November 15, 2016

         The geese are on their way south. Several sightings of their V flight formation, plus accompanying honking were reported this week. The beautiful blue sky of fall makes for the perfect backdrop for these aviators. One more sign that winter season is approaching.

          Election Day was an active one at the Mink Creek polls. This year it was staffed by Lorraine Christensen, Vickie Free, and Sharla McKay. They kept busy all through the long day and reported a good turnout, including the absentee ballots, more than 93% of our registered citizens cast their ballot in this Presidential election.

           Two grand babies of Mink Creek residents have arrived this week. Landon and Amy Costley have a new baby boy, who will be named Wynn Maxwell. The grandparents are Wynn and Cecelie Costley. Chad and Dawnell Greene are please to announce another little boy in the family of their son Josh and Lizzy Greene. Oaklan Joshua is warmly welcomed by big brother Bentley.

          Bob and Claudia Erickson enjoyed nearly a week's visit with Davis Collins. This grandson goes to BYU/I in Rexburg, ID, and was able to spend nearly four days in Mink Creek with family. His parents are Jay and Kristin Collins of Lakeview, OR.

          Jeff and Deborah Olson have returned from a “little trip” that involved a few weeks this fall. Actually the title of the event would be appropriately called the Book of Mormon in the Heartland Chronology tour. Places visited were much of the midwest and eastern part of the United States. They went to museums, listened to anthropologists and archaeologists and met some new friends. Beautiful scenery and good company.

          We have a list of recoverees in our little burg. Kent Egley has had shoulder surgery, and is now fighting cabin fever. Joe Jarvis had knee surgery and is happy for physical therapy and his handy cane. Drew Ford is on the mend. Layne Erickson spent some hospital time with stomach distress, but is now home. There are many cases of the “fall cold” in our community. There is a variety, but we hope all this lessens in the coming weeks. 

           It is still seeming a little strange to have darkness by 6 pm. Strange, but nice, knowing the day is over and it is time to wrap things up in the chore department and spend some time with family, doing family things whether it is homework for school, or gathering around the table for the evening meal., or something in the line of entertainment.

          Very few leaves are left on the deciduous trees up and down our valley. The fall winds have made good sweepers as they have blown through. Though without their leafy garb the tree forms are more visible and still beautiful. We are so lucky to live in this small village nestled against the mountains.

            Help me with this, please.  The Citizen has changed the policy of only 300 words for the Rural Route columns.  I have no idea if those of you who read this blog  also subscribe to the paper and are just reading it for the little extra I tack on each week (or nearly each week ).  If you like having this in blog form please comment so that I can tell if it is a worthwhile venture.  I am not in favor of being redundant, but I also realize that most of the add-ons are just me gabbing about MC and not so much newsy stuff.   I have only 11 subscribers, but my statistics tell me that there are more readers than those 11.  Thanks, to everybody.

A month for extra Thanksgiving

            A strong south wind swept up our little valley the last Sunday of October and did a dandy job of redistributing the leaves that had already fallen and ripped many more leaves off to add to the piles. Many of our trees now stand naked and shivering as the temperatures drop, bit by bit.

           Warren Wilde, Layne Erickson, and Lin and Sharla McKay drove up to Lewiston, ID to attend a Snowmobile Convention with lots of plans for the coming winter months. River McKay, daughter of Lin and Sharla, joined them where she received a scholarship award from the Snowmobile Association that will assist in her college finances this year,

          The Mink Creek Community Halloween Party took a different twist this year. It was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark, costumes were many and varied. Those attending were encouraged to bring their best carved pumpkin and enter it in a contest. We had a chili cook-off, and those wanting a different brew brought soups. There were sooo many varieties to choose from that it made the potluck supper a tasting experience, a little of this one, a little of that. Prizes were awarded for costumes and the soups. With a fire going in our firepit and some space heaters on the other end of the pavilion the chilly air was kept at bay. The evening finished with all youngsters heading to the parking lot for the Trunk-r- Treat, loading their containers with candy. The event was organized by Melinda Jepsen and Lacey Christensen and they enlisted friends and neighbors to round out the production crew. Many thanks for those who helped make it a fun night.

