Wyoming Rural Electric News September 2025

SEP 2025

WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS

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WYOMING LIBRARIES BENEFIT COMMUNITIES BUT FACE FUNDING CHALLENGES

BASIN ELECTRIC

COMMUNITY

C R E AT E D F O R C O M M U N I T I E S Community support is more than a nice idea – it’s Basin Electric’s culture. Giving back is important to us because charitable programs and non-profit organizations help our communities thrive.

Our communities have supported us throughout the years by providing a strong workforce, and without them, we couldn’t provide reliable, affordable electricity across rural America. Now more than ever, community matters.

2025

On the cover: A "little wise old owl" statue sits at Sheridan County Library System's hub in Story, Wyoming. Locally known as "the little library that could," it's a place where families gather and learning never ends.

S E P T E M B E R

Wyoming Libraries Benefit Communities But Face Funding Challenges STORY BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

ON THE COVER 14

CENTERPIECE

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JUST FOR FUN CORNER 20 KIDS’ M YCO R R H I Z A L NETWORKS B E N E AT H YO U R F E E T

24 T H E C A L L O F T H E BOOK GIVEAWAY

L A S T F RO N T I E R

BY MELISSA L. COOK

27 PUZZLE I N T O D AY ’ S

D I G I TA L W O R L D, L I T E R ACY I S S T I L L T H E K E Y!

BY KENDRA SPANJER

Libraries are integral to our communities, providing a multitude of services and benefits beyond housing our favorite titles.

Learn about the programs and activities happening at libraries around the state and how you can support them on page 14.

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FEATURES ART SPOT 06 THE AFTER THE STORM

BY DAWN ANDERSON

HEROES 28 COMMUNITY APPLE ORCHARD B R I N G S F L AV O R A N D J OY TO GOSHEN COUNTY

BY ILENE OLSON

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FROM OUR READERS

ESSAYS & ANECDOTES

STATE NEWS & EVENTS

COOKS 26 COUNTRY ONE POT MEALS

NOTES 04 WREA E L E C T R I C I T Y-

08 WILD WIRED WEST 09 CO-OP CONNECTION 10 TOWN TALES 33 WHAT'S HAPPENING

PICTURE IT 30 JUST PAT C H W O R K

32 FA L L …

PEN TO PAPER AG A I N…

BY TARA JEAN SEELY

G O B B L E R S V S. A S TA B L E G R I D

BY SHAWN TAYLOR

ON THE RANGE 22 HOME WO R K- L I F E BALANCE

BY DR. BRUCE CONNALLY

38 ENLIGHTEN US MY SUMMER VACAT I O N

BY WALT GASSON

WREA NOTES

ELECTRICITY-GOBBLERS V S . A S TA B L E G R I D In the June issue of WREN, the Wild Wired West spotlighted the soaring demand for electricity.

In my column, I encouraged you to visit voicesforcooperativepower.com and to become a part of Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives grassroots army, because data centers, AI facilities and crypto-mining operations - among other things - are all clamoring for more and more electricity and the current legal and regulatory structure is being challenged. This month, I’m sharing an article from NRECA that highlights detriments to grid reliability that are caused by the rapid construction of data centers - which have an expected load increase of 65% by 2050 - and I encourage you, again, to visit voicesforcooperativepower.com.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY ERIN KELLY, STAFF WRITER FOR NRECA

Huge, electricity-gobbling data centers are being developed faster than the generation and transmission infrastructure needed to support them—a dilemma that threatens grid reliability, according to the 2025 State of Reliability assessment by the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

“A significant near-term reliability challenge … is the size and speed at which large data centers, typically developed to support the computing needs for AI and cryptocurrency mining, are expanding across the country,” the report says.

deal on power costs in order to attract a data center as a client.

Unpredictable power usage by data centers underscores the need for more accurate tools to help grid operators prevent instability, the NERC report says.

“Model analysis tools are used when planning to identify things like worst-case scenarios and how to deal with them … Better models of data center loads are needed to improve planning and preparations.”

Data centers are often built within two years— much faster than traditional industrial loads, the June 12 NERC report says.

A 2024 report by the Department of Energy said data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023 and are expected to use up to 12% by 2028.

Electric cooperatives are increasingly seeing data centers coming into their rural territories, asking for large amounts of power to flow into their businesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Many of them are owned by tech giants, including Google, Amazon and Meta.

“As more of this load interconnects [to the grid], the risk will continue to grow,” Jack Norris, an electrical engineer in performance analysis at NERC, said during a June 12 webinar on the State of Reliability assessment.

“Planning generation and transmission to accommodate such large step-changes in load is made even more complicated by the speculative nature of where and if these new facilities will be built,” NERC’s assessment says.

At NRECA’s PowerXchange in March, co-op leaders who have dealt with data centers warned their colleagues to beware of real estate developers and other speculators who try to get a

NERC’s Large Load Task Force will recommend mitigation measures in a report to be released this fall.

SH AWN TAY LO R

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DEWY WEB IN THE TETONS PHOTO BY VICKI OLSON

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THE WREN MAGAZINE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS The official publication of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association

POWELL, WYOMING

The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, volume 71, number 8, September 2025 (ISSN 1098-2876) is published monthly except for January for $22 per year by Linden Press, Inc., Periodicals postage paid at Cheyenne, WY (original entry office) and at additional mailing offices.

WREN Magazine is owned and controlled by rural electric cooperatives in the interest of the economic progress of rural areas specifically and the entire population of Wyoming and the nation generally.

WREN Magazine has a total average monthly paid circulation of 27,825 for 11 months ending September 2024. WREN Magazine is delivered to rural electric member/consumers and other subscribers throughout the entire state of Wyoming and the nation.

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

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

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

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

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

ADVERTISING To purchase call (307) 996-6552.

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

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

Paid subscribers contact publisher.

PUBLISHER 307-286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org

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

Include 3-digit co-op code.

PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK

THE ART SPOT

After the Storm DAWN ANDERSON

Devils Tower National Monument after the storm has passed.

HULETT, WYOMING

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

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

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

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WWI IL LD D WWI IR RE ED D WWE ES ST T

W H AT’S I N T H E R U L E?

Existing coal plants that plan to operate after 2038 and baseload gas plants built after May 2023 must reach 90% carbon capture and storage by 2032.

Coal units retiring before 2039 must co-fire with 40% natural gas beginning in 2030.

Coal units retiring before 2032 need no new emissions controls.

EPA deferred finalizing guidelines for existing baseload gas units.

New peaking gas units must drastically limit operations.

States must file implementation plans with EPA by May 2026.

COMPLIANCE COSTS CCS

Adding carbon capture and storage would cost at least $1 billion per plant and is currently untested at scale.

Transmission

Some estimates say U.S. transmission capacity will need to grow two to five times from current levels by 2050.

Hydrogen

New gas units can meet emissions requirements by co-firing hydrogen, but it is an unproven technology.

LEGAL CHALLENGES NRECA, states and others are suing the EPA, saying the rule: Violates the Clean Air Act because the EPA asserts vast new authority of major economic and political significance without a clear statement from Congress, going against the Supreme Courtʼs ruling in West Virginia v. EPA. Requires the use of inadequately demonstrated technology, including 90% carbon capture.

Mandates unrealistic and unachievable timelines.

Includes compliance options that unlawfully require generation-shifting.

CO2 Pipeline

An estimated 65,000 miles of new pipeline would be needed to move CO2 to where it can be stored to meet net-zero goals; only ~5,000 miles currently exist in the U.S.

