Issuu

NEWS S OURCE FOR WYO M ING C O - O P M E M BE RS

W Y O M I N G

R U R A L

E L E C T R I C

N E W S

S INC E 19 5 4

NOVEMBER

2019

CENTERPIECE

Contemplating Wyoming’s Ranch History [15]

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Firefighters [26]

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THE WREN MAGAZINE WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS The official publication of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association

NOVEMBER

2019

The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News, volume 65, number 10, November 2019 (ISSN 10982876) is published monthly except for January for $12 per year by Linden Press, Inc., 214 West Lincolnway,

[ 26 ]

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 40,985 for 11 months ending September 2019. 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

Tri-State G&T, Westminster, CO – Dick Clifton, President Garland Light & Power, Powell – Scott Smith, Vice President Deseret Power, South Jordan, UT – Gary Nix, 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 High Plains Power, Riverton – Hearley Dockham High West Energy, Pine Bluffs – Michael Lerwick Lower Valley Energy, Afton – Fred Brog Niobrara, Lusk – Andy Greer Powder River Energy, Sundance – Mike Lohse Wheatland REA, Wheatland – Sandra Hranchak Wyrulec, Torrington – Dewey Hageman

ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO WREN Magazine • 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001, [307] 772-1968 wren@wyomingrea.org

FEATURES BENEFITS 06 ECONOMIC W H E AT L A N D R U R A L E L E CT R I C A S S OCIAT ION

ADDRESS CHANGES To change, contact Jean Whitlock: [307] 286-8140 or jean@golinden.com. Please make sure to include your name, address and co-op.

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

PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK

NOTES 04 WREA DON'T WAIT

BY SHAWN TAYLOR

YOUTH 08 CO-OP W H E AT L A N D ' S

ON THE RANGE 22 HOME WORKING DOGS

15 CENTERPIECE CON T E M P L AT I N G

US 36 ENLIGHTEN T H I N G S T H AT L A S T

B A IL E Y F IT Z WAT E R

BY BRUCE CONNALLY

JUST FOR FUN

BY GINA SIGEL

CORNER 20 KIDS' FO S S ILS

SPOTLIGHT 26 CO-OP VOL U N T E E R

24 RPUZZLE E C I PE FO R

W YOM IN G ' S R A N C H H IS T ORY

F IR E F IG H T E R S

BY ELIZABETH SAMPSON

SUBSCRIPTION RATES $12 per year, Single copies $1.50 each

ESSAYS & ANECDOTES

STATE NEWS & EVENTS 10 GRASSROOTS NETWORK 12 COWBOY STATE BUZZ 30 WHAT'S HAPPENING

BY WALT GASSON

FROM OUR READERS 28 PO T L U C K

COUNTRY COOKS

D I S A ST E R

BY KENDRA SPANJER

REVIEW 25 BOOK M Y WALLS SP E AK BY CAROLYN LONG SILVERS

TO PAPER 29 PEN FLY I N G AC E S FRO M W O R L D WA R I I

PICTURE IT 32 JUST V I N TAG E

COVER PHOTO Snowfall on a barn in southeastern Wyoming. PHOTO BY TY STOCKTON

WREA NOTES

DON'T WAIT

Let me first say that it was

with your family or friends ...

Don’t wait is easy to say

nice during my hiatus from

and on and on.

but much harder to live.

column writing over the summer that a few folks told me that they were worried that I didn’t work for the cooperatives anymore because I hadn’t been writing. But I’m happy to be back and grateful to still be working for the co-ops. I just needed a few guest columnists be-

SHAWN TAYLOR

EX E C U TI VE D I R E C T O R

the best of health, he had a heart procedure that made him feel and look better than he had in a long time, and we thought maybe he was on the road back to better health. Three days after his procedure he passed away,

The title of my column is

think, “Life is short, don’t

the same title of the eulogy that I gave at my dad’s seralmost five years ago. My

NOV 2019

ther and while he wasn’t in

cause of timing.

vice when he passed away

This fall we lost my wife’s fa-

which once again made me wait.”

We all have busy lives, and even those who might not still have kids at home and schedules to manage and jobs to do, it’s always easier to put off until tomorrow what we think about doing today. It’s unfortunate but seems to be a fact of life that sometimes it takes the tragedy of losing a loved one to reunite families and friends or to reignite that fire within us to do something we’ve

In the past I’ve written about

been meaning to do.

the RV trips to national

While this column has noth-

dad was diagnosed with can-

parks that my family and I

cer and passed away about

have taken and we did that

five months later. While I

once again this year, pack-

I just thought that with the

was able to spend a lot of

ing up the crew and heading

holidays upon us it would

time with him during those

to Mount Rainer and Olym-

be a good time for all of us

months, it seemed to pass by

pic National Parks. It seems

to make that phone call, give

in the blink of an eye. Which

every year after we take our

the hugs, reconnect with

is why, at his service, I talk-

trips I talk to friends who

friends and family and most

ed about not waiting. Don’t

always say, “We’ve talked

of all, don’t wait.

wait to make that phone call

about doing this but haven’t

to a friend or family member,

yet.” My response to them is,

don’t wait to take that trip

“Don’t wait.”

ing to do with the business of rural electric cooperatives

At Tri-State

Our cooperative approach to a clean grid starts now. Learn how we’re transforming with our Responsible Energy Plan. www.tristate.coop/responsibleenergyplan

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

WHEATLAND RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION 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

MOVE OVER

COUNTIES

2.28

ALBANY, GOSHEN, LARAMIE, PLATTE

4,115

METERS PER MILE

METERS SERVED

Wheatland REA is actively engaged in our communities. Each year cooperative personnel teach electric safety to approximately 800 school children and adults. Wheatland REA participates, along with most of the other co-ops in Wyoming, in the electric educational booth at the State Fair. We are proud to award scholarships and send students to Leadership Camp and the Youth Tour each year, and support worthwhile activities of our local organizations.

AT THE CO-OP

20 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES

26 HOUSEHOLDS SUPPORTED

CREATED IN 29 JOBS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

$8,163,359 SALES

$1,587,794 PAYROLL

$1,939,974 INCOME GENERATED

PERSONAL

IN THE COMMUNITY

W YO M I N G !

-OP

T O C OMMUNI T

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AWARDED

$5, 3

$1,053,971

PROPERTY TAXES PAID

$4,240,759

$34,000

CAPITAL CREDITS RETURNED TO MEMBERS

T O TA L ,730 DOLLARS F 8 2

I T ’ S T H E L AW ! Drivers in Wyoming are required to move over or slow down for stopped emergency and utility crews.

AT THE CO-OP: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) recently completed a study of the economic benefits of Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives. Looking at employment and tax revenue data from 2017, the WBC reported that Wheatland Rural Electric Association is an economic driver in the local community. IN THE COMMUNITY: Between 2007 and 2017, Wheatland Rural Electric Association gave more than $5 million back to the community. Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar.

NOV 2019

Tough training. Safe & reliable power. Linemen play a critical role in our mission to provide reliable, affordable electricity. Tough training and a focus on safety is behind everything they do. Simulated field operations and emergency-response training are ways Basin Electric invests in their safety and in providing reliable power to you.

Your energy starts here. basinelectric.com

CO-OP YOUTH PHOTO COURTESY OF BAILEY FITZWATER

CO-OP YOUTH

WREN: Tell us about your studies and interests. BF: My name is Bailey Fitzwater, I am currently a junior at Wheatland High School. I live in the middle of nowhere on a ranch, where you can see the stars painted in the sky at night. I am involved in the local FFA chapter, 4-H Junior Leaders, National Honor Society, National History Day, National Western Catch-A-Calf and more. I enjoy spending time with my animals; especially showing and raising my own goats. I am drawn to just about anything that involves being creative, specifically painting, sculpting, drawing and writing.

