At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, we’re committed to helping you make the most of your health care plan. And we make it easier every day. You can access your BCBSWY account at YourWyoBlue.com or on the newly released YourWyoBlue mobile app. Scan the code below to learn more!
Access your health care insurance information anytime, wherever you go.
STORY BY COURTNEY SHOSH
I know I’ve said it before, but our lineworkers deserve to be celebrated every day. If you think about where our crews have to operate in some of the most remote parts of our state, where the weather can be a bit harsher than in the more populated areas, it’s truly amazing. They go out into the elements and work their tails off in order for the rest of us to live and work comfortably. And while our linemen are the definition of “Wyoming tough,” I know they appreciate being recognized for the job they do.
For the past several years, one way we recognize these folks and this profession is by having a proclamation signing with the Governor. This year, on April 7, Governor Gordon took the opportunity to thank Wyoming’s lineworkers with the following proclamation of Lineman Appreciation Day.
WHEREAS, safe and reliable power is essential for the vitality of Wyoming communities, the health of Wyoming families and the prosperity of Wyoming’s economy; and
WHEREAS, linemen leave their families and put their lives on the line every day to keep the power on; and
WHEREAS, these workers are in the field 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the delivery of electric power to our homes, businesses, and critical services, often under dangerous conditions or in severe weather; and
WHEREAS, linemen are the first responders of the electric utility family, answering the call during storms, accidents and other interruptions to promptly restore service and keep the lights on; and
WHEREAS, such prompt responsiveness was recently demonstrated as several communities in our state experienced swift power restoration following severe weather which caused widespread service interruptions; and
WHEREAS, Lineman Appreciation Day is an opportunity to thank linemen for their work to keep the power on, the public safe, and the economy in motion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I MARK GORDON, Governor of the State of Wyoming, do hereby proclaim April 13, 2026 to be Lineman Appreciation Day in Wyoming.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Executive Seal of the Governor of Wyoming to be affixed this 7th day of April, 2026.
This year we are featuring our favorite "Just Picture It" submissions here, at the front of the magazine! Submit your best photos each month for a chance to be featured in this space.
It is a drawing to appreciate the working pair while they are still together.
COLTER LINFORD LARAMIE, WYOMING SUBMITTED BY HIS WIFE, LEXI LINFORD
This is a picture of my Grandpa Roger Coles. Shortly after my husband’s grandpa, Don Profitt, a Hall of Fame cowboy in Evanston, passed away. He created this drawing to remember the pair who spent hours together working and exploring the mountains in Star Valley.
“I never expected it to be so beautiful that it takes your breath away.”
— Kaya C., on Stauer Opals
In a quaint village, nestled between rolling hills, lived a young woman with a deep appreciation for gemstones. Her grandmother gifted her a delicate cross pendant adorned with opals. The opals shimmered with a mesmerizing play of colors, reflecting hues of blues, greens, and fiery oranges. Her grandmother shared the legend of the opals, believed to bring hope, purity, and luck to those who wore them.
Using this story as inspiration, Stauer brings you the Opal Spirit Cross Pendant. With over 2 total carats of Kyocera lab-created opals set in .925 sterling silver encased in yellow gold, this pendant is a radiant celebration of beauty and craftsmanship. Each opal captivates with a kaleidoscopic dance of fiery oranges blending into oceanic blues, streaked with flashes of vibrant green that seem to come alive with every movement. The shimmering opals are skillfully arranged to create an enchanting, otherworldly glow, embodying the spirit of hope and harmony.
This breathtaking combination of color and craftsmanship is available as a limited availability of only
930 pieces, making it a rare and treasured addition to your jewelry collection. Plus, when you order today, you’ll receive the gold-finished sterling silver chain—a $69 value—absolutely free!
miss your chance to own this exclusive tribute to timeless elegance and meaningful symbolism.
WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
Garland Light & Power says there is not a day that goes by that Garland is not thankful to have Steve Reimer, Line Superintendent, and Todd Lawson, Journeyman Lineman, around. “They both go out of their way to teach, make the members feel heard, work hard at maintaining the system and go above and beyond their job title.”
LINE SUPERINTENDENT, GARLAND LIGHT & POWER, POWELL
25 years at cooperative
Two heads are better than one, listen to ideas from coworkers.” Reimer also encourages those interested in becoming a lineman to pay attention. “You might think you won’t use it later or it doesn’t make sense, but one day you will need it and it will all come together.”
Reimer’s favorite part of being Line Superintendent at Garland Light & Power in Powell is that he is working somewhere different each day. “We’re going places all the time!” he said. His team is a small group that always jumps in and does what needs to be done. He said it’s like “working out of an outpost instead of a headquarters.”
JOURNEYMAN LINEMAN, GARLAND LIGHT & POWER, POWELL
23 years at cooperative
Be safe, don’t get in a hurry EVER. No shortcuts. You want to be an old lineman!” Lawson also encourages new linemen not to get set in their ways. “A new perspective is always welcome.”
“I am never bored!” said Lawson. That’s his favorite part of being a Journeyman Lineman in Wyoming. And he likes the wind, “it keeps the mosquitos off of you!” But something he did not expect about his job as a lineman? The computer work. Lots of computer work.
Our linemen exemplify the cooperative quality of commitment to community. Governor Mark Gordon signs a proclamation each April to designate Lineman Appreciation Day in Wyoming (National Lineman Appreciation Day is always April 18). This year, as proclaimed on April 7, Wyoming’s Lineman Appreciation Day is April 13, an opportunity to thank linemen for their work to keep the power on and the public safe.
WE SPOKE WITH SOME OF YOUR LOCAL LINEMEN ABOUT THEIR WORK.
19 years at cooperative
Don’t get held up or beholden on having the perfect job as your first job,” Jones said. “Most of us had to start off a long way away from home, and put in hard work and long hours. Just get into the trade, work hard, be safe. Some of the most successful linemen I know started off living in a camper traveling the United States.”
Due to recent high winds in Northeast Wyoming, a lot of older poles have been knocked over. Jones told us about an outage a couple months ago that brought them out to a rural homeowner who also happened to be a volunteer firefighter. He did his best to let the crew know what had fallen and where.
“The line had been de-energized, but it must have taken several hits to the ground; it was kind of odd [due to] how many operations we had on it,” Jones explained. “So it’s dark … and
I pull up and there’s this bull elk that was lying on the line, and of course it had died, but we think that’s what that line was doing. It was coming into contact with that elk.”
Jones was later told by the rancher that he was outside the other day and had to stop counting at 1,000 with the number of elk in the herd. “You get to these calls and you never know what you’re going to see. So, unfortunately one less elk in that herd.”
Jones said that he’s also seen plenty of bears and bobcats along the way, and it’s a great perk of the profession.
