Happy Halloween, 2015

           Our community had a Hobby Night recently. After a dinner of lamb, pork ribs, Dutch-oven potatoes and various salads and desserts those attending were treated to discovering the hobbies of two residents. Brady Henderson is a houndsman, training and hunting the six dogs that are shared with his wife Shoney and their three children. After watching a power point presentation about this passion a person had no question but that this was a family affair. Following the Hendersons, Kim and Twlonie Bullock demonstrated how they make and restore violins. They showed instruments in various stages of construction, and had several that were completed. Kim and Twlonie played a violin duet. Then Joseph Seamons was asked to play, helping the audience to understand the different qualities of the violins. He favored the group with a different solo from each instrument. It was a great night of learning for all who attended.

             Kel and Karen Crane stopped by Mink Creek to revisit their Crane roots. Kel spent his early years in Mink Creek, the son of Rex and Brucia Crane, living on the banks of Birch Creek, just down the road from his Crane grandparents, William and Jemima. Now he and Karen live in Soda Springs.

            Rico Crosland, a son of Robert and Phee Crosland, has returned home from his two years of service in the New Zealand, Wellington, LDS Mission. He spoke to the congregation of the Mink Creek Ward recently. His siblings have been here to welcome him home: Armando from the Washington DC area, Angelo from Colorado, Malia and her family from Rigby, ID, Giovanni with his family from Blackfoot, ID, Marco from BYU in Provo, UT, and those who live here, Mario, Celina, Jacobi and Talon. Three sisters were unable to attend, but extended family and friends were on hand.

             Deer hunting is closed for this season. There have been reports of success, but there has also been reports of not even seeing one during the whole season. As a farm family, we can report that the deer did seem to feed on our fields after dark when the hunters had retired for the day. Elk season is still open and I understand there are quite a few showing up on the east side of Preston, alive and well.

             Night time temperatures are dropping sufficiently to need blankets for any tomato plants that are still in the ground. Apples are prime for picking, and for drying or any other method of preservation that  homemakers might choose.

             Homes up and down the valley are decorated with appropriate Halloween décor. It has been a good year for pumpkins and many orange ghoulish faces adorn walkways and porches. One spot down the road a bit is the home of Arda Smith in Riverdale. Her family members have  gathered to make a real production worth visiting to become acquainted with headless horsemen, skeletons and other spooky creations.

October 20, 2015

          The youth of the community have been out doing their fall highway cleanup. There were orange bags decorating the edge of the road the whole length of Mink Creek when this project was completed. It was a good evening weather-wise and their efforts are appreciated. When it got too dark to see and the youth gathered back at the LDS church the refreshments were the perfect reward for a job well done.

           Robert and Mario Crosland are back home after three weeks of roaming around the Philippines. Both father and son served in that country as missionaries. It is the first time for a return for Robert, he has raised most of his family since his two years among those people. Mario returned from his mission just last fall. This pair have had a wonderful time rekindling friendships and seeing places that both hold dear. Now they have one more Philippine memory to share. What a marvelous experience.

          After this break they now resume the task of building the new Crosland home that will replace the one destroyed by fire last spring.

           Larry and Lillian Hansen have purchased the home recently vacated by Lin and Sharla McKay. This home was built by Martin and Lula Christensen, ancestors of Larry's, in the early part of the 20^th century. Larry spent childhood years in Mink Creek and has some good memories of that time. The Hansens had been hoping to find a retirement home in Mink Creek and now are becoming reacquainted with our community. They come to us from the Salt Lake City area.

           David Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons, was ordained to the office of a teacher in the LDS Ward. Terrie McKay was sustained as the secretary for the Young Womens organization of the Preston Idaho North Stake.

            Those outdoor solar lights that were so perfectly placed a few months ago are certain evidence of the movement of the earth. They end up in the shade too many hours at this time of year to last long when darkness falls.

             I haven't seen a fall as green as this 2015 version. The hay fields are working on growing a 4^th crop, bright green. Yard trees, that receive water on a regular basis are now starting to change color. The leaves of the hillside trees are dried and brown, making for not-so-silent deer stalking. There have been rain storms lately, but no hard freezes just yet. We are wondering, along with the weathermen, just what sort of winter will come our way.

October 14, 2015

          Patti and Forrest Christensen have wished for some recuperation time after a three week vacation to Scandinavian countries. They traveled with two of Forrest's siblings: Vance Christensen and Raeone and Brad Stuart, to Denmark, Norway and then Iceland on their way back home. The group toured and included a variety of activities. Denmark and Norway are ancestral homes for the Christensen family. Vance served a mission in Denmark, Raeone served in Norway. The countries were beautiful as they camped , visited LDS and family landmarks, went to beaches, climbed rocky precipices in the fjords. One familiar sight was lots of sheep. The trip was lots of fun but they were definitely ready to return to Mink Creek as their traveling wound down

          It must be fall, the turkey population is making itself known once again. A person need to be aware of these creatures because they cross the highway at the slightest notion, then they change their mind and traipse back. They are a daylight hazard. The nocturnal varieties are deer, raccoons and skunks.

