Wyoming Rural Electric News May 2026

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Health care is expensive. And that’s a challenge for all of us.

Did you know? More than 90% of your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming plan premium goes directly to medical costs: hospital care, prescription drugs, doctors and other medical professionals. What remains gets reinvested into serving you better. No shareholders. No dividends.

Just neighbors taking care of neighbors.

The bottom line? We’re working every day to make costs clearer upfront, help you understand your options, and guide care toward the most affordable, high-quality settings. And now our new mobile app puts your health plan in your hands, at home or on the go. Because making the system work for YOU isn’t just a goal — it’s a promise we’ve been making since 1945.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming.

Big in the ways you need us to be. Small in the ways you want us to be.

Building for the Future: Solutions to Wyoming’s Housing Issues

STORY BY CARRIE HADERLIE

The need for affordable housing is a national conversation, and here in our home state, some Wyomingites are

Flip to page 14 to learn about housing initiatives, programs and policies at the forefront of the conversation in Wyoming at state and community levels, as well as ways you might consider to reduce monthly costs as a homeowner.

I attended the Annual Meeting of the very first rural electric cooperative in Wyoming, Wyrulec Company, on their 90th anniversary. During the meeting, a letter from Senator Barrasso was presented to the board of directors. The letter had been read by Senator Barrasso into the Congressional Record. I thought this was an excellent recognition for Wyrulec, and recognize that many of the accolades mentioned are shared among all of Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives, which inspired me to share it with you.

IN HONOR OF WYRULEC COMPANY’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Wyrulec Company, a rural electric cooperative dedicated to serving electric power to southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.

On April 16, 2026, the Wyrulec Company will celebrate 90 years of service during its annual membership meeting, held at the Goshen County Fairgrounds in Torrington, Wyoming. It is an opportunity for members to highlight Wyrulec’s proven record of providing reliable, affordable power to Wyoming.

The Wyrulec Company has the distinction of being the first rural electric cooperative in the state of Wyoming. In 1936, after Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act, residents established the cooperative to bring electricity to rural areas long left without access to this essential service. They were confident the benefits of providing reliable rural electric services would transform daily life for members.

At the time, most farms and ranches operated without electricity, relying on labor-intensive methods for everyday tasks. But by December of 1937, electricity was flowing to Wyrulec’s members, marking a historic turning point for rural Wyoming.

The advent of accessible electricity had a profound impact on the co-op’s members. It fundamentally reshaped agricultural production for the area’s farmers and ranchers. Wyrulec’s formation also influenced regional economic development. Rural electrification connected Wyoming’s isolated communities in a way never seen before.

Wyrulec began with just over 100 members. Today it serves 2,463 members. The company is a Touchstone Energy cooperative that receives its power primarily from the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the Basin Electric Power Cooperative. It services five counties in Wyoming and Nebraska with over 2,000 miles of transmission line.

Wyrulec goes above and beyond to provide top-notch customer service. Experienced linemen, foremen, and supervisors are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, working to ensure the lights stay on. These dedicated workers often leave their families to brave hazardous conditions to repair broken lines and restore energy.

Wyrulec’s ongoing efforts to maintain and modernize its electric systems support agriculture, small businesses, schools, and essential services, strengthening the economic stability and resilience of rural Wyoming.

Wyrulec is deeply committed to giving back. Beyond delivering power, Wyrulec supports Wyoming through infrastructure development, local employment, and community support initiatives. It offers incredible opportunities for young people, including energy leadership camps and scholarships. The co-op’s Operation Round Up program provides financial assistance to local causes. Wyrulec’s cooperative model prioritizes the needs of its members while reinvesting resources in the communities it serves.

The success of the Wyrulec Company can be credited to its experienced leadership.

The organization’s leadership includes:

Ryan Schilreff, General Manager

Dewey Hageman, Board President

Mark Knaub, Board Vice President

Kenda Knudsen, Board Treasurer

Ben Scott, Board Secretary

Kyle Kilty, Board Assistant Secretary

Mr. President, it is an honor to celebrate this significant milestone for the Wyrulec Company. Its legacy of serving rural Wyoming with reliability, innovation, and community focus has strengthened local economies and improved overall quality of life.

Wyrulec’s resounding success stands as a testament to the strength of the cooperative model and the enduring spirit of innovation and collaboration in rural Wyoming.

Mr. President. I yield the floor.

SHAWN TAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This year we are featuring our favorite "Just Picture It" submissions here, at the front of the magazine! Submit your best photos each month for a chance to be featured in this space.

Storm Chasers

Buffalo are known for heading into a storm, unlike cattle which turn their backs to a storm. 14” x 18” oil painting

Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.

On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.

We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection . Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99.

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Our Bone-ified Best Blade

“It’s a beautiful knife with a great blade and a sure grip” — William B. Wilmington, NC

My friend Sergio is a mixed martial arts fighter. His shoulders are broad. His muscles have muscles. He’s not the kind of person you want to be on the wrong side of.

This manly man has a saying about being tough: You should either know how to fight or look like you do.

The message is simple enough. People spoiling for a fight usually don’t pick the biggest guy in the bar. If you look like someone who shouldn’t be messed with, you likely won’t be. With our Blue Bone Bowie Knife on your hip, that’s exactly the message you’ll send.

As beautiful as it is functional, this knife is 10" overall and features a high-quality 420 surgical stainless steel blade with a serrated spine. The handle is constructed of genuine natural bone with redwood spacers. On the handle you’ll find design work that’s carved by hand, a testament to its craftsmanship.

This knife is stick tang, meaning it won’t wimp out when you need it. This knife also features brass hand guards and brass spacers with file work, so you won’t lose your grip. For easy carrying, it comes with a genuine tooled leather sheath. CALL NOW! If you’re one of the rst 700 587 callers for this ad, we’ll throw in a pair of Stauer Pocket Binoculars — a $99 value — ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Walk around with the Blue Bone Bowie Knife and you’ll feel a lot safer. I know I do.

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Blue Bone Bowie Knife

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BEFORE the GRID

Before the grid, Wyomingites powered their homes and ranches with grit and creativity; creating solutions with the materials they had on hand.

WINDMILLS FOR PUMPING WATER

Small windmills in 1800s Wyoming became essential tools for ranchers and homesteaders across the dry plains, not for generating electricity but for pumping water. These wind-driven pumps pulled groundwater from wells, providing a reliable source for livestock, steam locomotives and isolated households where surface water was scarce. SUCKER

HOW THE WATER PUMPS

Windmill pumps worked by spinning a multi-bladed wheel, which drove a gearbox that converted rotation into an up-and-down motion. This motion moved a rod connected to a piston deep in a well. With each stroke, the piston and one-way valves lifted water upward in stages until it reached the surface. Many systems used a 3:1 gear ratio and a centrifugal governing system to prevent overspeeding.

Source: wyohistory.org

BRINGING ELECTRICITY TO RURAL WYOMING

While some windmills continued to be used mainly for pumping water, the 1920s witnessed the spread of small systems intended to produce electricity. So-called wind chargers adapted two- or three-blade configurations that originally had been developed for aircraft. The first units were simple machines with attached propellers that could charge a radio battery and power a light bulb or two. Eventually, some large wind chargers generated reasonably large quantities of power, and could complement farm electric plants.

Early farm electric plants typically used generators that ran on kerosene or home heating fuel. For farms that added a wind charger to an existing farm electric plant, the effect was to reduce fuel consumption and engine operating time, and thus extend the life expectancy of the unit significantly. When the battery charges fell below a preset level, the engine would start up. It would shut off once the batteries were recharged. Once fully charged, the system reputedly could power a house for several days.

Electric power remained limited in rural Wyoming into the early 20th century, as utilities often found it impractical to serve remote areas. By the early 1930s, wind chargers and Delco Light plants remained popular. But in 1935, the federal government embarked on an ambitious effort through the Rural Electrification Administration to extend the electrical grid to rural areas, thereby greatly reducing the need for small systems to generate power. Electrical service expanded rapidly, and by the early 1950s most Wyoming farms and ranches were electrified, thanks to the Rural Electric Association.

HARNESSING THE WIND FOR RANCHES AND RAILROADS

Because Wyoming’s landscape is windy and often arid, windmills offered a practical solution that required no fuel or constant labor. They allowed cattle ranching to expand into areas that otherwise could not support herds, shaping settlement patterns and agricultural development. Railroads also relied on wind-pumped water systems to supply steam engines at remote stops, with windmills often placed about every 20 miles.

These mechanical windmills were simple, durable and widespread, becoming a defining feature of the rural landscape. Their primary function was to convert wind energy into mechanical motion to move water. Early wooden windmills were often built by ranchers, while later models were made of steel.