“The environment we work in – this area of Wyoming is beautiful. We’re out in rural areas. Every day we’re seeing wildlife from bald eagles to osprey to elk.”
Jones has also been grateful to catch some of the storms while working. “Those storms coming in off the mountain … you’re working at midnight or two in the morning, and you have a full moon, and there’s not a cloud in the sky and everything’s just illuminated. Just that access to being outside, seeing the natural kind of environment is probably my favorite part of the job.”
In times of economic uncertainty—when inflation rises, markets fluctuate, and long-term financial stability feels less predictable—many investors turn to gold as a dependable store of value. By holding a portion of your wealth in gold, you can help safeguard your portfolio and preserve longterm financial security, even when broader economic conditions are unclear.
Since 2015, gold has surged over 400% — outpacing both the S&P 500 and the Dow during the same period.
Gold Reserve is releasing government-issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer markup for only $529 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect
to enter the gold market. Set for immediate public
availability is
and
are
to sell out quickly.
• Free of dealer markup.
• Gold provides protection against inflation and deflation.
• Gold offers financial cover during geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.
• A strong portfolio diversifier. GOVERNMENT BACKED U.S. GOLD
Appreciating Our
They Don’t Wear Capes To Work. Instead Of Superpowers, They Use Climbing Gear And Equipment To Reach The Top Of Power Poles And Transmission Towers. But Linemen Are Heroes In The Truest Sense. Also Known As Lineworkers, Their Job Is To Install, Maintain And Build Power Lines. When We Flip On A Switch In Our Home, Many Of Us Take It For Granted That The Power Comes On. This Magic, However, Is The Result Of The Incredible Dedication, Skill, Hard Work And Long Hours Linemen Put In. They Work In Every Kind Of Weather To Keep The Power On And To Make Essential Repairs When Outages Occur. That’s Why April 18 Is Designated National Lineman Appreciation Day.
A typical day at work can vary for a lineman, according to Bob Larsen, Operations Manager at Bridger Valley Electric Association. “We meet with our line foreman, and then they line out our crews on what jobs we have for the day and what tasks they’ll be asked to do.” He said general maintenance duties are often assigned a lower priority, depending on the kind of maintenance it is, and new services are given a higher priority. Outages are the top priority, and linemen are called in to work any time day or night to handle them. “The work ethic that our journeymen and linemen have here, it’s incredible,” Larsen said.
When asked what he wished more people knew about the job of a lineman, Larsen said,
“Our number one concern is not only the safety of our crew members, but it’s safety for the community, as well … We go to the schools, and we try to educate the elementary kids with a little demo that we’ve done for years. Then we have a high voltage demo that we take to the high schools and try to educate the members there, too, of the dangers of power lines.”
The work ethic that our journeymen and linemen have here, it’s incredible
For Larsen, it’s personal. “When I was a kid, we had this big tree that we would all climb, and I had no idea there was a power line running through it. As I’ve worked here for years, I’ve trimmed that tree several times. It scares me knowing how close we kids probably were to that high voltage power line.”
The combination of heights, electricity and extreme conditions makes lineman a dangerous job. That’s why the two main goals of the Cody Hotline School are safety and getting linemen training they wouldn’t usually get at their co-op or municipality, according to Jeremy Fryda, the school’s chairman and Crew Foreman at High West Energy Cooperative. “It’s good for them to learn about something they might not normally do every day, but at some point, they’re going to have to do it,” he said, and have to do it safely. Fryda started as a student at the school and has also served as an instructor.
The school primarily serves linemen working in Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Nebraska. Operations managers and other team leaders within the Wyoming rural electric cooperatives manage the school,
which was founded in 1995. The City of Cody donated land for it, and the city and co-ops continue to sponsor it. This year the annual training will take place Aug. 10-13.
An average of 120 students and 30 instructors attend each year, according to Twyla Barker, the school’s administrator and the Benefits Administrator/Human Resources at Niobrara Electric Association, Inc. Fryda said the number of instructors is key so linemen “can get a lot of personalized training. They can ask questions, and there’s always somebody there to answer them.” And with most Wyoming co-ops involved in the school, linemen can get the high-quality safety training they need at a lower price, she said.
The school involves the next potential generation of linemen, too, with its T-shirt drawing contest for youth. Barker said, “It’s a great, interactive way to spark interest in young minds about electric cooperatives, linework and safety.”
It’s good for them to learn about something they might not normally do every day, but at some point, they’re going to have to do it.
The winning entry is printed on the shirts given to every instructor and student at the Cody Hotline School. The top four artists receive a cash prize, as well. Barker said some co-ops tie the contest to the education and safety work they do in their communities.
A golf tournament during the training provides not only fun, but funds the WREA Lineman Scholarship. The school has also established a Burn Fund, which to date has provided $51,500 to aid in the recovery of victims of serious burns, including victims of high voltage electrical burns.
To donate, visit:
The school is an example of the coop way of life, Fryda said. “Everybody pitches in and everybody helps out. It’s amazing what happens when you get everybody together.”
Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs offers the state’s only power line program. Funded by the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, it began in August 2022 with seven students and has grown to 30 students working to earn either a Powerline Technology Certificate (a one-year program) or Powerline Technology Associate of Applied Science degree (a two-year program). Lance Caldwell teaches all power line classes at the college but plans to retire at the end of this year. “It’s nice to be able to pass
on what I know to these young ones and know going forward, there are people who are going to step into my boots,” he said.
While the industry is male-dominated, Caldwell said females are very sought after in the line trade. Two women have enrolled in the program so far, one 40 years old. According to Caldwell, line work can be brutal physically, “It’s not really an older person’s game.” But the 40-yearold woman made it through the program. “She beat probably 60% of the guys,” he said. After completing the college’s power line programs, students are hired by power companies and begin a paid, four-year apprenticeship. At the end, they become journeyman lineman certified.
A career as a lineman can be lucrative with a median annual pay of $93,470 in Wyoming, according to the college’s website. However, Caldwell said those considering entering the field should do their research to make sure they can do the job. “A lot of the students get to the top of the power pole and they think, ‘I’ve got this.’ But in the real world when they get called out, what’s the top of that power pole doing when it’s 20 below or blowing and it’s snowing? Or it’s covered in ice and it’s dark and you’ve got to climb it? It’s a rude awakening. This school prepares them for part of it, but not all of it,” he said.
median annual pay of $93,470 in Wyoming
It is very rewarding knowing that you turned people’s lights and their heat back on.
Caldwell has experienced those challenges and more working as a lineman before he became an instructor. “I was up on a mountain in a snow cat. The snow cat died, and we were up there for five hours waiting for a rescue crew. The radio didn’t work. By the time they got to us, it was snowing so hard, the snow cat was almost covered,” he said.
