BASIN ELECTRIC
RELIABILITY
No matter the season or storm our members face, Basin Electric provides reliable and affordable electricity for our members’ homes, schools, and businesses. We’ll do everything we can to keep fans running, the lights on, and the coffee brewing.
Sawyers
PHOTO BY KYLE MILLER
STORY BY CARRIE HADERLIE
I realize there will be many of you reading this column who may not know who the actor Matthew McConaughey is. I also understand that taking advice about life from a Hollywood actor is like taking advice from, well, a Hollywood actor about anything! But stick with me.
I first read, or rather listened to, McConaughey’s book “Greenlights” while on one of our family’s annual RV trips a national park a few years ago. It struck a chord with me both on a personal level and on a professional level, which I really didn’t understand or appreciate until I started writing this column.
In his book McConaughey writes about how those moments when life seems to wave you forward with an approving nod are more than just fortunate turns. They’re the result of perspective, grit and a willingness to see even setbacks as signs pointing toward growth. He also shares his life’s philosophy rooted in finding opportunity within chaos, clarity within confusion and momentum in stillness. This might seem a little heavy but to me this is exactly who and what the cooperative family is.
Particularly those first two. Finding opportunity within chaos? If our industry hadn’t been in a constant state of chaos for the last decade, then maybe I don’t know what chaos means. But despite the craziness we have and continue to face, Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives have always looked for and found opportunity that benefits you, our member-owners. Greenlight.
Clarity within confusion? This has been center stage during the debate in Congress over President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” I am not invoking politics here but there was a lot of confusion and uncertainty as it pertained to the energy and electricity industry as this bill progressed. Despite the confusion, your cooperatives sought clarity on the issues important to you, our member-owners. Greenlight. By the way whenever the author wraps up a story about something either being bad and turning out good, or was good from the beginning, he says “Greenlight.” I didn’t come up with it on my own.
So be it in life or work, McConaughey offers the following: “Life will throw you red lights and yellow lights. But the trick is learning to run your own race, trust your instincts, and keep your foot ready for the gas when the signal turns green.”
I think this perfectly encapsulates the cooperative spirit. Greenlight!
SHAWN TAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTO BY SHERRY BLUEMEL LYMAN, WYOMING
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127,000,000 solar panels*
*At ~6 acres per megawatt, this would require 228,000 acres (or 356 square miles) of land.
75 50 average-sized gas plants
average-sized coal plants
38
average-sized nuclear plants
Source:
National Rural Electric Association (NRECA) and Grid Strategies
15,000
modern wind turbines*
*Low capacity factor for solar (15-30%) and wind (30-40%) means facilities would need to be significantly overbuilt and incorporate large amounts of storage to preserve reliability.
THE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION NOMINATING COMMITTEE IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR CANDIDATES TO REPRESENT WYOMING ON THE NATIONAL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION’S REGION VII STANDING COMMITTEES.
Region VII includes the Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska rural electric associations.
Region VII members (as a whole) have two representatives on each of the three committees:
1] Regulations
2] Legislative
3] Cooperative Management and Employee Issues
NRECA Legislative Committee Member
Per the WREA’s agreement with the other three states in Region VII to rotate the six seats, Wyoming will be accepting nominations for one seat on the Legislative Committee to start serving January of 2026.
NRECA Director
Per the WREA’s agreement with the other three states in Region VII to rotate the six seats, Wyoming will be accepting nominations for one seat on the Cooperative Management, Employment and Community Committee to start serving February of 2026.
MAIL YOUR NOMINATIONS BY AUGUST 28, 2025!
Committees generally meet once a year. A per diem is paid and travel expenses are reimbursed.
Members and employees from any Wyoming co-op are eligible to apply.
Committee members will be chosen by the WREA board of directors at the annual WREA Fall conference during the board meeting on SEPTEMBER 10, 2025.
Those interested in serving or nominating someone should submit names in writing to: Nominating Committee, WREA, 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY, 82001
Include the name of the nominee, mailing address and phone number.
Tri-State, together with your local electric cooperatives, is proud to power Wyoming’s 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.
So that the grid we’re building today is strong enough for tomorrow’s ideas. When Wyoming grows, we all grow.
WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.®
Learn more about how we are powering the future here:
Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
BY CARRIE HADERLIE
Raging wildfire has caused significant damage to western landscapes, and in the face of such an existential threat, how to mitigate fire - and who should shoulder the cost of a blaze - has been hotly debated.
Wyoming Hotshot crewmember holding or monitoring during a firing operation on the Sugar Loaf Fire. It may appear extreme but the fuel type is a subalpine fir and spruce mix and to control it, it needs to burn hot. Without having a cleanly burned edge, this fuel type is nearly impossible to control. Even after the fire's forward progression is stopped along a fireline, the interior of the fire will smolder for several days before torching a subalpine with its needles still unburned. When that happens, the tree will loft hundreds of embers into the air where they can drift over and land on the wrong side of the fireline, starting new fires.
“
WE ARE ONE WILDFIRE AWAY FROM BANKRUPTCY, IF A CLASS ACTION IS FILED WITHOUT ANY PROOF THAT WE CAUSED A FIRE. THAT COULD COST MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF TIME, MONEY AND RESOURCES. FOR A NONPROFIT CO-OP, THAT COULD BANKRUPT US.
Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, a cosponsor of the new law, said that he was primarily concerned with protecting rural co-ops with the measure. Dockstader serves as the Lower Valley Energy board chairman.
“These co-ops need to have some ground protection in the work that they do. If they do all that they are supposed to do, in terms of preparation and making sure that their systems are safe, they need to have some protection from litigation,” Dockstader said. “These are member-owned co-ops. They are doing all they can to deliver power, and deliver it affordably.”
A company like Rocky Mountain Power is different from a rural co-op in a lot of ways, but Thom Carter, director of government affairs with RMP, said RMP joined the stakeholders’ group to support the bill alongside other stakeholders. Wildfire is an existential
threat, he said, that is the same from all utilities’ perspective: Costly lawsuits can impact rates, opportunities for investment and how a utility can grow.
Carter pointed to a need for the new law by explaining that in 2020, after devastating wildfires in Oregon, RMP’s sister utility Pacific Power was blamed. Later, a 2025 Oregon Department of Forestry report on the cause of the largest of those fires found the state was at fault. PacifiCorp is in the process of fighting and appealing a 2023 negligence finding.