           Bob Erickson has been on a week long fishing trip. He and his brother Gary, plus a couple of friends, drove out to the Columbia River in Washington for a few days of salmon fishing. This has become an annual celebration.  It is always fun no matter how many fish they bring home, even nada.  The fun is what counts!

           Ben Seamons, son of Jennifer and Jeff Seamons, has been pursuing his Eagle Rank in scouting. His project has been a bit different from most. Ben had had a book drive, gathering children's books for a school in Zimbabwe. He was hoping to get enough to start a small library.

            Our 7^th grade residents have reason to celebrate this week. The dreaded bug collections were due  in science class and, one way or another, IT is done for those junior high students. Even their families and neighbors are breathing that sigh of relief that indicates a job well done.

            Deer hunting is in earnest. First one sees an empty vehicle by the side of the road, a bit later there is the sound of gunfire, generally followed by more gunfire. The results? Who knows, but the deer are moving around and some are surviving the onslaught. This area was featured in a national wildlife magazine some years ago as a great place for mule deer. The population has diminished since that time.

October 7, 2015

            Our night sky put on quite an elaborate light show last night. Lightning flashed from several directions, and within seconds of each other. Of course there were the booms of thunder to accompany all the action. After all, what is a theatrical production without some good mood-moving music? This was not a lullaby. The rain and the wind thrashed about a bit, but the lightning definitely played the lead part.

            Kristi Hall has entered into a business partnership with Tara Johnson, one that suits them both to a T. It is called Weddings and Wingdings, offering all wedding décor and catering. It isn't just for the marriage market because they will take on parties in general. The two don't have an official location because they run it out of their homes. They can be found on Facebook. Kristi's other half is Brett Hall, Tara's is Blake Johnson. They have been pretty busy this fall.

             The Mink Creek LDS Ward has a new Relief Society presidency. The President is Patti Christensen, her 1st Counselor Linda Christensen, 2nd counselor Anna Beth Olson and Secretary is ReNae Egley. The released president, Danita Wilcox, underwent hip surgery this past week.

            In an LDS meeting Sister Macy Jepsen shared some of her experiences in the Cambodia Phnom Penh mission. Macy is the daughter of Kerry and Melinda Jepsen. Her aunt Janna Musgrave and her children came up from Ogden for this occasion, as did her uncle, Kyle Jepsen from Dallas, TX. Another aunt, Sandy Checketts and family, drove over from Nampa, ID. Great uncle Lenard Nelson, now living in Idaho Falls, was there. The congregation was filled with friends from school and past employment.

            It is volleyball season in the Preston North Stake. Mink Creek has teams of youths participating, as well as some singles going for the fun and exercise of it with the co-ed adult games.

            Hunting season has been underway for those with archery skills and there has been reports of success. Nice sets of antlers, smiling hunters in camo. Won't be long before the rifle variety of season opens. In Mink Creek the sounds of gunfire echo off our mountainsides, up and down. A near miss makes for staccato booms.

          Fall plowing and planting is on our farmer's agenda. Those recent rains have been a boon to the new seeds in the ground.

Sept 29, 2015

             Another fall wedding in our village. This was Cody McKay, son of Paul and Terrie McKay, being married to Kevyn Bruce, daughter of Brian and Tammy Bruce of Globe, AZ. They were married in the Bountiful Temple and the McKay family hosted an outdoor reception at their home on Station Creek Road the following evening, After several days of rain, the sun shone just right for the occasion.

              Larry and Mary Jean Rasmussen were happy to have a weekend visit from their son, JR. He and his wife, Elaine, and their two boys, William and Luke, drove up from Riverdale, UT, for good grandparent time, much to Mary Jean's delight.

             A new family have moved in, living in the home previously owned by Tammy and Nelson Coleman. They come to us from the San Diego area in California. The Mathis family consists of Ray and Mindy Mathis, plus Jessie and Mike Morris and their daughter Ella, and Jennie Mathis and Russell Sipes. Ray is a truck driver whose company is based in Smithfield, UT. The family has an online business, making and selling dog jackets. They have just finished getting their production room set up and are now pushing to fill orders. The company, Pittie Coats, constructs custom made jackets for their canine clients across the country.

              Julie Kunz and her daughter Kamry spent the weekend with her parents, Karen and Layne Erickson. It was a nice change from her pace at home in Ammon, ID.

              Lorraine Christensen has traveled back to Indiana, enjoying an unusual grandmother task. She accompanied a new baby granddaughter who will be adopted by her daughter Carrie Ann and Ken Melton. The family is excited over this important decision in their lives. They live in Lafayette.

