Issuu

SEP 2026

WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS

EXAMINING THE STATE OF COAL

BASIN ELECTRIC

COMMUNITY

C R E AT E D F O R C O M M U N I T I E S Community support is more than a nice idea – it’s Basin Electric’s culture. Giving back is important to us because charitable programs and non-profit organizations help our communities thrive. Our communities have supported us throughout the years by providing a strong workforce, and without them, we couldn’t provide reliable, affordable electricity across rural America. Now more than ever, community matters.

2026

A coal haul truck moves through a mining landscape, with wind turbines and solar panels visible in the distance. The image was designed to represent the broader mix of energy sources shaping Wyoming.

S E P T E M B E R

Examining The State of Coal STORY BY CARRIE HADERLIE

ON THE COVER 14 CENTERPIECE

As demand for electricity surges, including the growing power needs of data centers, Wyoming’s coal industry is looking to new opportunities that will extend the resource’s role in the state’s energy future.

Turn to page 14 to hear from industry leaders who say an all-of-theabove approach will be essential to providing the reliable, affordable power an increasingly electrified nation demands.

JUST FOR FUN CORNER 20 KIDS’ N AT I V E B E E S O F W YO M I N G

24 PUZZLE WAT T ’ S

T H E WO R D?

BY DIXIE LIRA

GIVEAWAY 28 BOOK S T E A M R A I L ROA D S IN CENTRAL W YO M I N G

FEATURES ART SPOT 06 THE MICA THE MOOSE ON HIS MORNING MEANDER

BY DALYCE SELLERS

HEROES 26 COMMUNITY D E V O T E D T O C O D Y, PA S T & P R E S E N T

BY AMBER STEINMETZ

FROM OUR READERS

ESSAYS & ANECDOTES

STATE NEWS & EVENTS

TO PAPER 31 PEN THE LAST

NOTES 04 WREA B AC K ROA D

BY TARA JEAN SEELY

BY SHAWN TAYLOR

08 TOWN TALES 10 WILD WIRED WEST 12 CO-OP CONNECTION 34 WHAT'S HAPPENING

S H I P P I N G D AY

PICTURE IT 32 JUST WA L L S COOKS 30 COUNTRY CORN

BY CON TRUMBALL

Just Picture It photo submission above: “This Says it All,” Fran Irene, Saratoga

WA R R I O R

ON THE RANGE 22 HOME F LY L I K E A N E A G L E BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS

38 ENLIGHTEN US V I E W F RO M T H E K E LT Y BY SARAH MORRIS

READER UPDATE Our address has changed! Going forward, please send your reader submissions to:

 2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627

WREA NOTES

BACK ROAD WA R R I O R I’m bringing back this column from the fall of 2009 for a few reasons: I like it, it still rings true, and I ran out of time this month to compose something new! Hope you all make some time to get off the beaten path this season. – ST If you’ve seen and like the Mel Gibson Mad Max Trilogy (“Mad Max,” “Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior” and “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”) I’m sorry to disappoint you that this column will bear very little resemblance to those movies. But I thought it was an appropriate title to explain a hobby of mine that has developed over the past few years and one that I highly suggest anybody take up. DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer of Wyoming is something that any modern day Road Warrior should have in their vehicle. A modern day road warrior is defined, by me, as anyone who spends a lot of time driving. Now there is a difference between spending a lot of time in your car (urban road warrior) and spending a lot of time driving (country road warrior). Mr. DeLorme’s atlas will serve no purpose to the urban road warrior, except maybe to make them jealous that they’re not a country road warrior. I know there are people out there that spend a lot more time on the road than I do, but I am on the road a good deal and I get tired of taking the same route to the same place over and over again, so I bought the atlas which shows back roads, country roads, federal roads (i.e. BLM #1234), etc., and it has literally changed the way I see Wyoming. Take for example the trip from Cheyenne to Casper. My truck can pretty much drive itself on I-25 between these two cities and after the first 30 times driving this route, the scenery becomes a little … familiar; but take a little detour in Douglas (heading south) on the Estherbrook road and pretty soon (after you drive through the town of Estherbrook) you find yourself in the Laramie Mountains range with beautiful views everywhere you look. Something that is unexpected if only viewed from the interstate. Sure it adds a little time onto the trip, but it’s well worth it.

SEP 2026

If you miss the Esterbrook road you can jump off the beaten path at Chugwater and head west on 211/106. You will eventually end up out on Iron Mountain Road not too far from Cheyenne. Again you’ll see some terrain that you wouldn’t see from the confines of I-25. You do have to be careful though because the atlas does not delineate between a private and public road. I found this out first hand when I tried to take the Hat Brook Six road, again heading back to Cheyenne from Casper. Everything was going fine until I came to a fork in the road and I ended up on someone’s private property. I was properly chewed out by a gal on her four-wheeler and promptly turned around and got out of there and headed back to the relative safety of the interstate. I am the first to respect people’s private property and I again apologize to the family whose ranch I trespassed on. Most of these back roads are dirt and are not well maintained, so weather plays a factor in how adventurous you can or should be. Take for example Rattlesnake Pass that will take you from just south of Wolcott Junction, close to Elk Mountain (the actual mountain not the town), and ends at I-80. I took this road just after it rained/snowed and sure enough I got stuck, real stuck, in the mud. A friendly passer by, who is a co-op member, offered to help, but then after assessing my situation suggested I call a wrecker out of Rawlins, which I did. But even being stuck there waiting for help I witnessed snow storms roll in over Elk Mountain and then roll back out; it was amazing. I could offer countless other backroad adventures and may, from time to time, offer one up, but in this day and age of gotta get there and gotta get back, you can really miss out on the beauty of our state. So grab the atlas and hit the back roads, Mad Max.

SH AWN TAY LO R

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MAJESTIC WALL ALONG THE BIG HORN RIVER LYNN LIEBERS GREYBULL, WYOMING

THE WREN MAGAZINE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS The official publication of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, volume 72, number 8, September 2026 (ISSN 1098-2876) is published monthly except for January for $22 per year by Linden Press, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Collins, CO and additional mailing offices. WREN Magazine is owned and controlled by rural electric cooperatives in the interest of the economic progress of rural areas specifically and the entire population of Wyoming and the nation generally. WREN Magazine has a total average monthly paid circulation of 23,390 for 11 months ending March 2026. WREN Magazine is delivered to rural electric member/consumers and other subscribers throughout the entire state of Wyoming and the nation. Acceptance of advertising by WREN Magazine does not imply endorsement of the product or services advertised by the publisher or Wyoming electric cooperatives.

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

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

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

SUBSCRIPTION RATES $22 per year; single copies $2

ADVERTISING 307-286-8140 | wren@wyomingrea.org

OFFICE OF WREN OWNER 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627

KNOWN OFFICE OF PUBLICATION 121 E. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524-2818

ADDRESS CHANGES Please contact your local cooperative to update your address. Paid subscribers contact publisher.

PUBLISHER 307-286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org

POSTMASTER — Send address changes to — The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, c/o Linden Press, Inc., 121 E Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524-2818, [970] 221-3232. Include 3-digit co-op code.

PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK

THE ART SPOT

Mica the Moose on His Morning Meander This oil painting depicts the misty morning atmosphere of a Jackson, Wyoming area moose. DALYCE SELLERS, SUNDANCE, WYOMING

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, LOCATION, ENTRY TITLE AND ENTRY DESCRIPTION.  wren@wyomingrea.org | 307-286-8140 6

 2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

HOMEINWY@PROTONMAIL.COM

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

CRUISE CLOSE TO HOME®

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9 UNIQUE ITINERARIES

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8 T O 1 6 - D AY A D V E N T U R E S

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Baltimore

MARYLAND

Annapolis

Washington, D.C. Mount Vernon Williamsburg VIRGINIA

Yorktown Norfolk Kitty Hawk

THE WRIGHT BROTHERS In 1903, the Wright brothers achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight in Kitty Hawk, NC. Two years later, they surpassed their own milestone when they built and flew the first fully practical airplane.

