WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS
Celebrating a Wyoming legacy, with you!
Since 1945, we’ve been here to support generations across Wyoming. That’s 80 years of calling Wyoming home and standing alongside our neighbors, families, businesses, and communities. To celebrate, we’re hosting member appreciation events across the state this summer. Scan the code to learn more!
EVENTS
& LOCATIONS
Laramie: June 9
Gillette: June 13
(Event dates are subject to change)
Rock Springs: June 17 Casper: July 8
Jackson: June 20 Riverton: August 6
Cody: June 16 Cheyenne: June 28
Here’s to a healthier future. We’ll see you there.
PHOTO BY MIKE TEEGARDEN
Where Grit Meets Grid: Linemen Push Boundaries in Guatemala
STORY BY MAGGIE YORK
THE COOPERATIVE FAMILY
I’m sure over the years I’ve had a similar column with this title, but sometimes good things are worth repeating. I was at a loss as to what to write about this month and I asked my wife if she had any ideas. Given some recent events, both personally and professionally, yet related, she suggested writing about the cooperative family. Now for many of you, you may just pay your monthly bill to your cooperative, maybe attend your cooperative annual meeting, and if you’re reading this, then you also read the WREN, and hopefully my column. While you might not know or think about it, you are part of the cooperative family.
If you’re blessed like I have been, your family tree consists of several branches that include your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and hopefully some close family friends that you refer to as family. Then you get married, and the tree grows to include everyone mentioned above but in “in-law” form.
My family and I have been lucky enough over my career to add even more branches to our tree to include the cooperative family. It might sound cheesy, but it’s true. We have been fortunate to get to know people through the cooperative family that we deeply care about. This isn’t just confined to the Wyoming cooperative family either. This includes colleagues, mentors and others from all over the country that share this same “family tie.”
We have “helped” at brandings, where families are helping families, and as I travel the state I have popped into co-op family homes and usually shared a meal or at least a cold refreshment (I was going to say lemonade, but it isn’t always lemonade). We’ve celebrated when families have grown, and mourned when loved ones have been lost. I’ve gone to hospitals, weddings, graduations and other family events, happy and sad, just as I have done with my actual family.
My grandma who was an English teacher would probably look at my column and say, “you’re talking about yourself a lot,” and she would be right. But my point is to hopefully point out that this thing we call the cooperative family can, if you let it and appreciate it, become just like your blood family.
SHAWN TAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTO BY SCOTT COPELAND LANDER, WYOMING
Wild Purple Iris
INVESTING IN POWER
Whether you’re turning the lights on in your home or keeping your livestock warm, electricity is vital to our way of life. It powers our communities and keeps us safe. We use many different fuel sources to keep electricity affordable for the cooperative family because investing in you is why we exist!
What is 1 MW?
Let’s examine the familiar measurement of 1 megawatt by taking a closer look at how much 1 megawatt can power, based on what is needed to power common facilities in our communities.
1,000 MW = 1 GW
Wyoming Cooperative Members Travel to D.C.
As part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual legislative conference, over 2,000 elected directors and employees of rural electric cooperatives from across the country went to our nation’s capital to visit with senators and congressmen about a variety of issues important to the co-ops, including the looming energy demand and how the cooperatives can help meet that demand, while sticking to our core principles of providing reliable, affordable and safe electricity to our existing members.
Wyoming had a contingency made-up of directors and employees from Powder River Energy Corporation, Bridger Valley Electric Association, Lower Valley Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Deseret Power, and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
Wyoming cooperative representatives at the Capitol.
May is National Electrical Safety Month
Check out potential electrical hazards around the house.
• Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs that can cause shocks or start fires.
• Check the cords of the appliances in your home, as well as the plugs and connectors.
• Check light bulbs and appliances to make sure the wattage matches fixture requirements.
• Inspect all outdoor connections, appliances and tools for frayed cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings.
Learn more:
SAFEELECTRICITY.ORG/ PUBLIC-EDUCATION/TIPS/ HOME-SAFE-HOME
IT’S IMPORTANT TO USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY TO PREVENT ELECTROCUTIONS, SHOCKS, FIRES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL HAZARDS. HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FOR AROUND YOUR HOME.
Make sure your kids know how to stay safe around electricity outside. It’s important to teach children about the danger of electricity and electrical equipment.
• Never climb trees near power lines.
• Kites, drones and model airplanes should be flown only during good weather conditions in large open areas, like an open park or a wide field.
• Immediately seek shelter if lightning or thunder is present while playing outdoors.
• Don’t play on or around pad-mounted electrical equipment. These are often green metal “boxes” on cement pads.
Learn more:
SAFEELECTRICITY.ORG/ PUBLIC-EDUCATION/TIPS/ TALK-ABOUT-ELECTRICAL-SAFETY-WITH-YOUR-CHILDREN
Routine cancer screenings are essential
At Cheyenne Regional Cancer Center, we know life is full of unforgettable moments— laughter in the park, hugs from loved ones and time with those who matter most.
For more moments like these, regular cancer screenings are essential. But if cancer is detected, we’re here to stand with you with advanced treatments and the unwavering support you deserve. We’re here for you.
634-9311
Linemen Push Boundaries in Guatemala Where Grit Meets Grid:
BY MAGGIE YORK
A group of 18 linemen from Wyoming and Oregon traveled nearly 3,500 miles to bring electricity to the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa, Guatemala in late March.
Wyoming sponsored two linemen to attend - Levi Gossard from Powder River Energy Corporation and Garrett Ricketts from Carbon Power and Light, Inc. The crew was led by Oregon Empowers Project Lead Eric Wirfs.
A local woman watches as linemen install lighting in her village.
PHTOTOS BY MIKE TEEGARDEN
PROJECT SC o PE
Answering the Call
This was Oregon’s second project, having previously been on a project of this nature in 2023, and were looking to engage in a larger project this time around. “When you get more line crew you get more complex and difficult projects,” Lea Hoover, Director of Member and Strategic Services at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, explained. Wyoming expressed their interest and wanted to have two linemen participate and come back as ambassadors to share their experience with other Wyoming linemen.
Plans started in December of 2024, when the Wyoming Rural Electric Association announced that Wyoming would be sponsoring two linemen to attend the Guatemala trip. WREA reached out to the local cooperatives to begin the selection process, drawing co-op names out of a hat. From the two co-ops that were selected, they asked for individual volunteers.
