July 19, 2016

            Many thanks to the Idaho State highway crew for mowing those tall grasses that bordered the highway through our little town and beyond. This will save some lives of our deer population and other wildlife as they are prone to pop out of the growth into the roadway when least expected. Also, it will significantly improve the vision of our human approaches to merge with the highway from the six main intersections throughout the length of our community.

            Hannah Singleton and her sons have been visiting her parents, Wynn and Cecelie Costley.. The Singleton family lives in Eldorado, AR. Her siblings who live within driving distance have gathered off and on during her stay. Lots of cousin time at the Costley residence lately.

           Ivan McCracken returned from a trip to his native Canada. His mission was helping older brother Sam who was moving into a home in Raymond, Alberta. Sam and his wife Roberta were returning from the Philippines so Ivan enlisted the help of the LDS Ward to get the house in shape.

           The entire family of Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson were here, totaling up to quite a few people. Jerry and Christine Olson and children are in St. George, UT. Mike and Anna Olson and children live in Brigham City, UT. Lydia and Jason Stucki and family call Moscow, ID home. Dana and Charles Peterson and youngsters reside in Meridian and Peggy and Jon Flinders and their girls are at home in Rigby. The Olsons were glad to have their bunkhouses ready and available.

         It has been quite a while since we have had some visiting time with George and Judy Rasmussen. They came up for our 4^th celebration and now live in Highland, UT.

           Marie Keller is home after nearly a month in the Midwest visiting her children.  They live in Indiana around Portage and Ft. Wayne. There was a family wedding while she was there so it lent itself to a family reunion.

          The drying southern winds are making themselves known. If the land isn't under irrigation the appearance is one of dryness. Dryland fields are full of cracks in the surface of the ground, suggesting caution when walking across so a foot doesn't drop in an unexpected hole.

           Justin Longhurst has undergone surgery on a foot that was damaged in a recent race. He took a bad tumble on his racing bike during a competition.  It takes the fun our of the hobby for a time.

July 14, 2016

                There was 100% attendance of our young women at the Girls Camp held at Preston North Stake Campground. The theme was “Pressing Forward.” Both 4^th year and 2^nd year groups had good hikes. The food was good, it was noted that Mink Creek girls know how to start fires. The weather treated them well this year and all became aware of birds singing and the sun shining each morning. Having secret sisters added to the fun. Any pranks were good-natured. There was enough activity that not too many hours were spent sleeping for either leaders or girls. Mink Creek leaders were Laurel Wilde, MaryAnn Jepsen and Melinda Jepsen. Due to recent surgery Dawnell Greene was unable to attend. Appreciation was expressed for the priesthood leaders who came up in shifts.

                The traditional Mink Creek July 4^th provided an entire day for celebrating at the Mink Creek Ballpark. Glad and Corinne Larsen were at the helm of planning this year. The baseball diamond was filled with eager participants of all ages. An airplane candy drop caused lots of excitement, especially when the pilot mis-timed his drop and candy poured down on the parking lot and pavilion instead of the grassy park. All day many activities were offered: rock-wall climbing, face painting from the Jepsen sisters, bottle rockets engineered by Nate Olson, a bouncey house, a catapult under Johnny Iverson's supervision.

               A flag ceremony with our veterans raising the nations flag, was presented by our veterans with Glen Jepsen calling the cadence. The Jody Janke family, with trumpets and drum, furnished accompaniment for singing the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. Glade Larsen shared some memories of his War experience and several vocal groups added to the program

              Patriotic banners and table decorations were on display thanks to efforts of Kim Christesnen. Dinner was prepared by a committee of Clare and Linda Christensen, Forrest and Patti Christensen, Jeff and Deborah Olson, Kent Beardall, Sam Stanger, Royce Christensen and Denny Clark. Sheldon Longhurst and his crew proved a lovely iced drink of raspberry and lemons,. Following the full tummy activity the popular water slide was set up and others enjoyed a moving paint-ball target assembled by Phillip Christensen.  Farmers are inventive people and the moving targets were a huge hit.  No pun intended.

