Vol. 47, No. 3, January 18, 2023

EMPTY NESTERS: Mistakes that Could Cost You Thousands When Selling Your Northeast Wyoming Home

Northeast Wyoming – Are you an "Empty Nester" who needs a home for the future? Is it time to downsize or to move into another home more suitable for your glorious retirement years?

Like thousands of residents in our area, you may be discovering that after years of non-stop child traffic in and out of your doors, toys on the floor, music floating throughout, suddenly you can hear a pin drop over the quiet hum of the refrigerator. Your rooms are filled with pictures and memories of this wonderful time of your life, but there are many empty rooms gathering dust now that your children have moved on. The freer years ahead are exciting ones to look forward to, and it's time for you to move on as well.

If you find yourself in this situation, you're in vast and good company. And what that means is that there are many wonderful opportunities for you to create this new chapter in

your life ... if you know what is takes to get the most out of the equity you've built up in your current home.

To help you understand the issues involved in making such a move, and how to avoid the 9 most common and costly mistakes most Empty Nesters make, a new report called "Empty Nester: How to Sell the Place You Call Home" has been prepared which identifies these issues, and shows you how to steer clear of the mistakes that could cost you literally thousands of dollars.

To order a FREE Special Report, visit www.WyEmptyNesters.com or to hear a brief recorded message about how to order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-855-931-2789 and enter 1013. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get your free special report NOW to find out how you can fly your empty nest with the most cash in your pocket.

Thinking of Selling? Get a FREE Home Valuation Now: www.GilletteHouseValues.com

This report is courtesy of Harry Kimbrough RE/MAX Professionals. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright ©2022

SIX COSTLY ERRORS WHEN MOVING TO A LARGER NORTHEAST WYOMING HOME

Free Reports tells you how. To order a FREE special report, visit www.6TradeUpMistakes.org

Free recorded message 1-855-931-2789. ID#1007

WHERE TO TURN TO WHEN YOUR NORTHEAST WYOMING HOME

DOESN'T SELL

Before re-listing your Northeast Wyoming home, order this free report that reveals four critical issues to ensure that your home sells fast and for top dollar.

www.MyExpiredWyomingHome.com

Free recorded message 1-855-931-2789 ID#1012

Harry Kimbrough RE/MAX Professionals

UTILITY TRAILERS

TRAILERS FOR SALE

New 16 foot and 18 foot

car haulers Low price Call: 307-689-0202

HOMES (LOCAL)

See ALL Area Homes For Sale: Visit www GilletteHomes com or call 307-660-6916

Harry Kimbrough, RE/MAX Professionals

Six Costly Errors When Moving to a Larger Home Free Reports tells you how www newhometradeups com Free recorded message, 1-855-931-2789 ID# 1007 Harry Kimbrough @ REMAX Professionals

MOBILE HOMES (LOCAL)

Two mobile homes for sale on rented lots, close to downtown Call Mike, 307-670-5364

Prairie Rose Mobile Home Community Lots for rent WE WILL PAY $15,000 for your mobile home moving costs Call for details! 682-1350

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Large commercial building for sale Located downtown Gillette across from City Hall, 400 S Kendrick Ave, Please call for further inquires 208-521-7369

RENTAL HOMES

House basement apartment, two bedroom Washer/dryer, gas, electric and cable included Upstairs rents as an Air B&B 30-60 days a year, house sits on 7 acres, $975 per month Ken 307-680-4800

RENTAL MOBILE HOMES

Three bedroom Starting at 875 307-680-9508

OFFICE, RETAIL SPACE

1,114SF office at 511 E 4th 307-682-5781

2000 square feet, $1000 per month Great location! 307-682-3195 or 307-299-9749

700 + square foot office space at 101 Fir Ave Suite C, has two offices, large reception area, handicapped restroom and storage room $800 per month, 307-299-9880 Eric

