Wyoming Rural Electric News August 2021

WYOMING

AUG 2021

RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS

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WYOMING HOTSHOTS W i l d l a n d f i r e f i g h t i n g i n p i c t u r e s

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

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Lineman Comes Home

RELIABLE ENERGY ISN’T JUST A PROMISE. IT’S PERSONAL.

Our roots here run deep. That’s why Basin Electric’s members and employees do whatever it takes to make sure you have the electricity you need to power your operation, heat your home and stay connected.

Reliable Energy for Our Way of Life.

2021 A U G U S T

ON THE COVER

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CENTERPIECE

Wyoming Hotshots:

FEATURES 06

Wildland firefighting in pictures STORY AND PHOTOS BY KYLE MILLER

Cover photo: "We really weren't sure if we'd have time to pause for a quick stump shot. Besides having fire in the top of this snag, there was also a large bald-faced hornet's nest in it," Kyle Miller wrote about his photo of wildland firefighter Ray Varland at the Snake Fire near Saratoga in 2016.

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JUST FOR FUN

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KIDS’ CORNER

FROM OUR READERS

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BOOK GIVEAWAY

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COUNTRY COOKS

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PEN TO PAPER

SNAILS

D E A D LY D O Z E N VO L. 3

BY ROBERT K. DEARMENT

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SUMMER SQUASH

A FOREST PINE REFLECTION

PUZZLE

LIFE KEEPS GIVING ME HORSES

A N A M E F O R FA M E

BY KENDRA SPANJER

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JUST PICTURE IT FOREST

CO-OP YOUTH

L O W E R VA L L E Y ENERGY’S WES AND BRIDGER BROG

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H O M ETO W N H I T S

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CO-OP SPOTLIGHT LINEMAN COMES HOME

BY JOANNE MAI

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ESSAYS & ANECDOTES

STATE NEWS & EVENTS

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WREA NOTES

YO U T H TO U R HIGHLIGHTS

BY SHAWN TAYLOR

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HOME ON THE RANGE

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ENLIGHTEN US

POPCORN

BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS

THE BRETHREN

BY LARRY OSTERMILLER

THE CURRENT COWBOY STATE BUZZ WHAT'S HAPPENING

WREA NOTES

Highlights from the 2021 WREA Youth Tour SH AW N TAY LO R

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2021 YOUTH CAMP ATTENDEES: BIG HORN RURAL ELECTRIC COMPANY: Catcher Russell

CARBON POWER & LIGHT: Learning about rural electric cooperatives.

Jensen Mills | Kelton Johnson | Gabrielle Johnson Katherine Fiedor | Logan Robinson HIGH PLAINS POWER: Tristan Watkins

HIGH WEST ENERGY: Zachary Rotert Watching a blasting operation at the Dry Fork Mine.

LOWER VALLEY:

Wes Brog | Bridger Brog POWDER RIVER ENERGY CORPORATION: Ella Bifulco

WHEATLAND RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCATION:

Guadalupe (Lupita) Perez | Libby Logan | Kaylynn Heimsoth Touring Yellowstone National Park.

WYRULEC:

Dally Wilkins

Last month I gave you a timeline with some of the many, many stops our kids made around the state on the first-ever Wyoming Youth Tour. This month I’d like to share some photos of what our kids did along the way. These kids came from all over Wyoming, and by the end of the tour they had all seen something new.

Meeting with Governor Mark Gordon and visiting the Wyoming State Capitol.

PHOTOS BY ROBIN FEEZER

ELECTRIFY + SAVE

UPGRADE TO ELECTRICITY AND SAVE Make the switch to cleaner electricity with more efficient household appliances and systems. From heat pumps to electric vehicles, these proven technologies can run your home cleanly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

HEATING & COOLING WITH HEAT PUMPS According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when paired with proper insulation, an electric heat pump can save over 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills compared to conventional HVAC systems.

POWER UP YOUR GARDENING TOOLS Electric garden tools can last longer and are emissions-free, meaning you’ll smell the scents of summer, not the smell of exhaust. Plus, with modern technology, they are just as effective as gas-powered alternatives. Just charge the battery and go!

SAVE WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) Sales of light-duty electric vehicles rose by 43% in 2020. On average, EVs have a lower cost of operation over their lifespan, and buyers are taking notice.

VISIT US AT www.tristate.coop/BE

Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

CO-OP YOUTH PHOTO BY KELLY ETZEL DOUGLAS

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THE WREN MAGAZINE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS The official publication of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, volume 67, number 7, August 2021 (ISSN 1098-2876) is published monthly except for January for $12 per year by Linden Press, Inc., Periodicals postage paid at Cheyenne, WY (original entry office) and at additional mailing offices.

WREN Magazine is owned and controlled by rural electric cooperatives in the interest of the economic

WES BROG

BRIDGER BROG

progress of rural areas specifically and the entire population of Wyoming and the nation generally. WREN Magazine has a total average monthly paid circulation of 40,437 for 11 months ending September 2020.

WREN Magazine is delivered to rural electric member/ consumers and other subscribers throughout the

HOMETOWN: Afton

HOMETOWN: Freedom

HIGH SCHOOL: Star Valley High School

HIGH SCHOOL: Star Valley High School

YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2023

YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2023

WREN: Tell us about your studies and interests.

WREN: Tell us about your studies and interests.

WB: I really enjoy math and science in school. During my free time, I like mechanical work, riding my dirt bike and mountain bike and playing soccer and golf.

BB: I like to play sports and go dirt biking.

I really love being outside. I like studying math the most in school.

entire state of Wyoming and the nation.

Acceptance of advertising by WREN Magazine does not imply endorsement of the product or services advertised by the publisher or Wyoming electric cooperatives.

WREN STAFF Publisher: Linden Press, Inc. — Editorial Team — Maggie York Kelly Etzel Douglas Alison Quinn — Design Team — Dixie Lira David Merkley Shawna Phillips

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Garland Light & Power, Powell – Scott Smith, President High West Energy, Pine Bluffs – Michael Lerwick, Vice President Wheatland REA, Wheatland – Sandra Hranchak, Secretary/Treasurer Basin Electric, Bismarck, ND – Paul Baker Big Horn REC, Basin – John Joyce Bridger Valley Electric, Mountain View – Ruth Rees Carbon Power, Saratoga – Kenny Curry Deseret Power, South Jordan, UT – Gary Nix High Plains Power, Riverton – Matthew Frericks Lower Valley Energy, Afton – Fred Brog Niobrara, Lusk – Andy Greer Powder River Energy, Sundance – Mike Lohse Tri-State G&T, Westminster, CO – Julie Kilty

WREN: How have your hometown, family and/or friends influenced you?

WB: I think Star Valley is a special place because of how small it is. It allows me to be more involved with my community and the people in it. It also allows me to get to know the people that work to help and improve our community.

WREN: What are your plans for the future?

Wyrulec, Torrington – Dewey Hageman

SUBSCRIPTION RATES $12 per year, Single copies $1.50 each

ADVERTISING To purchase, contact Dhara Rose: [307] 996-6552 • dhara@golinden.com

WB: After graduating, I plan on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After that, I would like to go to college for either engineering or a medical degree.

WREN: How have your hometown, family and/or friends influenced you?

BB: I love playing sports and riding dirt bikes, I love living in Star Valley for this reason. I also love Star Valley because the community is really supportive and the people are really nice. I love how the community helps us become better people.

WREN: What are your plans for the future?

BB: After I graduate high school I plan to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After that I want to go to Utah State University and start college there. I eventually want to become an orthodontist or something like that. After or during that time I want to get married and have a family.

