Wyoming Rural Electric News December 2025

DEC 2025

WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS

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INTER-STATE DISCUSSIONS ON ENERGY SUPERABUNDANCE

M AY YO U R D AYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT! This holiday season, we’ll keep the lights twinkling and the cookies baking.

Happy holidays from your cooperative family at Basin Electric!

2025 D E C E M B E R

Governor Gordon Joins Inter-state Discussions on Energy Superabundance STORY BY CARRIE HADERLIE

ON THE COVER 14 CENTERPIECE

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JUST FOR FUN CORNER 20 KIDS’ BISON M I G R AT I O N S

21 PUZZLE LET IT SNOW

BY KENDRA SPANJER

24 S T O R I E S O F E A R LY BOOK GIVEAWAY

D AY S I N W Y O M I N G : BIG HORN BASIN

BY TACETTA B. WALKER

Governors across the West, including Governor Gordon, are collaborating in policy discussions aimed at harnessing a “superabundance of energy resources” in the region.

Learn more about the Western Governors’ Association’s interstate collaboration on page 14.

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FEATURES ART SPOT 06 THE COWGIRLS RIG

BY TENNY SPENCER

HEROES 26 COMMUNITY P R E PA R E D N E S S

E D U C AT I O N , E N T E R TA I N I N G A N D INSPIRING OTHERS THROUGH WRITING

BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

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FROM OUR READERS

ESSAYS & ANECDOTES

STATE NEWS & EVENTS

COOKS 25 COUNTRY APPETIZERS

NOTES 04 WREA S O L O N G 2025

08 WILD WIRED WEST 09 CO-OP CONNECTION 10 TOWN TALES 32 WHAT'S HAPPENING 36 SHOP LOCAL

PICTURE IT 28 JUST FA M I LY

31 M O N D AY

PEN TO PAPER MORNING

BY MARIETTA LARSON

W I N T E R D AW N

BY EILEEN A. HILL

BY SHAWN TAYLOR

ON THE RANGE 22 HOME M I G R AT I N G L I F E

BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

38 ENLIGHTEN US

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

BY WALT GASSON

WREA NOTES

SO LONG 2025 I would say good riddance to 2025 but that seems a bit harsh, so I’ll leave it at so long. This year, our industry, the electric utility industry in general and the rural electric cooperative industry specifically, has witnessed some of the most prolific challenges that I’ve been a part of in the past 20 years. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, these challenges are likely to continue into next year and beyond.

I say depending on your point of view because while it would be easy to view these challenges as an assault to our industry and the cooperative business model, and believe me I have gone down that rabbit hole several times over the past year, I am choosing in 2026 to view these challenges as opportunities and hold the cooperative business model up as the gold standard in meeting these challenges.

Our mindset will be to work with everyone to address the issues facing our state, our industry and our member-owners, rather than retreat and hope bad things don’t happen. This will be easier said than done, but we did it this year when we were successful in passing meaningful wildfire liability legislation, which has been held up by other states in the west as the model of not only the legislation itself, but how we worked with a number of stakeholders, some of whom we don’t always agree with on other issues, to get it over the finish line. And we’ll need your help in 2026 on issues like third party generation, which we are now referring to as third party partnering, protecting our certificated service territory, which seems to be always under fire, and other issues. So I can’t end the year without once again asking you all to visit voicesforcooperativepower.com and sign up to be part of our grassroots network. But that’s enough shop talk for the year.

Before I sign off for the year, I want to let our co-op family members over in the Bridger Valley know that this will be the last issue of WREN that you’ll be receiving through your cooperative. However if you’d like to continue to receive the magazine you can subscribe for the low price of $22 for 11 issues by visiting bit.ly/Subscribe-WREN or by calling 307-286-8140 or by emailing wren@golinden.com.

With that I just want to wish everyone in the cooperative family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and here’s to looking ahead to 2026!

S H AW N TAY LO R

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GATHER AT DAWN SHERRYL LINDBLOM ROZET, WYOMING

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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 71, number 11, December 2025 (ISSN 1098-2876) is published monthly except for January for $22 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 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 28,168 for 11 months ending September 2025. WREN Magazine is delivered to rural electric member/consumers and other subscribers throughout the 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 | Alison Quinn | Becky Freismuth — Design Team — Dixie Lira | David Merkley | Shawna Phillips

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Big Horn REC, Basin – John Joyce, President

Wheatland REA, Wheatland – Sandy Hranchak, Vice President Wyrulec Company, Torrington – Ben Scott, Secretary/Treasurer Basin Electric, Bismarck, ND – Paul Baker Bridger Valley Electric, Mountain View – Ruth Rees Carbon Power & Light, Saratoga – Roger Cox Garland Light & Power, Powell – Scott Smith High Plains Power, Riverton – Brett Gardner High West Energy, Pine Bluffs – Mike Romsa Lower Valley Energy, Afton – Bob McLaurin Niobrara Electric, Lusk – J.D. Wasserburger Powder River Energy, Sundance – Mike Lohse Deseret Power, South Jordan, UT – Gary Nix Tri-State G&T, Westminster, CO – Julie Kilty

SUBSCRIPTION RATES $22 per year, Single copies $2 each

ADVERTISING To purchase call (307) 996-6552.

OFFICE OF WREN OWNER 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627

KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION 214 W Lincolnway, Ste 21C, Cheyenne, WY 82001-4478

ADDRESS CHANGES Please contact your local cooperative to update your address.

Paid subscribers contact publisher.

PUBLISHER 307-286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org

POSTMASTER — Send address changes to — The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, c/o Linden Press, Inc., 121 E Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524-2818, [970] 221-3232.

Include 3-digit co-op code.

PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK

THE ART SPOT

Cowgirls Rig

This is my saddle and bridle used to train horses in white charcoal.

TENNY SPENCER

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, LOCATION, ENTRY TITLE AND ENTRY DESCRIPTION.  wren@wyomingrea.org | 307-286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

CARLILE, WYOMING

A showcase of creative work by our Wyoming readers, entries for The Art Spot may range from paintings, illustrations, bronzes, pottery, woodworking to digital artwork. The sky’s the limit!

We look forward to sharing our readers’ talents in each issue.

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When the Power Goes Out, Your Co-op Goes to Work Severe storms can sometimes cause significant damage, resulting in multiple repairs that need to be made before all power is restored. But electric co-ops can quickly identify power outages so crews can repair damage and restore service to homes and businesses.

Get to know the process, and know that your local electric co-op is working as hard as it can to make sure the electricity stays on to power your day!

1 DISTRIBUTION LINES If a power outage is not caused by damage at a substation, the main distribution lines are checked. These carry electricity to large groups of buildings, including businesses and housing developments.

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H I G H -VO LTAG E T R A N S M I S S I O N L I N E S The transmission towers and cables that carry electricity to transmission substations rarely fail.

Yet if they are damaged, these can cause significant outages – and they must be repaired to ensure the rest of the system can function properly.

D I S T R I B U T I O N S U B S TAT I O N S Each substation can serve thousands of members.

If the issue is located at the substation (or the transmission lines leading to the substation), then power can be broadly restored.

TA P L I N E S These carry power to underground transformers or are connected to poles outside of homes and businesses. Line crews prioritize which lines to work on based on which lines will restore power to most members.

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INDIVIDUAL HOMES If your home is still without power, the service line from the nearby transformer to your home may have been damaged and will be repaired.

IF YOU LOSE SERVICE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, STAY CLEAR OF DOWNED POWER LINES AND REPORT THE OUTAGE TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTRIC CO-OP!

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CO-OP CONNECTION

The Wyoming Rural Electric Association Launches New Website WE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE TO SUPPORT OUR COOPERATIVES AND MEMBER-OWNERS

BY GIVING YOU THE BEST ONLINE EXPERIENCES POSSIBLE.