New Generation

A sharp increase in intermittent wind and solar and declines in always-available coal and gas generation are expected.

W H AT A R E T H E I M PAC T S? Premature retirement of coal plants and limiting gas plant operations will hurt reliability, particularly during times of peak electric usage.

Shifting generation to intermittent renewables will complicate resource planning and hurt reliability.

Supply shortfalls are likely as demand for firm power skyrockets and peak U.S. load is expected to jump by around 38 GW in the next four years.

Source: National Rural Electric Association (NRECA) and Grid Strategies

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has found that energy policy is now among the top threats to reliable and affordable power. In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized its new power plant rule that rapidly curtails carbon dioxide emissions from coal and gas plants. In March 2025, the EPA announced it will be reconsidering the Power Plant Rule. At this time, however, the rule remains in effect. The rule is sure to lead to plant closures, higher power prices and significant reliability challenges as demand for electricity skyrockets in the coming years. Here are the key facets of the EPA rule and their likely impacts.

EPA Power Plant Rule

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EPA relies on the Clean Air Act for its authority to regulate CO2.

CO-OP CONNECTION

The Rural Community Mourns the Loss of Members Tom Delaney and Fred Brog THE RURAL ELECTRIC COMMUNITY LOST TWO LONG-TERM MEMBERS OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

"The co-op family lost two lions of our industry this year with the passing of Fred and Tom. Their contributions and dedication to their local co-ops and communities as well as to the Wyoming Rural Electric Association and our sister cooperative organizations across the country are immeasurable. I know they will be missed dearly."

- Shawn Taylor, WREA Executive Director

Fred Brog 1944-2025

Fred Brog was a pillar of the Wyoming energy community.

Fred dedicated 37 years to serving on the Lower Valley Energy Board of Directors, following in the extraordinary footsteps of his father, Ernest Brog, who was instrumental in founding the cooperative in 1937. Together, the Brog family’s commitment to bringing reliable electricity to rural Wyoming spans the entire history of the organization.

Ernest Brog recognized that electricity was essential to support the region’s agricultural economy. He secured crucial funding from the Rural Electrification Administration to establish Lower Valley Energy. Fred’s leadership helped navigate Lower Valley Energy through decades of technological advancement, regulatory changes and community growth, always keeping the needs of member-owners at the forefront of decision making.

Fred’s expertise and dedication earned him positions on the Wyoming Rural Electric Association, the Idaho Cooperative Utilities Association, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation and the National Cooperative Services Corporation board. Through these roles, Fred helped shape energy policy and cooperative practices across the region and nation.

In 2024, Fred received the Outstanding Service Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, presented

by CEO Jim Matheson, highlighting the exceptional nature of Fred’s contributions. He also received the John M. George Public Service Award from the Northwest Public Power Association, recognizing his significant contributions to the advancement of public power.

Fred was known for his integrity, wisdom and unwavering dedication to improving life in rural Wyoming. His impact will be felt for generations to come.

Thomas P. Delaney 1942-2025

Thomas P. Delaney of rural Greybull lived a full life marked by family, hard work and deep roots in his communities.

Tom attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship, where he was named co-captain his senior year.

Following college, he signed a contract with the Boston Patriots. His passion for the game led a decorated coaching career at Wheatland High School, Lusk High School, and his alma mater, University of Wyoming. He cherished the opportunity to mentor countless players, many of whom carried his lessons with them long beyond the field.

In 1967, Tom married Martha Simpson. In 1975, they settled in Worland with their children Patrick, Tim and Erin. Tom began what would become a 35-year career in the irrigation business, a pioneer of pivot irrigation in the Big Horn Basin.

His knowledge, integrity and commitment to service earned the trust and friendship of many.

After the heartbreaking loss of Marty to cancer, Tom found love again with Deany Teigen (Eckhardt). Tom embraced Deany’s children, Tavell (Bunny), Stacy and Roy, building a blended family rooted in love and devotion.

Tom served on the Worland School Board, Shell Canal Board, University of Wyoming Alumni Association Board and Big Horn County Citizens for Economic Development. He spent 25 years on the Big Horn Rural Electric Association Board of Directors; 19 years as chairman and 21 years on the WREA Board of Directors, including as chairman.

Tom will be remembered most for his warm laugh, quick wit and fierce loyalty that touched all who knew him.

SEP 2025

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TOWN TALES

Town Tales BUFFALO

A BACKGROUND OF FORTS

FROM WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY WYSHS.ORG

BY NANCY TABB, WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY

F

ort McKinney, along the Bozeman Trail, is the reason Buffalo was established on the banks of Clear Creek in 1878. Originally, in 1865, the Army post was named Cantonment Connor, but was quickly renamed Fort Reno and abandoned by the government in 1868.

Later, Cantonment Reno, Depot McKinney and Fort McKinney No. 1 were constructed three and a half miles upstream. Six name changes and three place changes later, the original 1865 and later the first 1876 sites were on Powder River east of present-day Kaycee.

The final Fort McKinney No. 2 was constructed near present-day Buffalo.

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1880s view of Buffalo looking west from the hill behind the current U.S. Post Office.

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1880s Cowboy Saloon and the Buffalo Echo Newspaper office in downtown Buffalo.

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1880s Fort McKinney in Buffalo.

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1880s Johnson County cowboy (unidentified).

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Early 1900s view of Clear Creek looking west. The Occidental is beside the bridge on the right.

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Soldiers provided protection for gold miners travelling to Montana during the years 1865 through 1868. A very different post of 1876 through 1894 dealt with land use, the open range cattle industry and the 4 Messiah Craze. Clear Creek, formerly called Lodge Pole Creek, flows out of the Big Horn Mountains at the 1878 site. Remnants of this fort, named after Lieutenant John A. McKinney, who was killed in the Battle with Cheyenne Chief Dull Knife and his band of warriors in the Big Horn Mountains in November 1876, stand east of Buffalo on Hwy. 16. For many years it has operated as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home and the Wyoming Veterans Home. Both Fort Reno and Cantonment Reno are located on private land, with no structures remaining.

Buffalo quickly emerged because an Army post housing the U.S. Calvary needs many things: oats, hay, cord wood, meat, vegetables, dairy products, laundry services and beer. Also needed is a freighting system with regular shipments coming in from the Union Pacific Railroad at Rock Creek Station, 250 miles south. Some civilian contractors, service providers and soldiers with families decided to settle here after their enlistment, so then they were also in need of supplies, and thus the economy of Buffalo grew.

1 Blacksmith, livery stables, saloons, brothels on Laurel Avenue, stores with general merchandise, building supplies, hardware and furniture stores were constructed.

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3 PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY

If you visit Buffalo, the county seat of Johnson County, notice Main Street is not straight but has a definite curve. The owner of the Conrad and Company Store was a marketing genius who asked a Fort McKinney freighter to lead his team in front of the store near the south end of Main Street. The freighter was given a fine suit of clothes for his road construction service.

A man named Charles Buell took teepee poles and a wagon sheet and constructed the first hotel/restaurant/ bank. His banking business meant keeping gold dust safe for miners,

in a hole dug under his cot. One of the Trabing Brother’s Stores was six miles south of the flagpole at Fort McKinney, the original boundaries for the Post. Soon this boundary was changed to two miles, exactly where the Occidental is located. Prior to this, John R. Smith’s hogs wallowed there on the banks of Clear Creek, so ownership had to be discussed.