The job can also involve personal hardship for the lineman and their family. Caldwell said, “I’ve had to leave on Christmas morning with my two kids holding on to my legs saying, ‘Please don’t go.’ And I had to show them across the valley, ‘Look at all those homes with no lights. All those little kids, their homes are going to start getting cold. Will you let Daddy go fix it for them? And when I get home, we’re going to have Christmas.’ Eighteen hours later, I came home and we had Christmas.” He added, “It is very rewarding knowing that you turned people’s lights and their heat back on.” W
Courtney Shosh is a Wyoming-based freelance writer and author.
Each year the WREA Lineman Scholarship offers $3,000 for one or more individuals to attend a regional lineworker training program.
While applicants must have a GED or high school diploma, WREA Office Manager Robin Feezer said, “If you don’t have a high GPA, it’s not necessarily going to disqualify you because sometimes the kids that struggle in school make the best linemen. They’re more hands-on … We think every kid deserves a chance, regardless of how they did in school.”
Applicants must also belong to a Wyoming co-op. The Adkins Linemen Scholarship and Dar Hackworth Linemen Scholarship have similar requirements, and eligible individuals may apply for all three scholarships.
Another benefit of the scholarships is that recipients send a resume and cover letter to WREA upon completion of their lineworker program, which Feezer then forwards to the co-ops. “I make it pretty easy for them,” she said. “If they give me a resume, I send it to the people hiring.”
For more information about the scholarships or to apply, visit:
wyomingrea.org/education-and-careers
There are black bears and grizzly bears in Wyoming. Both species of bears can be brown, black, blonde or reddish (cinnamon) colored. The color of the bear does not tell you what kind, or species, it is. Look at pictures to help you learn how to tell the difference between black bears and grizzly bears.
• Black bears have tall pointy ears, a long cone-shaped snout, and their rump is usually higher than their shoulders.
• Grizzly bears have short, round ears, a dish shape between their nose and eyes, and usually have shoulders that are higher than their rump.
Bear encounters are rare but it is important to make sure that you prevent bears from getting too close or too comfortable with people. Taking steps to prevent bears from coming around will keep you and the bears safe and happy.
• Clean up all trash from campsites, picnics or your yard.
• Store food or any other “smelly” items (chapstick, lotion, etc.) in a car, house, or in a bear box or hang.
• Hike in groups of three or more people.
• Keep dogs on a leash.
• If you see bear poop, called scat, bear footprints or any dead animals – choose a different place to hike or hang out.
• Carry bear spray, keep it on your backpack strap or belt, and know how to use it! You can get fake bear spray to practice with.
• Bears like to keep their cubs safe – if you see a mom and her cubs, give them extra space!
1. Give them lots of space!
2. Walk away in the opposite direction.
3. If a bear gets too close to you, use your bear spray! Point the spray at the bear’s face or feet and spray it back and forth.
1. Black bears can live for more than 20 years!
2. In the summer, grizzly bears like to visit boulder fields to eat moths. They can eat as many as 40,000-60,000 moths in one day!
BY KENDRA SPANJER
Electrical lineworkers brave the elements to build, maintain and repair our energy infrastructure to keep us safe and powered on! Help this worker identify which tangled line has been severed so that his crew can safely intervene to restore the flow of electricity. Plug in to page 37 for the answers.
BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS
When I first graduated from veterinary school all the technicians (nurses) at my first job referred to me as the “baby doctor.” Originally I was kind of offended, but then it became a term of endearment. Looking young, fresh and un-haggard from the years yet to be, I was constantly trying to prove myself to the clients, my boss and those knowledgeable technicians that knew more than me. Hit the ground running and started my career.
The first years away from the safety net of the clinicians at vet school and the cushion provided by the other eager veterinary students is quite challenging. It’s up to you now to figure out the medicine and complete the surgeries. As a baby doctor it is imperative that you find yourself a mentor that will help you, teach you all that you need to be successful in the real world and be there when you need some extra support until you are flying on your own. It is also imperative that the mentor you find has a skill set that is a high standard. The way you do procedures and learn to practice medicine that first year out will be the basis for your way of being a veterinarian for the rest of your career. The good, the bad and the ugly.
My mentor was great. She was kind and compassionate and did everything to the best that could be done. I spread my wings and developed my own style, with the support of her behind me. As days turned into weeks, turned into years …
I heard “baby doctor” less and less. Then it happened. We hired a new associate, and I now had my own “baby doctor.” When did I get old enough to be helping the next generation?
Being a mentor was something I wasn’t quite prepared for. It makes you have a nice visit with your way of thinking and your confidence in the way you do things. But what a joy to watch a little baby bird start to fly. It’s really a full circle moment for your career.
My current baby doctor has been amazing. She has taken every case she gets in stride and tries new things without the blink of an eye. It’s refreshing to see her zeal for the profession through all the tough things she’s had come her way. Fresh out of school, she also has shared her latest and greatest knowledge base with me. I have gone from an overbearing hawk watching her every move to peeking through a window corner or a crack in the door, to being able to leave the clinic for a farm call and know she’s in total control.
Veterinary medicine is like life in a way. Find a crew that supports you and what you love. Find the folks that hold you up and keep you there. Find a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. My time as a baby doctor has been long gone; a little less young, a little less fresh and a lot more haggard from the years behind me, but now I’m a grown-up doctor. W
Dr. Megan Beavers is a veterinarian in Lander.
“Earth Monkey Learns Magic” is a story about being kind to Earth and to others. In this adventure, Monkey and his friends encounter challenges and solve puzzles. First, they learn the magic of the elements and discover how they work together to reuse natural materials and generate new growth. Then they get creative, finding ways to repurpose things they find that cannot go back into the Earth!
Within the story, concepts of composting and repurposing are presented in a fun, magical way, sparking curiosity and imagination. To help kids further explore, an activity book is included at the end of the story with five easy activities for families to do that relate to the earth element (including a project Monkey does in the book!) and connects them to their world.
Kafka and Quinn write together as Brave + Kind Kids, a project that encourages kids to harness the power of their imaginations + their actions, to lead with their hearts, tend to the earth and curate change.
They wrote “Earth Monkey” as the first in a series of books that connect the concept of being kind with simple ways to learn about Earth’s elements, and they hope Monkey and his friends will help families celebrate the power of knowledge, encouragement, leading by example, and how doing things together unites big ideas and simple actions in fun and purposeful ways.
BY ERICA KAFKA & ALISON QUINN
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Year Published: 2024
Publisher: Brave + Kind Collective
Where to Purchase: braveandkindco.com/products
FEBRUARY 2026 ISSUE A RANCH YEAR: COWBOYS OF THE WEST BOOK WINNER:
Whether you’re turning the lights on in your home or keeping your livestock warm, electricity is vital to our way of life. It powers our communities and keeps us safe. We use many different fuel sources to keep electricity affordable for the cooperative family because investing in you is why we exist!