A lot of the website content was in need of a refresh, and we updated the design for ease of exploring the site and overall site usability.

The Cooperative Principles are also front and center in the new design.

As you have read throughout our WREN issues this year, these core values are integral to our electric cooperatives.

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

You can still find past WREN issues on the Archive page!

Submission forms for entries to feature in upcoming issues of the magazine are still available on the new website as well.

wyomingrea.org

DEC 2025

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TOWN TALES

Town Tales DOUGLAS HISTORIC & MYTHICAL PASTIMES

Jackalope statue.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF DOUGLAS

FROM WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY WYSHS.ORG

BY HEIDI MCCULLOUGH, CITY OF DOUGLAS

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ost of the original population of Douglas was living in Fetterman City (formerly Fort Fetterman) on the Bozeman Trail when they heard the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad was looking to bring their railroad to the area in 1886. They hoped it would come to Fetterman City, but since the land was still owned by the federal government, the railroad would be forced to choose another location. Several of the entrepreneurs from the frontier outpost formed a town, made up mostly of tents, at the confluence of the North Platte River and Antelope Creek (near the current town of Douglas), in hopes that the railroad would meet them there and form the new town. The railroad chose a spot less than two miles south of the new tent town of Antelope, named it Douglas after Senator Stephen Douglas, erected a depot and started selling off lots.

Douglas quickly grew into a thriving town fueled by agriculture, travel and the entrepreneurial spirit. The remaining residents of Fetterman City packed up all of their belongings, and most of the buildings, and transferred them into Douglas. By the time the Town of Douglas was incorporated in 1887, the population had swelled to 890 people.

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DEC 2025

HOME OF THE JACKALOPE In 1934, brothers Douglas and Ralph Herrick returned from a jackrabbit hunt. A rabbit carcass was accidentally thrown on the floor of their taxidermy shop, where it landed next to a pair of deer antlers. The brothers saw the similarity and decided to mount the rabbit with the antlers, creating the very first jackalope. The popularity of their creation unexpectedly spread, and a legend was born. Douglas embraced its mascot and the image of the jackalope can be found everywhere around town, from the City of Douglas official logo to the larger-than-life statue in the middle of downtown in Jackalope Square, which is a popular tourist spot for selfies.

Governor Ed Herschler designated Doulgas the “Official Home of the Jackalope” in 1985 and in 2013, the State of Wyoming declared the Jackalope as the official “State Mythical Creature.”

Camp Douglas.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING PIONEER MEMORIAL MUSEUM

5,000

AFTER THE WAR, MANY OF THE PRISONERS STAYED IN TOUCH WITH THE RANCHERS THEY HELPED THROUGH LETTERS AND VISITS. PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF DOUGLAS

Camp Douglas today.

Group waiting on railway platform at the train depot in Douglas, Wyoming.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER

GERMAN AND ITALIAN PRISONERS WERE HOUSED AT CAMP DOUGLAS

CAMP DOUGLAS In 1943, Douglas became home to a different type of population due to the Second World War in Europe.

The United States government bought property used as hay fields from local ranchers west of Douglas and the North Platte River. One hundred eighty buildings were constructed on 687 acres and Camp Douglas POW Camp was established. Prisoners arrived on the trains at the depot in downtown Douglas and were marched across the river to the Camp. Between 1943 and 1946, when the camp was closed down, 5,000 German and Italian Prisoners were housed here. While located at the camp, many POWs were used as labor at local farms and ranches while Douglas’ men were off at war. They helped bring in crops and hay and were invaluable during calving season and during round ups. After the war, many of the prisoners stayed in touch with the ranchers they helped through letters and visits. When the camp was decommissioned in 1946, most of the buildings were sold off in an auction. The officer’s club was originally purchased by the Douglas Community Club and eventually became the meeting hall of the local Odd Fellows. When the building was no longer in use, local citizens campaigned for the State of Wyoming to maintain the building as a State Historic Site. It now serves as a local museum and a reminder of the war’s impact on Wyoming’s local communities.

DEC 2025

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READY TO POWER WHAT’S NEXT

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

Tri-State, together with your local electric cooperatives, is proud to power homes, farms, and businesses— and we’re ready to power new opportunities too.

We welcome responsible growth that supports our communities.

We’re not just keeping up with change—we’re planning for it, with a commitment to reliability and affordability.

We are fortifying the infrastructure, systems, and programs necessary to keep electricity affordable and preserve the rural way of life. So that the grid we’re building today is strong enough for tomorrow’s ideas.

WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.®

Scan to learn more or visit tristate.coop/powering-the-future

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND INFORMATION COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY

THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES CENTERPIECE

Governor Gordon joins inter-state discussions on energy superabundance

BY CARRIE HADERLIE

Governors across the West are collaborating in policy discussions aimed at harnessing a “superabundance of energy resources” in the region.

This summer, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, R-UT, who is the 2025 chair of Western Governors’ Association, announced he would focus on ways to meet the growing demand for energy in the West, including policy discussion of a stronger regional grid that could connect resources across state lines.

Cox’s year-long WGA Chair’s Initiative is titled “Energy Superabundance: Unlocking Prosperity in the West.”

Panel discussions during the WGA conference.

PHOTO BY JACK SPINA, WESTERN GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION

In a series of workshops since the summer, leaders in the energy industry have - and will continue to - examine challenges and opportunities for expanding production, modernizing transmission and supporting advanced generation technologies, with the objective to build the backbone of a more reliable, affordable and secure grid.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon says he supports the effort.

“I have worked with and am in full support of my friend, colleague and Western Governors’ Association Chair, Governor Spencer Cox’s Energy Superabundance Initiative,” Gordon said in a statement to WREN. Along with Cox, Governors Brad Little, R-ID, and Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-NM, Gordon said he continues to “take a forward-looking and collaborative approach to expanding energy production, transmission and storage across our western region.”

“We are combining efforts in order to meet growing demand for affordable energy in our home states, for industry and our country,” Gordon said.

Wyoming REA Executive Director Shawn Taylor said he is encouraged that both Governors Gordon and Cox emphasized protecting existing customers when discussing how to address the growing demand and the changing landscape. “That is priority #1 from the cooperatives’ perspective," he said.

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Wyoming currently produces about 12 times more energy than the state uses, and is proud to be an energy exporter.

“My all-of-the-above energy policies provide options for consumers in many states, including Wyoming, to have reliable, 24-hour power,” Gordon said.

This summer, Cox said a collaborative focus on energy is urgently needed.

“It’s been nearly 50 years since we’ve had this kind of moment: rising demand, available capital, and the political will to build. And that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Cox said.

In October, the WGA hosted a Denver workshop specifically focused on expanding transmission in the West, after hosting an earlier workshop on nuclear energy. Several experts highlighted the need for a “more of the above” strategy to meet transmission needs, as the West is abundant in energy resources, from geothermal and solar to hydropower, nuclear, natural gas, wind and emerging technologies - but large-scale transmission is still developing.

At an Oct. 28 panel on energy transmission, Ben Fitch-Fleischmann, director of Markets and Transmission at Interwest Energy Alliance, said the building of big transmission infrastructure in the West will likely be "voluntary and collaborative,” but will be necessary to shape a grid that fits Western priorities.

Governor Gordon speaking at the Big Sky Bright Future Energy Panel in Montana in October 2025.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STATE OF WYOMING, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

“Truly, there are not declining returns to cooperation,” FitchFleischmann said. “It’s time to turn to our neighbors at the state level in the West and figure out what we can do to get the massive infrastructure - that surely has huge costs and disruptive impacts on the landscape - to figure out what we believe in to build together.”