Gossard was hopeful to be at the top of the selection list. “I already knew I wanted to go when I heard our company had a spot,” he said. He had only been outside of the country one other time, when he visited Mexico, which opened his eyes to a level of poverty that fueled a desire to help, and a curiosity for how he could actually make an impact for those less fortunate. “When [this trip] came along, I just knew, ‘now I can use my career, my trade, and I can go help.’ That was exciting to me. This was something tangible for me that I could dig into and jump in.”
18
12 linemen days (travel and rest)
4.4 miles of conductor
2.2 line miles of primary wire
2,300 feet of secondary wire
1 church
18 primary poles 1 school
12 secondary poles
3 transformers, 1 25kV and 2 10kV
26 homes
(each home was wired with 4 lights, 2 outlets and 2 switches, 1 breaker panel and 1 meter)
Two linemen working on wiring a pole outside the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
Ricketts had never left the United States before. “This was a pretty large culture shock to me. I felt way out of my element coming from Laramie, Wyoming to experiencing an entirely new country where everything operates much differently.”
Straight to the Work
After landing in Guatemala City, the crew traveled about three hours to the province of Zacapa. With no time to waste, after a quick check-in at their hotel, the crew headed to the tool and material staging area to prepare and review their equipment and supplies.
Right off the bat, the crew was hit with a surprise. Typically on projects like this, the local villagers and National Rural Electric Association (NRECA) coordinators will make sure that all poles are set before the crew arrives. However, when this year’s crew arrived, the holes had been dug but none of the poles were set. But that didn't deter them.
While the villagers continued working on the poles, Wirfs, Director of Operations at Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, and the team transitioned to wiring houses in the village. “The local contact said there had only been one other time that [the crew] wired the houses before completing the primary portion of the project,” Wirfs said.
“It turned out really well because the team was able to connect with the locals right out of the gate.”
By the fourth day, wiring in all the homes and the church, for a total of 28 buildings, was completed.
“As you can imagine, excitement was high; adrenaline was high when we got on the ground,” Wirfs said. “We were able to carry that into the village and were able to connect with the locals and see the purpose behind what we were there for. That carried the team through the next week.”
Gossard was really impacted by the closeness of working in people’s homes, and wished he had taken more time to bridge the gap of the language barrier. “You’d be in these people’s homes and in their rooms and they’d be watching you put the lights in, so just to have a few words to give them a compliment on where they live, I wish I would have done that.”
“I quickly learned that we could communicate better by using hand signals and whistles when an interpreter was not around,” Ricketts said.
“Interacting with the community was amazing,” he said. “During the workday, the kiddos were always trying to help show you the best trail to get us to where we were going, and always helped carry supplies along the way.”
The crew worked closely with the men in the village, especially when hauling equipment. “Most of the men carried machetes and were always offering to chop down obstacles in our way,” Ricketts said.
Strangers to Teammates
It’s not always easy getting a group of people who have never met to work well together. Add in limited tools and equipment, challenging terrain, a language barrier and differing terminology, you’d better hope the team can overcome the obstacles for a mutual goal.
This crew did.
A local carries firewood on his back into the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
Carbon Power & Light lineman Garrett Ricketts and an Oregon linemen play soccer with villagers during a break.
“Whenever you are with a team and have a mutual objective and you’re in the trenches together over a period of time, you create a bond and it changes your outlook on how to approach difficult tasks,” Wirfs explained.
“I think all the guys were able to glean that from it, as well as understanding how to work with a team - not overstep, but lead where necessary,” he said.
“From my vantage it was quite the experience to see how each person leaned into their own role.”
Many of the Oregon linemen hadn’t met before, as they came from across the state’s cooperatives, and of course Wyoming and Oregon were brand new to each other. Both groups were also used to working in different climates in their respective home states.
“I was learning a lot from the Oregon guys and I think I had some stuff that they hadn’t heard of,” Gossard said.
Locals help carry a utility pole across a creek to the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
PRECORP lineman
Levi Gossard unloading gear after arriving in the village.
Ricketts explained that linemen from different areas all have different “line talk,” like different names for tools, equipment and materials. “After learning their language we all collaborated so well together,” he said. “The most beneficial part of this project for me was the experience of doing line work differently than I’m used to. Going to Guatemala made me realize there are many ways to skin a cat, and it was eye-opening to me, all of the different perspectives everyone had to get a job done.”
Gossard found a huge impact in the comradery that was formed amongst the crew without having known them before the trip. “You’re throwing together 15 guys that have never really worked together. How cool that everybody came together. We all raised our hands for the same reason. We’re all like-minded and we all knew what we were getting into.”
He said they spent the bulk of their time working in the village, but had time in the evenings to hang out and get to know each other. “It was funny how close we got, how quickly. You do hard things, you work hard together, it was a cool dynamic. I wouldn’t have asked for a better crew.”
On day five of the trip, Wirfs emailed an update to the cooperatives back home in Oregon and Wyoming: “All positive attitudes. Oregon should be proud. The Wyoming linemen are a great asset and all have the same positive perspective.”
Pushing L imits , Finding Purpose
Throughout the project, the crew encountered steep, unforgiving terrain, but the largest safety concern was the triple-digit temperatures, especially as both teams would be coming from around 30-degree temperatures.
“When I left Wyoming on March 21st it was 25 degrees in Sheridan,” Gossard said.
“The coldest day while we were there was 97,” Wirfs said. “We had one day that was 107 and then a couple at 104. It was no
less than 100 every day. We kept good eyes on everybody to make sure everyone was staying hydrated and acclimating okay.”
“You got really good at watching your buddies,” Gossard said. “We worked nine days straight. We went without a day off because we didn’t know if we were going to get it done. I felt this pressure, being a lineman, for getting the job done. And we had so much to do.”
On one of the hottest days, a crew member wasn’t feeling up to par. A cowboy who lives in the village - who would often come talk to the crew - noticed this from a distance, as he was moving his cattle.
“The next thing you know,” Ricketts said, “the cowboy showed up with a giant green fruit that he’d grown himself and offered damp rags to cool down with.”
The crew worked relentlessly, averaging 12 to 14 hours each day.
“What this trip meant to me was all about chasing a humbling experience,” Ricketts said. “The task at hand was far from easy; 12-hour workdays, day after day, in relentless heat, surrounded by a crew I had never worked with before. Yet, what unfolded was nothing short of extraordinary and deeply inspiring. We pushed one another to limits we didn't even know we had, united by a shared vision and a common goal.”