5
1
Toss the rhubarb and sugar together and set aside. Sauté the onion in 2 tbs butter until tender, then add to the rhubarb mixture. Stir in the stuffing and walnuts. Spoon into a greased 2-quart shallow baking dish. Bake at 325° for 40-45 minutes, until heated through and the top is golden brown. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.
MARYANNE SMITH TORRINGTON
Preheat the oven to 400°. Beat eggs slightly and add milk. Stir in sugar and flour until smooth. Mix in cut-up rhubarb. Pour the mixture into a pastry-lined pie pan and dot with butter. Cover with a latticed pie crust top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
NANCY LANPHIER LINGLE
4 CUPS CHOPPED RHUBARB
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1 TSP CINNAMON
1 3 OZ PKG STRAWBERRY JELLO
1 BOX OF YELLOW CAKE MIX (OR STRAWBERRY OR WHITE)
1 CUP COLD WATER
5 TBS MELTED BUTTER
Place rhubarb in a 9x13-inch pan. Mix sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over rhubarb. Sprinkle dry jello over top. Add dry cake mix. Add water, and finally the butter. Do not mix together. Bake in 350° oven for 35-40 minutes. This is great served with ice cream.
BONNIE GECKLER PINE HAVEN
3 CUPS FLOUR
1 1/4 CUPS LARD OR SHORTENING
1 SCANT TSP SALT
Blend with a pastry blender until pebbles form.
1 EGG, BEATEN
5 TBS VERY COLD WATER
1 TBS VINEGAR
3 CUPS FRESH STRAWBERRIES, HALVED OR THICKLY SLICED
3 CUPS RHUBARB, CUT INTO 3/8-1/2-INCH PIECES
1 CUP SUGAR
4 1/2 TBS FLOUR
2 TBS UNSALTED BUTTER, COLD AND CUT INTO PIECES
1 1/2 TSP ORANGE ZEST 1/8 TSP SALT
Make crust: Mix liquid ingredients into flour mixture. The dough will look spongy at first, but continue mixing or kneading until it becomes a smooth pie dough. Then make filling: mix all filling ingredients together and pour into the prepared crust. Top with top crust. Brush top with egg wash made from 1 beaten egg and 1 eggshell of milk blended together. Sprinkle generously with sugar. Bake at 350 until pie crust is nicely browned, about 45-50 minutes.
Tip: Roll crust between two pieces of wax paper, flipping occasionally and peeling the paper away before laying it back down and rolling more. This keeps you from needing to flour the counter.
Note: This recipe makes 2 1/2 pie crusts. Use the extra half to make crust strips. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or your favorite topping and bake. Serve with pudding or sweet filling. The strips look pretty sticking up in the bowl and taste just like pie.
CONNIE PERRY WYARNO
JUNE:
Crust:
2 CUPS FLOUR
1/4 CUP SUGAR
1 CUP COLD BUTTER
1 CUP FINELY CHOPPED NUTS (OPTIONAL)
Filling:
2 CUPS SUGAR
7 TBS FLOUR
1 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM
3 LARGE EGGS, BEATEN
5 CUPS CHOPPED RHUBARB (CAN SUBSTITUTE BERRIES OR CHERRIES OR A COMBINATION)
Topping:
6 OZ CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED
1/2 CUP SUGAR
1/2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT
1 CUP HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM, WHIPPED
In medium bowl combine flour and sugar, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If desired, add chopped nuts and combine. Press into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl combine sugar and flour. Whisk in eggs and cream. Stir in the rhubarb. Pour over the crust and bake at 350° until the custard is set, 40-45 minutes. Cool. In large bowl whip heavy cream. In medium bowl beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth; fold in the whipped cream. Spread over top of cooled custard. Cover and chill. Cut into bars. Store in fridge.
Note: Also delicious without creamy topping.
SHARON BARBER CENTENNIAL
Before every ride make sure you're wearing protective clothing
DOT-compliant helmet
Full-coverage jackets
Full-fingered gloves
Riding pants
Riding boots
Don't forget to share the road.
From a small garage to tinker on your vintage automobile to an elaborate workshop to focus on your woodworking hobby, a residential storage and hobby building designed and constructed by Morton is crafted to provide a stronger, longer-lasting, better-looking structure customized to fit your needs. Don’t settle for second best — because Morton has a quality that’s unmistakable, just like you. Visit mortonbuildings.com or call 800-447-7436.
BY GAYLE M. IRWIN
Laramie resident Andrew Call finds inspiration for writing and photography through the vast landscapes of the state and the creative communities with which he’s involved.
“I feel like you’ve got the open space in Wyoming to kind of create in your own way,” he said. “There’s the traditional western art, there’s the traditional cowboy poetry, but once you peel back that top layer of the Wyoming onion, there’s creatives everywhere. It’s not a process of they’re everywhere and you need to find your space, it’s they’re everywhere and you have the opportunity to find them and create your space.”
Growing up in Star Valley, Call experienced the nudge to write through the Young Authors Program, which he participated in during elementary school. He continued along the writing pathway while attending the University of Wyoming, where he wrote for campus publications, including the student newspaper
The Branding Iron. Afterwards he spent time in Colorado, writing marketing copy for a restaurant supply company. Call returned to Wyoming and attended his first Wyoming Writers, Inc. conference about 10 years ago.
“I just loved the camaraderie, and everybody seemed really open to welcome you in,” he said.
When asked to fill a role on the Board of Directors at Wyoming Writers, Inc., he stepped in as vice president. The organization has helped him grow, and he believes creatives flourish when they find a community.
“Hemingway used to talk about writing groups, and he would say writing groups might placate your desire to be with other people and they might make you feel better, but they’re not going to improve your writing … I wholeheartedly disagree,” Call said. “Writing tends to be a solitary thing when you get down to it, but it’s when you come to group gatherings and organizational events … you come away with something … and completely reengage with the craft [and your] own creativity.”
He also served as president of the organization and helped engage other literary groups with the annual conference. A special project sprouted from the added connections, specifically a literary map – a digital repository of literary contacts, organizations and resources compiled to assist Wyoming authors, bookstores, literary organizations and others in showcasing their works and services.
Learn more about the map at bit.ly/WY-Writers-Map-Blog. You can use the map here: bit.ly/WY-Literary-Map.
This year, Call serves as Wyoming Writers, Inc.’s development assistant, researching and writing grants and seeking sponsors for the 2026 conference, scheduled for June 4 to 6 in Casper. New events are planned, including a Youth Day and a Craft Day. Call and the board are seeking supporters for those new endeavors.
“I’ve been connecting us with different organizations in the state that are able to support us in different ways, like the Humanities Council and the Community Foundation,” he said. “We just partnered with the Arts Council and the American Heritage Center to launch the 250th writing contest, and I kind of spearheaded that as well.”