Challenges to building interstate transmission infrastructure can include varying market rules that can make coordination difficult, especially at the scale and speed needed to meet demand. On Oct. 28, WGA

“

Executive Director Jack Waldorf said that the Superabundance Initiative is “dedicated to examining strategies for expanding energy production, transmission and storage options to achieve energy abundance.”

abundance across the West,” he continued, as findings and recommendations will be compiled into a report that will guide the development of WGA’s policy and future advocacy.

“Through the course of this initiative, the WGA is convening various experts, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss a variety of energy issues,” Waldorf said. “This is a collaborative, bipartisan effort supported by governors across the West.”

“A stronger, more reliable electricity grid will strengthen our ability to maximize all energy resources the West has to offer, and is critical to achieving energy abundance,” Waldorf said. “Faced with a rapidly growing energy demand and expanding and improving transmission, infrastructure has never been more critical or relevant.”

The ultimate goal is to create “bipartisan policy recommendations and strategies to achieve energy

We are combining efforts in order to meet growing demand for affordable energy in our home states, for industry and our country.

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Finding the energy is usually the easy part.

Lisa Epifani, head of policy at national nonprofit ClearPath and a panelist at the October event, said the West is “blessed” with a number of energy resources from geothermal, solar, hydropower, new nuclear power and development of emerging technologies.

“Finding the energy is usually the easy part. It’s figuring out how to connect it to a smart, strong grid that can be the real challenge,” she said.

States across the West have unique markets, different geographies, varied power plants and processes and market structures that can also be viewed as challenges when it comes to getting energy where it’s needed.

“The Superabundance Initiative is a way for us to dig into those hard questions and figure out

Left Fold:

Energy panel discussion during the Wyoming Business Alliance Governor’s Business Forum in November.

Left to Right:

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STATE OF WYOMING, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

It’s figuring out how to connect it to a smart, strong grid that can be the real challenge.

how we’re going to coordinate the regional decision making, the investment decisions, that are going to promote transmission to ensure that we have reliable energy that reaches all the communities and businesses,” Epifani said.

Yaron Miller, project director at the Pew Charitable Trusts, said the “more of the above” approach must apply to policy and strategy on transmission and interconnection, as well as energy generation.

“Particularly, [that means] looking at ways to maximize and optimize existing infrastructure through things like advanced transmission technologies, surplus interconnection, and … other innovative and emerging policy ideas to frankly get the most out of what we’ve got,” Miller said.

Leah Rubin Shen, managing director at Advanced Energy United, pointed out that there are already regional conversations happening around transmission planning and cost allocation.

“Continued engagement is really critical,” Rubin Shen said. “The federal government needs to be a key partner in all of this buildout as well, but I think there’s a very important role Western governors can [play] in coming together to advocate as a block for the federal government to remove any roadblocks rather than creating them.”

Fitch-Fleischmann voiced similar thoughts.

“There is really a need right now for supportive voices from political leadership across the West, and there’s an opportunity for leadership from governors and state offices as opposed to from the utilities themselves, or even the regulatory

community,” he said. “The more we can collaborate, the better off we will be.”

For Gordon, the work doesn’t stop with the Superabundance Initiative.

In April, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Utah and Idaho to establish a framework aligning cooperative energy policies in a move he said “is all about promoting our shared priorities, encouraging investment through stability and innovation.”

“This coordinated effort is aimed at strengthening energy resilience and supply, and a more unified and sustainable energy strategy for our region,” Gordon said. W Carrie Haderlie is a lifelong resident who has been sharing Wyoming stories for more than 20 years. She loves Wyoming for its places, people and open spaces.

Right Fold:

Panel discussion during the WGA Conference.

PHOTO BY JACK SPINA, WESTERN GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION

DEC 2025

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KIDS’ CORNER

ILLUSTRATION BY LEO DION WRITTEN BY CARLO MIGLIACCIO, WYOMING NATURALIST PROGRAM

wyobiodiversity.org

BISON MIGRATIONS: Moving, Learning and Impacting Yellowstone Ecosystems

COOPERATION IN NATURE Within Yellowstone National Park, about 4,500 bison live in two main herds: The Northern Yellowstone herd and the Central Yellowstone herd. Each of these herds migrates throughout the park as the seasons change.

HOW DO THEY KNOW WHERE AND WHEN TO GO? Many things help bison know where and when to migrate. During the winter, when too many bison gather in one place, some eventually have to move on to find enough quality food. During the spring, bison follow the green wave of new plant growth that sprouts after the snow melts. This wave eventually leads them to their summer pasture, where they gather in larger herds of several hundred at a time.

Bison also learn when and where to go from each other. This learning relies on generations of bison exploring their environment, and then passing that knowledge on to each other.

HOW DO MIGRATING BISON AFFECT THEIR ECOSYSTEM? Though bison start the spring by following the green wave of new plant growth, they quickly fall behind the wave. This is because the animals will stay in one area and graze it heavily, and they will even return to previously grazed pastures, rather than moving to untouched spaces. This heavy grazing actually makes plants green up faster, and for a longer time, which improves prairie health.

WHY DO YELLOWSTONE BISON MIGRATE? One of the biggest drivers of bison migration is snow, which can cover areas of the park for more than 200 days each year. That snow covers the grasses and sedges which make up 90% of a bison’s diet. Even though a bison’s strong neck and large, flat head are an excellent snow plow, the animals will look for areas where thinner snow makes food more available. As winter approaches, bison will migrate to lower elevations in the park where thermal features help to keep the ground clearer.

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DEC 2025

Let it Snow!

PUZZLE

BY KENDRA SPANJER

Each of the snow clusters on this page has at least one duplicate—except one. Can you spot the unique one?

Frozen? Shovel your way to page 35 for the solution.

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PHOTOS BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

HOME ON THE RANGE

Elk Grazing near Cody, Wyoming.

BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

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observed a group of brown and orange butterflies as they gathered around a blooming bush. Autumn had taken root on Casper Mountain, and the numerous winged creatures obtained nectar necessary for their seasonal migration. The sight inspired me, and several photos later, I studied the little creatures as they continued feasting. Several moments later, they took flight, heading toward warmth and safety for the winter.

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DEC 2025

Butterflies on fall flowers in Casper Mountain.

Migration in nature is a natural occurrence. Butterflies, songbirds, waterfowl, whales, pronghorn, deer, elk, moose and more follow patterns instilled for eons. My husband and I visited Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico this fall, an area along the Rio Grande River where thousands of sandhill cranes, snow geese and other waterfowl spend the winter after a season in the north. We were too early to observe the mass influx, but many years ago, I visited during

Pronghorn buck near central Wyoming.

January and was awestruck by the numbers that came to feed and roost at the refuge for the night.

Similarly, here in Wyoming, wildlife species migrate from mountains to plains and hillsides to escape harsh winter conditions. These animals follow weather patterns, elevation and food availability.

Many organizations work together to keep migration corridors open, even creating overpasses and tunnels to assist the animals with safer passage.

Humans also migrate. For example, my family and I relocated to Wyoming from Iowa in 1978. My husband migrated from Indiana to Wyoming in 1976, and he moved from Basin to Casper four years later. People may move from town to country or vice versa.

There is another type of migration we humans experience, and that is the migration of life itself. My husband “migrated” from his 60s into his 70s this year, and my parents have “migrated” from driving to dispensing their car because neither is comfortable behind the vehicle’s steering wheel anymore. My dad turned 89 and my mom is now 86 – their reaction times are slower and even driving to the post office creates anxiety for them.

Therefore, they have disbanded driving, and I have “migrated” from passenger to chauffeur and shopper.

