May 23, 2017

         Richard and Vickie Free traveled to Disneyland for some family fun. Following that their agenda included attending an interfaith concert performed in Salt Lake City with their son Brandon and Heather Hodge.

           Jennifer Seamons made the long trip to beautiful Coeur d'Alene, ID, where she was the accompanist for string musicians from the Preston High School Orchestra. They were performing at the Idaho State Solo and Ensemble Competition. One of the soloists was her son, David Seamons with his violin. Her mother Kathy Jarvis went along for the ride as a chief supporter and fan. A great time was had by all.

           Bob and Claudia Erickson flew to Tempe, AZ, for several days of overly warm sunshine. The reason for the trip was witnessing the baptism of their granddaughter, Paige Erickson, daughter of Drew and Hilary Erickson. While there they were able to tour the campus of the College of Central Arizona where Drew teaches music classes. The morning after their return to Mink Creek presented them with two inches of snow, reassurance of Idaho spring after their days of 100plus degrees.

           Our local turkeys have moved to the back country, hopefully for the summer season. The owls seem to have picked up on having things less crowded and are holding nightly conversations up and down our valley. Our creeks are running full and fast with snow still in the mountains. The snows that arrive off and on have melted during the warmer hours of the day, but it is still a bit startling to find all things white at this time of year.

             The Relief Society held an evening meeting to start off the month of May, The topic for the night was most appropriate for homemakers, Spring Cleaning. Dana Olson gave a tutorial full of good ideas and tips for easing the process. She even gave away prizes in the form of cleaning products. The ladies enjoyed refreshments of an apricot slush and cookies provided by Patti Christensen and AnnaBeth Olson.

            There is another generation of Canadian geese that will claim Mink Creek as their home. Some goslings have been spotted as they try to keep up with their parents when on parade to the nearby waters. They will soon be in flight training.

           We are beautiful, everything is so green and fresh. New growth is evident in those parallel lines that result from the seed drills. Recent temperatures are encouraging the planting of gardens, as long as there are protective devices for any hot house plant that could take a frost hit badly. The risk is still very evident and evenings are chilly, but not freezing of late. That snow in our mountains and experience reminds us to be cautious.

May 16, 2017

          Emily Longhurst competed in the Idaho State Tumbling Championship event in Burley recently. Prior to this it is a requirement that the competitors have pasrticipated in 3 other meets across the state. Emily came home with a 1^st place in the Double-mini and 3^rd place in her floor routine. She is the daughter of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst.

            In the Mink Creek LDS Ward Ty Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, has turned 14 and was ordained to the office of a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood this last week. His sister, Tara, also had a birthday and is now part of the Laurel class in the Young Women organization.

           Wendy and Terry Westerberg are announcing the engagement of their son, Matthew, to Haylee Harrison, daughter of Lance and Andrea Harrison of Preston. The wedding will take place in June.

            The annual Mink Creek School Reunion will be held on June 17^th at noon in the Mink Creek Ward recreation hall. Those who have attended school in the days of Mink Creek's school system are invited for fun, food and prizes. The food is potluck and never fails to please those dining. This year it is Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen who are making the arrangements.

           The weather if finally settling sufficiently to make a person think the dreams that come with the spring seed catalogs might come true. The fruit trees are blooming, cherry, pear, apple to name a few. Even the berry bushes look promising. The scent of the blooms is fine for the human population, but the bees are really attracted, filling the air with the sound of their buzzing on a warm day.

            Brad and RaOne Stuart came up from Utah to check on their home and various Mink Creek holdings. RaOne is the daughter of the late Carl and Lenna Christensen. Two siblings, Forrest Christensen and Danita Wilcox, still live in Mink Creek.

             Snow is expected this week and all my apple trees are in blossom. Mothers' Day was beautiful and all women attending the LDS Ward went home with a lovely geranium to plant. Very likely most will wait for that activity until the current rash of storms move eastward. What a weather year this has been so far!  It keeps us on constant alert, no relaxing or feeling that things are going to be what we consider "normal."  Do not bring up the topic of global warming.

May 9, 2017

          After a stormy month of April May arrived with sunshine and a degree of warmth. There seems to be a season called Spring slated for the year 2017 after all.

           Our local blackbirds are making us feel like warm weather has arrived. They chortle and gurgle as they march around our territory, in that step that makes one think of the German troops of WW II.

           We are living in a green environment as May gets underway. The trees are bursting into leaf, fruit trees in bud or blossom, weeds prolific, and the earth is starting to dry enough for field work.

           It has been a lengthy repair job for the maintenance crew of the Twin Lakes Canal company. A threatening bulge in the hillside below the canal at the base of Cedar Hill in Mink Creek has had heavy equipment and dump trucks busy for quite some time. The arrival of rain or snow has not helped to accomplish this project. Now the water is back in the canal and on its way to the Twin Lakes and everyone connected is glad to have the tension evaporated.