The contest is in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and looks to honor the past, examine the present and imagine the future, he said. It is open to children, young adults and older adults in the areas of flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
Call writes his own flash fiction pieces as well as marketing copy for various entities, operates an online Etsy store, and works at the Laramie visitor’s center as a contract worker for Wyoming’s Department of Transportation. He is also a photographer and board member for the Wyoming Professional Photographers Association, from which he recently won an award for General Photographer of the Year.
“I feel like a creative person at heart,” Call said. “I first picked up a camera out at South Pass, and I learned to do wildlife and landscape photography while I was out there. When I came to Laramie and back to civilization, I was able to connect with people and started to do some portrait photography and some more creative stuff.”
Creativity takes time, whether one does it professionally as a career, on the side with another job that “pays the bills,” or as a hobby, he said. The freedom to be a creative is something Call enjoys and seeks.
“Creative freedom comes with a little bit of anxiety, and I feel like that’s the razor’s edge that a lot of creatives walk,” he said. “It’s ‘Well. I want my own freedom, and I want my time. If I want to create something, I want to have the time to do it.’ I like the freedom of time, and I feel like when you have the time, then the creative juices have a way to flow out.” W
Round Cactus Blooms
Robin Riesland, Newcastle
Lisianthus Bloom
Rob McIntosh, Torrington
Indian Paintbrush
Vonnie Reinbold, Farson
Frosty Morning
Lisa Oedekoven, Recluse
Blooms!
Robin Riesland, Newcastle
April Blooms
Denette Price, Newcastle
From My Garden
Denette
Tasty Blooms, American Goldfinch
Trudy Craft, Basin
Pretty Lilacs
Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga
Sensation Maple Blossom
Toby Sheets, Powell
Sushine
Talena Runner, Laramie
Flower
Sherry Bluemel, Lyman
Bumblebee Enjoying the Flower
Rob McIntosh, Torrington
Sunny Morning
Kim Torkelson, Carpenter
HYATTVILLE MAY 24
If you haven’t experienced this before, make your plans to join us in friendly Hyattville during Memorial Day Weekend. Fun for the whole family, entertainment and a home-cooked BBQ lunch! Funds raised from this event support our operating and maintenance expenses for Hyattville Community Center for the following calendar year.
Time: All Day
Cost: $15 for adults
$5 for kids 12 and under $35 for one immediate family
Location: Hyattville Community Center
Information: Mary Burns hyattvillecommunitycenter@gmail.com
THURSDAY-MONDAY
Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm. Explore museum grounds and exhibits. Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.
MAY 16-17
Cheyenne Mineral & Gem Show: May 16, 9am-5pm. May 17, 10am-4pm. Archer Complex - Building M. Fossils, silent auction, children’s area and more! $3 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Info: Jan Shively, 509-953-0634.
THURSDAYS
Acoustic Jam Session and 4-Piece Chicken Dinners: 5:30pm. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, 417 1st St. Thursday night pickin’ and grinnin’ and fried chicken...while it lasts. Call to reserve your chicken so you don’t miss out! Music venue open for jam sessions. Info: 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.
ENCAMPMENT
TUESDAYS-SATURDAYS
Grand Encampment Museum: 10am-4pm. Main Gallery and GEM store open. Info: 307-327-5308.
MAY 3
Monthly Sporting Clays: 3135 WY HWY 230. Open to the public. 12 station course, 100 clays. $45. Info: 307-327-6505, info@spuroutfitter.com.
MAY 9
NSCA Shoots: Registration starts at 8am. Shoot starts at 10am. Afternoon shoot starts at 1pm. 3135 WY HWY 230. Sanctioned sporting clays competition held by the National Sporting Clays Association. This event allows shooters to compete, earn “punches” to advance in classification (Master to D class), and test skills against others of similar ability on challenging, field-simulating courses. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-6505, info@spuroutfitter.com.
MAY 2
Haunted Rooms America Ghost Hunt: 8pm-2am. Wyoming Frontier Prison, 500 W Walnut St. Join Haunted Rooms America for exclusive overnight access to the Wyoming Frontier Prison where 200 people died across
80 years of executions, violence and brutal conditions. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and widely regarded as the most actively haunted location in Wyoming, this is a serious paranormal investigation at a site where every investigation has produced evidence. Equipment provided. Limited places available. 18 and over only! $129. Info: 307-324-4422, wyomingfrontierprison@gmail.com.
MAY 9
Precision Gas Gun Match: 8am-3pm. 2201 E Gun Club Rd. Precision Gas Gun Matches are based on speed and accuracy. Your time and number of unhit targets will be recorded, with 90-second par times set for each stage. Each unhit target carries a 20-second penalty. The shooter in each division with the lowest total time over the span of the match will win. $40. Info: info@apexgunworks.com.
MAY 16
4th Annual Go Topless Day Jeep Event: 9am-2pm. Carbon County Fairgrounds. This event brings together Jeep and off-road enthusiasts, families, local vendors and community supporters for a day of off-road challenges, family-friendly activities, raffles, food and vendor engagement. Cost varies. Info: 307-321-5420, rwojclub@gmail.com.
MAY 21-JUNE 20
Wyoming Frontier Prison Traveling Exhibit & Opening Reception: Time TBD. 500 W Walnut St. Temporary exhibit that will be available for viewing from May 21-June 20. Info: 307-324-4422, wyomingfrontierprison@gmail.com.
MAY 21-25
Memorial Day Weekend at Brush Creek Ranch: Time varies. 66 Brush Creek Ranch Rd. Jump-start your summer with an unforgettable, all-inclusive holiday vacation! Make the most of Memorial Day Weekend by reconnecting with nature and with the people who matter most, while settling into a cozy lodge room or your own private log cabin hideaway. Wake up with sunrise mountainside yoga or drift along to the soothing sounds of the river on a scenic float. Cast your first fly-fishing lines of the season into crystal-clear waters and enjoy the gentle clip-clop of horse hooves during a serene wagon ride. Between adventures, indulge in gourmet, ranch-to-table cuisine crafted from The Farm’s greenhouse produce, creamy artisan goat cheese, ranch-raised Wagyu beef, Brush Creek Distillery spirits, and an acclaimed collection of wines from one of the largest cellars in the world. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284.
BIG HORN
MAY 13
Echoes of Ornamentation: Wyoming Baroque and Jim Jackson: 5pm. Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road. Echoes of Ornamentation brings together artist Jim Jackson and Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman, Music Director of Wyoming Baroque, for a program inspired by the exhibition James F. Jackson: Legacy in Art and Leather. Jackson will speak about the history, structure, and expressive possibilities of ornament in Western leatherwork. Dr. Bergman will offer insight into ornamentation within the Baroque musical tradition. The program culminates in a live performance by the Wyoming Baroque ensemble. $10. Info: bit.ly/BrintonMuseum-Echoes.