“The report was that they – the Department of Forestry – caused the fire, not Pacific Power,” Carter said. “We believe that supporting legislation like this, advocating for legislation like this, we can avoid the situation in Oregon.”
Most, if not all, of the 14 distribution co-ops represented by the WREA already have some type of wildfire mitigation plan in place, Taylor said. Companies like Rocky Mountain Power also have robust mitigation plans in place, Carter said. Under the new state law, though, the Public Service Commission must approve mitigation plans and allow time for public comment.
Wyoming Stock Growers Association Executive Vice President Jim Magagna said that ensuring proper procedures to mitigate the likelihood of fire, as well as state oversight, were both key factors in his organization's support for the bill.
“Our ultimate goal is to reduce the likelihood of fires, and we think the bill does that,” Magagna said.
IN THE UNITED STATES, THE COST OF WILDFIRES IS BETWEEN $394 BILLION TO $893 BILLION EACH YEAR IN
COSTS AND DAMAGES
Mitigation plans often include weather stations, hardening of infrastructure, vegetation management and other measures.
“All the things that are outlined in the new law are things that many of the utilities are already doing, because at the end of the day, safety is one of our core values, along with affordability and reliability,” Carter said.
Allowing approval of a mitigation plan by the state was a “big give” from the rural co-ops, as they are not regulated by the Public Service Commission, Carter said.
“This is a big deal and a big opportunity for us to say that we’re not asking for blanket immunity. We’re saying, if we create and follow these plans, we’re protected,” he said.
Taylor said rural co-ops are happy to share their plans, making clear all they do to protect the state by mitigating wildfire risk.
Creating policy is an arduous process, and most bills never become law. The wildfire mitigation bill was first proposed during the 2024 interim, and was debated at stakeholder meetings and committee hearings. Members of the public testified before lawmakers about the need for the bill, but when the measure failed to gain support in the committee process, individual legislators took up the mantle. Rep. JT Larson, R-Rock Springs, along with Dockstader and a few others, sponsored the bill, where it passed both chambers by a large majority.
“In the end, the process is a big part of the story in getting this thing passed,” Taylor said. “I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of support we got [from lawmakers] and I attribute that to the stakeholder process.”
Brett Moline, policy advocacy director for the Wyoming Farm Bureau, said everyone involved was driven by the desire to minimize fire risk.
“The last thing that anybody wants to have is a wildfire. So, you get all the affected parties together and find out
where we agree. We write that down. We all want A, B and C, but someone has trouble with D and E. Well, then we decide how we can adapt so we can both support the idea,” Moline said. “That is what we did, even up to the final version of the bill on the Senate floor.”
Carter, who has participated in similar efforts in Utah and Idaho, said the process worked in Wyoming.
“We had a very large coalition of people putting their swords down to say, ‘What’s the best thing to do for the state of Wyoming?’ Groups that oftentimes stand on opposite sides of an issue understood this was a big problem,” Carter said.
Bob McLaurin, a board member for Lower Valley Energy, said that after years of work, and several twists and turns, the new law does represent what’s best for Wyoming.
“It took a lot of work to get this over the finish line,” McLaurin said. “As a member of WREA, and one co-op board member, I’m thrilled that we got this over the finish line.”
“We had a cooperative spirit,” Moline said. “We did it the Wyoming way." W
CONSUMING OVER 850,000 ACRES
In a presentation to the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee in Dec. 2024, Gov. Gordon noted more than 2,000 wildfires burned more than 850,000 acres in Wyoming, and financial toll of fire suppression costs were
That total doesn’t factor in what it takes to recover, such as rebuilding infrastructure and mitigating increased risks of erosion. Gov. Gordon then recommended $130 million for restoration in supplemental budget as, “the harder work begins once the fires are out.
On a day-trip to photograph a forgotten cemetery in eastern Wyoming, Sam Dawson and his daughter Sidney stop for lunch at an isolated cafe with no name in the least populated place in America. Each of the five people in the cafe has a story to tell. Each reveals the haunting secrets in their lives that will overshadow the reality of two murders and the threat of a violent storm – all of which collide on this single afternoon.
The mysterious dishwasher seeks revenge against the man who has destroyed his life. The glib and sarcastic waitress has found temporary refuge from an abusive husband. The attractive woman patron is in search of the father who raised then abandoned her. Sam is at a crossroads both in his career and personal life, yet continues to fall victim to his emotions and insatiable curiosity. Sidney is losing her vision, hearing, and opportunity for a personal relationship that even her wealth and legal training cannot correct.
As in his other award-winning novels, Steven W. Horn probes the depths of human character and the boundaries people will bend or break to protect their secrets and the people they love.
Horn is an Iowa native and decorated Vietnam veteran. He earned his doctorate in Colorado. After high-ranking careers in both Colorado and Wyoming, he turned to full-time fiction writing, drawing upon his diverse educational and career experiences in crafting his stories, including his critically acclaimed debut novel, “Another Man’s Life.” Horn now lives in Wyoming.
wyobiodiversity.org
As the sun sets over the prairie and long shadows stretch behind the sagebrush, one tiny Wyoming rancher begins her evening rounds. After a long day spent tending her herd, she begins carefully gathering the livestock for the night. Prodding them with her front legs and antennae, she nudges them back down the towering stock of sweet clover, gently swaying in the breeze. Once on the ground, she guides them into the tunnel leading to the colony, away from the watchful eyes of hungry predators. But who is this hardworking rancher and her herd? An ant and her aphids! This unlikely partnership has been evolving for more than 50 million years. Let’s take a closer look at how it works today.
During the day, the ants will lead their aphid cattle to lush pastures to feed. For Wyoming ants, these “pastures” are leafy green plants, like sweet clover. Using special straw-like mouthparts called stylets, aphids slurp up the sugary sap inside the plants. As the aphids enjoy their meal, the ants will stand guard against any predators that may threaten the herd, such as ladybugs. They also make sure no aphids wander off and become lost. Once it starts getting dark, the ants will return the aphids back to the colony for the night, often to a special den that was dug just for their safekeeping.