As humans, we migrate throughout our lives. That can translate to a physical relocation, just like butterflies, mallards, cranes and pronghorn move from one area to another. Migrations also occur throughout our development, from crawling babies to vehicle driving … and often to foregoing the privilege of operating such machinery.

Sandhill Cranes in a field.

Migration is often filled with perils. Birds tangle in powerlines and other overhead wires. Butterflies face extreme weather conditions as well as loss of habitat needed for their travel. Ungulates face fences, highways and habitat destruction, and whales become entangled by fishing lines and plastic pollution. Humans navigate negative impacts from health, finances, aging, the economy and more. Like the creatures with which we share this planet, substandard housing (habitat), food scarcity, disease, pollution and other concerns affect us physically and mentally.

However, migrations can also be joyful.

Watching babies go from crawling to walking and hearing them say their first words brings delight to the heart.

Graduating high school and college brings joy to the student and to the family.

Obtaining a dream job. Getting married.

Achieving a significant goal or milestone such as running a marathon or riding a horse for the first time – each milestone is a hope fulfilled and gives us joy.

Observing a herd of elk earlier this year, I noted how, once they began to travel the trail etched by their ancestors, the animals set their eyes forward and moved ahead. They did not look back. They didn’t know what awaited them, yet they courageously forged forward. We’d do well to mimic that fortitude and bravery in our own migration of life. What lies behind is the past. What lies ahead is our future.

And though that future can sport challenges, even dangers, persistence and courage are critical to navigating the trail of life. We often discover hope and positivity in our perseverance.

A new year draws near. 2025 will soon pass, and 2026 tops the horizon like the morning sun. New opportunities and new adventures await. We will likely still

migrate in several ways: graduating high school or college; anticipating a new career or career challenge; moving to a new home; advancing toward a birthday and possibly a new decade; navigating elderly parent health issues … or our own health crisis; job loss, adult children moving back home or caring for grandchildren. Whatever life migrations we encounter in 2026, may we learn important lessons from the animals with eons of experience moving from place to place – navigate the challenges, embrace hope and relish joys discovered during the journey. W Gayle M. Irwin is a freelance writer based in Casper.

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Buy One, Get One 40% OFF Windows and Doors1 Minimum purchase of 4

PLUS $200 OFF Your Entire Purchase1 Minimum purchase of 4

PLUS SPECIAL FINANCING Offer Ends 1/31/2026 Call for your FREE consultation.

877-591-9026 FINDYOURWINDOW.COM

DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 1/31/2026. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 11/24/2025 and 1/31/2026.

40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Additional $200 off your entire purchase, minimum purchase of 4 required, taken after initial discount(s), when you purchase by 1/31/2026. Call for financing details.

Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License numbers available at renewalbyandersen.com/license. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2025 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. RBA14201 1

DEC 2025

23

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Stories of Early Days in Wyoming: Big Horn Basin

BY TACETTA B. WALKER ORDERING INFORMATION: Year Published: 2024 (Originally published in 1936) Publisher: Prairie Publishing Company Where to Purchase: Amazon

WIN A

OCTOBER 2025 ISSUE KATYDIDS & TRAINS BOOK WINNERS:

FREE COPY!

VICKY WARE OF GILLETTE

Journey back to the untamed landscapes of Wyoming's Big Horn Basin with author Tacetta B. Walker. In this captivating revival of her long-forgotten manuscript, written in 1936, Walker unveils the fascinating stories of northwestern Wyoming's early days, preserving the tales shared by the old timers who witnessed the basin's transformation from wilderness to community.

Discover the battles that shaped the settlement of the Big Horn Basin through the story of Chief Washakie and Sharp Nose's negotiations for the sale of the Hot Springs in present-day Thermopolis, and the story of a Wyoming county that was almost named Sacajawea.

Walker also chronicles many shocking events that unfolded since the arrival of the first settlers. From the daring exploits of the infamous Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang, a love triangle resulting in one brother killing another, the raid on the Basin jail, to the incredible tale of the Sheep Queen Lucy Morrison Moore, all come to life in Walker's storytelling.

Walker’s story was lost until now, after her family found a letter from the Basin Library requesting information about her life.

Thanks to Lyod Smith, her grandson, her story is now in her book.

Walker's revived 1936 account offers a window into the past, preserving the legacy of the early days in Wyoming. Yet, amidst the vivid narratives of pioneers and outlaws, Tacetta B. Walker herself remains an enigma. Born in 1892 and passing away in 1953, she dedicated her life to documenting the tales of others, leaving her own story largely untold.

24

DEC 2025

RACHEL SEEMANN OF LARAMIE

Name: Phone: Address:

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

 EARLY DAYS IN BIG HORN BASIN c/o WREN Magazine 214 W. Lincolnway, Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

COUNTRY COOKS

APPETIZERS

SPINACH ARTICHOKE MONKEY DIP Dough Balls

MELT 4 TBS BUTTER IN A SMALL BOWL, ADD: 1 TSP SALT 1 TSP ONION POWDER 1 TSP GARLIC POWDER 1 TBS DILL WEED

Cream Cheese

1 PKG FROZEN SPINACH, THAWED AND DRAINED 1 CAN ARTICHOKE HEARTS 1 CUP SOUR CREAM 2 TBS MINCED GARLIC 1 CUP SHREDDED PARMESAN CHEESE 1/2 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE

SMOKED SALMON PLATE

Dip 16 frozen roll dough balls in the butter mixture and place them in a circle around an empty pie plate setting in the middle of an oven-proof skillet (I use cast iron). Put 1 package of cream cheese in the center of the pie plate to soften while the rolls rise. Once they are ready to be doubled, pull the pie plate out of the skillet and add the following to the softened cream cheese: Mix well and return the dip mixture to the middle of the ring of rolls in the ovenproof skillet and bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until the rolls are browned and the dip is bubbly.

Serve in the skillet, don’t burn your monkey fingers!

3 OZ CREAM CHEESE

SMALL BUNCH OF RED GRAPES (OPTIONAL)

1 CRISP APPLE, THINLY SLICED

RITZ CRACKERS (24+)

BETSY JENSEN

4 OZ CAN CHOPPED GREEN CHILES, DRAINED 1 CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE 5-6 FLOUR TORTILLAS

POWELL

SHRIMP COCKTAIL DIP Mix shrimp and cream cheese. Spread on a flat dish. Layer cocktail sauce on top and 8 OZ CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED serve with chips or crackers. Serves 6-8.

6 OZ CAN OF TINY SHRIMP, DRAINED 1/3 CUP COCKTAIL SAUCE

GREEN CHILI PINWHEELS 2-1/2 OZ CAN CHOPPED BLACK OLIVES, DRAINED

3 OZ SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE (I LIKE DUBLINER BY KERRYGOLD)

Slice cheddar cheese ⅛-inch thick and cut into 1-inch pieces. Core and slice apple into ¼-inch pieces. Arrange smoked salmon next to cream cheese on plate and then add the sliced cheese, apples, grapes and crackers to the plate. Have a small fork next to the salmon and a butter knife next to cream cheese. Everyone can flake off their bites of salmon and spread cream cheese on their cracker or apple and have their own delicious bite combinations!

LYNN GREGORY ALCOVA

8 OZ CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED

5-6 OZ SMOKED SALMON (I LIKE BLACK PEPPER SMOKED SALMON)

CELESTA BYERS

ROZET

Mix first four ingredients and divide between tortillas, spreading to the edge.

Roll like a jelly roll and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Chill for several hours, unwrap and cut into 1-inch slices (save the ends for snacking). Arrange on a plate and garnish with cilantro. May be served with salsa. Serves 4-6.