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Ownership of city lots in Buffalo also had to be discussed at great lengths when it became known that Juliet Hart, widow of the late Major Verling K. Hart, through a Desert Land Claim, owned the entire city plot of downtown Buffalo. At first those squatting on her land refused to pay, but they were eventually persuaded they had no argument. She was the rightful owner, and they needed to pay.

Juliet donated the land for the Courthouse, which was built in 1884 out of necessity to try all the cattle rustlers. The first herd of Texas cattle came up the Bozeman Trail in the 1860s, and in 1878, after Powder River Country was opened to westward expansion, many more cattle came.

April 1892 found Johnson County being invaded by big cattle outfits and the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association. Fifty hired gunmen came north to kill Johnson County’s government officials, certain citizens and all of the rustlers. The problem was that everyone was rustling beef … wolves, mountain lions and Native Americans were rustling cattle because the buffalo had been slaughtered. Fathers struggling to feed their families were rustling. Those providing meat contracts for the soldiers were most

likely rustling. Cowboys laid off during the winter months were rustling to grow their own herd. Homesteaders hoping to fence in a few acres and settle down were rustling.

Thankfully the invasion fumbled, soon sheep trailed in, the Basque people came, and life slowly adjusted to a new normal in Buffalo. Trust was not easy to come by since some neighbors had put a bounty on other citizen’s heads.

Several did lose their life during those tumultuous years, but these early comers stood back up and carried on, perhaps because of the pure pleasure it is to live in such a place. Nowadays, community spirit and brotherly love abound, and historic downtown Buffalo is mostly still the same as it was back in the beginning.

1/5 CHANCE The name of Buffalo was chosen not because of the bison herds that used to populate Powder River Country but simply by the luck of the draw. Several first comers were in the Occidental trying to come up with a name for their new town.

Five slips of paper were placed in a hat, and the name Buffalo was drawn. A gentleman from Buffalo, New York had simply put his hometown’s name in the hat.

SEP 2025

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PROTECTING THE PRESENT TO POWER THE FUTURE

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

There’s strength in choosing the rural way of life— rising early, working hard, and building something that lasts. At Tri-State G&T, we share that commitment and are working with our members to protect your way of life and power what’s next.

Our year-round wildfire mitigation program uses data-driven monitoring to identify and mitigate risk to protect critical infrastructure, and support the communities we serve— ensuring reliability and resilience at competitive rates.

That same focus drives how we plan our diverse energy mix—solar, wind, natural gas, hydro, and batteries— so we can weather any storm and meet the growing energy needs of the West. Now that’s reliability.

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

Learn more about Tri-State

THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES

CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY

CENTERPIECE

Wyoming Libraries Benefit Communities But Face Funding Challenges September brings a special flavor to Wyoming. Leaves change color, schools start, hunting seasons begin and libraries celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month, a time to encourage community residents to use their local libraries.

BY GAYLE M. IRWIN

“Libraries are a great intergenerational space, one of the few spaces where people can come and hang out,” echoed State Librarian Abby Beaver at the Cheyenne-based Wyoming State Library.

“You'll go into the library and see anybody from senior citizens to toddlers that can interact with each other and do programming.”

Services and Programs at Local Libraries Computers, internet, printing, afterschool programs, summer and winter reading challenges, crafts, science and other programs for children, tweens, teens and adults are among the many free library offerings. In Rawlins, Carbon County Library Systems provides additional amenities, including a maker’s space with sewing machines, laser cutters and 3D printers, notary services, proctor testing and Ancestry® genealogy records.

The State Library assists community libraries to bring stories and knowledge in other ways. Libby is a program Wyoming residents use to access e-books, audio books and magazines that many community libraries don’t carry in paperback or hardback. WyldCat is a catalog service, and GoWYLD.net offers research databases.

There's another unique purpose that this facility serves.

“We are the only Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Wyoming, so we have patrons that will talk to us about wanting to submit their invention for patent or they want to trademark a logo or design for their personal business, so they come here and do research and work with our librarians,” Beaver said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING STATE LIBRARY

“There are many reasons why libraries are important to Wyoming communities,” said Lindsey Travis, director of the Sweetwater County Library and president of the Wyoming Library Association. “They're kind of a cultural center, an information hub, for the community. A lot of small communities in Wyoming may not have a lot of things, but if they have a library, they have … a space to be able to find information and be together.”

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Wyoming State Library's collection of Federal Documents.

SEP 2025

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Left: Wyoming State Parks backpack.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WYOMING LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Below: Various items that come in the Wyoming State Parks backpack.

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Partnering with Parks

A special collaboration between Wyoming libraries and the State Parks office began several years ago. Called the Check Out State Parks Program, people with a library card can check out a free day-use park pass along with a backpack with maps, binoculars and other items for a family outing.

“Wyoming State Parks partners with our amazing library systems statewide to make outdoor and cultural exploration more accessible,” said Laurel Stephens, communications and marketing manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

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State Honors Reading and “Good Queen Sue”

The program is available year-round.

“When visitors check out a park pass, they can enjoy all the park's amenities, from boating and biking in the summer, to camping in the fall, to cross-country skiing or ice-fishing in the winter,” she said. “This opportunity not only helps residents get outside and explore Wyoming’s public lands and landscapes, but also to connect with the state’s rich history and heritage found at our historic sites.”

In 2025, libraries in all 23 Wyoming counties participated.

“Seeing this program expand to every corner of Wyoming has been incredibly rewarding,” said Stephens. “These passes and backpacks encourage people to learn, discover and connect with Wyoming’s remarkable landscapes and heritage. The program has been a great success thanks to our outstanding library systems statewide.”

Libraries around the state also partner with a Wyomingbased literacy program known as Wyoming Reads, originally created as a tribute to Dr. Sue Jorgensen.

Jorgensen, the first director of the elementary education program at the University of Wyoming at Casper College, died in an automobile accident in 1996. Her husband, John, sought a way to honor Sue. “I wanted my children to have memories of their mother, not just being sad that she was gone, but remembering things she was passionate about and hopefully keeping her memory alive for them,” he said. “Sue loved books and supported literacy.”

In 1999, John launched Casper Cares, Casper Reads, providing books to elementary students at the school his children attended.

That idea eventually spread to communities in other states, and in 2006, thanks to “librarians and community folks,” expanded to more towns in Wyoming, with a focus on first graders, John said.

In 2024, the Wyoming Legislature passed, and Governor Mark Gordon signed, a measure designating the third Tuesday in May as Wyoming Reads Day. Prior to that special celebration, a committee meets in September to choose 10 books from ones recommended to them, and in December, each first grader chooses a book from “the menu,” John explained. The committee orders an average of 7,000 books to give away.

27 300,000 years

books

John attends Wyoming Reads Day each May in his Casper community.

At the Nicolaysen Museum, he tells a fairy tale about “Good Queen Sue” and her love for children and books.

Local high school students enact characters as the story is read; many of them received a book from John’s nonprofit, the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation, when they were younger. Each first grader receives the book they chose, and local volunteers read some of those stories to the youngsters at the Natrona County Library.

This year marked the 27th anniversary of his visionary endeavor.

“Some 300,000 books have been distributed over all that time,” he said.

John credits Wyoming’s libraries for the program’s longevity and success.

“The community libraries in Wyoming and the Wyoming State Library are invaluable in the success of Wyoming Reads. Without them, we could not pull this off year after year,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUE JORGENSEN LIBRARY FOUNDATION

“The children are very excited to get their new book,” John said.

