DEC 2020
WYOMING
RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS
Time To Come Home Family operates music venue in Chugwater CHANCEY WILLIAMS
A Career in Music
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Here at your local Touchstone Energy cooperative, we’re proud to be a part of it, bringing people together by providing energy for all the things you love.
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THE WREN MAGAZINE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS The official publication of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, volume 66, number 11, December 2020 (ISSN 1098-2876) is published monthly except for January for $12 per year by Linden Press, Inc., 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Periodicals postage paid at Cheyenne, WY (original entry office) and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER – Send address changes to: The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, c/o Linden Press, Inc., 223 S. Howes St., Fort Collins, CO 80521, [970] 221-3232. Include 3-digit co-op code. 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 40,437 for 11 months ending September 2020. 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. Editor: Maggie York
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Garland Light & Power, Powell – Scott Smith, President High West Energy, Pine Bluffs – Michael Lerwick, Vice President Wheatland REA, Wheatland – Sandra Hranchak, Secretary/Treasurer Basin Electric, Bismarck, ND – Paul Baker Big Horn REC, Basin – John Joyce Bridger Valley Electric, Mountain View – Ruth Rees Carbon Power, Saratoga – Kenny Curry Deseret Power, South Jordan, UT – Gary Nix High Plains Power, Riverton – Hearley Dockham Lower Valley Energy, Afton – Fred Brog Niobrara, Lusk – Andy Greer Powder River Energy, Sundance – Mike Lohse Tri-State G&T, Westminster, CO – Julie Kilty Wyrulec, Torrington – Dewey Hageman
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES AND CORRESPONDENCE TO WREN Magazine • 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001, [307] 286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org
ON THE COVER 22
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
STATE NEWS Chancey & EVENTS Williams: GRASSROOTS A Career 08 NETWORK In Music 10 THE CURRENT STORY BY RACHEL GIRT PHOTO BY STEVEN GIRT
Cover photo: Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band play during the Wyoming Capitol Square opening ceremonies in Cheyenne in 2019.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES $12 per year, Single copies $1.50 each
ADVERTISING To purchase, contact Dhara Rose: [307] 996-6552 • dhara@golinden.com
OFFICE OF WREN OWNER 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001
OFFICE OF WREN PUBLISHER Linden Press, Inc., 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C, Cheyenne, WY 82001
FEATURES YOUTH 06 CO-OP WYRULEC'S
CORA FREDERICK
16 T I M E T O
CENTERPIECE COME HOME
STORY BY RACHEL GIRT PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK
13 COWBOY STATE BUZZ 32 WHAT'S HAPPENING
ESSAYS & ANECDOTES NOTES 04 WREA GOOD
R I D DA N C E 2020
BY SHAWN TAYLOR
ON THE RANGE 28 HOME S I N G I N G C OW B OY S BY GINA SIGEL
US 36 ENLIGHTEN MUSIC FOR WINTER BY WALT GASSON
FROM OUR READERS COOKS 30 COUNTRY CHEESE TO PAPER 31 PEN SUNNY'S LETTER T O S A N TA
T H E E XQ U I S I T E QUINCE
PICTURE IT 34 JUST MUSIC
JUST FOR FUN CORNER 20 KIDS' PHOTOGRAPHER REVIEW 26 BOOK THE DIVIDED TWIN BY M. BILLITER WITH KYLE THOMAS
27 PUZZLE CHRISTMAS
TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD
BY TIFFANY WHITSITT
WREA NOTES
Good Riddance 2020 SH AW N TAY LO R
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Remember, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force.
During that time I experienced all of the Dark Side
But beware: anger, fear, aggression—
feelings, and that was only for two days! I can’t
the Dark Side they are.” Jedi Master Yoda could easily be talking about the last year as being the Dark Side. During the year of
with their families during the holidays.
“the Rona” our country witnessed plenty of anger,
So let’s finish the year out strong like the Jedi.
fear and aggression. Fear of getting sick or worse,
Let’s help one another get to the other side of this,
anger over schools and businesses closing, and
whatever that means and whenever that happens,
aggression over politics and elections.
and go into 2021 full of hope, gratitude and
I’m not naïve enough to think just because we flip the calendar over to a new year that these feelings are automatically going to disappear, or that the country as a whole is going to hold hands and sing “Kumbaya.” However for me, I am going to close this crazy year out with a sense of gratitude, optimism and hope—hope for a vaccine, hope that schools and businesses will stay open and hope that our economy will flourish once again. I will show gratitude towards others even if I disagree with their politics or beliefs. And I will embrace optimism that things will get better; they have to. I know that might sound very Pollyannaish, but right before Thanksgiving I wasn’t feeling well and showed some symptoms of COVID-19, so I got tested. As I awaited the results (thankfully negative), and in order keep my family safe, I sequestered myself in our basement. Now it was only for two days but I only talked to my family on our cell phones and only saw them either via FaceTime or by standing in my backyard with them up on the deck.
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imagine how all those folks around the country are coping with being “locked down,” unable to be
DEC 2020
optimism. Stay healthy, stay happy, stay sane and Merry Christmas to you and the entire cooperative family.
‘‘
This is one of the best areas in the nation to raise bees.
’’
− Dusty Backer, Backer Bees
Environment isn’t just a buzz word at Basin Electric. Backer Bees has bees at Glenharold Mine, a reclaimed coal mine that used to supply coal to our first power plant. The reclaimed pasture has a variety of flowers−alfalfa, clover, sunflowers, wildflowers−making it one of the best areas in the nation to raise bees. Environmental stewardship has always been a guiding principle for us. That’s why we’re committed to reclaiming and restoring land back to its natural state, like Glenharold Mine.
Your energy starts here. basinelectric.com
CO-OP YOUTH
PHOTO BY CASSIE MADDEN PHOTOGRAPHY
CO-OP YOUTH
WREN: Tell us about your studies and interests. CF: I am thoroughly enjoying my studies at Baylor this semester so far. Currently, I am undecided as to pursue a degree in communication sciences and disorders, or change majors and continue to pursue the premed track. I am taking one class in each in order to see which sparks my interests and passions more. I feel that I am truly being challenged as an individual and a scholar here at Baylor, both in and out of the classroom. Even though some “classrooms” look a bit different this semester, I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be here on campus and pursue my studies in person. I am interested in both the speech pathology and medical fields due to my desire to work with children and passion for science. I know that through my continuing studies I will be able to find the right major and career path for me.
Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives are proud to support our youth, giving college scholarships and lineman scholarships. In addition, our co-ops sponsor high school students on the NRECA Youth Tour in June and Youth Leadership Camp in July.
THIS MONTH: Wyrulec's Cora Frederick was awarded $1,000 by Basin Electric Power Cooperative to attend the college of her choice.
CORA FREDERICK HOMETOWN: Fort Laramie HIGH SCHOOL: Lingle-Fort Laramie High School YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2020
While Youth Tour and youth camps were canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your co-op may be taking applications for next year. See the insert in the center of the magazine for information from your local rural electric cooperative.
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COLLEGE: Baylor University MAJOR STUDY INTEREST: Communication sciences and disorders with pre-med designation
WREN: How have your hometown, family and/or friends influenced you? CF: My hometown, family, and friends have influenced me in numerous ways. I have strong roots in a hometown that is always supportive of my adventures, meaningful family relationships, and friendships that I value. My hometown provided me with a place to learn and grow for the first 13 years of my educational career, which I am grateful for every day. My family provided me with a strong moral compass and developed my love for Jesus that I am able to share in my everyday life. My friends of all ages were there for me and always pushed me to be the best that I could be. I am grateful for these relationships and many more that have benefitted my past and will continue to have an impact on my future.
WREN: What are your plans for the future? CF: Upon graduation with my bachelor's degree (regardless of degree choice) I plan to complete graduate school to earn either a master’s or doctoral degree. My biggest goal is to find a career path that not only interests me, but that I am truly passionate about. I am dedicated to becoming a lifelong learner and always keeping Christ first in my heart.
Generosity isn’t just for the holidays At Tri-State, supporting our members and their communities is what we do. We tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow together – that’s the cooperative difference. From our family to yours, stay safe and happy holidays. Find these stories and more at www.tristate.coop.
Tri-State is a not-for-profi t power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
GRASSROOTS NETWORK
WREA SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR NRECA DIRECTOR The Wyoming Rural Electric Association (WREA) Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for candidates to represent Wyoming on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)’s Region VII standing committees. Region VII includes the Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska rural electric associations.
