Sept 25, 2013

Our fall weather is starting off like a bouncing ball, up, down, up, down.  We have had a good share of rain with gloomy skies lasting all day.  After a summer of drought conditions we are now getting a drenching.   Harvesting that last crop of hay is a pure gamble.  It is hard to trust a sunny day.  As this is written some fields are full of soggy, brown hay.

There was a good representation of both Riverdale and Mink Creek residents recently at the funeral of Relda McGregor in Niter/Thatcher, ID.  Relda  Ane Smith was born and raised in Riverdale, ID, then married Bob McGregor of Thatcher who had several relatives living in Mink Creek.  With the passage of many years there were quite a few additions to those Smith and McGregor lines.

Macy and McKenna Jepsen, daughters of Kerry and Malinda Jepsen,  have been both excited and nervous about their plans for a trip abroad.  Now they are in Italy for three months of study and fun.  One very nice thing about this is that they have each other for support.

The Mink Creek LDS Ward was invited to view the Preston North Stake Conference at the Riverdale Church.  These two communities have been strongly connected since their founding years in the late 1800’s.

With a chill coming in with the weather change people are more conscious of the need to get their winter’s supply of firewood.  Our forested canyons are beginning to be filled with the sound of chainsaws in action.  Some families make getting wood a planned outing, complete with picnic and games.

            Quite a few kids from Mink Creek are involved in the Preston Recreation Program’s soccer season.    Between school, practices, and games they keep pretty busy.  There are Mink Creek players on three different teams, mixed with  other players from across the county.  There are also three Mink Creek men who volunteer to coach in the soccer league.  They are Kerry Jepsen, Jody Janke, and Kurt Iverson.

            The Lewis and Clark Volunteers, a mountain man group active in southeastern Idaho, met again at a favorite camping spot.  This is located on the banks of Mink Creek on the farm of Vernon and Sallee Keller.   The change in the seasons will soon have them heading indoors, planning the next rendezvous.

Sept 18, 2013

The LOTOJA brought some family fans to stand along Highway 36, cheering for their personal bikers.  At the Pearson place Dean and Rebecca Pearson of Cedar City, UT, Howard and Colleen Hawkes of Kaysville, UT, and other relatives were happy to see Gerald Olsen come pedaling by.  Gerald, of Roy Pearson’s family, has ridden this race for five years.  Further along the road a good portion of the Keller clan was there to greet one of their biking kin, giving questionable advice, snacks and fresh water bottles as needed.

Robert and Phee Crosland made good use of various buildings they have built at their home on Birch Creek. Bunkhouses were needed.  Robert’s sister, Carolyn and Mick Michie of Moroni, UT, brought their sons, Brad and Jacob, plus several of the boys’ friends for an end-of-summer visit.  The Michie family also brought Micah and Camy Glad and their six children, also of Moroni.

Andrew Iverson, son of Kurt and Margret Iverson, recently turned twelve. In the LDS Ward he was presented with a certificate of graduation from Primary and the Faith In God certificate.  Andrew was ordained to the office of a deacon.

The last child of William and Christina Rasmussen has passed away, Verda Rasmussen Wagstaff, born in Mink Creek ninety-nine years ago.  She has lived many of her years in Orange, CA, but was in Arvin, CA, at the time of her death.  Verda grew up here with no running water, no electricity and has seen many changes in lifestyle during these 99 years.  She was flown back to be buried in the Mink Creek Cemetery alongside her parents.

Dick and LaDawn Jensen have a new grandchild.  Shirley and Kevin Ahrens of Pocatello have recently added a beautiful dark haired little girl to their family.  She will be named Jordan Shaun.  She is welcomed by a big sister and two brothers.

            That fall feeling has arrived.  Storms have arrived with regularity as well.  Even when the day has been dry the dew forms on the grasses well before midnight, so things keep pretty moist.  Lawns are prospering; weeds are having a hey-day!  Any harvesting on the fields of farms are at a standstill.   Pears, apples, peaches are at the picking stage. 

            It is that special bug season---the time when the jr. high kids are on high alert for the extra bugs to add to those they have been saving in their freezers, etc. for Crosland’s collections.  I understand that now other science teachers are on board and no bug is safe in Franklin County. 

Whole families are outdoors searching for any creature that qualifies. 

Sept 11, 2013

Labor Day weekend sent campers galore headed up to our canyons and beyond.  Besides the RVs, the 4 wheelers and motorcycles there were plenty of boats.  That translates into hours spent on Bear Lake and its shores, just over the mountains east of Mink Creek.  These recreation enthusiasts had Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy sunny weather.  Labor Day itself started raining with gusto early on, and stayed gloomy with persistent moisture coming down most of the day.

            Our ground has been so dry that it was most welcomed, but there is no doubt that all that dampness put an end to many celebrations.  It is continually amazing how dry the terrain can be, nearly to the crackling point, and a good storm paints the surroundings with green once again.

Bryan and Shannon Erickson and sons came up from Woodland Hills, UT and split their weekend between his parent’s place, Layne and Karen Erickson, and  the beachfront home they have in Bear Lake.  It made for a nice combination.

