March 28, 2012

Unit 45 of Boy Scouts met together for a Court of Honor.  James Baird conducted the meeting and the Webeloes presented the flag ceremony.   Merit badges were presented by Senior patrol leaders: Travis Green, and Chance and Dakota Hatch. Fifty-one merit badges had been earned  by seventeen young men.   Nine of them had also achieved rank advancements.

Cookie bars and punch were served to those attending.

Our community has benefited in many areas from projects performed by young men earning their Eagle ranks over many years.  Raising awareness of this fact, a video presentation was prepared entitled, “Take a Walk With Us Through the Community of Mink Creek and You Will See the ‘Fruits of Scouting’.”   This covered a time period of the last forty years.  Some projects reached into the other areas of the county.

The Cub Scouts held a Space Rocket Derby this month.  Cub Derby night is always one of excitement.  Mink Creek hasn’t had a rocket derby nearly 20 years. Eighteen boys raced colorful rockets they had made and each managed to race several times. In addition to the races, scout awards were presented to fourteen boys.  David Hawkes has just turned eleven  and with three years of Cubs, is moving to the ll-12 year old patrol. Cookies , a favored scout food, were served to all.

The family of Robert and Elizabeth Hawkes has recently moved into the Mink Creek community.  Robert and Liz  have eight children, ranging in ages from 14 1/2 , down to 18 months.  They are, in order: Lauryn, Nicholas, David, Michael, Matthew, Carissa, Aaron and Anthony, better known as Tony.  They come to us from several places this side of the Rocky Mountains, having lived in California, Colorado, Arizona and Utah before settling on Idaho.  Robert currently is employed at Presto in Lewiston.

Vernon and Sallee Keller and Bob and Claudia Erickson  recently attended the annual banquet for Lewis and Clark Volunteers in Lava Hot Springs.  They are a fun group of Mountain Men who take this interest seriously.   The first banquet was held 35 years ago.  Conducting for the evening was Curtis Keller of Soda Springs. (You might recognize that name, Curt has Mink Creek blood thick in his veins.) A gun stand was presented to Vernon as a token of appreciation from the group for providing them a place to shoot and fish several times each year.  The members hail from both Idaho and Utah.

The Canadian geese are making their way to their summer feeding grounds.  Some are stopping over in Mink Creek, announcing their presence with much honking while they rest up and forage in our fields for the next leg of their journey.

            Adding to the calls of the geese are those communications of our resident owls.  Some will even “talk” with the human sector as they  perch on poles or trees near our homes.   The “who-who” language is one readily used by all communicators.

March 21, 2012

The young men of our community have had a good time lately while participating in winter campouts, part of the scouting program.   Two groups headed up our canyons to enjoy a cold overnight stay in the mountains. 

One group chose a spot near Strawberry Springs.  They located a big drift on the north side of a ridge and were able to dig snow caves for shelters.  The boys involved were Ben Seamons, Clay Jepsen, Braxton Nye, Dakota and Chance Hatch, Berkley Checketts, Travis Green, Ty Beardall and Taylin Bosworth.  Leaders Paul McKay and Kerry Jepsen claim that the main purpose of this event was just learning how to camp, besides the fun and camaraderie.

The second bunch went up to Copenhagen with six young men:  Justin Coleman, Josh Greene, Kendrick Nye, Justin Longhurst, Johnny Iverson with James Baird in charge.  Their leader was Sheldon Longhurst with helpful fathers: Kurt Iverson, Jason Nye and Nelson Coleman.  Lacking sufficient snow their shelters were of a different variety. According to the boys’ report they played in the sun and enjoyed Dutch-oven potatoes and cobbler.

Joseph Seamons performed a violin concert, accompanied by his mother Jennifer Seamons. This was for his Senior Project at PHS.   He was given a short break when brother Sam played a bass solo and again when five of the brothers performed a string number.  Refreshments were served to the audience following the concert.