HOW IT WORKS
Region VII members (as a whole) have two representatives on each of the three committees: 1} Regulations 2} Legislative 3} Cooperative Management and Employee Issues
Per the WREA’s agreement with the other three states in Region VII to rotate the six seats, Wyoming will be accepting nominations for one seat on the Cooperative Management and Employee Issues Committee to start serving January of 2022.
The WREA Nomination Committee will also be accepting nominations for candidates to represent Wyoming on the NRECA board of directors starting at the NRECA Annual Meeting in 2021.
MAIL YOUR NOMINATIONS BY JANUARY 15, 2021!
Committees generally meet once a year. A per diem is paid and travel expenses are reimbursed.
Committee members will be chosen by the WREA board at the annual NRECA Wyoming Membership Meeting on February 4, 2021.
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Members and employees from any Wyoming co-op except Lower Valley are eligible (Lower Valley belongs to Region IX).
Those interested in serving or nominating someone should submit names in writing to: Nominating Committee, WREA, 2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY, 82001. Mail by January 15, 2021. Include the name of the nominee, mailing address, phone number, and if it is for a committee or the NRECA director position.
THE CURRENT
Co-op Trivia
The Breaker Box
You probably only visit the gray breaker box, or electric service panel, in your home to flip a switch to open or close a circuit. Let’s keep it that way. Work inside the breaker box can be very dangerous and should be performed by a qualified electrician.
breaker box tips
WHAT DOES A BREAKER BOX DO? Electricity first enters your home through the electric meter, which is owned by your rural electric cooperative and keeps track of your energy use. From the meter, a main electric cable connects to your breaker box. These items belong to the homeowner. The breaker box has a very important function. The circuits, or breakers inside trip, or fail, when there is an overload, fault or electrical hazard in the circuit. You can reset a breaker by switching it back to the “on” position.
FROM SAFEELECTRICITY.ORG 1
Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you touch the breaker box while standing in water, it could cause electric shock or death.
WHAT IS INSIDE A BREAKER BOX? First, a main circuit breaker switch controls all of the electricity coming into the box. If you turn off the main circuit breaker, electricity is still coming into your house until your rural electric cooperative turns it off. Other switches in your breaker box control all of the electrical circuits in your home. Single-pole breakers usually carry 120 volts for lights and small appliances, while double-pole breakers can carry 240 volts for equipment such as air conditioners and washing machines.
If you must flip a switch at the breaker box, always remember to step away and look away. You want to protect your eyes and body just in case an arc should occur.
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Be sure to call a qualified electrician or your landlord if blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers are a recurring problem. This means there is something wrong with your electrical system.
DEC 2020
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THE CURRENT
51 Years at a Co-op GARY KIPP LOOKS BACK AT LONG CAREER BY TIM VELDER, PRECORP
Wills, Trusts & Probate Land Use GAY WOODHOUSE TARA NETHERCOTT HOLLI WELCH JEFF VAN FLEET
DEBORAH RODEN JOANNE SWEENEY KATYE BROWN CHRISTOPHER BRENNAN
1912 Capitol Avenue Suite 500 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 432-9399 WRNLawFirm.com
Co-op Class UW OFFERS
The Wyoming Rural Electric Association is proud once again to be a part of the Cooperative Business Model course at the University of Wyoming, offered in Spring 2021! Instructor Milton Geiger guides students as they learn best practices from co-op managers and CEOs, then create a working plan for their own cooperative. The course is appropriate for students at all levels and in any major.
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“I started in 1969 and never looked back,” Gary Kipp says. Senior manager of line operations in Gillette, Kipp retired in November 2020 after almost 51 years of serving the membership at Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp). Kipp was studying electricity as a youth, and the local instructor for the youth organization was Walt Wagner, the electrical engineer for Tri-County Electric Association (TCEA), PRECorp’s predecessor. Kipp’s neighbor was TCEA Operations Manager Bill Durfee. “Bill had me shoveling off the sidewalks at Tri-County before I went to school,” Kipp recalls. “Then as I got older, I was working on the Smith ranch for $125 per month. Bill called me and asked if I wanted to go to work for Tri-County and it paid $2.25 per hour. I thought it was $225 per month. I told Bill ‘That’s more per month than I am making. I will take the job.’ Bill said, ‘Gary, that’s an hourly wage with benefits.’” In 1979, Kipp was one of the first “settlers” in the emerging town of Wright. “Wright was just a trailer court and the Tri-County shop was just a shell,” he said. At the time, Atlantic Richfield Black Thunder Mine requested two linemen near Reno Junction in case of a power outage. In the following year, TCEA engineers and Black Thunder began the planning for the town of Wright. Kipp’s work timeline might give some general ideas why he chose to stay at the
cooperative all these years. “I liked new challenges. New substations being built. I like meeting the members and building new services for them,” he said. He shared a memory from the work he did on the August Kretschman Ranch. Kipp said the Kretschmans, a Germanspeaking family, never had power there. “When we energized his service and hooked up the two wires going to his house and turned the secondary breakers on, all August could do was just stare at the light bulb. I could not understand what he was saying [in German], but it was amazing to witness,” Kipp said. He said the new members of today just want good service and reliable power. Kipp puts into perspective that over the half-century of work at PRECorp, the cooperative offered numerous opportunities to learn more about the trade at special schools, and the compensation package has always been competitive with bigger investor-owned utilities. “New employees should be thankful for all the benefits and good wages that PRECorp pays. If you’re not happy at PRECorp, there are people standing in line to get employment at PRECorp,” he said. Kipp is looking forward to spending more time in the great outdoors—most likely hunting and exploring the rich history of the Wyoming wilderness. Powder River Energy would like to thank Gary Kipp for his long tenured service to the membership and this organization.
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Your Savings Federally Insured
GOOD THINGS
ARE HAPPENING ALL AROUND US Your community hospital is the proud recipient of a 5-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and 19 Healthgrades Awards for 2020. To celebrate, we’re sharing stories about all the good happening around us—and we’d love to hear yours!
Share YOUR story MYSPARKSTORY.ORG
214 East 23rd Street Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-2273 cheyenneregional.org DEC 2020
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PHOTO BY KELLY ETZEL DOUGLAS
COWBOY STATE BUZZ STORY BY KELLY ETZEL DOUGLAS
Retired Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Bill Hill has always loved Westerns. Growing up in Riverton at a time when the local television station, KTWO, featured mostly news and old Westerns, he watched cowboy heroes such as Ken Maynard and Bob Steele. When KTWO obtained network affiliations he was rewarded with a treasure trove of television Westerns of the era such as Cheyenne, Maverick and Gunsmoke. “I got hooked early,” Hill said. It was in the family. In 1919 Hill's rancher grandparents William Moore Hill and Ida Parker Hill, and their small children, shared Thanksgiving with Bill Carlisle at their homestead on the flank of Laramie Peak. Carlisle, notorious Wyoming train robber, had just escaped from the Wyoming State Penitentiary, robbed a train, and was on the run from pursuing lawmen.
Bill Hill holds his grandfather William Moore Hill’s saddle at his office in Cheyenne.
Top 150 Western Movies BILL HILL'S
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Hill had horses growing up and off and on during his career, which took him to Washington, D.C. as chief of staff for Sen. Malcolm Wallop in the 1980s. One of the perks of his work with Wallop was time spent on his historic ranch near Big Horn. Hill later moved to Cheyenne to work for the law firm of Holland and Hart, then became an assistant US attorney in 1991, Wyoming attorney general in 1995, and was appointed to the Wyoming Supreme Court in 1998. Hill was chief justice from 2002 to 2006, and retired from the court after 20 years in 2018. Hill began to compile his list after a conversation with longtime friend and former colleague on the court, Justice Marilyn Kite, who wasn't quite certain that there were all that many great Westerns. He started writing down his top 100 picks, and stopped when he reached 150. Why does he love Westerns over other film genres? “Westerns tell the truth. If it is in a Western it must be true,” he said, eyes twinkling. Hill wrote this about his list: “There is very little gratuitous sex or graphic violence in the movies on my list. You don't need those things to have a fine Western. As a result, some of the more contemporary films in the genre don't make my list.”
Top 25
RATE IT!
in alphabetical order
3:10 to Yuma
(original)
Van Heflin Glenn Ford
1957
Bite the Bullet
Gene Hackman James Coburn
1975
Paul Newman Robert Redford
1969
Flaming Star
Elvis Presley John McIntyre
1960
The Gunfighter
Gregory Peck Millard Mitchell
1950
High Noon
Gary Cooper Grace Kelly
1952
Hombre
Paul Newman Richard Boone
1967
Jubal
Glenn Ford Ernest Borgnine
1956
Lonely are the Brave
Kirk Douglas Gena Rowlands
1962
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
John Wayne James Stewart
1962
Monte Walsh (original)
Lee Marvin Jack Palance
1970
Monte Walsh (remake)
Tom Selleck Keith Carradine
2003
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
MADE IN WYOMING!