So why do ants go to such lengths to protect these little sap-sippers? Honeydew! After feeding on the juices inside of plants, the aphids begin producing a sweet, sugary liquid called honeydew. Ants love sugar, and they will feed on the honeydew as one of their food sources. This is similar to how humans will care for dairy cows in order to gather milk. This resource is so important to the ants that they will even carry aphid eggs to new nest sites whenever a colony is established. In return for protection, shelter and food, the aphids keep the honeydew flowing; a perfect exchange on this miniature ranch on the prairie.
BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS
It’s a laid back life for a tortoise. Days spent basking in the sun; the world moves a bit slower. It’s not unusual for a tortoise owner to let it out into a yard enclosure to feel some real dirt and chomp on some fresh grass. It was one such typical day for this Russian Tortoise, who I will call Squirt, out in his yard minding his own jolly business, when a stray dog ventured into his space.
Generally speaking the shell of any tortoise or turtle offers quite sufficient protection against many predators. Especially when they can close it up nice and tight. But this guy doesn’t have a luxury bending shell and his legs are thick enough they can’t be tucked in all the way. The protective scales covering his legs weren’t enough in this case. The eager dog decided to taste the little reptile, and chewed off part of his leg. Squirt’s owner was close enough to be able to
intervene and got the dog to drop her pet in time to prevent damage to any other legs or to his shell.
Now little Squirt had a big problem. With an open wound he would be at risk for infection and pain, and it would drastically affect his mobility due to his rigid shell. The owner took him to a vet in another town for possible treatment. There are a lot of veterinarians who don’t routinely treat anything cold-blooded, with scales or feathers, especially in rural Wyoming. As such the vet that she went to with Squirt was not equipped or comfortable with caring for him, so referred her to a specialty clinic in Salt Lake City.
Unfortunately and understandably, Squirt’s owner couldn’t afford to spend over $1,000 dollars on surgery for her little critter even though she loved him greatly. At a loss, she surrendered the tortoise over to our local animal control in hopes they may be able to find him a special rescue for her beloved pet.
Unfortunately for me, my friendly local animal control officer likes to offer me challenges on a budget. I will try to help any creature brought to me of the exotics variety. Reptiles, amphibians and pocket pets all have their own special physiology and anatomy. And along with that comes their own set of diagnostic and treatment challenges. When the animal control officer sent me a message asking if I would amputate a tortoise’s leg, I knew I was in for another adventure.
She brought me Squirt for an exam and an x-ray. His left front arm had been removed at the level of the elbow and through the infected skin you could see the end of his exposed humerus (upper arm bone). We took an x-ray to confirm what we saw and because a radiograph of any reptile is fun to look at. It was apparent too with the wear on the bottom shell that trying to scoot around on three legs was not working out too well. After doing some research and talking to a classmate that specializes in exotic animal medicine, I decided to undertake the task
of surgically cleaning the wound and amputating part of the bone to be able to close his skin.
The first challenge was to anesthetize the little bugger; he weighs less than one pound. His dose of anesthetic medicine was so small I needed to use an insulin syringe to administer the tiny injection. After he was relaxed the next challenge was to intubate him so we could provide him with oxygen and anesthetic gas during surgery. Their airway is a tiny tube-like structure right behind a meaty triangular tongue, with a slit opening that will only open wide when they take a big breath. And they can hold their breath for a while. I used an IV catheter meant for a horse cut down to size as a makeshift endotracheal tube. It took a few attempts to hit the target but eventually it went in the right place. The third challenge was to begin the surgery and keep him under anesthesia.
Surprisingly things were straight forward enough to debride the necrotic tissue and remove the diseased bone. Suturing tortoise skin is a bit different, the stitches needed to go between his scales. After a bit of manipulation his new little stump was sutured closed. The final challenge was for Squirt to wake up. A reptile's metabolism is quite different from mammals so their ability to clear drugs and medications is slower. I figured the little guy would be unconscious for several hours. At one point I even thought he was dead. You cannot really visualize them breathing and he was so relaxed, but then I saw a little pulse at the base of his neck.
I sent the tripod back to animal control later that day with several medications and husbandry instructions. But the most important instruction was to find him his own wheels. Tortoises and turtles can do just fine as amputees, but they need a fourth leg to roll on. Squirt would need a tiny wheel or even a Hot Wheels car attached to the underside of his shell to help him regain his mobility.
So then we waited. Squirt with his IV … er endotracheal tube … accompanied us to lunch outside. We all watched his little brown body slowly begin to make small movements until quite alarmingly he flung his head into the air and opened his mouth to say, “Please take this out now.” We pulled the little DIY tube and he was happy and awake and ready to scoot away from the situation.
Since Squirt was now on his way to going fast on his new race car wheels, we figured he would need a real name. The staff renamed him after a famous NASCAR driver. Squirt is definitely wheely lucky that Animal Control Officer knows the right sucker veterinarian to ask to try something new. W
Dr. Megan Beavers is a veterinarian in Farson and Green River.
1 1/2 LBS POTATOES, DICED (YUKON GOLD OR RED POTATOES WORK WELL)
1 RED BELL PEPPER, CHOPPED
1 GREEN BELL PEPPER, CHOPPED
1 SMALL RED ONION, CHOPPED
8 OZ BREAKFAST SAUSAGE OR CHOPPED BACON
2–3 TBS OLIVE OIL
1 TSP GARLIC POWDER
1 TSP SMOKED PAPRIKA SALT AND PEPPER, TO TASTE
4–6 EGGS
OPTIONAL: CHOPPED PARSLEY, CHIVES, HOT SAUCE FOR SERVING
Preheat oven to 425°. Line a large sheet pan with parchment or foil. In a large bowl, toss potatoes, bell peppers, onion and sausage with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on the pan. Roast until potatoes are golden and tender, 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Remove from oven and make 4-6 wells in the hash. Crack one egg into each well. Return to oven and bake for another 6-8 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs or hot sauce. Serve warm.