CoOper sWag at HigHline ElecTric AsSociAtiOn’s anNuAl meEtinG

MeEt CoOper tHe CoOperative BeAr

After hearing different stories about line crews needing to rescue bears who climbed too high on a power pole, Julia Eshleman got an idea. As the Creative Director at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association in Westminster, Colo., she decided to create a safety and education program for young co-op members centered around an illustrated bear. She believed there was value in having an entertaining way to teach children about safety, electricity, and cooperative values.

Enter Cooper the Cooperative Bear.

Named for his cooperative roots, Cooper is the heart of Tri-State’s new initiative designed to help their distribution members connect with families in a meaningful, memorable way. The backbone of Cooper’s educational offerings is an activity book where he watches a line crew discover and restore a downed power line while prioritizing safety and care for the forest he loves. Illustrated by Eshleman and written by Rachel Fuenzalida, editorial and content strategist at Tri-State, the booklet was specifically designed to be accessible, approachable and low-to-no cost for co-ops.

“When education is friendly, it sticks,” said Eshleman. “On top of that, we wanted to launch Cooper with this easy-to-reproduce activity book. All our members need to share his story is a printer and stapler.”

By welcoming families into the cooperative story at an early age, Cooper helps build trust, connection, and long-term brand affinity that lasts well beyond childhood.

Being a lineworker is tough! After a long day in the field, Cooper likes to unwind and make himself a treat but he never forgets his safety tips. Remember the word "CHARM" to stay safe in the kitchen like Cooper.

CCleAn

Start by tying back your hair and washing your hands with soap and warm water. Be sure to rewash your hands after handling raw ingredients like meat or eggs.

HanDle

HWhen you want to grab anything in the kitchen, grab it by the handle. Don’t grab the bottom of a pan or the blade of a knife.

AAtTenTiOn

Keep an eye on what you’re cooking. Food could boil over onto the stove, burn, or catch fire if you’re not paying close attention.

RChecK oUt CoOper’s BluEbeAry

HoneY LoAf recipe in tHe coUnTry coOkS secTiOn!

MRaw

Uncooked, raw foods like meat, fish, cookie dough, cake batter, eggs or even flour can have harmful bacteria. Don’t taste or touch unless an adult tells you it’s okay.

MitTs

Pots, pans and other dishes can take a long time to cool down. Assume dishes are still hot and use oven mitts – even for things in the microwave.

Cooper the Cooperative Bear serves as a bridge between our mission and the youngest members of our communities, teaching essential safety habits and explaining what makes electric cooperatives different. Visit www.tristate.coop/education to learn more about Cooper and find more resources.

BY CARRIE HADERLIE

BUILDING FOR THE Solutions to Wyoming’s Housing Issues FUTURE

As demand for housing in Wyoming continues to outpace supply, rural Wyomingites have turned to creative ways to make housing affordable.

Others rely on woodstoves for heating or turn to the Department of Family Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help manage heating costs during winter.

Shave chosen to live in tiny homes, and others are living in small ranch conversions, DIY cabins, or are making efficiency hacks to their homes for harsh climates. That may mean installing solar panels or wind systems to generate electricity, although the cost of such a system can take years to pay for itself.

Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) is currently in the process of developing the Wyoming Home Energy Savings Program, which is designed to help residents save money on their energy bills by funding projects to make homes or apartments more energy efficient. Depending on eligibility, the program can help fund an assessment of the home to recommend energy efficient improvements and a range of projects, such as upgrading home insulation and installing more efficient electric appliances, according to the WEA website.

Others may decide to purchase manufactured homes, as the cost burden among such owners tends to be lower across all income categories, according to the Wyoming Community Development Authority.

What’s being done at the state level

No matter what individual owners in Wyoming are doing to maintain their homes in an increasingly expensive market, experts agree that to bring down the cost of housing in Wyoming, a significant number of units must be added to the state’s housing stock. The state is facing a need of between 20,700 and 38,600 new homes by 2030, according to the Wyoming Community Development Authority’s Statewide Housing Needs Assessment released in 2024.

For the past several years, the Wyoming Legislature has considered significant measures to address the state’s housing crisis, including draft legislation that would have reduced regulatory barriers on developers, created tax incentives for housing developments and could have created a statewide housing investment account. Most have been largely rejected.

In 2025, the Legislature introduced but did not consider House Bill 272, “Investment in Wyoming Housing,” which would have moved $10 million in state savings from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account to a proposed Wyoming Housing Investment Account, to be administered by the WCDA.

The same idea came back in early 2026 after a grassroots effort in the summer called the Wyoming Housing Investment Alliance (WHIA) began, advocating that the same bill be reconsidered.

“The passage of HB 272 would make a huge impact for affordable housing in our state, as Wyoming is one of two states that do not have any type of state housing fund for affordable housing,” Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County Executive Director Dan Dorsch wrote in a July 2025 letter.

The 2026 version of the bill failed to get a necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate to be introduced during the Budget Session. Sponsored by Sen. Evie Brennan, R-Cheyenne, Senate File 64, “Investment in Wyoming Housing,” would have invested $30 million for housing, but it was not debated on the floor last winter.

Scott Hoversland, director of the WCDA, who has been with the organization for 21 years, takes an optimistic view despite the challenges.

“At least the word ‘housing’ is coming up at the state level now. Before, it wasn’t even coming up. There weren’t even draft bills coming up, and now we’ve had several,” he said.

Hoversland said the most important thing would be to put money in place through that affordable housing fund to build necessary homes to create movement in the market, thus bringing prices down.

When the WCDA held statewide discussions on housing throughout 2025, consultants suggested the state could reduce regulatory barriers to development, or provide incentives for local governments to encourage duplexes, accessory

dwelling units and manufactured homes on smaller lot sizes, all efforts that have been rejected.

Hoversland did point out one legislative success story from 2026: A fast-track permit bill proposed by Rep. Lee Filer, R-Cheyenne, passed this year. House Bill 2, “Fast Track Permits Act,” requires local government entities to comply with deadlines for reviewing specified residential building permits rather than allowing them to languish.

“That was a good win,”

Hoversland said, adding that legislators like Rep. Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie also remain supportive of the housing discussions at the state level.

ways to save

Take advantage of Wyoming’s property tax reductions

In the 2026 Budget Session, the Wyoming Legislature accepted the Governor’s recommendation of $12 MILLION for property tax relief targeted to lower-income homeowners.

Eligible property owners may qualify for the Wyoming Property Tax Refund Program, which provides refunds on a qualified basis to Wyoming homeowners who paid taxes for the 2025 tax year.

Generally, this includes Wyoming residents who make 145% or less of the median household income in their county or the statewide median household income, whichever is greater. The average statewide refund amount for the 2025 tax year is estimated to be $771.35, although individual refunds will vary by county.

“The refund program is a strong example of targeted and responsible property tax relief,” said Governor Gordon. “We are putting money back on the kitchen table for folks who need it. If you are eligible, I encourage you to sign up.”

An annual household income under $114,043 generally qualifies in most areas.

Save with energy efficiency swaps or by downsizing

The typical American family spends almost $2,000 per year on their home energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

However, ensuring that a home has the most efficient heating and cooling systems, sometimes even through DIY projects, can help. Using caulking to seal air leaks and all cracks and large openings can help cool air from leaving a home in the summer, and prevent drafts from getting inside in the winter.

Installing a programmable thermostat can also help maintain a heating and cooling schedule to prevent energy waste. Low-flow showerheads can also help reduce water usage as well as energy needed to heat that water, leading to cost savings on both water and energy bills.

To find more information on the Property Tax Refund Program and to submit an application, residents can fill out the hardcopy application sent to them, go to their local county treasurer’s office, or visit the Wyoming Department of Revenue website.

For those looking to make a more permanent change, Wyoming has relatively fewer building laws or permit requirements than other states related to building or purchasing a tiny home. Tiny homes in Wyoming have a median price of around $60,000, up to $150,000 for luxury options. Savings are driven by reduced construction materials, minimal building regulations in rural areas, lower property taxes and reduced utility bills due to smaller footprints, according to Zook Cabins, a nationwide modular home and log cabin builder based in Pennsylvania.

Local communities take steps to create more accessible housing on their own

Things are also happening at the local level, Hoversland said. Municipalities are looking to the WCDA’s local policy tool, which offers communities unique suggested housing policy based on local data and total population, for guidance.

“People are talking and using our tools to make local decisions. People in Wyoming really respect local control, and we want to give localities the ability to look at policy that may work for their specific needs,” he said.

Collaboration among community groups working to solve local problems is one way to find creative solutions, Wyoming Housing Network Executive Director Melissa Noah said, although “there is no silver bullet or single solution that can move the needle in addressing the depth of the housing crisis in the state.”