                 The ticket count for the dinner indicates that about 400 people were enjoying our lovely ballpark and the many activities that were offered. 

July 6, 2016

            The celebrating is done,  traditional Mink Creek style, and details will be in next weeks blog with the Citizen's edition matching my deadlines.  In the meantime, enjoy what happened prior to that, along with the extras usually attached.

            The recent demolition derby in Preston had some exciting moments for our residents. L.D. Larkins of Mink Creek was a contestant. He was the winner of the Chain and Bang heat and had a great time.

           Mary and Ron Norris are pleased to announce the marriage of Carli Gressman to Scott Duncan. Carli has lived in Mink Creek with her grandparents ever since they moved here several years ago. Scott is from Goudon, Scotland. The marriage took place in the Millennium Falls Reception Center in Draper, UT, with kilts and bagpipes adding to the Scottish flavor of the event. The Duncans have gone to Disneyland for their honeymoon. They hope to make their home in Cache Valley.

            We have a new family in our village. Heath and Kaci Avery purchased the home of Mark and Karen Arnout. The Averys come to us from Franklin. They have five children: Brayden, age 16, Liberty, 11, Jacob, 9, Grayson, 7 and Grady, 5. They are enjoying the tree covered hillside near their new backyard.

              Another family has returned to Mink Creek. Robbie and Tanishia Greene and their little boy Derek have moved into the Orvid and Marlene Christensen home on Capitol Hill. Robbie spent some of his teenage years with grandma Marlene.

            The Crane Cabin is humming. Linda Shewmaker of Rupert, ID, and Sheryl May of Paul, ID, the Crane sisters, are having a vacation and family get together with their brother, Bruce Crane of Logan. He spoils these two “big” sisters for a few days as they recall their growing up years in Mink Creek.

              David Kolstad, formerly of Mink Creek, took advantage of his travels for his job to stop by for a visit while he was in the neighborhood. He reports that his and Mary's family are doing well and enjoy their farm up in the Clearwater River country. They have remodeled their home more to their liking and are still in love with Idaho.

             Over the weekend we had numerous people using their GPS systems attempt to get to the Oneida Dam by taking the “road” that goes up Ant Hollow, north of Highway 36. Some were even pulling watercraft and such, all ready for a day on the water. Imagine their consternation when the road not only had a gate across it but soon disappeared in the brush and gullies a bit beyond. There was no convenient turn-around provided.   The road has been closed for years, no maintenance, and weather and time has taken a toll. I doubt that a prairie schooner would be able to navigate it now. It is only fit for ATVs and horses. When told by our residents that it was no longer a road the drivers were a little frustrated with the trusted GPS.

June 28, 2016

           The Ward Youth Conference for the youth and their leaders took them south. The ultimate destination was Manti, UT, where they would do some work in that LDS Temple and attend the Manti pageant one evening. On the trip down they took some time in Salt Lake City, touring the Salt Lake Temple grounds and spening some time learning and doing at the Family History Library. While they were in southern Utah they explored some canyons and waterfalls, learned a bit about rock climbing and overall camping fun. One participant, Jacobi Johnson, is currently in a wheelchair due to a foot injury. Still part of this, volunteers carried him through the hiking times. An example of true friendship.

           Returning they traveled to Draper, UT, where they split into teams of four and then met the challenge of traveling to, and regrouping,at a specified spot in Ogden to finish the trip home to Mink Creek. These teenagers know how to work together and all returned safely home after having a fabulous time. Only one small mishap, one of the young men returned home leaving his Sunday shoes in possession of the leaders. Easy to correct that problem.

           Reunion time is underway. Larry and Lillian Hansen have had a family reunion at their ancestral home on Birch Creek. Terry and Wendy Westerberg have been involved with the Smith Reunion in Riverdale. Kathryn McCarrel and her daughter of Lehi, UT, has been up visiting her brothers, Jay Wilde and Warren and Colleen Wilde.