THURSDAYS
Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free. Info: 307-684-0451.
JUNE 5-7
52nd Anniversary Wyoming Writers Conference: Ramkota Hotel. Now introducing optional programming on the 4th including a free mini-conference for middle school, high school and college freshmen, as well as a pop-up bookstore open to the public and attendees. Conference features include breakout sessions to learn from industry professionals and bestselling authors, pitch sessions, open mic nights and the chance to network with fellow creatives. Registration depends on selected options. Early bird registration ends May 15. Info: wyowriters.org/2026-Conference.
ONCE A MONTH
Open Mic Nite: 5-10pm. Frontier Auto Museum, 205 S Ross Ave. Once a month, we host live music under the neon light. Bring your instrument, family and friends. No early sign ups. To perform you must show up to get on the list. Free to anyone who would like to perform or listen. We provide the stage, mic and PA system. Commodore Cafe will be serving food and drinks. Upcoming dates will be posted on Frontier Auto Museum’s Facebook page. Info: 307-686-5667.
ONGOING
Ava Community Art Center: Exhibits and workshops. Info: 307-682-9133, avacenter.org.
TUESDAYS
Children’s Storytime: 10:30-11:30am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
5 Mile Walking Exercise Class: 4:45-6pm. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.
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.
WEDNESDAYS
Moorcroft Branch Library Activities: 10am storytime, 4pm afterschool craft, 7pm AA meetings. Please use the downstairs entrance. Info: 307-756-3232.
THIRD THURSDAY OF MONTH
Adult Book Club: 1pm. Moorcroft Branch Library. New book each month. Stop by the library for your copy. Info: 307-756-3232.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
West Texas Trail Museum: 9am-5pm. Info: 307-756-9300.
ONGOING
Senior Center Events: 9am coffee and rolls on Wednesdays. 9am toenail clinic and 6pm dinner every fourth Thursday. Info: 307-756-9550.
NEWCASTLE
THIRD SATURDAYS
Weston County Democrats: 2pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822, weston.wyodems.net.
FRIDAYS
Bingo: 7:30pm. VFW Hall. Free.
SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAYS
Gigi’s Closet: 9am-1:30pm. First United Methodist Church. Gently loved clothing available for babies to adults. Info: 307-746-4119.
ONGOING
Anna Miller Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed on holidays. 401 Delaware Ave. Free. Info: 307- 746-4188.
MAY 2
Bighorn Jazz Orchestra Concert: 7pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. The Bighorn Jazz Orchestra is comprised of the finest professional jazz musicians in the region, many of whom serve on the faculties of the University of Colorado, Colorado Christian University, Montana State University, Central Washington University, Northwest College and Sheridan College. $25 for adults; $15 for seniors and veterans; $10 for students. Info: bit.ly/BighornJazz.
MAY 2
The SAGE Gala Soiree: 6pm. Wyo Theater 42 N Main St. Join SAGE Community Arts for an unforgettable evening celebrating creativity, community and the power of the arts featuring tastings from Wyoming distillers, full opera performances and a curated silent auction. $55 per person for general admission; $95 per person for VIP. Info: wyotheater.com/event/ the-sage-gala-soiree.
MAY 2-3
Gem and Mineral Show: 10am-2pm. Ramada Plaza, 1809 Sugarland Drive. Join in one of the most talked about Gem and Mineral shows in the state. Free. Info: bit.ly/ GemMineralShow.
MAY 6
10th Annual Sheridan College Pops Concert: 7pm. Whitney Center for the Arts, 1 Whitney Way. Directed by Dr. Eric Richards, this
family friendly concert celebrates music by Sheridan College students and community musicians in the Symphony Band, Jazz Ensemble big band. The evening will include a complimentary ice cream social at intermission. Free. Info: sheridan.edu/arts.
MAY 9-10
Bighorn Mountain Soccer Cup: Daylong event. Bighorn Equestrian Center, 352 Bird Farm Road. 26 fields of soccer competition in action with more than 120 youth soccer teams (ages 8-14) from Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming. Youth play area and activities. Over a dozen concessionaires. $20 per car. Info: sheridansoccer.org.
MAY 15-16
“Midget Mayhem” Wrestling: 8pm. Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 615 Long Drive. If you like a live, action-packed event with an entertaining punch, kick and body slam, look no further! Ages 18+ show on May 15 followed by all-ages show on May 16. Tickets start at $30. Info: bit.ly/MidgetMayhem.
MAY 15-17
Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show: 9am-5pm on May 15-16. 10am-2pm on May 17. Sheridan College, 1 Whitney Way. All your leather shop needs under one roof. Over 60 leather-related suppliers, manufacturers and dealers. Great for hobbyists, artists and professionals. International event with how-to workshops starting earlier in the week. Free. Info: 715-362-5393, leathercraftersjournal.com.
MAY 16
2026 NPC Cloud Peak Classic: Prejudging at 10am. Finals at 4pm. WYO Theater, 42 N Main St. Wyoming’s Elite Bodybuilding Show. Open to any and all competitors. Separate from the bodybuilding, athletes come from around the country to compete with the strongest deadlifts in Wyoming in the deadlift competition. Price coming soon. Info: cloudpeakclassic.com.
MAY 19
Ignite Conference: 8am-5pm. Ramada Plaza, 1809 Sugarland Drive. Full-day professional development conference organized by the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce. Info: 307-672-2485, bit.ly/IgniteConference-Sheridan.
MAY 19
Machinery of Democracy
Presentation: 6:30pm. Museum at the Bighorns, 171 N. Main St. This program will engage Sheridan County’s local politicians with an interview format hosted by Sheridan High School’s We the People Program. Discussions will center on local government structures, campaigning and the voting process. Free, but with a suggested donation of $5. Info: museumbighorns.org.
MAY 20-21
Hubcaps Choir Performance: Country Music Through the Ages: 1:30pm. The Hub on Smith, 211 Smith St. Join us for a trip down memory lane as the Hub’s choir performs their Spring Concert. This year’s theme is “Country Music Through the Ages.” Free. Info: thehubsheridan.org.
MAY 23-25
Hang Gliders’ Fly-in: 10:30am-3pm. Sand Turn in the Bighorn Mountains. From Dayton, take Hwy 14 west 8 miles. Pullout is on the left side of the road. Enjoy watching and
photographing hang gliders from across the nation soaring above the Bighorn Mountains’ Sand Turn, west of Sheridan. Free. Info: Johann Nield, 307-751-1138.
MAY 24
Eatons’ Horse Drive: 9am. Fifth Street. Stake out a viewing spot and watch up to 100 horses cowboydriven through Sheridan, passing the Wyoming Information Center at approximately 9am, down Fifth Street past the Historic Sheridan Inn, where Buffalo Bill auditioned Wild West Show acts, out to Eatons’ Ranch, the oldest dude ranch in the nation! Event tentative based on weather. Free. Info: 307-655-9285, info@eatonsranch.com.