Johnny Iverson was ordained to the office of a priest in the LDS Ward.  His parents are Kurt and Margret Iverson.  He was presented his award of Duty to God as a Teacher.  McKinley Longhurst had her 12^th  birthday and, in so doing, graduated from the Primary organization to become a Beehive in the Young Womens.  She achieved her Faith in God award.  She is the daughter of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst. 

The yearly adjustment to the arrival of Daylight Savings Time is underway.  It will be nice when the sun arises a little closer to the normal time.  Right now that light seems an hour behind and gives days a slow start.

Bob and Claudia Erickson drove to American Fork for a wedding open house for their nephew, Burton Perkins and Sharon Phelps. The family of Jody and Laural Janke also attended. The Jankes spent the weekend with  another Erickson daughter, Danalee and Gene Abernethy and their family in Alpine, UT.

Our neighbor’s lambs are enjoying the warmer weather, kicking up their heels in fun as they run through the pasture.  The temperatures are also bringing out local wildlife.  Cougars with kittens are making their presence known.  Pheasants go marching across the highways.  The proverbial robins have put in their appearance.  Magpies have been around all winter, but they seem to have more bounce in both step and flight as spring knocks on our door.

March 14, 2012

The Young Women group held the New Beginnings evening for parents and young ladies, 12 and older.  The girls sang “Arise and Shine” to introduce their theme for this year.  Anna Beth Olson accompanied Tiffany Longhurst, performing her solo, “A Light On the Hill.”  Tammy Keller of Riverdale was the chosen guest speaker.  Each new girl was spotlighted  with some of their interests and talents as they were introduced:  Brook Checketts, daughter of Hilary and Tim Checketts, McKinley Longhurst, daughter of Candy and Sheldon Longhurst, and Celina Crosland, daughter of Phee and Robert Crosland.  Refreshments of cookies, cheesecake bites and punch were served.

March is always the time for the Relief Society to celebrate the beginning of their organization.  This was definitely a Birthday Party with the cultural hall decorated with balloon, confetti and presents.  Debbie Heaton and Sherrie Corbett were responsible for the atmosphere.  Activities came under the jurisdiction of Tammy Coleman, Dawnell Greene and Kristi Hall.  Besides the usual fun of “just visiting,” there were  three games: 1. a getting to know your neighbor situation where once you discovered a bit of information that neighbor changed and you found a new person for interviewing,  2. a take-off of TV show Family Feud with questions based on the history of Relief Society, and 3. some excitement with everyone popping balloons—bang, bang,  like fireworks.  Inside the balloons a slip of paper revealed the possibility of winning a gift or enjoying a special quotation or thought.

Weather did not cooperate for this event and brought a heavy snowstorm.  Even so, there was a good turnout.    Betty Jo Jepsen, Jeannine Iverson and Mary Norris had the food plans well made: asparagus rollups,  pineapple bites, a strawberry jelly roll and a popcorn cupcake.  Every person received a birthday “loot bag” containing pencils, mints and candy bars.

Speaking of the local weather, my grandmother always told me a person had to be desperate to be writing about the weather. : )  It can’t be ignored, it is so much a part of our lives, particularly when a person resides in a farming community.   Lately it has been totally erratic. Few calm days, and the skies seem to flip-flop.  Heavy snowstorms, nearly whiteouts, then sun and freezing wind, followed by a balmy day that reassures that spring is on it’s way.  That is, until more snow the very next day.  Put it all together it spells ---unpredictable.  Early Spring fits that description, there is constant change from the skies and it behooves people to always have a “plan B” when thinking of activities. 

The family of Wynn and Cecelie Costley were here for the blessing of a new baby in the family.  The blessing took place in the Fairview Ward, a baby girl for Davin and Leah Gilbert.  She is named Nesia Adelle Gilbert.  Out of town family there for the occasion were Landon and Amy Costley , Kate and Eric Drake and family, Josie and David Hulme and children, all of Ogden, and McKay and Lynsey Costley and children of Richmond, UT.

