April 26, 2016

        Some special excitement in the life of Macy Jepsen. She had a great time using her language skills gained on her mission to Cambodia. Macy auditioned for the possibility of being a translator for the recent Semi-annual Conference talks given by leaders of the LDS Church. She was accepted and translated from English to Cambodian for both the Women's Conference and a week later for some of the messages at the General Conference.

        Our favorite centenarian, Naomi Wilde, has returned home to Mink Creek after wintering in warmer climates. With her has come that special brand of sense of humor that is her trademark.

         Jim and Debbie Harrison have been up from St. George. They are readying their home for warm weather occupancy and more frequent visits. As always we are pleased they feel so comfortable among us.

        AnnaBeth and Jimmie Olson took a weekend off, headed to Rigby, ID, for special family events. They needed to be present at the blessing of one granddaughter, Jane Flinders, and the baptism of another, Emma Flinders, both daughters of Peggy and Jon Flinders. Mission accomplished!

        The family of Kurt and Margret Iverson enjoyed several days together in the warmth of southern Utah. They were biking in the area around Moab, With four sons this was a well-chosen activity.

        Some of the family of Larry and Lilly Hansen gathered at their home on Bear Creek. Their son, David Hansen and family live in Harmony, PA.

        Lorraine and Royce Christensen had a visit from their son Fred and Victoria Christensen. The two took a few days off from their lives in Orem, UT, to just come up and relax. More recently Lorraine got some help with her yard work from a grandson, JR Carter. Can't beat that!

        More rainy spring weather. Mink Creek community looks like the pictures one sees of Ireland's green hills, with wreaths of mist draped about our mountain tops. All shades of green are present. All waterways are running high, even Strawberry Creek is filled with little waterfalls as it makes its way down to meet Mink Creek before they join the Bear River.

April 19, 2016

          After several days of heavy rain bursts and snowfall we are still calling this season spring. The following gifts from nature confirm it is so. The golden curly flowers are dotting the hillsides (also known as avalanche lilies.) Tiny, dark purple violets are scattered across our lawns. The red and green stalks of rhubarb are unfurling their fan-like leaves, making us anticipate a tart rhubarb pie in the not too distant future. Brave apricot trees are in full bloom.

          Kent and Tammy Beardall's family is having fun tending grandchildren, those belonging to Michelle and Gary Wall. Gary and Michelle are enjoying a balmy cruise instead of their home site in Grand Junction, CO, so the maternal grandparents get to have the kids. Heather Beardall, Michelle's sister, has come up from Logan to give an assisting hand when needed.

            Laural and Jody Janke and children drove to Rexburg, ID for an overnight stay. They had fun with this quick trip and touring the area, getting in some family activity time. They enjoyed a concert given by the Sound Alliance, a musical group in which their nephew Sam McKague plays trumpet.

            The family of Max Haws spent some relaxing moments at the Haws home. Their home base in Santa Barbara, CA, and the days are starting to warm up in that part of the nation.

            Emma Rasmussen, daughter of Trevor and April Rasmussen, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recently. Friends and family gathered at the Rasmussen home for a luncheon following the ceremony.

            Eldon and Danita Wilcox have received a call to serve in the Philippines,Quezon City, Mission. They will be leaving in August and will be offering member support and leadership to the LDS people of that region.

            Bill and Myrna Despain took a trip down to the St. George, UT, area for some scheduled family and friend events. On the way home they managed to take in some more family activity around Provo.

            Kelton and Denise Keller of Alpine, UT, spent some days with his dad, Vernon Keller. These two manage an Idaho weekend frequently.

           Our farmers have been out on their tractors. It is time to harrow fields, haul off those eternal rocks, loosen that soil up so it can soak up the moisture. Farming hillsides has to be done just the right way, in the right direction or the big  wet storms can carry the precious dirt down to the bottom of our valley.

April 12, 2016

             Dennis and Judy Clark had a family gathering when Greg and Brenda Belew came down from St. Anthony, ID, to celebrate Brenda's birthday. Colton and Shawntae Belew and their baby and Destin Belew came up from Preston. Mariah and Bracken Atkinson and Timberlee, plus Mikayla Belew live in Mink Creek, most convenient. Grown grandchildren, Jamison and Caitlin Daines are in Logan.

             Kasey and Julie Haws, residents of Redlands, CA, but frequent visitors to the Haws home in Mink Creek, have been anticipating this announcement for some time. The last time they were here they told our community of their calling to serve as a Mission President couple in the LDS Church. At that time they did not know the location. We have since learned that they will be presiding over the Mexico Villahermosa Mission. Kasey and Julie have five children. In his younger years Kasey served in the Argentina Rosarios Mission.