CELESTA BYERS

ROZET

Send Sendcomplete completerecipe recipeby byMarch FEBRUARY 10! 15!

MARCH:

STEW

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   DEC 2025

25

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILLIE COPPER

COMMUNITY HEROES Millie Copper

Preparedness Wyomingites frequently encounter natural disasters, including wildfires, tornadoes and blizzards. Electricity goes out. Rural driveways are blocked by fallen trees. Snow, ice and wind close roads. Preparing for such events keeps people fed, clothed and able to survive two days, two weeks, even two months or more.

Having a place to go is critical, Millie said.

“Our ‘bug-out’ retreat is our house, and when you live rurally, there’s no place better to go,” she said. “But we have to have an alternative in case we can’t stay in our house.”

In the case of the wildfire, the Coppers went to a friend’s home that was outside the evacuation zone. Their gobags contain clothing, food and other items useful for a few days, whether they stay with friends or a local motel, and they keep water dishes for their pets in the car. Food for the animals is housed near the door of their home.

Pet carriers are also part of the equipment taken in an emergency.

“If you have animals, you have to prepare for them, too,” Millie said.

Wyoming Woman Educates, Inspires and Entertains Through Writing: Emergency Preparedness Part of Her Mission

BY GAYLE M. IRWIN A wildfire raged close to their property four years ago. However, Joe and Millie Copper and their family were prepared. They grabbed “go-bags,” a plastic tote of food, their pets and supplies needed for them, plus a chainsaw, and they almost beat sheriff department officials to the road leading the family to safety.

Thanks to neighbors, the Coppers’ forward-thinking and those who battled the blaze, the Coppers were safe, and their home was not damaged.

26

DEC 2025

Disasters can include chemical spills from trains or semi-trucks and can also be personal emergencies, such as job loss or death of a loved one.

“None of us knows what the future holds,” Millie said. “Here in Wyoming we do have the wind events, we have the blizzards, we have wildfires and we could have a chemical spill. But we can also have our own personal apocalypse.”

Emergency preparedness is a skill the Coppers learned nearly 20 years ago when they lived along the Oregon Coast. A large wind event took out trees, and the electricity was out for almost a week. Grocery stores and gas stations closed. Their house was heated by electricity, therefore, no heat except for a pellet stove, which also runs off electricity. However, Millie and her husband “dropped pellets in by hand,” and thereby kept the stove going.

They read by candlelight.

“It was very ‘Little House on the Prairie’ for that week,” she recalled. “It really opened our eyes to what could happen.

That week was a wake-up call for us.”

Fortunately, the Coppers had camping equipment and small propane tanks, so they cooked on the camp cookstove.

Emergency preparedness became a passion and a lifestyle.

They built a house outside of Cody with elements of selfsufficiency built into the home and some of the appliances.

“We have several off-grid features,” she said.

They stock several pantries and keep filled propane tanks on hand. Their home primarily runs off a 500-gallon tank, but they also invest in smaller sizes.

A Writing Career Blooms Millie started a blog on self-sufficiency several years ago, and from that endeavor sprang educational non-fiction books. She has published nine, including “Beginner’s Guide to Preparedness,” “No-Cook Meals for Your Food Storage” and “Sourdough for Your Food Storage.” She also attends events and teaches classes about preparedness.

Millie became a fiction author in 2019. She writes cozy apocalyptic books, and she weaves emergency preparedness, self-sufficiency and survival into those stories. Most are part of various series, including “Havoc in Wyoming,” “Montana Mayhem” and “Dakota Destruction.” She’s also joined other authors in crafting common worlds, including the series “In the As the Light Dies World,” with suspense-filled stories.

Blending entertainment with education is one of Millie’s missions as an author.

She is the new president of Wyoming Writers, Inc., the statewide writers organization that formed in 1974. She became a member of the group in 2021 and served as treasurer a few years later. Last year the membership voted her in as president.

“I love the mission of what Wyoming Writers does,” she said. “I really want to help people who have a desire to be a writer.”

New Aspects to State Conference Another new endeavor is to implement a student-focused piece to the annual June conference at no cost for young writers, she said. Also, another day is being added for those planning to attend the event, taking place June 5 to 7, 2026.

This is an optional offering with an added cost.

“On Thursday, June 4, we’re going to have an optional, intensive craft day,” Millie said. “The entire goal of Thursday is to help people learn how to get good words on paper.”

A keynote address by a guest speaker will be held that night at no charge, she added.

The conference takes place in Casper at the Ramkota Hotel.

Registration starts in January.

“If you or someone you love has a goal to finish or start a book in 2026, register for the conference – it makes a great Christmas gift!” Millie said.

Learn more about Wyoming Writers, Inc. and the annual conference here: wyomingwritersinc.wildapricot.org.

Learn more about Millie and her books at milliecopper. com. Audio books can be heard on YouTube here: youtube.com/@MillieCopperWrites. W Gayle M. Irwin is a freelance writer based in Casper.

Millie Copper at her table at the 2025 Cody Library Winter Book Fair.

Millie Copper sells copies of her books at various events, from libraries to preparedness expos.

She added, “I didn’t learn things by osmosis – people helped me along the way, and I’m so grateful for those who took time out of their life to help me. I want to do the same thing for others.”

Several new organizational endeavors will take place after the holiday season, she said. One is to host virtual writing times and activities.

“We’re having Zoom sessions, writing with friends, and we’re hoping to expand that to more online classes for members of Wyoming Writers and for non-members,” she said.

DEC 2025

27

01 02 03

Family 01 Extended Rod Richardson, Laramie Mama Scolding the Little Ones

02 Lauree Scott, Gillette

Backcountry Family 03 My Heather McLaughlin, Upton Horse Family 04 Our Bonnie Ten Broek, Newcastle

04

JUST PICTURE IT

THIS MONTH:

MARCH (DUE FEBRUARY 15)

FAMILY

EGGS

06 08

07

06

Road Trip with Mike and the Kids Keith VanderBoom, Sundance

07

Nick Harris Family.

Deep Wyoming Roots!

Charlene Camblin, Gillette

08

The Curly Hair Brothers Valerie Mason, Saratoga

09

Wyoming Firewood with Family Ryan Massie, Moorcroft

10

Blended Family Thyra Page, Laramie

09

10

11 12

11

Schmidt Family Homestead CJ Kelly, Gillette Permission by Ponderosa Hills Production

12

Family Fun at Christmas Heather McLaughlin, Upton

13

Scarecrow Family Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga

14

Grandkids Marilyn Mackey, Gillette

13 14

 wren@wyomingrea.org SUBMIT A P H OTO

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

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.

PEN TO PAPER

Monday Morning MARIETTA LARSON

The trees are frosted with white icing, The sidewalks are piled with wet snow.

The air is crisp and breathtaking; The car must be dug out to go.

The snow shovel hangs on garage nail, Boots leave deep holes to the knees.

Mittens freeze to the door handle, Hat covers ears – where are keys?!

CHEYENNE

Back in the kitchen snow leaves puddles, One more quick coffee sip…

Keys in hand; all dug out; car gets started, To work – a slippery trip.

Winter Dawn EILEEN A. HILL

CASPER

The Winter Dawn captures your soul.

Deliberately it sneaks into the darkness.

It ignites intrigue that moves through your being as it bursts layers of hues into the sky.

In this moment I exhale and escape with the dawn as it rises and flows into the passing clouds.

Soon, it will absorb the sky and push my thoughts into the day.

But for now, the dawn is here.

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.

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

DEC 2025

31

WHAT’S HAPPENING

WHAT’S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP

02

03

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

01 | SOUTHEAST CENTENNIAL THURSDAY-MONDAY Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm.

Explore museum grounds and exhibits.

Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.