Ricketts realized that a job can be completed in the most rugged terrain and extreme temperatures even with the lack of tools and equipment. “I learned
that a project of great size can still be accomplished through extra time with manual labor. We all get so accustomed to working out of fully tooled buckets, diggers and pickups but a project like this will make you realize more can be done with less!”
“I told somebody about three days in, ‘I’m finding out that I’m capable of more than I thought,’” Gossard said. “Everybody on that crew, I could see it. We were all pushing ourselves harder than we probably have in awhile to see it through the end. To see the lightbulbs come on.”
PRECORP lineman Levi Gossard tightens the line on a pole.
This was probably the hardest job I've ever done
P
hYsi C allY & M en TallY
Lasting L essons
“I find myself reflecting back on how the community reacted every morning during our travels to and from the job. In a sense, it was like a parade every morning,” Ricketts said. “All the community members we passed along the way would honk the friendly ‘beep-beep’ and hang out of the window to wave or give the ‘hello’ whistle from the shoulder of the road, waving at us on the way by.”
Ricketts offered some advice for linemen that may have this opportunity in the future: “Go into it with an open mind and a humble heart. You have to be ready to work hard, adapt and connect with people, both your crew and the community, even when there is a language barrier. It’s not easy but the reward is worth it after the job is done.”
Gossard noted that being flexible was a necessary skill to have during the trip. “Be willing to deal with the situation because things change by the minute there.”
Ricketts and Gossard agreed that this trip challenged them for the better, and they found immense camaraderie with their fellow linemen.
“As linemen we’ve all done storm work and hard work, but this was probably the hardest job I've ever done physically and mentally,” Gossard said.
Wyoming and Oregon crew members pose for a group photo just outside the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
Linemen working near the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
PRECORP lineman Levi Gossard takes the lead pulling line up a steep hill into the village.
“You start pushing for the guys next to you. If they’re going to be out there then I’m going to be out there and we’re going to keep going until this thing’s done.”
“I would absolutely recommend a project like this to any lineman,” Ricketts added. “It’s an experience that goes far beyond the typical scope of our work and something that challenges you … The feeling you get from being part of something this impactful is almost impossible to put into words, but it’s a deep sense of accomplishment that has a lasting impact on multiple people’s lives.”
Flipping the Switch
On the last day, a ceremony is held to celebrate the work being completed by turning on a single light.
“Seeing an entire village have power for the first time is one of the most exciting experiences. I immediately realized how much their life just changed, the impact of introducing electricity to a community is immense,” Ricketts said.
While the crew brought light to the community, the reach goes much further. The villagers no longer have to cook on wood-fired stoves, can irrigate more crops, introduce running and filtered water to their homes, and can have light after the sun goes down.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone and into a place that felt like stepping back in time allowed me to witness something
incredibly powerful,” Ricketts said. “I’ll never forget the raw emotion that swept through the village as they got to experience electrification for the very first time. That moment is etched into my memory forever.”
While this ceremony brought a large gathering and a lot of emotions, Gossard still felt more personally impacted when he worked in the individual houses. “We would have the homeowners flip the switch and it was so cool. We'll never know how big of an impact that will be.”
Electrifying the community also brought the villagers means to refrigerate, to preserve and to prepare meals with ease and efficiency.
“The most impactful part of the work we did was giving the community something many of us take for granted. The ability to cook on demand and properly store food.” Ricketts said. “Even before the project was fully complete, we witnessed community members carrying refrigerators on their backs, eager to embrace this new chapter of life. What we brought to this village was more than just power; we gave them tools that will continue to lighten their load for years to come.” W
Maggie York is a sixth-generation Wyoming native. She grew up in Lander and has family roots across the state.
A worker from a local utility installs a street light in the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
A family smiles after turning on the first light in their home in the village of Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
A mother and her child look out of their home in Aldea Coco in Zacapa.
Fat Kath
BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS
Itotally understand it’s hard to say “no” to a set of eyes looking into your soul as a strand of drool slowly makes its way to the floor. Of course you share a snack with your loving pooch. They are family and food is love.
Except that pet obesity is way too common.
Most pets are spayed or neutered, which naturally lowers their metabolic
rate; then we tend to feed them highly concentrated foods by way of an over surplus of snacks, treats and floor finds. Essentially, these calories are in excess of the calories they burn, resulting in a poofy pooch.
Obesity, unfortunately, isn't a benign occurrence and can lead to chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and a shorter life expectancy.
Kathy was a very loved pooch. She lived seven wonderful years as a companion to an older gentleman that shared all things with her. Meal time was another chance to show Kathy his love and she ate all of it. Her activity level consisted mostly of watching reruns of M.A.S.H. and the Game Show Network with a short walk to the kitchen. Sadly Kathy’s owner passed away, leaving her homeless and without a family to call her own.
The gentleman’s friends had no real options for her care so they did the best they could and turned her over to the local animal shelter. Older dogs are much harder to adopt so Kathy was in a tough spot. Thankfully there is a small set of humans who are gracious enough to open their homes to older shelter dogs. Kathy was lucky enough to be in the shelter when one such family came looking for their next pet. They fell in love with her and knew she needed to be in their lives.
After seven years of unlimited food and limited activity, Kathy had packed on the pounds. She weighed about 80 pounds when her ideal weight was about 40 pounds! This body condition affected her greatly. Walking to the mailbox in her new home was painful and slow. It exhausted her for days. Kathy’s new family brought her in to have a wellness check and to get the best plan to get her healthy again.
Since her history was vague, we were unsure if she was spayed as well. But spaying such a fat dog is quite difficult. The tissues are fragile and bleeding is sometimes quite heavy. We did some bloodwork to check all her organ functions that came back normal. The plan was to institute a prescription weight loss food in controlled portions and start a slow and steady exercise program until she reached a more healthy weight for surgery.
In the beginning things were difficult for Kathy. She struggled to move well and far. We relied on the diet to help get the pounds off for the most part. Her owners would bring her in monthly for weight checks and she was right on track. As the weight began to slip away her mobility and a zest for life began to return.
Her walks were longer and more intense, and she became a huge fan of playing fetch for hours.
About 10 months after her first visit, an almost unrecognizable Kathy entered the clinic. She was 43 pounds! She was so happy and playful. A totally new dog was in front of me. The owner was ecstatic with her progress as well. A lot of hard work and patience went into that weight loss. Now at a healthy weight we scheduled her for a spay, knowing this will further decrease her metabolic rate so calorie control would be paramount after she was healed, so as to not gain all the weight back.