2nd Best 25
RATE IT!
Appaloosa
Ed Harris Viggo Mortenson
2008
The Appaloosa
Marlon Brando John Saxon
1966
Robert Duvall Thomas Haden Church
2006
(TV miniseries)
Val Kilmer Wes Studi
2008
The Comancheros
John Wayne Stuart Whitman
1961
Conagher
Sam Elliot Katharine Ross
1991
(TV miniseries)
Keith Carradine Harry Dean Stanton
1996
The Grey Fox
Richard Farnsworth Wayne Robson
1982
O.K. Corral
Burt Lancaster Kirk Douglas
1957
The Hi Lo Country
Billy Crudup Woody Harrelson
1998
Hud
Paul Newman Patricia Neal
1963
Robert Duvall Tommy Lee Jones
1989
Yul Brynner Steve McQueen Eli Wallach
1960
Tommy Lee Jones Cate Blanchett
2003
Broken Trail
(TV miniseries) Comanche Moon
Dead Man's Walk
Gunfight at the
Lonesome Dove
(TV miniseries)
The Magnificent
Henry Fonda Harry Morgan
1943
Seven (original)
John Wayne Montgomery Clift
1948
The Missing
Ride the High Country Randolph Scott
1962
Clementine
Henry Fonda Victor Mature
1946
Sergeant Rutledge
Woody Strode Jeffrey Hunter
1960
One-Eyed Jacks
Marlon Brando Karl Malden
1961
The Searchers
John Wayne Jeffrey Hunter
1956
Josey Wales
Clint Eastwood Chief Dan George
1976
Shane
Alan Ladd Van Heflin
1953
The Professionals
Lee Marvin Burt Lancaster
1966
The Stalking Moon
Gregory Peck Eva Marie Saint
1968
Purple Sage
Ed Harris Amy Madigan
1996
The Tall T
Randolph Scott Richard Boone
1957
The Shootist
John Wayne Lauren Bacall
1976
Tombstone
Kurt Russell Val Kilmer
1993
(TV miniseries)
Streets of Laredo
James Garner Sissy Spacek
1995
(original)
John Wayne Kim Darby
1969
the Sierra Madre
The Treasure of
Humphrey Bogart Walter Huston
1948
Ulzana’s Raid
Burt Lancaster Jorge Luke
1972
Country
The Wonderful
Robert Mitchum Julie London
1959
Valdez is Coming
Burt Lancaster Susan Clark
1971
Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood Gene Hackman
1992
Will Penny
Charlton Heston Donald Pleasance
1968
(original)
James Stewart Steven McNally
1950
The Ox-Bow Incident Red River
(original)
Joel McCrea
True Grit
My Darling
The Outlaw
Riders of the
Winchester '73
DEC 2020
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Top 150 Western Movies
MADE IN WYOMING!
100 Well WorthWatching
3 Godfathers
John Wayne Ward Bond
1948
Hour of the Gun
James Garner Jason Robards
1967
Quigley Down Under
Tom Selleck Alan Rickman
1990
5 Card Stud
Dean Martin Robert Mitchum
1968
How the West Was Won
Debbie Reynolds
1962
The Rare Breed
James Stewart Maureen O'Hara
1966
7 Men from Now
Randolph Scott Lee Marvin
1956
J.W. Coop
Cliff Robertson R.G. Armstrong
1972
Rawhide
Tyrone Power Susan Hayward
1956
All the Pretty Horses
Matt Damon Penelope Cruz
2000
Jeremiah Johnson
Robert Redford Will Geer
1972
Ride Lonesome
Randolph Scott Karen Steele
1959
Angel and the Badman
John Wayne Gail Russell
1947
Joe Kidd
Clint Eastwood Robert Duvall
1972
Rio Bravo
John Wayne Angie Dickinson
1959
Arrowhead
Charlton Heston Jack Palance
1953
Junior Bonner
Steve McQueen Robert Preston
1972
Rio Grande
John Wayne Maureen O'Hara
1950
The Avenging Angel
Tom Berenger Charlton Heston
1995
Last Stand at Saber River
Tom Selleck Keith Carradine
1997
River of No Return
Robert Mitchum Marilyn Monroe
1954
Barbarosa
Willie Nelson Gary Busey
1982
Last Train from Gun Hill
Kirk Douglas Anthony Quinn
1959
Rooster Cogburn
John Wayne Katharine Hepburn
1975
The Big Country
Gregory Peck Jean Simmons
1958
Lawman
Burt Lancaster Robert Ryan
1971
Saddle the Wind
Robert Taylor Julie London
1958
Big Jake
John Wayne Maureen O'Hara
1971
The Left-Handed Gun
Paul Newman John Dehner
1958
Seven Ways from Sundown
Audie Murphy Barry Sullivan
1960
Billy Two Hats
Gregory Peck Desi Arnaz, Jr.
1973
Legends of the Fall
Brad Pitt Anthony Hopkins
1994
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
John Wayne Victor McLaglen
1949
The Bravados
Gregory Peck Henry Silva
1958
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
Paul Newman Victoria Principal
1972
Shoot Out
Gregory Peck James Gregory
1971
Broken Lance
Spencer Tracy Katie Jurado
1954
The Long Riders
Carradine brothers Quaid brothers
1980
Silverado
Scott Glenn Kevin Kline
1985
Cat Ballou
Jane Fonda Lee Marvin
1965
Major Dundee
Charlton Heston Richard Harris
1965
The Sons of Katie Elder
John Wayne Dean Martin
1965
Cheyenne Autumn
Richard Widmark Carol Baker
1964
The Man from Laramie
James Stewart Arthur Kennedy
1955
Son of the Morning Star (TV miniseries)
Gary Cole Rodney A. Grant
1991
The Cheyenne Social Club
James Stewart Henry Fonda
Man in the Shadow
Jeff Chandler Orson Welles
The Spikes Gang
Lee Marvin Ron Howard
1974
Comes a Horseman
James Caan Jane Fonda
1978
Man of the West
Gary Cooper Lee J. Cobb
1958
Stagecoach (original)
John Wayne Claire Trevor
1939
The Cowboys
John Wayne Bruce Dern
1972
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing
Burt Reynolds Sarah Miles
1973
Stagecoach (remake)
Ann-Margret Alex Cord
1966
Crossfire Trail
Tom Selleck Mark Harmon
2001
Man with the Gun
Robert Mitchum Leo Gordon
1955
The Tall Men
Clark Gable Jane Russell
1955
The Culpepper Cattle Co.
Gary Grimes Billy Green Bush
1972
McLintock!
