August 18, 2015

          The family of Shane and Sherrie Corbett have had some great down time down under. Their daughter Brooke flew to Australia in the middle of July. She participated in Downunder Basketball Camp. What a great opportunity! Her parents and brother Austin traveled down to share in the last few days of her visit. The sightseeing, the ocean, kangeroos, koala bears, and family fun were all part of a “once in a lifetime” experience for the Corbetts. A stop in Hawaii and Waikiki Beach was a bonus as they made their way back to Idaho and home.

            Claudine McKague, daughter of Bob and Claudia Erickson, made a spur of the moment decision to spend a few days here in Mink Creek, helping her parents get caught up on some summer chores. She lives in Vancouver, WA, and happened to be coming in this directions with a friend who needed to be in Utah for nearly a week.

           Mark and Karen Arnout hosted a little family reunion when all of their children got together at their place in Mink Creek. Lance and Tosha Arnout and their family came from Midway, UT. Kelly and Adam Jensen and their children live in Rockland, ID. Travis and Amber Arnout and their bunch drove up from Logan, UT. Dustie and Jessica Arnout are from Saratoga Springs, UT. Mark and Karen have been up in Montana at an art show in Whitefish, displaying the metal art they create in the family business. It is a long drive, but beautiful scenery.

           A Wheel Ride scheduled in the community was enjoyed, in spite of the inclement weather. Royce Christensen organized the event. The terrain was back country and the outfits for transportation were chosen accordingly. It was damp, a bit muddy, but still fun for those who participated.

            Our skies are smoke filled, hazy , blocking our usual view of our beautiful mountains. The smoke is traveling with the winds from the western part of Idaho, coming many miles, smudging the world around us. Thus far we have no fires near us as the season's drying takes place.

            With school days coming up fast our community is having less visitors. The home of Tracy and Michelle Gibbs was full to overflowing a couple of weeks ago.

           Lana Baird McCracken drove down to Orem, UT, to take part in a baby shower for her daughter, Maria Flake. This will be Maria and Devin Flake's first child so the excitement is high.

August 11, 2015

         Rodeo weekend and the high school class reunions are the reason for a number of visitors as August gets underway. Jacob and Ranette Free and their two children drove over from Pinedale, WY, to shelp with rodeo parade preparations at his dad's ranch. Richard and Vickie Free raise Paso de Fino horses and enjoy the parade ride.

         The five children of Freemon and Ada Jepsen all gathered together at their parents home, the first time they have all been able to make it for many years, Bruce Jepsen, Dan Jepsen. Marilyn Godfrey, JoAnn Auger and Glen Jepsen, plus all their spouses, had a great time reminiscing about their growing up years on the farm. Although the siblings are now scattered they have kept an interest in their parents home,

        Karen and Layne Erickson enjoyed a visit from their yongest daughter, Connie and her husband Adam Westenskow. Connie and Adam live in Logan

          Three young adult of our community are making marriage plans for this fall. Tiffany Longhurst, daughter of Sheldon and Candy, has an August date with Spencer Wheeler of Parma, ID. Alexis Iverson, daughter of Kurt and Margret Iverson, and Scott Strong of Spanish Fork, UT, will wed in September. Cody McKay, son of Paul a d Terrie McKay, has also chosen September for a wedding date with Kevyn Bruce of Globe, AZ.

        Two young men with recent birthdays were ordained to the office of priest in the LDS Ward. Ben Seamons is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, Andy McKay, the son of of Paul and Terrie McKay.

         Terry and Hayes Carr and family came up from Utah to visit with her parents, Mary Jean and Larry Rasmussen. Carrie and Ken Melton and their two boys are visiting her parents, Lorraine and Royce Christensen The Melton family lives in Indiana.

        We are having a day here and there where it is feeling like Fall is on its way. It seems a bit early but then this whole year has been on a tipped schedule. Due to frequent rainstorms the countryside still looks fairly green, as though the dryness of harvest is being held at bay.

          Last week sent a couple of storms that had our streets serving as swift waterways as the heavy rain made its way down to the creeks, flowing to the mouth of Mink Creek where it empties into Bear River. There was thunder and lightening popping about, but no reports of damage as a result.

August 4, 2015

             There has been some Christensen Family Reunions around here. That surname covers a large group connected with this community, sufficient to have smaller batches getting together. I know of one taking place in Preston, another out our way.

            Eldon and Danita Wilcox were able to gather all of their children and families together for some summer fun. Three of them live in Utah: Elise and Jeff Hardy in North Ogden, Brittany and Matt Durrant in Salt Lake City, Ami and Tom Fenton in Tooele. Lesli and David Evans live in Savannah, TX. The rest are in Idaho: MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter in Pocatello, Brigham and Jennifer Wilcox in Idaho Falls, Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox here in Mink Creek.