Wyoming Reads presents 7,000 first graders with their own personalized, hard backed books.

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Supply a Snapshot of Library Use and Meet Wyoming Authors

Another way to show support for Wyoming libraries and writers is to attend author events. These opportunities are free and open to the public.

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LOCAL AUTHOR CELEBRATION: LARAMIE COUNTY LIBRARY Book Fair from 2 to 4 pm, with a networking opportunity and a workshop provided to attending authors beforehand.

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BOOKMARKED LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL: LANDER A festival of writing and art, showcasing many Wyoming authors and artists and their works.

Library patrons can show their enjoyment of and support for Wyoming libraries on October 7, for Wyoming Snapshot Day. PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

This is an annual event to “promote and celebrate the impact of Wyoming libraries,” and “the impact that Wyoming libraries have” on communities, said Abby Beaver of the State Library.

Wyoming’s community libraries gather photos, quotes and testimonials from patrons and staff on that day.

“The state library compiles and shares these … by way of the Wyoming Snapshot website and our social media, and we also provide a presentation at the annual legislative reception,” said Beaver. “This year marks our 15th annual event.”

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People are encouraged to show up at their local library on October 7, 2025, and provide quotes and testimonials, she added. Find out more and view last year’s Snapshot Day at the event’s website: wyomingsnapshotday.com.

Shaylee Krueger helping Vincent Crolla with a reference question at the reference desk.

Youth Librarian Mariza Salguero and Youth Manager Kassia Capozzoli hold a huge snake in a Sweetwater County Library System branch.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING STATE LIBRARY

Additionally, librarians will meet for upcoming conferences to learn from and support one another: SEP

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WYOMING LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE: CASPER

OCT

WYOMING LIBRARY DIRECTORS MEETING: HOT SPRINGS COUNTY LIBRARY, THERMOPOLIS

TBD

An annual gathering for Wyoming librarians, including those who serve in the public schools.

End of October, hosted by the Wyoming State Library.

Wyoming’s Library History Pre-Dates Statehood

Wyoming has a long library history.

“The second territorial legislature approved the creation of a Wyoming territorial library before Wyoming became a state, and now we're the state library,” said Beaver. “That was on December 16th in 1871. We celebrated our 150th anniversary in December of 2021.”

The territorial library was primarily a document depository, and that role continues. In addition, the State Library serves as a “libraries’ library,” she said.

“We promote statewide library development, and we foster library cooperation throughout the state,” Beaver said. “We also provide … a lot of resources and research items.”

Each county has a primary library, and many small towns in those counties have branches. These free facilities are well-used, as documented recently by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The organization’s report showed that, in 2022, Wyoming had the highest number of library visits per capita in the United States, with 3.82 visits per person. Washington DC ranked second, with 3.78 visits per person.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

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Funding Challenges for Wyoming’s Libraries Despite the many benefits and strong usage of community libraries, these facilities face several challenges, Travis said, including legislative proposals regarding content and major budget cuts.

“Funding is an issue,” she said.

“County libraries are all paid for through county funding, so mostly property taxes. The property tax reductions are hurting libraries across the state.”

A group of teens gather in the library.

announces the county library system faces a 53 percent reduction in funding and cautions patrons to expect “reduced hours and services at your local branch.” The site also encourages people to donate, especially if they have saved money on their property taxes.

Wyoming’s libraries need that support, Travis said.

“Libraries are always going to remain important, and I think paying attention to what's going on in our state and advocating for your library, and using your library, [is critical],” she said.

John Jorgensen concurs.

Big Horn County recently closed the Frannie and Deaver branches after experiencing a $70,000 reduction in county funds. The largest libraries in that county, Lovell, Basin and Greybull, are looking at reducing hours, cutting salaries and discontinuing benefits for staff.

“I don't believe there should be any debates on the importance of literacy. Reading is the cornerstone of everything,” he said. “To be successful in the 21st century, one must be literate and able to communicate in an effective way with others.” W

The situation in Carbon County is similar. The website

Gayle M. Irwin is a freelance writer based in Casper.

SEP 2025

19

KIDS’ CORNER

WRITTEN BY MARY HINEY, WYOMING NATURALIST PROGRAM

wyobiodiversity.org

MYCORRHIZAL NETWORKS BENEATH YOUR FEET COOPERATION IN NATURE Imagine that there is a hidden underground world beneath the Black Hills National Forest, or perhaps the Shoshone National Forest, that is only known to the trees, and where messages and food are shared through tiny, microscopic fungi. This idea is at times regarded as the “Wood Wide Web,” suggesting that trees can “share” nutrients by way of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs).

Fundamental Cooperation A CMN refers to the cooperative relationship formed between plant roots and a beneficial, belowground, network-forming fungus.

Virtually all filamentous fungi develop hyphae (multicellular structures with branching) that form mycelia (a root-like structure), which function as a network for collecting resources, and transporting and distributing materials. Basically, a plant and a fungus become physically linked to one another and establish an exchange of resources between one another.

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AMF & EcM Fungi Mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake, water absorption and overall plant health.

There are two main types: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (also known as AMF or AM fungi) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcM fungi).

Most plants, including crops, grasses and trees benefit from these fungi. AMF partner with garden plants, crops and house plants.

EcM fungi partner mainly with trees.

Human Misconception It has become common to believe that CMNs share resources between plants who have more and those who have less, providing mutual support among the trees.

However, this idea is not exactly supported by available data. While the mycorrhizal cooperation between plants and fungi is fundamental, in this instance, we humans may be projecting our human minds and decisions onto the plants by thinking the network is selective, and that it may send aid to one tree but not another.

Next time you’re out walking, listen closely, and while you may not see or hear CMNs, take a moment to think about the complex exchanges happening underneath your feet, whether you’re walking through the forest or around your backyard. Always remember to be curious, share information, and care for the communities around you! You may stumble upon the truth, and a lot of people are willing to listen.

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HOME ON THE RANGE

ask me if I was practicing for delivering my own child.

“Absolutely not!” It didn’t seem as funny to me as they seemed to think it was.

I also noticed that the women on the ranch never made that comment.

Now the first step in the delivery process had begun and I was ready to call for help. We called the local obstetrician.

He was older and had undoubtedly delivered hundreds or even thousands of babies. He asked my wife a few questions and then suggested we relax at home until the contractions began.

When that occurred we should drive to the hospital. The nurses would give him a call when we arrived. It all seemed so easy and well planned.

“Just relax at home!” Pat repeated to me.

“I don’t feel very relaxed.”

BY DR. BRUCE CONNALLY

Work-Life Balance

O

n June 20, 1979 I had no idea what the term work-life balance meant. I’m not even sure if that term had been invented.

It was exactly five months into my first job as a veterinarian. I was so excited and so overwhelmed trying to learn everything about practice that I didn’t see any problem with balance.

Of course, Pat, my wife, was nine months pregnant with our first child, so there was that. My employer was an addicted team roper who likely hired me only to enable his habit, so there was that. And, fresh out of college we didn’t have any money to take a vacation or do anything exciting other than work, so there was that.

22

SEP 2025

But my world of work-life imbalance was about to change. My boss was gone to a three-day team roping in Rock Springs. I was running the veterinary clinic by myself.

We were finishing dinner dishes about 8 o’clock Thursday night.

“My water just broke!” Pat exclaimed with a wild look in her eyes.

I knew immediately what was happening. All spring I had been delivering calves and lambs for the local ranchers.