NORTH CAROLINA

NAVAL ACADEMY SHORE EXCURSION ANNAPOLIS, MD Explore the academy’s historic grounds with our expert guide and experience “life on the yard.” Witness the noon meal formation and take in breathtaking views of the campus.

Beaufort Wilmington

SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORIC SAVANNAH TROLLEY EXPLORATION SHORE EXCURSION  SAVANNAH, GA Experience a fully narrated journey aboard the Old Town Trolley, featuring open-air seating ideal for capturing memorable photos. Along the way, expert conductors share engaging stories, landmarks, and over 270 years of history from Georgia’s First City. As your exploration brings the past to life across more than 100 points of interest, you will discover Savannah’s rich legacy and timeless charm.

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GEORGIA

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Gulfport/Ship Island New Orleans

FORT MASSACHUSETTS  SHIP ISLAND, MS Fort Massachusetts is a historic brick fort located on West Ship Island, Mississippi. It was built by the U.S. government in the mid-1800s as part of a coastal defense system following the War of 1812.

Blue Spring State Park Cape Canaveral

FLORIDA

St. Petersburg Punta Gorda

SEAPLANE ADVENTURE TO DRY TORTUGAS SHORE EXCURSION  KEY WEST, FL Seventy miles west of Key West, Florida lies one of North America’s most inaccessible National Parks–Dry Tortugas. The park is renowned for its marine life, pirate legends, and sheer unspoiled beauty.

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TOWN TALES

Town Tales UNION PACIFIC SNOW SHED NEAR ROCK RIVER

EARLY INNOVATIONS FOR BATTLING WYOMING WEATHER

FROM WYOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY WYSHS.ORG

BY NANCY TABB AND WADE DUNKIN

As Wade describes it, “At the time, Rock River had a population of about 275 to 300 people and was a great place to live during my entire school years and beyond. I was always fascinated with the history of the old town of Rock Creek and how in the late 1890s, the famous nearby Wilcox Train Robbery was believed to be planned by Butch Cassidy and carried out by his Wild Bunch. Just after that, the Union Pacific Railroad shortened its line by moving west a few miles. The town moved with it, and the town of Rock River was established. This is the location where the railroad snow sheds were first built and assembled.” Of particular interest were Wade’s photos of the huge snow shed that the Union Pacific Railroad built in 1917 near Rock River. With my curiosity piqued by the photographs, I delved into the history of both the wooden and concrete snow sheds that were built to protect the trains from severe Wyoming blizzards in that area. Trains briefly stopped there to take on coal. Water would freeze on the spot, so a wooden shed was originally constructed.

Historians enjoy any opportunity to bring items or to view items in our own “history show and share.” So when my friend Wade Dunkin shared his collection of Wyoming vintage photos depicting Rock Creek and Rock River, Wyoming, and the Union Pacific Railroad with me, I was so impressed that I want to “share” these photos with you.

According to an article published in the Laramie Republican on January 4, 1918, the winter of 1916/1917 was severe with wind, blowing snow, snowdrifts and below-zero temperatures, causing the train to be delayed many times and for several days each time it was delayed. The delays cost the Union Pacific enough money, so they deemed it worth the investment to build a cement structure for protection.

Wade’s interest is personal because he grew up in Rock River, with the train being a big part of his life. He often heard stories about the railroad and its trains. Wade was 5 years old in 1975 when his family moved from the McFadden area down near Rock Creek, about 15 miles to Rock River.

This same newspaper article quotes the “current issue” of the Railway Age Gazette, introducing the snow sheds using technical building illustrations and photographs. This lengthy magazine article also describes the previous hard winter: Sixty-mile gales, continuing for weeks, swept snow across the wide stretches of rolling plateau west of Laramie, Wyo., last winter and caused repeated interruptions to the heavy transcontinental traffic

Rotary plow at work. U.P. Blockade 1917. HISTORICAL PHOTO BY BY HAROLD SANBORN

Passenger train buried in snow at Rock River with water tower and coal chute in background. HISTORICAL PHOTO BY BY HAROLD SANBORN

SEP 2026

Another the Buffalo U.P. Snow Shed (5,618 ft. long) -view RockofRiver, Wyoming Manufacturing Company on HISTORICAL PHOTO BY BY HAROLD SANBORN the banks of Clear Creek. The last portion of the 1917 snow shed at Rock River 1947.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WADE DUNKIN, JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY

of the Union Pacific in spite of the tireless efforts of the operating and maintenance departments. Trains were blocked so often by drifting snow while taking coal and water at Rock River, Wyo., that 1,200 feet of timber snow sheds were built in the midst of the stormy weather under very trying circumstances to alleviate the conditions at that point. The article explains that at times, the track would become impassable three minutes after the passing of a railway snowplow. The snow was blowing in such a way that it would begin to pile up against anything blocking its path. When conditions were at their worst, one could see the blue sky above the 60 feet of blowing snow. The periodic 60-mile-an-hourvelocity wind also contained sand, an unusual phenomenon. “At one time during the month of February six inches of sand, containing no small quantity of alfalfa hay, roots and all, was deposited on top of the snow drifts in White Rock cut five miles east of Rock River.” Veteran train employees deemed 1916/1917 the worst winter ever. (The Union Pacific rails had entered Wyoming Territory in 1867.) The article tells us that even though there may never be another winter like that winter, the Union Pacific believed it necessary to immediately build the wooden shed. Soon after, it was followed by a massive concrete protective shed. “Beginning on December 20, 1916, the almost incessant west and northwest winds kept bringing fresh supplies of snow. The initial trouble occurred in the 18 miles between Rock River, Wyo., and Medicine Bow, and as the severity of the winter increased it was extended westward 20 miles to Hanna and eastward 20 miles to Bosler.” At one point over 800 men were employed to clear a 50-mile section between Lookout and Hanna. Ten snowplows, including rotary, Gull, Russell and wedge plows, were utilized. Two

Above: Original railroad bridge over Rock Creek at Rock River in 1944 being transformed into a massive concrete arch that still stands today. Left: Removal of last panels of snow shed with coal chute May 20, 1947. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WADE DUNKIN, JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY

hundred bunk cars housed the men, and two standard dining cars with kitchen crews fed the men. The temperature was a tangible issue with ranges between 21 degrees below zero up to zero for a period of six weeks. Those involved with the construction of the 5,618-foot-long wooden snow shed, located just 0.6 miles north of Rock River, and the concrete shed were: William G. McAdoo, director general of railroads; W.R. Armstrong, engineer of the Union Pacific; designer W.L. Brayton, bridge engineer of the Union Pacific; and builder L.W. Athol, resident engineer. The Houghton Construction Company of San Francisco was the contractor. According to VisitLaramie.org in a section titled Railroads of Albany County, “The Rock River snow shed was large enough to accommodate two trains, each a mile long.” Wade was told the demolition date was in the 1950s. The shed was used in the historic winter of 1949. He tells us that some of the cement was repurposed on his family’s land, and other pieces found purpose in many other ways around the Rock River area. Wade says, “Growing up I had heard of the large over one mile long snow shed at Rock River but never had seen any pictures of it. Always curious to see what this structure looked like, I started searching the internet to see what I could find about this structure. It has been a joy to gather information on this subject.” Let’s all follow Wade’s example and keep saving our history of Wyoming.