Ella Jepsen, daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, turned eight years old before the closing days of August and was baptized and confirmed the newest member of Mink Creek’s LDS Ward.  Friends and relatives were here to witness this occasion.

Sharon Moran has returned from a late summer water trip.  She has been kayaking in the Puget Sound in Washington with her son Willie Moran and friends.   Willie is now employed in that area of our country, growing organic produce, and loving it.

Jody and Laural Janke and their family took a quick drive to Pleasant Grove, UT, to witness the wedding of a friend who has moved there recently.

Fall plowing is part of the work to be done for those of us here that are still in the business of farming.  That recent rain was certainly sent at the perfect time for this necessary task.

It is bow hunting season.  Camouflage clothing, silent steps, good equipment and tools required, have all made it a good hunt for the bow enthusiasts.   I have heard some success stories already this fall.

            Canning season is underway in most homes.  Some apples are ready, zucchini abounds,  cucumbers are turned to pickles, the fall raspberries are on….and there are plans for more as the weeks pass and harvests increase.  Garden tomatoes grace the tables, but they are also being turned into many variety of tomato recipes:  salsa, chili sauce, chili, spaghetti sauce,  plain old tomatoes, and the list goes on. 

Sept. 4, 2013

 Grasshopper season is upon us.  These creatures seem to be very present when it is time to harvest the grain.  They came in all sizes and a variety of colors, red-winged, yellow, non-descript, bodies of grey, dull tan, slightly green.  The bouncing legs are of different lengths, but all able to be is places not desired by humans.  Their flying fills the air, and then, almost by magic, the grasshoppers are gone, disappeared.

            It is also the time to lock your cars at public gatherings or a person is apt to find a deposit of zucchini squash in your vehicle when it is time to go home.  Luckily, there are lots of things a cook can do with this particular item.

            Donald Christensen passed away recently.  He was raised in Mink Creek, a son of Allen and Pearl Christensen.  Over the last months he has been hospitalized several times.  He and his wife, Jeanette, now call Preston home, living in the Whitney boundaries.  His dedication to genealogy research, serving three missions to find and digitize important records, leaves a monument that will benefit many.

            Karl and Marion Haws of Santa Barbara, CA. are enjoying their Mink Creek residence during these warmer days in California.  They come here often, all year round, as do their children and families. 

Kent Egley has had some knee surgery and is recuperating.  Having a nurse for a wife keeps him in line when he is tempted not to follow the doctor’s orders.  He'll be farming as soon as he can.

Jacob and Ranette Free and their son have been down from the Rexburg area to visit the Richard Free ranch.  It seems one of those situations where “you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.”

Our local owls and coyotes make their presence known, particularly when there is a good moon.  Between the howling of one and the hooting of the other, it makes for an interesting combination. 

We had a day of rain on Labor Day, in quantities that varied throughout the day.  We needed every single drop.  There were several celebrations that got cancelled, but all for a good cause.  No flooding was reported, although the water level in our various creeks increased some.

The excitement of school starting has worn off.  Now there are moans and groans about having to be out of bed and moving to catch the bus,  along with concerns about lab fees, etc. that accompany some classes.

Last one for August, 2013

The community had a closing social at the ballpark.  A favored activity, the water slide down tarps on the southwestern hill, was in full operation.  The kids paused to eat, but kept at it till nearly dark.  There was a feeling of summer folding up for the year as grownups visited in the pavilion.  Food?  Of course there was food, hamburgers, hot dogs and the appropriate condiments, potato chips, punch and cookies.  Clare and Linda Christensen did most of the cooking, including the whole wheat cookies.

Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson spoke in the LDS services. They have spent the last eighteen months serving a mission, living in Hull, on the northeast coast of England. Their family gathered in great numbers:  Olson siblings, Stocks siblings, and Olson children and grandchildren.  That the welcome mat was rolled out was very evident. 

            Austin Corbett, son of Shane and Sherrie Corbett, was ordained to the office of deacon.

His grandparents,   Sherrie’s parents, Craig and Vicki  Golightly of Preston were here to witness the event.

Todd and Julie Kunz and their children spent a weekend with her parents, Karen and Layne Erickson.  They live in Idaho Falls, where Todd is an anchorman for KIDKTV.

Another new family has moved into Mink Creek.  Thomas and Donna Nichols are living at the point of the upper intersection with Highway 36.  The home belongs to Lynn and Cathy Mason, who now live in Wellsville, UT.  The Nicols family has lived in Franklin previously.

It will be nice having them here, closer to their daughter, Shoni Henderson, and her family.

A group of men took on the towering Tetons in Wyoming recently.  It was a short, exhausting trip, hiking all one night and into the next day., no easy jaunt.  Paul McKay was the only one from Mink Creek, his companions were Tom Lucia, Tony Hale and Lewis Palmer.

            The Easter Idaho State Fair gets started over Labor Day weekend in Blackfoot.  Anyone in our community who qualified to show at the fair have been busy getting things ready, including themselves if their presence is required.  One more little bit of excitement.