Office space available, close to courthouse, approximately 652 square feet, office available for sublease Located at 400 S Kendrick, Suite 304 For more information please contact Tami at 307-459-5766

PETS

Sheltie male puppy, 9 weeks old 307-299-2852

LIVESTOCK

Wanted: Pasture for horses 307-680-9778 Freezer Beef Ready For Delivery! 307-6803966

Butcher beef 682-4196

PUBLIC NOTICES

The Refuge NA Meetings: Monday and Wednesday, 5:30pm; Tuesday 6:00pm; Thursday, 7:00pm; Friday 5:30pm, Saturday 7:00pm, Sunday, 8:15am 201 W Lakeway, Suite 511

STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED

Service/Miscellaneous

FREE high-speed internet for those that qualify Government program for recipients of select programs incl Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal 15 GB internet service Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay Free shipping & handling Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-888-573-1795

Services

Caring for an aging loved one? Wondering about options like senior-living communities and in-home care? Caring com's Family Advisors are here to help take the guesswork out of senior care for you and your family Call for your FREE, no-obligation consultation: 1-855676-2298

Service/Miscellaneous

The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home Full installation services available $0 Down Financing Option Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today Call 1-888-970-4434

Notices

Easily search or receive alerts on PUBLIC NO-

STATEWIDE

CLASSIFIED

The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home Full installation services available $0 Down Financing Option Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today Call 1-888-970-4434

Notices

Easily search or receive alerts on PUBLIC NOTICES printed in Wyoming community newspapers for FREE at wyopublicnotices com Wyoming citizens can monitor the actions of local governments from hearings, minutes, salaries, bids, elections, zoning and more by searching the public notices printed in Wyoming newspapers on this statewide digital archive Also, find foreclosures, court filings, probates, adoptions, permits and other notices! This ONLINE statewide repository for Wyoming public notices is provided FREE by your Wyoming community newspapers Stay Informed at: wyopublicnotices com Professional Services

Advertise statewide! REACH THOUSANDS with a WY Classified Advertising Network Services, for sale, wanted to buy, recruitment, and more! Only $150 Contact your local newspaper

HELP WANTED

Busy medical office looking for a full-time nurse/ medical assistant to join our team, Monday through Friday, benefits offered Please send resume to Blind Box 822, C/O Gillette News Record P O Box 3006 Gillette WY, 82717

Looking for front counter, bakers assistant, need to be great with multitasking, customer service and pass a drug test Please come in and fill out application at 208 South Gillette Ave 307 686 0570

OPERATORS AND MAINTENANCE PEOPLE NEEDED

Shimmick (a mining subcontractor) is looking for Operators, Mechanics & Oilers Operations are Monday-Friday with occasional Saturdays Offer Insurance, PTO, Holidays and 401K Please email for application karen jacob@shimmick com or at 113 S Gillette Ave, Ste 201 E E O & Drug Free Work Place

Seeking full time manager, experience preferred, willing to train right candidate, duties include: training, scheduling, inventory, able to work all positions, team leader a plus! Weekends a must Please call 307-299-7595

Looking for equipment operators, roustabouts and laborers If interested please contact Josh Wofford at 307-257-4321 or email resume to acyionenergyservices@gmail com We offer competitive wages and benefits!

Butler Field Services LLC is hiring for experienced roustabouts, wage DOE health, dental, vision, 401k Email resumes to accounting@butlerfieldservices com

Donut fryer needed 9pm-5am Monday thru Friday Drug test required Apply in person at Breanna's Bakery, 208 S Gillette Avenue

Overhead Door Company of Gillette is seeking a garage door technician Will train right candidate

Salary DOE Must have valid Drivers License Please apply in person at 3208 North Hwy 14/16, Gillette

Customer Service Representative wanted for local insurance office Must be able to pass a background check and Wyoming Insurance License exam is a plus 686-5000

WOW

Western Waste Solutions is looking for one additional driver or helper Must have Class B CDL and able to pass a drug and alcohol test Please call: 307-685-2556

Full-time experienced Tire Hand needed Must have clean driving record and pass drug test Call Sue at 307-299-0466

Well established janitorial company seeking part-time experienced floor hands, Monday through Friday, starting wage $14/hour Please call 1-307-241-0245

Place your classified ad here for results. Simply give us a call at 682-9306 or stop by the office at 1201 W. Second St. today.

