September 26, 2023

 

The Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held their annual ward conference this past weekend. Officers of the Preston North Stake were in attendance. Each member of the Stake Presidency spoke to the congregation, President Ronald Smellie and Counselors, Michael Romney and LaWrell Cook. In the second session the officers of the Stake Sunday School presented ways that the Come Follow Me program can enrich our lives and the Stake Relief Society gave members a copy of the proclamation, The Living Christ, and encouraged studying it in depth.

The conference was followed with a Linger Longer lunch of a potato bar with all the fixings, some salads and a variety of potluck desserts. The socializing was enjoyed by guests and local residents, a chance to become better acquainted.

The extended family of Keith and Karen Olson Tribett had a weekend family camp-out in Mink Creek. Karen and her siblings were raised in Mink Creek, daughters of John and Edith Olson. This gathering had all sorts of family fun, with games requiring physical activity as well as some for sitting around with plenty of good-natured competition. There were crafts and they had the whole baseball diamond at their disposal. A birthday party was a highlight for everyone. The dark nights full of starlight was a special treat where many of those attending live in lighted cities.

Brian and Jill Petersen have had some Utah family up to their ranch in Mink Creek. Jonia Jackson entertained her sisters, Julee and Jini, and her building project and various improvements are underway.

The LOTOJA bike race event chose a day of perfect weather for their ride up through Mink Creek and Strawberry Canyon and down into the Bear Lake Valley. Interested residents congregated at the side of the highway here and there to cheer the contestants on as they rode by.

The arrival of the first freeze put residents out to cover their squash, pumpkins, any growing item that might last a little longer. High on that list is the precious homegrown tomatoes. There is always hope of keeping the plants going as far into fall as possible.

September 19, 2023

 

The youth of the community were challenged at a recent activity. This was learning about repelling down sheer cliffs which they put into practice at the Paris ice caves. Those harnesses can look pretty flimsy when it comes time to step off the ledge. It is a wonderful lesson of trusting the person who is assisting in the descent. There ended up being a good sized group. Those participating were: Kurt Iverson, Bishop Paul McKay, Miles Erickson, Jacob and Jared Cheney, Devlyn Currie, LaRon, Orrin and Dallon Baird, Jared, Morgan and Danny Keller, Young Women Pres. Claudine McKague, and Jyllian and Greenlee Christensen. One of the Preston North Stake Young Men leaders also participated, Grant Conrad, who teaches Seminary at PHS. Some of the youth were unable to take part due to obligations at school and other activities. Bishop McKay had brought snacks and food to make a perfect outing.

The young men of the Deacon’s quorum were at a campout up the canyon on Williams Creek so they took advantage of their timing and joined the repelling group, then returned to finish up their camp.

Once a Mink Criker, always a Mink Criker—Bill Despain has made several recent visits here. He now lives in Fielding, UT, with his brother and wife, but is most welcome in many homes in Mink Creek. Bill even called on a few homes, and finding the house under new ownership, made new friends.

Eldon and Danita Wilcox have had children and grandchildren popping in and out these past few weeks. Perhaps they are taking turns. Brigham Wilcox and some of his children have been down from Idaho Falls, Ami Fenton and family were up from Tooele, UT. Elise and Jeff Hardy brought some of their family with when the came from North Ogden.

Two Jepsen sisters have stopped in. Marilyn and Bob Godfrey, up from Arizona, and JoAnn and Kevin Auger, who live in Woodland Hills, UT.

We have had some quick afternoon storms come rushing up the valley, accompanied by strong winds. Thunder and lightning have rattled a few homes, but no direct hits at this point, happy to report.

A few trees have shown some color changes, we hope there are a lot more to come.

September 12, 2023

 

Lana and Ivan McCracken have been throwing their doors wide for company lately. Eden McCracken, Ivan’s daughter, came up from California for a few days. Ivan’s brother, Samuel and his wife Robbie, left the smokey skies of Raymond, Alberta, Canada for a visit down to “the States.” Robbie is Filipino and she and our resident Filipino, Annavelyn Wilcox, enjoyed some conversations in their home language of Tagalog. More McCrackens, Aaron and J’lene of Manhattan, KS, stopped in for a visit while they were taking their oldest daughter to BYU/I in Rexburg.

Lana spent some time with her daughter, Maria, in Utah where Maria is recovering from a recent illness. Devin Flake, Maria’s husband, attended a Flake family gathering in the northwest to participate in the Hood to Coasts relay race where twelve team members traveled a route from Hood, OR, to the Pacific Coast.

There has been a summer motor home parked at the home of Cade and Leigha Nicholls. It is the summer home of Leigha’s parents, Ben and Seana Beckes, who call Springville, UT, their more permanent location. The Beckes enjoyed some fun time with little Peter Nicholls, their grandson.