It is a beautiful thing to see a dog get a new leash on life.
and a uterus that weren't actually there. We called her owner while I was in the middle of her operation, they reported that she hadn’t gone into heat at all. Poor Kathy was indeed already spayed. I closed her up and gave her a normal post-spay green tattoo, avoiding any confusion in the future.
I did however forget to ask one question. Intact dogs usually have a heat cycle about every six months. I remembered this lapse of communication as I was searching around in her abdomen for a set of ovaries
It is a beautiful thing to see a dog get a new leash on life. I am thankful for Kathy’s new family and their devotion to her. She’s able to live her best life now without being hindered by her weight and the pain that came with it. They are family and (sometimes) love is diet food. W
Dr. Megan Beavers is a veterinarian in Farson and Green River.
Small Secrets
What you see when looking at a lichen is a fungus. Fungi, like their close relatives, animals, cannot make their food through photosynthesis, so they must get their nutrition from outside themselves. And they cannot “eat” rocks—there’s no food value there. Their secret source of food is hidden within their tiny structures—single-celled green algae or cyanobacteria (members of a group of photosynthesizing bacteria). These microscopic food producers make carbohydrates (sugars) when the sun shines, but only when water is available. Some of these carbohydrates are passed to the fungus where the fungus cells are in direct contact with the cells of its photosynthesizing partner. The fungus uses these carbohydrates for growth.
Vast Ecosystems
This amazing little system supports many other organisms besides the fungus and its photosynthesizing partner. Lichens are home to other fungi, bacteria, protists and tiny animals that live both within its structure and on its surface, and they, in turn, are fed upon by larger creatures. And there’s more! As lichens grow, they excrete chemicals that chemically break down their host rock, leading to the formation of soil. It takes a long time, but lichens have time. Decaying lichens and the bodies of all their co-habitants enrich the young soils, eventually creating a habitat that can sustain plants and large animals— including us. Without lichens, Wyoming would be just a pile of rocks!
Big Superpowers
No system or organization better epitomizes the benefits of cooperation than the lichens, those usually small, often colorful organisms that can survive on the surface of rocks!
How often is there sufficient water for photosynthesis to occur? Not often, when you’re living on the surface of a rock! But the lichen is built to absorb and hold on to moisture, lengthening the amount of time for photosynthesis. And when the inevitable drying or freezing happens, the fungus produces chemicals that prevent cell damage and death, enabling the lichen to quickly “wake up” and begin photosynthesis and growth again when the next opportunity arrives. What a superpower! TinyOrganismswithM a
FRESH HERBS
LEMON BALM COOKIES
1 STICK BUTTER, ROOM TEMPERATURE 1/2 CUP SUGAR
1 EGG
2 CUPS FLOUR 1/4 CUP FINELY CHOPPED LEMON BALM
Cream butter, sugar and egg in a mixer. Add flour and lemon balm, mixing until combined. Gather into a dough ball, roll into a log and slice 1/4 inch thick. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until firm. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Great with wine because they are not too sweet.
MARYANNE SMITH TORRINGTON
ROSEMARY SALMON
1 1/2 LB SALMON FILLETS, CUT INTO 4 PORTIONS
2 TBS MELTED COCONUT OIL OR OLIVE OIL
2 TBS BALSAMIC VINEGAR
2 TSP MINCED FRESH ROSEMARY OR 3/4 TSP DRIED ROSEMARY, CRUSHED
GARLIC CLOVE, MINCED 1/2 TSP SALT 1 LB FRESH ASPARAGUS, TRIMMED 1 MEDIUM SWEET RED PEPPER, CUT INTO 1-INCH PIECES 1/4 TSP PEPPER LEMON WEDGES
Preheat oven to 400°. Place salmon in a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, rosemary, garlic and salt. Pour half over salmon. In a large bowl, toss asparagus and red pepper with remaining oil mixture. Arrange vegetables around salmon in pan and sprinkle with pepper. Bake until salmon flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are tender, 12-15 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
WREN STAFF
HERBED FETA DIP
1/2 CUP PACKED FRESH
PARSLEY SPRIGS
1/2 CUP FRESH MINT LEAVES
1/2 CUP OLIVE OIL
2 GARLIC CLOVES, PEELED
1/2 TEASPOON PEPPER
4 CUPS CRUMBLED FETA CHEESE
3 TBS LEMON JUICE
ASSORTED FRESH VEGETABLES
Add parsley, mint, olive oil, garlic and pepper to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Add feta and lemon juice and pulse until well combined but slightly chunky. Makes about 1 ½ cups. Serve as a dip with fresh vegetables or spread on crackers.
WREN STAFF
1 2/3 LB FROZEN PEAS
3 TBS OLIVE OIL
1 CLOVE GARLIC
2 TBS FRESH MINT, CHOPPED 1/4 CUP PECORINO CHEESE (OR SHAVED ASIAGO)
Cook the peas over medium heat, drain and rinse with cold water. Add to a food processor: peas, olive oil, garlic, mint and salt and pepper to taste. Serve on crackers or mini toasts. Sprinkle it with pecorino cheese. Makes 1 cup. This is a great appetizer.
MARYANNE SMITH TORRINGTON
FREE COPY! WIN A
Acclaimed wildlife photographer and filmmaker Ron Hayes and award-winning author Casey Rislov team up in this adorable wildlife exploration. “Let Me Tell You About My Mom” takes little ones inside the daily lives of mama and baby animals of the U.S. western mountains and prairies. Structured to be accessible to children of all ages from babies through emergent readers, little ones will be amazed and comforted by learning how mamas in the wild teach and take care of their babies.
Ron Hayes resides in Wyoming where his family has been since the late 1800s. He has a degree in wildlife biology, and this knowledge base allows him to capture behaviors on camera that most would never notice. Learn more about Hayes and his podcast at wildandexposed.com.
Casey Rislov treasures time with her family in the wide-open spaces of the West. Her sons' curiosity is wilder than the wildlife on these grand adventures, and her Mother's Day gifts have included rocks, squirmy worms and even a horned toad. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and master's degree in education from Montana State University. Learn more about the author and view more children’s books at caseyrislovbooks.com.
MARCH 2025 ISSUE
MY VEGGIE FRIENDS / MY FRUITY FRIENDS BOOK SET WINNER:
Connie Bluemel’s Love for the Community Shines
BY ILENE OLSON
When she read years ago about a program that raised money to benefit people who are struggling, Connie Bluemel of Mountain View was immediately drawn to the idea.
“Operation Roundup” was started in 1989 by Palmetto Electric in South Carolina. They offered other electric co-ops an opportunity to “piggy-back” on their idea.