Bumper Sticker Humor

The more things change, the more they stay insane.

Gravity always gets me down.

It’s bad luck to be superstitious.

Honk if you like peace and quiet.

Always go to other people’s funerals, or they won’t go to yours.

The Rockpile Museum to host guest speaker from the Museum at the Bighorns on the life of Edward Gillette

Thursday - January 26 - 7 p.m.

The Campbell County Rockpile Museum is pleased to welcome speaker, historian, and collections manager from the Museum at the Bighorns Jessica Salzman for her presentation “Edward Gillette: A New Englander Comes West” on Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Museum.

In this presentation, Jessica will discuss how Gillette was pivotal to the development of the railroad that changed the face of northern Wyoming and how he left his mark on Sheridan’s history.

Don’t miss the chance to hear more about the life of Edward Gillette and learn how the city of Gillette got its name. This event is FREE and open to the public.

About the Speaker Jessica Salzman is the Collections Manager for the Museum at the Bighorns in Sheridan, Wyoming. She has a master’s degree in museum science from Texas Tech University. After graduating in 2012 she moved to Wyoming to take a job at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Buffalo. She has been in her current position since 2020.

Please visit the Museum’s website at rockpilemuseum.com or call 307-682-5723 for more information.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION

It only takes a minute to read this. A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3’ steps, STR. Read and learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today).

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke - Stick Out Your Tongue.

NOTE: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is ‘crooked,’ if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Sudoku

The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.

Published every Wednesday by the Gillette News Record 1201 W. Second St., Gillette, WY 82716

To advertise, call 682-9306

Natalie Hollenbeck, Ext. 215

Michele Gossett, Ext. 216

PLEASE NOTE!

The Gillette Advertiser is mailed to about 8,000 households in the Gillette area. You can also pick up the Gillette Advertiser at racks set up in Gillette, Moorcroft, Rozet, and Recluse.

For delivery questions call Circulation at 682-9306, Ext. 7.

The Campbell County Senior Center at 701 Stocktrail Ave. is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 686-0804.

Lunches

Wed., Jan. 18: Beef tips over mashed potatoes, green beans, pears, lemon cake.

Thurs., Jan. 19: Parmesan chicken, parsley noodles, bean medley, peanut butter pie.

Fri., Jan. 20: Breakfast sandwich, cheesy tater tots, cinnamon twist, juice cup.

Mon., Jan. 23: French dip, potato wedges, broccoli/cauliflower salad, peach/pear medley.

Tues., Jan. 24: Chicken rice casserole, breadstick, pickled beets, lemon bar.

Internet Tidbit: Gas Buddy

Gas can get expensive, so it pays to know where the cheapest fill-up is near you. Millions of people use GasBuddy.com to get accurate and up-to-date information about fuel prices in their area. Users post gas prices and identify the lowest priced fuel in their area, helping everyone save money at the pumps. You can access the information on the web or with their apps.

Sudoku Solution

FAMILY FEATURES

In today’s world, grocery shopping can seem more like a burden than an opportunity to gather supplies for your family’s favorite meals. With prices of everyday ingredients fluctuating almost daily, it’s important for many families to make their dollars go further at the store.

Easy ways to stretch your grocery budget, like using versatile ingredients, can make the checkout experience a little less impactful on your household’s finances. Consider the benefits of mushrooms, which provide a delicious option to enhance flavor in favorite recipes while extending portions in an affordable way.