OFFICE OF WREN OWNER 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES AND CORRESPONDENCE TO PUBLISHER AT WREN Magazine • 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001, [307] 286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org

POSTMASTER — Send address changes to — The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, c/o Linden Press, Inc., 223 S. Howes St., Fort Collins,

Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives are proud to support our youth, giving college scholarships and lineman scholarships. In addition, our co-ops sponsor high school students on the NRECA Youth Tour in June and Youth Leadership Camp in July.

THIS MONTH: WREA’s Robin Feezer nominated Wes and Bridger Brog, two cousins who attended the Wyoming Rural Electric Association’s Youth Tour in June. Read more about the Youth Tour on page 4.

CO 80521, [970] 221-3232. Include 3-digit co-op code.

PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK

NRECA Youth Tour and youth camps were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your rural electric cooperative may be taking applications for next year. See the insert in the center of the magazine for contact information.

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THE CURRENT

Annual Meeting Roundup 01

Rural electric cooperatives are owned by the member-owners who use their services. That means they are nonprofit organizations that do their best to provide low-cost, safe electricity to members.

In turn, member-owners are asked to take part in the government of their cooperative by attending the annual meeting and voting.

The Wyoming Rural Electric Association includes 11 member cooperatives. Five of those cooperatives recently held annual meetings.

BIG HORN RURAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

The north-central Wyoming co-op changed its annual meeting format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of hosting a large gathering at a local high school, Big Horn employees and board members put on smaller events, one in each of the co-op’s five districts. Members voted by mail and votes were tallied by an independent accountant. Only one board seat was up for election; William Bridges ran unopposed and will serve another three-year term.

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CARBON POWER & LIGHT

The south-central Wyoming rural electric cooperative held an annual meeting at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga on June 26. Co-op board President Lori Forster and General Manager Russell Waldner issued a joint report, letting members know that the business is in sound financial health and that the employees are following safety precautions, having not suffered a lost-time accident in 13 years.

Director of Operations David Cutbirth was recognized for 42 years at the co-op.

He retired in July.

Carbon Power & Light District 2 board member Kenny Curry’s seat was up for election; he retained the seat against challenger Jerry Rabidue. District 1 incumbent Gary Jacobsen and District 3 incumbent Jim Rogers both ran unopposed and were reappointed to the board of directors. All three board members will serve another three-year term.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIG HORN RURAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

2021 WYOMING DIRECTORY Big Horn Rural Electric Company District 2 members meet at the Shell Community Hall on May 4.

Connecting Wyomingites with local fruits and vegetables NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

www.uwyo.edu/uwe/specialtycrops Print version also available Request a copy online or by contacting cehmke@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-3782

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LOWER VALLEY ENERGY

Lower Valley Energy held a short annual meeting on June 24 that was available to members on Facebook Live. During the meeting, the co-op in northwest Wyoming played a short video noting some achievements over the past year, which included burgeoning electric and gas sales growth in the area and a high score on the member satisfaction survey. CEO Jim Webb announced that LVE has increased sales to electric vehicle owners by placing charging stations throughout the territory and by supplying utilities for the eight electric buses in Teton County’s public transportation fleet. There were two board seats up for election; board members Ted Ladd and Nancy Winters both ran unopposed and were each reinstated for another term.

PHOTOS BY KELLY ETZEL DOUGLAS

THE CURRENT

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HIGH WEST ENERGY

Almost 250 people gathered in Pine Bluffs on June 17 to eat, vote and catch up after a long wait for High West Energy’s annual meeting.

WREA Executive Director Shawn Taylor speaks at the High West Energy annual meeting.

“Last year at this time, I was upstairs with 10 people for our annual meeting.

This year there are so many of us. This is the way it should be,” said board President Ed Prosser as he opened the annual meeting. “Thank you for your unwavering support, and thank you for joining us tonight.”

In 2020, High West held the meeting online.

Prosser told members that the co-op gave more than $30,000 to help the community last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations went to individuals, medical services, food banks and youth sports teams.

High West Energy members gather for dinner amid vendor booths at the co-op’s annual meeting.

Interim CEO Lindsay Forepaugh gave the manager’s report. She noted that High West Energy added 400 new service connections in 2020. “People are moving here,” she said.

In July, High West Energy announced it had hired a new CEO, Jared Routh. The new CEO was formerly at Shelby Electric Cooperative in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

High West Energy had a first in its 83-year history. Kosha Olsen of Cheyenne is the first woman to hold a seat on High West Energy’s board of directors. She was appointed to represent District 16 on January 1 when Jamie Fowler stepped down, then was elected to a full term on the board at the annual meeting on June 17. Kristie Bibbey also ran for the District 16 seat.

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THE CURRENT

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WYRULEC

East-central Wyoming co-op Wyrulec usually holds its annual meeting in March but instead came together on June 24. The date change was helpful because statewide restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic had eased and members could gather as usual at the Goshen County Fairgrounds.

Wyrulec members were able to listen to news from their cooperative, visit informational booths and eat a catered meal. Tri-State Generation & Transmission CEO Duane Highley spoke at the meeting, giving information about Tri-State’s power sources and how the wholesale supplier was able to keep electricity stable throughout the cold snap in February.

College scholarship winners were recognized during the meeting.

Wyrulec announced that it has given nearly $100,000 in scholarships over the last 10 years.

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PHOTOS BY KELLY ETZEL DOUGLAS

Wyrulec General Manager Ryan Schilreff speaks during the annual meeting.

The co-op embraced the cooperative principle of Concern for Community during 2020, donating to local food banks, educational programs, 16 local fire departments and more.

Wyrulec shared information with members about its monthly safety meetings and its involvement in the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program. The program not only allows co-op employees to learn and share, it also helps the co-op receive insurance premium discounts.

Wyrulec members Carl Carlson, left, and Russell Shannon chat during the annual meeting.

Carlson said that he was the same age as the 85-year-old cooperative. He reminisced about driving Wyrulec lineman Ivan Whipple on a tractor to look at power lines many years ago.

HOMETOWN HITS

THE INTERMITTENT SPRING

THIS MONTH:

ABOUT THE SITE:

WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT:

This spring, sometimes called Periodic Spring, is especially popular in late summer or early fall when it is most active. It’s a favorite for picnics, and visitors might just find wild raspberries for dessert.

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Drive east on Second Avenue from the town of Afton into the Bridger-Teton National Forest, turning onto Swift Canyon Road.

You’ll find the trailhead for the spring 4 miles out of town.

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I-25 89 26

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THE INTERMITTENT SPRING

TYPE OF SPOT:

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Natural wonder

LOWER VALLEY ENERGY

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I-80

I-80

I-25

PHOTO BY ANDY AUSTIN

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: Known as the “Spring that Breathes,” the Intermittent Spring runs for about 18 minutes, then stops for about 18 minutes.

It is a rare phenomenon, there are only two other well-known intermittent springs, one in Jerusalem, the other in Como, Italy.

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PHOTOS BY JACKSON RICHARD

COWBOY STATE BUZZ

Community honors fallen Wyoming airman 1ST LT. ALVA RAY KROGMAN Local residents and community groups lined streets and highways to welcome 1st Lt. Alva Ray Krogman home more than 50 years after his death.

Krogman, of Worland, died when his plane was shot down during a Vietnam War mission over Laos in 1967. He was 25 years old. His remains were recovered at the crash site in 2019 and identified in July of 2020.

Krogman had been active in Worland High School: he lettered in football, was president of his class and joined numerous clubs.

Family members were able to receive his remains, and he was escorted 125 miles home to Worland from the airport in Billings, Montana. A funeral service took place July 21 in Worland.

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the support “Itandwastheamazing, people that came out. Every town was so welcoming, it was unreal.”

-Jay Richard of Worland, who rode in the procession.