Bluemel was an employee of Bridger Valley Electric Association at the time. She and former BVEA General Manager Danny Eyre and Office Manager Susan Porter worked together, along with others, to get the program up and running there.
“We took it to the BVEA Board of Directors, who said, ‘Yeah, we should do that.’” When Operation Roundup began functioning, interested BVEA customers checked a box on their monthly electric bill to indicate they were willing to have their bill rounded up to the next dollar. The donated change would go to the charitable program.
Bluemel said the most that could be raised by rounding up electric bills was $11.88 per customer, per year. However, the average annual roundup donation was about $6.00 per customer. But that change added up, and the generosity behind it began making a difference.
Connie and Gary Bluemel
Community members who were going through a hard time could submit an application to the Operation Roundup committee for consideration. The committee used donated money to help successful applicants.
That was just the start.
“We would have fundraisers. I would bring in the Bar J Wranglers [a former cowboy western music band and comedy entertainment group from Wilson] to raise more funds. The more funds you have, the more you can help,” Bluemel said.
Blumel called the program very rewarding for the company and the community. During its 21 years, “Operation Round-up has paid out $385,000,” she said.
“Connie is a true model for service,” said Cindy Marley, BVEA Office Manager. “Her hard work and dedication were essential to bringing this program to life, and she tirelessly advocated for consumers in need until her retirement.”
Helping people in need is a passion for Bluemel, born of a desire to pay forward the kindnesses she has received.
“I think the most pivotal thing in my life happened 30-some years ago,” she said. “I was very, very sick for a long time. I had to have some major surgeries. This community really took good care of us. My husband [Gary] was caring for me. So many people provided meals for us that he didn’t have to cook a meal for six months.”
The experience changed her. “I became closer to Christ. I just wanted to give back,”
she said. “We have been very blessed to live in such a giving, caring community!”
As part of that ongoing effort, Bluemel serves on the board for “Locals for Locals,” another Bridger Valley organization that helps people in need.
Anyone can submit the name of a person or a family who could benefit from the group’s help.
“Each approved nominee receives a $300 check,” Bluemel said. The program is currently managed by Jim Benedict and Marty Watkins.
Additionally, Bluemel belongs to St. Helen’s Catholic Church, where she works with other parishioners to raise money to benefit the small parish and community members as well.
“Most of our parishioners are older, but we accomplish a lot with the few people we have,” she said. “We have a couple of fundraisers every year. The biggest is a smorgasbord for St. Patrick’s Day. We have a small meal, with a live auction and a silent auction.” There’s a raffle, too.
“We get a lot of fantastic items to auction off, and we get a lot of support from the community. It keeps us going through the year. Not only for church, but we give back to the community also.”
Bluemel also serves on the committee of the Bridger Valley Coalition of Churches, made up of six churches in the valley. The committee works to ensure parishioners from every church participate in community projects or programs.
“Connie’s love for the community shines through in her willingness to help anyone in need. She always has a smile and a kind word for anyone she meets,” Marley said.
Justin Sweep, BVEA Finance Manager, said, “Anything that’s happened over the years that is good, charitable or generous, Connie is involved in it.”
Bluemel’s committee sponsors a Christmas celebration and 9/11 Remembrance Program, and a National Day of Prayer.
“It is very rewarding to have parishioners from different churches working together on community events and getting to know each other,” she said.
A few years ago, the Bridger Valley Lions Club honored Bluemel with their Citizenship Award in recognition of her selfless service to her community.
Bluemel said she doesn’t consider herself a hero. She’s just doing what she can when help is needed. She said it’s not hard to do good things when you’re surrounded by good people, including lots of helpers and great mentors, too.
“Simple acts of kindness mean so much,” Bluemel said. “In this community, you don’t have to go far to find kindness, and it doesn’t take a huge act to help somebody.”
Bluemel thinks about the legacy she will leave for her children. “I want it to be a legacy of kindness and service and honesty, and all that good stuff.” W
Ilene Olson is a freelance photographer, writer and editor in Powell.
Connie Bluemel and BVEA board member Kim Charles pose for a photo to promote Operation Round-up.
As the weather warms, many of us turn our hearts and minds (not to mention our weekends) toward spring cleaning. Will you tackle an overstuffed closet, pantry, storage room—or maybe it's that cluttered garage! Far from a "before and after", these two pictures depict a garage with 15 differences. Can you find them all?
Spot the Difference
BY KENDRA SPANJER
Sweep your way to page 38 for the answers.
How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life
Remember when…
Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep?
As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.
So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life?
Check all the conditions that apply to you.
Lower Back Poor Pain Circulation
Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help.
Feel better, sleep better, live better
A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.
A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.
It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:
• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.
• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.
• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.
• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.
• Free Toilet
Rob McIntosh, Torrington
Flower in the Snow
Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga
Lighting a New Day
Thyra Page, Laramie
A Mother’s Watch
Carrie Miller, Laramie
Pasque Flowers
Lauree Scott, Gillette
A Prairie Bond
Carrie Miller, Laramie
Renewal Every Spring of Life
Robin Riesland, Newcastle
Posing for the Camera
Deborah Davidson, Yoder
Heather McLaughlin,
Springtime
Mary Ann Ulik, Crawford, NE
Apple Blossoms
Martha Rasmussen, Burlington
A New Generation
Martha Rasmussen, Burlington
Forget Me Nots - First Flowers of Spring Trudy Craft, Basin
Got Milk?
Heather McLaughlin, Upton
Baby Western King - Renewal of Life Trudy Craft, Basin
WOODCHOPPERS JAMBOREE AND RODEO
LIONS CLUB ARENA JUNE 14-15
The chips fly with logging competitions including the two-man handsaw, log throw and even a "Mad Logger" chainsaw throw! Rodeo enthusiasts will love the thrill of traditional events. Kids activities include a sawdust pit, greased pole, mutton busting and more. Visitors may browse local handcrafts, enjoy delicious wood-fired barbecue, grab a piece of pie and sip ice cold beer or soda. Presented by Encampment Riverside Lions Club.
