August 25, 2020

 Thanks for tuning back in after my extended electronic silence. I feel better seeing that you are still "out there."  I had about decided maybe it was about time I just bagged it since you are why I do this.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox have had a constant run of family visitors this summer, often arriving to help with work on the finishing touches of the Wilcox’ new home. About half of their children now live in Utah. Elise and Jeff Hardy and their children live in North Ogden. Ami and Tom Fenton’s bunch are in Tooele. Brittany Durant and her youngsters claim Salt Lake City. Idaho Falls became home for Brigham and Jennipher Wilcox’s family when Brigham became a pharmacist there. MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter have come back from Utah and are in Arimo, ID. It is nice for Eldon and Danita to have most of their family within easy driving distance. Only Lesli lives in Texas.

Mink Creek has a new family in town. Joe and Pearl Loyd have moved here from Weston. Their home is located on the hill with the Valley View road looping through the increasing number of homes.

We were sorry to see Chet Jensen find himself a house and move to Weston. Our loss is Weston’s gain.

A group of siblings and a cousin or two from the Wm. Crane family gathered at the Mink Creek home of Bruce and Shauna Crane for an annual reunion and lots of reminiscing. Bruce, Sheryl, Linda and Lynn kept the memories rolling, especially when they visited the local cemetery and took stock of all their old family and neighbors that are gathered there.

The community embarked on a river ride, with the Bear River situated handily in our back yard. Around 35 people enjoyed the wetness in kayaks and tubes, with no mishaps. After this cooling down the riders met with the rest of the village at our Mink Creek Ballpark for a dinner of hamburgers (3 varieties offered) with all the fixings, corn on the cob, potluck salads and desserts provided by the families in attendance. The event was well attended and included several of the summer-time visitors. We are fortunate to have the space for safe distancing

It has been a week of smokey, haze filled skies. When a person knows they live among mountains and yet they aren’t visible there is a strong feeling of being isolated. Add that to the restrictions we are living with the COVID-19, and it isn’t good.

Our kids started school this week and most seem to have an optimistic view, hoping for the best as the days pass. That goes for the parents as well as the students. There is no choice but to wait and see, we have never been in this situation before.

August 5 &12, 2020

 Trying to play catch up  now that things are up and running.  Computer went down, and then out.  It took some time to purchase and get things functioning again.  In the meantime the home phone also decided to go on vacation and since cell phones don't work all that well here---I have to remind myself that sometimes "no news is good news."  

We have missed two weeks worth of  local news.  The base of the blog was printed in our local paper, but I had to create that at the Citizen office so I can't easily share it here.  

Summer with its intense heat, storms that zip in and out, difficult animals and humans--al are present and affect the 24/7 lifestyle of the residents of this little community.  The very best thing about this place is its people, and second is the beauty of our surroundings nearly 12 months of the year.

Anyway, here we are again, and of course I can't use the phrase "back to normal" because nothing has been normal since the arrival of COVID-19.  Still we will strive for as near normal as possible and hope you will continue reading. 

August 19, 2020

 

Two gentlemen of our community lost their wallets, within just a few days of one another. One was fairly certain it had fallen out of a pocket as he was in the middle of checking a problem with a hay baler. Family members crisscrossed the big field, up and down, back and forth, on a Mink Creek slope, all to no avail. It was what it was, and likely some cow critter would end up chomping on a wallet when that particular hay bale was opened sometime next winter. The ‘start all over’ process of canceling, renewing, saying farewell to a few irreplaceables was accomplished and the owner of the wallet had started his new identity. Life does go on. The other lost wallet was in the waters of the Glendale Reservoir, with searching pretty impossible, so it was accepted as well and the new beginning took place.

Fast forward several weeks, some rainstorms and irrigation later. When some friends were hauling hay bales off of a different field that first wallet popped up, in a rather soggy, bedraggled state but with everything intact and returnable. Unlikely, unbelievable, but there it was, just needed some drying out and its sentimental value was still well preserved.

Sam and Sylvia Stanger are enjoying some Mink Creek time. It is nice to see their lights on and have an occasional chat.

The Haws house is busy with family visitors. Summertime brings the Haws siblings in and out of the residence, often with overlapping visits. Ken and Lauren Nash of Sol Vang, CA brought extended family to enjoy the relative coolness of Idaho, plus the green beauty that is still present in our community.

This has been the week of the heaviest meteor showers at night. It has been a great time for amateur observations of our heavens with the absence of city lights. Another one of those advantages of country living.

Learning new processes on a new computer, please bear with me, readers of this blog.  I have not given up but having been without computer and phone access at the same time has surely put me behind on my sending out information and news.  I was hoping to backtrack over the 'no contact' posting, but find I had better just forge ahead instead. 