Save Money

Stretch your dollars by stretching your meals using a process called “The Blend.” Blending finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat can extend portion sizes of your favorite meaty recipes and help your bottom line. Chop your favorite mushroom variety to match the consistency of ground meat, blend the chopped mushrooms and meat together then cook to complete the recipe. For burgers, use a blend of 25% finely chopped mushrooms and 75% ground meat. For tacos or chili, use 50%

mushrooms and 50% meat or an even higher mushroom-to-meat ratio.

Savor the Flavor

The savory umami taste of mushrooms means a flavorful experience in blended recipes like burgers, where the chopped mushrooms help hold in the juiciness. Or, you can chop, quarter, slice or enjoy them whole in recipes like Garlic-Rosemary Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto, Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup or Blended Pasta Sauce paired with your favorite pasta.

One Carton, Multiple Dishes

Thanks to mushrooms’ versatility, you can buy one large carton of mushrooms to chop up then bulk up multiple dishes, from a morning omelet to hearty soups to blended burgers.

Serve Up Nutrition

Low-calorie, low-sodium, fat-free and cholesterol-free, mushrooms are nutrient rich and can play a starring role in a variety of meals. With an array of fresh varieties and nearly endless ways to prepare them, they can be your powerhouse from the produce department.

Find more recipe ideas and ways to make the most of your grocery store dollars at MushroomCouncil.com.

Prep time: 20 minutes • Cook time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4

Chicken: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs salt, to taste pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 16 ounces mushrooms, such as white button, crimini or portabella, quartered

zucchinis, sliced in half moons

large carrots, thinly sliced 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced

Orzo: 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced

16 ounces mushrooms, such as white button, crimini or portabella, finely chopped

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/3 cup white wine

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

To make chicken: Preheat oven to 450 F.

Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sear chicken until brown on both sides, 4-5 minutes on each side.

In large bowl, toss mushrooms, zucchinis and carrots with rosemary and garlic.

On large baking sheet, spread vegetables. Nestle chicken into vegetables. Drizzle with butter and juices from pan.

Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

To make orzo: In small pot over medium-low heat, warm broth.

Using skillet from chicken over medium heat, add butter and olive oil. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, 3-4 minutes.

Add orzo and black pepper. Stir and cook orzo 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute. Add broth to orzo, 2/3 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed. Repeat with remaining broth, waiting until last batch is absorbed before adding next. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.

Serve in individual bowls with chicken and roasted vegetables atop mushroom orzo risotto.

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup

Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks, MS, RD, on behalf of the Mushroom Council

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes • Servings: 4

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, small diced

Blended Pasta Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the Mushroom Council

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound mushrooms (such as white button, crimini or portabella), finely chopped

1 pound 80% lean ground beef

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce cooked pasta salt, to taste pepper, to taste grated Parmesan cheese

In large pot over medium heat, add oil and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and reduced in size.

Add ground beef, Italian seasoning and salt; cook until browned throughout, about 6 minutes, stirring and breaking up lumps. Skim off fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons.

Stir in marinara sauce and reduce heat to low. Cook 10 minutes.

Serve over cooked pasta, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and top with grated Parmesan.

8 ounces mushrooms, such as white button,

Heat

Add marinara, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf

broth. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to low and simmer.

Add lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and remove bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted, 2-3 minutes.

Divide between bowls and top each with dollop of ricotta and sprinkle of mozzarella.

Garlic-Rosemary Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto

Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks, MS, RD, on behalf of the Mushroom Council

Garlic-Rosemary Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto

Blended Pasta Sauce

Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup

FEATUREDCRIME

Missing Person

The Gillette Police Department has arrested Nathan J. Hightman, a person of interest in the Irene Gakwa missing person case and he has been charged with two felony counts of theft, one felony count of unlawful use of a credit card, and two felony counts of crimes against intellectual property. Irene is the victim of these crimes.