           The youth of the community were finally able to find an evening without storm that enabled them to take care of the semi-annual cleanup of our section of Highway 36. As usual there was plenty of litter to be gathered. After filling the orange bags they group met back at the LDS recreation hall for a cookie reward.

            Peter Haws has been called to be the president of the Santa Barbara LDS Stake in California. He spent considerable time in Mink Creek in his younger years. Peter is the son of Karl and Marion Haws who have been off and on Mink Creek residents for at least fifty years. They have dual citizenships in California and Idaho. Peter, his wife Gretchen and children live in Solvang. Peter is the Vice Principal at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

            The Mink Creek LDS Ward held its annual Ward Conference on April 30^th. Officers of the Preston North Stake attended and presented information and inspiration for the entire block program. President Dax Keller presided over the Sunday meetings.

          The end of the school year is fast approaching. The seniors have presented the dreaded Senior Projects and seem to have survived nicely. The elementary grades are busy going on field trips. Jr.High science teacher, Mr. Crosland's leaf collections are due. Spring sports are trying to fit in makeup games that were postponed due to our very wet spring months. All signs that it won't be long before graduation day.

May Day plus 1

          It isn't often that three returning missionaries speak on the same day in the Mink Creek LDS Ward. Elder James Baird, oldest son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, spoke of his experiences in the North Dakota, Bismarck Mission. He returned a couple of months earlier than scheduled due to breaking his leg. His sister Julianna Packer and her girls came from Heyburn, ID, for this occasion along with his uncle Brian Baird of Spanish Fork, UT, and Maria and Devin Flake and their son Jude of Saratoga Springs, UT. Both sets of grandparents were in attendance: Lana and Ivan McCracken of Mink Creek and Terry and LeAnn Orton of Preston. Orton cousins finished up the guest list.

          Bryce and Terri Stromberg served in the Utah, Salt Lake City Headquarters, Mission. They related moments while serving in two very different capacities. Terri worked in genealogy and family history. Bryce served in security. Bryce is a retired law enforcement officer and dealt with the safety of the Temple Square and the people in that area.

            The LDS Ward enjoyed a Linger Longer to celebrate the new United States citizenship of resident Pedro Gomez. The menu for the luncheon had a slightly Spanish slant, taco salad. Slices of a huge congratulatory cake, iced to resemble the U S flag, or a chocolate brownie, along with a scoop of ice cream filled the dessert for the meal. A group traveled to Boise with Pedro and Avery Gomez when he was sworn in and received his official certificate of citizenship: their son, Austin Straight, Lacey and Kerry Christensen and their children, Nicole and Matt Van Buren and son, Beverly and Doug Bruderer, LD Larkins, Patti and Forrest Christensen and Jay Wilde and his family.

             Josh and Sarah Newby and their boys came up from Farmington, UT, to spend a weekend with his parents, Lin and Sharla McKay.

            The youth of the community have found it necessary to postpone their semi-annual highway cleanup session. The weather won't cooperate, just too much rain. Even our dandelions are looking a little droopy. 

          I know this isn't exactly Mink Creek news, but thought my far distant readers might be interested. The doors to M. H. Kings store are closed, they have been having a going out-of-cusiness sale for the last few months and now it is over---and done with. They will be missed by many, it gets harder and harder to find many items on the home front.

          Today has been sunny and even a bit warm. A first in a long time. The sun has been out, but the winds have kept most days still cold. It wasn't many days ago that we were dealing with snow.

            John Warburton is back home from his most recent hospital stay. We are hoping this will be an extended situation, with his daughter Rita Cargill still helping him at home.

April 25, 2017

           Sandra Wylie of Mink Creek recently became the bride of Daniel Reed Mason, of Dallas, TX. Their current plans are to live in Mink Creek. This couple first met in an LDS Primary in Nevada and have each gone their own way over the years. Now, each with grandchildren of their own, the friendship has been rekindled.

              The excitement of the Pinewood Derby brought the families of the Cub Scouts to line the side of the aluminum racetrack and cheer for the racers. Cubmaster Sharla McKay had the recreation hall decorated with racing flags and the roar of racing motors added some sound effects. Adult helpers on her crew were Lin McKay, Phee Crosland, Marie Keller, and Margret Iverson. The judges at the finish line were Jeff Olson and Kent Egley. Dads and big brothers served as pit crews to keep the cars in top racing condition. Every car in the derby won an award: Sportiest went to Cooper Janke, Best Idea for Weight to Conner Iverson, Best Detailed to Chris Egley, Most Organized to Grayson Stanworth, Best Side by Side to Jake Stanworth, Flashiest to Hazen Baird and Mink Creek Fastest to Jacob Seamons. The snack bar offered Rice Krispie race cars, chocolate mini donuts and fruit snax, all chased by glasses of milk. Perfect for the occasion.

            The funeral of Debra Lee Pettitt Swann, wife of Reed Swann, filled the LDS Chapel. Friends and family came from California, Idaho, Utah. The early years of the Swann family in Idaho were in Banida, ID, Reed's hometown and Deb's parents moved up from California to spend their last years in Mink Creek. Interment was in the Mink Creek Cemetery.