KYLE MILLER PORTRAIT BY JAKE LANG PHOTO COMPOSITE BY DAVID MERKLEY

C E N T E RCENTERPIECE PIECE

Kyle Miller works on the Twin Lakes Fire in the Shoshone National Forest in 2016.

Wyoming Hotshots W I L D L A N D F I R E F I G H T I N G I N P I C T U R E S STORY AND PHOTOS BY KYLE MILLER

I grew up in Hot Springs, Montana, and started working in fire with the U.S. Forest Service in Plains, Montana, which is part of the Lolo National Forest, in 2004. In 2010 I took a position with the Wyoming Hotshots and have been on the crew since then.

I started teaching myself photography in 2013, and in 2015 I started to carry a camera in my fire pack more consistently.

Now a lot of my photography is used for public education on the tactics and strategies used during wildland fires.

This is one of my favorite fire photos from over the years. Ray Varland is shown using a fusee during a small burnout at the Britania Fire near Wheatland in 2018.

Founded by the U.S. Forest Service in 1967, the Wyoming Hotshots are a highly trained seasonal crew that travels throughout the Midwest and the West to fight forest fires and help with natural disasters. Hotshot firefighters earned their name by working in the hottest part of the fire, in difficult terrain, often without heavy equipment.

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They pass an arduous fitness test to earn a place on the team, which includes completing a 3-mile hike within 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound pack.

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This was just a good hotshot-type day during the Britania Fire near Wheatland in 2018. Fallout and spot fires were really keeping us busy, and at one point we had to stop and spend several hours digging line around a very active spot fire that was trying to run up the hill. In the meantime we'd had a small group continuing to fire and stay even with the main body of the fire. Thankfully we had some air support and were able to wrap it as night fell.

A CL-415, or super scooper, lays a wet line for lighters during a backfiring operation on the Lava Mountain Fire. CL-415s are a unique aircraft in that they're designed to refill their water tanks by skimming across the tops of long bodies of water. Once full, they pull back up, ready to deliver another load of water to the fire.

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F I R E

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A lot of the strategy on the Pedro Mountain Fire involved indirect tactics, which means we’re constructing fire line away from the fire’s edge, then burning the fuels between it and the main fire. It’s a common practice when the terrain and fire behavior make constructing direct line both impractical and unsafe. Most of the photos are at night because we like to utilize the higher relative humidity as well as the cooler night air to reduce the probability of embers igniting spot fires on the wrong side of the line if the winds become adverse.

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F I R E

T H E R E A R E M O R E T H A N 5 0 , 0 0 0 W I L D F I R E S I N T H E U . S . E A C H Y E A R .

Jake Lang holding on a dozer line we were using to fire off from. He was making sure no embers started fires on the wrong side of the fire line.

The crew was bedding down for the night after a long day of working on the Lava Mountain Fire near Dubois. I laid out my sleeping bag and set my camera on a small pocket-sized tripod to shoot a long exposure of the barely glowing fire across the creek from us.

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M O U N TA I N

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D U B O I S

I get lots of questions about what wildland firefighters do when there's no fires to fight. There's lots of answers to this, training, working out, helping with prescribed fire and project work. When it's a slow fire season the Wyoming Hotshots might end up assisting in the Bighorns (home forest), the Shoshone or the BLM with any projects they might have. It could be anything from prepping a burn unit so it's ready to burn in the fall, clearing and repairing trails, to building fences or some sort of fuels or range cutting project.

The end of a long shift on Lava Mountain.

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2 0 1 6

W H I T F I R E C O DY - 2 0 1 6 After the flame front moves through, which is primarily burning off the flashy fuels, such as grass, needles, leaves and small brush, the larger materials, or “heavies,” are still burning.

Dead trees and sometimes live trees can be left slowly burning for days and becoming weaker and more dangerous to the

Merino’s students helped he d attended hazards the hip test an citizensalong ceremony. ion zat ali tur her na W

adelupe firefighters working to fully extinguish the fireGuperimeter. r study for her

Sawyers work to mitigate the trees posing

fire’s edge such as this one burning on the Whit Fire in 2016.

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WRITTEN BY LUSHA AND TRESIZE TRONSTAD, WYOMING NATURAL DIVERSITY DATABASE

KIDS’ CORNER

LITTLE WYOMING

Meet the

SNAILS

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Mollusks

Snails are amazing animals that have one shell. They belong to a group called mollusks that have about 85,000 species worldwide including mussels, clams, slugs, octopus, squid and others. We don't know exactly how many mollusks live in Wyoming yet, but we are working to understand who lives in the state, where they occur and their status.

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Hidden characters Snails live in most places but they are often very small and go unnoticed unless you are looking closely.

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Terrestrial snails

On land, snails are critical to help break down fallen leaves and other organic matter. Some terrestrial snails can be almost microscopic in size and like to hide in the leaves lying on the ground. Our largest snail in Wyoming, the Oreohelix or mountain snail, lives on land. They can be up to an inch in diameter and their white shells can be numerous in some areas.

Aquatic snails

In water, snails eat algae and make sure our lakes and streams stay clean.

Aquatic snails are camouflaged under the water on logs, rocks and mud.

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Tasty treat

Not only do snails keep the places we love clean, but they are also food for other animals. Snails are food for fish, birds, rodents and reptiles. So watch for these seldom noticed wildlife in Wyoming and marvel at how these tiny creatures do so much for our state.

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Millions of Americans take the supplement CoQ10. It’s the “jet fuel” that supercharges your cells’ power generators, known as mitochondria.

As you age, your mitochondria begin to die. In fact, by age 67, you lose 80% of the mitochondria you had at age 25. But if you’re taking CoQ10, there’s something important you should know.

As powerful as CoQ10 is, there is a critical thing it fails to do. It can’t create new mitochondria in your cells.

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Dr. Sears is the author of over 500 scientific papers on anti-aging and recently spoke at the WPBF 25 Health & Wellness Festival featuring Dr. Oz and special guest Suzanne Somers.

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begin to malfunction and die off as they age. In fact, the Mitochondria Research Society reports 50 million U.S. adults are suffering from health problems because of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Common ailments often associated with aging — such as memory problems, heart issues, blood sugar concerns and vision and hearing difficulties — can all be connected to a decrease in mitochondria.

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“Imagine 5,000 times more efficient energy,” says Dr. Sears. “PQQ has been a game changer for my patients.”

“With the PQQ in Ultra Accel II, I have energy I never thought possible,” says Colleen R., one of Dr. Sears’ patients. “I am in my 70s but feel 40 again. I think clearer, move with real energy and sleep like a baby.”

It works right away Along with an abundance of newfound energy, users also report a sharper, more focused mind and memory, and even youngerlooking skin and hair. Jerry M. from Wellington, Florida, used Ultra Accel II and was amazed at the effect.

“I noticed a difference within a few days,” says Jerry. “My endurance almost doubled.

NASA-discovered nutrient is stunning the medical world by activating more youthful energy, vitality and health than CoQ10.

But it’s not just in your body. You can feel it mentally, too,” says Jerry. “Not only do I feel a difference, but the way it protects my cells is great insurance against a health disaster as I get older.”

Increase your health span today The demand for this supplement is so high, Dr. Sears is having trouble keeping it in stock.

“My patients tell me they feel better than they have in years. This is ideal for people who are feeling or looking older than their age… or for those who are tired or growing more forgetful.”

“My favorite part of practicing anti-aging medicine is watching my patients get the joy back in their lives. Ultra Accel II sends a wakeup call to every cell in their bodies… and they actually feel young again.”

Where to find Ultra Accel Il Right now, the only way to get this potent combination of PQQ and super-powered CoQ10 is with Dr. Sears’ breakthrough Ultra Accel II formula.