          The weather of the past month has brought quite a bit of moisture. Our parched earth has welcomed every drop and judging from the results of plowed fields the soaking has gone straight down.

           The fall plowing is done and the fields lay ready for a winter's sleep, hopefully under a nice blanket of white snow.

          I hope you are aware that the Chicago Cubs won the baseball World Series this year. At our house it was a big deal, our son-in-law growing up not far from Chicago.I love the song "Go Cubs, Go," especially if it is performed by my grandchildren. 

          Visitors to our community have lessened with the coming of the school year. However, judging from comments I get around town, you readers are at least just as interested in the surroundings as you are the people. While I was raking those many leaves that the wind removed from our trees I heard a honking racket overhead. Looking up there were two flocks of geese, in V formation, headed south. At first they were separate, a V apiece, but as they made a wide turn they closed and the Vs interlocked to form a W. With the blue fall sky as a background it was a sight to stir the heart, and the audible honking added to the moment. Feeling of gratitude for the many natural beauties that are part of this spot on the earth.

November 1, already

           Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson, of Station Creek, hosted a couple that they had known when serving their mission in Great Britain. Linda and George O'Neill of Hull, Yorkshire are spending nearly a month touring about “the states.” The foursome did some sightseeing during the days the O'Neills were in Idaho, going to Yellowstone Park and Teton National Park and the Ft. Hall reservation. They took a tour during the open house of the new LDS Temple in Star Valley, WY. George discovered what it was like to ride a horse, an interesting experience. They enjoyed becoming acquainted with the residents of Mink Creek community at the Cider Fest and supping on the “milk can dinner”, also a new experience.

           The women of the community gathered together to tie some lap quilts and enjoyed the visiting time around their lunch table.. It felt good to have children playing beneath the quilting apparatus, a throwback to days gone by in this village. The quilts are intended for use by the residents of the Franklin County Transitional Center. Cathy Seamons directed this activity.

            The rains keep coming, although it has let up a little. Some fall plowing of our fields has been detained because the hillside was just too slick. That says quite a bit for the Mink Creek farmer who has farmed these slopes for decades. The water being received is penetrating deeply into the earth judging from the depth of a plow point being moist beyond that measure.

           The family of Marco Crosland gathered in Utah to celebrate the marriage of Marco to Christina Segovia. Marco is the son of Robert and Phee Crosland, Christina's parents, Ed and Megan Segovia, live in Mountain Home, ID. The young couple were married on Oct. 22^nd in the Ogden LDS Temple. A ring ceremony and reception took place in Salt Lake City at the Arbor Manor Reception Center. Marco and Christina are students at BYU in Provo.

            November, seems impossible. We haven't had snow down on the living level but it has come and gone, come again, with the frequent rainstorms we have had this month. It is a matter of watching the snowline descend and rise according to the whims of the weather.

            Hunting seasons are all but gone. I had a few pheasant hunters still roaming around last week. The elk season has turned from “only bulls” to cows.

            We are looking forward to the end of Daylight Savings Time this weekend. The kids getting on the school bus around 7am are doing so in total darkness. Those flashing lights on the bus make quite an announcement as they pause for kids to board.

October 26 or 27, 2016

        This week I have lost track of what day it is.  That tells you, my readers, why this is late.  Unexpected company arrived so the schedule juggling got things stirred up a bit.

         The turkeys are back. Not just in small flocks, more like herds of turkeys. A hundred here, another hundred there, give or take a dozen or so. For anyone driving our roads it is well to remember that all turkeys seem to think they have the right of way when it comes to navigating automobile traffic that invades their domain.

          Karen and Layne Erickson drove up to Idaho Falls to witness the baptism of their grandson, Creighton Kunz, the son of Julie an Todd Kunz. Other family members that joined with them in the event were Connie and Adam Westenskow of Logan, UT, and Bryan and Shannon Erickson and their boys of Mt. Sterling, UT.