WREN: How have your hometown, family and/or friends influenced you?

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 D.C. Youth Tour in June and Youth Leadership Camp in July.

THIS MONTH: Wheatland Rural Electric Association sent Bailey Fitzwater to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Colorado last summer.

BAILEY FITZWATER HOMETOWN: Wheatland

WREN: What are your plans for the future?

HIGH SCHOOL: Wheatland High School YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2021

Interested in applying for a scholarship, D.C. Youth Tour and/ or Leadership Camp? Contact your local rural electric cooperative! See the insert in the center of the magazine for contact information.

NOV 2019

BF: Coming from a small town, everybody knows everybody, and that can be a blessing and a curse. This community has done so much for me as well as others around. I hope to give back to the people who have supported me through all the endeavors that I have been lucky enough to participate in. Recently, my local electrical cooperative encouraged me to go to the 2019 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I agreed to go half-heartedly, believing it to be just another leadership camp, but was I wrong. I met so many new people and was pushed out of my comfort zone! That camp changed me for the better, and since going, I've grown out of my shell and become more confident. I am eternally grateful to the Wheatland Rural Electric Association for letting me go on this life-changing trip.

COLLEGE: Undecided MAJOR STUDY INTEREST: Considering graphic design, writing or agricultural management

BF: I do not have any set plans for the future, but I strive to become an artist or writer of some sort. I realize this will be challenging to accomplish but I am willing to go the extra mile. I do not know what set form of art I would like to go into yet, but I am considering painting or ceramics. As for writing, I am a published author through two poetry contests. I hope to take this further by one day publishing books about the amazing fictional stories I have made up. Besides writing and art-related topics, I would also love to go into the agriculture business. I live on a ranch and frequently help out on other ranches around Wheatland. I honestly don't see myself living in a big city, let alone in town. I like living in the country, working with animals and helping my dad build fence.

LINEMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A GOOD PROBLEM IS STILL A PROBLEM, BUT WITH YOUR HELP, OURS CAN BE FIXED.

Due to its popularity and the generosity of our board, and increased interest in the trade, WREA’s Lineman Scholarship Program is in danger of running out of funding.

WHAT IT IS

SCHOLARSHIPS RECEIVED

The WREA Lineman Scholarship offers

Over the past several years the board has awarded many scholarships,

scholarships year-round to one or more

donating a total of $146,540.00 since 2015.

individuals, including recent high school graduates who are interested in a career as a lineworker and plan to attend an approved regional lineworker training program.

2015

2016

14.9K 27.5K

30K 2017

45K 2018

35K 2019

CANDIDATES

FUNDING

To be considered, applicants must submit

For over a decade, the

the application form, a resumé describing

scholarship’s main source

Because of the board’s generosity,

their education and work experience, three

of funding has come

and due to the fact that distribution

letters of recommendation and a transcript

from a fundraising golf

systems statewide have done a good

of grades. (If the candidate has not attended

tournament during the

job promoting the lineworker trade,

an educational institution in the three years

Cody Hotline School.

schools and scholarships, the fund is

prior to submitting the application, the

Vendors, cooperatives and

beginning to run out.

transcript is not necessary.)

others who do business with cooperatives have been

Candidates must submit their scholarship

solicited for donations to

application to the Wyoming Rural Electric

the fund. It has been very

Association; they are then passed on to the

successful, raising as much

WREA board for consideration.

as $20,000 in some years.

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE BY:

Calling the WREA Office Manager, Robin Feezer: (307) 634-0727

A GOOD PROBLEM IS STILL A PROBLEM

In 2019, the WREA board agreed that we should start to look at other sources of income for the scholarship fund by reaching out to our membership and others who may want to make a contribution.

 Mailing a check to the WREA Office: 2312 Carey Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001 Make check out to WREA Lineman Scholarship

GRASSROOTS NETWORK

NRECA CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Wyoming Rural Electric Association (WREA) Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for candidates to represent Wyoming on National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Region VII standing committees.

HOW IT WORKS

Region VII members have two representatives on each of three committees: 1} Regulations 2} Legislative 3} Cooperative Management and Employee Issues

Wyoming will be accepting nominations for one seat on the Cooperative Management and Employee Issues Committee.

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE DECEMBER 31!

Committees generally meet once per year, and members are paid a per diem and reimbursed for all travel expenses.

Board members will vote on the nominated committee members at the annual NRECA Wyoming Membership Meeting on February 27.

NOV 2019

Members and employees from any Wyoming co-op except Lower Valley Energy 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. Include the name of the nominee along with his or her mailing address and phone number. Nominations are due December 31.

FEARLESS IS

DISCOVERING THE UNKNOWN 9 out of 10 marketplace enrollees qualify to save money on their health insurance!* See if you’re one of them at

BCBSWY.com/SHOPPING Open Enrollment is NOW through December 15th

*Kaiser Family Foundation at KFF.org

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

COWBOY STATE BUZZ

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR

MEDICARE AND HEALTH INSURANCE FROM THE WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

The Wyoming Department of Insurance advises all consumers to be aware of the open enrollment periods for both Medicare and the ACA Marketplace. Wyomingites getting health insurance through their employer should check with their human resources contact to make certain of open enrollment dates for that particular employer group.

MEDICARE

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Medicare open enrollment ends December

Open Enrollment for the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace ends December 15 for

7. Open enrollment allows people with

coverage to begin on January 1, 2020. It is very important for Wyomingites who receive

Medicare to change their Medicare health

their insurance through Marketplace to re-enroll during open enrollment to avoid

plans and prescription drug coverage for the

any break in coverage. The federal government operates the Health Insurance

following year to better meet their needs.

Marketplace or Exchange in Wyoming at: HealthCare.gov. Be certain that you are

The Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP) is a

looking at the official government site and not a look-a-like imposter site; contact the Department of Insurance if you have any questions.

federally mandated program to help

If you decide to purchase insurance off the Marketplace or Exchange, be a wise consumer

people on Medicare to understand their

and understand what you are purchasing. Be especially cautious of off-Exchange plans

rights and to answer their questions.

that seem too good to be true. Ask about exclusions, provider networks and hidden costs

To reach a WSHIIP counselor, call

in off-Exchange plans. Plans sold on the Exchange are always Qualified Health Plans

1-800-856-4398.

(QHP) and cover all ten of the Essential Health Benefits required by the ACA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT WYOMING 2-1-1 (IN WYOMING DIAL 2-1-1 OR 888-425-7138) OR VISIT WYOMING211.ORG.

NOV 2019

COWBOY STATE BUZZ

A BILL For

WYOMING DAY: A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE

Wyoming Day was signed into state law in 1935. The law recognizes Wyoming’s role in the women’s suffrage movement and calls for proclamations and commemorations every year.

AN ACT designating the tenth day of December in each year as “Wyoming Day,” and providing for its proper observance and for a proclamation by the governor. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING: SECTION 1. In recognition of the action of the Wyoming Territorial Governor on December 10, 1869 in approving the first law found anywhere in legislative history which extends the right of suffrage to women, the tenth day of December of each year is designated as Wyoming Day, such day shall be observed in the schools, clubs and similar groups by appropriate exercises commemorating the history of the territory and state and the lives of its pioneers, and fostering in all ways the loyalty and good citizenship of its people. SECTION 2. The governor shall not later than the first day of December of each year issue a proclamation requesting the proper observance of Wyoming Day as outlined in Section 1 hereof. SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

The language of the original bill is as follows:

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2019 by Healthgrades. Thank you for choosing our family to care for your family.