WREN STAFF
8 LARGE EGGS 1/2 CUP MILK
1 CUP FRESH SPINACH, CHOPPED 1/2 CUP CRUMBLED FETA CHEESE
1/4 CUP CHOPPED SUN-DRIED TOMATOES
1/4 TSP GARLIC POWDER
1/4 TSP SALT
1/4 TSP BLACK PEPPER
OLIVE OIL OR NONSTICK SPRAY FOR GREASING
Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil or nonstick spray. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and milk until combined. Stir in spinach, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture evenly into muffin cups, filling about ¾ full. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Serve warm or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
WREN STAFF
1 LOAF OF FRENCH BREAD, CUBED 4 LARGE EGGS 2 CUPS MILK
WELL)
2 TBS BUTTER OPTIONAL TOPPING: STREUSEL OR CHOPPED PECANS
In a skillet, sauté apples in butter with 1 tsp cinnamon over medium heat until softened, 5-7 minutes. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add half the bread cubes, top with sautéed apples, then remaining bread. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, remaining cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread and press lightly to soak. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes. Serve warm with maple syrup or streusel topping, if desired.
WREN STAFF
“I never expected it to be so beautiful that it takes your breath away.”
— Kaya C., on Stauer Opals
In a quaint village, nestled between rolling hills, lived a young woman with a deep appreciation for gemstones. Her grandmother gifted her a delicate cross pendant adorned with opals. The opals shimmered with a mesmerizing play of colors, reflecting hues of blues, greens, and fiery oranges. Her grandmother shared the legend of the opals, believed to bring hope, purity, and luck to those who wore them.
Using this story as inspiration, Stauer brings you the Opal Spirit Cross Pendant. With over 2 total carats of Kyocera lab-created opals set in .925 sterling silver encased in yellow gold, this pendant is a radiant celebration of beauty and craftsmanship. Each opal captivates with a kaleidoscopic dance of fiery oranges blending into oceanic blues, streaked with flashes of vibrant green that seem to come alive with every movement. The shimmering opals are skillfully arranged to create an enchanting, otherworldly glow, embodying the spirit of hope and harmony.
This breathtaking combination of color and craftsmanship is available as a limited availability of only
930 pieces, making it a rare and treasured addition to your jewelry collection. Plus, when you order today, you’ll receive the gold-finished sterling silver chain—a $69 value—absolutely free!
Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive tribute to timeless elegance and meaningful symbolism.
Necklace Specifications:
• 2 1/2 ctw. Kyocera lab opals and DiamondAura® accents
• Yellow gold-finished .925 sterling silver setting
• 18" gold-clad .925 sterling silver chain
BY KENDRA SPANJER
East of the Mississippi River, the map of the United States looks pretty much the same as it did in the early part of the 19th century. The West’s larger territories were still being organized and borders were still being refined until almost World War I. Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, earning the United States its position as fourth-largest country in the world. We all know that Alaska is by far the biggest and Rhode Island is the smallest, but there is a great disparity among state sizes—and the map can be deceptive! See how you measure up when it comes to state-size trivia.
Survey the answers on page 37.
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BY JACKIE DOROTHY
Raymond Shaffer grew up watching his dad, uncles and granddad who were always willing to give a helping hand to their tiny community in rural Hot Springs County. It was only natural that the Lucerne native followed in their footsteps in both public service and volunteering on what he said were too many boards to count.
“My granddad liked to be involved in the community,” Shaffer said. “He was just one of those guys. He passed that along, I guess, and it's kind of what you learn as you grow up.”
His grandfather had served as the Justice of the Peace in 1890, and his dad worked in the courthouse for 40 years.
“Dad was always helping in the church and with the irrigation district and other things in the community,” Shaffer said. “So, I kind of picked that up from him.”
Shaffer shies away from being called a community hero and said that a hero is someone who does something worthwhile while what he does is just ordinary things that need done. When he received the citizen of the year award through the local chamber of commerce, for at least the second time, he was embarrassed.
“I don't put a lot of stock in the accolades,” he said. “It's nice but I prefer to have a good piece of pie and conversation to all that.”
His wife Carol has been by his side for nearly 40 of those years and volunteers on many of the same boards, helping him to keep them all straight.
“She’s been my helper along here as we go along,” Shaffer said.
The couple raised a blended family of three teenage girls and are active at the First Baptist Church that his family has attended for the past 100 years.
“We've all grown up with a Christian testimony,” he said. “It's pretty important to us that you know where you're going when you're done here.”
Shaffer, 75, admits he is not yet done with his many projects. As he works on finishing up his terms on various boards, he is helping the next generation transition into places of leadership.
“I've put in my time,” he said. “I've put in a lot of years and need to let somebody else have a turn. It’s good to serve, but it's good to give room for somebody who's got new ideas.”
As he contemplates slowing down a bit, Shaffer is still very active in the community he grew up in. He spent 30 years in Road and Bridge and saw many changes come to Hot Springs County during his tenure. Many two-track and impassable roads were upgraded so they could be used year-round, and drainages improved.
“It's all good for the community when you leave it better than you found it,” he said. “And I've tried to do that on every board I've been on and everywhere I've worked.”
It is this philosophy that continues to drive Shaffer. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he has joined several boards that his dad was once a part of, including the Board of Directors for the H Diamond W 4H camp in Grass Creek.
“I wanted to serve there because my dad served on the first board up there,” he said. “An opening came along just as I was retiring.”
After he got on, the board was able to get a half-million dollar building project funded for a new kitchen, generator and other improvements, which he said are still on-going at the rural camp. This project is focused on the kids and Shaffer is excited to see what the future holds for H Diamond W, including the potential of STEM camps and renting the camp out for other events such as family reunions.
With his own family roots deep in the area, Shaffer has also become invested in the local history and has at various times headed the Hot Springs Historical Society and the Hot Springs County Museum, and he is the current president of the Hot Springs County Pioneer Society.
“As you get older, you look back and realize that you were actually being part of history that isn’t here anymore,” Shaffer said. “You can remember things that nobody knows about.”
To help preserve this history, Shaffer has helped to record stories of those who, like him, have deep family connections to the area. He also hosts annual history treks, leads historic tours in downtown Thermopolis, helps maintain and repair historic sites, is a storyteller in the annual Wyoming Discovery Days and is on the local board planning the 250th anniversary of America.
“My family's been here for generations so we know quite a bit about this area,” Shaffer said. “I kind of just grew into that and am passing it along as I can.”
Other projects he has helped with include a new multi-million-dollar pumping plant in the Owl Creek Irrigation District and spearheading a new Senior Center building.
“I don't know what else that I can be involved in,” Shaffer said. “But it's all just been about doing good for our community.” W
Jackie Dorothy is a freelance writer and historian in Thermopolis and hosts the Wyoming history podcast “Pioneers of Outlaw Country.”