John Wayne Maureen O'Hara
1963
Tom Horn
Steve McQueen Linda Evans
1980
Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner Graham Greene
1990
Miracle at Sage Creek
David Carradine Wes Studi
2005
Tribute to a Bad Man
James Cagney Irene Pappas
1956
Duel at Diablo
James Garner Sidney Poitier
1966
The Misfits
Clark Gable Marilyn Monroe
1961
The Tracker
Kris Kristofferson Scott Wilson
1988
Day of the Outlaw
Robert Ryan Burl Ives
1959
The Missouri Breaks
Marlon Brando Jack Nicholson
1976
True Grit (remake)
Jeff Bridges Barry Pepper
2010
Fort Apache
John Wayne Henry Fonda
1948
Mountain Men
Charlton Heston Brian Keith
1980
Two Rode Together
James Stewart RIchard Widmark
1961
The Garden of Evil
Gary Cooper Richard Widmark
1954
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Scott Glenn Ben Johnson
1991
The Unforgiven
Burt Lancaster Audrey Hepburn
1959
Geronimo: An American Legend
Wes Studi Jason Patrick
1993
The Naked Spur
James Stewart Robert Ryan
1953
The Virginian
Gary Cooper Walter Huston
1929
Gunman's Walk
Van Heflin Tab Hunter
Nevada Smith
Steve McQueen Brian Keith
The Virginian
Joel McCrea Brian Donlevy
1946
Harry Tracey, Desparado
Bruce Dern Gordon Lightfoot
1982
Open Range
Robert Duvall Kevin Costner
2003
Warlock
Henry Fonda Richard Widmark
1959
Hang 'Em High
Clint Eastwood Pat Hingle
1968
Paint Your Wagon
Clint Eastwood Lee Marvin
1969
Waterhole # 3
James Coburn Carroll O'Connor
1967
Hidalgo
Viggo Mortenson Omar Sharif
2004
Pale Rider
Clint Eastwood John Russell
1985
Wyatt Earp
Kevin Costner Dennis Quaid
1994
High Plains Drifter
Clint Eastwood Verna Bloom
1973
Patt Garrett & Billy the Kid
Kris Kristofferson James Coburn
1973
The Wild Bunch
William Holden Ernest Borgnine
1969
Hondo
John Wayne James Arness
1953
The Plainsman
Gary Cooper Jean Arthur
1936
Yellow Sky
Gregory Peck Ann Baxter
1948
The Honkers
James Coburn Slim Pickens
1972
Posse From Hell
Audie Murphy Rodolfo Acosta
1961
Hostiles
Christian Bale Wes Studi
2017
Purgatory
Sam Shephard Eric Roberts
1999
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DEC 2020
1970
1958
1957
1966
THIS IS BIGHORN MOUNTAIN COUNTRY The world comes out west expecting to see cowboys driving horses through the streets of downtown; pronghorn butting heads on windswept bluffs; clouds encircling the towering pinnacles of the Cloud Peak Wilderness; and endless expanses of wild, open country. These are some of the fibers that have been stitched together over time to create the patchwork quilt of Sheridan County’s identity, each part and parcel to the Wyoming experience. Toss in a historic downtown district, with western allure, hospitality and good graces to spare; a vibrant art scene; bombastic craft culture; a robust festival and events calendar; and living history on every corner, and you have a Wyoming experience unlike anything you could have ever imagined. This is Sheridan County, the beating heart of Bighorn Mountain Country, where the old west and the new offer endless adventures. So that we can adventure together safely, our team has put together a series of COVID-19 resources to keep you informed of any travel restrictions, local and state health mandates, and other pandemic-related travel information, available on our website. While you’re there, catch our new streaming series, The Backyard, with new episodes each week, and explore a side of Wyoming that you have never seen before.
sheridanwyoming.org
PHOTO BY RACHEL GIRT
CENTERPIECE
Time to Come Home MUSICIANS SETTLE IN CHUGWATER TO OPERATE MUSIC VENUE Lance Nilson plays guitar at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery in Chugwater.
BY RACHEL GIRT
Respectful silence reigned as Lilly Nilson settled next to her husband Lance in the circle of local musicians playing at the weekly Thursday night jam session at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery.
ABOVE: Local musicians play together in a jam session on the dance floor at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery in Chugwater.
Lilly's sweet voice filled the restaurant with an aching country melody as Lance strummed on his guitar. The couple performed with the band Dakota County for 37 years before buying the Stampede Saloon with his parents, Mer and Margie, in Lilly's hometown of Chugwater.
After the short song, she returned to waiting tables and bartending. A little later, Lance headed back to the kitchen to cook, joking that he couldn't become too lost in the music and risk burning a burger. Since 2016, the Nilson family has transformed this Chugwater eatery into a haven for local musicians to showcase their talents. Thursday nights are dedicated to an informal jam session where anywhere from three to over 20 people play. Friday and Saturday nights are booked with larger live acts, filling the wooden dance floor with customers. “Our dream was to give our community a family place to go and enjoy music and also do what we could to keep live music going,” Lilly said.
“I miss the music and the people, but it is pretty nice to sleep in our own bed every night.”
PHOTOS BY RACHEL GIRT
“We try to jump into the jam session when we can, but we mostly don't have time to perform as much anymore, too busy running the Stampede,” Lilly said.
LEFT: Lance Nilson performs onstage.
Life on Tour The couple met while performing on the road with the Rogers Brothers Road Show, which originated in Chugwater. After graduating high school in 1980, Lilly went on the road with the band, running the sound equipment and singing. A year later, Lance, who is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, joined, playing the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, keyboards and harmonica. After Rogers Brothers disbanded in 1985, the couple continued with Dakota Country on the road for the next 37 years, touring Canada, Alaska, and the lower 48. The band opened for and backed many major acts like Sawyer Brown, Bellamy Brothers and several Grand Ole Opry stars.
“It was a different town every week, usually five or six nights a week, maybe 48 weeks a year on the road,” Lilly said. “After 37 years, we decided it was time to come home. I left all my sound equipment with Dakota Country so the band could continue without us, and it has.” For many years, the couple owned a home in Chugwater, their sanctuary to rest when not on the road. When they decided to retire, the couple pooled their finances with Lance's parents to buy the Stampede, which had sat vacant for six years. “I miss the music and the people, but it is pretty nice to sleep in our own bed every night,” Lilly added. DEC 2020
17
PHOTO BY RACHEL GIRT
Lance Nilson and his mother, Margie, work in the kitchen at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery in Chugwater. The Nilsons, along with their spouses, co-own the business.
The Stampede is the “perfect venue for acoustic music,” Lance said, noting the large open dining area dominated by a stage and dance floor.
Family Business The family has divvied up tasks to run the place. Lance cooks in the back with his mother Margie, who handles food preparation, plates the food and does the bookkeeping. Mer takes care of promotions and marketing, as well as greeting and seating customers on the weekends. Lilly bartends, waits tables and schedules musicians.
Lance and Lilly Nilson pose in front of the Stampede Saloon & Eatery in a promotional photo.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE STAMPEDE SALOON & EATERY
Lance explained that he wanted a place to hold jam sessions at the Stampede that harkened back to living room parties that he enjoyed as a youth visiting his mother's relatives in Missouri. During those parties, musicians informally played together in a fun, freewheeling environment while kids played underfoot. Over the last decade, with the popularity of DJs, opportunities to play live music have dwindled, making it harder to scrape a living from performing, Lance explained. “We wanted to change that with the Stampede and give musicians a place to play. There's a lot of local talent around here in Wyoming.”
“We wanted to create an old-time dance hall environment like when we grew up where the whole family could eat dinner and kids would learn how to dance.” 18
DEC 2020
PHOTO BY RACHEL GIRT
The former steakhouse's appearance has changed little, needing only a little renovation for the Nilson’s needs. The menu now is dominated by familyfriendly comfort fare and accompanied by live music. Lance built a recording studio in the basement, working on others' albums in his spare time.
From left: Lilly, Lance, Mer and Margie Nilson stand in front of the stage at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery.
Mer Nilson plays harmonica at the Stampede Saloon & Eatery.
Growing Musicians A typical jam session runs about three hours, starting at 6 p.m. All calibers of musicians play, a mixture of beginners and pros. Sometimes only a handful of musicians play; other times over 20 have crowded the floor. Surrounding the circle of players, diners clap and cheer encouragement at the end of each song.
“Music has given us so much. I want anybody who wants music to be able to have some and give them a place to do that.”
During a typical jam session, 83-year-old Mer plays a tune or two on his harmonica, but he explained that most of his enjoyment comes from analyzing the musicians as they play off of each other, finger guitars and grow. “We have watched musicians who are a little rusty improve after playing sessions with us and beginners become better and even get hired to play here on the weekends,” Mer said. Despite being busy, Lance and Lilly find brief moments of musical respite from their cooking and serving duties. Neither mind ceding the stage to others. Often Lance pops his head out of the kitchen when a tune catches his fancy.
The Nilsons have transformed the Stampede Saloon & Eatery since buying the business in 2016.
“Music has given us so much,” Lilly said. “I want anybody who wants music to be able to have some and give them a place to do that.” “We had our time; now it is theirs,” Lance added, gesturing to the Thursday night jam musicians, the majority regulars with some driving over 45 miles to play.
PHOTOS BY RACHEL GIRT
“Music is about giving,” Lance added. “If we don't give others a chance to find their passion, we will have forgotten the reason behind playing music in the first place.” W Rachel Girt is a freelance writer and owner of Girt Communications based in Cheyenne. DEC 2020
19
KIDS' CORNER
02 01
What do Photographers do?
Photographers in Wyoming Wyoming Workforce Services counted 80 photographers working in Wyoming in March 2019 and reported their average wage at $17.30 per hour.
Photographers take pictures of people, places, animals and/or commercial products. While some photographers still take photos on film, most photographers digitally process their photographs before printing or sharing online.
W
You can attend community college or a university to learn fine art photography, or you can learn on your own by studying the trade, being mentored by another photographer and practicing often!
W UP
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GRO HEN I
t to I wan
be a
er
aph r g o t ho
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How to Become a Photographer
03
04
Tools of the Trade What does a photographer need to work every day?