SEP 2026

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

the

BEFORE

GRID

A Delco plant was a complete home power station with dedicated storage batteries that brought electricity to rural farms and homes before large power lines were built. Small, automated, engine-driven generator systems, introduced by Charles F. Kettering’s Dayton Engineering Laboratories Co. (Delco) in 1916, they were intended as decentralised power supplies for farms.

D E LCO-L I G H T P L A N T S EACH UNIT USED A GAS ENGINE, A GENERATOR, AND LARGE GLASSJAR STORAGE BATTERIES TO SUPPLY 32-VOLT DC POWER TO POWER LIGHTS, APPLIANCES AND WATER PUMPS. The system was very low maintenance and largely automatic. The owner only had to refill the fuel tank and regularly check the oil level in the engine and the acid level in the batteries. The story goes that, to bring the systems to rural areas, salesmen would visit a farm at dusk. Their vehicles were equipped with a portable Delco Light system, a few lamps, a water pump and a coffee machine. They would light the barn of the farm, pump water and brew coffee for those present. A good coffee was probably the most successful selling point. Delco offered 25 models of generator sets capable of producing 500 to 3,000 watts of power. Even small towns that were beyond the reach of electric main lines were served by Delco-Light plants.

SEP 2026

[Salesmen] would light the barn of the farm, pump water and brew coffee for those present. A good coffee was probably the most successful selling point. Charles Kettering

HOW IT WORKS AUTOMATIC START: Generator The engine connected directly to a generator to produce direct current (DC) electricity.

Battery Bank Power was stored in a bank of 16 large lead-acid cells housed in clear glass jars, which output 32 volts of DC power.

The system monitored battery levels and automatically turned on the engine to recharge the cells when voltage dropped. This way, the generator only worked when it was needed and fuel consumption was minimized.

Sources: doctordelco.com, showcaves.com, delcolight.com

FUN

FACT

Gas Engine A small, single-cylinder engine ran on gasoline, kerosene or distillate fuel.

Kettering also invented the first electric cash register and a reliable electric starter for car engines, so cars wouldn’t need to be cranked to start. He sold Delco to General Motors in 1918 and became head of research there.

SEP 2026

CO-OP CONNECTION

Source: SafeElectricity.org

National Preparedness Month SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH, SERVING AS AN ANNUAL REMINDER FOR RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TO HELP MEMBERS PLAN FOR SEVERE WEATHER, POWER OUTAGES AND NATURAL DISASTERS.

WH AT T O LO O K FO R AFTER A STO RM Downed power lines on the ground, draped over fences Drooping or sagging lines (never try to move one) Split or broken utility poles Damage to a padmount transformer (green box) Lightning strike to a substation transformer Damaged or unstable guy wires

Remember, power lines and other electrical equipment do not have to be sparking, arcing (giving off a flame) or on fire to be energized. NEVER GO NEAR downed power lines or other damaged electrical equipment to assess damage or to clean up the area. STAY AWAY and call 9-1-1 to report damage. Then, contact your local electric cooperative or utility provider to report the exact location.

SEP 2026

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2026 Campaign Each September since 2004, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month, encouraging Americans to prepare for emergencies. “Americans Stand Ready” is the theme for 2026, reflecting the spirit of unity, resilience and resourcefulness that make our country strong. It’s a reminder that each of us can make a difference by taking proactive steps before a disaster strikes. And by encouraging loved ones to do the same, Americans can contribute to the safety and security of the entire nation. Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility; disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and sometimes without warning. September is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared.

FIND MORE INFORMATION AT READY.GOV/STAND-READY.

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CENTERPIECE

EXAMINING THE

STATE OF

When considering the hierarchy of challenges facing the United States today, some experts argue that securing the nation’s energy future amid exponentially growing demand is more pressing than reducing carbon emissions.

This means that Wyoming, in developing the state’s resources under an umbrella of “all-of-theabove” energy policies, could continue to develop wind and solar energy, as well legacy industries like oil, natural gas and coal.

BY CARRIE HADERLIE

“

oal has been a workhorse for our industrial economy for over 100 years,” said Dr. David Gattie, an associate professor of Engineering and senior fellow in the University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security and School of Public & International Affairs.

“I’m an every-energy resources guy,” Gattie said, adding that he is concerned about the U.S. becoming over-dependent on a single resource. Real energy diversity, he said, can only occur if all are utilized. “Decisions have been made about coal, tethered in a way to this transition away from fossil fuels, and a lot has to do with carbon production and global climate change,” he said, adding that he is “pro-coal,” but also not anti-climate change. Instead, he believes the U.S. cannot impact global climate change and global carbon reduction on the back of the nation’s industrial base and industrial economy. “When you target only coal, you really are not going to have any impact on global carbon emissions and climate change,” he said.

A haul truck operates within a large-scale coal mine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PRECORP

Dry Fork Station coal power plant near Gillette, which is operated by Basin Electric.

owder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp) serves five counties in northeast Wyoming. CEO Brian Mills said he believes there is an emotional and social conversation distracting from PRECorp’s primary mission: reliability for the end user. “The real question is, how do we responsibly provide electricity that is safe, affordable and reliable?” Mills said. Coal sourced from the Powder River Basin provides 8,000-9,000 BTUs of energy, far more usable energy per pound than any other matter, according to Mills. It can be stockpiled for months, and unlike wind or solar, it stores its own energy naturally. It is also dispatchable, meaning it keeps the grid stable. “Those are engineering advantages when you are trying to produce electrons,” he said.

Reliability, according to Mills, is any utility’s greatest asset. PRECORP is “agnostic to the fuel source,” because the co-op member-owner is the focus. They don’t want toxic water in their creeks, but also want reliable, efficient power, he said. We’re using wind because that’s a responsible way to provide a solution for one member. There is solar for another, and coal and natural gas for others,” Mills said. “We are not going to ideologically eliminate any source. We have a diverse set of member-owners. Our responsibility stays the same per member. “Members don’t buy megawatts or kilowatts. They buy confidence that when they flip the switch, it turns on,” he said. Coal has declined due to a number of market factors, he acknowledged, including cheaper prices on natural gas and an aging coal fleet with increasing maintenance costs. There’s also other energy available where there wasn’t before. “That is the capitalistic market at work,” he said, adding that government subsidies advantages certain energy sources in the market above others. Wyoming Mining Association Executive Director Travis Deti said he believes that, to meet a 30-50% increase in power demand for electricity in the U.S., “obviously renewables are going to have a role.” But when it comes to baseload power, which data centers are built upon, reliability will be necessary. “[Data centers] can’t use intermittent power. When you talk about baseload, you are talking about coal, nuclear, gas. That’s where coal fits,” Deti said.

Excavator and dump truck operating in expansive open pit coal mine.

“We have dealt with criteria pollutants, actual emissions like mercury, sulfur dioxide. It has been an incredible success story. There is no reason we can’t continue to do the same thing with carbon dioxide. We’ve got to keep working on that, and we’ve made pretty good strides in working toward viable carbon capture technology,” he said. “Mining, using coal and a clean environment can, and do, exist.” Extraction pays the bills in Wyoming, he continued, and if Wyoming residents want to continue to pay some of the lowest taxes in the nation, continued development of mineral resources will be necessary. AZARIAH REESE/ SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL

Above: Jim Bridger Power Plant near Point of Rocks, Wyoming

Left: PRECorp worker moniters a utility pole installation. Opposite: PRECorp CEO Brian Mills. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRECORP

“MEMBERS DON’T BUY MEGAWATTS OR KILOWATTS. THEY BUY CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN THEY FLIP THE SWITCH, IT TURNS ON.”