NOV 2019

COWBOY STATE BUZZ Sources: wyohistory.org, aoc.gov, nytimes.com

WYOMING TRIVIA

ESTHER HOBART MORRIS

Esther Hobart Morris was the first woman to hold judicial office in the United States and is a legendary figure in Wyoming history. Let’s take a look at her life and legacy.

1814 1841 1850 1869 1870 1890 1902 1920 1960 1963

Esther Hobart McQuigg was born in Tioga County, New York. She was orphaned at a young age and apprenticed to a seamstress. Married Artemus Slack, who died three years later. She then moved to Peru, Illinois to settle his estate but faced difficulties because women were not allowed to own or inherit property. Married John Morris. Morris moved to South Pass City in Wyoming Territory with her husband and three sons. There they opened a saloon. According to some sources, Morris hosted a tea party with two candidates for the South Pass seat on Wyoming’s Territorial Council, and extracted promises from the candidates to introduce a women’s suffrage bill. Women were granted the right to vote and to hold office on December 10. Morris was appointed justice of the peace at the age of 55. She was the first woman to hold judicial office in the nation. Morris had the honor of presenting the flag of the new state to Governor Francis Warren on behalf of the women of Wyoming during the Wyoming Statehood Celebration. Morris died in Cheyenne at the age of 87. American women won full voting rights. A statue of Morris, by Avard Fairbanks, went on display in the U.S. Capitol. The statue is one of two Wyoming statues at the U.S. Capitol, the other is of Chief Washakie. A duplicate of the statue was erected in front of the Wyoming State Capitol. The statue was moved inside after recent renovations.

2018 14

NOV 2019

Morris’ obituary was published in the New York Times’ “Overlooked” section.

Food for Thought :

Contemplating Wyoming’s Ranch History BY GINA SIGEL

PHOTO BY GINA SIGEL

A building on the Dunmire Ranch in southeastern Wyoming.

CENTERPIECE

Wyoming’s rich history is found in the land and the people who made this state what it is today. There are at least 42 ranches on the National Register of Historic Places and a tradition of hard work and determination in Wyoming. But these aren’t stories that are chronicled in archives, safely tucked away. These are family histories passed down from generation to generation, sometimes by neighbors or even infamous town “lore.” And it requires a fair amount of curiosity and digging on behalf of others. One such soul is Denise Diamante of Wheatland. Diamante came to Wheatland as a travelling nurse and learned about the history of the area from a patient. She started going through an old house on a nearby ranch in 1994 and has been collecting papers from the house ever since. Her hard work has paid off. Treasures include a hand-written ledger from emigrants who came to settle in the house during the Civil War, a hand-written letter from someone’s niece in Chicago in 1907 and a newspaper from the same year in the rafters. In fact, she even went to Laramie and met the 80-year-old woman whose brother had lived in that house. Diamante wrote a newspaper article for the Platte County Record-Times a few years ago titled “Proved up Proud” because settlers in the area had to “prove up” the land in order to stay. 16

NOV 2019

Wyoming’s rich and colorful history isn’t just a scene from a Spaghetti Western or a page from Owen Wister’s The Virginian. Emigrants and families settled the Wild West and started the ranches and livestock operations still owned and operated by generations today. But even for those who are continuing traditions started long ago, their history is not forgotten. Generations of Wyoming ranchers and historians are making sure of that.

1862

The 1862 Homestead Act granted homesteaders 160 acres of land, hardly enough to call a “ranch” or use for agricultural development. In 1916, the Stockraising Homestead granted 680 acres to brave souls who were willing to settle out West and make a claim in agriculture. The courage and hard work it took to survive made ranches a source of family pride and ownership.

With the Homestead Act of 1862, an $18 filing fee and five years of hard work and sacrifice were required to claim a 160-acre parcel of land for anyone over the age of 21

Ranch histories are unique because there are no famous architects represented in the buildings and nothing of significant historical consequence, in most cases. They were families who settled and built a life. Their skills were so diverse that they had to not only chink their log cabin but be able to farm in sandy soil or pull calves during a winter storm. Families worked side by side, as craftsmen, machinists and pioneers.

years, including emigrants,

Some stories are told through seeds of the settlers or the lilac bushes, rhubarb and yellow rose bushes that grow around the homesteads, even if the buildings themselves are falling down. Trial and error and informally passed information on transplanting native spruce or cottonwoods to offer shelter are clues to a life that has since passed. Names and dates carved into beams and rocks tell the story of those that came before.

possession. At the end of

single women and formerly enslaved people. Hopeful settlers returned to their land with their receipt and application to build a home, farm and make improvements during the five years in which they had to take legal five years, they would find two neighbors to sign the “proof” document stating what they had done to “prove up” the land, along with six dollars to receive the patent, signed by the current president of the United States.

PHOTO BY DENISE DIAMONTE

PHOTO BY GINA SIGEL

The fascination with our roots stems from a time when life was vastly different from what we know now. Even though it was function over form, there were elements of personality woven into the lands around them. Influenced by railroads or historic routes like the Overland Trail or stage stops, who settled where was not left up to chance. Especially because, ultimately, ranchers were left to the mercy of the Wyoming elements. A view at the Dunmire Ranch in southeastern Wyoming. — Denise Diamonte found an advertisement in old house near Wheatland.

Throughout Wyoming there are historical ranch tours that offer a peek at the private land and the heritage of the families that settled in the counties. The names that dot the histories of the ranches are a who’s-who of Wyoming agriculture families in the areas. The marriage records, the deeds and bills-of-sale, the letters or ledgers kept all weave together the story of who did what. NOV 2019

The Old Time Ranch Tours were started in 1951 by Dr. Robert Burns. While he focused largely on the history of sheep production in Wyoming, the land itself became central to the stories that were being told. Since the land and families that operate the livestock ranches are private, the tours offer a glimpse inside a life and history that few have the opportunity to experience. I was able to attend the Albany County CattleWomen Ranch tour this July, which featured ranches in the McFadden/Arlington area. On this tour I learned about the Dixon family, whose daughters would marry Arch H. LeBeau and Ralph Brokaw. In fact, the present-day LeBeau Family Limited Partnership was honored as a Centennial family in 2015 for having owned and operated their family business for 100 years or more. We stopped for lunch at the Dunmire Ranch Company, which has several locations, including the King Place. It’s all food for thought. And the tour is packed with folks of all ages, locals and visitors, who are hungry to learn more about the ranches. 18

NOV 2019

In the book, Historic Ranches of Wyoming by Judith Hancock Sandoval, essayists T.A. Larson and Robert Roripaugh summarize the process of documenting historical ranches as: ... reflecting human lives and attempts to fulfill ambitions and dreams as well as needs… change as well as timelessness in customs and the basic cycle of work. Each ranch has its own history, layout of buildings and corrals, its own relationship to land and natural setting — the imprint of the oldtimer who first picked the place to live, graze his stock, raise a family, and eventually passed it all on to others who shaped it further by adding, replacing, improving the ranch for different times and conditions. These changes, and the ranches themselves, have been a little-documented part of Wyoming life for over a century. (p. 91) How do ranchers help people understand the heritage of the family business and how to protect their way of life? Through telling their stories and the stories of those who came before them. Here’s to the brave souls piecing those stories together to help preserve our Wyoming heritage. W Originally from Laramie, Gina Sigel draws inspiration from five generations of agriculture to tell the stories of rural living.

homestead letters

PHOTO BY DENISE DIAMONTE

PHOTO BY GINA SIGEL

FROM WREN STAFF A search of a homesite could reveal letters, but those

letters are rarely written by

the homesteaders themselves. Instead the homesteaders

kept letters from friends and family, while sending their

own stories to be treasured elsewhere.