The Wyoming Housing Network is collaborating with the City of Casper, Natrona Collective Health Trust, community nonprofits and Goodwill Industries of Wyoming to bring housing innovation to the state through 24 units of rental housing using construction innovation techniques, addressing barriers to housing access and building challenges in Casper.

“We’re also partnering with the Town of Wright to bring much needed single family housing development there,” she said.

Other success stories include the Albany County Housing & Land Trust (ACHLT), a partnership driven nonprofit created to increase housing supply and access to ownership by reducing land costs and addressing the development capital stack by separating ownership of the land from

ownership of the home, as well as the Sheridan County Housing Land Trust (SCHLT) and its Weston Village subdivision.

The efforts are similar to the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust, which has been addressing the housing shortage in the state’s most expensive community through public-private partnerships since the 1990s. Under the housing land trust model, the SCHLT owns the land where homes are built, and applicants purchase the homes within the Weston Village subdivision.

Qualified applicants earn up to 120% of the area median income, meaning Weston Village homes are aimed at middle-income earners because federal housing assistance programs are available for very low income families, but not much is offered for the average wage earner serving in critical jobs in the state’s local communities.

“Out of 30 homes, 21 have sold and five more are under contract. There are only four homes left to complete and sell, and we are still accepting applications,” Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns Executive Director Christine Dieterich said.

The project was designed to meet the workforce housing need and allow for homeownership opportunities for critical industries including educators, firefighters, police, nurses, nonprofit workers, veterans and military and public sector and government employees, as well as others, according to Dieterich.

“All of these industries have been represented by our homeowners,” she said.

The program has been successful in Sheridan, largely due to widespread community support from local municipalities, community members and donors, who provided professional expertise and funding. Habitat for Humanity was also “very intentional about choosing the right partners to bring this project to fruition,” Dieterich said.

Folks in Laramie decided to create their own standalone nonprofit housing land trust, housed under the Chamber Business Alliance, according to Fred Schmechel, the executive director at Albany County Housing & Land Trust.

“This is very much the business community coming together and saying that we have to change something,” Schmechel said.

Local governments across Wyoming are planning for infrastructure development and structuring incentives to attract and manage economic development, and with it, the

employees who need housing, Executive Director at Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) Ashley Harpstreith said.

“We’re still working on this issue. Would we like the state to be a better partner, and it not to be such a political issue? Absolutely. We’re disappointed with this issue becoming political instead of simply meeting the needs of our communities. We aren’t talking about massive growth, but taking care of our needs right now,” she said.

Removing regulatory barriers for developers and utilizing tools like tax credits and abatements to incentivize development could address unmet housing needs. Proactive planning for housing development ensures quality of life and avoids haphazard growth.

“This issue is not only about affordable housing anymore. It is about unmet housing needs,” Harpstreith said. “You have to plan for growth, and municipalities have to be in the driver’s seat of making these decisions, together, with the state. Smartly growing, and infrastructure development like siting within a municipality where a development should go, where there is a good space for residential use, is key.” 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.

SPRING SING

Spring in Wyoming is a catalyst for jolting our five senses out of hibernation! We key into our surroundings with the smell of sage, the touch of a warm breeze, the taste of the rain, the sight of buds on trees and the song sung by the Western Meadowlark announcing its return to our state.

Preferring to take up residence in native grasslands and meadows, it’s difficult to spot one unless it’s perched on a fence post or on the limb of an isolated cottonwood. However, once you hear its rich, flute-like jumble of whistles, your ears will be attentively scanning the open Wyoming soundscape acknowledging their presence.

The Western Meadowlark is such a notable spring sing-sation that six states have deemed it their state bird (Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming). Only the Northern Cardinal represents more states (seven).

HOME ON THE RANGE

The Western Meadowlark returns to many states, including Wyoming, as a breeding ground. In preparation for laying a clutch of four to six eggs, the female will identify a small depression in the ground and build a half-domed structure, constructed by interweaving grass stems with surrounding growth to protect the eggs. On occasion, the female may even create a tunnel for added protection, which serves her chicks well as they leave the nest at around 12 days old to hop and run about the prairie. At 15 days, their developing wings allow for short flights, and in three weeks they’ve gained enough strength and skill to sustain flight.

CHIPPER CHIRPING

DINING IN THE DIRT

Our state bird remains elusive to the eye, in part due to its eating habits. Its feeding behavior is called gaping, which means it uses its unusually strong muscles of the bill to insert their bill into the soil and force it open, creating a hole and providing dining options that other birds cannot access. During the spring and summer months, they enjoy dining in the dirt on a diet of grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and crickets.

THE QUEST WHEN YOU’RE OUT OF THE NEST

This summer, as you find yourself sauntering across our vast landscape, pause and challenge yourself to spot the bird boasting a bright yellow chest with a black “v” feathered across it, and register its chipper chirping. For extra credit, tally how many states you can see and/or hear the Western Meadowlark in.

THE CATEGORY IS MOTHER

BY KENDRA SPANJER

This month we’re celebrating the hard work of women who work to shape the future. Whether it’s your own mom, a sister, aunt, grandma, “bonus mom,” teacher, mentor, coworker or friend—someone you know is pouring herself into being the best female role model and guide she can be. And for generations, the importance of mothers has woven its way into the fabric of our language. This game show-style puzzle arranges answers from easy to hard; can you phrase the correct expression in the form of a question? Play solo or with friends, then add up your scores to determine the winner.

MOTHER

$100 A personification of the environment

$200 “Nacre;” the inside of a mollusk shell

$300 A bonanza

$400 Someone who is over-protective

$500 A person’s first language

$600 A babysitter-in-training

$700 So many people

$800 A very close male friend

$900 A way to call someone ugly

$1,000 A traditional children’s field game

$1,100 A strict, demanding parent

$1,200 It means “when you were very young”

$1,300 “Necessity” is this

$1,400 A response to excessive profanity

$1,500 Old-timey B ritish slang term for gin

$1,600 A way to describe extreme greed

The Game

BY B.L. PERRYMAN

Rook Taylor drove into Red Lodge just after sundown, about 9 p.m. He was traveling to Billings, Montana on his way up from Dayton, Nevada. It was early summer and the road was dry, though the snow on the roadside was still as high as the top of his Studebaker truck coming over the Bear Tooth Plateau. A veteran of Korea, he had not been this way in four years, not since coming home after his honorable discharge from Ft. Bragg. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

As he drove through town he noticed the little flashing neon sign of the Pollard Hotel. He signaled a right turn, circled the block and parallel parked across the street from the main entrance. There was room there for both his truck and horse trailer. Rook checked in at the front desk and took his bag to the room.

After sorting things out he walked outside, looked down the street and noticed the assay office was still open. He thought some old prospector may have had a strike and was down from Cook City. Next to the assay office was a theater and down from that a general store where in the fading light two young boys were peering in through the window at the magazine rack. On the opposite side of the street was a saloon and a diner. He decided on the diner first. Walking down the street he passed a bakery and a dentistry office. He had been meaning to have a tooth looked at for some time, and he wished he had the time in the morning to do so.

He walked into the diner and sat down on one of the red stools at the counter. The waitress was there by herself. The owner, who was also the cook, had gone home for the night but the waitress made him some corned-beef hash. He ate in silence. No one else came in, and the waitress was busy cleaning up in the kitchen. Rook finished his meal and left a $5 bill by his plate. He said thanks loud enough for her to hear that he

was leaving and walked out into the night.

Rook buttoned up his lined denim jacket, shrugged, looked up at the sky and noticed some clouds beginning to move in. The saloon-bar was next door to the diner … he went in.

It was dark, lit only by one electric light at the far end of the bar and a coal oil lamp on each table. Only two of them were lit. It was long and narrow and had room for only six small tables besides the bar itself. There were two men standing at the bar. The youngest was wearing a Navy uniform, the other appeared to be his father. Rook reasoned the sailor must be home on shore leave. At the far table sat four men playing poker and nursing a bottle of Hiram Walker rye. There was no one else there except the bartender.

“Wanna sit in on the next deal do ya?” A scratchy, worn voice cut through the cigar and cigarette haze that seemed to solidify in the air around the stud table.

“Why not? What’s the game and what are the stakes?”

“Dealer’s choice, and as high as you want to go, pilgrim,” the one with the El Producto cigar coughed back.

“As long as it’s not some dolled-up Texas Hold ’em game I’m in. If it’s not stud or draw I got no interest.”

“Pull up a chair then Mr.?” “Taylor.”

“Pull up a chair Mr. Taylor from out of town,” Mr. El Producto spoke again. “We don’t play them Texican games in Montana.”

Rook was the fifth chair at the table. Turned out Mr. El Producto was a county commissioner, and seated to his right was a rancher who owned a bunch of ground between the Stillwater and East Rosebud Rivers. He had come to town to bank and was still wearing spurs. To Mr. El Producto’s left was the town dentist that had received his license to practice during the 19th century; an Army dentist. It was his office across the street. To his left was a quiet man the others called Morris, as guarded in speech as he was in his cards.