To encourage more development, Wyoming has lowered the severance tax on coal to give it parity with oil and gas rates, and the federal royalty rate has decreased. Deti also said the state must update its leasing process, and in particular how federal coal is valued. According to a Wyoming Bureau of Land Management statement, federal coal leasing in Wyoming continues to generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in critical public revenues and royalties, “remaining a highly significant and stable economic contributor to both state and federal budgets.” When determining the fair market value of future coal tracts, BLM experts and the Office of Valuation Services “evaluate current economic conditions.” “This calculated value is kept strictly confidential, and leases are only awarded to eligible bidders whose bids meet or exceed this baseline value,” the statement read.

“MINING, USING COAL AND A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT CAN, AND DO, EXIST.”

Deti believes the “coal industry has been at the forefront of addressing emissions” in the U.S. for decades.

SEP 2026

ata center development has made big headlines across the nation in recent years, in many states due to tension between green energy advocates and the data center demand for energy. But the BLM statement said “securing American energy dominance requires a reliable, resilient and affordable baseload power supply, which is why the BLM works to ensure these essential coal resources are economically assessed and responsibly brought to market.” In Wyoming, the debate has taken on a different shape: whether agricultural uses can coexist with data center demand for land, energy resources and water. “If you want to keep cutting property taxes, and you want industry to foot the bill, we have to sell our coal somewhere. So we should support the demand,” Deti said. “Responsible data center development is a good thing for [many] industries, because it opens a brand new market where we can sell our coal. To that end, it means a sustainable future for Wyoming, for the coal and uranium industry. That means jobs and revenue.”

“With the national pressure, people are just viscerally against anything that starts with coal,” he said. Some people see “clean coal” as an oxymoron, but Gattie supports continued development of pollution control when it comes to burning coal. Because ultimately, one of the U.S.’s greatest competitors “is going full force with every energy resource.”

“There is enough room in the world for any type of electron to be built at this point, as long as we are paying attention to our members and we’re doing it responsibility,” Mills said. “For us to have a nitpick war about where the electrons are coming from is insensible, when we need all hands on deck.” W Carrie Haderlie is a lifelong resident who has been sharing Wyoming stories for more than 20 years. She loves Wyoming for its places, people and open spaces.

“China is using coal, nuclear, renewables, batteries, all of them. They are beating us in the data center and AI world,” Gattie said. “It’s almost a dereliction of duty that we would not counter “ACHIEVING BALANCE with every energy resource that we’ve got.” BETWEEN THE MANY Mills said, “For us, it’s: What does the memberowner need? … There are a lot of different members that need different kinds of electrons,” Mills said.

BNSF Railway loaded coal train climbs out of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. DREW HALVERSON / SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL

DIFFERENT LAND USES WE MANAGE IS A PRIORITY.”

A data center cannot use an intermittent electron, but another customer might.

“We take our multiple-use mission seriously, recognizing that achieving energy dominance must coexist with the stewardship of agricultural lands and local communities,” the BLM’s statement read. “Achieving balance between the many different land uses we manage is a priority.” Gattie said ideally, data centers could represent a new life for energy resources like coal, but he doesn’t expect that outcome.

SEP 2026

Server infrastructure inside a modern data center.

s the global demand for energy resources surges in the age of artificial intelligence and data center development, Dr. David Gattie, an associate professor of Engineering and senior fellow in the University of Georgia’s Center for International Trade and Security and School of Public & International Affairs, said the United States can’t afford to leave one of its most reliable resources in the ground.

“The national security value proposition related to the grid in general, and specifically our military grid, is that we can’t dismiss the need for every resource and technology we can bring to the forefront,” he said. “Keeping the grid powered is going to take a whole lot of electricity.” Electricity demand for data centers worldwide is projected to double by 2030, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company. Gartner analysts estimate that worldwide data center electricity consumption will rise from 448 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2025 to 980 TWh by 2030. According to The International Energy Agency (IEA), artificial intelligence development has the potential to transform the global energy sector, largely because of the increased demand for power.

GROWING DEMAND

980 2030

WORLDWIDE DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IS EXPECTED TO CLIMB MORE THAN

448 2025

TWH

TWH “AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WILL BE A CRUCIAL DETERMINANT OF AI DEVELOPMENT, AND COUNTRIES THAT CAN DELIVER THE ENERGY NEEDED AT SPEED AND SCALE WILL BE BEST PLACED TO BENEFIT.” A RECENT REPORT BY IEA ON ENERGY AND AI STATES

ILLUSTRATION BY LEO DION

KIDS’ CORNER

WRITTEN BY EMILY MADDEN, WYOMING NATURALIST PROGRAM

wyobiodiversity.org

Native Bees OF WYOMING

Wyoming is home to nearly 800 species of native bees, ranging from the tiny masked bee (genus Hylaeus) to large, 1.5 inch long Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis). No matter their size, native bees are important to the ecological systems of Wyoming, helping to pollinate 80% of flowering plants world-wide and sustaining food webs.

Did you know that there are over 4,000 species of native bees found in North America and nearly 20,000 species worldwide? 1 Hunt’s Bumble Bee (Bombus huntii) Native to western North America, this bumblebee lives in desert scrub, prairies and meadows and can be found at higher elevations. They are social bees with an annual life cycle, with only the newly emerged queens hibernating over the winter. These are some of the most abundant bumble bees in Wyoming.

3 Mason Bees (genus Osima) Mason bees get their name from their habit of using mud or other organic matter to build their nests in holes in buildings, trees or hollow stems, kind of like how a mason would build a brick wall. These are solitary bees. Females make their own nests and do not live in a hive like honey bees do.

Green Sweat Bees (genus Agapostemon) These beautiful metallic green bees are small-to-medium sized and can be found all around the state. They are ground-nesting bees who get their name from the way they land on people to drink their perspiration, or sweat.

2 20

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HOME ON THE RANGE

Fly Like an Eagle

BY DR. MEGAN BEAVERS

I think veterinarians might be blessed and cursed to always be working. But you can’t just shut off the brain and tend to evaluate animals wherever you go in life. Going to the county fair as an innocent observer ... might actually be secretly doing lameness exams. Find yourself around a petting zoo … best inspect those animals for signs of disease. Feeling frisky and go into a pet store … definitely going to be judging their man-made homes and looking for signs of stress in all those tiny exotic pets. Standing next to a family walking their dog on their vacation … perhaps not the right time to mention their dog is quite obese.

SEP 2026

Principle applies while driving and observing wildlife as well. It was just another Thursday commute to my job about 40 miles away. Between home and the clinic there was always wildlife to see. On this particular day there were a few birds next to the asphalt, gathered around a roadkill rabbit, including a large golden eagle. The eagle didn’t preemptively flee the scene as I approached, which I found odd. So, I swerved around the bird and continued to watch it in the rear-view mirror. Strangely, the bird still didn’t move, and it was perched right on the white line on the side of the road. The vehicle behind me was a large semi pulling a big heavy load. I kind of watched things with the fear that I would be watching

the worst happen to this big bird. The semi was unable to swerve with oncoming traffic and narrowly missed hitting the golden eagle by mere inches. Still the bird didn’t move. That’s when I decided something was wrong. I promptly turned around and pulled over. I parked near the bird and put on the hazards. Now what? I’m 14 miles away from work, with only what I had in the truck. Letting a huge bird of prey free roam in the truck wasn’t really something I saw going well. But I did have a large dog kennel in the back. I grabbed my thick Carhartt coat and headed outside. The bird appeared to have no idea that a human was standing near it. I threw the hood over its head and wrapped

the coat around the body and used the sleeves as a makeshift set of ties to keep those big wings under control. I then picked up the eagle and put it in the dog kennel. I was so surprised at the actual heft of this bird and its size, it basically filled the entire large dog kennel. It was apparent the animal did not feel well; it put up minimal discourse in all things. When I arrived at work the staff were not surprised to hear that I had peeled a giant bird off the side of the road and wrestled it into a dog crate.

nature. And just like that the bird was off to the next stop in its new adventure. A few weeks had passed, and I called to check on the bird’s progress. Turns out the bird was emaciated, had internal parasites and lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is not uncommon in birds who eat carrion. When a bullet becomes lodged in tissue like muscle or fat, the body is able to wall it off and protect it from the body. No lead is released and the bullet can stay there unchanged for years. Counter that to when a bullet is ingested and enters a stomach full of acid, the bullet begins to be broken down and the metal inside is released into the body.