Elinore Pruitt Stewart’s

letters were first written

to her former employer in

Denver, then published in The

Atlantic Monthly magazine

and in two books: Letters of

a Woman Homesteader and

Letters from an Elk Hunt. Her

story inspired the 1979 movie

Heartland, and her cabin,

located on private land, is

on the National Register of Historic Places.

Elinore Pruitt Stewart came to Burntfork, near Fort Bridger, in 1909 as a housekeeper

for Clyde Stewart, whom she soon married. She filed and

proved on a 160-acre claim, but relinquished it because

the Homestead Act required husbands and wives to each

live on their separate claims.

Denise Diamonte found a copy of a newspaper in an old house near Wheatland. — Fenceline at the Dunmire Ranch in southeastern Wyoming.

In her letters Stewart told stories of her

neighbors, of the beauty of the state and of her own experiences.

Denise Diamonte found a letter in an abandoned house. It was written to Elizabeth Priscilla Davis-Ferris, who lived in Wheatland with her husband, Albert John Ferris, from 1901 to 1911. The letter has been recreated below.

In 1913 she wrote about the abilities

of women. “Any woman who can stand

her own company, can see the beauty of the sunset, loves growing things, and is

willing to put in as much time at careful labor as she does over the washtub, will certainly succeed, will have

independence, plenty to eat all the time, and a home of her own in the end.” Of her wedding to Clyde Stewart

she wrote, “All I can remember very

distinctly is hearing Mr. Stewart saying, ‘I will,’ and myself chiming in that I

would, too. Happening to glance down, I saw that I had forgotten to take off

my apron or my old shoes, but just then Mr. Pearson pronounced us man and

wife, and as I had dinner to serve right

away I had no time to worry over my odd toilet.”

She told a story about visiting a

neighbor’s home, “If you traveled due

north from my home, after about nine hours’ ride you would come into an

open space in the butte lands, and away between two buttes you would see the glimmer of blue water. As you drew

nearer you would be able to see the

fringe of willows around the lake, and

presently a low, red-roofed house with corrals and stables.”

For more information about

Stewart visit Wyohistory.org.

Home March 29, 1907 Dear Aunt Lizzie, Received a nice letter from you, soo n after Christmas and am wanting to take a few minutes to answer it now. I can spare a few minutes to write. I have the most lot of clothes to wash. This is a beautiful wash day. Mama says to tell you that our fai r is to be April 19 and that if she can't write before, she will write afterwards and tell you about it. I wish they could have it while you are here.

I wrote a short letter to Edith las t Friday night. A long time it takes to get her letters as she is so interested in schoolwork. I love to write to her about it too. I do wish she could visit. I am having thoughts, there is nothing nicer than a person who longs for "home." I enjoy it better all the time and realize more and more what it means to me. I would tak e all my money in the world to do it. I think I'll get thru ... wi th less than $200 this year. Maybe ought not to talk enthusiasti cally about it, but that is just the way I feel about it. I know and appreciate it. Must close and go to work. Hope all are well and tell (unknown) I am sorry he was (unknown). Wish some or all of you can take a visit out here next summer too. With all my love, to all ... and kee p it to yourself. Mamie

NOV 2019

KIDS CORNER

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIE PAWLOW

Meet the

STROMATOLITE Stromatolites are the

and made life as we know it possible. After a run of more than two billion years of dominance, the abundance and diversity of stromatolites declined rapidly about one billion years ago, probably due to grazing by more complex organisms. Today, living stromatolites are found in only a few places, places with extreme conditions, like very high salt concentrations, where grazing animals can’t survive.

oldest fossils, some nearly as old as the oldest rocks on Earth. Though the organisms responsible for stromatolites are microscopic, stromatolites can be quite large — and some of the biggest and best stromatolites in the world are found in Wyoming!

Ancient Bacteria

Where to Find Them

Fossilized stromatolites are layered rocks formed by the precipitation and accumulation of calcareous sediments onto mats of microorganisms growing can take on many shapes, from flat to

Atmospheric Change

domed or conical, even coral-like, and

Stromatolites were once a dominant

range in size from a few centimeters

and diverse life form on Earth, and they

to a few meters across. The dominant

played a major role in the subsequent

microorganisms involved in stromatolite

evolution of life. That’s because the early

formation are cyanobacteria, a group

atmosphere was very different from what

of bacteria that make their food by

it is now, and it was photosynthesis by

photosynthesis.

cyanobacteria that produced oxygen,

in shallow water. They

In Wyoming, “giant” fossilized stromatolites, approximately two billion years old, are easily seen up high in the Medicine Bow Mountains west of Laramie. Much younger and smaller fossilized stromatolites are present in the Green River Formation, which is exposed in much of southwestern Wyoming, including Fossil Butte National Monument. Only 40 million years old, the Green River stromatolites are thought to have formed in extremely salty conditions, much like modern stromatolites.

A guide to the stromatolites of the Medicine Bow Mountains can be downloaded from the Wyoming State Geological Survey at wsgs.wyo.gov/products/wsgs-2014-pic-45.pdf.

NOV 2019

HOME ON THE RANGE

Good Dogs Just Doing Their Job BY BRUCE CONNALLY As a country veterinarian it is my obligation to like dogs. I really need to like dogs because every ranch, farm, stable and backyard barn has at least one dog. And all of those dogs are good dogs who are doing their designated jobs. After many years of close observation, I have been able to recognize and categorize several of these good dog jobs.

Frenchie plays with Connally’s flag during horse training.

An excellent example of this category was the black and white border collie lying under a 1974 Dodge conversion van up on blocks in the front yard of a 5-acre ranch. While I was knocking on the door of the house he sneaked up and bit holes in the back of both of my pant legs (and one of the legs inside those pants). This good guardian dog must have mistaken me for an encyclopedia salesman or else his owner had neglected to inform him that I was coming to treat her bloated steer.

PHOTO BY LESYA UKRAINCHUK

GUARDIAN DOGS:

quivering, and my throat was sore enough I couldn’t even cuss. Gator did not seem to understand the problem and appeared downright dejected as I snapped a leash to his collar and led him home. led to the squeeze chute. The husband and wife who owned the ranch were working the squeeze chute and vaccinating each cow after I determined her pregnancy status. A beautiful blue merle heeler worked that 40-foot alley by himself. Any cow who stopped would be encouraged to keep moving with a bite on her leg or side. About every 20 or 25 cows the dog would bite me on the butt or thigh to be sure I wasn’t holding things up. We checked 300 cows before we stopped for lunch!