MAY 30-31
25th Annual 3-on-3 Hoop Jam: All day. Sheridan High School, 1056 Long Drive. Basketball tournament provides wholesome family entertainment with 18 courts and 800 participants. Registration and welcome BBQ held the Friday evening prior. Registration is $205 for adult teams
and $155 for youth. Free to attend as a spectator. Info: hoopjamwyo.com.
SATURDAYS
Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am. Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.
MAY 15
When Johnson County Had a Rustling Problem: 6:30pm. Crook County Public Library. Join Historian Librarian Nancy Tabb for an evening exploring the complex history, people, books and competing perspectives behind the Johnson County Cattle War and the widespread rustling that fueled it in 1880s–90s Wyoming. Info: Carrie, 307-283-1008.
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.
MAY 2
Birding with the Bighorn Audubon Society: 10am. Ucross Foundation, 30 Big Red Lane. Experience spring migration at Ucross during a guided walk with the Bighorn Audubon Society. Free. Info: bit.ly/BirdingBighorn.
MAY 30
Founder’s Day: 11am-2pm. Ucross Foundation, 30 Big Red Lane. This free event invites the community to explore the artist residency grounds on the 20,000-acre Ucross Ranch in northern Wyoming, visit artists in their studios, and celebrate the opening of the newest exhibition in the Ucross Art Gallery. Free. Info: ucrossfoundation.org.
SECOND TUESDAYS
Veteran Breakfast: 8am. Upton Senior Center. Free. Info: Gary Barnes, 307-468-9251.
FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS Bingo at Senior Center: 6:30pm. $10 for 10 cards. Info: 307-468-9262.
ONGOING
Senior Center Activities: 1113
2nd St. 12pm lunch Mon.-Fri. for $4. Call for reservation before 9am at 307-468-2422 or 712-400-9056. 9am coffee and treats on Tuesdays. 9am exercise program every Tues. and Fri. 5:30pm card elimination and potluck every third Mon. Info: 307-468-9262.
Red Onion Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed holidays. 1920 HWY 16. Free. Info: 307-226-2873, redonion@gmail.com.
CODY
MONDAY-SATURDAY
Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. Info: 307-587-3597.
DUBOIS
THURSDAYS Farmer's Market: 4-6pm. Headwaters. Info: Twila Blakeman, 307-851-0785.
FRIDAYS
Family Story Time: 11:30am. Dubois Branch Library. Free. Songs, stories and crafts for ages birth to 5 years. Older siblings are welcome to join the fun. Stay and play in the Children’s Library after story time. Info: 307-455-2992.
THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Wyoming Health Fairs Monthly Wellness Screen/Blood Draw: 7:30-10am. Dubois Medical Clinic. Appointments encouraged. Info: 307-455-2516, whf.as.me/dubois.
GREYBULL
SECOND SATURDAYS
Greybull Ladies Coffee: Greybull Library. Info: 307-765-2100.
SATURDAYS
Acoustic Music Jam: 11am-1pm. Lander Bake Shop. Info: 307-332-3237.
ONGOING
First Friday: 5pm art show reception. 6pm music. Middle Fork Restaurant. New artist and local musician each month. Info: 307-335-5035, facebook.com/MiddleForkCafe.
RIVERTON
MAY 23-24
Wyoming Weapons Collector Association Gun Show: 9am-5pm on Sat. 9am-3pm on Sun. Fremont County Fairgrounds. Daily admission $7 or $10 for weekend wristband. Info: Maralyne, 307-349-4914; Rod, 307-746-5463.
WEDNESDAYS
Acoustic Music Jam: 6:30-8:30pm. Holiday Inn Convention Center. Free. Join in or listen as musicians and dancers perform. Info: 307-856-8100.
PreK Tales & Tunes: 10:30am. Riverton Branch Library. Ages 3-5. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
Starlight Storytime: 5:30pm. Riverton Branch Library. Ages birth to 5 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
THURSDAYS
Toddler Move & Groove: 10:30am. Riverton Branch Library. Ages birth to 2 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
LEGO Club: 4-5pm LEGO Club. Riverton Branch Library. Grades 2-5. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
MEETEETSE
MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS
Yoga: 10:30am. Meeteetse Recreation District. Info: 307-899-2698, meetrec.org.
MONDAYS
Toddler Storytime: After school. Meeteetse Library. All kids grades 1+ not in school. Legos, board games, crafts, stories, songs and more. Info: 307-868-2248.
MAY 10
Second Sunday: 12-4pm. Homesteader Museum. Join us at the Homesteader Museum for community, conversation and crafts. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
MAY 21
Lindsay Linton Buk: Time TBD. Homesteader Museum. Join us for a presentation and book signing of “Women Shaping the West: Stories from Wyoming.” Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
TUESDAY-FRIDAY
Homesteader Museum
Winter Hours: 10am-4pm. Private tours available by appointment. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
MAY 2
Stars & Pipes Figure 8 Race: Time TBD. HSC Fairgrounds. Info: 307-864-3192, info@thermopolischamber.org.
MAY 17
High School Graduation: Time TBD. HSC High School Gymnasium. Info: 307-864-3192, info@thermopolischamber.org.
MAY 22-23
Annual Countywide Rummage Sale: 8am-4pm. Includes the towns of Thermopolis and Kirby. Maps available on May 20. Info: Judy Carswell, 307-921-8407; Hannah VanHuele, 307-921-8407.
MAY 23-24
Hot City Summer Slam
SUBMIT AN EVENT
Send events occurring in July by MAY 15!
Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.
Photos are always welcome.
Learn more about the WREA community at wyomingrea.org/community.
ADDRESS UPDATE!
QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:
wren@ wyomingrea.org
[307] 286-8140
2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627
wyomingrea.org/ wren-submissions
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: Time TBD. HSC High School Parking Lot. Info: 307-864-3192, info@thermopolischamber.org.
SECOND SATURDAYS
Great Until 8!: 4-8pm. This event showcases the businesses who are staying open until 8pm or later in town. Shop after 5pm and enter in for a chance to win $100 gift certificates valid at the business with the winning receipt. Info: 917-589-7852, mainstreetthermopolis@gmail.com.
THURSDAYS
Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.
MONDAYS
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.
THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Food Assistance Program: 8:30-10am. 325 West St. Free food assistance for local individuals and families. All are welcomeno questions asked. Info: facebook.com/ BridgerValleyFoodAssistance.
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.