Lead poisoning is not uncommon in birds who eat carrion.

Wildlife medicine is kind of its own genre within veterinary medicine. It requires some special training and certification, as well as the equipment to go with it. I called some local raptor rehabilitation centers and found the golden eagle a spot to go for treatment and to hopefully be released back into

Commonly in our area people will hunt jackrabbits for sport, leaving their carcass where it lies to be scavenged by other members of the food chain. Birds of prey

will often inadvertently ingest the metal fragments from these carcasses. When lead enters the bloodstream it can cause weakness, anorexia, incoordination and blindness or other neurologic signs. Rendering these large animals essentially unable to hunt, fly or locate food, the very reason this bird was stranded on the side of that highway and unable to react to a semi driving right in front of it. They will eventually starve to death, be fatally injured or preyed upon by other predators. Thankfully there is treatment available for these cases if caught early enough. It combines chelation therapy to bind the lead in the bloodstream and help it pass out of the body with supportive care to maintain hydration and nutrition levels. It can take weeks for a full recovery. The raptor rehabilitation center was confident that the bird I found was going to make a full recovery and fly like an eagle again. W Dr. Megan Beavers is a veterinarian in Lander.

SEP 2026

PUZZLE

P 3

W 5

R 7

P O

I N

C I

T L

V 6

A 12

T 14

T 24

O R

3. A flash of electricity 4.

5. What crews do after storms 7.

Keeps electricity from traveling where it shouldn’t

R M

What we say to our lineworkers

O 27

E ACROSS

R G

N 26

F 19

N 20

O N 23

L I

T 17

DOWN What keeps the lights on

Think you know your way around the grid? Use the clues to uncover the people, tools and terms that help keep the power flowing across Wyoming.

11. Runs between poles

12. Provides backup power when needed

2. Companies that provide essential services

13. Protective equipment worn on the job

3. Power delivered to a home or business

14. Downed line danger

6. Supports overhead power lines

16. Horizontal support near the top of a pole

8. Where electricity is transformed and distributed

17. Controls the flow of electricity

9. Move power from one source to another

20. What travels through 27 Across

10. Measures how much electricity you use

21. Pulling force on a power line

15. Workers who install and repair power lines

23. Protection for lineworkers

18. Member-owned utility

24. Interruptions in electrical service

19. Bring power back after an outage

26. Always comes first on the job

22. What homes and businesses consume

27. Network that keeps everything connected

25. A common cause of 24 across

28. Electrical flow

26. Material used in utility construction

NEED A LITTLE BACKUP POWER? Find the answers on page 37.

BY DIXIE LIRA

BY AMBER STEINMETZ

Devoted to Cody, Past & Present Since making Cody their home in the early 1950s, Marge Wilder and her late husband Dick were always seeking ways to make Cody a better place. Seventy-five years later, at the age of 98, Wilder continues to embody the spirit of a Community Hero — selfless, compassionate and unwavering in her support of the town through her lifelong volunteerism, historical preservation work and church stewardship. 26

SEP 2026

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKIE WILDER

PHOTO BY TONI ORUM-ZASKE

COMMUNITY HEROES One of her biggest contributions is helping spearhead the creation of the Cody Heritage Museum, which shares the town’s local history.

The first meeting was held in the Wilders’ living room in January 2007. They began searching for a building, eventually finding the perfect one a few years later.

“Through Marge’s leadership over the years, we have succeeded in telling Cody’s history,” museum director Lynn Houze said. “If it wasn’t for Marge, the Cody Heritage Museum would not be the success today that we feel it is. She was president of our board for over 20 years and continues today to offer valuable insights and support.”

The Cody Heritage Museum is housed in the historic DeMaris House, one of the few remaining original 1907 buildings located in downtown Cody. In April 2011, it was gutted, and for the next two years various stages of restoration ensued. In 2015, a new foundation was poured to stabilize the building, then interior finish work and design for the museum was completed by 2017.

Born on May 28, 1928, Wilder grew up in Powell and married her childhood sweetheart. After he earned his pharmaceutical degree from the University of Wyoming, they moved to Cody, where they owned and operated Cody Drug for 40 years. “There were always things that needed to be done to improve the town, and we were right down town,” she said. “We were getting acquainted with a lot of the townspeople, so it was just kind of easy to become involved.” As they learned more about Cody they found out about various projects going on. They discovered the Park County Historical Society, which led to an interest in the history of the area and the dream of creating a museum dedicated to preserving it. “Every year we kept saying we need to establish a museum for Cody, and then another year would go by, and nothing had happened in regard to it, or nobody else had started, so finally we said, ‘We’re going to invite people to a meeting at our house to discuss getting a Cody history museum.’”

“It took quite a while to get the building in shape, which we finally did,” Wilder said. To help fundraise, the board held a Field of Honor American Flag event for several years, with community members able to make a donation to honor someone and also buy the flags at the end of each event. “We had over 1,000 flags the first year,” Wilder said. Through this and other fundraisers, the board raised and spent upwards of $450,000 to restore and create the museum. They hired a museum designer to help them utilize the small space to showcase the history of Cody and in May 2018, they opened the doors. “It was just a huge relief, and a lot of pride that we had this small group of people that had been able to put the plan together and develop the building as the history of Cody,” Wilder said. “Unfortunately, my husband didn’t live long enough to see it, but he had certainly worked hard in selling the community, selling the commissioners on the idea that a museum of Cody history was important.”

Above: Marge Wilder (right) and her son Tom Wilder enjoy Cody’s Field of Honor in June. The event was sponsored by the Cody Heritage Museum, which Wilder helped found, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

“Marge Wilder, and her late husband Dick, were the driving forces behind the origins of the Cody Heritage Museum,” Houze said. “They felt that Cody needed a history museum to tell the story of the early beginnings of the town, the founders of the town, and the early pioneers who worked so hard to make Cody a success.”

important. Sometimes in the past I think education for girls was kind of secondary.” She is a lifetime Cody Chamber of Commerce member, serving as president in the 1980s. Both Wilders were also 15year volunteers at the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. A longtime member of the Park County Historical Society, she has served as chapter president and secretary. The Wilder family has supported many projects through the years, including the Cody recreation center and an all-

And while she considers the museum her crowning achievement, Wilder’s contributions to the community expand far beyond.

inclusive playground. She also was an organizer and sponsor of Cody’s annual holiday light decorating contest. For her involvement in the community, the Cody mayor declared April 5, 2019, as Marge Wilder Day. It was the second time Wilder had been honored, as in December 2016, she and Dick were presented with the Community Hero Award. W Amber Steinmetz is a freelance writer and photographer in Cody.