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD DOGS:

CATTLE WORKING DOGS: Blue heelers are ubiquitous on cattle ranches in Wyoming. They are fearless helpers moving cattle in pastures or corrals. I witnessed an example of this on a beautiful October morning while pregnancy testing cows in Lyons Valley. It was a remarkably efficient operation. Three cowboys were bringing cows up from the big corral to a smaller crowding pen and then into a 40-foot-long alley which 22

NOV 2019

When we lived in Casper my wife bought a Jack Russell terrier. It was a beautiful brown and white year-old male with a rough coat like a fox terrier. We named him Gator as a tribute to the size of his mouth. “He uses my 6-year-old twins as trampolines!” The seller confided after my wife had paid her for the dog, “He needs a job.” We tried to keep this Jack Russell terrorist in the house or on a leash for the first few days. That was like trapping a bolt of lightning. He terrorized our Australian shepherd and put all three

cats into hiding. On day three I let him out in the pasture behind the house and he found his calling. There were prairie dogs all over that pasture. Gator immediately decided it was his job to put each prairie dog back into its hole. He would sprint toward the closest rodent, who skittered safely down the hole. Another prairie dog would sound the alarm call and Gator would charge toward that one. The cycle repeated. After 15 minutes I called to Gator so we could go back to the house. He was so intent on his job that he didn’t hear me. I called again and again until my voice succumbed to a severe case of canine laryngitis. Panicked that I would lose my wife’s new terrier, I began running across the muddy dog town in my cowboy boots with overshoes on. By the time I caught up to him my lungs were on fire, my legs were

I was not about to repeat this, so the next day I put the Aussie’s electric dog training collar on the Jack Russell. It was a little big for him: his neck went down and his butt came up a little. The collar had settings 1 to 5 of increasing strength. I chose 5. As soon as we were outside a prairie dog chirped and Gator was off. I let him work for 10 minutes then tried to bring him back. “Gator, come here.” Nothing. “Gator. Come!” I shouted and briefly pushed the button on the controller. The dog shook his head as if a fly had landed on his ear and then was off after the next prairie dog. “Gator!” I screamed through bruised vocal cords. My knuckles were white as I squeezed the button on the controller. This training collar had a safety switch that would shut off after squeezing the button for 8 seconds. At about 8 seconds Gator’s head shot up and he turned to me with a look on his face that plainly said, “What? I’m working here.” The spell of the prairie dog was broken and he came to me. Gator’s environmental stewardship was accomplished for this day.

HORSE TRAINING DOGS: This is a category that I only recognized recently. I have started young horses under saddle for several decades without the assistance of a dog. It seemed to be effective and I had become accustomed to it. This summer I had two 2-year-old stallions and a 3-year-old gelding to start. My wife’s

his front legs and his hind legs were kicking above my head. He bawled and squalled and did his best impression of a seventh-round saddle bronc at the NFR. I had my hand in the night latch strap on the pommel of the saddle and miraculously stayed on for two laps around that 60-foot round corral. On lap three the colt started running more than bucking and I decided to bail off. “Get up!” My wife yelled as I lay in the sand, “He is coming around again.”

Doberman ran wildly around the outside of the round pen as I worked the colts inside. The dog would turn with the colts, panting and occasionally barking her enthusiasm. I tried to make her stop but since she always stayed outside the fence and didn’t bite the horses, I finally decided this was desensitizing the colts to dogs so I let her keep helping. (The other possibility here is that I am not a good enough dog trainer to make her stop so I just put up with it.) Everything was going great until the fourth ride on the 3-year-old. The first three rides had been easy but a quarter of the way around the round pen this horse split in two. His head was between

I kinda wanted to just lay there but I jumped up to see the colt step right in the middle of my straw hat lying in the sand. I grabbed my flag in the middle of the round pen. Horse trainers often use a flag to move a colt around the round pen, my flag is a 5-foot long stock whip with a piece of orange irrigation dam canvas tied to the end. I held that and began chasing the colt around the pen, trying to help him understand that bucking meant he would get chased until he was too tired to run. The Doberman was barking and running around the outside of the pen. I was flapping the flag, swearing, and running around the center of the pen. The colt was running full speed between us. After a few laps the colt began to tire and appeared to be regretting his indiscretion. I was getting tired and one leg was starting to hurt when inexplicably I couldn’t lift the flag to speed

the horse on. I looked down and my daughter’s French bulldog puppy was attached to the orange canvas flag. She had apparently not cared about the Doberman running frantically or the horse pounding around the pen. She had seen that flag and recognized it as an invitation to play. I shook her off and tried to chase her out of the pen by spanking her with the flag. She loved that new game and attacked the flag with renewed vigor. I got her picked up and stuffed through the bars of

the corral into my daughter’s arms before the colt ran us both over. Frenchie was still struggling to get back into the pen as I turned my attention to the horse again. He was tired now and I stepped back on. No bucking! The colt was puffing like a steam locomotive. My leg hurt, my hat was squashed, and my hair was full of sand. The Doberman and the Frenchie were both still ready to go. Just good horse training dogs trying to do their job. My horses are not at all troubled by dogs. W

Dr. Bruce Connally practices equine medicine in central Wyoming and northern Colorado from his home in Berthoud, Colorado.

NOV 2019

PUZZLE

Recipe

Hours before the neighborhood holiday potluck, Agnes, Ricardo, Mary-Ann, Donna and Fred just ran into each other at the grocery store – literally! Help each cook claim the ingredients needed for his or her signature dish from the mixed-up pile in the center of the aisle by writing each item name in the basket where it belongs.

for

Disaster

Finally, can you guess what dish each cook plans to bring to the party based on the contents of his or her basket? Casse-roll over to page 35 for the solution.

RICARDO 1. 2. 3. 4.

AGNES 1.

1. ZUCCHINI

4. EGG NOODLES

5. GREEN BEANS

GARLIC

MILK

EGGS

CHEDDAR CHEESE DAY-OLD BREAD

GROUND BEEF CELERY

ONION

MARY-ANN

FROZEN TATER TOTS FROZEN PEAS

1. 2.

HEAVY CREAM

3. 4. CRISPY FRIED ONIONS

NOV 2019

FRED

5. POULTRY SEASONING

MUSHROOM SOUP 3

DONNA

BROTH CANNED TUNA

1. 2. 3. 4. CAN OF MIXED VEGGIES

BOOK REVIEW

MY WALLS SPEAK BY CAROLYN LONG SILVERS Description by the author

ORDERING INFORMATION:

In the 1800’s William and Helen moved to central Wyoming to

2014 | 310p. | $19.99

homestead and start a new life. Helen’s brother Duncan and his

ISBN: 978-1499017205

Native American wife join them to assist with building a wonderful

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Available at amazon.com.

she is abandoned and left to decay with time. Then, after years of loneliness, revolting events occur that bring her to the reality of the modern world. For all who believe a house has personality and a story to tell, The Lady will entertain you with her chronicle. Set in the beauty of the Wind River Mountains, her narrative includes historical events of the beautiful state of Wyoming.

WIN A

FREE  WALLS

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c/o WREN Magazine 214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

COPY OF

Name: Phone:

MY WALLS SPEAK

SEPTEMBER'S BOOK WINNER:

LISA ROBERTS OF WORLAND

Address:

ENTRIES DUE BY DECEMBER 10 One entry per household, please. NOV 2019

PHOTO BY AL TEEL

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Firefighters Serve the Community BY ELIZABETH SAMPSON

When Wheatland’s volunteer firefighters talk about the weather, it probably has less to do with making idle chitchat and more to do with being aware of what kind of situation stands between them and a full night’s sleep.

Wheatland volunteer firefighters extinguish a fire on a power pole with an irrigation service in 2015. Wheatland Rural Electric Association was also on scene.

Assistant fire chief Willie Deglman of Wheatland said there is really never a slow time for those who are their community’s first line of defense against accidents and disaster — and the weather plays a big part in that.

Last summer the Britania Mountain Fire saw this department giving support to national firefighting teams. Though the fire was out of their district, they offered mutual aid to help put out the fire that burned more than 30,000 acres.