They dealt him in. The bartender put on his jacket and told the group to lock the front door when they were done. An hour-and-ahalf later no one had taken control of the table. Boldness

Now he was wagering his truck and trailer again on the draw of a deck of cards during witching hour in a little bar he had no affinities or affections for.

increased as the second bottle of rye drove towards empty. The bets got larger, and the cards turned hot for everybody. Midnight slid by ... then one, two and on to three ante meridiem. Lasthand was called, seven-card stud. First raise on the third card and Mr. El Producto was out, though staying to see the end. The dentist was dealing backhanded cards for everybody; nothing seemed to fit. Cigar smoke mingled with their brow sweat. The pot showed $800. The rancher and Morris were backed with cash. Both went for a shot of Hiram Walker before their decisions to see and raise the final time on the last pass. The raise came to Rook who was down to the titles of his truck

and horse trailer. He paused and took a double shot very deliberately…

Rook was on his way to Billings to pick up four roping horses. He had taken a loan to buy them and make a go of it as a horse-dealer for rodeo cowboys. He had dabbled in rodeo roughstock yet had no fancy for it. But roping and dogging horses, those made his eyes shine. He had wagered everything he had to get the loan. Now he was wagering his truck and trailer again on the draw of a deck of cards during witching hour in a little bar he had no affinities or affections for. He took out a pen and scrap of paper, wrote out his titles and threw them on the table, and raised the bet with two saddles he had in the

trailer nose. The bet came to Morris. He saw the raise and then everybody was in. It was set. The rancher was looking for a 6-high gutshot strait, the dentist was showing a pair of nines, and Morris showed three clubs. Rook’s life was about to change … one way or the other. The titles of his Studebaker and horse trailer, saddles and cash were sitting on the table, and Rook was sitting on three deuces. W

While this article is mostly a work of fiction, Perryman promises there’s bits and pieces of truth cobbled together in there, too. He’s been to Red Lodge, played poker and “done stupid stuff!”

B.L.

Perryman is an author, freelance writer and senior writer for Range Magazine.

BLUEBERRIES

LEMON BLUEBERRY

COFFEE CAKE

3 CUPS FLOUR

1 3/4 TSP BAKING POWDER 1 TSP

Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix well the softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk until fully combined. Add the flour, baking powder and salt, then mix until incorporated. Fold in the lemon peel and blueberries. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared pan. In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, flour and melted butter until crumbly, then sprinkle over the cake batter. Bake for 40-45 minutes. While the cake is still warm, mix the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth, then drizzle over the cake. Cut and serve.

TRUDY

CRAFT BASIN

HIDDEN BLUEBERRY CAKE

FRESH BLUEBERRY

PIE

Pie Crust: 12 GRAHAM CRACKER SHEETS, CRUSHED

2 TBS SUGAR

6 TBS MELTED BUTTER 1/2 TSP CINNAMON Pie Filling:

6 CUPS BLUEBERRIES (2 CUPS FRESH OR FROZEN, 4 CUPS FRESH) 1 TBS LEMON JUICE

1 TBS BUTTER

In medium saucepan, combine berries, ⅔ cup sugar and lemon juice. Cook on low 10-15 minutes, until thickened. Pour into 13x9x12 lightly greased glass baking dish. In mixing bowl, cream shortening and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add eggs, mix well. Sift and mix all dry ingredients in, alternating with the milk. Batter will be slightly thick. Spread gently over berry mixture in dish. Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Can also be made as a 9x9x2 cake: halve all ingredients, bake approximately 30-35 minutes.

SUZANNE ROBINSON GREYBULL

Make crust: Combine all and press into a 9” pie plate. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Let cool. Make Filling: Combine cornstarch, sugar, salt, water and 2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries in a saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Cook 2-3 more minutes until “shiny” looking and very thick.

Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and butter.

Let mixture cool. When cool, mix in 4 cups fresh blueberries.* Fill crust and refrigerate!

Great served with sweetened whipped cream or ice cream.

*Note: The blueberries for this step must be fresh, as if eating out-of-hand. Frozen blueberries will not work.

NANCY PHILLIPE POWELL

InGrediEnTs

COOPER THE COOPERATIVE BEAR’S

Loaf batter

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup unsalted butter

1/3 cup honey

3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

Blueberry jam

(Or use 2 cups of storebought blueberry jam)

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

A pinch of kosher salt

Blueberry glaze

1 tablespoon blueberry jam

1 cup or more as needed powdered sugar

1 teaspoon water or lemon juice or more, as needed

A pinch of kosher salt

Topping

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Step 1

Heat the oven to 350ºF with a rack in the center position. Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper, with enough excess that you can pull the loaf out of the pan after it bakes, but not enough that it will fold into the batter or burn easily.

Step 2

If making homemade blueberry jam: In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-low heat until the blueberries are softened and the jam is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3

Whisk dry ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large bowl, cream the butter, honey, and sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well combined and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined. You can use a spatula to help reach the bottom and incorporate everything. Try not to overmix.

Step 5

If using homemade jam, strain the blueberry jam through a sieve, separating the liquid from the thicker fruit. Transfer the thicker blueberry solids left in the sieve to a small to medium sized bowl. Measure 2 tablespoons of the strained liquid and add it to this bowl; set any remaining liquid aside (you'll use it for the glaze). Combine 3/4 cup of the loaf batter with the blueberry mixture that you added ¼ cup of the strained liquid to and combine until just mixed and there isn’t any pooling liquid.

Step 6

If using storebought blueberry jam, take 1 tablespoon of jam and put it in a small to medium sized bowl and set aside. To the remaining jam, put it in a small to medium sized bowl and add 2 tablespoons of water and ¾ cup of the loaf batter and combine until just mixed and there isn’t any pooling liquid.

Step 7

Add ½ of the plain batter to the bottom of the loaf pan and spread into an even layer. Top with the blueberry batter. Finish with the remaining plain batter.

Step 8

Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 60 to 80 minutes. If the top is browning too much, you can put a piece of tinfoil on top. When it’s finished baking, cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then, take the loaf out of the pan, using the excess parchment paper to pull it out, and transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let cool.

Step 9

While it cools, if using homemade jam, you can use whatever is leftover and add in the powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and any additional water or lemon juice as needed. Stir together until you have your desired consistency.If using storebought jam, add the powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, and about 2 tablespoons of water or lemon juice to thin it out, stirring until the glaze is your preferred consistency.

Step 10

Once the pound cake has fully cooled, spread the glaze evenly over the top, then top with the remaining blueberries. Enjoy!

Hi! |’m CoOper

I love my forest, my friends, and learning how to stay safe—especially around electricity. When we make smart choices and look out for each other, we keep our whole community safe. Learn more about Cooper or find resources at tristate.coop/education

Keeping the Heart of Small Towns Alive

BY TRESSA LAWRENCE

Clearmont resident Cheryl Roebling is passionate about giving back to her community and inspiring others to do the same.

At the heart of every small town is a handful of people devoted to keeping it alive and thriving. In Clearmont, population 116, one of those people is Roebling.

Whether you walk into a school sporting event or stop into a meeting at the Clearmont Community Center, Roebling is usually there to greet you with a big smile.

A Rock River native, Roebling knows the importance of being involved in your community, especially when it’s a small one. She is enmeshed in, well, everything.

“I think that being involved in your community is really important because if you’re not involved, what’s going to happen to your community? It takes a village to keep the community alive and well and running, and I would love to see more people get involved,” said Roebling.

She has served on the ambulance board for many years and is an emergency medical responder. When she arrives at the scene of a call or accident, she gathers information, takes vital signs and stabilizes patients as needed until the Sheridan Ambulance arrives. Roebling recently retired from Johnson County Health Care, where she was a nurse for 30 years.

Being 30 miles from the nearest hospital, Roebling sometimes finds patients popping up at her doorstep still, asking for a quick blood pressure check or to ask for advice on whether they “really need to go to town.” Many lovingly refer to her as the town nurse.

Roebling is also a member of the local volunteer fire department, and when the Remington Fire broke out two years ago, she helped to make meals, volunteered to deliver the meals to all corners of the county and to feed the fire fighters. Roebling is quick to defer praise or recognition, noting that her partner in crime, Joanie Kiser, is by her side through most of her endeavors.

“Joanie and I dream up these different ideas of things to do or activities to get everyone involved, and we try to make it a lot of fun,” said Roebling with a smile.

Their most recent idea was a town cleanup. Roebling is also on the Clearmont Day committee, and what better excuse to get the town spruced up than to have it beautified before their big celebration on June 27th. Roebling and Kiser got the church involved with planning for the clean-up day and to serve lunch.