           Jesse Wilcox was sustained in the LDS Ward as the ward clerk this past week. He replaces Nelson Coleman who is moving to Thatcher.

          Wynn and Cecelie Costley have had several weeks of grandparent fun. Hannah and Spencer Singleton brought their children for a lengthy summer stay. Their home is in Arkansas. Hannah's siblings thay live a bit closer to Mink Creek brought their families up and there was some great cousin hours enjoyed

           The Young Women held their summer camp near Rexburg, ID. Thirteen girls participated with five leaders: Laurel Wilde, Candy Longhurst, Tiffany Longhurst, Terrie McKay and Melinda Jepsen.

Activities included a long hike, a rope course, a trip to the Rexburg LDS Temple, and water fun at Camp Takedown.

          Melissa Colvin and her children have been staying for a few weeks with her folks, Joann and Drew Ford. The Colvin family is in the middle of a move from their home in Nebraska with a job change that will take them to Iowa. This makes for an even greater distance when it comes to family visits.

           Summer apples are falling from the tree branches. If the tree happens to be domesticated, and the apples are sliced with the lawn mower, bees and wasps gather for a sweet feast. It behooves a person to keep that in mind when traipsing through the grass. A sweet sting still hurts!

          The Famous Preston Night Rodeo weekend brought home lots of people and their friends. More details will follow in next week's blog.

            Franklin County Fair commences next week. Day One is Aug 10^th and children and parents are finishing up those last bits and pieces of projects to enter. 4H leaders have their hands full, especially if they are both leader and parent. It is scramble time!

July 28, 2015

            The Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints held a Ward Conference this month. The presidency and stake officers of the Preston North Stake attended, with Pres. Dax Keller presiding. The stake auxiliary officers presented information and instruction in their corresponding sessions. The Mink Creek Primary children sang “Gethsamane,” a selection that touched all in the congregation.

             The family of Laural and Jody Janke went on vacation time to the midwest. En route they stopped at places of historical interest. In Nauvoo, IL, they connected with friends from Richmond, UT, Hal and Leslie Briggs and discovered new things that they had in common. Most of their days were spent in the area around Ottawa, IL, where Jody's family has roots, with his brother and sister's families.

            Charles Iverson, son of Bishop Kurt and Margret Iverson, was ordained to the office of a deacon as he graduated from Primary. He also earned the Faith in God award.

            Linda Shewmaker and Sheryl May, sisters of Bruce Crane, came down from their homes near Burley, ID. They try to have this family time in Mink Creek at least once a year at the Crane Cabin on Birch Creek not far from where they spent their early years.

            We have a couple of houses that are in various stages of completion. Kerry and Lacey Christesnsen are doing some expanding on their home on Birch Creek road. Kerry is spending a lot of after work hours wearing a carpenter apron with his hammer handy. A new home is going up on Barley Hill, tucked around a corner off Station Creek Road. It belongs to Jeff and Deborah Olson. One of these first days they will move into the neighborhood. Jeff's Mink Creek roots run deep.

           Temperatures plummeted yesterday, down into the 40s. A big wind swept up our valley, ahead of a lengthy rainstorm. No freezes reported thus far. Our weather has been abnormal ever since last winter.

             People have been picking huckleberries in our canyons. What chokecherries there are will be ready soon. A spring that was full of blossoms has turned into a summer that is nearly bare of berries in the lower area of Mink Creek. I am guessing it is similar traveling east.

           I had surgery on my right hand last week and am bandaged up for a couple of weeks.  Please endure my left-handed endeavor to keep up with my writing assignments. 

Between the hand and the brain it is a challenge.

July 21, 2015

             A Boy Scout Court of Honor recently celebrated three young men receiving their Eagle rank. They are Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, Ty Beardall, son of Kent and Tammy Beardall, and Sam Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. Their Eagle projects were quite individual. Andy constructed a sign for at the junction of Station Creek and Glencoe roads. Ty built a fence on the 1^st base line at the Adam Beardall Field of the Preston High School Baseball complex. Sam designed and built frames for cast displays used at the Worm Creek Opera House.

           Keith Crane, born and raised in Mink Creek, started his family on Two Creek Ranch, then moved them to Burley, ID, for the finishing up years. He was laid to rest at 90 years of age in the Mink Creek Cemetery last week. His wife, Ramona and children RoZann, Lisa, Gilbert, Tracy and Kelly, plus more family and friends gathered for this occasion. Quoting one of his nieces, “there was a whole flock of Cranes” all together. The combined Relief Societies of the Burley 3^rd and Mink Creek Wards provided lunch following the graveside services.

           Seminary certificates were awarded to youth of the LDS Ward. James Baird, Ty Beardall, Brooke Corbett, Angelo and Celina Crosland, Claire Jepsen, McKinley Longhurst, Andy McKay, River McKay, Ben and Sam Seamons, Austin Straight, Chris Wilkerson and Travis Greene received certificates and both McKinley and River lettered as well.

