May 27, 2025

 

Mink Creek is happy to announce that we have three young people graduating from high school this spring. They are Tia Hatch, daughter of Sam and Katie Hatch, Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, and Krister Danfors, son of Per and Cassie Danfors. Of course they are excited and considering their futures and the whole village congratulates them on this accomplishment.

Our slopes are full of bluebells, curly flowers and buttercups. Curly flowers make it certain that nature has sent spring. The tame and wild choke cherry bushes are loaded with hanging clusters of blossoms, making it hopeful for a good harvest if the wind and temperatures will give them a chance. Visions of syrup and jelly to anticipate.

Nature's irrigation system has been providing rain in goodly quantities, and then bringing warmer days to wake up the sleeping seeds and dormant plants. Green in various shades is a favorite color. With the low hanging clouds filled with wetness it is Mink Creek's Ireland Season.

With Memorial Day weekend coming up the cemetery board members are preparing the cemetery for the many visitors that always come. Just the view from this site is worth stopping by. The sacred spot was chosen as the final earthly resting place within only a few years of the founding of the village of Mink Creek.

It is  hard to believe that this month is nearly gone.  Our population is growing, two more families are in the process of building  homes on land they have purchased. These are young families with lots of growth ahead of them.  We have had lots of visitors with the holiday and it always feels like "old home week"  which it should because they are so welcome and we love the memories they bring.

May 21, 2025

 

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met for their May gathering at the Chop Sticks Cafe. This was a special celebration of the 100^th organization of this particular camp. It has been an active camp in Franklin county during this time, contributing historical information and cementing ties to ancestors that chose the pioneer path.

Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen recently returned from a trip back east. They were in Raleigh, North Carolina to witness the graduation of their granddaughter Sydney Earl from the University of North Carolina. Sydney got her PHD in Psychology and all of her immediate family was there to celebrate. Mike and Mary Ann stayed with the family group for five days enjoying the country around Raleigh.

Mother's Day was uplifting in the Mink Creek Ward. Three spoke in the Sunday meeting: Morgan Keller, Wally Christensen, and Justin Jackson, all mentioned spiritual teachings they had received from their mothers. The musical number was from the Pop-Up Choir, this time led by Corey Nielsen, as he held his son Bjorn in one arm and directed with the other. The song was “I am a Child of God”, and Corey included the congregation in a verse. A beautiful hymn for the day and many voices participated. The ward gift for the women of the community was a long stemmed rose and two special cookies from Leah's Bakery. Leah is the daughter of Wynn and Cecelie Costley, now married with children and living in Fairview, a bakery business from her own home.

Jimmie and Anna Beth Olson took a break to the northwest. They vacationed a few days on the Oregon Coast, staying at Seaside. How the ocean can bring peace and calm is a gift. Even the sand on bare feet feels restoring. As they traveled there they stopped at the home of their daughter Dana and Charles Peterson and family in Meridian for an extra bonus, and rest, from the travel time.

This time of year is a busy one for all.  Families with graduating seniors are making celebratory plans.  With younger children, they are antsy to have school wrapped up for a few months.  Farmers are out in their fields, gardens are being planted or dreamed of, all the time hoping we don't get a freezing night that wipes out any plant or flower that is at the mercy of temperatures.  It is not a time of boredom.

May 14, 2025

 

The spring roadside cleanup for the community started out early with volunteers meeting at the Mink Creek Ballpark at 7:30 a.m the morning of May 3. The weather was agreeable. About 45 helpers picked up the orange trash bags and set out for their assigned area of Highway 36. Besides the satisfaction of a job well done they received breakfast around 9 a.m., back at the ballpark with the eggs, bacon, sausage and flapjacks plus orange juice or bottled water, that Clare Christensen and his cooking crew had prepared. It is a job well done, and always needed.

Carla and Mark Nielsen spent a couple of days at her parents' home, Bob and Claudia Erickson. They were attending the graduation festivities of their son Collin Nielsen, graduating Cum Laud in Agriculture this spring. Collin has recently returned from a teaching assignment in Italy.