C H U G WAT E R

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

04

01 FEATURED EVENT

THURSDAYS Acoustic Jam Session and 4-Piece Chicken Dinners: 5:30pm. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, 417 1st St. Thursday night pickin’ and grinnin’ and fried chicken...while it lasts. Call to reserve your chicken so you don’t miss out!

Music venue open for jam sessions. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.

ENCAMPMENT JANUARY 23-24 39th Annual Sierra Madre Winter Carnival: Time TBD. Join us for 2 days packed with fun for everyone. Gather family and friends to enjoy a variety of winter activities. Info: 307-327-5501.

42ND ANNUAL SARATOGA LAKE ICE FISHING DERBY SARATOGA  JANUARY 17-18 The annual Ice Fishing Derby attracts ice anglers from several states to Saratoga Lake hoping to make the catch of the day! Cash prizes will be awarded, including a $2,000 prize for the largest game fish caught during the derby and gift certificates for the largest fish caught each hour. There will be more than $6,000 in guaranteed cash prizes and up to $35,000 in additional prizes possible. “Trophy Trout” have been added—catch one and it may be worth $20,000 or $10,000 or $5,000! The weekend, always the third in January, includes a special small fry derby for children under the age of 14.

Time: 7am Cost: Adults - $35 Kids under 14 - $10 Location: Saratoga Lake Information: Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, 307-326-8855.

SOUTHEAST 32

DEC 2025

TUESDAYS-SATURDAYS Grand Encampment Museum: 10am-4pm. Main Gallery and GEM store open. Info: 307-327-5308.

S A R AT O G A JANUARY 11 Winter Market: 12-3pm. Platte Valley Community Center, 210 W Elm Ave. Join us for our winter market that offers handmade gifts, crafts and food!

Free. Info: 307-326-7822.

02 | NORTHEAST B U F FA L O THURSDAYS Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free.

Info: 307-684-0451.

GILLETTE JANUARY 23-FEBRUARY 1 Northeast Wyoming Furniture Restorers Furniture Rehab Workshop: 1/23-1/31, 8am-9pm; 2/01, 8am-5pm.

Camplex Central Pavilion, 1635 Reata Dr. First time furniture refinishers welcome; instruction will be given with demo talks and handouts. Experienced refinishers mentor newcomers from 9 years old+.

Children must be accompanied by

adults and can participate under the direction of their parent or grandparent.

Substances used may not be safe for pregnant ladies' participation. Setup: 1/22, 12-6pm. Registration: 1/22 after set up or whenever you can. Orientation: 1/24, 1pm with presentation/handouts steps to refinish, material list, etc.

Strongly recommend newcomers attend orientation. Bring your own tables or $6.50/table from Cam-Plex. Come and go on your schedule. Locked and secure facility. Your own space is provided with two chairs, coverings for tables and floor coverings. You can drive in and unload, enter Door 3 & 4 on north.

Secured at night to leave your projects, supplies and tools. Sanding area with sanders and some sand paper provided.

Long and medium clamps provided for participants use. Some tools provided.

Cleanup and load up by 5pm on 2/01.

Cost: $110 for 10.5 days. Sign up by text or leave message for more information with Karyl Meyer, 307-660-6577.

ONCE A MONTH Open Mic Nite: 5-10pm. Frontier Auto Museum, 205 S Ross Ave. Once a month, we are hosting live music under the neon light. Bring your instrument, family and friends. No early sign ups.

To perform you must show up to get on the list. Free to anyone who would like to perform or listen. We provide the stage, mic and PA system. Commodore Cafe will be serving food and drinks.

Upcoming dates will be posted on Frontier Auto Museum's Facebook page.

Info: 307-686-5667.

HULETT JANUARY 31 8th Annual Red Devil Cheerleaders' Chili Supper Fundraiser: 6pm.

Greater Hulett Community Center.

Info: 307-752-8347.

TUESDAYS Children’s Storytime: 10:30-11:30am.

Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

MONDAY-THURSDAY 5 Mile Walking Exercise Class: 4:45-6pm. Hulett Library.

Info: 307-467-5676.

MOORCROFT WEDNESDAYS Moorcroft Branch Library Activities: 10am storytime, 4pm afterschool craft, 7pm AA meetings. Please use the downstairs entrance. Info: 307-756-3232.

THIRD THURSDAY OF MONTH Adult Book Club: 1pm. Moorcroft Branch Library. New book each month. Stop by the library for your copy. Info: 307-756-3232.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

MONDAY-FRIDAY West Texas Trail Museum: 9am-5pm. Info: 307-756-9300.

NEWCASTLE THIRD SATURDAYS Weston County Democrats: 2pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822, weston.wyodems.net.

S H E R I DA N JANUARY 1 National First Day Hikes: 10am. Trail End State Historic Site at Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site. Meet at the Trail End State Historic Site for a 1-2 mile hike or Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site for a 1+ mile hike to get the new year started right. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Free.

Info: Trail End, 307-674-4589 or Fort Phil Kearny, 307-684-7629.

JANUARY 22 Shimmer: A Winter Cirque Review: 6:15pm. WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, 42 N Main St. Step into a world of wintery wonder as "Shimmer" brings a breathtaking cirque performance to the WYO stage. With aweinspiring aerialists and acrobats,

and dreamlike choreography, this magical show celebrates the enchantment of the season through movement, light and imagination.

Adult tickets $22 per person. Info: bit.ly/Shimmer-Sheridan.

JANUARY 31 Dad and Daughter Dance: 6pm.

Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria St. Join us under the sea.

Snacks will be available. There will be auction items for purchase. $30 per dad and daughter pair and $10 for each additional daughter. Info: bit.ly/Sheridan-DadDaughter-26.

FEBRUARY 5 Opening of “Yield: Works by Kimberly English”: Artist Talk at 4 pm; opening reception at 5pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. A solo exhibition

by Kimberly English that examines the relationship between rest and productivity within the rhythms of rural America. The exhibition draws from natural cycles – growth and dormancy, abundance and depletion – as metaphors for the human condition under systems of labor and devotion. Free. Info: sheridan.edu/event/yield-worksby-kimberly-english.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 6 Repertory Dance Theatre: Excursions: 7pm. WYO Theater, 42 N. Main St. Salt Lake City's renowned Repertory Dance Theatre returns to the WYO with "Excursions," a thrilling program showcasing the company's versatility, athleticism, and artistic depth. With works that range from bold contemporary pieces to elegant modern classics, RDT continues to push the boundaries of movement and meaning. $28 for adults; $24 for seniors and military; $18 for students; $12 for those 12 and under. Info: wyotheater.com/event/ repertory-dance-theatre-excursions.

FEBRUARY 6-8 Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo: Skijoring Feb. 7 at 11:30 am; other events held throughout the weekend. Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria St. Check out the wildest skijoring action in the Wild West along with various winter events. Free. Info: wyowinterrodeo.org, 307-673-7120.

FEBRUARY 7 Dr. Robert Psurny Voice Recital: 7pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Join us for a wonderful performance by Sheridan

College director of choirs and vocal studies, Dr. Robert Psurny. Free.

Info: sheridan.edu/event/dr-robertpsurny-voice-recital.

FEBRUARY 12 International Guitar Night: 7pm.

WYO Theater, 42 N. Main St. The world's premier touring guitar festival returns with an unforgettable evening of artistry, diversity and virtuosity. This year's lineup features four extraordinary talents: Australian classical guitarist Stephanie Jones, Brazilian crossover sensation Lucas Imbiriba, Russian fingerstyle innovator Alexander Misko, and Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Taimane. $30 for adults; $26 for seniors or veterans; $21 for students. Info: wyotheater.com/event/internationalguitar-night.