Circle the correct items. 05
Photographer Quiz These photographers are well-known for their photos of certain people or things. Match the photographer with the subject that made them famous. Famous Photographers
Subjects
Ansel Adams
Babies
Robert Capa
Cindy Sherman
Anne Geddes
Dogs
Dorothea Lange
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Annie Leibovitz
The Great Depression
Cindy Sherman
Yosemite National Park
Mary Steinbacher
World War II
William Wegman
Wyoming
DEC 2020
Answers: Ansel Adams - Yosemite National Park; Robert Capa - World War II; Anne Geddes - Babies; Dorothea Lange - The Great Depression; Annie Leibovitz - John Lennon and Yoko Ono; Cindy Sherman Cindy Sherman; Mary Steinbacher - Wyoming.
20
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DEC 2020
21
PHOTO BY STEVEN GIRT
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band at the opening ceremonies for the Wyoming Capitol Square in Cheyenne in 2019.
Moorcroft’s Chancey Williams Creates Music Career BY RACHEL GIRT
Wyoming native, former saddle bronc rider and rising country star Chancey Williams writes songs that he can relate to, what he calls “correct cowboy music.” 22
DEC 2020
“I try to write songs that my rodeo buddies who are traveling from rodeo to rodeo can relate to with cowboy correct lingo,” Williams said, calling from Rapid City, South Dakota, where he and the Younger Brothers Band were shooting a new music video. When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled a packed summer lineup, including joining Toby Keith's “Country Comes
to Town” tour, the band decided to play smaller outdoor concerts in Wyoming and throughout the West. The band named it the “250” Tour because most venues could only allow gatherings of 250 people. “We went to all these towns that we hadn't played for years,” he said. “We wanted to play in a responsible way. We ended up playing every weekend and had quite a bit of fun doing it.” Over the years, the fan base for Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band has grown well beyond the borders of the Cowboy State. Last fall, Williams signed with major booking agent WME Nashville, known for big-ticket artists such as Garth Brooks, Eric Church and Brad Paisley. The band’s latest album “3rd Street,” debuted at no. 5 on iTunes Country Albums Chart upon its release in May. Produced by country music hitmaker Trent Willmon, the album features Rocky
School Finals Rodeo in bronc riding his senior year. The cover for the band's latest album, ̏ 3rd Street, ̋ features a familiar scene in Laramie.
Williams attributed his early musical leanings to his grandfather, who had a band for about 30 years. Still, the formation of a high school band with his friend Travis DeWitt, a drummer, cemented his path to music. “We just started getting hired at all these different places and thought, man, we could make money doing this,” Williams said, laughing.
Mountain Country Music Award (CMA) Song of the Year, “Wyoming Wind” and hit songs “The World Needs More Cowboys” and “Tonight We're Drinkin’.” The current album name and cover showcase the band's close ties to Wyoming where most of the members live when not on the road or in Nashville. Band members frequent the 3rd Street Bar in downtown Laramie and thought the locale reflected a cool place that could be anywhere, Williams said.
“I never thought music was going to be my career. I just assumed I'd ride saddle broncs forever.”
“That van took us a lot of places, so it was fitting for the cover artwork,” Williams added. He bought the old van initially for the rodeo circuit and then turned it into the band’s first official tour vehicle when he stopped competing.
Upon graduation, Williams went to Casper College on a rodeo scholarship, making College National Finals Rodeo his junior year. With two associate degrees under his belt, Williams headed to the University of Wyoming to finish his political science degree. He joined the UW rodeo team and returned to the college finals his senior year. Through college, the band, initially just Williams and DeWitt, picked up members, like Wyatt Springsteen for lead guitar and Brooke Latka on fiddle, but music remained on the backburner.
The opening ceremony for the Wyoming Capitol Square in Cheyenne in 2019.
“I never thought music was going to be my career,” he said, reminiscing. “I just assumed I'd ride saddle broncs forever.” Growing up on a ranch, running sheep and cattle, near Moorcroft, Williams and his three brothers’ love of rodeoing started early. “We rodeoed in the summer and wrestled in the winter. That is all we ever did.” By the time he hit high school, Williams rode saddle broncs, team roped and calf roped. He qualified for the National High PHOTO BY RACHEL GIRT
DEC 2020
23
When he moved back to Laramie, he called the band members, advising them to, “quit your jobs, and we should do this as a career.” Their reaction to climbing in that van full-time was simple. “Oh, they loved it. They got right in,” Williams said.
PHOTOS BY STEVEN GIRT
Successes haven't come overnight, though, and Williams admitted that, “the band had to learn everything the hard way.”
“We've had to scratch out everything we've accomplished on our own because we didn't grow up in Nashville, Texas or Austin where there are big music scenes.”
While the rest of the band finished college, Williams finished his masters' degree in public administration. He continued to compete in rodeo, even winning two rounds at Cheyenne Frontier Days, following in the footsteps of his father Dennis Williams, who won Rookie Saddle Bronc in 1971. Eventually, riding broncs, playing music and being a pickup man became too much, Williams said. His father recommended that Williams select one and do it the best. “The decision to give up bronc riding was difficult, but I figured there was more of a future in music, health-wise,” he said. “You can sing 'til you're old. I suspect my career rodeoing would be ending right now while music is taking off.” Music became even more serious for Williams while working for Toby Keith's Show Dog Records in Nashville, first as an intern for his master's program and then full-time for a year. While there, he made his first album, Honky Tonk Road. 24
DEC 2020
Above and below: Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band opened for Dwight Yoakam at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2013. Williams sings and plays guitar, Brooke Latka plays fiddle in the band.
Among its accomplishments, the band has supported dates with Cody Johnson, Casey Donahew and Aaron Watson and shared the stage with their heroes, like Toby Keith, Alabama and Dwight Yoakam. The band has performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days and at several opening ceremonies for the National Finals Rodeo. The Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards recognized the band as entertainer of the year in 2018 and spotlighted its albums and songs several times over the years. Most recently, the band's fiddle player, Latka, earned musician of the year. “We've had to scratch out everything we've accomplished on our own because we didn't grow up in Nashville, Texas or Austin where there are big music scenes,” he added. “We've earned it ourselves with no handouts, just hard work.” Every year, the shows and money get better, he said, crediting the support of hardworking rodeo cowboys and ranchers for the band’s growth. Williams is working on the next album to be released hopefully next year. In November, he headed to Nashville to work on six songs and hopes to finish the rest in the spring. “When the dust settles on all this pandemic, and we get back to normal life, it will be fun to see everybody in concerts again,” he said. W Rachel Girt is a freelance writer and owner of Girt Communications based in Cheyenne.
READER SURVEY
Tell us what
think of WREN!
As we prepare for upcoming issues of WREN, we want to hear from you, our readers. What do you like about WREN? How can we improve? We take our readers’ feedback seriously at WREN, so we would greatly appreciate your input on this survey! TELL US ABOUT YOU 1. How old are you? 12–18 19–25 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65 or over 2. What is your gender? Male Female WHICH SECTIONS OF WREN ARE YOUR FAVORITES? 3. Rate the sections from 1 to 10, with 1 being “least favorite” and 10 being “most favorite.” __ Shawn Taylor’s column (pg. 4) __ News briefs about energy and co-ops (pgs. 7-8) __ News briefs about Wyoming (pgs. 9-13) __ Feature news stories (pgs. 14–19) __ Personality profiles and interviews (pgs. 22-23) __ Creative essays like Home on the Range and Enlighten Us (pgs. 26-27, 36-37) __ Puzzles and activities (pgs. 20, 25) __ Book reviews (pg. 24) __ Reader-submitted recipes, poems and pictures (pgs. 28, 29, 32-34) __ Other _______________
4. Why is the section you rated “10” above your favorite? ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 5. Why is the section you rated “1” above your least favorite? ______________________
9. I want WREN to cover more news about co-ops and energy. Yes
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10. I know more about Wyoming because of WREN. Yes
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11. Do you subscribe to any other printed magazines? Yes
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WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE? 15. What story ideas do you have to share with us? ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 16. Any other suggestions for how we can improve WREN? ______________________ ______________________
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6. What types of stories are you most interested in reading? Pick your top two choices. Farming and ranching Energy and cooperatives Business Environment and wildlife Education Personality profiles 7. The stories in WREN are… Too short
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Just right Too long PLEASE ANSWER YES OR NO 8. I know more about my cooperative because of WREN. Yes
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DEC 2020
25
BOOK REVIEW
The Divided Twin BY M. BILLITER WITH KYLE THOMAS DESCRIPTION BY THE AUTHOR
Identical twins Aaron and Branson Kovak are in their final year of college—Aaron’s in Ohio, while Branson remains in their home state of Wyoming. There’s also the third twin, David, who only exists in one of their minds. Despite the distance between them, Aaron and Branson are united by a turbulent childhood they survived together. As they enter adulthood, David comes out of the shadows to wreak havoc on the real world —his idea of fun. When their mom is diagnosed with cancer, the ties that bind the twins incite David to tear them apart at the seams. Will they stand or fall together, or separately?