As president of the Clearmont Women’s Club, Roebling organizes an annual highway clean-up day and helps the club to plant flowers around town. She served as the local 4-H leader while her kids were growing up. She helps to organize and teach children’s church at Clearmont Community Church. She also manages to wrangle up donations for the annual Clearmont Community Center auction.

“Being involved just brings so much joy to people. For me, being a part of Women’s Club and seeing the difference that it’s made in our community is really rewarding. As the community evolves and

changes, being a part of those projects and changes over the years has brought a lot of joy to my life,” she said.

Roebling moved to Clearmont in the early ’90s when she married her husband, Gary. Their daughter, Bailey Underwood, has moved back to Clearmont with her husband, Jake, and is also very active in the community. The Roeblings have two sons, Wade Roebling, his wife Kyla and their two daughters, who live in Kaycee, and Levi Dunkin, who lives in Harrisburg, SD, with his son.

“I think it has been her mission since she retired to make Clearmont as beautiful as possible,” Bailey laughed.

“She is always leading by example, recruiting people and encouraging people to

Roebling has been active in the Clearmont Women’s Club since the ’90s. The club prides itself on being very active in the community. From a small garage to tinker on your vintage automobile to an elaborate workshop to focus on your woodworking hobby, a residential storage and hobby building designed and constructed by Morton is crafted to provide a stronger, longer-lasting, better-looking structure customized to fit your needs. Don’t settle for second best — because Morton has a quality that’s unmistakable, just like you. Visit mortonbuildings.com or call 800-447-7436. ©2026 Morton

join a committee or a board, even if they feel like they might be lacking in knowledge or experience. She is very encouraging to join anyway, wanting to get everyone’s input. She’s just so willing to be involved and jump in when anything is needed.”

Always humble, Roebling emphasizes the importance of the entire community working together to keep the spirit of small-town Wyoming alive.

“Getting the community involved helps to give people purpose and spread joy to everyone. I think everyone should try to be involved in their community in one way or another. Join a club or organization, or volunteer at the library, do something to give back,” said Roebling.

If you manage to find Roebling when she isn’t volunteering in the community, she loves chasing her kids and grandkids, spending time at the family ranch and harrowing the fields, or camping in her little old camper that one of her patients helped her fix up. She also enjoys traveling with her friend Cari selling Cari’s line of hunting gear for women, and empowering women to be more adventurous and live up to their full potential.

“I feel very blessed that I am able to live in a small town and enjoy the country life,”

said Roebling. “I have the most supportive family and friends, and I thank God for the things He has blessed me with daily.”

To catch Roebling in action and to see the fruits of her labor, be sure to drive out to Clearmont Day on June 27th for food, fun, vendors and dancing in the park. W

Tressa Lawrence is a Buffalo native that lives on her family’s cattle ranch where she runs cattle, and juggles freelance writing and photography.

In the Scent of Horses, Hay, and Old Barns

The Story of Eleanor Prince Intrepid American Horsemanship Educator BY

PAMELA GALBREATH

ORDERING INFORMATION:

Year Published: 2026

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books, an imprint of The Stable Book Group Where to Purchase: trafalgarbooks.com

In early autumn, 1958, 32-year-old Eleanor Fracker Smith left her family roots in Massachusetts and moved to southeast Wyoming. There, she realized her life philosophy: people can do without a lot of things, but no one should have to live without horses.

In 1961, she established Sodergreen Horsemanship School, and for 40 years, Ellie’s renowned teaching drew students of all ages and skills. With the help of three books on horsemanship published by Doubleday, Ellie was respected not only for the depth of her knowledge but her commitment to educating the horse-loving public. She continued teaching and remained involved in horsemanship activities into her 10th decade.

Pamela Galbreath’s finely tuned narrative reverently traces the arc of Ellie Prince’s lifetime of service to horses and horsemanship with remarkable attention to setting and detail, transporting readers from the suburbs of Boston to the plains of the West. Those who love horses or have an interest in the history of horsemanship in the United States will find themselves wishing they could have been taught by Ellie Prince.

Galbreath holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Wyoming. She was awarded the 2011 Wyoming Arts Council Creative Writing Fellowship in Creative Nonfiction and received WAC honorable mentions in 2024 and previous years. Her nonfiction earned her a nomination for the 2015 Pushcart Prize and, in 2024, first place in the Wyoming Writers Inc. contest. Her work has been published in the anthology “Unruly Catholic Women Writers: Creative Responses to Catholicism” and in magazines and literary journals. A retired teacher of writing and literature at the high school and university levels, Galbreath resides in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, dogs and horses (pamelagmusings.com).

MARJORIE SANBORN

OF GLENDO MARCH 2026 ISSUE TWINKLE, THE LITTLEST STAR BOOK WINNER:

Morning Prairie Colors

Trudy Craft, Basin

Flag Waves Over Bighorn Sunset

Mike Dollison, Buffalo

Pink of Perfection

Tara Seely, Torrington

Rainbow Promises

Nichole Bedtka, Ten Sleep

Oregon Rhododendron

Martha Rasmussen, Burlington

Vibrant Colors of AlaskaOur Granddaughter Cora

Denise Jackson, Lingle

COLORS

Pop Overload

Rob McIntosh, Torrington

Beautiful Wyoming Sunset

Robin Riesland, Newcastle

Ava’s Beautiful Wings

Denette Price, Newcastle

Dutch Shoes

Angie Erickson, Meeteetse

Northern Lights in NE Wyoming

Laurie Tucker, Hulett

Colorful Cone of Shame

Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga

wren@wyomingrea.org

wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

MAP

01 | SOUTHEAST

CENTENNIAL

JUNE 20

Centennial Valley Volunteer Fire Department Open House: 12-3pm. 4 North Fork Road. Family oriented annual fundraiser event with free food, raffles, silent auction and special raffle of a limited-edition Henry Repeating Arms Joel’s Wildfire Golden Boy Silver .22 caliber rifle, #36 of 50 made. Free. Info: Arlene, 307-399-3321.

THURSDAY-MONDAY

Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm. Explore museum grounds and exhibits. Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.

FEATURED EVENT

THERMOPOLIS  JUNE 12-14

This America 250 event is honoring trails and transportation into the last frontier. A non-motorized parade, antique wagon show, live demonstrations and history treks. Food, Music and MORE!!

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

2 Mules Chuckwagon Steak Dinner, Dave Stamey Concert, Andy Nelson Cowboy Poetry, Dessert Dance with Keith O’Brien (sold out).

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

Pancake Breakfast, 16 Mule Johnson Parade, mule demo at fairground arena, trek to Johnson Homestead, Museum Milk Can Dinner, Drinks at Hole-in-the-Wall Bar, live entertainment.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

Trek to Legend Rock Arapaho Ranch, Hot Springs State Park Buffalo Herd and Bison BBQ, Tribal Guests and Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, Memorial of Flags.

Location: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds 627 Springview St., Thermopolis

Cost: Milk Can Dinner / Trek $40 – All else is FREE Information: 307-864-3192, bit.ly/TrailblazerDays

NORTHWEST

CHUGWATER

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.

ELK MOUNTAIN

MONDAYS-SATURDAYS

Elk Mountain Museum: 10am-5pm. Explore local history and museum collections. Free. Info: elkmtmuseum@gmail.com, 307-348-7037.

ENCAMPMENT

JUNE 20-21

65th Annual Woodchoppers Jamboree & Rodeo: All day. This action-packed weekend celebrates our valley’s rich timber and ranching heritage annually over Father’s Day. Morning Woodchopping events are paired with an afternoon of traditional Western Rodeo. The chips fly with logging competitions including the two-man handsaw, log throw and even a “Mad Logger” chainsaw throw! Rodeo enthusiasts love the thrill of traditional events including team-roping, saddle bronc, bull riding and more. Kids’ activities include a sawdust pit, greased pole, mutton busting and plenty of excitement. In addition to the main woodchopping and rodeo events, visitors can browse the handicrafts of local vendors, enjoy delicious wood-fired barbecue, grab a

piece of pie and sip ice cold beer and soda. The fun never stops at the Woodchoppers Jamboree and Rodeo. Cost varies. Info: 307-329-8837, 307-327-5429.

TUESDAYS-SATURDAYS

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

HAWK SPRINGS

JUNE 10

Annual Hawk Springs Community Hamburger Fry: 5-7pm. Hawk Springs Community Building, Powers St. We will be serving grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, homemade salads, desserts and drinks. All proceeds go back into maintaining the building throughout the year. Adults $9, children 5-12 $5, children 4 and under are free. Info: wlblackos@gmail.com.