FEBRUARY 13 Hub New Music Concert: 7pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Join us for a ticketed performance by acclaimed contemporary chamber music trailblazers Hub New Music. $30 for adults; $20 for seniors or veterans; $10 for students.

Info: whitneycenterforthearts. thundertix.com/events/255706.

DEC 2025

33

WHAT’S HAPPENING

FEBRUARY 14 Bighorn Mountain Snomads Poker Run: 10am. Bear Lodge, 5600 US Highway 14A. Features stops at Elk View Lodge, Red Grade Safety Shelter, and Antelope Ski Area, and returns to Bear Lodge by 3:45 p.m. Free. Info: Diane Mitchell, 307-752-7645.

FEBRUARY 25 Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce’s Awards of Excellence: 5pm. WYO Theater, 42 N. Main St. Join the Chamber as they celebrate excellence in the Sheridan County community. Cost TBA. Info: sheridanwyomingchamber.org.

FEBRUARY 27 Eric Huebner Concert: 7pm.

Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Join us for a ticketed performance by Eric Huebner, renowned pianist for the NY Philharmonic. $30 for adults; $20 for seniors and veterans; $10 for students.

Info: whitneycenterforthearts. thundertix.com/events/255707.

S U N DA N C E FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Lunch Brunch Book Club: 11:30am.

Crook County Library. Join us for an adult book discussion. Free.

Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.

UPTON SECOND TUESDAYS Veteran Breakfast: 8am.

Upton Senior Center. Free. Info: Gary Barnes, 307-468-9251.

FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS Bingo at Senior Center: 6:30pm. $10 for 10 cards. Info: 307-468-9262.

ONGOING Red Onion Museum: 8am-4pm.

Closed holidays. 1920 HWY 16.

Free. Info: 307-226-2873, redonion@gmail.com.

03|NORTHWEST MONDAY-SATURDAY Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. Info: 307-587-3597.

34

DEC 2025

JANUARY 1-FEBRUARY 1 19th Annual Ice Fishing Derby: Upper and Lower Sunshine Reservoirs.

DUBOIS THURSDAYS Farmer's Market: 4-6pm. Headwaters. Info: Twila Blakeman, 307-851-0785.

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS Yoga: 10:30am. Meeteetse Recreation District. Info: 307-899-2698, meetrec.org.

FRIDAYS Family Story Time: 11:30am.

Dubois Branch Library. Free.

Songs, stories and crafts for ages birth to 5 years. Older siblings are welcome to join the fun. Stay and play in the Children’s Library after story time. Info: 307-455-2992.

MONDAYS Toddler Storytime: After school.

Meeteetse Library. All kids grades 1+ not in school. Legos, board games, crafts, stories, songs and more.

Info: 307-868-2248.

THIRD WEDNESDAYS Wyoming Health Fairs Monthly Wellness Screen/Blood Draw: 7:30-10am. Dubois Medical Clinic.

Appointments encouraged. Info: 307-455-2516, whf.as.me/dubois.

GREYBULL SECOND SATURDAYS Greybull Ladies Coffee: Greybull Library. Info: 307-765-2100.

LANDER SATURDAYS Acoustic Music Jam: 11am-1pm. Lander Bake Shop.

Info: 307-332-3237.

R I V E RTO N WEDNESDAYS Acoustic Music Jam: 6:30-8:30pm. Holiday Inn Convention Center. Free. Join in or listen as musicians and dancers perform. Info: 307-856-8100.

POWELL

SUBMIT AN EVENT

Send events occurring in March by

JANUARY 15!

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

Photos are always welcome.

PreK Tales & Tunes: 10:30am.

Riverton Branch Library. Ages 3-5.

Free. Info: 307-856-3556.

Starlight Storytime: 5:30pm.

Riverton Branch Library. Ages birth to 5 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.

THURSDAYS Toddler Move & Groove: 10:30am. Riverton Branch Library.

Ages birth to 2 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.

LEGO Club: 4-5pm LEGO Club.

Riverton Branch Library. Grades 2-5.

Free. Info: 307-856-3556.

MEETEETSE

CODY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 28 Meeteetse Museums closed January and February: 1947 State St. See you March 3rd when the museums reopen!

Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.

JANUARY 2026 Homesteader Museum Hours Change: The Homesteader Museum is closed to the public. We will reopen to the public on February 3 and resume our winter hours of Tues.–Fri. from 10am–4pm. Open until 8pm on Thursdays. Private tours available by appointment!

TUESDAY-FRIDAY Homesteader Museum: 10am-4pm. Private tours or visits available. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.

THERMOPOLIS JANUARY 16-17 Annual Stars & Stripes Gun Show: Hot Springs County Fair Building.

Fri. 3-7pm; Sat. 9am-5pm. Info: info@thermopolischamber.org.

FEBRUARY 7 Chocolate Lovers Delight: 10am12pm. Hot Springs County Library.

Info: info@thermopolischamber.org.

04|SOUTHWEST LY M A N

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:

THURSDAYS Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free.

Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.

 wren@

M O U N TA I N V I E W

wyomingrea.org

 [307] 286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway

Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

MONDAYS Cub Scout Pack 7798 Meeting: 3:45pm. Presbyterian Church on 3rd Street. We are always accepting new boys who are in grades 1-5.

Info: MarNae, 307-677-2566.

WEDNESDAYS Storytime: 11am. Uinta County Library. Info: 307-782-3161.

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds

WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS CONTACT:  SHAWNA@GOLINDEN.COM  970-221-3232

FOR SALE

WANTED

NEED A NEW FLOOR? Local Wy Ranch gal offering, free estimates.

Wood, LVP, Carpet & Tile. Let us come to you! Schafer Carpet Sales & Service, Sturgis, 605-218-0855.

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

MISCELLANEOUS

Frontier Auto Museum Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs, and general antiques for our antique shop. Located in Gillette, Wyoming, 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 neon motel or store signs, WY license plates, WY highway signs and State Park signs. www.frontierautomuseum.com.

Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647, wandlerfrontier@gmail.com, or relics@frontierauto.net.

FREE MATERIALS. When church/government unite, enforcing Sunday law, the mark of the Beast is here! Don’t be deceived, be informed! Leave mailing address only. TBSM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540, tbsmads@yahoo.com, 1-888-211-1715.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

Let it Snow!

PUZZLE ON PAGE 21

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WANTED CJ or Wrangler reasonably priced. Any condition but rusted.

800-316-5337.

Be like Santa Buckle up!

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SHOP LOCAL

Support Small Businesses One of the easiest and best ways to support your community is to shop local. When you choose to make a purchase at a small business or a local restaurant, you are directly supporting your neighbors and your town, which makes a big impact on your community.

THERE ARE SO MANY UNIQUE BUSINESSES IN WYOMING TO VISIT! CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S FEATURES.

Blue Bike Quilt Studio

Bruce Speidel Art Gallery

Blue Bike Quilt Studio is a boutique quilt shop offering quality fabrics, notions, long arm quilting and certified Janome sales and service.

We love to meet quilters from all over and of all skill levels.

BLUEBIKEQUILTSTUDIO.COM | 307-257-2823

Bruce Speidel Gallery features paintings and prints of Wyoming landscapes and wildlife by Bruce Speidel. Born and raised in Wyoming, Bruce started doing art full time when he returned from his job as an illustrator for the Marine Corps.

203 East Main, Open M-F 10-5

GILLETTE SUNDANCE

BRUCESPEIDEL.COM | 307-290-2089

Serendipity Floral & Gifts Serendipity Floral offers fresh floral, hand made signature pieces, and a beautiful variety of gifts & decor.

We also provide florals for weddings & funerals. Delivery available to our surrounding area!