The Hansen House has been well occupied over some of the recent weekends. Wes and Heather Hansen of Ogden hosted a family reunion for Heather’s side of their family. The Hansen Girls, now better known as the Hansen Grandmas have been in town---Pat, Roxane and Sandy. Sid and Geraldine Hansen, of Richmond, UT, were welcomed by Mink Creek friends. This couple have recently returned from serving a mission in Hawaii for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There are lots of “garden sharing” going on in Mink Creek. Reports on gardens are a big variety: totally wiped out by grasshoppers, just certain plants thriving while others wither, summer squash by the bushel, etc. This growing season has had extra challenges with the late spring and grasshopper invasion.

It has been stated that September is the month for recognizing our Constitution. We need to remember that it did not come about overnight, it took years before the final document would be accepted with many challenges along the way. Those men who met, discussed, argued, but stayed with it to its completion gave us a gift. Actually it was a gift for the whole world, as it would be an example to all nations in the many years following. Do some pondering on this gift this month, it deserves some thought and contemplation.

September 6, 2023

 

The community gathered to welcome the final return of Naomi Nelson Wilde to Mink Creek. The chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located within easy walking distance of her home, was full to the brim. The event will be recorded as a funeral, but Naomi had told her sons that she would rather have a party and the feeling of joy shared expressed that feeling. She had lived most of her 108 years in this little village, raising her family and being a “farmer wife” with her husband Merlin. Her son Dean said her work ethic was one of the key things she passed on. As an early teen, aged 13, Naomi had assumed the role of the lady of the house when her own mother died, helping her father raise her younger siblings. Her zest for living continued throughout her long days as she chose exciting things from her ‘bucket list’: riding in a helicopter, a motocycle ride through Pocatello, riding a camel and an elephant. Naomi had a life well-lived and she was loved by those who knew her.

A welcome home took Jimmie and AnnaBeth Olson to Meridian, ID, when their grandson, Elder Charles Peterson returned from serving a mission for the LDS Church in the North Carolina, Raleigh, Mission. He is the eldest son of Dana and Charles Peterson and will now be starting his college education.

There is a brand new baby girl in the family of Jamie and Natalie Forbush. She was a little late in arriving, but was welcomed warmly on August 17. The Forbush family has been enjoying a visit from Elizabeth Bradley, one of Natalie’s friends who came to help out in these first few weeks of new baby in the house.

ReNea and Raphael Arnsworth enjoyed a weekend in Freedom, WY. They were attending a wedding for one of ReNea’s cousins and so it was a bit of family reunion time with beautiful surroundings.

Jonia Jackson has had frequent family visitors the last month. Her brother Tony and Diane Jackson and their daughter Miya came down from the area around Coeur d’Alene, ID. Jonia’s son John and his family flew over from Oahu, HA, and have had fun with family in the area.

Although much of the land here is still looking green thanks to excellent irrigation, the hillsides are tan and drying.  Up high there may be bits of leaves starting their fall costumes.  One can feel the change coming near,  grains being harvested,  last crops of hay.  Late nights, early mornings.  We have had some of the monsoon rains to perk things up a bit.  But we can hear the knocking of Fall at the door.

August 28, 2023

 It has been a crazy week, but things are settling down, it is that time of year.

School has started, for our Preston School District, but for all over the nation. This event brings families visiting one more time before their routine changes in their own locations. Kent and Tammy Beardall enjoyed some time with ttwo of their daughters. Michelle and Gary Wall and children drove up from Grand Junction, CO, Nicole and Nathan Denny timed it right to join the group, coming down from Idaho Falls with their children.

Julie and Kasey Haws and extended family were here from their California home. As empty-nesters Julie and Kasey can come and go to suit themselves, but bringing family often affects the choice of spending time in Idaho. It is a beautiful time of year.

James and Rebekah Baird and their two littles. Ruth and Reuben, came down to his parents, LaRon and Liesa Baird for a few days. They live in Heyburn. ID. The senior Bairds were baby sitting while James and Bekah celebrated an anniversary. LaRon had volunteered for some grandparenting time.

We have a new family living in the center of Mink Creek. Carl and Jenny Osborn have purchased the former home of Ramona Lower Hatchett and are getting acquainted within the community.

Stuart and Stetson Ostler, a father/son team, traveled to Alaska to do a roofing job for friends. Stetson has worked in Alaska in the past. This was combined with some fun fishing, so it wasn’t all about pounding nails.

The Relief Society enjoyed a fun end-of-summer activity this month, kayaking on the Bear River. Husband were invited and some took the ladies up on it. They drove up the Narrows and gathered at Red Point, using that spot as their headquarters. Along with the water fun some of the people went as observers and had some moments to visit, play board games, and catch-up on each others lives, comparing notes as to how the summer months are going. Of course there were refreshments, all part of the party.