            The annual Mink Creek School Reunion gathered at the LDS recreation hall to trade memories and get caught up on more recent years. Those in charge this year were Clare and Linda Christensen. Around fifty people attended, some for the first time, and enjoyed the potlluck luncheon. Door prizes that were donated were pictures from the long ago past, walking sticks, art work, a stool, and an ice cream cake. Another item to be prized were the larger-than Lincoln Log style cabins that were the centerpieces on the tables. These had been made by Clare as he was preparing for this event during the winter months. After a rather frenzied nominating session Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen volunteered to head up the reunion for the summer of 2017.

            Rafael and Teresa Arnsworth and family were up from their home in Sandy, UT. They are taking care of the summer growth around their newly acquired summer home in Mink Creek.

            Another close call with a deer as one of our residents was driving in the early morning hours to a school practice. The car is in bad shape, the deer a fatality, but both occupants of the vehicle are just shaken and bruised. These deer come from nowhere, especially popping through the long grasses that line each side of the highway.

           Speaking of those high grasses, every intersection the whole length of our community has blind spots for oncoming traffic. It is bad enough during the winter with no side growth, in this season the danger is tripled. Also, it has been questioned as to whether there has been a law changed about crossing that solid yellow line. So many drivers behave as though it is invisible.

June 23, 2016

This is a day behind schedule,  I have had too many unexpected meetings on my agenda and brain the last few days and it just occurred to me that this blog hadn't written itself.

           The recent production of “The Little Mermaid” involved several from our community. Abi and Sophi Janke, Ty and Ella Jepsen were all onstage and having a good time in their various roles. Behind the scenes with props and costumes came help from Laural Janke, and members of the Jepsen family: Kerry, Melinda, Macy, Clair and Tara. It was a job well done and enjoyed by full audiences on all four nights that it played at the Worm Creek Theater.

           The families of Phee and Robert Crosland and Richard and Vickie Free accompanied the Strictly Ballroom Dance troupe when they were competing in a tournament in California.

           Fred and Victoria Christensen came up from Orem, UT, to spend a weekend visiting with his parents, Lorraine and Royce Christensen.

          Vernon Keller enjoyed having some of his family around for a few days. Jeff and Kayleen Hill came from Alpine, UT, with some of their children and some grandchildren. There was lots of noise to shatter the usual quiet.

           We have a new family on the Two Creek Ranch. Justin and Peggy Golightly and their children are living there while their home is under construction in nearby Riverdale.

            Hannah Greene, daughter of Chad and Dawnell Greene, was recognized in the LDS ward with the arrival of her 14^th birthday and becoming a Mia Maid in the Young Women organization. Hayden Egley, daughter of Jared and Julie Egley, was presented with her Young Womanhood Medallion as she has fulfilled her goals to achieve that award.

          Haying season came in a little earlier than usual with the rains of spring. Those in our community who grow alfalfa have been on alert since the beginning of June, planning their lives around the capricious weather. Hot, cold, dry, wet , along with keeping the haying equipment running with no break downs. A challenging way of life.

           Right now we are getting hot and rather windy weather. This sure makes those growing crops want more water. Obviously the sprinkler systems are getting lots of use, whether it is by pipe, or wheel moves or the big water guns. That they are operating correctly is of utmost importance.

            Strawberry patches are starting to produce. That means it is time for jamming, not the musical type, the hot-in-the-kitchen type, or better yet, the lovely frozen stuff.

Flag Day, 2016

             Flags have been furled, if not visibly, they have been there in mind and heart.  It was gratifying to see the streets of our nearest town, Preston, adorned with the banners of red, white and blue.  Here in Mink Creek the flags are flown in the individual yards of the homes, seeing as how there is no 'business district.'

            The Pearson Place, otherwise known as the Leghorn Lodge, has been stirring this season. Children and grandchildren and even some great-grands have been enjoying the green scenery that surrounds their home spot. Clan members present were Colleen and Howard Hawkes , Melanie and Evans, Peggy Pearson, and Pam and Dave Stanger.