            Grayson Stanworth, son of Heath and Kaci Avery, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The grin on his face and the light in those mischievous eyes were a positive statement about how Grayson felt about this day.

            The Twin Lakes Canal Company continues to have a crew working to repair a problem spot on the side of Cedar Hill. Bulldozers, backhoes and pickups make their presence known, standing out against the greening earth of the canal bank. They are harassed by the frequent rainy days that hamper their progress. From all appearances they are working to avoid a slide down the eastern side of the canal.

           Tulips are blooming. My cherry tree is in full blossom. The wild Hawthorne bushes are filled with tiny white flowers. And it has all been dripping with rain for the last couple of days. If April showers do bring May flowers we should have beautiful flower gardens in the next few weeks.

            It was Prom weekend and it has been fun to see the beautiful gowns and the stately tuxedos. Some of the mothers were scrambling to fix that special feast to start the actual date just right.

April 18, 2017

            When we don't have snow our world is starting to look very green. Leaves appearing, fields brushed with green growth (unless the excess water has killed the young plants), weeds bustling to get a head start on all other desired greenery. Various birds are announcing their presence: mourning doves, geese, owls, magpies,robins,to name a few. Dormant insects and animals are waking up to warmer days. However we did wake up to two mornings with snow this past week so we aren't taking spring for granted.

           The farmers' fieldwork is crying to be done, but most fields are still to soggy to welcome machinery's weight. Workshops are busy places with repairs underway. The hunt for replacement parts can be a big challenge as machinery ages.

             Larry and Lillian Hansen were up to open their home to spring and the possibility of family gatherings. They were surprised to find their yard on the banks of Bear Creek covered with snow.

           Kelton and Denise Keller and their daughter Mauri have driven up from Alpine, UT, for a few days with Kelton's dad, Vernon Keller.

           Rita Warburton Cargill is amongst us once again. She has come up from her home in California to assist her father, John Warburton, with his recovery program after his recent hospitalization.He is back in the hospital now with pneumonia.

         There is a new grandchild in the family of Kent and Tammy Beardall. Michelle and Gary Wall of Grand Junction, CO, have a new son. Tammy has been in Colorado, enjoying the role of grandmother with the Wall children while welcoming the newest one.

          The work of a farmer is hard on a person's joints. Craig Larsen has recently had some knee surgery and is in the process of recuperation. He has also worked as a farrier, another one that takes some knee challenges.

         Davis Collins, grandson of Bob and Claudia Erickson, spent his spring break from BYU/I in Rexburg enjoying some down time in Mink Creek. Rico Crosland, son of Phee and Robert Crosland, did the same. It just so happens that these two young men attend the same ward in Rexburg while attending school.

         As I write this evening it has been raining for the last 3 hours. This is not helping the problem that the Twin Lakes Canal company is working on where the canal goes around our Cedar Hill. There has been a crew of men working there for several days.

            Our Easter dawned bright and beautiful, as an Easter morning should be.  Hope yours was a special day wherever you were.

April 11, 2017

          Mink Creek's geese have returned and made themselves at home. They fly between ponds and their vocal visiting can be heard most hours of the day. This is truly home ground for some of them, they were born and spent their gosling days within our boundaries. They could be labeled semi-wild Mink Creek Canadian geese because they are quite comfortable around humans.

          Speaking of wildlife that are comfortable – our resident deer are enjoying every green shoot that pops out of the ground, including some that are in our yards. They leave behind evidence of their presence on grass and pavement as they gaze into the windows of our homes. They have had a hard winter these past months and are looking quite scraggly.

           Some  residents have been in the hospital in Preston. John Warburton's poor health is catching up with him. James Baird had surgery on his broken leg and is now home learning how to maneuver the wheel device that he will need to use while healing.  He will be adjusting to being home from his mission at the same time.

            Kurt and Margret Iverson and their crew of young men spent several days in southern Utah. Besides enjoying the warmth they did a lot of hiking and biking in the area around Moab. All returned safe and sound, no injuries reported.

           Sharla McKay indulged in one of her favorite activities recently. She drove down to Farmington, UT, to tend grandbabies for her son Josh.

           Jeff and Leigh Knudson have had a spring visit from two of Jeff's sons. Tony and Camille Knudson and their three children came up from Stansbury Park, UT. Their boys, Simon and Porter, ages 12 and 7 are already studying foreign languages. Lucy, at age three, provides entertainment for the whole family. Shawn Knudson of Provo, brought his daughter Michelle for a good cousin get-together with Tony's kids. It's always fun at Grandpa's house.

           Since the above was written we have awakened to two mornings of more snow. A bit disheartening after such a winter when everyone is seeking some warm days that will help to dry out the fields sufficient for farm work. Water standing on growing plants can drown them.

         Looks very likely that the home Easter Egg hunts will take place indoors this weekend. Dampness seems to discourage the Easter Bunny, at least at my house.