Three of our residents play in the Cache Symphony Orchestra in Logan.  They recently performed in a winter concert at the Kent Concert Hall and are now preparing for the next performance scheduled in April.  Trumpeters are Jody and Laural Janke and Mikel Beardall is on bassoon.  Another member of the group from Franklin County is Amanda Crookston playing viola.

Earl and Barbara Craythorn came down from Declo to share some family time with Candy and Sheldon Longhurst as they make preparations for their son, Jake, to enter the mission field.

March 7, 2012

Our fine feathered friends are out and about.  Turkeys stand out stark and black against our recent snowy background.  With moonlit nights the owls are chatting across the hillsides.

 Two couples, Wally and Kim Christensen and Richard and Vickie Free, took a break from our local cold weather to bask in the warmth of Hawaii, staying at the Free’s time share.  This was a time for being laid back in Maui, snorkeling, watching the whales, feasting at luaus.  All this made for a reluctance to head back to home and reality.

Jeannine Iverson, scout lady extraordinaire, was awarded the Silver Beaver. In mid- February the Trapper Trails Council Recognition Night was held in Brigham City.  Awards were given to volunteers of scouting who have served at least 30 years.  Jeannine  has been active in teaching skills of scouting to young men  and serving on the advancement program, long before the Iversons moved to Mink Creek from Highland, UT.  She endeavors to make things fun and interesting for each boy in the troop.

The young people of Mink Creek enjoyed a tubing party.  Due to the scarcity of snow the location was in the upper part of our community on a hill behind the home of Mark and Debbie Heaton.  Snowmobiles were on the scene to haul the participants back up the slope after a swift ride down.  A bonfire at the bottom helped warm the kids and refreshments of hot chocolate and doughnuts kept the energy level up for lots of fun.

Kathy and Austin Jones needed a short get-away vacation and chose a four night Cozumel Cruise in Mexican waters.  They reported that the shopping was fine, especially for vanilla and blankets.  The beautiful blue waters were a little choppy due to the wind, but it was just the ticket for the Jones duo.

Some storms have come our way with snow, real snow.  Those flakes that stay around are so welcome.  If this is winter it is late in coming, but most welcome.  Some of the flurries would qualify as whiteouts.  So what if it is March!  This being “in like a lion,” may be a good thing.

Our teenage girls have had a successful year playing basketball this year.  They are coached by Laurel Wilde.  The team made their way through the Preston North Stake Tournament and has qualified to play in the Regional tournament soon.

Kelton and Denise Keller and their family spent a weekend here with his parents, Vernon and Sallee Keller.  They were celebrating a mission call for their daughter, Jennie, who will be serving in Brazil. She leaves in June for the Brazil MTC.

Feb 29, 2012

The family of Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson held a wonderful reunion over the long weekend.  With Jimmie and Anna Beth soon leaving for the MTC in Provo, prior to serving a mission in the England, Leeds, Mission all their children and grandchildren were able to gather together.  Dana and Charles Petersen and their four youngsters live in Meridian, Peggy and Jon Flinders and their two little ones are located in Salmon, the family of Jason and Lydia Stucki, with two children, are found in Moscow .  Both Olson sons live in Utah.  Jerry and Christin Olson and their five children are down south in Santa Clara, Mike and Anna Olson and their four children live in Brigham City.  Jimmie and Anna Beth spoke in the LDS Ward with friends and relatives, siblings and cousins, near and far, there showing support. 

            The home of Sam and Katie Hatch received a new metal roof, sandstone in color.  Fourteen friends and neighbors were up on top, causing a dreadful racket, but much appreciated.  Stuart Ostler and Kerry Christensen organized this effort and Stuart is improving the Hatch porch as weather permits.  Bishop Kent Egley kept the guys supplied with Subway sandwiches, Gatorade and water.