            Several of our youth participated in the Gem State Dance Competition in Idaho Falls held at the Idaho Falls High School. Some competed in teams, others as individuals. Celina and Angelo Crosland, Chance Hatch, Tara and Clay Jepsen, and Walter, Andrew and Charles Iverson are members of Strictly Ballroom Dance group who participated. Families drove up to provide a good fan club for the performances.

            Jared and Julie Egley were able to have a late winter vacation in Italy. Just saying those names, Rome, Naples, Florence, the Italian Alps, one knows it had to be an amazing trip.

            Spring field work has begun for those residents who farm this valley. The harrows are stirring up clouds of dust. Rollers are flattening out lumps of dirt. The eternal rocks that seem to grow over the winter months are in need of removal, either by machine or by hand.

            Some trees are putting on their lacy green shawls Others are just holding on tightly to a firm curl of bud at the ends of branches. The neighbor has a new crop of black calves and some puppies that are cow dogs in the making. Homeowners are conscious of the need to rake out the winter buildup of debris to make way for the coming of flowers and green lawns.

            Small herds of deer are making the most of the fresh green growth on our hillsides. A few here, another bunch grazing in a spot higher up the valley.  Just a bit of statistical information, this post is # 200 for this blog.  Hope you have enjoyed keeping updated on this little spot in southeastern Idaho.

April 5, 2016

            Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen headed to warmer weather and family over the Easter season. They went to San Jose, Ca, the home of their daughter Annie and Steve Earl and their family.

           The home of Eldon and Danita Wilcox was full to overflowing with kids and grandkids sharing Easter festivities. MaKenzie and Tyson Gunter drove from Pocatello, Brittany Durrant and girls came from Salt Lake City. Ami and Tom Fenton's group live in Tooele, UT. Brigham and Jennifer Wilcox's family are now in Idaho Falls where he is a a pharmacist.

            From Saratoga Springs, UT, Maria and Devin Flake brought their little Jude, sporting his mohawk hairdo, to spend the weekend with her parents, Lana and Ivan McCracken.

            Wally and Kim Christensen were happy having their daughter Rebekah and James Juhasz up from Logan for a few days. More family members joined them for Easter dinner. Angelie and Thane Winward and children came from Garland, UT. Grandmother Shirley Keller and Jerry and Terri Petterborg, plus family, came from Preston.

            Layne and Karen Erickson's place was kept busy with family coming and going. Their daughter Connie and Adam Westenskow came from Logan. Grandchildren, Cody and Kevyn McKay and Morgan McKay, children of Paul and Terrie McKay, all at Utah State, gathered as well. Added motivation was Cody speaking at the LDS Ward that Sunday.

            Bob and Claudia Erickson enjoyed some time with Sam McKague, a grandson, who drove down from BYU/Idaho in Rexburg. He brought his roommate, Sam Borrup, for a break from studies. The two Sams were kept entertained by cousins at the home of Laural and Jody Janke.

             Spring break from school was met in a variety of ways. Some residents left for prearranged trips. Wet weather that descended took the starch out of quite a few well planned spring activities. A chance to sleep in a little longer was welcomed by all who had the opportunity.

            A person might see trails of smoke here and there, especially on the edges of fields. This time of year farmers are trying to get rid of the dried weed growth, plus pesky seeds, before the new season begins. For now there is an overall dampness due to our recent storms that help insure the safety of a burning.

The March Lion roars, 2016

            Even with the cold the world around us is getting a start on greening up. Fields already planted are full of young plants, dormant perennials are poking green shoots up through the earth. Of course the weeds are always with us, first to show, last to go, and a constant problem in between.

            Turkeys were strutting their stuff, parading around with tails fanned, attracting and impressing the rest of the flock. These feathered beings are everywhere: Riverdale, Cub River, Mink Creek, etc. and we all have way more than we need. They are a bit hard on a field of fresh young grain or alfalfa.  At least they go to roost when the sun goes down. As dusk descends those big black lumps high up on the tree branches are turkeys calling it quits. Less chance of hitting one of these birds during night driving than that of our deer population.

           Larry and Lilly Hansen have been up from Utah, getting their Mink Creek home on Bear Creek ready for summer habitation.

            Giovanni and Kristina Crosland and their children came down from Blackfoot, ID, for some days at home. The building of his parents' home (Robert and Phee Crosland) always welcomes another pair of hands willing for construction.

           The Mink Creek Boy Scouts held a Court of Honor recently. Two young men received their Eagle rank. They were Angelo Crosland, son of Robert and Phee Crosland, and Ben Seamons, son of Jeff and Jennifer Seamons. For their Eagle projects Ben collected and sent books to a community in need in Africa. Angelo repaired and painted the interior of the Robinson Building at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Several scouts received rank advancements: Jacobi Johnson and Dallon Baird to Life rank, Bryce Egley and Keenan Janke to First Class.