Curious Grouse Checking Us Out
Lauree Scott, Gillette
Great Horned Owlet Being Curious
Robin Riesland, Newcastle
Happy and Curious Pup
Nichole Bedtka, Ten Sleep
Did I Hear That Right? André Nolt, Rozet
Curiosity: A Rock Nurtures a Tree?
Bonnie Ten Broek, Newcastle
Keeping an Eye Out
Martha Rasmussen, Burlington
How Do I Check the Oil?
Heather McLaughlin, Upton
What the Hay! Mama Grizzly and Cub H.G. Longobardi, Noatak River, AK
A Watchful Eye
Valerie Mason, Saratoga
Inquisitive Toddler Attracts Grandpa's Cows
Hallie Budmayr, Belle Fourche, SD
Did Someone Call “Wooo Pig Sooie?”
Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga
Checking it Out
Sharon Semroska, Harrison, NE
So Curious
Trudy Craft, Basin
Curious Cat
Laura Mattke, Gillette
Cut a Hole and They Will Come
Rob McIntosh, Torrington
Unique Mushrooms Emerging From Tree Stump! David Zimmerer, Lingle
Can You Spare a Worm?
Carrie Miller, Laramie
BIG HORN JULY 28 - AUGUST 3
Join us for a week of festivities! There will be a parade, livestock shows, pig wrestling, culinary art, 4H and FFA static. More highlights are a quilt, trade and craft shows, and so much more! Friday ramps up with a round robin and ranch rodeo with laser show and band. Saturday hosts a community free breakfast, cornhole tournament and circuit rodeo. Don’t miss out on this celebratory week!
Cost: Varies
Location:
Big Horn County Fairgrounds, 315 Holdrege Ave, Basin
Information: 307-568-2968 facebook.com/bighorncountyfair bighornfair.com
THURSDAY-MONDAY
Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm. Explore museum grounds and exhibits. Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.
AUGUST 21-23
Cheyenne Heritage Quilters Annual Show: Thu. 3-7pm; Fri. 10am-6pm; Sun. 10am-3pm. United Methodist Church, 108 E 18th St. The annual quilt show will showcase amazing artistic talent, a celebration of color, form and comfort. There will be demonstrations to put you at the sewing machine, and a sewing room boutique with fun bargains to take home. Open to all: quilters, seamstress, tailors, sewists, non-quilters and art lovers. Well behaved children are always welcome. $3 admission,12 years and under free. Free parking on the street and behind the church. Info: chquilters.org.
THURSDAYS
Acoustic Jam Session: Stampede Saloon & Eatery music venue open for jam sessions. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.
AUGUST 2
Spur Outfitters Sporting Clay Competitions: Registration 8am. Morning event starts at 10am. Afternoon event starts at 1pm. Spur Outfitters, 3135 Hwy 230. Sporting clay shoot competition. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-6505.
AUGUST 2
19th Annual Community BBQ & Music
In the Park: 4-9pm. Grand View Park, 714 Barnett Ave. Family friendly community BBQ and music in the park featuring Cory Waller & the Wicked Things. BBQ/Potluck starts at 4pm. Music starts at 6pm. Free. Info: 307-327-5501.
AUGUST 3
2025 Sporting Clay Shoot-Spur Outfitters: 9am-3pm. Spur Outfitters, 3135 Hwy 230. Sporting clay shoot. Open to the public. Shooting runs from 9am-about 2pm depending on number of participants. Cost: $45/person for 12 stations/100 clays. Info: 307-327-6505, info@spuroutfitters.com.
TUESDAYS-SATURDAYS
Grand Encampment Museum: 10am-4pm. Main Gallery and GEM store open. Info: 307-327-5308.
AUGUST 13
Annual Hawk Springs Community Hamburger Fry and Ice Cream Social: 5-7pm. Community Building. We will be serving grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade salads, desserts, drinks and homemade ice cream. Adults $8, children 3-12 $4, children under 3 free. Nonprofit event; all proceeds go back into maintaining the building throughout the year.
Museum and Gift Shop: 8:30am-4:30pm. 405 Lincoln Highway. Info: 307-379-2383.
AUGUST 1
Downtown Rawlins Summer Shenanigans: Blast From The Past: 4-8pm. 4th & Front St. Historical scavenger hunt in downtown businesses, car show, sheep wagons, family art activities, band/street dance and delicious food. Free. Info: 307-328-2099.
AUGUST 2-9
Carbon County Fair: Times vary based on events. Carbon County Fairgrounds, 525 Harshman St. The 99th annual fair theme is “Just Another Day in Fair-A-Dise!” The Carbon County Fair is the most highly anticipated event of the summer and is our chance to showcase the youngest members of Carbon County through their 4-H and FFA projects. Fair Week includes a PRCA Rodeo, concert, Junior Livestock Shows, Team Roping, a Ranch Rodeo, Mutton Bustin’, Dummy Roping, Smooth Operator Contest, food and fun, and the week caps off with the Junior Livestock Sale. Saturday is the Demolition Derby, which is always a packed house! We pack as much as we can into a short amount of time. Full schedule: carboncountyfairgrounds. com. Cost varies. Info: 307-328-7811, fairgrounds@carboncountywy.gov.
AUGUST 4
Street Dance: 7-11pm. Carbon County Fairgrounds, East Lawn, 525 Harshman St. Your favorite fair time activity is back! Join us for the Street Dance featuring Kalyn Beasley & The Honky Tonk Arcade. Free. Info: 307-328-7811, fairgrounds@carboncountywy.gov.
AUGUST 6
2025 Carbon County Stampede PRCA Rodeo: 7-10:30pm. Carbon County Fairgrounds, 525 Harshman St. The PRCA Rodeo has it all! Top rough stock riders and excellent timed event competitors will be looking to add to their winnings to try and
qualify for the NFR. This will be some tough competition as they all put it on the line. Buckin’ horses, top ropers and top rodeo action. A great time you don’t want to miss!
Costs: 17 & older: $23.11, kids ages 5-16: $12.45, ages 5 & under: free. Tickets: bit.ly/CarbonCountyRodeo. Info: 307-328-7811, fairgrounds@ carboncountywy.gov.