“Different hazards come with different times of the year,” he explained. Fall means the days are getting colder and people start buttoning up their homes to keep warm, which can lead to chimney fires and carbon monoxide and fire alarm incidents. Winter brings snowy roads and accidents on treacherous roadways. It can also mean structure fires thanks to things like wood burning stove malfunctions.

“Nobody is overflowing with personnel or equipment, so we always help each other,” Deglman said.

Spring winds herald blow-over accidents for high profile vehicles, and summer is the season for wildfires caused by campfires, people welding or burning ditches or lightning strikes. “With the seasons it’s a perpetual cycle,” Deglman said. 26

NOV 2019

RURAL ELECTRIC PARTNERSHIP All the members of the department volunteer their time to help people on their worst days. The work they do without pay and the training they undertake to make sure they do it well prompted Al Teel of the Wheatland Rural Electric Association to recognize the entire team. “I’ve seen them at fires and in action,” Teel said. “They may be part-time volunteers, but they are full-time professionals and they know what they’re doing. They spend a lot of hours training, and it

shows. They don’t train until they get it right — they keep training until they can’t get it wrong.” Firefighters and the REA work together anytime electricity is a factor in fires or accidents. Whether that means calling on the REA to determine if there are live electrical utilities attached to a structure that is burning, or asking for their aid when dealing with an auto versus electrical pole accident, the fire department relies on the REA — and vice-versa. Teel said once they had a pole that was burning, which of course the fire department responded to. "They secured the area, called dispatch, who called us,” Teel said. “We got a crew out there right away and shut the power off.” Deglman said the firefighters receive frequent training from Teel and the REA regarding the hazards of electricity and how to recognize situations where

electricity may put the lives of firefighters in jeopardy.

SERVING LOCAL NEEDS Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department/ Platte County Fire District 1F is unique in that it includes both town and rural coverage. They are responsible for Wheatland and about a 10-mile radius around the town into Platte County. Firefighters in this department go through extensive training to learn the basics of the job and then continue having twicemonthly classes with the department to keep up-to-date on situations they may encounter. They also attend state fire schools that take place around the state throughout the year, including in Wheatland, Deglman said. But being a volunteer firefighter isn’t just about fighting fires and keeping up on education. The department puts a strong emphasis on public service to the Wheatland community and surrounding areas. They visit schools for Fire Prevention Week, help manage various parades and put on the fireworks show every year. They are very visible at the local high school, serving on the chain gang at football games, giving returning state championship teams a ride around town on firetrucks and lighting a large W on fire during homecoming.

they keep training until they can’t get it wrong.”

“We will challenge you,” he said. “You’re going to do things that you never thought you could do.”

“The thing they do day-in and day-out is answering the call at three in the morning and getting back to the station at four in the morning and then working all day,” Deglman said.

No matter where people live in Wyoming, Deglman encourages them to stop into their local firehouse to learn more.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Unfortunately, the numbers of these dedicated volunteers have fallen over the years. When Deglman started, he was one of 44 members of the department. Now there are only 27, so the department is actively seeking more.

“If you are able-bodied and willing, your local fire department can find something for you to do,” he said. “You’ll get some experiences you can’t get any-

He said his department never asks people to do anything outside their comfort zone.

Elizabeth Sampson lives in Cheyenne with

where else on earth.” W

her husband and two young daughters.

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COUNTRY COOKS

POTLUCK REUNION SALAD (FROG EYE SALAD)

1 PKG. ACINI DE PEPE MACARONI, COOKED AND DRAINED 1 CUP SUGAR 2 TBS FLOUR 1 - 3/4 CUPS PINEAPPLE JUICE 2 EGGS, BEATEN 1 TBS LEMON JUICE 3 (11 OZ) CANS MANDARIN ORANGES, DRAINED 2 (20 OZ) CANS PINEAPPLE CHUNKS, DRAINED 2 CUPS MINIATURE COLORED MARSHMALLOWS 1 CUP COCONUT 1 LARGE (9 OZ) CARTON OF WHIPPED TOPPING Mix juice, flour and sugar and cook in a saucepan over medium heat. Add beaten eggs, beat until thick and smooth. Add lemon and cool. Pour over fruit and marshmallows, stir. When completely chilled, mix with pasta and whipped topping. Serves 20-25.

RUTH ZELLER

LOVELL

LINDA’S “MORE”

MY FAVORITE WINGS 5 LBS CHICKEN WINGS MCCORMICK MONTREAL CHICKEN SEASONING 4 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED TEXAS PETE SAUCE

1 – 8 OZ PKG AMERICAN BEAUTY FLUFFY DUMPLINGS OR WIDE EGG NOODLES 1 - 1/2 LBS GROUND BEEF 1 LARGE ONION, CHOPPED 1/2 GREEN BELL PEPPER, CHOPPED 1 SMALL CAN MUSHROOMS, DRAINED 3 CUPS GRATED CHEDDAR CHEESE SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE 1 TBS OREGANO 1 TSP GARLIC SALT 2 - 8 OZ CANS TOMATO SAUCE

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with Pam. Put chicken wings on pan in a single layer. Sprinkle Montreal Chicken Seasoning over wings. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove wings from oven and place in a large frying pan. Add minced garlic and enough Texas Pete Sauce to cover wings. Sauté wings on medium heat until wings are caramelized with sauce. Serve with ranch dressing and celery sticks.

NANCY DENK

Cook meat and onions until meat is browned. Add peppers, mushrooms, spices, tomato sauce and 1/2 of the cheese. Cook dumplings until done. Spray 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Put 1/2 of the dumplings in the casserole dish, then layer with meat and cheese. Add remaining dumplings and top with more cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly or about 30 minutes. Serve with salad and garlic bread.

LINDA WOOLHETHER

HILLSDALE

SHRIMP DIP 1 - 1/2 CUPS WATER 1 - 1/2 CUPS VINEGAR 1/4 CUP OLD BAY SEASONING 1 - 1/2 LBS RAW SHRIMP IN SHELL

NOV 2019

1 CUP MAYONNAISE 1 CUP SHREDDED MEDIUM CHEDDAR CHEESE 2 JALAPENO PEPPERS, DICED

Put water, vinegar and Old Bay Seasoning in a large pot, cover and bring to a boil. Add raw shrimp and bring to a boil again. Boil shrimp until they turn pink and are done, about 5 minutes. Cool shrimp, peel and dice. Mix mayonnaise, cheese and diced jalapeno, then add diced shrimp and mix well. Put in a casserole dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes until bubbly. Serve with your choice of cracker.

NANCY DENK

RIVERTON

Send complete recipe by January 10!

FEBRUARY:

CHICKEN

RIVERTON

Please include your name, address and phone number. SUBMIT A RECIPE

 wren@wyomingrea.org |  [307] 772-1968  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

PEN TO PAPER

FLYING ACES FROM WORLD WAR II

BUZZ AND LOU These men were from the valley When they were called to the war Flying high above the earth How the planes did soar When flying to a new assignment And they flew across our hometown They would buzz the town of Lyman Flying too close to the ground One of the men got his nickname Of Buzz and he didn't seem to mind Even after the war he was still called That name for quite a long time The men came home from the war And pursued their future goals They had some highs in their lives And they also had some lows Both men are gone now and have God as their copilot in the sky They are in their planes soaring in heaven Enjoying their time to fly LOUISE DAVIS

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.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Put Your Pen to Paper!