Delivering a baby was similar across species. Several men would grin and

We were renting a house on the Armstrong ranch about 15 minutes from the hospital. We packed her bag and tried to get some sleep. Packing was easy. Getting sleep proved to be pretty much impossible.

At 2 a.m. the contractions began. They weren’t strong yet but we certainly weren’t relaxing now. By 4 a.m. it was time to go. Pat sat hunched over in the seat as I drove as fast as I dared down the gravel road. We were almost to the highway when a fox ran across the road.

“Look, a fox!” I exclaimed, fueled with the adrenaline of the moment.

My wife just grunted and adjusted the towel keeping the car seat dry.

She didn’t seem to appreciate the beauty of the moment.

Soon Pat was checked into the OB ward.

The contractions had stopped.

“Just relax,” the nurse on duty suggested.

“Right!” My wife replied through gritted teeth.

Eight o’clock rolled around and we were still relaxing.

“Dr. Connally.” A nurse was tapping my arm to get my attention. “You are being paged.”

“I am going to the vet clinic to check on the patients and let everyone know what is happening,” I told Pat. “I will be back in 45 minutes.” (In 1979 there were no cell phones.)

“Me?” I asked, still confused about someone paging me. “Who would page me here?”

“That’s fine,” Pat replied tersely. “I seem to be relaxing now anyway.”

The nurse guided me to a phone in the delivery room and pushed the correct button connecting me to Joe, the veterinary student.

The entire staff at the clinic was excited to hear the news, except the senior veterinary student who was doing an externship with us.

“Bruce,” he blurted out. “We have an emergency! A dog got hit by a car and Dr. Summers at the other clinic is not answering. Can you come?”

“We have cancelled the surgeries and most appointments today,” I told Joe. “You just need to treat the patients in the hospital. Emergencies can be referred to the North Second Street clinic. I will check in when possible.”

“OK,” he replied, bravely accepting the responsibility. “I hope you all have that baby soon.”

Back at the hospital things were remaining slow. Pat kept having off-and-on contractions that were uncomfortable but not making much progress. My excitement was gradually replaced by fatigue and concern as I watched her struggle through the morning and into afternoon. Pat was exhausted when things finally began to change.

“I have a son!” I answered as my previously adrenaline-charged brain attempted to function.

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“Paging Dr. Connally. Paging Dr. Connally. Please call line three one.”

“That is odd,” I mused quietly while watching my son nurse. “I didn’t know there was a Dr. Connally on staff at the hospital.”

Work-life balance was never more real.

I had a son that was not an hour old.

But there was a dog that might die if I didn’t respond. I stood there paralyzed by indecision. The nurse who guided me to the phone seemed to understand my dilemma.

“We have to clean your wife and baby up now. Then we will get them tucked into their room for the night. It will take about an hour so you have a little time if you need,” she said in a soft, comforting voice.

“You have dilated 3 centimeters in the last hour,” Dr. Betts announced after the 3 p.m. exam. “We should have a baby pretty quickly now.”

My adrenaline and Pat’s pain increased dramatically as she was wheeled to the delivery room. Forty hard minutes later we had our son, Clint. It had been an excruciating 18 hours. As I stood there looking at my son with the bruise on his head and my exhausted, happy wife, I heard something in the background.

“Congratulations!” Joe answered. He tried to gently get me to focus. “The dog has a broken leg and is in shock.

I need your help.”

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I stared at her for a few seconds trying to comprehend what she was saying. She had seen new fathers before. And she knew the demands of medicine, even if it was veterinary medicine.

I suddenly was acutely aware that my life would never be the same.

“I am coming, Joe.” W Dr. Bruce Connally practices equine medicine in central Wyoming and northern Colorado from his home in Berthoud, Colorado.

SEP 2025

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ONE POT MEALS CHEESY MEXICAN CHICKEN AND RICE 2 TBS BUTTER 1 ONION, CHOPPED 1 GREEN BELL PEPPER, CHOPPED 2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED 1 1/2 LBS BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGHS, 1-INCH PIECES 1 TSP EACH: SALT, SMOKED PAPRIKA AND CUMIN 1/2 TSP EACH: PEPPER, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER AND OREGANO 1 CUP JASMINE RICE

2 TBS TOMATO PASTE 2 CUPS CHICKEN BROTH 1 10 OZ ROTEL DICED TOMATOES 1 CUP CORN, DRAINED AND RINSED 1 CUP BLACK BEANS, DRAINED AND RINSED 1 TBS LIME JUICE, FRESH SQUEEZED 1 1/2 CUPS CHEDDAR CHEESE OR MEXICAN CHEESE BLEND OPTIONAL TOPPINGS: AVOCADO, SOUR CREAM, CILANTRO, PICKLED JALAPENOS

SESAME GINGER GROUND BEEF SLAW 1 TBS CANOLA OR OLIVE OIL 4 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED 1 TBS FRESH GINGER, MINCED 1 LB GROUND BEEF 1/2 HEAD WHITE CABBAGE, SHREDDED 1/2 HEAD RED CABBAGE, SHREDDED 2 LARGE CARROTS, PEELED, CUT IN THIN STRIPS 2 TBS SESAME OIL

1 RED BELL PEPPER, CUT IN THIN STRIPS 1/2 CUP REDUCED-SODIUM SOY SAUCE 1 DASH HOT SAUCE, OR TO TASTE SALT AND GROUND BLACK PEPPER, TO TASTE 2 TBS FRESH CILANTRO, CHOPPED

ITALIAN CHICKEN SKILLET 1 TSP OLIVE OIL 4 SKINLESS, BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST HALVES, CUBED 2 CLOVES GARLIC, CHOPPED 1/2 CUP RED WINE 28 OZ CAN ITALIAN STYLE DICED TOMATOES 8 OZ SMALL SEASHELL PASTA 5 OZ FRESH SPINACH, CHOPPED 1 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE

In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and bell peppers until softened. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add diced chicken and all seasonings. Stir on medium high heat until chicken is cooked through, 5-8 minutes. Add rice, stir. Add tomato paste, stir.

Cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and Rotel.

Bring to boil, lower to simmer, cover for 15 minutes more (or to rice package instructions) until rice is cooked through. Stir in beans, corn and lime juice 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat. Add shredded cheese to top.

Cover with lid to melt cheese. Serves 6.

Heat canola oil in a very large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, cooking 1-2 minutes, stirring until fragrant. Add ground beef, stirring until browned and crumbly, 5-7 minutes. Add white and red cabbage, carrots and bell pepper into beef, stirring occasionally until vegetables are just tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil and dash of hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with fresh cilantro, lime wedge and hot sauce. Serves 4.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 5-8 minutes. Add wine and diced tomatoes with juice, bring to a boil on high heat, scraping any browned bits from bottom while stirring. Add shell pasta, return to boil. Cook uncovered, stirring until shells are al dente, 10 minutes. Spread spinach over top of pasta, cover and simmer 5 minutes.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top, simmer until cheese is melted and pasta is bubbling, about 5 minutes. Serves 4.

WREN STAFF

WREN STAFF

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1 LIME WEDGE

Send Sendcomplete completerecipe recipeby byMarch OCTOBER 10! 15!

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

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

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

PUZZLE

IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD, A cipher is a means of encoding that uses other letters, numbers or symbols as substitutions for the letters used in the secret message. Legend has it that Julius Caesar invented the “shift cipher,” in which the encoded alphabet is shifted forward or backward a number of spaces from the message alphabet. To make the shift cipher harder to crack, a keyword can be used (and shared between the sender and recipient) to mark how far the encoded alphabet shifts. Any word can be used as a key, as long as it has no repeating letters. To crack the cipher below, discover the keyword—maybe with some trial and error!—write it out in the top line of the table (one letter per box), and fill in the rest of the alphabet minus the letters already used by the keyword.