Cody Heritage Museum. PHOTO COURTESY OF CODY HERITAGE MUSEUM

The couple were both part of the advisory board and Wilder served as president for 20 years, stepping down just a few years ago. She’s still an ex officio member though and continues to attend meetings.

Throughout the years, she has been devoted to Trinity Lutheran Church, Cody Soroptimist and PEO, among other organizations. “We give scholarships every year to graduating girls that plan to go on to college,” she said. “I actually didn’t graduate from college, I had just had one year of college, so I realized education is

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4869

SEP 2026

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Steam Railroads in Central Wyoming BY CON TRUMBALL ORDERING INFORMATION: Year Published: 2026 Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Where to Purchase: arcadiapublishing.com

WIN A

FREE COPY!

JULY 2026 ISSUE HISTORIC SCULPTURES OF CHEYENNE BOOK WINNER:

SHELBY FORBES

The first steam locomotives entered central Wyoming in 1886 as the rails were laid, and the railroad would soon become the driving force for agriculture, industry and commerce. The two main lines, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the Chicago & North Western Railway, both operated steam until diesel-electric locomotives began to replace them. This journey will focus on the lines between Valentine, Nebraska, and central Wyoming as well as the survey work done beyond the town of Lander, Wyoming. The areas around the towns of Douglas, Glenrock, Casper and Riverton will all be examined. The last steam locomotive in regular service would leave the region in 1952, and with its departure would come sweeping changes to how the railroads of the region operated, and of their connections to the communities they served. The majority of the photographs presented have never been published. Using photographs from his personal collection as well as two large private collections from the families of Tom Cole and Chuck Eckerson, author Con Trumbull presents the story of steam, from the early days of construction through the height of steam operations to the arrival of diesels, and finally a look at what remains from the days of steam.

SEP 2026

OF GILLETTE

Name: Phone: Address:

ENTRIES DUE BY OCTOBER 15 One entry per household, please.

 STEAM RAILROADS c/o WREN Magazine 2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627



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STANDING TOGETHER FOR RURAL WYOMING Tri-State, together with your local electric cooperatives, is proud to power Wyoming’s homes, farms, and businesses. We welcome responsible growth that supports our communities. We’re not just keeping up with change—we’re planning for it, with a commitment to reliability and affordability. So that the grid we’re building today is strong enough for tomorrow’s ideas. When Wyoming grows, we all grow.

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

Scan to learn more or visit www.tristate.coop/powering-future

Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. SEP 2026

COUNTRY COOKS

SPINACH CORN DIP 10 OZ BABY SPINACH

8 OZ CREAM CHEESE, CUT INTO 1-INCH PIECES

SALT AND PEPPER

1/2 CUP SOUR CREAM

1 GARLIC CLOVE, FINELY CHOPPED

3 OZ FRESH MOZZARELLA, CUT INTO 1/2-INCH PIECES

2 TBS EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

2 CUPS CORN KERNELS 1 JALAPEÑO, FINELY CHOPPED HANDFUL BASIL LEAVES, ROUGHLY CHOPPED

1/2 CUP GRATED PARMESAN 1 LIME, HALVED

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in medium ovenproof skillet. Add spinach and toss until the leaves have wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Stir and press spinach to release as much liquid as possible, cook until most of the liquid evaporates, 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, drizzle the spinach with remaining olive oil, add garlic and stir 1 minute. Fold in corn, jalapeño, basil, cream cheese, sour cream and mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until cheeses have melted and mixture is thick and creamy, 3-4 minutes. Top with parmesan, place in the oven and broil on high until golden and bubbly, 4-5 minutes. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes. Squeeze lime juice over top and serve with pita chips, tortilla chips or crusty bread. HETTY MCKINNON

NEW YORK TIMES COOKING

CORN JIFFY CORN CASSEROLE 1/2 CUP BUTTER, MELTED AND COOLED 2 LARGE EGGS 1 8.5 OZ BOX JIFFY CORN MUFFIN MIX 1 15 OZ CAN WHOLE KERNEL CORN, DRAINED 1 14.75 OZ CAN CREAMED CORN 1 CUP SOUR CREAM Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, eggs, Jiffy mix, whole kernel corn, creamed corn and sour cream. Stir until well blended. Pour mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until top is golden brown and center is set. CRISSY PAGE

DEAR CRISSY BLOG

ONE-POT CREAMED CORN BUCATINI 4 TBS SALTED BUTTER 4 EARS CORN, KERNELS SLICED FROM THE COB 2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED OR GRATED 2 TBS FRESH THYME LEAVES 1 JALAPEÑO OR RED FRESNO PEPPER, SEEDED AND THINLY SLICED 2 GREEN ONIONS, CHOPPED KOSHER SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER 1 BOX (1 LB) BUCATINI 1/2 CUP GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE 2 TBS CRÈME FRAÎCHE 1/4 CUP FRESH BASIL LEAVES, ROUGHLY TORN Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the corn, garlic, thyme, jalapeño, green onions and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is golden and caramelizing on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add 4 ½ cups of water, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, crème fraîche and basil. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out. Serve immediately. TEIGHAN GERARD

HALF BAKED HARVEST

Send Sendcomplete completerecipe recipeby byMarch OCTOBER 10! 15! NOVEMBER:

PIE

SEP 2026

Please Pleaseinclude includeyour yourname, name,address addressand andphone phonenumber. number. S SU UB BM M II T T A AR RE EC C II P PE E

wren@wyomingrea.org | |  [307] 772-1968 286-8140   wren@wyomingrea.org  [307]   214 2312 W.Carey Lincolnway AvenueSte. Cheyenne, 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627 WY 82001 wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions  

PEN TO PAPER

The Last Shipping Day TARA JEAN SEELY

HAWK SPRINGS

And just like that

Things always change

Overnight it seems

We rearrange and maybe

The process of Fall begins

Stumble as we do

Ready or not

Which path to take or

The gold and crimson leaves

Decision to make – or

Bid chattering farewells

How to start anew.

On a new, and cooler wind Water becomes dark and crests with white As the sky it changes too

It’s Fall. Again. Those blue winds shout

A mist of bittersweet

Cranes and geese steer south

Swirls with melancholy sighs

The cattle bawl a final gather to haul

Loud cattle bawling

This time

Sale barn callers

It signals

The final bid begins

Goodbye.

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

Put Your Pen to Paper!

Please include your name, address and phone number. SUBMIT AARPEIC E ICPEE

 wren@wyomingrea.org |  [307] 286-8140  2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions SEP 2026

01 02 03

01 02 03 04

Wall of Trees Mike Dollison, Buffalo

05 06 07

Rock Alley Cindi Olson, Newcastle

Main Street Wall Mike Dollison, Buffalo Spider-Man in Training Heather McLaughlin, Upton “The Wall that Heals - 58,000 Stories,” the Moving Vietnam Veterans Wall! The American Legion Family, Rhonda Reed, Newcastle

THE PROUD ONE Valerie Mason, Saratoga

Whitby Abby Walls, England Robin Riesland, Newcastle

05 06

JUST PICTURE IT

THIS MONTH:

NOVEMBER (DUE OCTOBER 15)

WALLS

MEMORIES

08 09 10

08 09

Wall of Snow, Snowy Range Road Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga

Closed Off to Time, Killarney National Park, Ireland Cody Weatherly, Lingle

11 12 13

Sure I Have Plenty of Room Fran Irene, Saratoga

Signature Wall, Fort Laramie National Historic Site Rob McIntosh, Torrington

Spying Through the Wall Heather McLaughlin, Upton Post Fire Wall of One of Clearmont’s First Businesses, Lang Mercantile (The black line marks its first roofline, pre-1914.) Clearmont Historical Group, Clearmont

12 13

SUBMIT A P H OTO

 wren@wyomingrea.org  2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions Please include your name, hometown and a title.