As spring work is underway there is opportunity all around. Alex Huxford, a nephew, came to help out at the Richard Free ranch. Doug and Kathy Wilcox are in and out at their Mink Creek home. Nancy and Kevin Alder are getting in some time at their place in the Glencoe end of the valley.

Three young residents took part in the Dancing With the Stars, ballroom fundraising event. Jyllian and Greenlee Christensen are daughters of Lacey and Kerry Christensen and Hazen Baird is the son of LaRon and Liesa Baird. Greenlee's partner in this performance was our own Dr. Kerry Jepsen.

Joe and Kate Jepsen and their children spent a weekend with his parents, Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen. This is a fun time of year for a visit to the country. They live in Utah.

This is a wonderful time of year.  It has been warm enough for comfortable fishing, for teaching kids who might be interested in learning the basics.  Foster Reservoir is a popular spot right now.  The sky is spring blue, a bit different from the chill blue of winter, both nice, but this one speaks of newness, life ahead.   There are young people preparing for graduation, excited and yet a bit wary of the future.

May 7, 2025

 Sorry for the lateness.  I have had some unplanned for aches and pains and totally forgot I had a blog.

Bret and Jody Rasmussen had a fun visit from their daughter Brandi Allred, her husband and children for a weekend. The Allreds live in Idaho Falls.

Easter brought Andy and Brittany McKay and Crew of Preston, Connie and Adam Westenskow and Emma of Logan, Morgan and Eli Curtis of Bountiful, UT, and Layne and Karen Erickson of Mink Creek all together. The family group enjoyed dinner at the home of Paul and Terrie McKay on Station Creek.

Aaron Haws and his son came down from Meridian, ID, for a little guy time at the Haws place. Mink Creek is a second home for most of the Haws clan, descendants of Louis and Eleanor Engel.

Kurt and Margret Iverson are listing several joyous occasions in their family lately. Their son Walter just graduated from BYU, and Walter and his wife, Jillian have brought their first baby into the world this past week. All causes for celebration! With the break from college studies at the “Y” two other Iverson sons, Charles and Andrew, and their wives came home to soak up some down time for just a little bit before their summer life chapter opens up.

Tractors are busy pulling various pieces of cultivation machinery — turning ground, harrowing fields, whatever is called for. On a smaller scale home gardens are in the process, shovels, rototillers, etc. hoping to time sprouting seeds against possible freezing night temperatures.

The whole valley of Mink Creek is filled with flowering trees. Wild and domestic. Some with spikey thorns, some without.  Every day lately has been beautiful--in temperature, in scenery, in people.  There are even extra sounds this time of year---the flow of our wonderful Mink Creek now when it is high, birds finding nesting places.   Hope you are enjoying your spring wherever you are.

April 30, 2025

 

An Easter Egg Hunt provided some egg-citing fun on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Eggs were hidden all around the Mink Creek Church grounds, sponsored by the Young Women, it was for the children ages 11 and under. The young ladies had the extra fun of assembling the treats and doing the hiding. There were lots of plastic eggs filled with treats and all who participated had fun in the hunting and the excitement of the “find.” Containers went home full.

Jonia Jackson is home after enjoying a vacation time in Florida. She was visiting her son John and his family and the warmth made it all the more inviting.

Kim and Sam Daines were up from Lehi, UT, spending time in Mink Creek. Kim's mother, Judy Clark now lives in Preston and other family is scattered around the county.

With the “Mamma Mia” play two McKague siblings arrived to support sister Elsie McKague and their mother Claudine in the performances. Sage and Nathan Ricks were down from Idaho Falls, Ethan and Caitlin McKague drove up from Lehi, UT., This visit added even more fun for an Easter family gathering.

ReNea and Raphael Arnsworth enjoyed the Easter holiday at the home of her parents. Steve and Charlotte Haddock live in Pocatello.