AUGUST 7
Bart Crow Concert: 5pm. Carbon County Fairgrounds, 525 Harshman St. Carbon County Fair is excited to welcome singer/songwriter Bart Crow for a night of music and fun! Also featuring Tris Munsick & the Innocents. Cost: 17 & over: $33.77, ages 5-16: $23.11, kids under 5: $7.13. Fees included. Tickets: bit.ly/BartCrowCarbonCounty. Info: 307-328-7811, fairgrounds@carboncountywy.gov.
AUGUST 9
2025 Carbon County Khaos Demolition Derby: 5pm. Carbon County Fairgrounds, 525 Harshman St. Smash and Crash is the name of the night! Get ready for an adrenalinepumping, metal-mangling spectacle! The drivers are ready to smash, crash and bash their vehicles into each other until only one car is left running. It’s raw power, controlled chaos and pure automotive mayhem! Costs: general admission: $23.11, ages 10-17: $12.45, ages 0-10: free. Tickets: bit. ly/KhaosDemoDerby-CarbonCounty. Info: 307-328-7811, fairgrounds@ carboncountywy.gov.
AUGUST 23
7th Annual Foundation Fun Scramble: 9am. Rochelle Ranch Golf Course, 2808 E Rochelle Dr. Join us for the golf event of the year! Play in scramble format with separate divisions for everyone. Enjoy games, mulligans, a 50/50 drawing, prizes and swag all while supporting Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Don’t miss out on making a difference in local healthcare while having a great time on the greens! Cost varies. Info: 307-324-8378.
AUGUST 2
29th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival & Competition: 1-5pm. Veterans Island Park, E River St. Live music, beer tasting, local craft vendors, playground equipment for kids and horseshoe pits. Costs: $35 for ages 13 & older, 12 & under are free. Info: 307-326-8855, info@saratogachamber.info.
AUGUST 7-10
Clos Apalta Wine Weekend at Brush Creek Ranch: Times vary depending on day. The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, 66 Brush Creek Ranch Rd. Escape to our Ranch for an unforgettable wine weekend featuring the renowned Clos Apalta wine estate, led by your weekend’s hosts, Victoire Girard and Guillaume Akouka. Indulge in exquisite wine and dining experiences, all set against the stunning backdrop of the majestic Sierra Madre mountains. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, this event promises to be a perfect blend of elegance, relaxation and culinary delight. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284, Reservations@ BrushCreekRanch.com.
WEDNESDAYS IN AUGUST
Cowboy Cocktails History Chats: 4:30-5:30pm. The Saloon at Lodge & Spa, 66 Brush Creek Ranch Rd. Step into the rugged world of the American cowboy with a western history and culture experience led by seasoned rancher and first-ever employee of Brush Creek, Ron Hawkins. Listen to captivating stories while enjoying a cocktail with a cowboy who has spent decades on the open range. Discover the rich history of Brush Creek Ranch and cattle ranching. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284, Reservations@ BrushCreekRanch.com.
AUGUST 23
10th Annual Bighorn Rendezvous Quickdraw and Art Auction: 239 Brinton Rd. A quickdraw is a live art-making event where awardwinning artists create original works from start to finish in just a few hours right before your eyes. Visitors are encouraged to stroll the museum grounds and engage with the artists respectfully. Watch the process, ask questions and enjoy the creative energy as it happens in real time. Free. Info: Jacob Ruleaux, 307-672-3173, jruleaux@thebrintonmuseum.org.
THROUGH AUGUST
Start of Polo Season: Games and tournaments will be held up to four days a week through Labor Day
weekend at the Big Horn Equestrian Center and the Flying H Polo Club. Free and open to the public. Info: Flying H Polo Club, flyinghpolo.com, 307-674-9447 | Big Horn Polo Club, bighornpolo.com, 307-674-4928.
THURSDAYS
Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free. Info: 307-684-0451.
AUGUST 16
Ucross Arts Festival: 2pm. Ucross Foundation Raymond Plank Center, 2753 US 14. A family-friendly event filled with art, music, food, printmaking, poetry and more! Free. Info: Rani Robison, 307-737-2291, rrobison@ucross.org.
AUGUST 23
Powder River Energy 80th Annual Meeting: Gillette Cam-Plex Energy Hall, 1635 Reata Dr. Info: precorp.coop.
THROUGH SEPTEMBER
Dramatic Moments: Frederic Remington’s Early Engravings, 1882-1893: Mon.-Sat. 8am-5pm. Rockpile Museum. Created by Lee Silliman, curator of “Hurrah for the Cowboy,” this exhibit illustrates Western frontier life. Featuring 38 vintage engravings that launched Frederic Remington's career. Remington’s consummate skill in rendering the horse in motion is prominently demonstrated in these engravings. Works such as “The Last Lull in the Fight” demonstrate Remington’s creative imagination and won him the silver medal at the Paris International Exposition. Free. Info: Justin Horn, 307-682-5723.
THIRD WEEK OF EVERY MONTH
Open Mic Nite: 6-9pm. Thu. or Fri. depending on the schedule. Frontier Auto Museum. Free. All musicians are welcome. We supply the stage, mic and speakers. Bring your voice and/or instrument for an evening under the neon lights. Upcoming dates will be posted on facebook.com/frontierauto. Info: Ryan Swanson, 307-686-5667, relics@frontierauto.net.
ONGOING
Ava Community Art Center: Exhibits and workshops. Info: 307-682-9133, avacenter.org.
TUESDAYS
Children’s Storytime: 10:30-11:30am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
5 Mile Walking Exercise Class: 4:45-6pm. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
ONGOING
Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. Sat. 12-4pm. Free. Info: 307-467-5292.
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.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
West Texas Trail Museum: 9am-5pm. Info: 307-756-9300.
ONGOING
Senior Center Events: 9am coffee and rolls on Wednesdays. 9am toenail clinic and 6pm dinner every fourth Thursday. Info: 307-756-9550.
THIRD SATURDAYS
Weston County Democrats: 2pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822, weston.wyodems.net.
FRIDAYS
Bingo: 7:30pm. VFW Hall. Free.
SECOND AND FOURTH
WEDNESDAYS
Gigi’s Closet: 9am-1:30pm. First United Methodist Church. Gently loved clothing available for babies to adults. Info: 307-746-4119.