Two young men in the LDS Mink Creek Ward received mission calls recently.  Jake Longhurst, son of Sheldon and Candy Longhurst, will be headed to the Mission Training Center  in June and then serving in the Mexico, Guadalajara, Mission.  Christopher Wilde, son of David and Judy Wilde, leaves in May to serve in the Arizona, Tempe, Mission.

            The warmer days we have had lately have brought out an insect that looks much like our friendly ladybugs. They look a bit anemic, a lighter color, maybe struggling for food during the winter.

Lana and Ivan McCracken’s home was full this weekend.  Tamara Taylor and her children came up from the Salt Lake City area, along with Maria Baird.  Lana’s granddaughter, Morgan Batchelor, was here visiting from BYU in Provo.  Her home is in Albuquerque, NM.

Cody McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, was invited to run in the Simplot Games last week.  This is a track event held in Pocatello at the Holt Arena each year.  Cody is a senior at PHS.  He said it was a good experience and felt it was an honor to be invited.

Another event was held recently at the Holt Arena, that of the Idaho State Wrestling Tournament.  Mink Creek has had four young men involved in the wrestling program at Preston High.  They are Tyson Hall, Josh and Heston Greene, and Justin Longhurst.   Tyson placed first in his weight division at the District Tournament.   Both Tyson and Heston qualified to wrestle at the state tournament.  We are very proud of these four young grapplers and their individual accomplishments.

Elder Aaron Wilde is on a mission with a little different perspective.  He is serving in the Salt Lake City Family and Church History Mission and loving it.  This is all about computers and genealogy.  Aaron helps with worldwide patron support, does access services, and works in the Family History library.  He has had only one transfer thus far while he has been serving the past ten months. Each Sunday the missionaries go to the broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word on Temple Square.  He is the oldest son of Judy and David Wilde.

Feb 22, 2012

A Valentine’s Dance was celebrated at the beginning of February.  Held in the LDS Recreational Hall the decorations provided by Joe and Kathy Jarvis and Nate and Dana Olson transformed the room to a place of beauty.  Danceable tunes were gathered and played by Kim and Wally Christensen.  A local women’s vocal group, Mountain Aire, set the mood for the event with their renditions of romantic songs.  Johnny and Jeannine Iverson, our Scout leaders, enlisted the service of their young men to provide and serve refreshments to those attending.  This night to remember was under the direction of George and Judy Rasmussen.

The Mink Creek community participated in a Deseret Industries  Drive last week.  The lady-in-charge, Camille Knudson, passed out flyers to residents letting them know items that were needed and would be acceptable, plus a pick-up date for those who could contribute.

Mink Creek has eighteen boys in the Cub Scout Pack this year and all were recognized in some way at the Blue and Gold Banquet.  Four of them are new with three young men that have just moved into our community and one who has just had a birthday, Brackin Christensen.  The theme for this annual event was “Circle the Wagons” and the leaders did their best to provide fun for the boys and their families.  Decorations were tin can lanterns and covered wagons made by the Webelos, led by Melinda and Kerry Jepsen.  The menu was just right for this age:  jello (under the direction of the Bear Den) and sloppy joes, potato chips, cake and ice cream put together by leaders Marie Keller, Pedro and Avery Gomez, Ivan and Lana McCracken and Cubmaster Dawnell Greene.  Western activities matched the theme with steer roping, cow pie toss, pancake toss, and shoe the horse.

At this point this news is a bit over the limit, 300 words. (for more news go to www.minkcreeknews.blogspot.com)

 After an hour’s delay at the airport in Salt Lake City, Bob and Claudia Erickson flew to Tempe, AZ, for a six day stay with the family of their son, Drew.  A special occasion was planned, the baptism of their grandson Spencer, Drew and Hilary Erickson’s second son.   Another highlight of the trip was attending a jazz concert performed by the Salt River Brass in Mesa.   The warmth of the Phoenix area was thoroughly enjoyed, but it was still good to return to home and Idaho.