LARAMIE

JUNE 6

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet: 5pm. Albany County Fairgrounds. Auctions! Dinner! Games! Fun! Plus your chance to win fabulous prizes! Together, we can continue to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Join us and give back to Elk Country by attending the Laramie Chapter Banquet. Let’s get together for Elk Country! Entry $45. Info: Michelle Sutherburg, msutherburg@tryhydro.com, 307-343-0535.

MEDICINE BOW

ONGOING

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

RAWLINS

JUNE 6

Carbon County Block Party: 11am-4pm. 904 W Walnut St. The annual Carbon County Block Party is back for the 4th year in a row. Come and enjoy a local art exhibition inside the museum, alongside our outdoor craft fair (which will be focusing on handmade/homemade/ homegrown craft, food and art vendors), a car show, food trucks, touch the truck, live educational animals and much more! Free. Info: 307-328-2740.

TEE-off for Education: 9am. Rochelle Ranch Golf Course, 2808 E Rochelle Dr. Join us for a day on the green in support of a great cause! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just in it for fun, our Fundraising Golf Tournament is the perfect way to give back, connect and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. Format: 4 Person Scramble. Proceeds

from this event will benefit CCHEC’s Foundation, helping support local scholarships and educational opportunities. $400 per team. Info: 307-328-9274.

JUNE 19

Summer Haunted Downtown Tour: 7pm. Carbon County Museum. Blood and Gore Galore! This guided PG-13 Historical Haunted Downtown Tour of Rawlins spans approximately half a mile and highlights 10 of the most gruesome deaths that occurred in downtown Rawlins from the late 1880s to the 1950s. The stories and history are all sourced from Newspaper articles along with other historic documentation, and did really happen. This tour features the bonus of personal stories of strange occurrences in the area from Rawlins’ residents. $20. Info: 307-328-2740.

JUNE 20

LA Looks & More’s Grand Move: 11am-10pm. We’re moving to a new location at 804 W Spruce St! To celebrate the move, they will be hosting a Car Show, RC Car Race, Adoption Fair, Dirt Bike Trick Shows, Street Dance, Food Trucks and more. Join in on the celebration. Free. Info: 307-277-6513.

JUNE 25

Music in the Park: 5:30-9pm. Washington Park. Join us for live music, food trucks/vendors, and family-friendly fun. Live music starts at 7pm. Free. Info: 307-324-7529.

JUNE

26

20th Anniversary T’Keg for the Cure: 9am. Rochelle Golf Course. Celebrate 20 years of the “T’Keg for the Cure” with our festive Mar-TeeGras theme! Join us for a vibrant day filled with purple, green and gold hues, golf carts and a lush green backdrop. Support neighbors in need with a $50 entry fee in a fun two-person scramble format. Sign up for the 2 Person Scramble at Rochelle Ranch Golf Course today! $50 entry fee + cart/green fees. Info: 307-324-7121.

JUNE 27

Cowboy Action Shoot: 9:45am. Rawlins Outdoor Shooting Range. Step back into the Old West with the Great Divide Outlaws for a day of Cowboy Action Shooting. These monthly matches bring together shooters who enjoy the spirit, style and friendly competition of cowboy shooting. Competitors will shoot cowboy action-style stages using period-style firearms and enjoy a

relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for both experienced shooters and those curious about the sport. Dust off your boots, load up the irons, and come spend a day shooting with the Great Divide Outlaws. $10 for Great Divide Outlaw (GDO) or WSAS Members. $15 for non-members. Info: 307-320-7250.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet: 5pm. Jeffrey Center. Auctions! Dinner! Games! Fun! Plus your chance to win fabulous prizes! Together, we can continue to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Join us and give back to Elk Country by attending the Rawlins Chapter Banquet. Let’s get together for Elk Country! Entry $55. Info: Kristin Bluth, knbluth@gmail.com, 307-321-6612.

SARATOGA

JUNE 11-14

Raventós i Blanc Winemaker Weekend: Time varies. Brush Creek Ranch. Enjoy a three-day wine escape with Pepe Raventós of Raventós i Blanc, a 21st generation winemaker rooted in a family tradition dating back to 1497. Known for his visionary approach to Catalan sparkling wines, Pepe will lead intimate tastings of Raventós i Blanc, Can Sumoi and his personal micro-vinification project, Vins Pepe Raventós. Guests will explore mineral-driven wines shaped by ancient soils, biodynamic farming and native grape varieties, including Can Sumoi’s high-altitude organic vineyards and rare old vines. The weekend also features gourmet dining, insights into sustainable winemaking and curated outdoor experiences. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284.

JUNE 13

Adventures Carnival: TBD. Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. Join the annual summer event featuring outdoor activities, family-friendly fun and community entertainment. Cost varies. Info: 307-326-5261.

JUNE 19-22

Dads and Lads Father’s Day: Time varies. Brush Creek Ranch. Celebrate Dad with the Ultimate Family Adventure! Treat your family to an unforgettable Father’s Day getaway at our luxury resort, where every detail is designed for fun, relaxation and connection. Enjoy a curated lineup of all-inclusive thrilling activities to experience side-by-side, including horseback rides across breathtaking landscapes, aerial ropes course for high-flying excitement, some friendly competitions, fireside s’mores and family portraits to capture the memories. This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of time together, laughter and luxury in an extraordinary setting. Cost varies. Info: 307-327-5284.

JUNE 21

Father’s Day BBQ Brunch & Golf Tournament: TBA. Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, 601 Pic Pike Rd. Father’s Day Brunch & Golf Tournament. $75 entry fee includes breakfast and Sway, Steak and Scotch. Info: 307-307-326-5261.

WRIGHT

JUNE 6

Durham Ranch Buffalo Stamped 5k/10k Walk/Run: Registration at 7:30am. Walk/run at 8am. Durham Ranch, located 35 miles south of Gillette or 4 miles north of Wright. A family-friendly event to raise funds for the Powder River Energy Foundation charities. $25 for individuals or $50 for a family. Info: bit.ly/Buffalo-Stampede.

JUNE 12

The Taste of Wright: 5-9pm. Wright Centennial Museum. A fun-filled BBQ and smoking competition benefiting the Wright Centennial Museum. Info: 307-680-1606, wrightcentennialmuseum@gmail.com.

JUNE 12-13

Wright Days: Parade, coin-dig, root beer floats, community dinner, music, bounce houses, bull riding and more. Don’t be afraid to come out and get some sun rays! Info: wrightdays1975@gmail.com.

02 | NORTHEAST

BIG HORN

JUNE 11

Unfinished War Oral History Symposium: 5pm. Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road. Join us for a special oral history symposium

presented in conjunction with The Unfinished War: The Battle of the Little Bighorn in Native American Art. Free. Info: bit.ly/UnfinishedWar.

JUNE 18

“The Picture is the Rope”: Listening to the Strands Lecture by Rodney G. Thomas, Colonel, U.S. Army (retired): 5-7pm. Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road. In this talk, Rodney G. Thomas explores how Native pictographic artworks documenting the Battle of the Little Bighorn function as historical records as well as works of art. Free. Info: bit.ly/ThePictureIsTheRope.

JUNE 19-20

Bighorn Trail Run: All day. Hundreds of runners from across the U.S., Australia and Europe compete in 100-mile, 52-mile, 32-mile and 18-mile races in the Bighorn Mountains west of Sheridan. $180 to $475 depending on distance; currently sold out, but can be added to the waitlist. Info: 307-673-7500, racedirector@bighorntrailrun.com, bighorntrailrun.com.

JUNE 26

Annual Brinton Gala: 5pm. Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road. This year’s Gala celebrates the remarkable career of Wyoming artist Jim Jackson, whose work in painting and leather has helped shape the visual culture of the American West. The evening will honor Jackson’s legacy while raising support for the development of a permanent exhibition dedicated to preserving the traditional art of leatherwork, ensuring future generations can experience and carry forward this art form and its deep connection to our cultural heritage. Info: bit.ly/BrintonGala.

LATE JUNE/EARLY JULY

Start of Polo Season: Game times vary. Big Horn Polo Club, 352 Bird Farm Road; Flying H Polo Club, 280 Bird Farm Road. Polo season begins at the end of June/early July. Polo practices, games and tournaments happen up to four days a week through Labor Day weekend, at the Big Horn Equestrian Center or the Flying H Polo Club. Free. Info: Big Horn Polo Club (playing at the Equestrian Center), 307-674-4928, thebighornpoloclub.com. Flying H Polo Club (high goal polo), 307-674-9447, flyinghpolo.com.

BUFFALO

JUNE 5-7

Native American Weekend:

Cowboy Carousel Center, 59 N Lobban Ave. Visit Buffalo for a vibrant weekend honoring the rich traditions and spirit of Native American cultures. “Life, Lore & Legends” will bring together an engaging blend of interactive activities, live performances, guest speakers, traditional music, storytelling, handson experiences and more. Info: bit.ly/NativeAmericanWeekend.