As with the rest of you the days have been very hot.  We aren't accustomed to three digit temperatures in this little corner of our state.  Everything is wanting to wilt, including the human population.  Having to force ourselves to be out harvesting hay and now grain takes a very solid willpower. 

End of July, 2020, and a bit beyond

 I hope no one has given up on me.  My computer checked out and it has taken this long to get running again from home.  The news has still gone out from the Preston Citizen, but I haven't had access to personal stuff  for a bit.  I will endeavor to fill you in on what you have missed.

Not only has my computer taken a dive but the phone system in this mountain valley is busy throwing a fit and taking its sweet time to recover.   At this residence it feels a little like the early settlers when one had to climb on a horse to reach out to anyone, only my horse has 4 wheels.  A little different type of isolation to go with teh COVID-19 variety. 

Justin and Cynthia Longhurst gathered their extended family together in Smithfield to participate in the blessing of their baby girl. She was named Ellie Bea Longhurst. The couple chose Smithfield as the location because Justin's big brother, Jake, has an occupation as a pilot where he was on call that Sabbath day. Longhurst, Craythorn and Zilles relative were able to attend.

Wynn and Cecelie Costley have been excited about their prospects of serving in Russia as LDS missionaries for a few months. Due to the COVID-19 those hopes and plans have come crashing down. These two are known for their resiliency and are considering this change just a different turn in the road.

David and Judy Wilde had two of their sons at home earlier this month. Christopher and Heidi Wilde now live in Logan. Spencer and Paige Wilde are in Rigby, ID, while Spencer continues with studies at BYU/I in Rexburg.

Kassidy Christensen, daughter of Kerry and Lacey Christensen, was baptized and confirmed the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Mink Creek Ward. Even with restrictions family and friends were able to share this milestone in her life.

Charles and Sarah Swann and their children have moved to Mink Creek. They have been in Lewiston, UT. , put their home on the market and it sold quicker than anticipated. The young Swann family is 'camping' with his father, Reed Swann and sister Penny. Those four children will find all sorts of adventures in their new surroundings.

Johnny and Jeannine Iverson have enjoyed some family visitors during the past few months as the restrictions in other states varied. Their daughter Rebekah Jones and her family came from Washougal, WA, for a lengthy stay and one of their grandsons from Ogden managed to spend some time in between limitations.

The youth of the community were able to get together for a Pancake Supper. They did this at the home of Bret and Jody Rasmussen and as their home is sufficiently spacious there was room to spare. Pancakes are a fitting menu item for any hour of the day.

That takes readers to the beginning of August that will be the next entry in a day or two.  I am up to my ears in making apricot jam and picking black currants right now, these things have to be top priorities. 

July 21, 2020

        Kerry and Lacey Christensen and their children have been touring Idaho and beyond. This family are good campers and could take in lots of beautiful scenery. They spent some time at Stanley Lake and even in some chilly moments donned water suits and gear for some exploring. They connected with the Bear Valley Rafting Company on another day. All sorts of activities: the Route of Hiawatha, Fish Lake, Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald, and more After soaking up the outdoor life they are back home and pleased with a great vacation.

         The Bob and Claudia Erickson household has had ongoing family guests for a few weeks. So glad these grown children still consider Mink Creek as 'home.' Claudine and LaMar McKague of Vancouver, WA, gathered all of their family here from Utah and Idaho to do a family photoshoot. Then the family of Jay and Kristin Collins of Lakeview, OR, arrived. Lots of work and fun were accomplished, besides just enjoyment of being together. Carla and Mark Nielsen and sons came up from American Fork, UT, to finish off the July 4^th holiday. The visits overlapped and, as it worked out, there was room space for all as it was needed.

        Sherrie, Shane and Austin Corbett did some camping out recently. This was a quick overnight session at White Pine Lake. Just a break from the usual routine gives a feeling of freedom much needed in these days of restriction.

         Matt Egley is on the road again, in more ways than one. He gets behind the wheel of a big semi to haul hay for the Egley Farms. As a race car driver he has been itching to get on a race car track during this shut down summer. The first race this year was at the Magic Valley Speedway near Twin Falls with the intermountain outlaw modified series. There were eleven cars in the field. Matt said," it was our first time running in division 1 Nascar series and we ended up 6^th out of ll, so not so bad.” They had a few mechanical issues but fought through it.

         We are relishing the cool nights. It is such a respite from the hot days when the evening breezes come in for comfort. There are many reports of seeing the comet above our northwestern horizon.

          It is the inevitable season of earwigs. They seem to invade every crack and cranny. When it is time to haul hay, it is time for the bugs to arrive. The boxelder bugs are still around, but not in quantities yet. I feel grateful for the mosquito abatement program and smile each time I hear them making the rounds.

July 14, 2020

        We have a new baby in town, always a reason for rejoicing. Roxi and Mack DeVries had a little boy, to be named Kayson James. He is a healthy chunk, weighing in at 10 lbs 2 oz. And 22 inches in height. Welcome to our cray world, little one.