Event Times: Saturday, June 14
7am - Pancake and Sausage Breakfast 9am - Parade starts 10am - Woodchopping events begin 1pm - Rodeo starts 7pm - Melodrama at Opera House
Event Times: Sunday, June 15 9am - Woodchopping events begin 1pm - Rodeo starts
Admission: Adults $10 for day; Kids 12 and under FREE
Information:
Ron Harvey, 970-210-2955 or 307-327-5429 woodchoppers@rocketmail.com woodchoppersjamboree.org
01 | SOUTHEAST
BAGGS
JUNE 7
Baggs Ball 2025 “Monte Carlo Night”: 5pm. Valley Community Center, 255 Osborne St. Live auction, live music, catered dinner. Must be 21 to attend. Individual $80. Table of 8 $600. Info: 307-383-2166, vcc@valleycommunitycenter.org.
CHUGWATER
THURSDAYS
Acoustic Jam Session: Stampede Saloon & Eatery music venue open for jam sessions. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.
ENCAMPMENT
JUNE 1
Spur Outfitters LLC 2025 Sporting Clay Shoots: 9am-3pm. 3135 Hwy 230. Open to the public. Shooting runs from 9am-2pm depending on participants. $45/person for 12 stations/100 clays. Info: 307-327-6505, info@spuroutfitters.com.
HAWK SPRINGS
JUNE 12
Annual Community Hamburger Fries: 5-7pm. Community Building. We will be serving grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade salads, desserts and drinks. Adults $8, children 3-12 $4, children under 3 free. Non-profit event; all proceeds go back into maintaining the building throughout the year. Info: 308-641-9578.
LA GRANGE
JUNE 21
La Grange Mini Fair: 5-7pm. Community Building. We will be serving grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade salads, desserts and drinks. Adults $8, children 3-12 $4, children under 3 free. Non-profit event; all proceeds go back into maintaining the building throughout the year. Info: 308-641-9578.
MEDICINE BOW
ONGOING
Museum and Gift Shop: 8:30am-4:30pm. 405 Lincoln Highway. Info: 307-379-2383.
RAWLINS
JUNE 6
Summer Shenanigans: A Night of Talent: Downtown Rawlins. Activities, artisans, entertainment and food. Fun for everyone. Free. Info: 307-328-2099, downtown@rawlinswy.gov.
JUNE 7
Carbon County Block Party 2025: 11am-4pm. Carbon County Museum, 904 W Walnut St. Get ready for the biggest event! Includes The Goat Ladies and their lovely goats, Kenneth Hall the Mountain Man doing live demos, a Classic Car Show, food trucks, craft vendors, scavenger hunts and more! No matter your age, don’t miss this fun-filled day. Free. Info: 307-328-2740, info@carboncountymuseum.org.
JUNE 12
AARP Smart Driver: 9am-2:30pm. Senior Citizens Center, 545 15th St. Learn safe driving strategies and you could earn a multi-year discount on auto insurance. Hit the road with confidence, courtesy of the newly updated, award-winning AARP Smart Driver course. AARP members save 20% on the cost of the course! Info: Lynne Swearingen, 307-328-2863.
SARATOGA
JUNE 8-11
Book Bound with Blue Mountain: Reader’s Retreat: Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, 601 Pic Pike Rd. This is your time to read, relax and renew. Tickets include a swag bag, free books by attending authors, group yoga session, two meals and panel access with attending authors. Guests are responsible for lodging arrangements. A link to a block of resort rooms will be sent after a ticket is purchased. Tickets $340, limited availability. Info: Blue Mountain Bookstore 307-460-2601, bluemountainbookstore@outlook.com.
JUNE 15
Father’s Day Bourbon & Cigar Bar: 4pm. The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, 66 Brush Creek Ranch Rd. Cheers to you, Dad! After a full day of casting lines, hitting targets at the gun range and wrangling the kids, you deserve a moment to yourself this Father’s Day. Kick up your boots at the Saloon where our Brush Creek Distillery team will have handcrafted spirits (including a special release bourbon) lined up for tasting – perfect for the spirits connoisseur. Enjoy your drink on the Saloon deck with panoramic mountain views and a selection of premium cigars. Choose from a variety of light to full bodied Apostate and Alec Bradley cigars with rich, balanced flavors, including hints of chocolate, sweet molasses and coffee. Info: 307-327-5284, Reservations@BrushCreekRanch.com.
JUNE 21
The Melted Masters Golf Tournament: 4-7:30pm. Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, 601 Pic Pike Rd. The Frozen Fore may have melted, but the fun is heating up! Join us for a one-of-a-kind summer golf tournament. This isn’t your typical day on the greens –expect wacky challenges, wild costumes
and plenty of laughs as we bring a whole new twist to tournament play. You don’t have to be a pro to play in the Melted Masters. Come have fun with the Saratoga Museum! Best Outfit Contest: Show up in your best Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore gear for a shot at glory! Pay-N-Cheat: Bend the rules (just a little!) with a $5 per foot string to move your ball. ChipN-Clink: Nail the perfect chip shot and take home the bottle you hit! Greenskeeper’s Revenge Hole: Dodge obstacles as you tackle this tricky course feature. Longest Drive & Putt Contests: Test your skills and win big prizes! Cost varies. Info: 307-326-5511, saratogamuseum@gmail.com.
JUNE 29-JULY 6
Fourth of July Independence Week: 10am-1pm. The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, 66 Brush Creek Ranch Rd. Bring the whole family to experience exciting activities like masterful culinary classes and dinners, live music and our annual heart-pounding rodeo. Independence Week is the highlight of the summer season for guests staying at the Ranch. Reserve your spot now for this week-long patriotic celebration! Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284, Reservations@BrushCreekRanch.com.
WRIGHT
JUNE 7
24th Annual Buffalo Stampede: 7:30am. Durham Ranch. Runners and walkers from northeast Wyoming are invited to participate in a 5K or 10K. Pre-register by May 30 for $25 per person or $50 per family. Info: Campbell County Rec Center, 307-682-7406; Wright Rec Center, 307-464-0580; buffalo@vcn.com.
02 | NORTHEAST
BIG HORN
JUNE 10-12
Key and Composition: Painting Workshop with Anton Nowels: 9am-3pm. The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Rd. 3-day painting workshop with award winning artist Anton Nowels! Artists will explore concepts related to plein air painting, including how to compose and key a painting. They will also learn how to combine tone and color with intervals and Notans, leading to more dynamic work. Tickets $675. Info: 307-672-3173, thebrintonmuseum.org.
JUNE 15-JULY 1
Wildflowers Peak Season: Meander through the majestic Bighorn Mountains on Scenic Byways 14 or 14A for the beauty of wildflower season and maybe even glimpse some mountain wildlife. Info: Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, 307-672-2485.