ONGOING
Anna Miller Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed on holidays. 401 Delaware Ave. Free. Info: 307- 746-4188.
AUGUST 1
Lugnasdh First Harvest Gathering: 5pm. Plainsfolk Community, 181 Sioux St. Lughnasadh is a time
to celebrate the first harvest of the season, the harvest of grains. Traditional celebrations include games, music and feasting to honor the Celtic God, Lugh. Bring your favorite game or instrument and a dish for the potluck feast, as able. Free. Info: 307-575-9566.
AUGUST 9
Collective Arts Festival: 11am. Whitney Commons Park, 320 West Alger St. A day of celebrating the arts in downtown Sheridan! The Collective Arts Festival is back with live performances, an artisan village, an all-ages creation station and much more. Free. Info: Caitlin Addlesperger, caddlesperger@ucross.org.
AUGUST 12 AND 19
Sheridan Community Land Trust
Explore History: Big Goose Walking Tour: 8/12, 10am, 8/19 10:30am. The Hub on Smith, 211 Smith St. These walking tour sites are in the Historic Downtown Sheridan area, focusing on how Big Goose Creek was an essential natural resource for the valley’s earliest inhabitants, through the settlement era and for those living here today. Free. Info: Sheridan Community Land Trust, 307-673-4702.
AUGUST 15-16
Murder at the Mansion: 5:30pm. Trail End State Historic Site, 400 Clarendon Ave. Come be a part of a murder-mystery party on the lawn, where every guest will play a part! Cost: $60, purchase tickets on website. Info: trailend.org.
AUGUST 25
Bighorn Home Builders Association Annual Golf Outing: 10am. The Powder Horn Golf Club, 23 Country Club Ln. Open to the public! This best ball tournament hosted by the Powder Horn Golf Club is always a great event. A box lunch and two adult beverages are included per player. Costs: $175 for single player; $675 for foursome. Info: Beth Holsinger, 307-752-1603, info.bhhba@gmail.com.
AUGUST 30
Hang Gliders Fly-In: Between 10:30am-3pm, weather permitting. Sand Turn in Big Horn Mountains, west of Sheridan. Enjoy watching and photographing hang gliders from across the nation soaring above the Bighorn Mountains. Free. Info: Johann Nield, 307-751-1138, wyomingwings@wyoming.com.
THROUGH SEPTEMBER
3rd Thursday Street Festival: 5-9pm. South Main St., Downtown Sheridan between Alger and Loucks. Enjoy family fun, food, live music and fabulous vendors on the third Thursday of each summer month. Free. Info: Downtown Sheridan Association, 307-672-8881.
SATURDAYS
Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am. Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.
AUGUST 22-24
Story Days: All day. 20 N Piney Rd. Story Days features a vibrant parade, delicious food from local vendors, fun games for kids, live music and exciting activities for all ages. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of celebration. Free. Info: Mark Caudle, 307-217-9264, markrcaudle@gmail.com.
THURSDAYSTHROUGH AUGUST 14
Sundance Movies in the Park: 7:30pm. Sundance Square Park, 4th & Cleveland. Sponsored by Sundance
State Bank, Sundance Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sundance. Each week the movie is sponsored by a local area businesses or organization and concessions are run by a nonprofit group! NO movie Jul. 3, make up date Aug. 7. Free. Info: sundancewyoming.com/events, sundance.chamber@gmail.com.
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.
WEDNESDAYS
Storytime: 10:30am. Crook County Public Library. Info: Tonia, 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
Senior Center Activities: 1113
2nd St. 12pm lunch Mon.-Fri. for $4. Call for reservation before 9am at 307-468-2422 or 712-400-9056. 9am coffee and treats on Tuesdays. 9am exercise program every Tues. and Fri. 5:30pm card elimination and potluck every third Mon. Info: 307-468-9262.
BIG SPRING
AUGUST 2-3
Gift of the Waters Pageant Days: Starts 6pm on both evenings. Hot Springs County State Park. Native American dedication and prayers over the hot water source. Free. Info: Shasta Shaffer, 307-258-9861.
MONDAY-SATURDAY
Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. Info: 307-587-3597.
DUBOIS
THURSDAYS
Farmer’s Market: 4-6pm. Headwaters. Info: Twila Blakeman, 307-851-0785.
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.
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.
ONGOING
First Friday: 5pm art show reception. 6pm music. Middle Fork Restaurant. New artist and local musician each month. Info: 307-335-5035, facebook.com/MiddleForkCafe.
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.
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.
AUGUST 2
Lady of a Legend: An Extraordinary Life: 2pm. Meeteetse Museums, 1947 State St. Join us for a presentation by Terri Lynn Geissinger on her great-grandmother, Lucy Morrison Moore, the Sheep Queen of Wyoming. Free. Info: 307-868-2423.
AUGUST 9
Kirwin Tour 2025: 9am. Meeteetse Museums, 1947 State St. Tour the historic mining town of Kirwin in the Shoshone National Forest with Meeteetse Museum staff member Elizabeth Foss talking about the town’s short but eventful history. Learn about the geology of the region with geologist and Museum board member Lynn Sessions. The tour leaves the Museums at 9am and begins onsite about 10:30 am. We recommend using a high-clearance vehicle to reach Kirwin as the road to the ghost town is rough and you must ford multiple rivers. Please plan to pack in water and pack out any trash. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for last-minute cancellations due to weather. Free. Info: 307-868-2423.
MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS
Yoga: 10:30am. Meeteetse Recreation District. Info: 307-899-2698, meetrec.org.
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.
TUESDAY-FRIDAY
Homesteader Museum: 10am-4pm. Private tours or visits available. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
AUGUST 9
Demolition Derby: Gates open at 4pm, starts 6pm. Hot Springs County Fairgrounds, 1213 Springview St. Events included are the Limited Weld, Truck Derby, Gut "N" Go Derby and Power Wheel Derby. Advanced fee: $15, gate fee: $20. Kids 5 and under are free! Info: 307-864-3192, thermopolischamber.org.
AUGUST 13
SUBMIT AN EVENT
Send events occurring in October by
15!
Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.
Photos are always welcome.
Concert in the Park: 5pm. Pavilion Area, Hot Springs State Park. Concert with Friends of the Hot Springs State Park. Free. Info: Chris Delay, 307-864-2176.