Hightman has declined interview requests from the Gillette Police Department. The investigation into the disappearance of 32-year-old Irene Gakwa continues. Information obtained through investigation suggests Irene went missing under suspicious circumstances. She was last seen in a video call with her parents on Feb. 24 and was reported missing on March 20 by her brother.

Detectives are asking for any information concerning a gray or silver colored Subaru Crosstrek with Idaho plates between Feb. 24 and March 20. Also a 55-gallon drum that may have been burned and/or abandoned within the county.

OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY

DAVID A. BECK, M.D. WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE, P.C. LEAH ALBRECHT, MSN, WHNP

Specializing in complete women's healthcare including normal & complicated pregnancies, infertility, & gynecological surgery. Expertise with hysteroscopic ablation & vaginal tape procedure for incontinence.

1402 W. 4th St. • Gillette, WY • 307-682-2233 NEW PATIENTS WELCOME!

FAMILY PRACTICE

THOMAS T. ANDREW, M.D. HERITAGE

HEALTH CARE CENTER

Family Practice, providing patient care for the whole family. Asthma & allergy testing & treatment for all allergies for the whole family. Hormone Replacement Therapy for women and men. 1301 West Third Street (307) 682-4551 • NEW PATIENTS WELCOME!

DERMATOLOGY

Scott Bennion, M.D. • Matthew Green, M.D. Brandon Bennion, D.N.P. • Melissa Rhoades, N.P.

Specializing in disease of the skin, hair and nails. Skin Cancer & MOHS Surgery. Vein Sclerotherapy. We have relocated!

1301 West Third Street, Gillette, WY 82716 1-877-858-0990

Spasticity 101 - A debilitating yet treatable common condition after a stroke

(Family Features) In the year following a stroke, about 1 in 3 stroke survivors will experience spasticity, a common post-stroke condition which causes muscle stiffness due to involuntary muscle contractions. Most commonly affecting the elbow, wrist and ankle, the condition may make it difficult to do activities people were able to do before their stroke like dressing, brushing their teeth or walking. More than 3 million stroke survivors may wrestle with reduced independence and increased reliance on caregivers due to spasticity. The condition is particularly common in younger stroke survivors.

After a stroke, the way your brain communicates with your muscles may change. Muscles may be stiff or resistant to stretching. They may involuntarily contract or have a smaller range of motion.

“While there’s no cure for spasticity, working with your care team to find the best treatment options for you can help provide comfort, relief and independence,” said Richard D. Zorowitz, MD, volunteer past chair of the American Heart Association’s Stroke Council Rehabilitation and Recovery Committee and chief medical informatics officer and outpatient attending physician at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network. Some common symptoms include painful muscle spasms; difficulty stretching muscles; stiffness in the arm, hand, leg and ankle; an arm folded and pressed against the chest with a curled wrist and fingers; an involuntary tight fist; pointed foot; curled toes; and overactive reflexes. If left untreated, spasticity can cause painful and debilitating bone and joint deformities. Experts stress seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms develop. Assessment of the condition is critical in developing a treatment plan based on individual needs and goals, the severity of the condition and overall health.

Management plans may include targeted injections of botulinum toxin, oral medications, intrathecal baclofen pump therapy, physical therapy or other methods to improve the muscles’ ability to stretch and regain range of motion. Home modifications such as assistive devices and other adaptations to increase independence and safety may also help.

If you or a loved one is dealing with spasticity after a stroke, talk to your doctor or health care team about options to treat and manage it. Find resources and tools to help at Stroke.org/Spasticity. Spasticity education made possible through funding by Ipsen.

Knowing the Signs of Stroke Saved One Man’s Life

When Herbert “Hub” Miller worked as a global leader for an international agriculture science company, his boss ended every meeting with a reminder of the “FAST” acronym to recognize the signs of stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call 911. “I’d sit back and think, ‘Here comes the whole FAST speech again; let’s move on,’” Miller said. “I didn’t know I’d ever use it on myself.”

