on from ancestors.

         Two young ladies received their Young Women Medallion in the LDS Ward recently. Wendy Westerberg reported that her major project was helping her mother, Arda Smith of Riverdale, to compile a book about their family history, complete with pictures. Claire Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, met the challenge of completing the reading of the Book of Mormon.

         A beautiful baby girl, daughter of Vern and Tiesha Britton, was given a name and a blessing in the LDS Ward. She was named Adriana June Britton.

         Local farmers are in the middle of harvesting first crop of hay. Fields are full of stripes laid down by the swathers, now waiting to dry before baling begins. Farmers are keeping a constant watch on forecasts from weathermen. Weevil has infiltrated the crops and cotton flying through the air is thick enough this year to plug up machine action , prompting frequently cleaning.

         Paul and Terrie McKay and family have been down in southern Utah, again. One of their favorite family activities is hiking those sandstone trails and rappelling down the canyon walls. No matter how often they vacation in that area there are always challenges to be met, and conquered. Sore muscles and sunburn is often part of the price.

         It is that time of year. I hear the county mosquito abatement equipment making the rounds on a nice still night. I wonder if there could be some abatement program for our local skunk population.

         If you don't get the Citizen you may not have access to the obituary of Reed Jensen who died this past week. His whole life of 92 years was connected with Mink Creek one way or another. His last years were spent in Preston, but working with nature. More recently he has been in the Heritage Homes care facility. Now he is resting in the beautiful spot on our cemetery hill with his wife Gloria.

June 11, 2015

          This is two days behind my scheduled posting.  Perhaps that is because I have started the month of June without checking the planner.  Too much overload on the brain, without a reminder on paper.

            The first day of June was both lovely and fearful. Morning hours were beautiful, great for planting that garden that has been too wet to touch for most of May. That evening cumulus clouds stacked up and turned blueblack. A wild wind pushed through, shed a little rain on its way, but broke branches, uprooted some long-standing trees, broke off many branches, topped a tree or two. On the whole Mink Community survived the onslaught in good shape. Reports from the western part of our county were much worse, they reported winds up to nearly 70 mph. Perhaps our mountains and slopes offered some protection. This sort of power is humbling, even while attempting to repair the damage left in its wake.

           We have George and Bobby Garr back in town. Their winter days spent in warmer climates like California are done for the season. Now it is time for Garr friends and relatives to come visiting Mink Creek.

            James Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was ordained an Elder in the LDS Ward. James has been called to serve as a missionary in the North Dakota, Bismarck, Mission, beginning this fall. His grandmother, Lana, and Ivan McCracken witnessed this occasion. Earlier in the month Devin and Maria Flake, Lana's daughter, were here visiting the McCrackens.

            We have a new baby in our community. Josh and Lizzy Greene went to the hospital a few days earlier than they planned because this little guy was determined to arrive. At 6 lb, 7 oz, he fits perfectly into their arms. Lizzy missed out on a baby shower scheduled for the following day

but babies take priority over parties.

             Jonathan and Portia Jepsen and some family were here visiting from the Salt Lake area.   Some of Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen's children have been up too so the Harley and Lima Jepsen farm has been a busy place lately.

             Jim and Debbie Harrison have been here in their Mink Creek home. Jim is now a published author and I have found one of his creations in the bookstore of the Preston Citizen.

             Vernon Keller had family home recently. His daughter Kayleen and Jeff Hill brought some of their family to celebrate a holiday with their Grandpa. Vernon also hosted the annual Mountain Man Rendezvous for the Lewis and Clark Volunteers who headquarter in Soda Springs. The group have a camping park on the shores of Mink Creek at his farm.

June 1, 2015

          The Pearson Place has been an active spot. Early arrivers were Howard and Colleen Hawkes, with Greg and Melanie Evans and sons Layton and Lloyd from Davis County in Utah. Steve and Joanne Pearson of Burley, ID, brought grandson Ethan for family fun. More relatives showed up as the days passed and a good time was had by all.

           There was a “Mini McGregor Reunion” at the Bob Erickson park to celebrate Memorial Day. Planned spur-of-the-moment, this provided fun for cousins visiting in the area. Locals were Bob and Claudia Erickson, Layne and Karen Erickson, Jody and Laural Janke and their children. Sheri Scott and her children drove up from Preston and Peggy Ashcroft and the young Ashcrofts from Roy, UT.

          Phee and Robert Crosland and family have returned from a eastward vacation. First stop was Kirksville, MO, attending the graduation exercises for their son Giovanni, a med student at A. T. Still University. Adding family members along the way they drove to Winona, MN, for a reunion with Phee's siblings and families. With Robert's biology interest everyone was excited when they came across snapping turtles and bullfrogs, not your usual tourist attraction. Next destination was Nauvoo, IL, with plans to see Franklin county friend,Tate Bradfield, perform in a historical production. After that it was on to Colorado Springs, CO, to see Arianna and Ben Hostetter and family, before turning their wheels back to Idaho.