SECOND SATURDAYS
Great Until 8!: 4-8pm. This event showcases the businesses who are staying open until 8pm or later in town. Shop after 5pm and enter in for a chance to win $100 gift certificates valid at the business with the winning receipt. Info: 917-589-7852, mainstreetthermopolis@gmail.com.
THURSDAYS
Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.
MONDAYS
Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.
QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS: wren@ wyomingrea.org [307] 286-8140
214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001 wyomingrea.org/ wren-submissions
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.
AUGUST 6
Community Listening Session: 5-7pm. Western Wyoming Community College, 2500 College Dr, space TBD. The Wyoming Education Association wants to hear from you! To help support the state’s public schools, WEA is working on a strategic plan to strengthen community partnerships. Your input is needed for this community conversation. Help shape the future of public education. Free. Info: comms@wyoea.org.
ANSWERS
1. CO 2. KS 3. ID 4. MI 5. ME 6. TN
NEED A NEW FLOOR? Free estimates. Wood, LVP, Carpet & Tile. Let us come to you! Schafer Carpet Sales & Service, 605-218-0855.
Flower Farm & Florist Gillette, WY all occasion bouquets & florist services; weddings, funerals, elopements, events. Farm store & pickup location has seasonal produce, cut flowers, gifts, baked goods, art & more. www.mcleantoinspire.com.
MO 8. LA
9. MT/ID/WY
10. HI
11. WY
12. AK
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.
We Pay Cash For Mineral & Oil/Gas Interests producing & nonproducing. 800-733-8122.
WANTED CJ or Wrangler reasonably priced. Any condition but rusted. 800-316-5337.
Frontier Auto Museum Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs. 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 neon motel or store signs, 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 relics@frontierauto.net. WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS CONTACT: SHAWNA@GOLINDEN.COM 970-221-3232
If you have room you could include this piece of trivia:
AK TX CA MT NM, AZ, NV, CO, OR, WY, MI, MN, UT, ID, KS, NE, SD
4 13
33 WA, ND, OK, MO, FL, WI, GA, IL, IA, NY, NC, AR, AL, LA, MS, PA, OH, VA, TN, KY, IN, ME, SC, WC, MD, HI, MA, VT, NH, NJ, CT DE, RI
If the country’s area was divided roughly into thirds, this is how it would be distributed.
If the country’s area was divided roughly into thirds, this is how it would be distributed.
BY WALT GASSON
“ Just that one thing, the wind howling like that, the way it does on the prairies, I can't explain to you. But somehow you know, as an animal, that you're near the place where you were born.”
- Joni Mitchell
Almost 30 years ago, Kim and Sarah and I packed up and moved to Maryland. It came as a surprise to our family and friends. But we knew from the outset that it was a temporary thing, and we’d be back in a couple of years. How homesick could you actually be in such a short period of time? The answer to that question is, “Really, really homesick.”
A lot of things contributed to that. Human population density in Maryland was almost 10 times that of Wyoming, so we felt crowded all the time. Our part of Maryland was heavily wooded, so we seldom saw a horizon and we felt claustrophobic. It rained a lot, but it was always warm rain that left things smelling like a rank pair of gym socks. Maybe most unexpectedly, we missed the wind.
It wasn’t like the wind never blew there. It did, in a kind of half-hearted way. We caught the tail end of a hurricane plowing up the Atlantic seaboard one time, and the winds were over 30 mph. There were downed trees everywhere, because their roots were only about 6 inches deep. It’s a pretty easy life for a tree back there, with lots of rain, deep soil and mild winters. They don’t have to work very hard to make a living.
Wyoming is a mix of wide-open plains and tall mountains. There isn’t a lot to slow that wind down out there between Rock Springs and Rawlins, or Shoshoni and Casper. Mountain ranges also funnel and accelerate winds through valleys and passes. Ask anyone from Cody or Laramie.
Wyoming just happens to be along the route where the jet stream frequently dips south from Canada. A wintertime dip in the jet stream can bring windchills down in the -50-degree range.
I want to suggest here that hard, windy places like Wyoming require a tree –or, for that matter, a people – that can stand up to adversity.
Decades after our self-imposed exile in Maryland, our son and his family were at the home place on the west side of the Wind Rivers during a truly oncein-a-lifetime wind event. The National Weather Service monitoring station on Muddy Ridge, about nine miles west of our place, clocked winds over 100 mph
for 24 consecutive minutes. There were downed trees everywhere. Clark and his crew had to cut their way out with a chain saw. He called me from Farson to report in. When I asked him if they were OK, his answer was a laconic, “Yeah. Why?”
Like the rest of us, Ol’ Clark isn’t troubled much by wind or by adversity in any form. Wyoming is a windy place. We don’t bat an eye at wind speeds under 30 mph. In windy spots like Casper and Rawlins, 40-60 mph or higher is just no big deal.
Contrast that with the trees you see growing out of a crack in a granite boulder in Wyoming. This is a hard and windy place. That tree has to have some serious will to live, and some very deep roots.
Meteorologists say that Wyoming is a windy place because of several factors.
Anyplace on the downslope side of a major mountain range can get dry downslope winds, known as chinooks. The Shoshone people referred to the upper Wind River country as the “Valley of the Warm Winds.” It was a good place to spend the winter. But as anyone from Casper or Cheyenne can tell you, after a week or so, a 24-houra-day chinook can get old.
We’re often caught between highpressure systems to the west and lowpressure systems to the east, especially in winter and spring. The Snow Chi Minh Trail along the Interstate 80 corridor is famous (or maybe infamous) for this.
Wyoming people don’t get fussed about wind. For us, wind is the sound of home.
Joni Mitchell was right, and she should know. She’s from Fort McCleod, Alberta. If you’re from hard country, no matter which side of the Medicine Line, wind feels like home. W
In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
Stir in the sugar and simmer until it dissolves.
Depending on the size of your sponges, you may want to cut them down into smaller rectangles.
Cut a small hole in each sponge and thread string through the hole, about 8 inches.
Dip the sponge in the water and sugar mixture until the sponge is full, then hold it up so the excess mixture drips out.
Take your soaked sponges outside and find different places to hang them up! Use tree branches, porch railings, or anywhere
Instead of hanging your sponges, you can also place them in a shallow bowl and set this outside.