In April 2021, Miller was working from home when he experienced throbbing head pain. As other symptoms began appearing, the 42-year-old remembered those meetings and checked off the symptoms: His face was numb, his left arm drooped and he struggled to form words. It turned out to be a hemorrhagic stroke, a ruptured blood vessel bleeding into the brain. Miller’s odds of surviving weren’t good, but it wasn’t until he was recovering in intensive care that he understood the full impact of the stroke. It caused abnormal increases in muscle tone causing stiffness, pain and spasms known as spasticity, leaving him with mobility and cognitive challenges.

After the stroke, Miller struggled with once-simple tasks like drawing a clock, completing a word puzzle and playing memory games. “Spasticity changed my life and added an additional hurdle to my stroke recovery,” Miller said. “Without being able to open and close my left hand, I can’t write, type or drive like I used to. Those are things most of us take for granted until we can’t do them.”

Miller worked on his penmanship at the same time his youngest son learned to write in the first grade. Miller asked the teacher to send home extra worksheets, and father and son did homework together.

“I don’t measure my success day by day, but when I look back to a year ago and where I am today, I am grateful every day how far I have come,” he said. Photo courtesy of

How to Welcome a New Puppy to the Family

Warm Up Winter with Watermelon Fun

(Family Features) The cold chill of winter may have you feeling trapped indoors with nothing to do and nowhere to go, but fun activities fit for the whole family can add excitement and chase away those wintertime blues. Paired with an appetizing snack, at-home crafting provides a relaxing way to keep your mind and body moving.

Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.

When this year’s first snowfall offers a canvas for creativity and entertainment, gather your loved ones to make this Watermelon Snowman. Fresh-cut and personal-sized watermelons are the predominant options in wintertime, and they’re perfect for putting together this festive work of art. All you’ll need is a collection of kitchen knives, an ice cream scoop, melon ballers, skewers, some decorative “clothing” and blueberries for a fruit salad served right out of the snowman.

While you’re hard at work, ease your appetite with a quick and easy snack like Watermelon Glazed Meatballs. Start with a homemade watermelon puree mixed with barbecue sauce then saute frozen meatballs and top with the sweet glaze for a perfect wintertime treat.

Along with delicious taste, watermelon is also a nutritious hydration source, which is just as important in winter as during warmer months, and provides an excellent source of vitamin C with 25% of the daily recommended value in each 2-cup serving to support immunity. These tasty morsels also make for a simple, shareable appetizer while hosting throughout the season. Just lay them out on a serving tray and pop toothpicks into each meatball so guests can grab and go while mingling.

To find more family-friendly crafts and sweet snack ideas, visit Watermelon.org.

Watermelon Snowman

Kitchen knives

1 round seedless watermelon

In fact, it takes the average pet owner almost four months to get into the flow with a new four-legged family member, according to a survey by Royal Canin. Eight in 10 respondents said the first year of pet ownership is the most important, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The survey found 64% believe the first year is also the most difficult and deciding how to train a new pet was cited as the most important decision pet parents have to make.

“Bringing a puppy home is a hugely rewarding experience for pet owners, but it’s also a time of huge challenges and steep learning curves,” said Dr. Jill Cline, pet nutritionist and site director of Royal Canin’s Pet Health and Nutrition Center. “In addition to helping your puppy adjust to its new home, you can support your puppy’s health now and always with a nutritionally complete diet tailored to its specific needs.”

Make welcoming a new puppy a rewarding experience for the whole family with these tips.

Arriving Home

Your puppy may be feeling stressed by new sights, sounds, smells and the separation from its mother. Manage the noise and activity to avoid adding to this stress.

As soon as you get home, take your puppy to your yard or outside area so it can go to the bathroom. Use positive verbal reinforcement when the job is done.

Once indoors, block off a safe area and let your puppy sniff and explore on its own time. Getting acquainted with a new place takes time and lots of exploring. Some puppies can be overwhelmed by too much human contact, so allow your puppy to come to you.