SERENDIPITYFLORAL-GIFTS.COM | 307-283-3722

Schafer Carpet Sales & Service At Schafer Carpet Sales, our mission is to provide our clients with the highest quality flooring and carpeting services at competitive prices. We are committed to delivering exceptional customer service and satisfaction.

SUNDANCE STURGIS, SD

SCHAFERCARPETSALES.COM | 605-218-0855

Queen Bee Gardens The Burlington Place

Makers of fine honey, creamy caramels and gourmet chocolates.

The Burlington Place has been serving Burlington's best pizzas and coldest beers since 2013! We welcome anyone who wants to enjoy their favorite classic pizza flavors or something a little out of the ordinary.

Four Wyoming locations.

Cody | Greybull | Lovell | Powell

QUEENBEEGARDENS.COM | 307-548-2818

FOUR LOCATIONS BURLINGTON

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DEC 2025

THEBURLINGTONPLACE.COM | 307-762-3800

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Nan’s Cafe Nan's Cafe is the new cozy spot serving breakfast and lunch!

Winter Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8 am - 2 pm Friday & Saturday 7 am - 2 pm

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MOUNTAIN VIEW

BadLands Saloon, Grill and Lanes

WYO Hiser

Where the trails ride into town, you’ll find Badlands — you’re home away from home. Pull up a seat, enjoy some hearty grub and ice-cold drinks, while you create unforgettable memories at our local bar, grill, and bowling center.

Our seasoning is made of honest ingredients that can be trusted at least 101 different ways - from Antelope to Zucchini. Minimal salt, all natural, gluten free, NO MSG. You can bet your boots that our coffee is a satisfying cup too.

MOUNTAIN VIEW WYOHISER.COM | 307-575-9785

Westby Edge Brewing Company

Antiques/New Furniture-MattressesCollectables-Artwork-China-SilverwareLinens-Hunting/Fishing ItemsHardware-Clothing-Jewelry-Cards.

Winter Hours: Wed-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: noon-5pm.

ENCAMPMENT

Westby Edge Brewing Company is family-owned, operated, built, and brewed. We are a unique indoor/outdoor venue for drinks among friends.

CHEYENNE

WESTBYEDGE.COM | 307-369-1555

The Cramped Closet

The Stampede Saloon And Eatery

New and used with antiques boutique.

Fun family dining in a western atmosphere all week with entertainment every Friday and Saturday night. Acoustic Jam on Thursday nights with pickin' and grinnin' and fried chicken.

Open Tuesday-Thursdays, 10am-5pm. 904 S Main St.

LUSK THESTAMPEDESALOON.COM | 307-422-3200

BADLANDSWY.COM | 3307-782-6887

TORRINGTON

Good Things New, Gently Used & Antiques

307-327-5298

307-782-6052

307-216-0622

CHUGWATER

Advertising Action

WATCH FOR SHOP LOCAL IN NOVEMBER 2026!

INDIVIDUAL AD SPACES AT $50. SINGLE SPACE PER BUSINESS ONLY. LIMITED SPACE. FIRST COME, FIRST SCHEDULED. EMAIL WREN@WYOMINGREA.ORG DEC 2025

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ENLIGHTEN US

Christmas Gifts

BY WALT GASSON

The gifts I remember now are less material, but infinitely more meaningful.

They say the tradition of giftgiving at Christmas time goes back to the biblical account of the three wise men who came from the east, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. All were very precious substances in that place and time, and each had deep symbolic meaning.

It’s worth mentioning as well that the Roman tradition of gift-giving at Saturnalia – the winter celebration – may have played a part in the custom we know today.

It's a grand tradition that has long played a part in our family’s Christmas celebration. Last year, I wrote about the fly rod my mom gave me on our first Christmas without my dad. I could just as easily have written about any number of other memorable gifts – boots, guns and other paraphernalia that showed up under the Christmas tree at our house. But to be honest, a lot of these material gifts – no matter how well-intentioned or how deeply appreciated at the time – have faded from my 70+ year old memory. The gifts I remember now are less material, but infinitely more meaningful.

Christmas 1970: The gift of Kim. We met at a party on a cold winter night in 1970. She was (and is) the most beautiful person I’ve ever known – in every sense of the word. I was instantly smitten, and her hazel eyes cut through my adolescent pride and anger in a heartbeat. I went elk hunting with friends the next morning, and for the first time in my life, I was anxious to get back to town and to her. It’s been that way ever since.

Christmas 1976: The gift of Jenny.

We were fresh out of college, with a new job and a baby. God never sent a child to more clueless parents. Neither Kim nor I knew one end of a baby from the other, and Jenny knew from the outset that she’d have to take the lead. She did, with an unfailing love for those around her. She helped us be more than we ever thought we could be. She still does.

Christmas 1978: The gift of Beth.

It was boomtown Gillette and the winter that we thought would never end. The snow that fell at Thanksgiving was still there at Easter, buried under epic drifts that made the Powder River country look like the Arctic. But this new baby was a force of nature. She never met anything she couldn’t do. She was committed to doing her best, no matter how difficult. Her indomitability remains, an inspiration to us all.

Christmas 1982: The gift of Sarah.

Our third daughter came to us on a bitter December morning in Cheyenne. They wrapped her up, handed her to me and shuttled us out of the way so they could care for Kim. So we just sat and rocked while I sang cowboy songs to her, and she sweetly watched and listened. Her kind, sweet nature is there to this day, and it touches all of us, making us better people.

Christmas 2018: Clark – the gift returns.

He was born while I was still in high school. Unplanned pregnancies were not looked upon with love or kindness then. Kim was exiled to Salt Lake City, where Clark was born. Without even a touch or a word of farewell, he was passed on to the church social services system. It was the worst experience of our lives. But 46 years later, through multiple miracles, he returned to us. He’s a really good man, with a wonderful family that has blessed our lives in countless ways.

When I count the truly meaningful Christmas gifts of a life well-lived out here on the sagebrush sea, the ones that rise to the top of the list are the people. They’re the people we love, and who love us.

They’re the people who are there for us in thick and thin, in happy times and sad times. Christmas is pretty much always a wonderful time, but it’s especially wonderful when you consider the gifts our loved ones bring into our lives. W

Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native, writer and son of the sagebrush sea.

He lives in Laramie, Wyoming.

Be good, do good, God bless.

Merry Christmas!

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Did you know? Making a gingerbread house is a STEAM activity! Not to mention the fine motor skills work and creativity it takes to build and decorate.

A D L I BU

Y A D I L HO USE HO

INSTRUCTIONS

MATERIALS • Paper Plate (for the base to build on) • Resealable Plastic Bags (for piping) • Graham Crackers • Icing

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• Edible decoration ideas: – Pretzels – Candy Canes – Sprinkles – Cereal – Gumdrops – Marshmallows – M&Ms – Chocolate Chips

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You can make your houses using two methods: by laying one graham cracker flat on a plate and decorating it (this is great for little kids), or building a structure with multiple crackers.

First, make a plan for how you will build your house. Will it have four walls and a roof? Will it be an A-frame? Will you attach your crackers horizontally or vertically?

How will they look different based on the orientation of the crackers?

Then, get creating! Fill resealable plastic bags about a third of the way with frosting, seal, and cut off one of the bottom corners to create a piping bag. Use the frosting to hold graham crackers together, and to get the decorations to stick on your house.

Talk about how you’re building and decorating as you go along! Do you need to make adjustments to make the house stronger? Where should the front door go?

Will there be a chimney on the roof?

Most importantly, have fun and be merry!

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

Communication

Sense of Self & Relationships

Curious Minds

Strong & Healthy Bodies

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.

FIND LOTS MORE ACTIVITIES TO DO TOGETHER AT wyqualitycounts.org/wren