THURSDAYS

Bluegrass Jam Session: 6:30pm. Occidental Saloon. Free. Info: 307-684-0451.

CASPER

JUNE 5-7

52nd Anniversary Wyoming Writers Conference: Ramkota Hotel. Now introducing optional programming on the 4th including a free mini-conference for middle school, high school and college freshmen, as well as a pop-up bookstore open to the public and attendees. Conference features include breakout sessions to learn from industry professionals and bestselling authors, pitch sessions, open mic nights and the chance to network with fellow creatives. Registration depends on selected options. Info: wyowriters.org/2026-Conference.

CLEARMONT

JUNE 27

Clearmont Day: All day. Celebrate Clearmont with vendors, music and more. Free. Info: Amy Rowe, 307-278-1716.

GILLETTE

JUNE 13

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet: 5pm. Cam-Plex, Frontier Hall. Auctions! Dinner! Games! Fun! Plus your chance to win fabulous prizes! Together, we can continue to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Join us and give back to Elk Country by attending the Powder River Chapter Banquet. Let’s get together for Elk Country! Entry $80. Info: Kaylee Hagen, 307-660-5678, kayleerhagen@hotmail.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.

HULETT

TUESDAYS IN JUNE

Unearth a Story (Kids Summer Program): 1pm. Hulett Library. Kids ages 6-11 Summer Program at the Library. Free. Info: 307-467-5676.

TUESDAYS

Children’s Storytime: 10:30-11:30am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

MONDAY - THURSDAY

5 Mile Walking Exercise Class: 4:45-6pm. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

MONDAY-FRIDAY

Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5676.

ONGOING

Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. Sat. 12-4pm. Free. Info: 307-467-5292.

MOORCROFT

JUNE 2

Jurassic Magic by Jeff Quinn: 1pm. Moorcroft Branch Library. Magician Jeff Quinn will visit the library and share his show Jurassic Magic. Free. Info: 307-756-3232.

JUNE 12

Youth Paint Class: 10am. Moorcroft Branch Library. Ages 8+. Free. Registration is required. Info: 307-756-3232.

WEDNESDAYS IN JUNE

Free Movie Showing: 1pm. Moorcroft Branch Library. Dinosaur themed movies. Free. Popcorn and water provided. Feel free to bring other snacks and drinks. Info: 307-756-3232.

ONGOING THROUGH SUMMER

Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program: Moorcroft Branch Library. Youth Summer Reading will run through July 31 with a family BBQ planned in August. Sign up any time through July 17. Youth are encouraged to track hours read in order to win prizes! There will also be various events planned in

June and July. Adult/Teen Summer Reading Challenge will run through August. Reading logs will be available to pick up any time Mid-May to August 15. Free. Info: 307-756-3232.

WEDNESDAYS

Moorcroft Branch Library Activities: 10am storytime, 4pm afterschool craft, 7pm AA meetings. Please use the downstairs entrance. Info: 307-756-3232.

THIRD THURSDAY OF MONTH

Adult Book Club: 1pm. Moorcroft Branch Library. New book each month. Stop by the library for your copy. Info: 307-756-3232.

MONDAY-FRIDAY

West Texas Trail Museum: 9am-5pm. Info: 307-756-9300.

ONGOING

Senior Center Events: 9am coffee and rolls on Wednesdays. 9am toenail clinic and 6pm dinner every fourth Thursday. Info: 307-756-9550.

NEWCASTLE

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.

SECOND AND FOURTH

WEDNESDAYS

Gigi’s Closet: 9am-1:30pm. First United Methodist Church. Gently loved clothing available for babies to adults. Info: 307-746-4119.

ONGOING

Anna Miller Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed on holidays. 401 Delaware Ave. Free. Info: 307-746-4188.

PARKMAN

JUNE 27

Parkman Daze: All day. Celebrate Parkman with live music, a horseback poker run, chuckwagon feed and a parade. Free. Info: Patricia Caywood, 307-655-9993.

SHERIDAN

JUNE 6

The Dead Swede Gravel Race, Ride, Tour: 7am. Kendrick Park, 136 Bellevue Ave. The premier gravel, single track and pavement bike race of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains.

Includes races ranging from 20-100 miles. Price ranges from $85 to $135. Info: 307-763-4481, thedeadswede.com.

Wings and Wheels: A Special D-Day Tribute: 5-10pm. Sheridan County Airport, 908 W Brundage Lane. Join Sheridan Pilots Association for an evening of history, aviation and classic cars with an airshow at sunset. Early bird tickets are $125. Info: bit.ly/wings-wheels.

JUNE 11-13

Little Miss Wyoming State Finals: All day. Ramada Plaza, 1809 Sugarland Drive. Wyoming’s Premier Children’s Pageant. Thousands of dollars in prizes and awards given every year. $395 to enter. Info: bit.ly/LittleMissWY.

JUNE 12-13

Ike Sankey and Cowgirl Cadillacs Horse Sale: Fri. 2-7:30pm. Sat. 9am. Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1583 Victoria St. A “Heap Good” Horse Sale featuring excellence in all equine disciplines. Free. Info: cowgirlcadillacs.com.

JUNE 13

Average Joe’s Competition: 8am. Cloud Peak Crossfit, 108 East Grinnell Plaza. Join us for a competition built specifically for beginner and intermediate athletes. $85 for early registration; $105 after May 1. Info: bit.ly/Average-Joes.

JUNE 19-21

Cirque Ma’Ceo Live: Fri-Sat, 7pm. Sun. 1pm and 4pm. Sheridan County Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria St. Cirque Ma’Ceo presents The Year of the Horse, a breathtaking tribute to the powerful bond between horse and human. $20-$65. Info: bit.ly/Cirque-MaCeo.

JUNE 26-27

307 Stitch Cross Stitch Retreat: All day. Ramada Plaza, 1809 Sugarland Drive. A two-day cross stitch gathering. Join us for a weekend of stitching, laughter and inspiration at 307 Stitch! This event is the perfect escape for stitchers of all levels. $275. Info: thecrossstitchemporium.com.

JUNE 27

KARZ and Motorcycle Show, Veterans’ Resource Fair and Community Event: 10am-3pm. Sheridan VA Medical Center, 1898 Fort Road. 35th annual Rod Run show with hot rods, muscle, classic cars and trucks, motorcycles, as well as vendors. Free. Info: Howard Christman, 720-471-1787, sheridankarzclub.com.

Untapped Homebrew Festival: 12-4pm. Kalif Shrine Center, 145 W Loucks. The Kalif Shrine Center & Bighorn Homebrew Club event will feature the finest homebrewed beer from Sheridan and across the state of Wyoming. $25. Info: 307-672-9084.

THIRD THURSDAYS IN SUMMER

3rd Thursday Street Festival: 5-9pm. Downtown Sheridan, between Alger and Loucks streets. Enjoy family fun, food, live music and fabulous vendors on the third Thursday of each summer month. Free. Info: 307-672-8881.

SATURDAYS

Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am. Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.

SUNDANCE

JUNE 1

Adult Craft Class: 6pm. Crook County Library. All supplies are provided. Class sizes are limited and reservations are required by May 29th. $20. Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.

JUNE 12

Tween, Teen, Adult Crafter Noon: 1pm. Crook County Library. Join us for a fun summer craft! Free. Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.

FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Lunch Brunch Book Club: 11:30am. Crook County Library. Join us for an adult book discussion. Free. Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.

WEDNESDAYS

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

UPTON

SECOND TUESDAYS

Veteran Breakfast: 8am. Upton Senior Center. Free. Info: Gary Barnes, 307-468-9251.

FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS

Bingo at Senior Center: 6:30pm. $10 for 10 cards. Info: 307-468-9262.

ONGOING

Senior Center Activities: 1113 2nd St. 12pm lunch Mon.-Fri. for $4. Call for reservation before 9am at 307-468-2422 or 712-400-9056. 9am coffee and treats on Tuesdays. 9am exercise program every Tues. and Fri. 5:30pm card elimination and potluck every third Mon. Info: 307-468-9262.

Red Onion Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed holidays. 1920 HWY 16. Free. Info: 307-226-2873, redonion@gmail.com.

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.

THIRD WEDNESDAYS

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

FORT WASHAKIE

JUNE 19-21

66th Annual Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow: Grand entry is 7pm on June 19. 2pm and 7pm on June 20. 2pm on June 21. Shoshone Powwow Grounds, 36 A Gaw Bombe Ln. Join us for Wyoming’s largest powwow – a powerful weekend of dancing, singing, culture and community as we gather once again to celebrate our traditions. More than 1,000 powwow dancers take the arena to compete for prize money. Drum groups, both local and from out of state, will take the lead as we celebrate our cultural traditions. Food vendors and craft booths from all over the U.S. and Canada will be set up all three days. Free. Info: facebook.com/esecommittee, esecommittee@gmail.com.