Getting Settled

Puppies like to know what to expect. Plan your routine for feeding, potty trips, exercise and grooming so you can get started on day one. If you know what routine your puppy had before adoption, it’s best to continue for consistency until your puppy is settled.

Any sudden dietary changes can cause stress or digestive problems, so for the first week or two, give your puppy the same food as its previous owner, following the feeding recommendations on the package. Nutrition tailored to specific developmental needs can help fragile, young puppies grow into strong, healthy dogs. It’s important to select a high-quality food based on age and expected adult size.

Your puppy’s eating spot should be away from where you and any other pets eat. Allow your puppy to eat in peace to prevent it from feeling nervous or protective.

Puppies tire easily and need as much as 18-20 hours of sleep per day for healthy development. A crate near where you sleep lets your puppy see and smell you but keeps it from wandering off. Put something that carries your scent in your puppy’s bed along with a blanket to snuggle into.

Remember to schedule regular veterinarian visits and gradually introduce your puppy to new experiences like sounds, car travel, walks and other animals. It’s also important to begin behavior training right away to develop good habits from the start.

If you’re interested in getting a new puppy, before making a decision on which breed best suits your family and lifestyle, you can see all 196 registered breeds during the 2021 AKC National Championship. Find more advice for welcoming a new puppy into your home at RoyalCanin.com/puppies.

Royal Canin

2 personal-sized watermelons, one larger than other ice cream scoop or large spoon melon baller mini melon baller or paring knife blueberries large wooden skewers

y-shaped sticks scarf hat

Using knife, cut 1/4-inch slice off bottom of round seedless watermelon and both personal watermelons to provide stable bases. Use smallest melon for head, second largest for torso and largest for lower body. Set aside smallest watermelon.

Cut tops off large and medium watermelons to create bowls. Using ice cream scoop or large spoon, scoop out flesh.

Using melon baller, scoop eyes out of smallest watermelon. Invert melon balls and reinsert.

Using mini melon baller or paring knife, scoop out holes for nose and mouth. Carve one piece of watermelon into triangle for nose and fill mouth holes with blueberries.

On platter, using large wooden skewers, connect all three watermelons.

Insert y-shaped sticks in middle watermelon for arms.

Fill bottom sections with fruit salad of melon balls and blueberries. Decorate with scarf and hat.

Watermelon Glazed Meatballs

Servings: 8

Watermelon Puree: 1 fresh watermelon

2 tablespoons vegetable oil 24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce 1 cup watermelon puree

To make watermelon puree: Remove seeds from watermelon and cut into large chunks. In blender, process until smooth.

In large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat or electric skillet set to 325 F, heat oil.

Saute mini meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.

Mix barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over meatballs and simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve hot. #16211 • Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board

(Family Features) Introducing a new puppy to your household can bring many rewards. However, getting the hang of things can take some time, especially for firsttime pet owners.

Sage Valley Junior High School 8th-grade student Tyson Schmelzle is the 2021 Bareback World Champion, five-time World Finals qualifier, two-time Junior High Nationals Finals Rodeo qualifier, two-time Wyoming Junior High Bareback State Champion, two-time district

Tyson Schmelzle

Sage Valley Junior High School

wrestling champion, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

The son of Quade and Heather Schmelzle, Tyson’s plans include going pro for bareback in the PRCA or pursuing a career as a game warden.

Sage Valley Junior High English Teacher, Jenny Sorenson, shares that “Tyson Schmelzle is selfmotivated and quick to smile, making him the kind of student that finds success academically, athletically, and personally. It is a joy to watch him grow as the year goes on.”

The Student of the Week is sponsored by the Gillette News Record, The Campbell County School District and the businesses on this page. The student from the county’s junior high and high school ranks, is chosen by the school district. In addition to this special honor, the student receives a $25 Gift Card from the Gillette News Record.