             We have had a heavy rain storm this past week, sufficient to put the last crop of hay harvest on hold, at whatever stage it might have been when the moisture fell.  It has been so very dry, it was all welcome.

            Families have reported that the last two of Mink Creek Ward’s LDS missionaries have reached their field of labor.  Elder Spencer Wilde is in Williston, ND and Sister Tiffany Longhurst has barely gotten to California, the Anaheim area, and is awaiting her assignment.

August 21, 2013

Amateur astronomers, friends of Connie Erickson, gathered for a late night of viewing the August meteor showers from the lawn of her parents, Karen and Layne Erickson.  Since the group lives in Logan they needed the absence of city lights, a spot filled with starry skies.

Clifford and LaDawn Jensen had a round of family visits.  Jeremy and Heidi Jensen, plus their  four children come over from McCammon, ID. Kristina Gore and her three youngsters flew in from Arlington, VA and were able to spend some good vacation time in Mink Creek

            Karen and Mark Arnout  have had children visiting off and on over the summer.  Most recently Travis and Amber Armout and their little family came from Utah.

            Glen and Betty Jo Jepsen’s home has been filled with fun when their daughter Jill and her children arrived from Canada.  At this home there are always games and activities to enjoy.

A new family has moved into the home formerly occupied by John and Sandi Cude.

Patty Barnett and her two sons came up from Logan two months ago.  Austin is eleven, Brent is eight.  Welcome to Mink Creek!

A drift down the Colorado River sound like a fun idea!  Steve and Terrie Mainini  signed up for the Colorado Wooden Boat Float, took their boat (built by Steve a few years ago), and headed for Kremmling, CO.  Their guide gave good instructions and it turned out to be an adventure they want to repeat.  This time they floated the upper half of the Colorado River, some drifting, some rapids and narrows involved.  The area is just below the Rocky Mountain National Park.

A dust storm moved through our little village, right up the main highway.  This was no average whirlwind, it broke off tree limbs, sent garbage cans rolling and somehow extracted a sizey section of dead wood from a large, living tree in the ballpark and pulled it out, leaving the tree intact. 

Jim and Debbie Harrison were up from their place in St. George.  Our hot temperatures in Mink Creek are cooler temperatures than southern Utah.

We have had our share of wrecks on Highway 36 lately.  In the last ten days the whine of the sirens has put us all on alert.  Each time there has been at least three responds:  the police, the ambulance, and the fire truck. Generally there is a phone call prior to these to bring them here to assist. There has been no local reports with more details, but just hearing the sirens always reminds me that having serious problems, of one sort or another,  is a frequent occurrence.

The County Fair is all wrapped up.  There were several different projects underway from Mink Creek with the youth.  We had a sheep club, others with horses, some sewing, some cooking.  I noticed some art and quilt exhibits from the more mature participants.  Maybe I missed some, but it always is a pleasure to see the community’s involvement in this annual event.

August 14, 2013

The month of August is upon us, along with grain harvests, fair time and school.  There are lots of preparations for all of these things going on in our community.  That feeling of any relaxation that goes with summer months is rapidly dissipating since the flip of the calendar to this month.

Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson have recently returned from serving eighteen months in the England, Leeds, Mission.   They have been residing in the city of Hull near the North Sea.  Son Mike Olson picked them up at the SLC Airport.  Their daughter Peggy and Jon Flinders and three little, blond, Olson granddaughters came down from Salmon, ID, to help warm up the empty Olson home on Station Creek.

The Mink Creek Ward received a new member when Jonathan Seamons, son of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons was baptized.   Andy McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, was ordained to the office of teacher.  Andy also receiver his Duty to God award from his service as a deacon.

Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen have been submerged in family.  Annie and Steve Earl and their family spent some vacation time away from their home in San Jose, CA.  Joe and Kate Jepsen made a trip up from Utah, getting in a few free moments before the school year begins.

Two family reunions were wrapped into one when Tiffany Longhurst spoke in the LDS Ward.  The Longhurst group moved their reunion date and the Craythorn Family from the Burley area, who had planned to be at Island Park, gathered for the same purpose, both at the Erickson pond and park in Mink Creek.

The Relief Society held a closing social for the summer at our community ballpark.  The members, with husbands, enjoyed a meal of Navajo tacos with all the trimmings, slices of watermelon and punch.  Dessert was a scone dripping in butter and honey.  Entertainment was provided by participation in a variety of Minute to Win-It efforts.

 Wild fires are raging in the mountains to the south of us.  These particular ones are across our state border in Utah and some have been going on for days.  Just one year ago we had fires popping up much closer and we understand the tension that accompanies the situation. During a dry year, such as now, that concern is constant.

 Last summer a considerable size of acreage between Mink Creek and Preston went up in flames.  The view afterwards  was stark blackened hills, skeletons of brush and trees pointing skyward, scattered here and there.   It has been rewarding to see the greening return this spring.  Even some of those stark tree forms have sprouted green leaves in the tops, above the reach of the flames, showing how hard it can be to quench life.  It has been a message of encouragement for me.