Please submit high-quality digital files* or an original we can scan, as well as details about the artwork, the artist’s name, and the co-op. *Use the highest quality setting on your camera, or save digital artwork as a .jpg or .tif file with at least 300 dpi resolution. If you would like your work returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

SEP 2026

WHAT’S HAPPENING

WHAT’S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP

OCTOBER

01 | SOUTHEAST CENTENNIAL THURSDAY–MONDAY Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm. Explore museum grounds and exhibits. Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.

C H U G WAT E R

ARTWORK COURTESY OF THE BRINTON MUSEUM

01 FEATURED EVENT

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

E L K M O U N TA I N MONDAYS–SATURDAYS Elk Mountain Museum: 10am-5pm. Explore local history and museum collections. Free. Info: elkmtmuseum@gmail.com, 307-348-7037.

ENCAMPMENT

THE BRINTON MUSEUM’S HAUNTED RANCH BIG HORN  OCTOBER 24 Get ready for a frightfully fun afternoon at The Brinton Museum’s Haunted Ranch! Families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of Halloweenthemed activities, spooky surprises, and seasonal fun on the historic Quarter Circle A Ranch. Time: 3-6pm Cost: Free Location: The Brinton Museum Information: bit.ly/HauntedRanch NORTHEAST 34

SEP 2026

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

MEDICINE BOW ONGOING Museum and Gift Shop: 8:30am-4:30pm. 405 Lincoln Highway. Info: 307-379-2383.

02 | NORTHEAST BIG HORN THROUGH DECEMBER 21 101 Small Works Show: The Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road. With its four high-level galleries featuring exquisite Western and American Indian Art, the museum sits in a foothills setting that is art in itself. This year’s Holiday Show is the ever-popular annual “smaller works” exhibit by an array of local and national artists, ideal for holiday giving as well. Free. Info: 307-672-3173, TheBrintonMuseum.org.

B U F FA L O

OCTOBER 17 Celebration of National Poetry Day: 6-9 pm. Occidental Hotel lobby. Hosted by Barbara Smith, current Poet Laureate of Wyoming, and WyoPoets. Poets of all stripes are invited to read. Info: Tom Spence, Tjspencewyo@outlook.com. THURSDAYS Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free. Info: 307-684-0451.

CLEARMONT

OCTOBER 13 Ucross Sound Hike: 9am. Ucross Art Gallery. Join us on a very special sound hike on the Ucross Ranch to experience “Confluences” – an emplaced sound experience created by Ucross artist-alumni Teri Rueb and Laurids Sonne. Free. Info: bit.ly/sound-hike.

GILLETTE

OCTOBER 10–NOVEMBER 28 “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” Exhibition: Campbell County Rockpile Museum. The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with the Wyoming State Museum, presents this exhibition, which examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Regular admission. Info: 307-682-5723, rockpile@vcn.com. 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.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HULETT OCTOBER 14 The Ultimate Sweet Treat Showdown: Baking contest for any sweets. Hulett Library. 12:30pm deadline for entries. Public judging starts at 1pm. Winner receives $50 and 2nd place receives $25. Info: 307-467-5676. TUESDAYS Children’s Storytime: 10:3011:30am. Hulett Library. Ages 0-5. Info: 307-467-5676. MONDAYS & THURSDAYS 5-Mile Walking Exercise Class: 3:45-5pm. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676. MONDAY–THURSDAY Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676. ONGOING Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: Mon.-Thu. 8am-5pm. Sat. 10am-2pm. Free. Info: 307-467-5292.

MOORCROFT MONDAYS Moorcroft Senior Center Events: Senior Chair Exercise Class 11:30am-12:30pm. Cribbage 1pm. Toenail clinic 1pm on the second Monday of month. Info: 307-756-9550. TUESDAYS Moorcroft Senior Center Events: Coffee and visiting 9:30am. Busy Bobbins 10am on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Crafts 11am-1pm. Info: 307-756-9550. WEDNESDAYS Moorcroft Senior Center Events: Music, coffee and rolls 9-11am. Senior Chair Exercise Class 11:30am-12:30pm. Info: 307-756-9550. Moorcroft Branch Library Activities: 10am storytime, 4pm afterschool craft, 7pm AA meetings. Please use the downstairs entrance. Info: 307-756-3232. THURSDAYS Moorcroft Senior Center Events: Cards 10am-3:30pm. Lunch at the center 12pm. Moorcroft Senior Board meeting 10am on second Thursday of the month. Info: 307-756-9550. 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.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 1 & 15 Tongue River Artist Residency Presentation: 5:30pm. Innominate Coffeehouse and Bakery. Join Innominate Coffeehouse and Bakery for presentations from Mixed Media Artist Darya Kharabi on Oct. 1 and Painter Lucy Shaiken on Oct. 15. Free. Info: 307-683-4020.

NEWCASTLE TUESDAYS Community Services Thrift Store: 10am-2pm. 126 W Wentworth. Used clothing and housewares in good condition. Sponsored by the Newcastle Adventist Church. Info: 307-629-0044. THIRD SATURDAYS Weston County Democrats: 2pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822, weston.wyodems.net. FRIDAYS Bingo: 7:30pm. VFW Hall. Free. WEDNESDAYS Gigi’s Closet: 9am-1pm. First United Methodist Church. Gently used 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. THE MONTH OF OCTOBER Manufacturing Month Tours: Various times. Manufacturers throughout Sheridan County. Enjoy free public tours of local manufacturers throughout October, hosted by the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Business Retention & Expansion Committee in partnership with Manufacturing Works. For the full schedule of events and list of locations, visit the Chamber website. Cost: Free. Info: 307-672-2485, sheridanwyomingchamber.org. OCTOBER 1-4 WYO Film Festival: WYO Performing Arts and Education Center. Held at The WYO Theater, attendees can enjoy parties and social events, engaging discussion and fantastic films! See full schedule at wyofilmfest.org. Single films tickets for $20; weekend pass for $65; VIP pass for $120. Info: director@ wyofilmfest.org, wyofilmfest.org.

OCTOBER 24 Main Street Monster Mash: 10am-12pm. Downtown Sheridan. Join us for the annual Main Street Monster Mash in the heart of Downtown Sheridan! Bring your kids to this family-friendly event

and enjoy a costume contest and trick-or-treating at our wonderful participating businesses. Free. Info: Downtown Sheridan Association, 307-672-8881. OCTOBER 24–25; OCTOBER 29–NOVEMBER 1 WYO Premiere: Time varies. WYO Performing Arts and Education Center. The WYO Theater’s annual fundraising musical, performed entirely by Sheridan’s great local talent. This year’s show will be “Anything Goes!” Cost TBD. Info: wyotheater.com, 307-672-9084. THIRD THURSDAYS Street Festival: 5-9pm. Downtown Sheridan, between Alger and Loucks streets. Enjoy family fun, food, live music and fabulous vendors. Free. Info: Downtown Sheridan Association, 307-672-8881. SATURDAYS Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am. Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.

You're a person, not a number...

Don't be the next statistic.

Buckle up! SEP 2026

WHAT’S HAPPENING

OCTOBER

S U N DA N C E

THIRD WEDNESDAYS

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.

Wyoming Health Fairs Monthly Wellness Screen/Blood Draw: 7:30-10am. Dubois Medical Clinic. Appointments encouraged. Info: 307-455-2516, whf.as.me/dubois.

WEDNESDAYS Storytime: 10:30am. Crook County Public Library. Info: Tonia, 307-283-1008.