Please include your name, address, and phone number. SUBMIT A PIECE

 wren@wyomingrea.org |  [307] 772-1968  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions NOV 2019

WHAT'S HAPPENING

WHAT'S HAPPENING REGIONAL MAP

NOV 20 – DEC 20

01 | SOUTHEAST C H U G WAT E R

DECEMBER 7 Christmas Events: Gift bazaar at the fairgrounds from 10a-3p. Parade, Santa and more downtown, info 1-800-223LUSK.

ONGOING Live Music: Acoustic jam session Thu, live music Fri & Sat. Stampede Saloon & Eatery, free, info 307-422-3200, stampedefun@aol.com.

DECEMBER 8 Library Christmas Program: 1:30p, Niobrara County Library, info 1-800-223LUSK.

ENCAMPMENT

ONGOING Grand Encampment Museum Winter Hours: Main Gallery and GEM Store most days 10a-4p, info 307-327-5308.

MEDICINE BOW

FEATURED EVENT

FOURTH TUESDAYS Bingo: 7p, Community Hall, info 307710-4045.

PINE BLUFFS TUESDAYS Bingo: 1-3p, Pine Bluffs Senior Center, info 307-245-3816.

TORRINGTON SECOND WEDNESDAYS Rex Young Rock Club: 7-8p, Senior Friendship Center, info 308-632-5574.

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSES IN DUBOIS DECEMBER 6  4-7P Headwaters Arts Center Vendors, Christmas tree decorating and gingerbread house contests, live caroling, cash prizes, warm chili and Santa, info 307-455-2687.

DECEMBER 7  10A-4P Dubois Museum Decorations and goodies for guests along with discounts in the gift shop and free admission, info 307-455-2284.

National Bighorn Sheep Center Christmas gifts on sale, holiday treats and cider and free admission, info bighorn.org/event/ holiday-open-house-2/.

NORTHWEST 30

NOV 2019

02 | NORTHEAST CLEARMONT ONGOING Historical Center: Center open Thu 2-4p, 1250 Front St, free. Historical Group meets 2p first Mon of the month at Clearmont Library, 1p third Mon of the month at Sheridan Library, info 307-758-4430.

GILLETTE DECEMBER 21 Saturday Farmers’ Market: Come out and enjoy a unique blend of crafts, produce, meats, jams, jellies and community. Always welcoming new vendors. 9a-noon, Gillette College Tech Center, info on Facebook.

HULETT ONGOING Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: 8a-4p Mon-Fri, free, info 307-467-5292.

LUSK NOVEMBER 29 Black Friday: Kick off shopping with cookies, hot cocoa and coupons, 9-11a, at Clark & Associates, info 1-800-223LUSK.

ONGOING Open house for local business: Spirits Liquor & Gift Mart Nov 21, Same as It Once Was Dec 5. Info 1-800-223-LUSK.

M O O RC RO F T ONGOING Library events: Story hour 10a Wed; book clubs 1p third Thu and 6p fourth Tue. Info 307-756-3232, moorlibrary@ rtconnect.net. ONGOING West Texas Trail Museum hours: Mon-Fri 9a-5p. Info 307-756-9300, wttmdirector@ rtconnect.net. THIRD MONDAYS Moorcroft Historical Society: 5:45p, West Texas Trail Museum. ONGOING Senior Center Events: Third Thu Birthday and Anniversary Dinner, meat provided, bring a side dish. 5p social hour, 6p dinner; fourth Thu toenail clinic 9a, info 307-756-9550.

NEWCASTLE FRIDAYS Bingo: 7:30p, VFW Hall, free.

RANCHESTER DECEMBER 7 Arts & Crafts Bazaar: 8a-2p, Ranchester Town Hall.

S H E R I DA N NOVEMBER 23 Swim Team Christmas Bazaar: 9a-4p, Sheridan County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. NOVEMBER 29 A Rockapella Holiday: 8:15p, WYO Performing Arts & Education Center, $35, $22.50 student, info 307-672-9084, wyotheater.com. NOVEMBER 31 Warren Miller’s Timeless: 4p, WYO Performing Arts & Education Center, $14.50, $11.50 student, info 307-6729084, wyotheater.com.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

DECEMBER 5-7 San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker: 7:30p, 2p Dec 7, WYO Performing Arts & Education Center, $40, $36.50 senior & military, $20 student, info 307-672-9084, wyotheater.com.

S U N DA N C E NOVEMBER 30 Shopping Events: Shop specials throughout town, 9a-5p; Ladies’ Night Block Party begins 5p at Grid Hardware, $15, $20 at the door, info sundancewyoming.com. DECEMBER 6 Lighted Christmas Parade: The theme is An Old Time Christmas, 5:30p, downtown Sundance, info sundancewyoming.com. DECEMBER 13 Sundance Holiday Hoopla: Raffle drawing and 50/50, 5:30p, Longhorn Saloon & Grill, info sundancewyoming.com. ONGOING Library Events: Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers 10:30a Wed; Lunch Bunch book discussion group 11a fourth Thu Sep-May; Quilting @ the Library 6-8p last Mon. Crook County Library, info 307-2831006 or crookcountylib@rangeweb. net.

UPTON NOVEMBER 28 Thanksgiving dinner: 11a-1:30p, Upton Methodist Church, free. DECEMBER 14 Christmas Bazaar: 9a-3p, Goose Landing, free, info 307-468-2506, gooselandingwy.com. WEDNESDAYS All You Can Eat Buffet: Drinks and desserts included, 5-8p, Upton Golf Course, $10, $7 seniors, info 307-4682847.

03 | NORTHWEST DUBOIS NOVEMBER 30 Christmas in Dubois: Skip Ewing Concert. Award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist will perform. 4:30p & 7:30p, Dennison Lodge. $15, children under 6 free. Tickets/info skipewing.com/tour, 307455-2556.

NOV 20 – DEC 20

DECEMBER 19 Wild Game Harvest and Potluck Feast: Bring your favorite big game, harvest dishes and drinks to share. 5-8p, National Bighorn Sheep Center, info 307-455-3429, bighorn.org/event/ wild-game-harvest-potluck-feast.

DECEMBER 14 Christmas Open House and Children’s Tree Decorating: Hot cocoa, snacks and discounts in the museum gift store from 10a-4p. Children are invited to make Christmas decorations with the staff of the museum from 2-4p. Riverton Museum, info 307-856-2665.

ONGOING Family Movie Night: See Toy Story 4 Nov 22; the new release of The Lion King Dec 20. Movies start at 6p. Dubois Public Library, info 307-455-2992.

THURSDAYS Music Jam: Sing or play folk, classic, country, bluegrass, old time rock n’ roll and more. 6:30-8:30p, Brown Sugar Roastery, free, info 307-856-2518.

LANDER NOVEMBER 30 Light-Up Lander: Cookies & cocoa with a special visit from Santa, 3-5p, Mr. D’s Food Center. Lighted parade down Main Street, 6p. Info lightuplander@gmail.com. DECEMBER 1 Art in the Afternoon: Regional art show, entertainment and refreshments. 10a-3p, Lander Community Center, $2, info 307332-5772 landerartcenter.com/ artintheafternoon. DECEMBER 7 Old-time Christmas Open House: Enjoy Christmas music, crafts, treats, Christmas exhibits and discounts in the museum gift store. 5-7p, Pioneer Museum, free, info 307-332-3339. DECEMBER 28-30 Hand-Game Tournament: Guaranteed payout awards, Shoshone Rose Casino & Hotel. Free to watch. Info 307-3497805, shoshonerose.com. SUNDAYS Swing Dancing at the Coalter Loft: 6-9p, 126 Main St. Free, info 307-3328228.