ORDERING INFORMATION: 2020 | 314p. | $19.99 paperback ISBN: 978-1-922359-03-2 Publisher: Tangled Tree Publishing
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OF CHEYENNE
ENTRIES DUE BY JANUARY 15 One entry per household, please. 26
DEC 2020
DIVIDED
c/o WREN Magazine 214 W. Lincolnway, Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001
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PUZZLE
Christmas Traditions Around the World
1. In this country, the last ornament to be placed on the Christmas tree is a pickle. On Christmas Eve, the first child to find the pickle is said to receive good luck for the upcoming year.
2. In this country, Christmas Eve begins with rice pudding. Hidden in the pudding is a single, whole almond. Whoever gets the almond receives the almond present, traditionally a marzipan pig.
3. Julebukking is a Christmas tradition in these countries. Between Christmas and New Year's Day, people go door to door disguised, and their neighbors attempt to identify them.
4. A favorite Christmas drink in this country is 'Cola de Mono' (or monkey's tail). It’s made from coffee, milk, liquor, cinnamon and sugar.
5. On Christmas Eve in this country, there are 12 dishes on the dinner table—they are meant to give you good luck for the next 12 months.
BY TIFFANY WHITSITT
6. In some parts of this country, gifts are exchanged on Epiphany, January
Traditions bring us comfort and help us feel connected to our loved ones and culture, especially around the holidays. Can you identify which country includes the following traditions in their Christmas celebrations?
6th, instead of on Christmas. Epiphany is 12 days after Christmas and is the time when Christians remember the wise men who visited Jesus.
7. ‘Grandfather Frost’ brings presents to children in this country. 8. Here, fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas day. It is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as KFC. Fun fact: There was an advertising campaign by KFC in 1974 called 'Kentucky for Christmas!'
DID SANTA MISS A STOP? SEE HIS PIT STOPS ON PAGE 33. DEC 2020
27
HOME ON THE RANGE
Singing Cowboys BY GINA SIGEL
Stories are told through song ... and cowboys love to tell stories. Riding alone on the prairie or gathered around the campfire relaxing after a hard day, the cowboys of the old west would adapt a particular vernacular with distinctive rhythms, moods and themes to set a tune to their experiences.
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DEC 2020
Early cowboy ballads were sung on the range as the cattlemen drove cattle to Wyoming from Texas—verses that were passed along by oral tradition. Even though traditional cowboy ballads are fairly young compared to the traditional, Old World folk ballads from where they originated, the original songwriter is as hard to pin down as the wild, Wyoming wind traveling along the prairie. Which makes the tunes as legendary as the romantic, epic figures that sang them. I could go down a rabbit hole of the traditional origins of the cowboy ballad and the vast numbers of cowboys and cow towns that were responsible for the development of the West, in both song and culture. But to those of us living in the modern west, the overlap in the
Venn diagram where actual, real-life cowboys are also singer-songwriters is the sweet spot; where authentic, Western living is reflected in the music of someone who has actually lived that life. Love, life, loss and working the livestock and the land are reflected in prose that is independent and durable, like the people themselves. And I'm not just talking about the songwriters. Wyoming's own Chris LeDoux was an excellent example of the rise from professional cowboy to country music star status. I don't know what the Wyoming equivalent of “street cred” is, but Chris LeDoux had it in spades. Having sold his self-made cassette tapes on the rodeo circuit, he settled on a ranch in Kaycee when he
retired. Although he sharing stories that skyrocketed to fame, Music is a universal bring us together or talk he was the real deal about the things that language and good and was loved for that are tearing us apart. authenticity. In a review This type of music songs span decades for the L.A. Times in explores a national and generations. April of 1994, Noel culture or identity that Davis wrote, “Roll over is personal to the group Roy Rogers and tell Gene Autry the news. that created it or for whom it was created. In his energetic 50-minute early show at They reflect customs and traditions that the Crazy Horse Monday night, real-life span lifetimes and help us have greater cowboy Chris LeDoux took the crowd on understanding and unity. a wild eight-second ride of a set… ‘Git My dad used to have me listen to ballads Along Little Dogies’ was never like this.” and cowboy poetry that resonated with If they can catch the Wyoming vibe in Los his experience, even though he's a farm Angeles, these songs are powerful. kid and would never consider himself Outside of Wyoming country music and a “cowboy.” Even now, when he finds Old World ballads, folk music has been lyrics that move him, he will play the telling stories for generations. Ian Tyson song for me and my family. “Gina, you woos audiences with his Western songs gotta hear this...” I love that these tunes and tales about living life on the ranch. are something that speaks to both of Even contemporary folk rock artists like us and that he shares it with me. Music Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan have been is a universal language and good songs
span decades and generations, despite changing personal experiences and narratives. I was at a music festival in Whitefish, Montana the year before last and was introduced to the music of an authentic, singer-songwriter cowboy named Corb Lund. It was one of the highlights of the festival. There were folk-music lovers and Americana fans sporting their fun, bohemian-chic attire dancing shoulderto-shoulder with rowdy cowboys who had come to see one of their own playing at the festival. Local ranchers mixed with music festival goers who, as Ian Tyson is reported as saying, “do not know which end of a cow gets up first.” Trendy meets classic. Western meets folk. And somehow we all got it. And we had a ball. W Originally from Laramie, Gina Sigel draws inspiration from five generations of agriculture to tell the stories of rural living.
DEC 2020
29
COUNTRY COOKS
CHEESE CHEESE BREAD 1 LOAF BREAD (SOURDOUGH OR FRENCH)
CHICKEN CHEESE CORN CHOWDER
EASY CHEESE RECIPE ONLY TAKES AN HOUR!
1-1/2 LBS BONELESS SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS, CUT INTO 1-INCH PIECES 1/2 CUP CHOPPED ONION 3 TBS BUTTER 2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED 1 CUP HOT WATER 2 TSP CHICKEN BOUILLON GRANULES 1/2 TO 1 TSP GROUND CUMIN 2 CUPS HALF-AND-HALF CREAM 2 CUPS SHREDDED MONTEREY JACK CHEESE 1 CAN (14-3/4 OZ) CREAM-STYLE CORN 1 CAN (4 OZ) CHOPPED GREEN CHILIES, UNDRAINED 1/4 TO 1 TSP HOT PEPPER SAUCE 1 MEDIUM TOMATO, CHOPPED MINCED FRESH CILANTRO AND FRIED TORTILLA STRIPS, OPTIONAL
1 GALLON WHOLE MILK (RAW MILK MAKES THE BEST) 1/3 CUP DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR 1 TBS TIGER SEASONING OR SALT
1 STICK BUTTER 1/4 CUP ONION, CHOPPED 1/3 CUP MUSTARD, OR TO TASTE 1 TBS POPPY SEEDS 1/2 LB SWISS CHEESE SLICES (ENOUGH FOR EACH SLICE OF BREAD) 1-2 SLICES BACON, OPTIONAL Preheat oven to 375. Melt butter in saucepan, add mustard, onions, poppy seeds. Put butter mixture between slices of bread, then put the cheese between the slices. Put the bacon on top. Wrap it up in tin foil. Bake until cheese is melted, about 45 minutes.
TOBY SHEETS
POWELL
CHEESE BALL 16 OZ CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED
In a Dutch oven, brown chicken and onion in butter until chicken is no longer pink. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Add the water, bouillon and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
1 CUP GRATED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE 1/2 CUP CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS (OR 1/2 TSP ONION POWDER) 1/2 CUP BACON BITS 1 CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED (OR 1/2 TSP GARLIC POWDER) 3 TBS MINCED PARSLEY Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Form into a ball, cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to blend.
MARILYN NORMAN
Stir in the cream, cheese, corn, chilies and hot pepper sauce. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted; add tomato. If desired, top with cilantro and tortilla strips.
CHILI DEC 2020
NANCY DENK
RIVERTON
CHEYENNE
MARCH:
30
Pour 1 gallon of milk (sheep milk is the best but you can use cow or goat) into stainless steel pot. Do not boil milk. Heat to about 160 degrees. Leave at 160 degrees for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove pot from heat and add vinegar. Barely stir to get the vinegar mixed and then let it sit for 10 minutes so curds can separate from the whey. Place a cheesecloth into a strainer and place the strainer over a deep pot if you want to keep the whey, otherwise set the strainer into the sink and let the whey go down the sink. Pour the contents of the pot into the strainer. The cheesecloth will catch the curds. Let all the whey drain out. Gather the cheesecloth and squeeze out the whey. Once the whey is all gone, put the curds into a clean large bowl. Chop the cheese with a wooden spoon as you work in the Tiger Seasoning or Salt. Mix very well. Once the cheese is mixed, mash it into the shape of the bowl with your hand. Refrigerate immediately. This is a soft cheese to be served with crackers. It also freezes well.