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LITERACY IS STILL THE KEY!

BY KENDRA SPANJER

SEP 2025

27

COMMUNITY HEROES Ruth and Dick Young in their orchard.

Guests enjoy picking apples from the orchard.

BY ILENE OLSON

Apple Orchard Brings Flavor and Joy to Goshen County Pastor Dick Young of Lingle retired 20 years ago. Then he and his wife, Ruth, went to work.

They built a new house, and Dick began planting apple trees.

“Some years, I planted a lot,” he said.

the orchard, now known as Young’s Apple Box Orchard, as a service to Goshen County.

The apples are harvested by people, young and old, picking their own.

“I wanted to do something that was really family friendly, where kids could have the freedom to run around and pick their own,” he said.

“It has been well received by the community and outlying communities as well,” Young said.

“It’s not a profitable business, and we are fortunate that we don’t have to rely on it for a living,” Young said. “It’s a way that I can give my love to Goshen County.”

One of the things Young enjoys most is hearing the stories people tell about apple trees they had in their families.

As he has grown and managed his orchard, Young has learned what apples grow well in the area, what kind of flavors different varieties have, and how they are best used.

Most area residents believed it wasn’t possible to grow apples in the region.

But Young knew of several small orchards that were successful in the past. In fact, at least one grower in the area had sold products to a grocery store in Torrington.

A fifth-grade teacher in Torrington brings his class out every year, and Young shows the students how to graft apple trees.

“It’s a greenish apple that turns yellow as it ripens. It’s very, very tasty,” he said.

“I thought, ‘If they could do it then, we should be able to do it now,’” he said. Then he set about proving that to be true.

From the apples, the Youngs make fresh cider that they sell at the orchard.

Ruth has made delicious caramel apples as well.

The Honeygold and other apple varieties in the orchard, including Honeycrisp, Zestar! and State Fair, were developed by the University of Minnesota.

Young, 86, now has 300 trees in his orchard. Most are apple trees, along with a few plum trees. He created

For the last two years, the Youngs haven’t charged people anything to pick apples. Donations are accepted but not required.

Empire Apples come from New York.

The state got its nickname, “The Empire State,” from the apples, not the other way around, Young said.

28

SEP 2025

To add to the fun, Young installed two swings, one of which will hold at least three people.

As the number of trees in the orchard has grown, the variety of apples it offers has increased as well. Young’s favorite: Honeygold.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YOUNG'S APPLE BOX ORCHARD

Another variety, the Arkansas Black, is very good for making hard cider, he said.

A few apple trees grow near a former stop for the Cheyenne to Deadwood Stage near Lusk. “I have grafted some of those trees, and I have some of their fruit in my orchard now. They are very tasty,” Young said.

Some of the best apples for making applesauce come from a crabapple tree.

They are 2 inches in diameter and very sweet. They’re also good for making pies and eating fresh.

likelihood of a killing freeze. Then the apples must mature fast enough to ripen before winter snows come.

Young has also learned which varieties don’t grow well, how to overcome some problems in his orchard, as well as which problems can’t be overcome. Both he and his trees must be resilient to be successful.

“They can be used for anything,” Young said.

“When children come, they love to pick those and eat them.”

“There’s a lot of work involved.

We’ve lost a lot of trees and had to replant. We’ve had lots of hail,” he said.

To grow in this climate, apple trees must bloom later in the spring, when there is less

But the happiness the apples bring to him and the people they benefit make the effort

to grow them worth it.

Although growing apples is quite different from guiding a congregation, there are similarities.

“You find a tree and pick an apple, and the apple is good. It does something that brightens the day for other people,” Young said.

“Growing trees is kind of like growing people. You want them be as productive as they can be, and to make something of their life that makes a difference in the world. To me, that’s the success of life — to do something that outlives you, to do something

that’s going to affect the next generation or two.”

The Youngs, and the people who live near or stop by to visit, enjoy watching the changes in the trees over the growing season.

“It the spring of the year, they’re just awash with blossoms, then tiny apples start growing, and now they have a pretty red or yellow color on them. It’s just something special.”

“The orchard provides a joyful experience for other people’s lives. I think that’s worth living for,” Young said.

Dick and Ruth Young are members of the Wyrulec Co-op. W

Ilene Olson is a freelance photographer, writer and editor in Powell.

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THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. RESULTS MAY VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON. NO INDIVIDUAL RESULT SHOULD BE SEEN AS TYPICAL. 8

PEN TO PAPER

Fall…Again…

TARA JEAN SEELY

The frost is new No longer just dew Time to think of jackets And hats of wool The gates are locked and Voices still At the local city pool Geese are calling The lakes are low The sun is rising But, Oh! So slow The morning air Is thin and cool

HAWK SPRINGS

The yellow bus Heads off for school Leaves and breeze Hold conversation Speaking of the Coming season Windows are shut With evening's sigh And opened once The sun shines Bright Thoughts and memories Crowd my mind

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

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SEP 2025

Another summer will Soon be gone I sit and pine And wish and long For summer’s kiss and breezes warm The frost is new No longer just dew Winter’s breath Is in the air As summer retreats Without a care…

Put Your Pen to Paper!

Please include your name, address, and phone number.

SUBMIT A PIECE

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

WHAT’S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP

03

02

OCTOBER

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

Explore museum grounds and exhibits.

Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.

CHEYENNE

04

01 FEATURED EVENT

OCTOBER 29 Wyoming Taxpayers Association 88th Annual Meeting: 8am. Little America Hotel & Resort, 2800 W Lincolnway. Please join WTA as we welcome elected officials, executive directors and industry leaders from a wide range of experiences and perspectives as we strive to provide our members with the best discussion and resources available in the state. Visit wyotax.org for agenda and registration information. Info: 307-635-8761.

WRIGHT

OCTOBER 18 2025 Annual Chili Cook-off: 5-8pm.

Community Center, 201 Wright Blvd.

Fire up your taste buds for the Wright Centennial Museum’s annual fundraiser!

Fabulous chilis cook-off contest, silent auction basket items, live auction and raffle drawing for a .22 Creedmore Rifle

by Peter Angelos. Info: 307-464-1222.

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

Info: 307-684-0451.

RARE RELICS ROADSHOW LANDER COMMUNITY CENTER  OCTOBER 4 This inaugural show is a wonderful opportunity for our community to uncover the stories behind their treasures and support the vital work of the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation. We invite you to join us for a day of discovery and an evening of excitement!

Appraisals: 9am-3pm Discover the Value of Your Treasures!

Bring your cherished heirlooms and unique finds to be appraised by expert appraisers. Learn their worth.

You have the option to auction the item in the evening!

Dinner and Auction: 6-9pm Enjoy an unforgettable evening of fine dining, silent auction and a live auction featuring a curated selection of fascinating relics and unique items.

Support the Wind River Cultural Centers Foundation with spirited bidding. Acquire a piece of history!

Cost: Varies Information: windriverccf.com Location: Lander Community Center | 950 Buena Vista Dr.

PROCEEDS FROM THE RARE RELICS ROAD SHOW WILL SUPPORT THE WRCCF’S MISSION AND EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE DUBOIS MUSEUM, PIONEER MUSEUM IN LANDER AND THE RIVERTON MUSEUM AND HELP PROVIDE CRITICAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE MUSEUM’S CONTINUED OPERATIONS AND SUCCESS.