David and Melanie Law were up from Kaysville to ready their house for summer gatherings. It was a bit of an escape from the Utah storms of late.

The true sign of spring's arrival is that of the awakening of the wasps in the Mink Creek LDS chapel. They are making themselves known and are taken in stride by the community, but visitors get a little more alarmed.

Sprucing up from winter has started. Trimming of evergreens into better shapes after the snow weight has done some bending. Patchy lawns getting some early treatment in hope for improvement. Fixing fences, both domestic and agricultural.

April 23, 2025

 

The Syringa Camp of the local DUP met this month at the home of Colleen Wilde on Capitol Hill Road. Julie Westerberg presented an interesting lesson about pioneer involvement with Indian tribes. Karen Erickson shared an ancestor story discovered through genealogy research, of a tribal ancestor from the 1500's, located in what is now Rhode Island. Last month's DUP meeting was at the home of Linda Carlsen in Preston.

Very well attended was the wedding of Lana Baird and Paul Swainston, held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mink Creek. Officiator of the ceremony was Bishop Nathan Palmer of the Preston 10^th Ward, where this new couple will now be residing. It was a joyous occasion for family and friends.

The Hansen House has been humming with springtime. Wes and Heather Hansen came up from the Ogden area for one weekend. Not long after the parking spots at the retreat contained outfits belonging to Roxanne and Wesley Beutler's family of Dayton. It is great to be able to always “come home to Mink Creek.”

Brad and RaOne Stuart were in Mink Creek for the funeral and burial of RaOne's cousin, Dee Virile Christensen of Dayton. Christensen was born and raised in Mink Creek, he recently passed away resulting from a confrontation with a bull at his farm.

Each week for some of the wintery months there has been a game night. In the village. Those who wish can gather at the LDS Rec Hall for playing rounds of Bunco and this is serving as a way of getting acquainted among those who are recent residents of the community. The social side, plus some potluck refreshments has made this a popular cold weather activity. We will see what happens when warmth brings on outdoor work and longer daylight hours.

The winter sleep of nature  is sliding away with growth and animals waking up.  Canadian geese have arrived and are enjoying our ponds, building nests.  Skunks are out and about particularly during night hours.  Deer are checking out their old snacking areas.  

April 16, 2025.

 

When a weed burning project gets out of control it becomes distressing and alarming. This was probably the case with a fire that burned some acreage in the Station Creek hills. Several fire departments arrived to take care of the spreading blaze and the smoke could be seen for miles around. We are grateful for the firefighters and their expertise.

Phee and Robert Crosland drove down to Eagle Mountain, UT, to witness the blessing and naming of a new grandchild. She is the daughter of Mario and Amanda Crosland of Smithfield, UT, and was named Britta Crosland.

Kim Rasmussen was able to stay true to a personal tradition. He went to the March Madness in Las Vegas, NV, with his brother-in-law, Hays Carr, and enjoyed every minute. Such a relief after dealing with the long-lasting seasonal cough this year.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward has a new organ in the chapel, much to the enjoyment of all who attend. There are also three recently baptized members in the congregation. Kason Rhees, son of Matt and Chelsey Rhees was baptized in February when the family was on a vacation in New Zealand. The Rhees family were visiting grandparents who are serving a mission in New Zealand. Jamie Osborn and her daughter Shylynne Osborne were baptized in March at the Preston East Stake Center.

Bryan and Shannon Erickson of Wellsville, UT, held a nearly family reunion when they celebrated the birthdays of Bryan's mother Karen Erickson and his sister, Terrie McKay, born on the same day. A goodly number of the Erickson family gathered in Wellsville to recognize the day.

Expected a change from the warm spring weather we have been having--and it surely came to pass.  All things white  and we look like a normal January, meaning that it is on the verge of thawing but hasn't quite decided yet.    We are hoping that anything that has decided to put forth some greenery does not get wiped out in the next few days.