C
JENNIFER ROBERTS
FARSON
Send Sendcomplete completerecipe recipeby byMarch January 10!15!
Please Pleaseinclude includeyour yourname, name,address addressand andphone phonenumber. number. S SU UB BM M II T T A AR RE EC C II P PE E
wren@wyomingrea.org | | [307] 772-1968 286-8140 wren@wyomingrea.org [307] 214 214W. W.Lincolnway LincolnwaySte. Ste.21C 21CCheyenne, Cheyenne,WY WY82001 82001 wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions
PEN TO PAPER
Sunny’s
LESLIE BEADLES
Santa Letter to LOUISE DAVIS
CHEYENNE
Her scents have not been the same since The exquisite quince— The vanilla, citrus, and apple redolence bumped into her by accident A meeting that wasn’t meant
MOUNTAIN VIEW
A second Destiny sent And now this fall-ly potpourri Weaves in and of her reverie A freakish fruit gnome Grown in the gardens of Rome Hidden among the ancient apple trees Knotty knobs waiting for a sun-hot breeze The spongy meat not fit to eat
I have a little great-granddaughter She's cute as she can be When I came to visit with her She was busy showing me the tree
Houses an olfactory treat
I ask her if she had written Santa And had she asked for a doll She ran and found her stocking It was hanging on the fireplace wall She pulled a letter from her stocking And brought it to read She proceeded to read it to me A 3-year-old who has a need She said mom wrote this letter for me And some things Santa can’t pack There are some things he will bring Because I've been good and that's a fact
Quince The Exquisite
I marveled at this little girl’s mind As she pretended to read to me I hope Santa is good to her We'll all be anxious to see
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 A PIECE
wren@wyomingrea.org | [307] 286-8140 214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001 wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions
DEC 2020
31
WHAT'S HAPPENING
WHAT'S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP
04
01 | SOUTHEAST C H U G WAT E R
02
03
DEC 20 – FEB 28
ONGOING
Live Music: Music venue open for Thursday night jam session and weekend performances. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, info 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.
01
MEDICINE BOW
FOURTH TUESDAYS
Bingo: 7p, Community Hall, info 307-710-4045.
S A R AT O G A
FEATURED EVENT
FEBRUARY 13
Toast to History: Wine paired to hors d'oeuvres prepared by our local restaurants. Silent auction for fun and we also host a table with virgin drinks and water. Saratoga Museum, Advance tickets $25, $45 for couples or $30 at the door. ONGOING
Saratoga Museum: Tue-Sat 10a-2p info 307-326-5511, saratoga-museum.com.
RECLUSE COMMUNITY TRUST CHILI COOK-OFF
02 | NORTHEAST GILLETTE
JANUARY 23 5-7P
JANUARY 8-17
Annual fundraiser for Recluse Community Trust Hall includes a pie auction and dance. $10, $30 per family, $150 to enter cookoff COMMUNITY TRUST HALL • INFO 307-202-2029
NORTHEAST
Furniture Rehab Workshop: Demonstrations, handouts, experienced refinishers available to help participants in heated workshop space. Mini workshops offered: Barn Quilts, $35, Jan 11-13; 3D Relief Box, $40,
Jan 14-15. Silent auction and consignment sale. CAM-PLEX, $90, info 307-660-6577. ONGOING
Ava Community Art Center: Info avacenter.org or 307-682-9133.
HULETT
ONGOING
Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: 8a-4p Mon-Fri, free, info 307-467-5292.
MOORCROFT
ONGOING
Senior Center Events: Coffee and rolls 9a Wed. Toenail clinic 9a fourth Thu, dinner 6p fourth Thu, info 307-756-9550.
NEWCASTLE FRIDAYS
Bingo: 7:30p, VFW Hall, free.
UPTON WEDNESDAYS
All You Can Eat Buffet: Drinks and desserts included, 5-8p, Upton Golf Course, $10, $7 seniors, info 307-468-2847. MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
Zumba: 4p, Senior Center, $5, info 307-391-0223. TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Indoor Archery: 12-8:30p, 2741 N. Hwy 116, $5, info 307-468-2506. ONGOING
Outdoor Archery: 12-5p, Goose Landing, $5, info 307-468-2506. ONGOING
Upton Gun Club Events: 5-Stand Shotgun Course, 5p $5; Trap Shooting, $5, 5p. 2579 State Hwy 116N, info 307-281-9980, rrrothleutner@yahoo.com.
03 | NORTHWEST DUBOIS FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAYS
We are an organization of problem-solvers. Our focus is always on high-quality solutions: never excuses.
HOME | FARM & RANCH | AUTO | BUSINESS Property-casualty insurance products offered through Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company/Laramie, Wyoming.
32
DEC 2020
www.mwfbi.com
Farmers’ Market: 3:30-4:40p, under the awning at Nostalgia Bistro. Info 307-455-2313. THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Wyoming Health Fairs Monthly Wellness Screen/Blood Draw: 7-10a, Dubois Medical Clinic, appointments encouraged, info 307-455-2516, whf.as.me/dubois.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
DEC 20 – FEB 28
LANDER ONGOING
Native Americans of Wyoming’s Wind River Country: Paintings by Joseph Scheuerle include members of the Shoshone and Arapaho from the Wind River Reservation. Lander Pioneer Museum, info 307-332-3339.
R I V E RTO N WEDNESDAYS
Acoustic Music Jam: Join in or listen as musicians and dancers perform. 6:30-8:30p, Holiday Inn Convention Center, free, info 307-856-8100. SATURDAYS
Fremont County Master Gardeners Market: From 9-11a throughout the winter, Fremont County Fairgrounds Lunchroom, info 307-851-7562. ONGOING
Library Events: 1) Curbside book pickup Mon-Fri 10a-4p, Tue-Thu 10a-6p. 2) Concierge service: call for book suggestions. 3) Winter Reading Program for preschool through age 18 Feb 1-28. Storytime spring session registration begins Dec 1. Fremont County Library, free, info 307-856-3556 ext 2140.
04 | SOUTHWEST
SUBMIT AN EVENT
Send complete information for the next issue’s events by
JANUARY 15!
Also, be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event. Photos are always welcome.
QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:
wren@
[307] 286-8140
JANUARY 1
214 W. Lincolnway
SECOND WEDNESDAYS
Chamber of Commerce Community Luncheon: For business owners and individuals alike. $15/plate, noon, Mountain View Town Hall, RSVP bvchamber@bvea.net, 307-787-6378.
Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001
wyomingrea.org/
wren-submissions
Christmas Traditions Around the World
1. GERMANY
5. POLAND
2. DENMARK
6. PERU
3. FINLAND, SWEDEN,
7. RUSSIA
NORWAY
8. JAPAN
4. CHILE
FROM PAGE 27
WYDOT’s Travel Information System is the one and ONLY source for up-to-the-minute road and travel information. Take road condition information with you. Get the WYOMING 511 app.
ONGOING
Community Classes: Fitness, computer, workforce and kids’ classes are available. Valley Learning Center, times and prices vary. Info valleylearningcenter.coursestorm.com or 307-782-6401.
PUZZLE ANSWERS
Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.
F O RT B R I D G E R
M O U N TA I N V I E W
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events may be postponed or canceled. Please call ahead before attending events.
We are updating event dates! Events taking place during the month of March are due on January 15. Send events occurring during the month of April by February 15.
wyomingrea.org
First Day Hike: Take in history, scenery, and make new friends as you walk one mile around the site with refreshments to follow. 1p, Fort Bridger State Historic Site, free, info 307-782-3842.
www.wyoroad.info
Know before you go. Visit wyoroad.info.
Know traffic hazards & road
conditions before you go View highway webcams "Where am I?" function Hands-free, eyes-free function Easy to use
Available for free download at the Apple App Store.
Available for free download at the Google Play Store.
