November 26, 2025

 

There was much preparation and practicing for the annual program from the Primary children of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the children in charge, assisted by Primary officers Kristin Collins, Anna Beth Olson, Laurel Wilde and Lindsey Ross and the Primary teachers, all went well. The Primary choir was under the direction of chorister Terrie McKay and Corey Nielson with ReNae Egley on the piano. It was both a delightful and spiritual program that bore witness of the love of Jesus Christ for all.

The Mink Creek community gathered at the Ballpark the evening of Halloween for their Trunk N Treat. The evening's events were under the direction of Lacey Christensen. Those attending brought a pot of soup or chili, to share. There were games for all ages, a costume parade, a carving pumpkin contest, Car Trunks were decorated and treats gathered from the parking lot. It could be called a “Spooky Good time,” best had for Halloween. The weather cooperated, adding to the fun of the evening.

There is a need to remember that our neighbor wildlife is also getting ready for the coming winter. One that is pretty noticeable is the presence of skunks out and about, whether a person is out for a late evening walk or a drive. Noted have been some fatalities on our highway with skunks and raccoons. The deer are taking on their winter coats, a slight color change. Late birds heading for warmer climates take to the skies.

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month in Preston at the home of Virginia Flippence. Virginia and Mary Ann Jepsen were the hostesses for November and eleven members were able to attend. Julie Westerberg presented a lesson discussing the last ten handcarts that crossed the plains coming into Utah in the pioneer days. Imagine being part of that group of ten carts and the welcome they received!

It is hard to believe that December is just days away and we have yet to get any staying snow for this year. The mountain tops stay white, the canyon road to Bear Lake is receiving frequent trips from the State Snow Plow crew to keep it open and hopefully safe. But our valley floor, the length of the village, is clear. Cold, but clear.

November 19, 2025

 

The season for finding the perfect Christmas tree has arrived. It is always amazing to witness the huge numbers of evergreens that are harvested from the canyons near Mink Creek each year, a great many of them headed for homes across the border into Utah.

Elder Eldon Wilcox and Sister Danita Wilcox are home in Mink Creek on a temporary leave from their mission activities in Bluff Fort, UT. Eldon has injured his shoulder and they are here for medical advice and treatment. Their plans are to return to the missionfield once the injury is healed. In the meantime it will be nice to have them amongst us again.

Bennett and Lori Keller were up from Hyrum, UT, for a short visit checking on their recent purchase of his grandmother's home, that of Mildred Keller. Things are improving at the site, a step at a time.

The Young Men's group have been learning about shooting, gun safety and hunting safety. In this area of the country this is essential information for all ages, particularly beginners.

Mink Creek has been a near perfect place for observing the northern lights that have brightened the night skies recently. The few yard lights throughout the community haven't dimmed the light show on our northern rim of our mountains.

The leaves that have been full of crunchiness, bunching up in any welcoming cavity are now very soggy. We had a day and a night of rain and more rain that left anything that was outdoors in a state of saturation. Most tree branches are bare and naked. It is amazing that there are still dry leaves clinging to branches, being stubborn.

November 11, 2025

 

October is the month for the program from the Primary children of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the children in charge, assisted by Primary officers Kristin Collins, Anna Beth Olson, Laurel Wilde and Lindsey Ross and the Primary teachers, all went well. The Primary choir was under the direction of chorister Terrie McKay and Corey Nielson with ReNae Egley on the piano. It was both a delightful and spiritual program that bore witness of the love of Jesus Christ for all.

The Mink Creek community gathered at the Ballpark the evening of Halloween for their Trunk N Trest. The evening's events were under the direction of Lacey Christensen. Those attending brought a pot of soup or chili, to share. There were games for all ages, a costume parade, a carving pumpkin contest, Car Trunks were decorated and treats gathered from the parking lot. It could be called a “Spooky Good time,” best had for Halloween. The weather cooperated, adding to the fun of the evening.

A Family History class at the LDS Meetinghouse is offered twice a month for anyone who is interested. Kent and Tammy Beardall are the consultants who can help with instructions or field questions and challenging problems of ancestor research.

Sounds of sirens of ambulance and fire trucks headed up Highway 36 always cause concern for possible traffic accidents in our canyons or one of our residents needing to deal with an emergency of some kind. It makes for gratitude for the services that are provided when the need arises.

Remember Veterans' Day, even if you are reading this and it comes as a day late reminder. Most people have someone in their family who has “fought in the war.” It doesn't matter which war, there are plenty that have called soldiers, sailors, marines from their families to deal with conflicts across the globe. Many sacrifices' that deserve respect and remembrance.

November 5, 2025

 

Jay and Kristin Collins and their son Davis recently drove to Jay's hometown, Lakeview, OR, for the funeral services of Jay's mother. They picked up their daughter Clair in Boise where she is an elementary school teacher and their other daughter, Bailey, drove to Oregon from her home in Salt Lake City. A most fitting occasion to be together.

Mike and MaryAnn Jepsen have had family up for hunting. There is always excitement for these adventures and fun provided for both those doing the hunting and the rest being together for games and fun. This get-togethr was a success on all points.

Oh the Places she goes! My neighbor, ReNae Egley is back from another jaunt taken with her traveling friends, Jill Hobbs and Lelan Daines. This time they went to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Lieturve and likely more. The architecture was fascinating: onion tops, steep slanted roofs, towers with skyward spires. Medieval castles and palaces are not the same thing. Of course there was lots of interesting food and one intriguing spot was called the Mountain of the Witches---with carved wooden witches in the forest. Always these trips mean meeting new friends and new cultures.

Mink Creek has welcomed another tiny baby to the village. She weighed in at 6 pounds but is a good eater and gaining. This little girl was born to Justin and Kaytlin Jackson and joins the Jackson sibling ranks of sisters Sloan and Murphy and brother Moab.