          Our Naomi Wilde, 101 years young, is doing well after her surgeries and has now moved to Pocatello to an assisted living facility near her son Dean Wild eand family. We now welcome a new young family into the Wilde home. Jasmine and Miles Erickson and their daughter Madelaine are from Logan. They definitely have Wilde connections. Jasmine is the daughter of Laurel Wilde, wife of Ross, Naomi's son, who built a home not far from where he grew up here in Mink Creek..

         Laural and Jody Janke and their family and Bob and Claudia Erickson traveled down to Alpine, UT to listen to Mikell Abernethy speak about her time spent in the Oakland/San Francisco Mission of the LDS Church, as a Spanish-speaking Hermana. Mikell is the granddaughter of the Ericksons, the daughter of Danalee and Gene Abernethy. With the Abernethy siblings gathering for the occasion from Boston, MA, and California, this event turned into a small family reunion.

         Angelo Crosland was ordained to the office of an elder, prior to his plans for serving a mission in the future. Prior to that he is headed out to Washington, DC to spend some time with his older brother Armando. They are the sons of Robert an Phee Crosland.

         With various hunting seasons open at the present time our community has people coming and going. Pheasant season, deer season, and elk season serve as reasons for lots of excitement and frequent visitors.

         It has been an interesting fall weather-wise. A very wet October has produced fresh green lawns, after looking a bit on the dry side just a month ago. The leaves are falling off the trees, but they still retain moisture. There has been some stunning sunsets following bright days, then clouds gathering on the western horizon just prior to the sun's descent. It is getting darker each morning as the school buses come through to gather up the kids waiting at their stops. Please, normal time, return soon so we can have a little light in those early hours.

October 18, 2016

             The headline for this column should be that of the barn burning. This barn has a history and has been a part of the Mink Creek scene for more than 100 years. It has stood by Highway 36, an imposing structure as one travels to and from Strawberry Springs. Currently owned by Richard Free, the former owner was Delmer Keller, and Delmer's parents before him. Richard was not at home at the time, but luckily his wife, Vickie, was. Neighbors, seeing smoke rising, came and got their horses out of harm's way. The flames were reported to the Franklin County Fire Department around 3pm, Oct. 11^th, and there was quick response with multiple trucks, equipment and firefighters. The barn burned to the ground, but the other farm buildings close by escaped injury. As of this writing ( the 14th) the pile of blackened wood and hay is still smoldering, awaiting a possible rain storm to help further extinguish the heat.

            A Fall Social titled a “Cider Fest” was held at the Mink Creek Ballpark for the adults of the community. Even though it was a cold night around sixty people attended the event. "Bundle u" goes with planning outdoor activities at this time of year. A nursery was provided at the LDS Meetinghouse for those parents who had small children.

           A milk can dinner was prepared by Glade Larsen and Mike Jepsen and their ever helpful spouses. Reports are that it was delicious. There were layers of corn on the cob, red potatoes, cabbage, carrots, celery, ham and other lovely morsels of food. Rolls were part of the menu and the ladies in attendance brought various fruit desserts to share. Cider pressing was a main part of this activity and the planning committee has been collecting apples from around our village in preparation for the event. Three different ciders were produced this evening: apple of course, pear, and plum. The group enjoyed the warmth shed by a bonfire in the pit and people stayed and visited even after dark.

            The Cider Fest event is replacing two community events of past years. For several years in the past our town has had an outing on the shores of Bear Lake to celebrate the end of summer. Also, this year the Harvest Social that was combined with a trunk n' treat in the past is no longer on our calendars.

          We have snow on our mountain tops, but a friend from Bear Lake reports that they had 3 inches over there. We are still green within the community boundaries.  It has been several days of rain, rain and more rain. A rather soggy October thus far. It has helped to douse the Free barn embers. No complaints.

           There has been some frost. It is a bit patchy, hitting here, missing there. Alas, lawns are still in need of mowing.  After two dry months we are re-greening with all the wetness.

Columbus Day, 2016

        I hope you all know who Columbus is and why we should recognize his contribution to the world, as well as this nation.  It was a big day in school rooms of the past, but no longer.  Happy Columbus Day yesterday.   I had some friends remind me that it was the Canadian Thanksgiving, but no one mentioned Columbus.