Our weather is still very undecided and it is a strange “winter.”  Should this even be called winter?  Bits of snow storms, with limited amounts of snow falling.   Opportunities for sledding very slim. Temperatures in the 40’s, thawing enough to cancel out ice skating.  And rain, miserable rain, brown water running everywhere taking dirt away from where it should be.

Just letting you know that this season, whatever it is, is not at all according to our general expectations and needs.

             I realize we just had the Presidents Day holiday, but I am old-fashioned enough to think of Washington on his real birthday.  This is it!  Happy Birthday, George Washington, so glad you were at the right place at the right time, for all our sakes.

Feb 8, 2012

Some of our summer residents must be wondering why they headed south for this winter.  It may be a little drier in that direction, but not by too much.  To think that the month of February has arrived and there is no snow coverage, only snow patches.  However, it isn’t good weather for the outdoor walking enthusiasts because there is still ice.  Water may drip from the roofs during the day, but it only forms sheets of ice on doorsteps and sidewalks during the night, waiting to catch the unsuspecting soul who puts a foot down without caution.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward held their annual conference this past Sunday.  The stake presidency and other officers from the Preston North Stake attended meetings during the morning block.  Speakers at the general session were Bishop Kent Egley, President Richard Swainston and  Stake President Dax Keller.   A special musical number was a piano solo by Anna Beth Olson.

Dr Kerry Jepsen and his wife, Melinda, attended a medical conference recently in Las Vegas.  They enjoyed the warm weather and a highlight for Melinda was the opportunity to see Donny and Marie Osmond’s show.

Clifford and LaDawn Jensen have been gone for a few days.  LaDawn’s father, Kaa Cook,  passed away a week ago and they have been attending to family duties and gathering with family for the funeral in Cokeville, WY.  Two of the Jensens children, Kristine Gore from back east, and Jeremy Jensen from McCammon, ID, were able to travel from their homes to be with their parents.

Keep in mind that with the absence of snow the remnants of last fall’s fields are more available to our local deer population.  They are grazing wherever they make a good find.  The turkeys are enjoying nature’s unexpected bounty as well.  Grain that has fallen from a combine is a treat this time of year.

 Mink Creek teenagers are always involved in the various programs at Preston High School.  They may be mentioned in the Citizen during the time of participation, but that doesn’t let you  readers know that they are residents of Mink Creek.  Our community is very pleased with the efforts that they put forth during the school year and I am endeavoring to connect them for those of you who live some distance from Franklin County but still like local news.  This will be done a bit at a time.  Last week the girls’ basketball teams were on report.

This week we are flipping back to fall weather.  During the football season four young men participated  ( and were often black and blue since that is part of this sport).  Tyson Hall, a senior, was a linebacker and backup quarterback.  He is the son of Brett and Kristi Hall.  A junior, Cole Jepsen, son of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen was a defensive linebacker and offense right guard.  Johnny Iverson is a tall sophomore, the son of Kurt and Margret Iverson.  Johnny was a tight end for offense and played defensive end too.   Our fourth young man, and youngest of the group as a freshman is James Baird, in positions of running back and linebacker.  His parents are LaRon and Liesa Baird.  They all love the sport and were pleased to see action on both offensive and defensive teams.

            One Mink Creek young lady has been involved on the cheerleading squad this year.  She is McKenna Jepsen, belongs to Kerry and Melinda, and will be graduating this spring.

            Missionary Kyle Beardall has just been transferred to Bournemouth, on the southern coast of England.  He is now with his third companion, serving in the England, London South Mission.  His parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall tell us that in spite of the weather---fog, much moisture, and cold, he loves his life there.  Just because it is an English-speaking mission doesn’t mean Kyle has no foreign-type experiences.  Recently Elder Beardall and his companion were invited to the home of some African refugees for dinner and he found the meal to his liking, though different from Idaho steak and potatoes.  Elder Beardall has found his training in music to be very useful.  It is hard to believe that he soon will be meeting his half-way mark in mission months.