          Bill and Myrna Despain drove to Lovell, WY, to attend their 60^th high school class reunion. On their return they hosted the Despain Family Reunion. Around twenty family guests came from three states: Montana, South Carolina, and Idaho.

          Tammy and Nelson Coleman have sold their Mink Creek home. The move won't be too far away. Tammy grew up in Grace, ID, and the Colemans will be living in Thatcher while building a home nearby. This couple will be sorely missed, but Tammy's family are happy to have them closer.

           Our gardens are doing well. I had three yellow crookneck squash from an anonymous donor today. I felt good about picking my first couple of cucumbers from my few vines and then one of my green thumb friends tells me she has sufficient to start doing dill pickles. For those readers who are interested I predict a good crop of chokecherries this year. They are not close to harvest day, but they are plentiful. Just remember that the local bird population keeps a close eye on their degree of ripeness, and will be ready to feast when the berries are perfect. Anything that is a berry or cherry they gobble right up.

July 14, 2015

                Mink Creek's July 4th party was great, although attendance was a bit less than usual. The presentation of colors at the flag raising ceremony was conducted by Capt. Mike Jepsen, US Army, and other veterans from our community. This year the recent recalling of the Candy Bomber of WWII inspired a candy drop from the air that excited all ages. We haven't done that for a few years. Besides the always popular softball, Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox directed a variety of old-time games and races. Dinner was produced under the supervision of Clare and Linda Christensen and their crew with a menu of Dutch oven potatoes, baked beans, slices of pork loin and rolls, tossed down with cherry limeaide or water, your choice. Dessert was cupcakes that had been judged for their patriotic tastiness earlier in the day. Volunteers from the community met the needs of the day for a fun celebration. The waterslide always tops off the afternoon. This year a contest for original poetry involved both patriotic and cowboy varieties and were recited by those who had taken pen in hand. Nate and Dana Olson were in charge overall and are now able to take a day or two to relax from the pressure of this event.

               The new owners of George and Judy Rasmussen's home on Bear Creek Rd. are officially settled in. Ross and Judy Young come to us from Missouri. Judy is a writer, an author of children's books, and Ron is an artist, having a studio at their home. Our welcome mat has been rolled out and we hope they find Mink Creek to their liking.

             Chad and Dawnell Greene are announcing another grandson. This little one was born the last of June to their son Hestin and Tristan Greene, living now in Preston.

               Hot days, cool nights. Those night temperatures are so very welcome. They give every living thing a break, encouragement to restart the next morning. Raspberries and peas are hitting their peak right now. Pie cherries are ripening, we humans might even be able to harvest some of this sour variety, if we can pick faster than the local robins. They are very persistent.

July 7, 2015

        Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson's family were very involved in the recent Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay Race, beginning in Logan and finishing in Midway, UT. This covered a distance of 200 miles, with one team member running, day and night, for 24 hours. It takes teamwork and support from the whole gang to accomplish this feat. Olson family team members were AnnaBeth, Peggy Flinders, Dana Petersen, Mike and Anna Olson, Jerry and Christin Olson, Jason Stucki and his son Garrett. They imported 3 others to make up a team of twelve. Lydia Stucki and Jimmie were chief supporters and cheerleaders.

           Following her unexpected death, family of Camille Knudson, wife of Jeff Knudson, gathered in Mink Creek to honor their mother. She passed away in a recreational vehicle accident on June 21^st on the Bear River side of our surrounding mountains.

           The wedding of Mikel Beardall and Rebecca Frandsen brought the family of Kent and Tammy Beardall all back home. Michelle and Gary Wall and their children of Grand Junction, CO, Shawn and Callie Beardall and four youngsters from Spanish Fork, UT, Laura and Cameron Reeve and their girls of Logan, Kyle Beardall and Heather Beardall both working in Logan and Nicole and Ty Beardall here in Mink Creek. A reception and dance was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark. The following day the couple was married in Logan.

           Brad and Raeone Stuart of Bountiful, UT, come up frequently. One might call them residents not always in residence. A daughter of Carl and Lenna Christensen, Raeone spent her growing up years here, but they have businesses in Utah that need their attention.

           Even on these very hot days motorcycles roar through our community going both directions, headed to Utah or Bear Lake. Although it might be just a solo biker, groups are often thirty or forty in number.

           Rain, lovely rain, has come in the last few days. The weatherman calls the storms thunder showers, but we might feel they have been temperature breakers. The arrival has put some energy back into the doing of daily tasks.  Heat is such a drainer!

           Our thanks to the State Highway crews for mowing the hedge of weeds that borders the road as it passes through our village.  Residents, both human and wildlife, are grateful.  The State  now has a new project: replacing the bridge as the road crosses the waters of Mink Creek and the highway heads up Strawberry Canyon and into the Caribou National Forest.