JUNE 27
The Brinton Annual Gala: Celebrating Women in the West: 5-10pm. The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Rd. An unforgettable evening honoring the history, creativity and impact of women who have shaped the spirit and story of the American West and the Quarter Circle A Ranch. Info: 307-672-3173, thebrintonmuseum.org.
JUNE-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 or the Flying H Polo Club in Big Horn. Free and open to public. Info: Flying H Polo Club, flyinghpolo.com, 307-674-9447 | Big Horn Polo Club, bighornpolo.com, 307-674-4928.
BUFFALO
THURSDAYS
Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free. Info: 307-684-0451.
CASPER
JUNE 6-8
Wyoming Writers, Inc. Annual Conference: Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, 800 N Poplar St. Writers from around the state of all levels and genres welcome. Speakers/workshops, editors and agents plus banquet. $350. Single day and student discount available. Info: wyowriters.org/2025-Conference.
CLEARMONT
JUNE 28
Clearmont Day: Branding Iron Park, Water St. and New York Ave. Celebrate Clearmont with vendors, music and more! Free. Info: Amy, 307-278-1716.
GILLETTE
JUNE 28
Campbell County Master Gardeners Herb Festival: 10am. George Amos Memorial Building, 412 S Gillette Ave. Herb Festival featuring National Guest Speaker Sue Goetz. Enjoy a make and take herb class, afternoon lecture on landscaping
with herbs and more! Pre-registration for the make and take class is available through the UW Extension Office. Bring extra cash for your herb festival shopping. Free lectures, $5 hands-on activity. Info: UW Extension Office, 307-682-7281.
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.
GLENROCK
JUNE 27-29
Deer Creek Days: Downtown Glenrock City Park. Our beautiful downtown park is the center of activity, but there’s something happening in every corner of town. Info: conversecountytourism.com, facebook.com/DeerCreekDays.
HULETT
JUNE 14-15
Hulett Rodeo: Hulett Rodeo Grounds. Info: hulettrodeowyo.com.
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.
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.
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.
NEWCASTLE
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.
FRIDAYS
Anna Miller Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed on holidays. 401 Delaware Ave. Free. Info: 307- 746-4188.
PARKMAN
JUNE 28
Parkman Daze: 10:15am. Parkman Bar & Grill, 268 State Hwy 345. Celebrate Parkman with live music, horseback poker run, chuckwagon feed and parade! Food and beverage for purchase. No entrance fee. Info: Patricia, 307-655-9993.
SHERIDAN
JUNE 7
The Dead Swede Gravel Race, Ride Tour: 7am-3pm. Kendrick Park off Badger St. The premier gravel, single track and pavement race of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. Registration before May 14, $125. Last-minute registration May 15-30, $135. Register at thedeadswede.com/registration. Info: 307-763-4481.
JUNE 13
Hat Decoupaging Workshop: 6:15pm. Red Shed Redos Picket Fence, 251 N Main St. Join Rikki Stewart from Wyoming Body Tapas for a fun night making a unique Modge Podge hat! You will be provided a hat, materials and instruction to decoupage the crown, brim or underside of your hat! $90. Info: redshedredosartistry.com.
JUNE 13-14
Ike Sankey & Cowgirl Cadillacs Horse Sale: Fri. 3pm; Sat. 9am. Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria St. A “Heap Good” Horse Sale featuring excellence in all equine disciplines. Free sale attendance with paid VIP option. Fri. pitchfork fondue dinner $39. Info: cowgirlcadillacs.com.
JUNE 20-21
Bighorn Trail Run: Hundreds of runners from across the U.S., Australia and Europe compete in 100-mile, 52-mile, 32-mile and 18-mile races in the Bighorn Mountains west of Sheridan. Runner packet pickup for all distances on June 13 from 12-6pm at Best Western Sheridan Center, 612 N Main St. Registration open until all spots are filled except 100M which closes June 17 at 12pm. Race cost: 100M, $505.25; 52M, $277.35; 32M, $213.75; 18M, $192.55. Start locations, times, directions and maps vary per race. Info: bighorntrailrun.com.
JUNE 28
The Alley Kats with Auburn Green: 5:15pm. Local Nakamal, 2047 Coffeen Ave. Join us at Sheridan’s gathering place and non-alcoholic bar for a night of live reggae, dancing and connection featuring The Alley Kats and Auburn Green. Free entry with suggested donation of $5-$15. Info: 307-370-7222.
Bikers Against Bruises 2025 Dice Ride: 8:15am. Java Moon Station, 1935 Coffeen Ave. Ride or drive over the scenic Big Horn Mountains, TWICE! All proceeds go to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes in Sheridan County. Entry fee: $20/game, $10/additional game. Info: Advocacy & Resource Center, 307-672-7471.
JUNE-AUGUST
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.
SUNDANCE
JUNE 6-8
Crook County Junkin’ Weekend: Fri.-Sat. 8am-4pm; Sun. 8am-12pm. Fuel up the truck – hook up the trailer. Circle the county for your next great treasure! Stay the night in the county so you're sure you don't miss out on the fun! Shop loads of sales. Info: Vendors and participating locations, sundancewyoming.com/events.
THURSDAYS
JUNE 12-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 July 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.
WYARNO
JUNE 29
Puzzling Competition: 2:15-5:15pm. Wyarno Bar & Grill, 1041 Wyarno Rd. Compete head to head to assemble a 500 piece puzzle against other teams! Prizes for the first place teams. Team entry fee $20. Info: 307-737-4700.
03 | NORTHWEST
CODY
MONDAY-SATURDAY
Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. Info: 307-587-3597.
SUBMIT AN EVENT
DUBOIS
JUNE 7
Kids Fishing Day: 8:30am. Pete’s Pond. Stocked pond with prizes provided by Forest Service and Game & Fish. Dubois Anglers & Wildlife Group assist. Lunch from Dubois Kiwanis Club. Free. Info: 307-335-2160, 307-455-2243.
THURSDAYS
Send events occurring in August by June 15!
Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.
Photos are always welcome.
& SUBMISSIONS:
wren@ wyomingrea.org
[307] 286-8140
wyomingrea.org/ wren-submissions Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news. Send complete information by
214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001
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.
RIVERTON
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.
WEDNESDAYS
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
JUNE 27
Brian Beauvais on Otto Franc and the Pitchfork: 1pm. Meeteetse Museums, 1947 State St. A talk on Otto Franc and the Pitchfork Ranch with Brian Beauvais, Park County Archivist. 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.