          Guess this is proof of the March “in like a lamb, out like a lion” truism. Those first days of this month got everyone in the spirit for spring and planting. Outdoors, here we come! Woke up to a snow-covered world the last two mornings. No visible green today. Inches of the stuff! There was a lone golden crocus blooming outside the LDS Ward on Sunday, brave thing. These storms are soggy and heavy so a lot of moisture has been delivered. More expected for a day or two. Perhaps it was necessary to match up with the spring break from school this week. The Easter weekend was beautiful, couldn't have been better, so no complaints are being heard....or not too many.

March 22, 2016

           In spite of the recent return of winter weather and temperatures there are all sorts of indication that a change is in the air. The sandhill cranes have returned, making themselves known with their peculiar cry. Robins hover in the snow, fluffing out their feathers to shake off the cold. Canadian geese are seen in their V formation as well as on our ponds and waterways, calling out to get attention. Our owls, not to be outdone, are having extended conversations in the dark of night.

           Brooke Corbett, daughter of Sherrie and Shane Corbett, has received her long awaited mission call. She will be serving in the Argentina, Resistiencia, Mission, heading to the Mission Training Center on May 11^th.

          Jeff Knudson has married recently. His new bride is Leigh Fuller, whose home is in Twin Falls, ID. For the time being they are sharing time between their two homes, according to the demands of their schedules. Leigh is a concert pianist. She has also worked in the Church Offices in Salt Lake City for about twenty years. We are glad to have her become a part of our community.

           Mary Jean Baird Lindhardt, wife of Sherman Lindhardt of Smithfield, UT, passed away recently after suffering with lung cancer. She was born and raised in Mink Creek, daughter of James and Bessie Baird. Sherm and Mary Jean lived here for a few years in their early married life.

           Members of our community gathered for a Snowmobile Ride early this month, just in time before the white stuff had receded too much. Organizer Andy McKay asked his dad, Paul, and uncle, Lin McKay, to lead the group. The ride started in Copenhagen Basin and headed to the Big Rock and Midnight Mountain. The weather cooperated and it was a fun way to signal the wrap up of winter.

           The Young Men and Young Women's basketball season has closed for the Preston North Stake. Now those same youths will be involved in the track and field events at their schools, or in the softball and baseball programs.

           Even though winter storms keep returning our farmers are getting ready to be back doing field work. Repairs are underway on equipment and every sunny morning is greeted with a smile.  Working the land gets so much of the persona of those who love it.

March 15, 2016

             The Mink Creek LDS Relief Society organization celebrated its birthday with a program entitled “Three White Dresses.” Lacey Christensen spoke of the blessing/christening dress. April Rasmussen talked about the white dresses used in her young family, her daughter Emma soon to wear a white dress for her baptism, Liesa Baird told of the white wedding and temple dress. Cecelie Costley brought the three altogether with the need for for the continual need for “the white dress” in our lives here on earth. Those attending enjoyed a meal of croissant sandwiches, with veggie trays full of healthy choices. All enjoyed the birthday cake and ice cream as the evening ended.

           Former resident of Mink Creek, Paul Deats, passed away on Feb. 15, 2016, in California. One of his sons, Ed Deats attended school in Preston. The years in Mink Creek were spent on the Two Creek Ranch. Paul was a hard worker. He came to us from Long Beach, CA, but started out his life in Kentucky. He was a very civic-minded individual and patriot no matter where he lived. He served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. Paul loved horses, often riding in the Rose Parade, and spent his last 37 years on a ranch in Santa Ynez.

            Judy and David Wilde drove down to southern Utah for a getaway weekend in the area around Manti. They enjoyed a production of “ The Scarlet Pimpernel” at the campus of Snow College in Ephriam, UT. Their son, Christopher Wilde, was playing the cello in the pit orchestra for the play.

           We have a resident bald eagle who perches on a high point, often atop a power pole. He keeps a wary eye out for tasty morsels and interesting activities happening from his observation post. We are pleased to have him among us.

             Did I write about a thaw last week---believe I did. This week has given us the switch that goes with March weather, just when there was hope for some dry areas to attract our outdoor walkers. It has been a mix of snow and rain for the last four days. Temperatures to match, so we are glad to still have the winter wear close at hand. I do understand that ski resorts not too far away are smiling for the likelihood of an extended season. This will bring happy weekends a little longer for the many that head for our canyons with their snowmobiles.

           We do know that real spring is on its way, after all it is only mid-March. Evidence of this is that the “ditch meetings” and water boards are having their annual discussions of pre-irrigation needs for the coming season.  In all things, patience is needed.