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

UPTON

LANDER

FIRST & THIRD SATURDAYS Acoustic Jam Session: 5:30pm. The Learning Center, 124 N 5th St. Info: info@thermopolischamber.org.

SATURDAYS Acoustic Music Jam: 11am-1pm. Lander Bake Shop. Info: 307-332-3237.

SATURDAYS Farmer’s Market: 8am-12pm. Corner of 5th & Broadway. Free. Info: info@thermopolischamber.org.

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.

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.

SECOND TUESDAYS Veteran Breakfast: 8am. Upton Senior Center. Free. Info: Gary Barnes, 307-468-9251. FIRST & 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. ONGOING Red Onion Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed holidays. 1920 HWY 16. Free. Info: 307-226-2873, redonion@gmail.com.

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

DUBOIS THURSDAYS Farmer’s Market: 4-5:30pm. 202 E Ramshorn, Corner Entrance. Info: Martha, 307-455-2313. 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.

SEP 2026

POWELL

TUESDAY–SATURDAY Homesteader Museum Summer Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-2pm. Private tours available by appointment. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@ parkcounty-wy.gov.

GREYBULL

THERMOPOLIS

SUBMIT AN EVENT

R I V E RTO N 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 & WEDNESDAYS Yoga: 10:30am. Meeteetse Recreation District. Info: 307-899-2698, meetrec.org. TUESDAYS–SATURDAYS Meeteetse Museums: Open 10am-4pm. 1947 State Street. Info: programs@ meeteetsemuseums.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.

Send events occurring in December by

OCTOBER 15! Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event. Photos are always welcome.

Learn more about the WREA community at wyomingrea.org/community.

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:

 wren@

wyomingrea.org

 [307] 286-8140  2312 Carey Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82001-3627

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

04|SOUTHWEST LY M A N

THURSDAYS Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.

M O U N TA I N V I E W

MONDAYS Cub Scout Pack 7798 Meeting: 3:45pm. Presbyterian Church on 3rd Street. We are always accepting new boys who are in grades 1-5. Info: MarNae, 307-677-2566. THIRD WEDNESDAYS Food Assistance Program: 8:30-10am. 325 West St. Free food assistance for local individuals and families. All are welcome – no questions asked. Info: facebook.com/ BridgerValleyFoodAssistance. WEDNESDAYS Storytime: 11am. Uinta County Library. Info: 307-782-3161. ONGOING Community Classes: Valley Learning Center. Fitness, computer, workforce and kids’ classes are available. Times and prices vary. Info: 307-782-6401, valleylearningcenter.coursestorm.com.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds 1

P 3

O W 5

R 7

P O

WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS

CONTACT:  WREN@WYOMINGREA.ORG  307-286-8140

C I

T L

V 6

A 12

R 9

S T 14

W O

O 27

E 28

R M

WANTED CJ or Wrangler reasonably priced. Any condition but rusted. 800-316-5337.

T 24

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

R S

R 26

O N 23

T 17

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.

PUZZLE ON PAGE 24

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ENLIGHTEN US

BY SARAH MORRIS

View Kelty FROM THE

Autumn 1983 was my first hunt. While my older sisters remained at home with Grammy, my parents ventured into the high country, their sights set on pronghorn. At 9 months old, I wasn’t quite ready to be separated from my primary food source, so staying home wasn’t much of an option. Instead, I happily joined the hunt and rode along on my mom’s back, dozing in the rhythm of her stride. All you could see through the layers of blankets in the Kelty pack were bright blue eyes and a tiny nose, pink from the crisp autumn air.

Sarah Morris hiking with her baby. PHOTO BY BETH WORTHEN

ventually Mom and Dad spotted down to me, I’d pack extra diapers, snacks, a nice little buck slightly wipes, juice boxes and sandwiches. My separated from the harem. Dad mental checklist ran through a growing count of children, checking for snug slipped the earmuffs over my ears and jackets and stray orange hats. I’d nurse eased back while Mom crept forward the baby one more time, make sure my through sagebrush, settled into position tag and conservation stamp were tucked and bellied up. Holding her grandfather’s safely in the pack, and then I’d go hunting. well-worn .25.06, she focused on the That weathered Kelty, its fabric softened target, the wood of the stock smooth and faded by years of the relentless against her cheek as she released a slow Wyoming sun, remained a permanent breath into the biting air and eased the passenger in my truck every October. I safety forward. Yet, as she tried to find her watched the frost cling to the silver sage mark through the scope, I would lean to until the sun slowly came out, the scent of one side, curious to see the activity. damp earth drifting The pack would sway through the air. I right; she’d adjust shared steaming the rifle. I’d tilt the chocolate from other way, and the I no longer needed to whisper battered thermoses pack followed left. for silence. Instead, I simply with the kids while

“

watched them scan the folds of the prairie with a quiet patience that only the mountains could teach.

meadowlarks sang, oblivious to the start of the season. Some years success wasn’t measured by filling a tag, but by the small victory of convincing everyone to keep their gloves on.

Slowly, the babies who once Morris’ kids on a swayed against my back hunting trip. transitioned into children PHOTO BY SARAH MORRIS clutching binoculars, and then into teenagers completing their Hunter Safety courses. Eventually they all carried rifles of their own. I no longer needed to whisper for silence. Instead, I simply watched them scan the folds of the prairie with a quiet patience that only the mountains could teach. She repositioned once more, and finally I settled long enough for her to squeeze the trigger. A single, clean shot brought the harvest home. I sat quietly in my pack while my parents offered their thanks and field dressed the pronghorn, eventually returning to the warmth of the cabin. Decades later, it would be my turn to shoulder the weight of that same Kelty. The dawn of opening day took on a new rhythm for me. Before daylight, in addition to Mom’s .25.06, now passed

Looking back through old hunting pictures, I notice something I never saw while I was living it. Someone was always missing. Some years there was a baby sleeping against my back, hidden from the view of the camera while I glassed distant hillsides. Other years, a child waited back at the cabin with grandparents, aunts and uncles while I made a short stalk through the sage. There was the autumn Cori opted to attend the Wyoming Women’s Antelope Hunt,

leaving the family hunt to her brothers. As the years turned, the pull of high school football for Gannon, college classes for Jamison, new careers and shared custody schedules meant someone was almost always missing from the picture. Our blended family has woven together, one October at a time. More orange vests fill the frames of family photos. Seeing Maeve settle into the same sagebrush, scanning the same horizons I once did, and smiling beside her first pronghorn reminds me that traditions aren’t inherited only by birth. Sometimes they are born with an invitation, grow through love, and are reinforced year after year. She and her brothers all celebrated first hunts or first harvests; Isaac, forever our caboose, claimed the largest harvest that year with a quiet pride. Through it all, Micah (or Yumsters if you are a Cabin Girl) and I stand side-by-side, savoring each fleeting, golden moment of the journey. Though our busy family doesn’t stay still long enough for everyone to be in every picture, the photos finally feel complete anyway. Scanning our latest hunting pictures, I don’t notice the pronghorn first. I look for the glimmer of youthful eyes, the tilt of orange hats and the steady grip on binoculars. When I was a baby, my view from the Kelty was probably nothing more than the back of my mother’s chestnut hair, the vivid orange of her hat and the vast expanse of an October sky stretching forever across the sage. Now, after being carried in that same Kelty, a new generation woven together by birth, marriage and choice is learning to read the wind before they ever learn to pull a trigger. They’re discovering that the real harvest is never only the one we carry home. It is patience. Responsibility. Gratitude. Quiet. Respect. Family. It is the decision, in every season, to walk the same ground together. W Sarah Morris is a sixth-generation Wyoming native who lives for time in the Winds with her adventurous blended family, best friends and a good book.

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