To secure bottles of this hot, new supplement, buyers should contact the Sears Health Hotline at 1-800-714-5671 within the next 48 hours. “It takes time to get bottles shipped out to drug stores,” said Dr. Sears.

“The Hotline allows us to ship the product directly to the customer.”

Dr. Sears feels so strongly about this product, he offers a 100%, money-back guarantee on every order. “Just send me back the bottle and any unused product within 90 days, and I’ll send you your money back,” said Dr. Sears.

The Hotline will be taking orders for the next 48 hours. After that, the phone number will be shut down to allow them to restock.

Call 1-800-714-5671 to secure your limited supply of Ultra Accel II. You don’t need a prescription, and those who call in the first 24 hours qualify for a significant discount. To take advantage of this great offer use Promo Code UAWN0801 when you call in.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS MAY VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON. NO INDIVIDUAL RESULT SHOULD BE SEEN AS TYPICAL. OFFER NOT AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS OF IOWA

HOME ON THE RANGE grandmother was growing accustomed to my methods.

This little guy was destined to be tame. All it took to domesticate the baby cat was a few pieces of

I should have

realized that

a food-loving cat would

never be skinny.

And he wasn’t.

buttered popcorn.

He ate them right up and began purring and looking for more. After that I offered him some kitten food, which he also scarfed down. I should have realized that a food-loving cat would never be

skinny. And he wasn’t. Popcorn blossomed into an 18-pound fat and happy house cat.

Popcorn

BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS

If you have worked in any part The lower branches of the tree were too high for me to reach from the ground, so I stood on my horse and climbed up to the little bundle of

M

ost of my childhood was spent atop a bareback horse on solo adventures in the desert or meandering around the farm. One day as I was preparing to park my horse for lunch on my grandma’s porch (as I’d done lots of times before, and every time she threatened to paddle me if I didn’t move the horse), I spied a tiny little kitten climbing a tree in her yard.

22

AUG 2021

hiss. Once I got to the kitten in the tree way above the hard ground below, I had no idea how to keep the little bugger from chewing my fingers off if I grabbed it. So, I took my pants off, wrapped them around the hissing furball and descended the tree. By this time my horse had carried on with yard trimming and was no longer under the tree for me to use as a landing spot. I just jumped. Thank goodness for young springy legs.

of the veterinary profession, you’ve probably realized that those employed by a veterinary clinic, no matter their role, seem to attract the pets with the crazy diseases. Of course, being a veterinarian, this is even more true for me. Since Popcorn was just a lazy cat, motivated by food and attention, I didn’t think anything of him being lazy. I scheduled him for his early dental cleaning. As he rode on my lap into work, he looked up at me and gave me a big purring meow. His purrs were much louder than any meow he could give. I noticed just then that his gums were exceptionally pale.

Routine pre-anesthetic

I ran into the house to show my

bloodwork revealed what I

grandma my new prize. She was in

already suspected at that point;

watching her shows and was not

he was severely anemic. But being

surprised I had dragged in another

so fat and lazy, I didn’t realize he

barn cat. I had caught her favorite

was being excessively lazy lately.

cat, Bitsy, using my pants and my

The dental was canceled. I needed

to figure out what was happening to

appetite should have been affected …

It was selfish to ask his fat body to

his red blood cells. I had to do several

it wasn’t. He was loving and happy to

carry on anymore. My husband and I

advanced tests to finally arrive at

eat the whole time.

knew it was time. We sat on our couch

a diagnosis: pure red cell aplasia.

His immune system was attacking his bone marrow and killing off all of his baby red blood cells before they could even get into circulation.

With his disease continuing to ravage inside his bones, again, Popcorn needed more blood.

I started him on heavy medications to

So more came and

try and calm down his immune system.

more was given.

But he needed blood. Thankfully there are animal blood banks all over to help.

Cats and dogs safely donate blood to these banks to stock up reserves for sick pets all over. These animals are spoiled and healthy, only donating a few times a year. I called a company in Denver and had a bag of beautiful cat blood the next day. Popcorn’s first transfusion went very well.

But his condition was not rebounding in spite of all the medications I had him on. The day

with Popcorn on my lap,

Thing is with

purring as best he could.

this cat: no matter

how sick he should have been or

more labored than ever before. We petted his head and cried into his fur as I helped him cross

how his appetite

should have been

affected … it wasn’t.

finally came when

It was much quieter and

the rainbow bridge.

Popcorn wasn’t on this Earth for nearly long enough. I miss my little fat buddy and think of him often whenever

Popcorn stopped eating. Nothing I

I see a fat cat patient. He left behind

could offer would find his appetite,

a lot of great memories so I am

but he continued to purr. I knew at

thankful I decided to take off my pants in that tree. W

that point his prognosis was grave.

More testing revealed he was beginning

Thing is with this cat: no matter how

to have further complications due

sick he should have been or how his

to the disease process.

Dr. Megan Beavers is a veterinarian in Farson.

AUG 2021

23

B OB O KO K G IR VE EV AI WE WA Y

DEADLY DOZEN Forgotten Gunfighters of the Old West, Vol. 3 ROBERT K. DEARMENT DESCRIPTION BY UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS

For every Wild Bill Hickok or Billy the Kid, there was another Western gunfighter just as deadly but not as well known. Robert K. DeArment has earned a reputation as the premier researcher of unknown gunfighters, and here he offers 12 portraits of men who weren’t glorified in legend but were just as notorious in their day.

These stories span eight decades, from the gold rushes of the 1850s to the 1920s. Telling of gunmen such as Jim Masterson, the brother of Bat Masterson, or the real Whispering Smith—the man behind the fictionalized persona—whose career spanned four decades, DeArment conscientiously separates fact from fiction to reconstruct lives all the more amazing for having remained unknown for so long.

ORDERING INFORMATION: 2012 | 408p. | $29.95 hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8061-4076-6 Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

WIN A

FREE

COPY JUNE’S BOOK WINNER:

Name: Phone:

KELLY DEMPSTER

Address:

OF RIVERTON

Available from the publisher at 800-848-6224 ext. 1 or oupress.com.

ENTRIES DUE BY SEPTEMBER 15 One entry per household, please.

24

AUG 2021

 DOZEN

c/o WREN Magazine 214 W. Lincolnway, Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

PUZZLE

DOWN:

A Name For a m e Lady Gaga certainly wasn’t born with her famous moniker, and neither were a lot of the famous performers we think of as “household names." Each clue at right is a pop star’s given name; place his or her respective stage name in the numbered squares below to solve the puzzle.

1. Sean Combs

BY KENDRA SPANJER

2. David Jones 3. William Bruce Rose 4. Belcalis Almanzar

1

9. Reginald Dwight 10. Robyn Fenty 11. James Osterberg

2

3

13. Gordon Sumner 14. Marvin Aday

4

5L

A

D

Y

G

A

G

15. Calvin Broadus

A

17. Saul Hudson

6

ACROSS: 5. Stefani Germanotta

7

6. Robert Zimmerman 7. Declan MacManus 8. Farrokh Bulsara

8

9

10

12. Chaim Witz 16. Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, Jr.

11 12

18. Paul Hewson

13

14

15 16

17

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY? CARRY A TUNE TO PAGE 35 FOR THE ANSWERS. 18

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

Tommy Nimick

Although this may make Nimick sound

and another—sponsored by Wyoming Rural

cavalier, he is far from it. He, like other

Electric Association—helped with tuition.

apprentice linemen, has put in many hours of training and hard work to ensure that when a crisis hits, he and his crewmates are ready and able to make split-second decisions safely.

H

e works to ensure the lights stay on and electric power flows for PRECorp members

in Johnson County, Wyoming.

The 22-year-old likes to fish, hang out on the lake, and work on his truck or tractor at home. He lends a hand when his mother, who works for Bighorn Mountain Radio, needs help with big

the local farmers’ market.