The weather held and the community Trunk n Treat was able to happen at the Ballpark. Best description of the outdoor temperature would be lukewarm, because it couldn't qualify as warm, just tolerable and costumes make for extra layers. Lots of fun for a variety of ages.

October 28, 2025

 Hazen Baird, son of LaRon and Liesa Baird, has begun his service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Extended family gathered in a show of support, among them his grandparents, Terry and LeAnn Orton of Whitney and Lana Baird Swainston and her husband Paul Swainston of Preston. Siblings were Julianna and Blaine Packer and family of Weston, ID, James Baird and his children and Dallon Baird of Burley, ID, plus aunts and uncles. Hazen will be serving in the Chile, Vina del Mar, Mission, speaking Spanish. After his time at the Home MTC he will be transferred to the Mission Training Center for language training in Mexico City for a month.

We regret the recent death of Joseph McPherson Jarvis on October 21, 2025. He was hospitalized at the time, suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. He is the husband of Kathy Jarvis. Their family who ghave lived in this area are their daughter Jennifer and her husband Jeff Seamons and their sons: Joseph, Samuel, David, Benjamin, Jacob and Jonathan who is curreently serving an LDS mission in Brazil. Funeral services were in the Mink Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 26, 2025.

The community held their annual Apple Press Party at the Workshop of Clare and Linda Christensen. It is always a fun night. The Elders Quorum are in charge and invite people to bring apples from their orchards. This is not a requirement to attend and it is suggested to bring empty containers to hold the juice. All who so desire can take home a jug or two of apple juice. Several people share the use of their apple presses and the party begins. Along with the activity there are hot dogs and plenty of snacks to brighten up the evening.

It is Box Elder bug invasion time, along with various other creatures that are seeking an indoor housing arrangement for the coming winter months. We've had a little bit of snow, but nothing of the staying variety, barely a flake formed before it hit the ground, turning into just a raindrop.

October 21, 2025

 

The Syringa Camp of the DUP met this month at the LDS Meetinghouse in Mink Creek. Lorraine Christensen and Mary Jean Rasmussen were the hostesses. Eleven members of the camp attended and the DUP county representative was Beverly Cox. Julie Westerberg gave a beautiful lesson about a pioneer artist, Frederick Piercy. Born in Great Britain, his art depicted the migration of the members of the church as they croseds the nation to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.

Hunting season has been successful for many this year. Living in 'deer country' has lots of disadvantages as they rob our gardens and orchards all during the growing season, they pop out onto the roadways with no warning often causing collisions. Still, when the season of deer harvesting comes around there is no need to travel great distances in order to find some likely specimens of venison for winter freezing.

College getting underway has taken several of our residents northward to BYU/Idaho. Elsie McKague, daughter of Claudine and LaMar McKague enjoyed a class that took her to Europe earlier this year. Erik, Kalle, and Krister Danfors, sons of Per and Cassie Danfors, are all attending school in Rexburg, ID.

Claudine and LaMar McKague took a week's break to go to Vancouver, WA, for fun and help. The help was in a building project, a shed in the backyard of their son Samuel and Sierra McKague. The fun was visiting and playing with Sierra and their year-old son Henry, who is now mobile and into everything.

Janet Olson Bergera, of Payson, UT, passed away on October 11, after a long siege of illness. Janet grew up in Mink Creek, the daughter of John and Edith Olson. John taught biology at Preston High.  Janet's surviving sisters are Margaret Wright, Karen Tribett, Nancy Puente, Mary Carter, and Emily Johnson. The Olson sisters have kept in close contact with Mink Creek with frequent visits throughout their adult years, it will always be part of “home.”

This is a fall to make you wish you were here. It has been beautiful, and still is, with colors muted. Our hunters were happy for the most part. Fields plowed and ready for the deposit of rain and snow to soak deep the earth rather than running down the slopes on frozen ground. The air is crisp, great for breathing, and a jacket can take care of the accompanying chill.

October 15, 2025

 

Four homes are under various stages of construction in Mink Creek as the signs of cooler weather arrive. Logan and Emma Shurtz and their son Guy are located at the top of Capitol Hill Road. Darron and Tracee Pulsipher are building a home off of 5600 East, and have been living in a trailer on the site during much of the building process. The Crosland home is literally rising from the ashes after the fire that wiped them out this past winter. After making numerous decisions the couple decided that Mink Creek is still the place that is “Home.” The home of Stuart and Alona Ostler and family has been getting a huge remodel, with a totally new look, designed by themselves.

Additional building has been going on all year at the Matt and Chelsea Rhees ranch on Birch Creek Road. New ranch outbuildings and yards, plus more yards of gravel, fences, are transforming their place.

In spite of the very soggy rain-filled day of October 4 the wedding of Stetson Ostler and Abby Lyon was bright and radiant. It took place at the Mountain Maple Ranch, in beautiful surroundings. Due to the situation umbrellas simply became part of the décor. It was a day of rejoicing for their friends and family.

The Mink Creek Makers, a title for ladies of all ages that choose to get together, getting to know each other. The time could be called a “Crafternoon” as they bring their own choice of craft to work on, be it crocheting, knitting, embroidery, etc., or nothing, just for the sociability. It takes place at the Per Danfors home. There is no “stated membership” just fun and interest. It is a throwback to Mink Creek's early days when a chance to visit was sought and distances rather far between homes, and no phones, electricity. It brings joy and friendship. The day and time may vary.

Our first day of snow was beautiful and cold. It turned the upper reaches of our surrounding mountains into clean, white sparkling splendor for the morning hours. We are glad it didn't stay, but expect its return visits, up and down the slopes until our yards and gardens are also white.