POWELL
TUESDAY-FRIDAY
Homesteader Museum: 10am-4pm. Private tours or visits available. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
THERMOPOLIS
JUNE 7
Thermopolis Brewfest: 4-8pm. Downtown Thermopolis. Family-friendly event featuring Wyoming breweries, food, merchandise, corn hole, historic building tours and live music throughout the day with safe rides. Free. Info: facebook.com/mainstreetthermopolis.
JUNE 20-21
21st Annual Cowboy Rendezvous PRCA Rodeo: 5pm vendor alley opens; 7pm rodeo. Thermopolis HSC Fairgrounds. Adults $18, children ages 6-12 $13, children ages 5 and under free. Info: Julie Mathews, 307-527-0119.
JUNE 20-22
Outlaw Days: Hot Springs County Museum, 700 Broadway. Sat., Gun Fight at High Noon and 1pm. Hole in the Wall Bar open Sat. 11am-7pm. Cody Gun Slingers, food vendors, live music, history talks and family fun. Free. Info: hschistory@rtconnect.net.
JUNE 21
Meeteetse Museums Legend Rock Tour: First tour 9:30am; second tour 11am. Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site; 2861 W Cottonwood Rd. Tour the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site with Dr. Julie Francis! Tours are limited to10 people. Registration is open until all slots are filled. Pre-registration is required. Signing up early ensures you have a spot on this unique tour! Free. Info: 307-868-2423.
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.
04 | SOUTHWEST
LYMAN
THURSDAYS
Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
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.
ONGOING
Community Classes: Valley Learning Center. Fitness, computer, workforce and kids’ classes are available. Times and prices vary. Info: 307-782-6401, valleylearningcenter.coursestorm.com.
DO MORE
Classifieds FOR
SALE
1980 8440 JD 4WD Tractor. 215 HP. 18438 dual tires. 6 bottom onland JD plow optional. $20,000 for both. Call for cost if tractor only. 307-899-2545.
MISCELLANEOUS
Wyoming Weapons Collectors 36th Annual Memorial Weekend Gun Show. May 24-25. Fremont County Fairgrounds, 1010 Fairgrounds Rd, Riverton, WY. Sat 9-5pm. Sun 9-3pm. Win a gun! Drawing at 2pm Sun. Must be present to win. 1 raffle entry with each paid admission! Adults $6. Kids 12 and under FREE w/adult paid admission. More info online at wyomingweaponscollectors.com.
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.
WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS CONTACT: SHAWNA@GOLINDEN.COM 970-221-3232
WANTED
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.
STUCK
BY WALT GASSON
The Chev got stuck and the Ford got stuck
But the Chev unstuck when the Dodge showed up
But the Dodge got stuck in the tractor rut,
Which eventually pulled out the Ford
With some difficulty…
There are, as everyone who got past fourth grade here knows, 23 counties in the Cowboy State. I’ve been stuck in 17 of them. Now, with spring’s arrival and prime time for getting stuck upon us, I think it only fair to share some of those experiences and the lessons learned, or not learned.
First, we must define the term “stuck.”
After almost six decades of driving the back roads, two tracks and cow trails of my homeland, I propose a definition: If you can get out without assistance, you aren’t really stuck. You’re just temporarily detained. It’s like being late for work. It’s better than being late for church, but worse than being late for fishing. If a little shovel work or maybe (Heaven forbid) the dreaded chaining up ritual is required, you weren’t stuck, because you got out on your own.
If you have to call your cousin Arnold to come with his big ol’ one-ton and a quarter of a mile of winch cable, you were most definitely stuck.
Second, we should consider the idea that not all stucks are created equal, because not everything you can get stuck in is the same. Mud is a common medium at this
time of year, and like my friend Corb from Alberta writes, it can cause some difficulty. When the snow melts and the bottom goes out of that greasy gumbo muck down along the creek, it’s hard to remember Grandma Gasson’s mantra, “We sure need the moisture.” Especially when the moisture in question turns hardpan to axle grease and the truck is down to the frame all the way around. Remember the definition of “stuck” and ask yourself if it would be a problem if you just left that old pickup there until the Fourth of July, then drove it out with both bumpers and your cowboy/cowgirl reputation intact.
Snow is a whole different kettle of stuck. Granted, it’s mostly a winter thing, but if you’ve lived here longer than a year, you know that it can snow in any of those 12 months. You have probably also noticed that snow is cold, and one of the laws of thermodynamics says that if you stand around in snow wearing your party boots and Wranglers, you will freeze parts of your anatomy that you had grown attached to. We arrived at our place north of Cheyenne late one evening to find the driveway heavily drifted in. It was about 200 yards to the house, with air temperature of maybe 10 degrees and a stiff breeze out of the west at about 40 MPH. Kim suggested parking the truck and walking the last little distance might be prudent. I detected a disturbing lack of faith in the big old Super Duty, and worse, some concern about the skills of the operator. So we backed up a quarter of a mile and hit that drift going about 60. Until we weren’t. It was very quiet in the truck for a certain period of time. In fact, it was quiet around there for a couple of days until the wrecker driver could get out our way to assist in this crisis of faith.
There are a host of other substances waiting to get you stuck: sand, big ol’ ruts,
washouts and more. These should not be underestimated. My old friend Joe, my dog Blaze and I were happily tooling along in my old red 1968 GMC in the bottoms along the Green River many years ago in pursuit of geese and ducks along about Christmas time. Everything was great, until it wasn’t. That big snowdrift was concealing a whopper of a washout. The truck stopped instantaneously, with that sickening THUD that says, “You are not merely stuck, you’re really most sincerely stuck.” But we were prepared. I had used most of my summer job wages to buy and install a winch on the front end of ol’ Big Red. We deployed the winch cable with confidence, but there wasn’t anything bigger than a greasewood bush to attach it to. Despite the frozen ground, we succeeded in pulling every scrawny shrub the cable would reach, creating a half circle completely devoid of vegetation over the next hour or two. Blaze was a smart dog, and he could see that we were going nowhere fast. We had to hike out to the highway, where a kind fella picked us up and took us to the old Fontenelle Store. The thermometer outside the door read -23 degrees. Blaze was skeptical about late season duck hunting from that day forward.
Now, it seems, I don’t get stuck very often, not even temporarily detained. Granted, I’m not out in stuck country as much as I once was. And I’m much better prepared for the potential stuck that will sometimes creep up on me. But I like to think that it comes down to the old proverb: “Good decision-making skills come from experience, and experience comes from bad decision-making skills.” W
Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native, writer and son of the sagebrush sea. He lives in Laramie, Wyoming.
“The Truck Got Stuck” by Corb Lund
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