DEC 2020
33
01
02
03
01
Family photo of all nine children performing at the Big Horn County Fair in 1999, Susan Neves, Otto
02
Upside-down drummer from Cody plays with the Meeteetse pep band, Angie Erickson, Meeteetse
03
Marching music, Linda Torczon, Cody
04
Cabin Fun, Lauree Scott, Gillette
05
Music to my ears Barbara Rasco, Riverton
06
Rising Rockstar, Elizabeth Childress, Newcastle
04 05
06
JUST PICTURE IT
34
THIS MONTH:
MAR (DUE JAN 15):
APR (DUE FEB 15):
MUSIC
BLACK AND WHITE
SKY
DEC 2020
09 08 07
10
07
Eclipsed guitar, Casey Burns, Lyman
08
Stand out, Saralynn Brandt, Rozet
09
Jazz for the Night Owls, a hooked rug designed and created by Sue Cunningham, Laramie
10
Isabell Hill plays an array of songs on her autoharp, Nancy (Hill) Zimmerer, Lingle
11
Music with the Wyoming State Band, Dale Link, Cheyenne
12
The Hutchins Pipe Organ at First Congregational UCC and Gary Bowers produce beautiful music on Sunday mornings, Jean Harm, Sheridan
12 11
SUBMIT A P H OTO
wren@wyomingrea.org 214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001 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.
ENLIGHTEN US
While they were in all other respects very decent people, my mother and father loved classical music. It’s ok— I’ve forgiven them. Every family has a skeleton or two in their closet.
Winter Music BY WALT GASSON
36
DEC 2020
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris
I can claim this guy as a friend.
Kristofferson—this was closer. It was
He cowboys on the TA Ranch,
a long way from the whole
north of Saratoga. As genuine as
Nashville thing. It was more real,
It was my music –
music that came from the heart of the West.
they come, his music is the very
less polished. I still remember
heart of rural Wyoming.
the first time I heard Chris LeDoux. It was my music— music that came from the heart
band the Hurtin’ Albertans, this guy’s
country-western music, it was
2020 “Agricultural Tragic” album is
more like western folk music—music from
a classic for me. “Truth Comes Out”
and for the people of the sagebrush sea. Now, there’s a host of awesome artists out still singing the old songs like “Strawberry Roan,” “Little Joe the Wrangler” and “Night Rider’s Lament.” But they’re also bringing a ton of new music to us, original compositions from people who love the Ours just happened to be the bones of
smell of saddle leather and the sound of
Mozart and Debussy. They tried their best
the wind in the pines just like we do. If
CORB LUND: Another Alberta rancher, with his
of the West. It wasn’t popular
there for western music fans. And they’re
DARON LITTLE:
is my song for the 21st century.
THE MUNSICK BOYS: Dave Munsick and his sons Tris, Sam and Ian are the real deal. These are real Sheridan County cowboys, and they each have a different musical style. Together or singly, they’re terrific. “1922” is a favorite.
to pass their affliction along to me, but
you’re not following some of these folks,
The music of the west is the soundtrack
with no success. They bought records.
you probably should. Here are a few that
of my life, and I love it. Cowboy music is
They took me to concerts. None of it stuck.
stand out on my playlists:
near the heart of it, but so are the Basque
They were casting the seeds of Beethoven on the sunbaked soil of my Sweetwater
Possibly my all-time favorite,
County soul.
now age 86. This Alberta rancher
From the beginning, I loved the old
started out back in the 1950s and
cowboy songs my uncle sang. “Goodbye
did a period of country folk as part
Old Paint” was one of his favorites, along
of Ian and Sylvia. He does the old
with “Home on the Range” and “Yellow
tunes better than anyone.
Rose of Texas.” I can only assume that he learned them from the hay hands
IAN TYSON:
when he ran the scatter rake on the old Gilligan place at Boulder. That would have been in the late 1920s and it’s possible
Seely, Jessie Veeder and Miko Marks. I’ve left out the songs and drumming of the native folks who were here before any of us, I’ve left out the great Dom Flemons, and I’ve left out a host of southwest
great traditions of the Californio and
Louisiana Cajun cowboys. So many voices,
buckaroo culture of the Great Basin
so little time…
music with them decades before, when
Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko,
the trail herds came up from Texas. In
his “Vaquero Song” is perhaps the
any case, the music caught my heart like
most beautiful poetry I’ve ever heard.
sagebrush after a rain. I was in love.
of great artists here: women like Trinity
DAVE STAMEY:
country. A fixture at the annual
So is the traditional vaquero music that came up from Mexico. I’ve left out dozens
A Californian, and a reminder of the
some of those old fellows brought their
Charlie Russell’s paintings or the smell of
tunes (always sung in Euskara) that came over with shepherds from the Pyrenees.
WYLIE GUSTAFSON:
It's coming on winter now, and winter lasts a long time on the Laramie Plains. I plan to spend a little time sitting by the fire listening to the music of the land I love. Hope you can, too.
A Conrad, Montana rancher and
Naturally, I had my flirtation with
master yodeler, he was inducted last
rock and roll, but truth be told it
year into the Montana Cowboy Hall
didn’t stick. It wasn’t my music. I had
of Fame. He’s a champion team
a longer relationship with the outlaw
roper who raises fine cow horses.
country tunes of the 70s. Johnny Cash,
I love his faith-based tunes.
Merry Christmas, everyone! W Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native and the director of endorsed businesses for Trout Unlimited. DEC 2020
37
CLASSIFIEDS WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75 PER SIX CHARACTERS | CONTACT: SHAWNA@GOLINDEN.COM
970-221-3232 EXT 22
CATEGORIES 01.
EQUIPMENT
02. FOR SALE 03. HORSES 04. LIVESTOCK 05. POULTRY 06. REAL ESTATE 07. WANTED 08. CRAFTS 09. OPPORTUNITIES 10.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.
BUSINESS CONSULTING
12.
FOR RENT
13.
HELP WANTED
14.
DOGS
15.
EMPLOYMENT SOUGHT
16.
BUILDING SUPPLIES
17.
TRAVEL & RECREATION
18.
HEALTH
19.
PERSONAL
20. FREE
38
DEC 2020
02 | FOR SALE
07 | WANTED
New & Used Coal Stokers, parts, service & advice. Available for most makes. Thanks. 307-754-3757.
Antique Collector Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs. Will pay fair market value! Also looking for general antiques for our antique shop. Please go to our website FrontierAutoMuseum. com. Located in Gillette WY, our passion is to preserve Wyoming history and the nostalgia of the past, especially Parco, Sinclair, Frontier, Husky and any car dealership along with all brands. We are also always looking for WY license plates and WY highway signs and State Park signs. Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647 wandlerfrontier@gmail.com or daughter Briana Brewer 307-660-2402 bbrewer@frontierauto.net.
Pullets, Hens and Roosters. Many varieties. Buffalo, WY. 307-684-7067. Shaver Outdoor Wood Boiler Furnace. Aermotor Windmills and parts, cylinders, pipe, rod, submersible pumps, motors, control boxes, Hastings 12 ga. bottomless stock tanks and more. In business for more than 74 years. Herren Bros., Box 187, Harrison NE. 1-308-668-2582. Gun Store. Very fine retail gun operation currently located in Colorado for sale. Supports and promotes local gun enthusiasts with ammunition, targets, protective gear, classes, indoor small arms training simulator, plus new and used pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Store currently operated by employees who are experienced hunters, shooters and instructors. Public range nearby. All offers will be considered. Out-ofstate owner. Store is exceptionally successful right now. Contact christina.li1967@gmail.com.
MOSS ROCK–Wyoming Moss Rock. We will buy your moss rock. All types, colors, and sizes are considered; the more moss the better, the more unusual the better. Call Gina for details, 307-761-1838. Want to purchase minerals & other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. We Pay Cash For Mineral & Oil/Gas Interests producing & nonproducing. 800-733-8122. Old Pocket Watches Wanted To Buy! Working or not. Free shipping for estimates & returns if not satisfied. zalmon100@yahoo.com 307-660-1341.
20 | FREE Soon Church/Government uniting, suppressing “Religious Liberty” enforcing “National Sunday Law.” Be Informed! Needing Mailing address. TSBM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540, thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com, 1-888-211-1715. Steffes thermal storage heater model 2005 in Riverton. Functioning, free to pick up, dschweig@wyoming.com.
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DOUGLAS g n i m o y W The 118-acre fairgrounds is a great place to gather. The grounds offers extensive equine facilities, quality stalling, an on-site campground, meeting rooms and more.
For 108 Years
OFFICIAL HOME TO THE
WyStateFair.com 307-358-2398
Image Courtesy Savannah Manke Photography
FIND WESTERN ADVENTURE IN Wyoming Pioneer Museum
DOUGLAS Wyo. Douglas Railroad Museum & Visitor Center
Ayres Natural Bridge Park Historic Fort Fetterman
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