“Staying in the area was important to me

Electric Association board member Sandy Hranchak said. “It requires thousands and thousands of hours to complete the program.”

She reviewed Nimick's scholarship application.

“He was already dedicated and seemed to have an itch to get back and climb those poles,” she recalls from her interview with Nimick several years ago. “He had a goal and he was going to fill it. That’s what we wanted to help him do and what we want to help others do—to do what they want

Nimick said. “If I hadn’t gotten into line work,

and be able to stay here in Wyoming.”

I would still be in the area, but I would be trying to figure out what to do with my life.”

Many linemen have a family member or friend who works for an electric co-op.

That wasn’t the case for Nimick. He learned about the profession from a presentation given at his high school where Powder River and mentioned that there was a summer

stores to buy emergency food and

internship available. Nimick thought it

supplies, button up their homes

sounded like a good fit. He applied, got

and hunker down until the weather

accepted and spent 500 hours that summer

passes. Lineworkers do the opposite.

and another 500 hours the following summer

They head to work ready to face the

as an intern in the co-op’s Buffalo outpost.

“My favorite part of my job is not

“It’s a lot of dedication,” Wyoming Rural

because this is where all of my family is at,”

for the area, most residents rush to

to keep their community safe.

26

he attends rodeos and goes to

Energy linemen explained what they do

uncertainty of the elements and

just one step in the years-long process to journeyman lineman.

When a major storm is predicted

prepare to do whatever is necessary

cost of lineman training. Schooling is become an apprentice and eventually a

events. And in his spare time

ROUTINE. SOME PEOPLE CRAVE IT. MOST PEOPLE NEED IT. BUT NOT TOMMY NIMICK.

between $3,000-$5,000 to help offset the

spent the first years of his life on a ranch near in Buffalo when he was very young.

BY JOANNE MAI

WREA awards scholarship recipients with

Nimick is a Wyoming boy. Born in Powell, he Hyattville before his family settled

Scholarship recipient comes home

PHOTO COURTESY OF POWDER RIVER ENERGY CORPORATION

“Being a lineman in my community has enabled me to be more active and to meet more people. I’ve also got to see and talk to people I haven’t seen in a long time,”

Nimick wants to help others too. He tells people about what a great job he has— and they listen.

“I’ve had a few of my friends that I’ve known all my life decide that they want to go into the same field of work,” he said, and for other high school students pondering what to do with their lives, Nimick offers this advice, “I would tell them that the Northwest Lineman College is a great program and with about 4 months of schooling, they can get a career, not just a job, outside all day working, feeling good about the work they do, have a good impact on the community and make a good living doing it.”

In March, Nimick will complete his time as an apprentice and become a journeyman.

“I know that I have an amazing job and a great

knowing what I will be doing

he said. “I was fortunate enough to get

opportunity for me,” he said. “I wouldn’t

tomorrow,” Nimick said. “We may

the internship program and realize what

have been able to do it without the Buffalo

have a plan for the week all together,

I wanted to do quickly in life.”

but if a storm comes through, or

After completing high school and two years

other crews need our help, that

of summer internships, Nimick received

could change very quickly. This

several scholarships to help him attend

keeps me from having to do the

Northwest Lineman College in Boise,

same thing over and over every

Idaho. One scholarship helped him buy the

day. It keeps my life interesting.”

tools he would need to become a lineman

AUG 2021

and Kaycee crews. They took me in as a high school kid that didn’t know anything at all and was probably a little difficult to work with. But nevertheless, they taught me and helped me to be the man I am today.” W

Joanne Mai is a writer and educator in Laramie.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

LINEMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND A GOOD PROBLEM IS STILL A PROBLEM, BUT WITH YOUR HELP, OURS CAN BE FIXED. Due to its popularity and the generosity of our board, and increased interest in the trade, WREA’s Lineman Scholarship Fund is in danger of running out of funding.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

WHAT IT IS The WREA Lineman Scholarship Fund offers grants to one or more individuals, including recent high school graduates who are interested in a career as a lineworker and plan to attend an approved regional lineworker training program.

Over the past several years the board has awarded many scholarships, donating a total of $146,564.00 since 2015.

$

$

27.5K

$

30K

2016

45K

2017

2018



$

35K 2019

$

24K 2020



CANDIDATES

FUNDING

APPRECIATION We appreciate your support!

To be considered, applicants must submit

The scholarship's main

the application form, a resumé describing

source of funding has

their education and work experience, three

been a golf tournament,

letters of recommendation and a transcript

which will return this year.

of grades. If the candidate has not attended

Vendors, cooperatives and

an educational institution in the three years

others who do business

prior to submitting the application,

with cooperatives have been

the transcript is not necessary.

application to the Wyoming Rural Electric Association; they are then passed on to

the fund. It has been very successful, raising as much as $20,000 in some years.

friends have contributed to the scholarship fund.

Thank you for your help!

Calling WREA Office Manager Robin Feezer: (307) 634-0727

But we aren’t done yet.

If you haven’t already, please consider donating to the WREA Lineman Scholarship Fund.

the WREA board for consideration.



WREA members and

solicited for donations to

Candidates must submit their scholarship

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE BY:

During the last few months,



Mailing a check to the WREA Office: 2312 Carey Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001 Make check out to WREA Lineman Scholarship AUG 2021

27

COUNTRY COOKS

SQUASH SALMON

SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

1 (14 OZ) CAN SALMON, DRAINED 4 TBS GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE 1 CUP MAYONNAISE 2-1/2 CUPS GRATED ZUCCHINI 1 CUP DRIED BREAD CRUMBS 2 TBS LEMON JUICE

4 SUMMER SQUASH, SLICED THIN 1 LARGE ONION, SLICED THIN 1/2 CUP DRY BREAD CRUMBS 2 BEATEN EGGS 1/4 CUP BUTTER 1/2 TSP SALT 1/2 TSP GARLIC POWDER 2 CUPS DICED COOKED CHICKEN OR 1 CUP SHREDDED CHEESE OF CHOICE

ZUCCHINI

Blend all ingredients. Save a small amount of cheese for the top (up to 2 tablespoons).

Put into an oiled 2-quart casserole, sprinkle with reserved cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Serves eight.

MARY CRAWFORD

SUNDANCE

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9x9 inch glass baking dish. In a saucepan, cook vegetables in 1/2 cup water until tender. Drain, cool slightly. Pour into buttered baking dish. To hot squash mixture stir in bread crumbs, eggs, butter, salt, garlic powder and chicken or shredded cheese. Bake 1/2 hour or until puffed and slightly browned.

JUDY JANOWSKI

HORSEHEADS, NEW YORK

OCTOBER:

CAMP COOKING 28

AUG 2021

SUMMERLY SQUASH 2 TBS OLIVE OIL 1 SMALL ONION, SLICED 1 CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED 2 CANS RO-TEL TOMATOES 1 TSP SALT 1/4 TSP PEPPER 2 SMALL ZUCCHINI, CUT INTO 1/2 INCH SLICES 2 SMALL YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH, CUT INTO 1/2 INCH SLICES 1 BAY LEAF 1/2 TSP DRIED BASIL

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion and garlic about 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook and stir about 5 minutes. Mix in the zucchini, yellow squash, bay leaf and basil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove bay leaf before serving.

S

NANCY DENK

RIVERTON

Send Sendcomplete completerecipe recipeby byMarch SEPTEMBER 10! 15!

Please Pleaseinclude includeyour yourname, name,address addressand andphone phonenumber. number.