GREYBULL

SECOND SATURDAYS

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

LANDER

SATURDAYS

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

ONGOING

First Friday: 5pm art show reception. 6pm music. Middle Fork Restaurant. New artist and local musician each month. Info: 307-335-5035, facebook.com/MiddleForkCafe.

RIVERTON

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

Send events occurring in August by

JUNE

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

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.

MONDAYS AND 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.

POWELL

TUESDAY-SATURDAY

Homesteader Museum Summer Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-2pm (beginning in June). Private tours available by appointment. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.

SHELL

JUNE 6

Birding in Shell Valley with Corey Anko and CJ Grimes: 5:45-11am. Info: 307-568-2419, jazmin@bighornrea.com.

JUNE 19

Impacts of Chronic Wasting Disease: 11am-1pm. Shell Community Hall. Join Tucker Russell to learn about the impacts of chronic wasting disease in the Wind River and greater Big Horn Basin. $20, lunch is provided. Info: 307-568-2419, jazmin@bighornrea.com.

THERMOPOLIS

JUNE 20

Hot Spot Car Rally & Rusty Old Truck Market: 8am-3pm. Hot Springs State Park. Vendors, car show, music, food vendors and family fun. Info: 307-864-3192, info@thermopolischamber.org.

JUNE 27

Canyons & Chrome Bingo Run: Registration 8:30-10am. Start at WYO Tees, 529 Broadway St. Everyone can play! 50/50 raffle with prizes awarded at each stop. All proceeds from the run benefit the Crisis Prevention and Response Center. Pre-Run Meet & Greet is on Friday, June 26th from 5-7pm at 7 Lazy S Cafe. Info: 307-864-3192, info@thermopolischamber.org.

SECOND SATURDAYS

Great Until 8!: 4-8pm. This event showcases the businesses who are staying open until 8pm or later in town. Shop after 5pm and enter in for a chance to win $100 gift certificates valid at the business with the winning receipt. Info: 917-589-7852, mainstreetthermopolis@gmail.com.

04|SOUTHWEST

LYMAN

THURSDAYS

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

MOUNTAIN VIEW

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.

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds

WREN CLASSIFIED ADS ARE $0.75

WANTED

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

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

Frontier Auto Museum Looking For Oil Company Gas Pumps, Globes And Signs, and general antiques for our antique shop. Located in Gillette, Wyoming, our passion is to preserve Wyoming history and the nostalgia of the past, especially Parco, Sinclair, Frontier, Husky and any car dealership along with all brands. We are also always looking for neon motel or store signs, WY license plates, WY highway signs and State Park signs. frontierautomuseum.com. Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647, wandlerfrontier@gmail. com, or relics@frontierauto.net.

The Category is MOTHER

$100 What is “mother nature?”

$200 What is “mother of pearl?”

$300 What is a “mother lode?”

$400 Who is a “mother hen?”

$500 What is their “mother tongue?”

$600 Who is a “mother’s helper?”

$700 What is “everyone and their mother?”

$800 Who is a “brother from another mother?”

$900 What is “a face only a mother could love?”

$1,000 What is “Mother May I?”

$1,100 What is a “tiger mother?”

$1,200 What is “at your mother’s knee?”

$1,300 What is “the mother of invention?”

$1,400 What is “do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

$1,500 What is “mother’s ruin?”

$1,600 What is “willing to sell one’s own mother?”

Motorcycle Safety Awareness

Write What You Know

BY PAMELA GALBREATH

In the winter of 1974, I shrugged off my city-girl dreams, waved goodbye to Washington, D.C. and headed westward. Crossing into the unfamiliar square called Wyoming, I wondered where the houses and streetlights were. My car died in Gillette. Gillette became home.

If you’ve always been a Wyomingite, you may not appreciate how difficult it is for an east coast girl to situate herself in the state, but you’ll have fun trying. As large as Wyoming was, so was the Western sense of humor. I didn’t fall for the jackalope tale, but fur-bearing trout seemed logical enough. Lucky for me, the folks were kind. I grew used to hearing, “We’re just funnin’ ya, hon.”

I settled in and gave up my skirts and sandals for jeans and boots. I learned to spell Kemmerer and pronounce Poudre the right way. I learned how to ease out a clutch and fix fence.

Circumstances soon hustled me south, to Laramie, where I met and married a man who owned and loved a horse. He hoped I would ride with him, but horses frightened me. He offered a deal. “Take one lesson from Ellie Prince. See what you think.”

Ellie Prince knew horse nature and human nature and was expert in pairing the two. She taught that a rider talked with a horse, not to a horse. She quelled my fears, and I discovered the gentle side of the big animals. I signed up for more lessons and soon owned a buckskin Appaloosa. I named him Oliver. We engaged in long conversations.

Despite clear November skies, I packed my car with winter clothing, snacks, water bottle and fully charged phone. I white-knuckle navigated past semi-trucks on I-80 and braved wind gusts on the Harriman Road turnoff. I bounced along the deeply rutted path to the ranch house, avoiding the large rocks that threatened to re-design the underside of my Ford Escape. However, there was the matter of the gates, none of which I had ever handled by myself.

I could have quit right there, but Ellie, when faced with the impossible, always said, “I just did it.”

From my perspective, Wyoming gates are huge and heavy. Gate closures are made of wire and chain and reminiscent of a Gordian Knot. Often, curious horses, high winds and mud puddles cause complications. Two gates led to Ellie’s ranch house. The ranch’s curious horses numbered about 30. I remembered reading somewhere that you can be hanged for doing something stupid on someone’s ranch.

prayer worked: The equine crowd watched from a far hill.

Our interview work completed, I gathered my belongings. Ellie worried about the horses, but I insisted I would be fine, hugged her hard and left, silently praying for, please, no horses.

The big group was right on the other side of the gate. I thought of retreating to the house, but this responsibility was mine. I judged the length of the huge red gate and backed up the car so it would swing free, with not an inch to spare. I swung open my car door and leaped out. Some of the horses side-stepped as if preparing for some fun. I mucked through the mud-manure to the gate, somehow released the chains, swung the gate wide and away from the mob. They did that communication thing that horses do, milling ever so slightly as if to say, “Bring it on, hon.”

I loved Oliver, and I loved Ellie’s world of horses and ranching, but I remained somewhat timid and was content at times to watch from the sidelines.

In the fall of 2021, I attended Ellie’s 95th birthday party. She was still teaching, and riding some. Judging from the party chatter, she still carried in her head an encyclopedia of horsemanship and the belief that life without a horse wasn’t much of a life. “Someone needs to write her story,” I thought. “Someone who knows her world.”

Days later, fearful of Wyoming losing her story, and equally fearful that I was the least qualified to write of her professional life as a pioneer in equestrian practice, I called Ellie and asked if I might write her biography. She said she would be honored. Concerned about winter’s imminence, the practical Ellie, whose ranch was 30 miles east of Laramie off I-80, said, “We need to get busy now.” With those words, I felt my fingers taking up the reins, my legs gently nudging the project forward.

I had no choice. Adrenaline was with me. So was prayer, and the fact that horses were not to be seen. With the effort of a crazed, captured animal, I somehow opened and shut both gates.

The gates remained my nemeses throughout the following months, but the horses stayed away, and I was learning the routine.

Winter raged. Ellie and I worked from our homes, making do with my phone speaker and her old land line. In late spring, I phoned Ellie to schedule a trip to the ranch.

“Lisa’s horses are nearby,” she said. “You probably can’t move them, and don’t honk your horn. They’ve been taught to come to a vehicle when it honks. They’re sensible, though. Just communicate with them.”

I could have quit right there, but Ellie, when faced with the impossible, always said, “I just did it.” She trusted me to do likewise. At both gates, my worn out

No, if it was the last thing I would do on Earth, I would not allow a teasing bunch of horses to destroy what I had built of myself in this country. I raised my hands and bellowed, “Don’t! You! Dare!”

They froze. Bless their hearts. We had communicated.

I stumbled to the car, held my door wide and gunned it through the opening. I leaped into the mud, grabbed the free end of the gate and raced it to its chain. Snap. A few horses nickered. “Go ahead, laugh,” I called out, “But I won!”

The horses stood calmly as I drove through them. I stopped the car, got out and shouted toward Ellie’s house. “Ellie! I did it!”

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I waved goodbye to the sensible horses, settled my muddy self into the driver’s seat and bounced down the rutted lane toward the last gate, feeling more like a Wyomingite than I ever thought I would. W

Pam Galbreath is a long-time Wyoming resident, a retired English teacher and mom to three sons, three horses and two Labradors.