            With recent storms the waters in Mink Creek and all its tributaries are running high. In quiet moments one can hear the rush as the water makes its way to Bear River at the west end of our community. Another pleasant sound is that of blackbird choirs, whether the birds are gathered on a fence, a power line or marching in parade down a road or field.

           A storm rushed through here this evening. Not much in the way of moisture, but a very forceful wind. The thrashing tree in the Harry Potter movies had nothing on the way our trees were whipping about. More comments will come in next week's blog when there is time to check out possible damage in the community.

           All of our houses with school age children are adjusting to these first days of no school. Not enough time as passed yet to cause the “I'm bored” comments. Most are just enjoying sleeping in a little later. Even an extra half hour is considered sleeping in after meeting the buses between 7 am and 7:30, as is the case for most of our community.  Love summer in Mink Creek!

Last post for May, 2015

         If you ever attended a Mink Creek School, either the yellow brick, or the red brick, you are invited to attend Mink Creek School Reunion coming up on June 13^th. To qualify for this event it is not necessary that you have graduated from either institute of learning, only that you attended.The list of names provided for those in charge has not been kept up to date and this is a reminder for all who might be interested.  The reunion starts at noon and includes a potluck lunch, lots of visiting and shared memories. If you have memorabilia from your years of residency feel free to bring it, it may stir memories for someone else.

          With the coming of spring Sylvia and Sam Stanger have returned to our community. They are moving forward with their restoring of the old yellow brick schoolhouse just northeast of the creek connection of Strawberry Creek and Mink Creek.

           The Father and Son Campout endured a night of rain. But a little water, or a big bit, didn't wipe out the planned event, there was a fair turnout in spite of the damp. Some slept in tents, others in campers. The evening meal was Navaho tacos and a breakfast of eggs, sausage and pancakes was welcome come morning. Due to the consistent rain the ATV ride was canceled, mud is a challenge not needed for a large group of riders of various ages.  Making mud pies was not on the list of suggested activities.

         Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson have returned from a road trip. They enjoyed the redwood forests of northern California and the beautiful scenery around Highway 101. After a stay at Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast they meandered over to the Boise area for a visit with daughter Dana and Charlie Peterson and their children before heading home across Idaho.

           Payton and Judith Newby and family were visiting with his parents, Sharla and Lin McKay. Danny and Nicky Coleman and their two little girls had a weekend with his parents, Tammy and Nelson Coleman. Tammy parents, Ray and Ila Rae Vanvleet of Grace, ID, drove over as well.

          It has been a wet Memorial Day weekend, but that hasn't stopped families from coming to the Mink Creek Cemetery. There was even a Scottish piper playing the pipes for a few moments in remembrance of the family's Scottish roots. This community was founded by Scandinavians, and much of the headstones bear that out, but it has also been a place of welcome to others.

           Our lilacs are in full bloom, all colors, mixing in with the many yellow and golden wild flowers that fill the hillsides. Don't discount the smiling dandelions. Things are so full of color in this damp spring against a background of varied greens. All visitors have been proclaiming, “it is soooo green.”  Come see us, you will feel transported to foreign shores.

May 19, 2015

           Graduation is looming in the lives of several of our youth. Donning Preston High official robes will be two young men and five young ladies: Justin Longhurst, son of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst; James Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird; Claire Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen; Brooke Corbett, daughter of Shane and Sherrie Corbett; Tawni Hall, daughter of Brett and Kristi Hall; Haylee Hatch, daughter of Sam and Katie Hatch; Lizzie Green, daughter of Dale and Charity Wallentine, wife of Joshua Greene.

            It is needful to mention a correction from a past blog where it was claimed that Jesse Parker was a senior, I am happy to report that he is only a junior. It means we get to keep him for one more year.  I am sure the PHS baseball coach feels the same way, Jesse is fun to watch on that pitcher's mound.

            Travis and Amber Arnout of Logan, and their family of four small children were up to spend a weekend with his parents, Mark and Karen Arnout. Jacob and RaNette Free and their two youngsters came over from Pinedale, WY, from for some time with his parents, Richard and Vickie Free.

            The chokecherry blossoms are providing a lovely perfume right now. There seems to be chokecherry trees everywhere. In my own neighborhood they are close by north, east and south, a little more sparse in the western direction. Every hillside seems wrapped in the golden color of mules' ears flowers.

            Ty Samuel Beardall, son of Kent and Tammy Beardall, was ordained to the office of priest in the LDS Ward recently. Two brothers came to assist in this event. Shawn and Callie Beardall and their four children drove from Spanish Fork, UT. Mikel Beardall brought his fiance, Rebecca Frandsen to be part of the family group.

            Jacobi Johnson, grandson of Phee and Robert Crosland was ordained a teacher. He also had out-of-town family visitors. Malia and Jason Kunde and their children from Rigby, ID, and Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and family from Franklin, ID.