The sounds of harvesting permeate the area. Third crop hay, baled and either hauled and stacked on the farm or being hauled to a buyer down the road. Grain combines are busy collecting the kernels and shaking out the straw from golden fields. To match the summer’s finish for our farmers, the kids are off to school and reconnecting with teachers and friends. Those doing home-school are getting their individual curriculum lined out and underway.

The grass hoppers are constant. Some residents report that their gardens have been totally consumed. “They have even eaten the green tops of the carrots, that I hope still exist.” If a person is outdoors doing a task that requires standing in one place, such as picking green beans, or picking berries, they soon get the feeling of attack, that pebbles are being thrown randomly at them as the hoppers come from every direction.

August 16, 2023

 

The family of Angelo and Karissa Crosland gathered at the home of his parents, Robert and Phee Crosland to celebrate the blessing of Angelo and Karissa’s first baby. This daughter was named Elsie Ann Crosland. All together there were 45 family members present, coming from Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Washington, D. C. Armando is the brother employed back east he has since returned after a couple of weeks of vacation time in Idaho.

With school days rapidly approaching nationwide, it has been a time for family connections, cousin play time, before going back to studies. Such was the case for Wynn and Cecelie Costley. Their bunch came together to celebrate a birthday for Cecelie and to have one last session with Hannah Costley Singleton and her sons, Grey and Samuel, before they returned to El Dorado, AR.

Kim and Sam Daines have been up from Lehi, UT, to spend some days with her mother, Judy Clark and other family members.  Judy may now live in Preston, but Mink Creek is still 'home.'

Drew Erickson spent the rodeo weekend with his parents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. He enjoyed the “cooler temperatures” of Idaho, compared to his current home in Tempe, AZ. Rodeo weekend is the time for many Preston High class reunions and this was the 30^th year for the Class of 1993, Erickson’s graduating class. From all reports it was well attended and it was fun reconnecting.

Kurt and Margret Iverson took their family to Mexico for a late summer get-away, timing it beofre fall sports practices kicked in for their son Conner at PHS. The Iversons have been gathering around as well. Walter and Andrew and their wives will be heading back to college soon at BYU in Provo, UT. Alexis and her husband are still located in Colorado. Johnny and Gabby are in the Rexburg area. That covers the family except for Elder Charles who is serving a mission in the Philippines.

There are reports of moose and elk showing up for spectators in our canyons. This doesn’t mean that deer aren’t seen, those sightings are on a more regular basis and cause less excitement.

4H projects are in their final stages as participants wind things up to present at the Franklin County Fair in the next few days. Kids, animals and other projects are down to the final stages.

The countryside is taking on that look and feel of Fall---tan fields that just a short time ago were green, chokecherries and huckleberries ready for picking, the meteor showers that fill the night hours. People talking about school shopping and going to the county fair. It is nice to live where the season changes.

August 9, 2023

 

It has been rodeo time in more places than Preston. Kerry and Lacey Christensen took their children, Jyllian, Greenlee, Kassidy and Timber to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, WY. This rodeo is known as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and runs for several days. With the Christensen girls competing in rodeo royalty in this corner of Idaho, this was a learning experience as well as fun.

Brooke and Josh Reichman will be moving to Ohio. The couple have been hoping for and putting in the hours to achieve a goal, that of Josh being accepted to further his studies at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. It has happened! Brooke is the daughter of Shane Corbett and Sherrie Golightly. Congratulations to the Reichmans!

Mink Creek youth went to Logan Canyon for an overnighter of both camp experiences and some service projects. It was scheduled for a busy weekend so the group was small, a result of many activities within the county. There were only nine youth, total, and their leaders, all under the direction of Bishop Paul McKay. They did some canoeing in the lake at Tony’s Grove, throwing in some swimming and water fun. This was old-fashioned camping, tent-style, but they managed to watch the movie Cars on a big screen. A hike from Tony’s Grove to White Pine Lake was a challenging 8-mile climb. After collecting wild flowers for identification the girls used the blooms and leaves for a craft, pressing the flowers into picture frames to decorate and serve as a memory.The young men helped build and repair fence , clean up brush, etc. for the camping area.

The descendants of the Hannah and Perry Pearson family gathered for a reunion at the Pearson home in Mink Creek. According to the report of granddaughter Melanie Hawkes Evans there were 86 in attendance. The family of Roy Pearson was in charge this year. Preston’s rodeo provided a highlight for the group. A favorite item was the coolness of the night-time hours during this stretched out heat wave.

Gardens are doing sufficiently well that it might pay to take an inventory of how many zucchini you are able to deal with at one time due to neighbor sharing. It is pretty easy to suddenly find a stack of green at your doorstep.

There was a wreck up Strawberry Canyon a few days ago. Emergency vehicles with sirens announcing their journey kept residents alert, but there have been no results made public. That road can be dangerous, and curves don’t respond well with excessive speed.