              We had a beautiful night for viewing the red moon. As it came up over our eastern mountains the eclipse was already in progress. Interesting photos were reported up and down our valley. By the time it was all done and the full moon looking large and pale it was time for closing out the day.

               Jeff Knudson had a home full of family visitors for one weekend. His quiet time was shattered with all the activities of these guests.

                The Sheldon and Candy Longhurst family traveled to Parma, ID, to participate in  an open house for their recently married daughter Tiffany and her new husband, Spencer Wheeler.

Sept 22. 2015

             Fall rains are upon us, and, at present, we have some snow crowning our tallest mountains. The tree filled slopes around our community are becoming a mixture of orange, red, yellow and various shades of green. It is a pretty palette. With all the wetness farmers are happy to have their third crop of hay in their barns.

             One night recently, during a lightning storm, an ancient cottonwood came crashing down. The tree had been perched on the side of the Riverdale Canal bank for more than fifty years. It buckled as it dropped, narrowly missing power lines in its descent. Upon investigation this particular tree was rotten in the core. Branches were cast across Highway 36 as it fell.

           Alexis Iverson, daughter of Margret and Kurt Iverson, became the bride of Scott Strong this past week . Scott, son of Jeffrey and Deborah Strong, is from Spanish Fork, UT. The Iverson family celebrated the occasion with a reception at their home on Station Creek Road.

            The infant son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Lizzy) Greene was given a name and blessing recently. He was named Bently Jay Greene. Grandparents, Chad and Dawnell Greene of Mink Creek and Dale and Charity Wallentine of Franklin, witnessed the event, along with great grandparents, Marlene Christensen of Mink Creek, Ron and Thelma Womack from Franklin, Eydie and Reed Wallentine of Lewiston, UT, and Carol Bodily of Pocatello. Aunts and uncles came from Mink Creek, Franklin, and Preston.

            Sister Macy Jepsen has returned from her LDS mission to the Cambodia, Phnom Penh Mission. Her parents, Kerry and Melinda Jepsen, traveled to Cambodia to visit people and places where Macy had served in the days following her release from service.

            Local bow-hunters have been enjoying the opening of that hunting season. There are reports and pictures testifying to the success of their endeavors.

             Seems like all living things are preparing to batten down the hatches for the coming season.  That includes spiders, flies,  wasps, mice, etc. Grasshopper season is slowing down, but wasps are filling the vacated air space. Box elder bugs are starting to cling to the south side of our homes. Bits of spider web, floating through the air outdoors is apt to come at you unexpectedly. The minute a door is opened, a fly feels like it is an invitation to enter and bring his friends.

September 15, 2015

           Labor Day presented a big traffic load heading south on our main thoroughfare. Judging from the amount of trailers and RV's the campsites in our canyons and beyond must have been busy. Some visitors spent this weekend in our community. Fred and Victoria Christensen were with his parents, Royce and Lorraine. Howard and Colleen Hawkes were up from Utah with family at the Pearson Lodge. Jeff Knudson's place was overflowing with guests. The parking area by the Crane home was full. Keller Apartments were occupied.

             Mink Creek had lots of visitors for the wedding of Tiffany Longhurst and Spencer Wheeler. The weather was great for the outdoor reception at the Longhurst home. Spencer hails from Parma, ID and the couple plans to call Parma their future home.

            Our children are boarding yellow school buses of Preston School District, arriving early in the mornings, four days a week. Shelly Bray drives the bus picking up the larger percentage of Mink Creek kids, residents along Highway 36 and the northeast end of the village. Glen Smedley is at the wheel of the bus boarded by the youth from Station Creek, Bear Creek and on to Riverdale stops.

           Bishop Kurt and Margret Iverson's family has had two moments of recognition recently. Their son, Conner, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. An older son, Andrew, was ordained to the office of a teacher in the LDS Ward.

           The Relief Society held an autumn social, inviting spouses and friends to a potluck supper. It was held on the grounds of the home of Raeone and Brad Stuart, the end of Mink Creek Road. A dark and stormy cloud moved in with a downpour for a few minutes. The large porch was perfect for a quick tucking in of all the tables and the night of visiting barely stopped.

           Sept 11 ^has come and gone., 14 years past. I would guess there were many reflective thoughts on that day of the changes that have come into our lives as citizens of this nation.

            Hearing the clamor of a flock of Canadian geese, I looked skyward, expecting to see the familiar V pattern headed south for the season. The V was there, though a little scraggly, but the birds were headed northeast. They must have been a local domesticated flock headed homeward to their pond, having made a visit in our area.

           A friend reported harvesting all her ready tomatoes and peppers, trying to stay ahead of a quick overnight freeze. So far that hasn't threatened, but will be advancing towards our gardens soon. For now anything left in the soil is well watered. We have had two days of unexpected rain.