             Sharon Moran has moved to the great northwest, taking up residence on Vashon Island, in the Puget Sound, west of Seattle. This change in scenery will put her in closer proximity of her son Willie Moran, a good plan for both of them.

             Another sudden move was that of Mark and Karen Arnout. Having had their home on the market for quite some time it was a surprise to all when they closed on a deal and were packing up within days of the signing. Their new place is in the Malad area.

             Sam and Sylvia Stanger are sharing their time between their restored yellow brick school and their winter bases in Utah. It is great to see lights on and know they are home again.

             The small cabin that sits on the banks of lower Birch Creek is sold. It is back in the hands of the family that built it originally. Willis Oliverson lived in it for a time, then he moved further east on Birch Creek and his parents, Richard and Ada Oliverson occupied the little cabin. For many years it was known locally as “Aunt Fan's cabin.” Years later a frequent visitor from California, James McKelfish, purchased it and brought in a group of 10 California hunters who frequented the cabin during hunting seasons. These added a storage unit to the side. Outwardly the place looks much as it did a century ago, and now an Oliverson descendent has the deed. His family tree goes back to Richard and Ada. We wish him well.

            The haying season is upon us, about two weeks earlier than usual. Our farmers are putting in long hours, mowing, raking, and finally baling, all the while hoping for the weather to stay dry through the process.

            I add this bit of geographic information due to a recent comment from a reader. This Mink Creek, Idaho, is a small farming community, a few miles northeast of Preston. The early settlers were immigrants from Denmark, Norway and Sweden and many of those families have descendants still here. There are two Mink Creeks in Idaho, the other is a forested area with homes that border the south end of Pocatello, Idaho. The areas are quite different but those who search for us online often get the two mixed up. It can be confusing. Anyone looking for property would connect with the real estate companies located in Preston.

June 7, 2016

          Yesterday was D Day, a day that should be remembered, not just in the history books.  Much loss, much gain of a different sort.  Without that day, and it's following events, our current world and way of life would be much different.

            Oops, a goof on my part. Last week I reported on five high school graduates from our community. Turns out that I missed one. He is Chet Jensen, the son of Kalee and Russell Bair and the late Shawn Jensen. My apologies to Chet and all of his family.

            Bill and Myrna Despain took a week, plus, to enjoy family and high school graduation exercises in Wyoming. They had two granddaughters graduating from Lovell High School.

           Eldon and Danita Wilcox celebrated the graduation of their daughter MaKenzie Gunter from Idaho State University. The Wilcox children and grandchildren were in Mink Creek over the weekend for a family reunion. This means lots of cousins having lots of fun: games, swimming, eating, a perfect agenda.

            The Lewis and Clark Volunteers, headquarters in Soda Springs, ID, held their annual Memorial Day Rendezvous on the banks of Mink Creek at the Vernon Keller Farm. The sounds of musket loaders were heard up and down our valley with the echoes from their fun.

            A mini McGregor Reunion gathered at the Erickson Pond on Memorial Day. The children of Jody and Laural Janke and Robert and Sherie Scott had great cousin time. These adults, plus Connie and Adam Westenskow of Logan, Layne and Karen Erickson, and Bob and Claudia Erickson caught up with visiting and a potluck dinner topped off the afternoon.

             The Crane Cabin was bustling with memories of family. Bruce and Shawna Crane were up from Logan, leading the way with other family members. The Mink Creek cemetery over the past few days has featured pictures from their generations in this community.

             Do you remember the rose bushes filled with bright yellow and copper blooms? They add splashes of color to our beautiful green countryside right now. Snowball bushes are at their prime a well, loaded with white fluffy globes of flowers.

           The general question in the neighborhoods is “How does your garden grow?” The next question is regarding which wild critters are already invading the  plants that are starting to grow. One reports sandhill cranes gobbling up the tiny stalks of corn, another has problems with the cottontail rabbits eating the tender broccoli. Flowers are also providing  grub for the local foragers. I am sure the deer are anxious for the strawberries to get ripe. These are some of the prices of “life in the country.”