         The Mink Creek annual July 4^th celebrations did happen, with the limitations of COVID-19 in place. Around 230 people participated, spaced in family groups throughout the Mink Creek Ballpark. Having shaded areas is a plus at this location. Naturally some changes had to be made but on the whole it was a good day. The flag ceremony was under the direction of Warren Wilde. A brief program was offered and Sheri Scott and Brittnee Phillips performed a beautiful violin duet of appropriate songs. There were some old-fashioned games for the children and the favorite water slide down the slope was available to all ages. The food committee also had to consider the limitations and so the menu consisted of a hamburger on a bun with all the fixings, a bag of potato chips, a drink, watermelon and an ice cream bar. The 'chefs' were Patti and Forest Christensen, Phee and Robert Croslandand Jesse and Annavelyn Wilcox. We were able to get an airplane candy drop, one of the highlights of July 4 for the kids.

           A severe windstorm that swept up our valley had ripped off some limbs from the Ballpark trees prior to this event. There was a crew of residents with chainsaws and muscle who gathered to clean things  up and haul the wood away so that the park would be ready for company.

         We are sad to report the deaths of two of our residents. Myrna Despain has been in a Sr. Living facility in Lovell, WY, for several months. Her husband Bill had made a quick visit to Mink Creek the last weekend in June before her passing and he was welcomed here with open arms. The couple have been missed. Myrna and Bill both grew up in the Lovell area and moved to Mink Creek from Wyoming years ago.

         After a long siege with illness, Betty Jo Jepsen, wife of Glen Jepsen, passed away on July 4. Her funeral was July 11 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mink Creek, for family members only with the COVID 19 restrictions. After being raised in Mink Creek, marrying her sweetheart Glen, the Jepsens' lives have been in many places throughout the world with his military assignments and church service. Retirement brought them back home to Mink Creek. Her obituary was carried in local papers last week.

         Second crop hay is doing well. AT this point weather is cooperating. The waters spraying over the fields in the early morning sunlight has a sparkling beauty all its own, and that swishing sound provides a musical background for the scene.

         This season I had a new thief in our cherry trees, challenging the horde of robins that flock there when the fruit is barely pink. A raccoon got his fill and no one could argue about who was the biggest in this case.

July 7, 2020

         The Young Women of the Preston North Stake had fun with their Summer Girls' Camp this year, held at the Mink Creek Ballpark. COVID 19 precautions were observed and there was still fun to be had. No one stayed overnight, the stake was divided in half, each group attending for only one day. Each ward had their own designated area. Activities were based on team building, learning to work together to accomplish desired goals. Stake President Richard Swainston had the opportunity of speaking with each group. Mink Creek girls attending were Emma Rasmussen, Jyllian Christensen, Ella Jepsen, Tia Hatch and Shalee Forbush.

        The twisted weather we have had over the last week has had farmers shifting their schedules with day jobs and night work. When dark clouds threaten and even the TV forecasts are foreboding the farmers may be hauling bales off their fields in the dark of the night. Trucks and tractors keep rolling until all is safely gathered in. Only then does the exhausted man call his day done.

        Candy Longhurst, who happens to be one of the head 'lunch ladies' for the Preston School District, reports that the service is well received. Lately patrons have been picking up the lunches at the High School cafeteria, with tables laden with individual sacks just waiting to be retrieved. The service will continue, four days a week, until the end of July.

       The presidency of our local Relief Society provided a fun evening for ministering sister interviews with a tune-up theme. It took place at our ballpark with a turnaround driveway set up for those driving in for a 'tune up.' Distancing was observed. Once the driver of a car (or motorcycle) was in the designated spot, masked members of the presidency approached to hand a clipboard interview questionnaire for completion. While the form was being filled out the car windows were washed. Each participant received a Ministering Maintenance Kit made of snacks representing such things as pressure, fuel, oil, and the spark to get moving. It was so cleverly done.

         At the end of June we had our share of snow capped mountains. A couple of strong wind storms blew through, breaking tree limbs, shaking loose anything not securely attached. Lightning shook things up a bit. Yards were full of debris the following morning and the following day promised to be more of the same. We are hoping the 4^th of July will allow us to celebrate without our winter snow attire.

         Our Mink Cree Ballpark took a hit from that angry wind that swept up the valley. Some big limbs came crashing down and it required a crew of men with chainsaws to tidy things up and haul off the chunks of wood in order to have the place ready for the July 4^th events just a few days away. We do live in an area where such equipment is readily available, and that is generally a plus.

        Our summer sunsets have been beautiful to behold and a group of cedar waxwing birds have put in some visiting time. Some of our fruit and garden crops seem to be a little ahead of the usual this year. June has been a wet month, good for some things, not so good for others.