GILLETTE C H U G WAT E R THURSDAYS Acoustic Jam Session and 4-Piece Chicken Dinners: 5:30pm. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, 417 1st St. Thursday night pickin’ and grinnin’ and fried chicken...while it lasts. Call to reserve your chicken so you don’t miss out! Music venue open for jam sessions. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.

ONGOING Live Music: Stampede Saloon & Eatery.

Weekend performances. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.

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

MEDICINE BOW ONGOING Museum and Gift Shop: 8:30am-4:30pm. 405 Lincoln Highway.

Info: 307-379-2383.

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.

HULETT OCTOBER 23 Cupcake Baking Contest: 1-2pm.

Hulett Library, 401 Sager Ave. Please have 10 cupcakes and the recipe to the library by noon. A public judging will take place from 1-2pm. Winner will get $50 and 2nd place will get $25. Everyone is welcome to enter and judge. Free.

Info: Nancy Bowles, 307-467-5676.

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

Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

NORTHWEST SEP 2025

33

WHAT’S HAPPENING

MONDAY-FRIDAY Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am.

Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

ONGOING Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. Sat. 12-4pm.

Free. Info: 307-467-5292.

MOORCROFT

OCTOBER 25 Annual Treat Street: 6pm.

Moorcroft Town Center Gym, 103 S Belle Fourche Ave. Haunted house, not-so-spooky house, cake walk, games and treats.

Costumes welcome but not necessary! Fun for everyone! Free.

Info: moorcroftpac@gmail.com.

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

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SEP 2025

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.

S H E R I DA N THROUGH OCTOBER Manufacturing Month Tours: Dates and times TBA. In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturing Works bring free public tours of manufacturing companies in Sheridan and Johnson counties. Info: 307-672-2485, bit.ly/SheridanManufacturingDay. OCTOBER 2-5 WYO Film Festival: All day. WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, 42 N. Main St. An emerging film fest in the American west, providing a unique and intimate atmosphere to showcase some of the most exciting films and filmmakers of all experience levels. $20 for individual screenings; $65 for weekend bargain bundle; $120 for VIP pass. Info: wyofilmfest.org.

OCTOBER 3-4 A Tribute to Yazoo: 7pm each night.

Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Join us for this unique tribute to the ’80s synth-pop duo Yazoo (Yaz in the U.S.) by the Sheridan College Music Tech program. This creative reinterpretation features local favorite Miss Wyoming USA 2023 and Army Sergeant Beck Bridger on lead vocals.

The audience will be further treated to Sheridan College alumni contributing vocals, movement, costume and art to the presentation. Free. Info: bit.ly/SheridanCollege-ArtsEvents.

OCTOBER 4 Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore: 9am. Cornerstone Church, 4351 Big Horn Ave. Join us for the 2025 Living Proof Live Simulcast Event with powerful teaching from Beth Moore and worship led by Travis Cottrell. $20 Info: 307-672-8126.

OCTOBER 12 Symphony Band and Brass Ensembles of Sheridan College: 4pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Free. Info: bit.ly/SheridanCollege-ArtsEvents.

OCTOBER 16 Jazz at Sheridan College: 7pm.

Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Free. Info: bit.ly/SheridanCollege-ArtsEvents.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 18-19 AND 23-26 WYO Premiere: “Hello Dolly”: Showtimes TBD. WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, 42 N Main St. The WYO Theater’s annual fundraising musical, performed entirely by Sheridan’s great local talent. Ticket prices TBA. Info: 307-672-9084, wyotheater.com.

OCTOBER 25 Main Street Monster March: 10am-12pm. Sheridan Main Street.

Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun, safe trick-or-treating experience with our amazing downtown businesses. Look for the event flyer displayed in the windows to find participating locations.

Free. Info: Downtown Sheridan Association, 307-672-8881.

Skyline Singers: 7pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Join us for a performance

by Sheridan College professional chamber choir in residence Skyline Singers. Skyline Singers specialty is a cappella music, ranging from plainsong to partsongs, madrigals to motets, and from vocal jazz to contemporary pop. Tickets $10-$25. Info: bit.ly/SheridanCollege-ArtsEvents.

OCTOBER 30 The Rocky Horror Picture Show: 7pm. WYO Performing Arts & Education Center. The cult classic will be presented with a cast of local actors performing along with the film. Costumes are encouraged and a specialty cocktail will be available for purchase. Info: erin.butler@wyotheater.com.

SATURDAYS Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am.

Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.

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

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

Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.

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 712-4009056. 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.

Red Onion Museum: 8am-4pm.

Closed holidays. 1920 HWY 16.

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

03|NORTHWEST CODY OCTOBER 4 RMEF Ladies Night Out: 5pm. Olive Glenn Golf Course. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Fundraiser for ladies only. Dinner, games and basket raffles. Prizes, laughs and fun. The theme is Ancient Greece Toga Party.

Tickets $40. Info: Amanda Sorensen, 307-272-3446.

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

DUBOIS OCTOBER 11 Live Music in the High County: 7pm.

Rustic Pine Frontier Room. Live music featuring award winning fiddler and professional session musician Erica Flom and the Gypsy Wagon Hounds (Fremont County musicians Keegan Thatcher, Feike VanDyke, Colter Neale, Matt Hartman, Kimber and Sam Tower). Cowboy songs, bluegrass and more with fiddle, guitar, banjo, drums, bass, trumpet and keys. Family friendly event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Dubois with support from the Rustic Pine.

Free. Info: 307-455-2243.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 18 Kids Corner: Corn Husk Dolls: 10am. Dubois Museum, 909 W Rams Horn St. During the fall harvests throughout history, corn husks were gathered and used to create simple dolls for children. Every part of the corn plant was used since corn was domesticated centuries ago. This project will encourage children to use natural materials to create a fun traditional toy. This is one of the Bailey Tire & Pit Stop Travel Center Children’s Exploration Series for ages 6-17. Materials will be provided. $3 per child. Info: 307-455-2284.

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.

course get some treats! Costumes are greatly encouraged. Free. Info: 307-332-3339.

on the tradition of many famous cowboys like Tim McCoy. Free.

Info: 307-856-2665.

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

Info: 307-332-3237.

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.

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.

OCTOBER 25 Annual Halloween Carnival: 3-5pm. Dubois Museum, 909 W Rams Horn St. Dubois Museum joins with Kiwanis Club at the Dennison Lodge to provide a safe and fun place to wear Halloween costumes and play games while celebrating this last fall holiday before winter sets in. Free. Info: 307-455-2284.

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

OCTOBER 15 Alma Law Fremont Haunts: 6-7pm. Riverton Museum, 700 E Park Ave. Join the Riverton Museum for our annual Fremont Haunts speaker series event!

Alma Law is a local educator and collector of ghost stories who will be presenting on his spooky stories and urban legends from the Fremont County area. Come before to learn some scary local stories before Halloween! Free. Info: 307-856-2665.

THURSDAYS Farmer's Market: 4-6pm.

Headwaters. Info: Twila Blakeman, 307-851-0785.