             We are having duck weather. Rain, rain, and more rain. No sprinkler pipes being moved across farmer fields right now.  Snow has returned to many of our mountaintops. The snow has never left the mountain peak next to the Mink Creek Steeps, but the others have appeared bare from this ground floor view. A ride up the canyon reveals that there are still snow piles hidden among the pines as one gets near the summit by Copenhagen road. As always, please be aware of the deer moseying about near Highway 36. No matter the elevation the deer inhabit this area.

May 12, 2015

            Our spring Highway 36 cleanup project was amazing. The most amazing thing was that it happened on an evening with no rain. Fact: most years this very worthwhile project seems to bring rain with its scheduling. Not so for spring, 2015. The youth turned out in good numbers and were rewarded with a supper of Sloppy Joes and brownies, served in the pavilion area to the rear of the LDS Ward building.

             The Crosland twins, Mario and Maro came home for the summer from BYU in Provo. Marco has packed up and is spending these summer months at the BYU program in Jerusalem, Mario is happily at home, employed by Preston's Valley Implement. These twins travel on their own paths.

            The beautiful baby girl of Mariah and Brandon Atkinson was given a name and blessing in the LDS Ward. She is Timberlee Jade Atkinson, blessed by her fraternal grandfather, Jay Atkinson. Jay and his wife Teresa are from Deweyville, UT, as are a niece Rachel and Jackson Tuckett. Lynn Atkinson, great grandfather, drove over from Dayton, ID. Greg and Brenda Belew, on the maternal side, with the local clan of  Clarks and Belews of  sharing in the occasion.

            Even though the Twin Lakes Canal is carrying a goodly amount of water right now down out of our village, the waters of Mink Creek are still fairly high. Not booming as in most years, this winter was too mild, but it is still a joy to see. The good storms we have had this past week will be helpful to our entire county.

           Our Community Day of Service covered a number of needed local projects. Our off-roads, those other than our main drag, Highway 36, got some trash pickup accomplished. Trees were pruned, fences fixed. The young men were doing their best to collect scrap metal to give a financial boost to planned fun as well as tidying up the local landscape. These assignments finished up with a wienie roast at our ballpark.

           Jake and Holly Longhurst have been up for a weekend from their place in Orem, UT. They have been celebrating Holly's recent graduation and certification as a Dental Hygienist.

           Our week of rainy days has our community arrayed in shades of green from the top to the bottom. Come see how beautiful it is, you might wonder if you are misplaced in Ireland. Mists hang around the tops of the mountains in the early hours. Planting one thing or another seems to be the order of most days.

May 5, 2015

             Lorraine Christensen is now back home after three months of some serious Grandmother time.  She has been in Arizona, giving some assistance to their son Kevin Christensen. He lives in the Phoenix area.

           The family of Phee and Robert Crosland gathered together in Rigby, ID, to celebrate the blessing day of the infant daughter of Malia and Jason Kunde. She was given the name Evelyn Joy Kunde. Malia's siblings came from near and far. Armando now lives in Washington, DC. Teresina Crosland is in Safford, AZ. Arianna and Ben Hostetter and their little boy, Skyler, are located in Colorado Springs, CO. Chiara Graham came up from Hyrum, UT, and Gionanni and Kristina Crosland and family are in Franklin, ID. The twins, Mario and Marco, are both students at BYU in Provo, UT.

           Mike an Mary Ann Jepsen spent a few days babysitting a new grandson, Prescott Jepsen. Their son Joe and Kate Jepsen live in Salt Lake City.

           Ty Jepsen has had his twelfth birthday recently. His parents are Dr. Kerry and Melinda Jepsen. He was ordained a deacon in the LDS Ward and will now be attending the Young Men classes, having graduated from Primary.

          Mink Creek has had three youth involved during this PHS baseball & softball season. Jesse Parker, son of Jesse Parker, plays on the Varsity squad. Ty Beardall, son of Kent and Tammy Beardall contributes to the Junior Varsity team. Tawni Hall, daughter of Kristi and Brett Hall, is a part of the PHS softball team. Both Jesse and Tawni are seniors this year so this is their last year on a Preston High field.

         A Spring Scout Camporee at the district level was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark. It turned out to be an evening with some rain which contributed to putting a dampener on many of the activities. The attendance was much lower than anticipated.

           The first pickings of water cress are a tradition at this Erickson household.. We went up to the Klondike area of our valley this evening and brought home a dishpan full of the lovely sharp-tasting leaves. I hope this kindles fond memories for some of you readers. A slice of fresh home make bread, slathered with butter and topped with a handful of crisp watercress.  Lip-smacking good!

           Blackbirds are all over the place with their high-stepping postures, it always reminds me of the German armies of World War II. Their chortling sound is like a spring chorus.

            Spring is in high gear in this neck of the woods, I had to mow the lawn twice this last week and it is ready all over again. The first of May is the day that water is turned into the canals.   The creeks are running full right now, but it won't last long due to the mild winter we had.