S SU UB BM M II T T A AR RE EC C II P PE E

wren@wyomingrea.org | |  [307] 772-1968 286-8140   wren@wyomingrea.org  [307]   214 214W. W.Lincolnway LincolnwaySte. Ste.21C 21CCheyenne, Cheyenne,WY WY82001 82001

wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions  

PEN TO PAPER

Reflection

A Forest Pine DAVID G. RICHARDS

KAYLEIGH HUVEN

Hello reflection in the window.

Your life is backwards from mine.

My life is backwards from yours.

Yet as one together we both grow.

Your words are backwards, you're so sine.

My shadow is also you, your sorrow it pours.

We’re afraid of our self-foe.

We lie to those and say we’re fine.

Keep our mind off by doing chores, Yet together as one we both know We are silent and won’t make a sign.

We won’t let others see our sores.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

There’s an old pine tree a growin on the place He’s weathered, cracked, and wind blown, With a smile on his face He has some broken branches and scars upon his trunk But he’s alive and kickin despite his haggard looks The whisper of the wind as it passes through his boughs Beckons to the Whiskey Jack to come and settle down He stays for five and then he flies to make his other rounds The feeder hangs from his branches low As the sun warms and makes the liquid glow The nectar is sweet and is such a treat for the hummingbirds around But an unwanted guest is just a pest, to the one who runs the show For as an arrow flies he passes by to chase away the foe Perched upon his branches high, a pine cone in his grasp A squirrel, alert to every movement, stops to eat his fill The sun, the wind, the snow and rain, they came to visit too And then the clouds will fade away To let the sun shine through

Life Keeps Giving Me Horses CAROL L. DEERING

He shields his eyes with boughs of green as he starts his day anew To gaze in awe upon the sky with a color of sapphire blue He’s just an old pine tree, unlike all the rest Willing to give his all and do his very best Happy to live in the forest, for he knows that he’s been blessed

We share a selection of WREN readers’ creative writing (poems, limericks, haiku, short verse, and prose) every issue as space and content allow. To be considered for publication, please include the author’s consent to be submitted, his or her mailing address, and confirmation that the work has not been published elsewhere. If you would like us to return your work, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

MOORCROFT

RIVERTON

I look out the kitchen window.

Two horses, perpendicular to the fence, look across at me.

They both turn, so close together, one snorts, the other shivers.

Their energy bewitches me.

I radiate their glow.

Put Your Pen to Paper!

Please include your name, address, and phone number.

SUBMIT A PIECE

 wren@wyomingrea.org |  [307] 286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

AUG 2021

29

01

02 03

04

01

The forest is calling, Amanda Hicks, Worland

02

Through the forest, Amanda Hicks, Worland

03

Our forest Buddha, Gina Knight, Newcastle

04

Forest frolic, Cindi Olson, Newcastle

05

Summer cabin lake, Rob McIntosh, Torrington

06

October snowy trees Lauree Scott, Gillette

05

06

JUST PICTURE IT

THIS MONTH:

OCTOBER (DUE SEPTEMBER 15):

FOREST

CAMPING

07

08

09

07

Crazy Woman Canyon, Bernie Borland, Gillette

08

Misty ways, Kellie Berdon, Moorcroft

09

Gilbert Creek in the morning, Marin Ricketts, Lyman

10

Hidden trail, Elizabeth Childress, Newcastle

11

Easy to seek when trying to hide with those ears!

Barbara Rasco, Riverton

12

Robin’s roost, Heather McLaughlin, Upton

13

Peaceful Reflection, Grant Martin, Dubois

10

11 12

SUBMIT A P H OTO

 wren@wyomingrea.org  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions Please include your name, hometown and a title.

13

Please submit high-quality digital files* or an original we can scan, as well as details about the artwork, the artist’s name and the co-op. *Use the highest quality setting on your camera, or save digital artwork as a .jpg or .tif file with at least 300 dpi resolution.

If you would like your work returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

AUG 2021

31

WHAT’S HAPPENING

WHAT’S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP

02

03 04

01

FEATURED EVENT

SEPTEMBER

01 | SOUTHEAST

C H U G WAT E R

GILLETTE

ONGOING

SEPTEMBER 17

Live Music: Thursday night jam session and weekend performances. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, info 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.

ENCAMPMENT SEPTEMBER 11-12

GUERNSEY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6

10A-3:30P

Celebrate Archaeology Awareness Month.

Outdoor event with activity stations including hide painting, beadwork, pottery, basketmaking, a flintknapping demonstration and more.

CAMPBELL COUNTY ROCKPILE MUSEUM GILLETTE info 307-682-5723 | rockpilemuseum.com

NORTHEAST 32

AUG 2021

NE

DO YL

E

Nici Self Historical Museum: Open 12-4p Thu-Mon through Labor Day weekend. 2734 Snowy Range Rd, free, info 307-742-7763.

Grand Encampment Museum: Main Gallery and GEM store open Tue-Sat 10a-4p, info 307-327-5308.



SY OF SHA

TO SEPTEMBER 6

ONGOING

SEPTEMBER 18

OURTE OC OT

CENTENNIAL

Copper Days Festival and Tractor Pull: Watch and cheer tractor pulls, displays and parade, 10a-2p, free.

Dance the polka with live band 7-9p at Grand Encampment Opera Hall, $10, under 12 free. Info 307-329-7150.

NORTHEAST WYOMING ARCHEOLOGY FAIR

PH

Fort Laramie Programs: Interpretive talks, historic demonstrations.

10a-5p daily, Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Info nps.gov.

S A R AT O G A SEPTEMBER 10

Party on the Platte: Platte Valley Community Center Foundation fundraiser, 5:30p, info 307-326-7822.

W H E AT L A N D SEPTEMBER 30

Oktoberfest: Free food and fun, 5:30p, downtown Wheatland, info Platte County Chamber of Commerce 307-322-2322.

02 | NORTHEAST

Messages from Medicine Wheel Country: Speaker Shane Doyle will teach about native people from the materials and formations they left behind on the Northern Plains. 6:30p, Campbell County Rockpile Museum, info 307-682-5723, rockpilemuseum.com.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER

Evelyn J. Cameron, Montana Photographs, 1894-1928: Traveling exhibit shows Cameron’s work.

Campbell County Rockpile Museum, info 307-682-5723, rockpilemuseum.com.

HULETT SEPTEMBER 24-26

Quilt Show: Historic and modern quilts from the region will be on exhibit at various locations. Quilts and quilting supplies for sale. 9a-4p, info 307-467-5292, hulettmuseum@ rtconnect.net, hulettmuseum.org.

MOORCROFT SEPTEMBER 11

Heritage Roundup: Fundraiser for West Texas Trail Museum. Chuckwagon supper, silent auction, live music. 4-8p, at the museum, info 307-756-9300.

ONGOING

West Texas Trail Museum: Now open year-round 9a-5p, Mon-Fri. Open Sat June to August. Info 307-756-9300.

UPTON SEPTEMBER 11

Fall Festival and Rose Classic Show and Shine: 10a-4p, Upton City Park, free, info 307-468-2372.

SEPTEMBER 7, 14, 21

B U F FA L O

Farmers’ Market at Old Town: 5-6:30p, info 307-468-2702.

THURSDAYS

SEPTEMBER 19

Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30p, Occidental Saloon, free, info 307-684-0451.

Memorial Gun Shoot: 8a-3p, Upton Outdoor Gun Range, fees vary, info 307281-9980 or rrrothleutner@yahoo.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

SEPTEMBER 11

Apple City Festival: Speakers, programs, an apple pie contest, local apple cider and apple samples, kids crafts and a petting zoo. 1-3p, Pioneer Museum, info 307-332-3339.

SEPTEMBER 18

Louis Lake Lodge Adventure Trek: Meet at the Pioneer Museum to visit historic fishing lodge on the Loop Road. Learn the history of the Loop Road, the water projects and the lodge and have lunch at the Lodge. 10a, Reservations required 307-332-3339, $10.