GREYBULL

LANDER OCTOBER 17-18 Halloween Night at the Museum: 6-9pm. Pioneer Museum, 1443 W Main St. Get ready for a spooky time at the Pioneer Museum for this Bailey's Tire and Auto Children's Exploration Series program. We are back with our family friendly Halloween event. Enjoy the maze, try one of our activities, and of

R I V E RTO N OCTOBER 8 Jack Schmidt Cowboy Poetry Speaker Series: 6-7pm. Riverton Museum, 700 E Park Ave. The Riverton Museum is hosting Jack Schmidt for this Wyoming Community Bank Discovery Speaker Series. Jack Schmidt will be talking about the history of cowboy poetry, how it affected people, and where the practice of cowboy poetry is headed.

Jack has been reciting cowboy poetry for decades now, carrying

OCTOBER 18 Riverton Museum Annual Pumpkin Trail: 5-8:30pm. Riverton Museum, 700 E Park Ave. Stop by the museum between 5-8pm to vote for your favorite pumpkins carved by local organizations and businesses in Riverton. Enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies. Free.

Info: 307-856-2665.

Alma Law Haunted Downtown Walking Tour: 5:30-7:30pm.

Riverton Museum, 700 E Park Ave.

SEP 2025

35

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The Riverton Museum is hosting Alma Law for this Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek. Explore downtown Riverton with local guide and ghost story expert Alma Law! Learn about the history of local buildings, and the eerie events that have happened in them. We will leave the Riverton Museum at 5:30pm. Please wear warm clothes. $15 per person. Info: 307-856-2665.

OCTOBER

MEETEETSE

Children's Exploration Series. Come in your costume to get your picture taken in front of our Halloween backdrop. Enjoy free cookies, hot chocolate, fun Halloween themed games and crafts, and explore our museum. Free. Info: 307-856-2665.

THROUGH DECEMBER 31 Meeteetse Museums Fall Hours: Tue.-Sat. 10am-4pm. 1947 State St. Free. Info: 307-868-2423.

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

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.

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.

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.

OCTOBER 25 9th Annual Fall Fun Fest: 2-4pm.

Riverton Museum, 700 E Park Ave. The Riverton Museum is hosting the Fall Fun Fest sponsored by Bailey Tire and Auto Service for their

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.

POWELL

SUBMIT AN EVENT

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

THERMOPOLIS

Send events occurring in December by

OCTOBER 15!

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

Photos are always welcome.

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 LY M A N

Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.

SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

DROP THE DISTRACTIONS

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE. 36

SEP 2025

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:

 wren@

wyomingrea.org

 [307] 286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway

Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

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

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

M O U N TA I N V I E W 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.

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds

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

FOR SALE

WANTED

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

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

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

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

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. mcleantoinspire.com.

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

MISCELLANEOUS

passion is to preserve Wyoming history and the nostalgia of the past, especially Parco, Sinclair, Frontier, Husky and any car dealership along

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.

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.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD,

ENCODED ALPHABET

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MESSAGE ALPHABET

LITERACY IS STILL THE KEY!

A

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PUZZLE ON PAGE 27 SEP 2025

37

PHOTO BY KIM GASSON

Beardstongue near Brown’s Peak.

ENLIGHTEN US

My

BY WALT GASSON

Maybe my elementary school was the only one in America to require its students to account for their activities between June and August. There were plenty of quirks associated with Washington Elementary in Green River, but I doubt we were the only ones subjected to this. I suspect lots of us had to face the end of summer and the beginning of our annual indentured servitude with an essay like this. I’m not really sure why our teachers thought it was important, but it happened pretty much every year.

Honestly, I struggled with the topic.

Anyone who’s read this column knows that I’m not often at a loss for words, but that doesn’t mean that the words always come easily.

Maybe that’s because I often felt like the experiences that filled my summers were a little different than those of my classmates. Their summers were about baseball and swimming at the pool and going to birthday parties. Mine were more about the day my dad and I rode Eddie and Gypsy to a lake that didn’t have a name and caught a whole pile of fish. Or the day I whacked a whole bunch of starlings with my BB gun, from a concealed position in my grandma’s bedroom.

24 campsites. I think they wanted to give us something that we were unlikely to screw up. Mostly, we succeeded at that, I think. But our real success was in learning about a place we thought we knew. Life at elevation 10,200 feet is simply magnificent. Moose walked through our campground on a daily basis.

In June, the snowdrifts were still piled up in the shade. But by July, the glacier lilies and alpine sunflowers were in full bloom and the campground was a riot of color.

We could smell Englemann spruce with every breath, and the sound of running water put us to sleep every night. It was high country Wyoming at its very best.

I have always been pretty certain that my summers were more fun than those of my peers. And that certainty remains to this day. The summer of 2025 was a great example.

Back in March, Kim and I chanced upon a social media post from the good folks at the U.S. Forest Service in the Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest. They were looking for volunteers to be campground hosts in the Laramie area. They weren’t particularly fussy about qualifications. It seemed like if you had a heartbeat and an RV, you could qualify. So we applied. And to our everlasting surprise, we were hired.

There were moments that were a little less than awesome, as well.

We learned that there are about 6 million humans in Colorado, and that most of them will show up on Friday at 7 p.m. looking for a campsite. We learned that there are folks who cannot grasp the concept of completely extinguishing a campfire. But all that paled in significance to the sense of wonder.

We learned that the magic we felt when we were camping with our kids – and later their kids – is still alive and well in the mountains of Wyoming. And that might have been the most important thing anyone in our little campground learned this summer.

We were assigned to a campground in the Snowy Range. It’s not a big campground, and it’s not next to any major trailhead. It only had

Let me offer an example. Not long after we started, we met a young

woman from North Carolina. She and her friend wanted to see the West, so they plotted a route they thought would do that. They had lots of time and they wanted to camp out while they spent time in Wyoming and Montana. They drove 10 hours the first day and 16 hours the second day to get to our little campground, essentially all on interstate highways.

Their next stop was going to be somewhere in the Tetons, but they were stunned by the beauty of the Snowy Range. The more we talked, the more questions they asked about Wyoming. We were able to suggest some alternative routes for them that would get them off the interstate and into the real Wyoming. Their sense of wonder at the enormity of the landscape and the freedom they felt here was inspiring.

We’ll never see them again, I’m sure.

But that conversation will remain fresh in my mind for a long time.

We are blessed to live in a place most Americans can only dream of or maybe get a taste of once in a lifetime. It’s a place we love, and one that deserves our love and our protection. As 15-year-old, Helen Mettler wrote in the last entry in her diary back in 1925, “God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.” W Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native, writer and son of the sagebrush sea. He lives in Laramie, Wyoming.

SEP 2025

39

RY O S N E S

D N SA

This taste-safe moon sand is perfect for exploring all five senses this season!

N FOR FALL O O M

INGREDIENTS • 4 Cups All-purpose Flour make this taste-safe by heat treating the flour in your oven or microwave

• ½ Cup Vegetable Oil • 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon • Oil-based Candy Coloring optional

MAKING MOON SAND 1

Combine pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon with flour in a bowl.

2

In a separate bowl, combine oil and candy coloring.

3

Pour oil mixture into the flour mixture and mix together, breaking up any clumps.

Play!

Let your kids explore the moon sand’s crumbly texture, experiment with forming it into balls and other shapes, spreading it out and scooping it up, and whatever else their curious minds think up!

As they play, ask your kids what the sand feels like, talk about how the spices smell and whether the scent gets stronger or stays the same as they move the sand around, and if they do taste it, does the taste match the smell?

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

Communication

Sense of Self & Relationships

Curious Minds

Strong & Healthy Bodies

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

Check out This month's activity:

A-MAIZING BEADS

Find fun activities to do with your kids at

wyqualitycounts.org/wren