PRIZED FIRST-YEAR COINS
Collectors LOVE “firsts” as no collection is complete without the very first coin. First-year coins are almost always the most coveted coins and the 1964 First Year Silver Kennedy Half Dollar is no exception, especially when you consider the coin has been struck for over 60 years! But there’s something else that makes the First-Year 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar hoarded by all…
The Only Silver Kennedy Struck in 90% Silver What makes the 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollar stand out is its silver composition. While Silver Kennedy Half Dollars were issued from 1964-1970, the 1964 Silver Half is the ONLY YEAR made in 90% silver!
PUBLIC RELEASE - ONLY 1,193 COINS AVAILABLE
Rarcoa, America’s Oldest Coin Company, is announcing the public release of 1,193 of the very first year and only 90% silver year, 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollars. What may be even more impressive is that each coin is in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, pristine as the day they were released.
SOLD NATIONALLY FOR AS MUCH AS $103
This same 1964 Silver Kennedy Half Dollar sells nationally for as much as $103. But thanks to Rarcoa’s buying power and deep numismatic expertise, you won’t have to pay $103. You won’t have to pay $90. You won’t even have to pay $70.
We Pay Cash For Mineral & Oil/Gas Interests producing & nonproducing. 800-733-8122.
WANTED CJ or Wrangler reasonably priced. Any condition but rusted. 800-316-5337.
Frontier Auto Museum Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs, and general antiques for our antique shop. Located in Gillette, Wyoming, our passion is to preserve Wyoming history and the nostalgia of the past, especially Parco, Sinclair, Frontier, Husky and any car dealership along with all brands. We are also always looking for neon motel or store signs, WY license plates, WY highway signs and State Park signs. frontierautomuseum.com. Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647, wandlerfrontier@gmail.com, or relics@frontierauto.net.
SHIPPING on 3 or More!
or
Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any). Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases
BY SARAH MORRIS
My journal tells me we met on August 23, 2011 – the day my first baby started kindergarten. Cori was a shy 5-year-old with thick brown braids, ocean-blue eyes, a squintyeyed smile and a charming underbite. That first year at University of Wyoming Lab School, Cori found her people: Adi, Jesse and Grayson. The four became an inseparable pack of kindergartners. What happens when 5-yearolds discover best friends? Playdates. Endless playdates.
Soon the mothers were coordinating as much as the kids: Gagan, Adi’s mom; Sarah (“Chevy”), Jesse’s mom; Kimberly, Grayson’s mom; and me. We texted about carpools, dinners and whose house could host the next playdate. Between us we had school-age kids, toddlers, babies on the way, and the thousand daily roles motherhood demands.
Summer of 2012, I was pregnant with my youngest son, Isaac, and sick as sick could be. The four of us were sitting at Kimberly’s kitchen table talking about what brought us joy. I talked about the cabin.
As I described this quiet place nestled in the Wind Rivers, something shifted. These remarkable women –wives, mothers, therapists, scientists, chauffeurs, nurses, cooks, accountants, counselors, referees and crisis negotiators –heard something.
Rest.
Kimberly said it first. “Girls trip?”
Gagan sadly moved back to India before she could join us, though she remains part of our circle. But the rules for the rest of us were simple: no husbands, no kids.
Thus, “Cabin Girls” was born.
The cabin is my happy place. It’s a place of peace and healing – playing that part in my story for decades. Surrounded by public land, far from the noise and urgency of everyday life, I’m reminded how small I am, and how freeing that can be. Time moves differently there. Rest is not laziness. Silence is not emptiness. Value isn’t measured in productivity or profit. Tucked into the edge of the Winds, it sits quietly in a landscape none of us truly owns, though we tend it all the same. Over the years it has remained
We breathe it in, and the silence settles over us.
constant while people, seasons and circumstances change. Some of my most meaningful lessons happen there: walking familiar trails, sitting still in a meadow, listening to the creek tumbling over rocks on its way down from the peaks until it becomes the only sound in the world.
There is a ritual to Cabin Girls’ arrival. Before reaching the cabin, we stop at a little ice cream shop for world famous cones. The first year we snapped a selfie on the deck before climbing back into the car for the final stretch. Fourteen years later, we have 14 selfies in the same spot. This summer we’ll take our 15.
When we finally pull into the driveway, we unload our bags and light the propane oven and fridge. Then we carry lawn chairs outside.
And we listen.
The creek runs just behind the cabin, steady and clear. Wind moves through the pines and aspens with a soft whisper. Squirrels chatter in the trees while Kimberly’s dog, Sierra, is absolutely convinced they’re inviting her to play. The air smells like sun-warmed pine needles and aspen leaves.
We breathe it in, and the silence settles over us.
In those early years our trips were shorter. Babies and jobs called us home too quickly. We also brought far too much food – especially fruit and vegetables. Over time we’ve refined the system. Now we each bring ingredients for one proper dinner. The rest of the table is gloriously covered with salty snacks and sweet treats.
Our routine has also become beautifully predictable. I usually wake first, around seven, and drive to where there’s cell service to call my sweetheart – the man who would later become my husband (nicknamed “Yumsters” by Cabin Girls long before he knew I existed). Even though he’s not invited, I still like to start the day hearing his voice.
Back at the cabin, I start coffee. Chevy wakes next and goes for a walk while I settle outside with a book. Kimberly sleeps a little longer. When she rises, she finds her favorite sunny reading spot among the wildflowers. By midmorning we’re scattered across the meadow, reading quietly while
the creek keeps time. We wander inside for snacks, refill water bottles and gather for lunch. Afternoons might include a nap, a walk or more reading. By evening we cook dinner, mix the occasional margarita and settle in for long conversations.
Sometimes we laugh so hard our sides ache. Sometimes we cry through entire boxes of Kleenex. Kimberly, an exceptional therapist, offers gentle wisdom and guidance. Chevy’s neuroscientist brain brings insight and perspective. Together we hold space for whatever the year has brought. And over the years, it has brought a lot.
The cabin holds things we simply could not carry alone. Within those walls we helped one another through abuse and divorce. We cried for our children, for lost jobs, lost homes and lost babies. We began new careers and moved to different states. We laughed until we couldn’t breathe and solved the world’s problems more than once.
Through all of it, the cabin remains what it has always been: steady, quiet, patient. Cabin Girls return each year to sit beside the creek, breathe the mountain air and remind one another that none of us has to carry life alone. And somehow, in that small wooden cabin tucked in the trees, we keep learning how to hold each other up. W
On April 1, Tri‑State joined the Southwest Power Pool Regional Transmission Organization’s western expansion — bringing new value to our members and the communities they power.
By coordinating energy across a larger regional footprint, we gain access to more affordable resources, smarter long‑term transmission planning, and improved reliability that keeps pace with changing energy needs.
This is a major step forward for our members with greater stability, more transparency, and a stronger grid that supports families, farms, and businesses.
WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.®
Listen to Tri State CEO Duane Highley break down these benefits on the Western Watts podcast.