          It is the time of year, just before Daylight Savings Time shuts down, that our children are getting on the morning school bus while it is dark. The return trip deposits them at their various stops while is is still light, at least for now. Our thanks to Mink Creek's two bus drivers for this school year, Shelly Bray and Glen Smedley.

         Ivan and Lana McCracken took a drive to Burley, ID, for some family celebrations. Ivan's grandson, Dallyn McCracken is leaving to serve on an LDS Mission in an Argentine area at the tip of South America, Terra del Fuego. He will be speaking the Spanish language. This area is mountainous and has a subpolar oceanic climate situated so closely to Antarctica. Chances are, Dallyn won't be warm again until he is back in the United States.

         Bill and Myrna Despain traveled to Colorado to see multiple family members in several different locations. One objective of the trip was to help Bill's brother finish building his garage. Another was to attend the open house of the LDS Temple in Ft Collins, CO. Both were accomplished along with much visiting.

         Sherrie Corbett and Melida Jepsen have returned from an adventure in New York. They were running in a relay race, such a challenge to run fourteen miles over a period of 48 hours. Lots of fun things came up on their agenda, such as sleeping in a barn, a tour of downtown New York City, beautiful countryside, congested populations. Just naming a few, but so proud of these two friends meeting this undertaking together.

          We had three days of rain and cold. The night with the most wind must have been frightening to our wildlife as well as to our residents. There were branches blown out of the trees, even the evergreens. Three deer were hit and killed along the highway during the storm that night.

          Hunting Fever has hit this area. Both  the hunters and the deer are feeling the pressure of the opening of the season. By this coming weekend this little valley will likely sound like a battleground from the past.

          Two other types of wildlife are putting in an appearance now that the weather is changing. The turkeys have dropped back down to the easier feeding grounds of farmer's fields. The pesty box elder bugs are accumulating in numbers, on outside walls, around doorways, windows. The people residents are doing their best to reduce the bug population.

October, already

          Our beautifully colored foliage is rapidly fading in intensity. A drive up our canyons is still rewarding, but the season is progressing rapidly. Our resident deer are invading our orchards for any fruit to add to this diets, this includes what has fallen to the ground and any other within their reach. One lovely buck even took time to have a nap in my backyard.

           Dallon Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, was ordained to the office of a Teacher in the LDS Ward. This ordinance took place in Franklin for the convenience of family members. Recent birthdays affected two young ladies in Mink Creek as well. Celina Crosland is now a Laurel and Emily Longhurst is a Mia Maid, both in the Young Womens' Program.

           Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been enjoying some family time in San Jose, CA, with their daughter, Annie and Steve Earl and their children. Annie's oldest daughter will soon be leaving to serve a mission in Norway so there is much excitement being shared.

           Brayden Avery, son of Heath and Kaci Avery, was recently baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. He was baptized by his brother, Kamren Avery.

            Juliana and Blaine Packer have a new baby girl. This little one managed to arrive while Juliana's mother, Liesa Baird, was traipsing around Europe with the maternal great grandparents as they were released from an LDS Mission to Albania. The timing was unexpected, but babies have a way of doing what is best for themselves.

           Elder Tyler Gibbs, son of Tracey and Michelle Gibbs, spoke in the LDS Ward to his “new neighbors”, the community of Mink Creek. The Gibbs family have moved to our village while Tyler was serving in the Texas, Houston, Mission. We are happy to have him arrive to this new home.

           We have three young people competing in equestrian contests. They are Austin Corbett, son of Shane and Sherrie Corbett, and Tara and Ella Jepsen, daughters of Melinda and Kerry Jepsen. They all participated in the Eastern Idaho State Fair events. Tara is involved with High School Rodeo.

           Weatherwise it has been an exciting few days since I wrote the above paragraphs. We have had some tornado warnings for southeastern Idaho. We had a couple of days of heavy storms with lots of lightning crackling about. The strong winds broke off some branches here and there , other than that , all is well. My lawn that had been looking a bit dry is as green as it was in May.

           We have a return of the turkeys. Swallows return in the spring and the turkeys go to higher elevations for a time. Our local wild turkeys drop down to easier grazing when it turns cooler.