ONGOING

Farmers’ Markets: Wednesday: Farmers’ Market 5-7p at Riverton City Park, info 307-851-8712.

Saturday: Fremont County Master Gardeners’ Market 9-11a, Riverton City Hall parking lot, info 307-851-7562.

TO

U CO

RT E

FW SY O

YOMING O

UTD

OO

RC O

C IL

Vehicle Visions Car Show: A celebration of all vehicles. Friday cruise on Bent St. to the American Dream Drive In. Saturday Pancake Breakfast at the Eagles, car show 10a-3p Eagles Aerie #2426, $20 car registration, info 307-754-9483, vehiclevisionscarshow@gmail.com.

SEPTEMBER 11

S O U T H PA S S C I T Y SEPTEMBER 25

SUBMIT AN EVENT

SECOND FRIDAYS

We are updating the event dates for the What’s Happening section. Please send events occurring in November.

WORLAND

SEPTEMBER 15!

Also, be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6

Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.

R I V E RTO N

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6

English Tunnel Tours: Mile-long hike and candle tour of a real gold mine. 11a Sat. Reservations required. $4 Wyo residents, $8 visitors, under 18 free.

Info 307-332-3684, southpasscity.com/tours.

One Room Schoolhouse: Grand reopening of the renovated 1920s Middleton Schoolhouse, and launch of the museum’s Wyoming Rural School Immersion Experience for Wyoming grade school students.

Featured guest, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction.

1p, Hot Springs County Museum Annex, 700 Broadway St, info 307-864-5183, hschistory@rtconnect.net.

Send complete information by

Photos are always welcome.

Homesteader Days Festival: Steam engines, old-time demonstrations, live music, kids’ activities, arts and food vendors, pie auction and vintage autos and tractors. 10a-3p, Homesteader Museum, free, info 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty.us.

Northern Arapaho Tribe’s Historic Preservation Cemetery Mapping Project: The Historic Preservation Office plans to map every cemetery and identify every grave on Wind River to help

SEPTEMBER 28

Run The Red: Trail runs of a half marathon, 50k and 100k races.

Must register for race in advance.

4:30a–8p. Info 202-550-5855, runthereddesert@gmail.com & runthereddesert.com.

Carissa Gold Mine Tours: See the pits & shafts where miners labored, then follow the transformation of the ugly grey rock to a gold bar. 2p Thu-Sun. Reservations recommended. $4 Wyo residents, $8 visitors, under 18 free, info 307-332-3684, southpasscity.com/tours.

SEPTEMBER 1

Hot Springs State Park Book Signing and Author Presentation: Authors Thomas Schoenewald and Lea Cavalli Schoenewald will talk about writing and research process. 2p, Hot Springs County Museum, info 307-864-5183, hschistory@rtconnect.net.

ONGOING

POWELL SEPTEMBER 10-11

SEPTEMBER 11

Library Events: PreK Tales & Tunes 10:30a Wed; Starlight Storytime 5:30p Wed for birth to 5; Toddler Move and Groove 10:30a Thu; registration required 307-856-3556 and ask for the Children’s Department. Walk-in LEGO Club 3-4:30p Thu for grades 3-5.

UN

Native Americans of Wyoming’s Wind River Country: Paintings by Joseph Scheuerle, include members of the Shoshone and Arapaho from the Wind River Reservation. On loan by the Montana Historical Society.

On display through the fall of 2021.

Pioneer Museum, info 307-332-3339, fremontcountymuseums.com/ the-lander-museum.

THERMOPOLIS

ONGOING

O

LANDER

families identify relatives whom they previously had trouble locating. 6p, Riverton Museum, free, reservations required, 307-856-2665.

PH

03| NORTHWEST

SEPTEMBER

ArtStroll: Stroll on Broadway Street in Historic Downtown Thermopolis. Info 307-864-3002, gatherer@panix.com.

SEPTEMBER 18

Constitution Day Celebration and Carry-in Dinner: Music, silent auction, raffle, guest speaker. 5:30p, Worland Community Center, donations accepted. Info 307-735-4103, jeffandcindy@union-tel.com.

04 | SOUTHWEST M O U N TA I N V I E W WEDNESDAYS

Storytime: 11a, Uinta County Library, info 307-782-3161.

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:

 wren@

wyomingrea.org

 [307] 286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway

Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

SECOND WEDNESDAYS

Chamber of Commerce Community Luncheon: For business owners and individuals alike. $15/plate, noon, Mountain View Town Hall, RSVP bvchamber@bvea.net, 307-787-6378.

ONGOING

Community Classes: Fitness, computer, workforce and kids’ classes are available. Valley Learning Center, times and prices vary. Info valleylearningcenter.coursestorm.com or 307-782-6401.

AUG 2021

33

CLASSIFIEDS WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS | CONTACT:  SHAWNA@GOLINDEN.COM

 970-221-3232 EXT 22

CATEGORIES 01. EQUIPMENT 02. FOR SALE 03. HORSES 04. LIVESTOCK 05. POULTRY 06. REAL ESTATE 07. WANTED 08. CRAFTS 09. OPPORTUNITIES 10. MISCELLANEOUS 11. BUSINESS CONSULTING 12. FOR RENT 13. HELP WANTED 14. DOGS 15. EMPLOYMENT SOUGHT 16. BUILDING SUPPLIES 17. TRAVEL & RECREATION 18. HEALTH 19. PERSONAL 20. FREE

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AUG 2021

02 | FOR SALE

07 | WANTED

New & Used Coal Stokers, parts, service & advice. Available for most makes.

Thanks. 307-754-3757.

Want to purchase minerals & other oil/gas interests.

Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201.

Heritage Turkeys and Chickens.

Accepting orders for 2022 hatching season. Narragansett turkeys and White Bresse chickens from pastured Wyoming flocks. Acclimated to climate and altitude. Vaccine and antibiotic free.

Straight run week old birds, $15 each.

Meeteetse. 307-271-1692 text or voice.

Shaver Outdoor Wood Boiler Furnace.

Aermotor Windmills and parts, cylinders, pipe, rod, submersible pumps, motors, control boxes, Hastings 12 ga. bottomless stock tanks and more. In business for more than 75 years. Herren Bros., Box 187, Harrison NE. 1-308-668-2582.

We Pay Cash For Mineral & Oil/Gas Interests producing & non-producing. 800-733-8122.

WANTED CJ or Wrangler reasonably priced.

Any condition but rusted. 512-797-1664.

Antique Collector Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs.

Will pay fair market value! Also looking for general antiques for our antique shop. Please go to our website FrontierAutoMuseum.com. Located in Gillette WY, our passion is to preserve Wyoming history and the nostalgia of the past, especially Parco, Sinclair, Frontier, Husky and any car dealership along with all brands. We are also always looking for WY license plates and WY highway signs and State Park signs. Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647 wandlerfrontier@gmail.com or daughter Briana Brewer 307-660-2402 bbrewer@frontierauto.net.

10| MISCELLANEOUS Soon Church/Government uniting, suppressing “Religious Liberty” enforcing “National Sunday Law.” Be Informed!

Needing Mailing address. TSBM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540, thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com, 1-888-211-1715.

PUZZLE ANSWERS 1 P.

A Name for Fame

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5. Lady Gaga; 6. Bob Dylan; 7. Elvis Costello; 8. Freddie Mercury; 12. Gene Simmons; 16. Nikki Sixx; 18. Bono

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Wills, Trusts & Probate Land Use

NOW

STREAMING LIVE TV PBS VIDEO APP

GAY WOODHOUSE DEBORAH RODEN TARA NETHERCOTT JOANNE SWEENEY HOLLI WELCH KATYE BROWN JEFF VAN FLEET CHRISTOPHER BRENNAN



 

1912 Capitol Avenue Suite 500 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 432-9399 WRNLawFirm.com

WyomingPBS.org/app AUG 2021

35

ENLIGHTEN US

PHOTO COURTESY OF LARRY OSTERMILLER

Larry Ostermiller rides his horse, Roca, on the ridge between the Rattlesnake and Dead Indian drainages in the Absaroka Range.

The Brethren

BY LARRY OSTERMILLER

W

ebster’s defines “brethren” as an associate or fellow member of an organization, for example fraternity brothers. Modern day vernacular might include buddy, pal, bro—those who share common bonds and interests in similar activities.

Lyle stayed in the teaching profession while I changed careers and worked for a major company in the oil and gas industry. Over the years our respective careers took us in different directions.

As fate would have it, we both took positions in northwest Wyoming and eventually retired there in 2007. Our friendship has spanned almost 50 years while our hunting time together just

I consider those of us who indulge in

members, acquaintances and close

over 40 years. From archery hunting for

the ethical pursuit of the wily wapiti to

friends. Although we may have shared

elk in the Bighorns to rifle hunting in

be a “brethren.” The raspy roar of a herd

time together in the field, we did not

Crandall, Sunlight, Dead Indian, Bald

bull as he responds to a call, the musky

always share that kinsmanship, that

Ridge, Heart Mountain and recently

aroma of the rut, the cacophony of the

close bonding and the development of

in the Meeteetse area, we’ve hunted

calling cows and the mewing calves can

trust that only comes with that special

many places and covered a lot of ground.

really only be appreciated by those who

hunting “brethren.” I’d like to share

We’ve been out at times when maybe we

have been there and done that.

with you two of my brethren.

shouldn’t have been out—85 mph winds,

Over the last 50 plus years I have

I first met Lyle in 1971 while we were

temperatures. I’ve always had Lyle’s

hunted with many different individuals.

both teaching in a rural school in

back and I knew, without a doubt,

That has included other family

Musselshell County, Montana.

that he always had mine.

36

AUG 2021

blowing and drifting snow, and sub-zero

I’ve been blessed to have a great hunting

Lyle and his son were not yet back

expected she’d give you everything she

partner but the hunting brethren does

when I returned to the horses. Roca’s

had in her tank, every trip out. Her heart

not always come in the form of another

nostrils flared and she snorted as I slowly

was as big as the Absaroka Range we

human being. My dream ever since I was

approached her. She had never smelled

roamed for over two decades.

old enough to hunt was to pursue elk in

anything before that smelled like I

the mountains on horseback. My move

smelled. I was able to scratch behind her

to Wyoming in 1980 allowed for that

ears and rub her neck, nose and face with

dream to come true many times over.

my aromatic hands and fingers. I thought,

Roca was a quarter horse-thoroughbred

“she’s going to be okay with this elk thing.”

Not quite yet!

cross that I bought for $200. I was told at the time I got her that she was a coming 4-year-old. I would find out years later that was not the case.

I would also find out she had been abused.

But over the years she developed into the most trustworthy horse I’ve ever owned.

For those that have owned and have been around horses, there are horses and then there are those extra special ones that don’t

I’m no cowboy,

never have claimed

to be one, and would

never become one.

With a death grip

on the saddle horn

and knees slammed solid under the

swells, I managed to stay aboard.

come along very often.

Roca was one of those.

Roca’s first experience with the sights, sounds and smells of an elk hunt was a precursor as to the kind of horse she would become. We rode to an area that we had hunted before. The November

As with most everything else, all good things must come to an end. Time had taken its toll on this very special animal. I think a horse could live to 50 if they could keep good teeth. Senior feed and all the supplements you give

Upon Lyle and son’s

aging horses was no longer working

return, we mounted

for Roca. She was in decline with ribs

the equines to

beginning to show and hip bones poking

go retrieve the

up against her once beautiful taut coat.

bull. As soon as

I didn’t want her to suffer so the vet was

my butt touched

beckoned. As I gently laid my 32-year-

saddle leather, Roca

old hunting buddy into her grave with

launched straight

the tractor and loader, tears froze on

into the atmosphere

my cheeks on that late frigid December

three times. I’m no

afternoon. Goodbye dear friend!

cowboy, never have claimed to be one, and would never become one. With a death grip on the saddle horn and knees slammed solid under the swells, I managed to stay

aboard. When she landed after the third

Lyle and I are currently in our mid-70s.

Gone are the days of getting up at three in the morning and riding an hour or two in the dark to get to that secluded elk sweet spot or that special saddle that allows passage between two drainages.

Our minds say “go” but the body now says “whoa.” The time is nigh to pull the rifles from the scabbards and call it a day.

takeoff, Roca swung that long, graceful

As stated earlier, all good things must

neck around to look at me and as if to say,

come to an end. Our physical bodies

“Hmm, that didn’t work. He’s still there!”

may deprive us of what we love to do

That was the only time in the 24 years I

but it can’t deprive us of a lifetime of

had Roca that she ever bucked with me.

memories and experiences we have

air was sharp and biting, about 1 foot

We proceeded up the ridge to where the

of new sparkling, bright white snow

elk was laying. We quartered the bull

covered the ground. There was fresh

and put the back half on Snickers, the

elk sign in numerous spots so we tied up

only horse of the three we had that day

the horses in a small copse of pine trees.

that we knew would pack. With a little

Lyle and his son went down the spiny

coaxing and patience, we were able to

ridge while I ascended up the hogback

get the saddle panniers and the front

towards the thicker pockets of timber.

quarters and back straps of the bull

I spotted three young bulls together

loaded on Roca and headed down the

and was able to harvest a spike.

trail. That was Roca’s introduction to

Field dressing an animal the size of

packing wild game. That’s the kind of

an elk by yourself is not without its

horse she was and she wasn’t without

conundrums but that’s another story.

fault. But once she knew what was

had. My hope and prayer is that you, too, will experience that special brethren bond. With that said, I’ll close the valve on the tarnished old two-mantle Coleman lantern and listen to it hiss and sputter as it dims and darkness prevails. May the bonds of friendship be with you. W

Larry Ostermiller worked in the oil/gas industry for 18 years and in public education for 17 years, retiring in 2007. He and his wife, Dianne, have been Wyoming residents for 41 years.

AUG 2021

37

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ENCOURAGING COMMUNICATION SKILLS

With Play!

Encourage your kids’ reading, writing, and communication skills with play! This versatile activity is part treasure hunt and part learning letters.

Here’s how to do it:

Keep the fun going!

1

2

3

Write the whole alphabet on a piece of white paper.

Write the alphabet again on sticky notes – one letter for each sticky note.

Hang the paper with the full alphabet on the wall.

4

5

6

Try this activity with numbers, shapes,

When the sticky notes are found, have your kids match the letters to the letters on the full alphabet that’s hanging up.

colors, sight words, even math problems!

Hide the sticky note alphabet around your house.



Send your kids on a mission to find the sticky note alphabet.

For more fun activities that inspire learning, visit wyqualitycounts.org/wren

This month’s activity

WY Quality Counts, housed in the Department of Workforce Services, helps Wyoming parents and child care providers identify and create quality learning experiences for children, thanks to the funding of the Wyoming Legislature.

You can leave this activity up for a few days and let your kids bounce back and forth with it. You can also make the activity a little more challenging by writing capital letters on the white paper and lowercase letters on the sticky notes.

Activity adapted from Busy Toddler



Name Art!

All WY Quality Counts activities are supported by the Wyoming Early Learning Foundations and Guidelines, as well as the Domains of Development, which include: COMMUNICATION

SENSE OF SELF & RELATIONSHIPS

CURIOUS MINDS

STRONG & HEALTHY BODIES