MEETEETSE DECEMBER 14 Christmas in Meeteetse: Craft Fair with activities at Santa’s Workshop for kids, visit with Santa, carriage rides, games, memory tree lighting, a bonfire, beer garden and food. Info 307-8682454, events@meeteetsewy.com.

R I V E RT O N DECEMBER 5-6 Festival of Trees: This year's theme is The Land Of Oz. Thu: photo with Santa, cakewalk and face painting, 6-8p, $10 per family. Fri: Gala with dinner, entertainment, auctions. 6:30-9:30p, $50, $75 couple. Riverton Fairgrounds, info 307-856-5576, ckeele@ces-usa.com.

TEN SLEEP SUBMIT AN EVENT

Send complete information for the February issue’s events by

JANUARY 10! Please remember that events from the 20th of February to the 20th of March are included in the February issue. WREN does not publish a January issue. Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event. Photos are always welcome.

ONGOING Live Music Winter Hours: Open Mic Night 3-5p, second Sun; Jam Night 7p, third Thu. All ages welcome, Ten Sleep Brewing Co., info tensleepbrewingco. com.

THERMOPOLIS NOVEMBER 23 Holiday Affair Craft Fair: 9a-3p, Thermopolis Middle School. DECEMBER 1 Tour of Homes: See campers decorated for the season, 4-8p, Hot Springs State Park Headquarters parking lot.

WORLAND DECEMBER 7 Parade of Lights: The theme will be A Storybook Christmas, 6p, Big Horn Ave., info 307-347-3226. DECEMBER 14, 19, 20, 21 A Christmas Carol Musical: Washakie Museum, info 307-347-4102.

04|SOUTHWEST Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:

 wren@

wyomingrea.org

 [307] 772-1968  214 W. Lincolnway

F O RT B R I D G E R DECEMBER 15 Victorian Christmas at the Fort: Visit the Commanding Officer’s Quarters for children’s activities, caroling, pictures with Santa, readings of The Night Before Christmas, and refreshments. Sponsored by the Fort Bridger Historical Association. 2-5p, Fort Bridger State Historic Site, $5 per person, 12 and under free, info 307-782-3842.

Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001

 wyomingrea.org/

wren-submissions

NOV 2019

02 01

01 02 03 04

Old homestead 1913, Lori Archer, Gillette

05 06

Dad and friends piling beans for threshing, Linda Torczon, Cody

Another time, Kara Badura, Riverton Vintage play, Ruth Zeller, Lovell An old wagon in northeast Wyoming, Janet Lake, Sundance

Chevy grill, Abby Maidl, Riverton

04 05 06

THIS MONTH:

FEB (DUE JAN 10):

MAR (DUE FEB 10):

VINTAGE

SNOW

EXPERIMENTING

07 08

An Advantageous Match – Ed Wilkes and Maude Bennick, submitted Jean Harm, Sheridan

08 School, Sandy Pokorney, Gillette of time (this 1800s wheel 09 Awaswheel used as a hoist on a ranch

near Bates Hole), Marilyn Norman, Cheyenne

to pasture, Scott Cocharo, 10 Out Pine Haven

11 12

It looks like it didn't make the trip through the Big Horn Mountains, Lauree Scott, Gillette

Tasting the salt lick, Sue Ward, Elk Mountain

My grandson on an old Inchworm, Gina Knight, Newcastle

Blue-eyed girl, Cathlin Nichols, Cheyenne

JUST PICTURE IT

SUBMIT A PHOTO

NOV 2019

 wren@wyomingrea.org  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions

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. Don’t use Kodak Easy Share®.

Please include your name, hometown and a title.

If you would like your work returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

RECIPE FOR DISASTER

FROM PAGE 24

AGNES IS MAKING: TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE

MARY-ANN IS MAKING: GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

FRED IS MAKING: CHEESY ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

1. Cream of mushroom soup 2. Milk 3. Frozen peas 4. Egg noodles 5. Canned tuna

1. Cream of mushroom soup 2. Milk 3. Green beans 4. Crispy fried onions

1. Zucchini 2. Heavy cream 3. Eggs 4. Cheddar cheese 5. Garlic

RICARDO IS MAKING: DRESSING/STUFFING 1. Day-old bread 2. Celery 3. Onion 4. Broth 5. Poultry seasoning

DONNA IS MAKING: TATER TOT HOTDISH 1. Cream of mushroom soup 2. Ground beef 3. Frozen tater tots 4. Can of mixed veggies

GIVE THE GIFT OF

ONE-CALL OF WYOMING

WREN ADVERTISING AD? Call 2 business days before you dig. It's fast, it's free, and it's the law!

811 or 1-800-849-2476

Buckle up, turkey. Every turkey trip. Every turkey time. GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS Send name, address and a check for $12 to 214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001 NOV 2019

ENLIGHTEN US

Things that Last

Snow on the Powder River Breaks.

NOV 2019

PHOTO BY WALT GASSON

BY WALT GASSON

It had been a long day. We were up long before the first gray on the eastern horizon. We attacked the biscuits and gravy and bacon and spuds like there would be no lunch, because there wouldn’t.

We worked hard until it was dark. And after dinner, we headed for home – two hours away. When the day was young and full of promise, we were full of words and laughter. But now, we were just toughing out to get home to a warm bed and it was very quiet in the truck. And when that big full moon came up over the Powder River country, my heart went east to meet it and suddenly, somehow it was 1979. I was young then, and this hard and broken country was a friend to me. A young kid with his first real job, I became friends with the Basque guys who ran sheep in the Powder River breaks. Second and third generation sheepmen, they knew the juniper draws, the canyons and badlands from horseback, and they knew the history of the people. Most of them weren’t big talkers, but in time they began to tell me their stories. They told me about their families – the Falxas and Harriets and Irrigarays and Iberlins and more. They told me too about the ones who went belly-up. The people who gave it up when lamb and wool prices were down, or maybe when they just couldn’t listen to the wind one more day. When I’d ask about that old cabin on Powder River or those old broken-down corrals on Cat Creek, they’d tell me about the people who moved on to some other place, some other life. This one was just too hard. The next morning, I was up and gone again before the sunrise. I think it’s one of the blessings of being a gentleman of a certain age that I seldom linger in bed much anymore. But that same full moon was setting now over Chalk Mountain, an image so stunning that only God or Charles Marion Russell could have created it. And again,

And just like in the Powder River country, there were stories of the people – the people who stayed and the people who left. Each of those people left behind them the relics of their time here.

an axe and trimmed with a drawknife, the juniper posts and the root cellar hand dug into the side hill all remain as testimony to their hopes and dreams. They say the winners get to write the history, the losers just quietly move on. But when I think back now on those old faces and those old places, I think that each had something to teach me. Something about optimism in the face of overwhelming

my heart went out and my mind went

odds, something about courage in the

back to those old guys who knew the

face of possible failure, something about

place so well, and who kindly allowed

being willing to work hard for your family

me to learn it from them: Bob Meer,

and their future. In a time of social me-

Martin Lee Sullivan, Louie Irene and

dia influencers and superficiality, maybe

the rest. And just like in the Powder

we have to be reminded about things that

River country, there were stories of the

last. W

people – the people who stayed and the people who left. Each of those people left behind them the relics of their time here. The lodgepole logs cut with

Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native and the director of endorsed businesses for Trout Unlimited.

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02 | FOR SALE

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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 jwandler@LNH. net or daughter Briana Brewer 307-660-2402 bbrewer@ frontierauto.net.

New & Used Coal Stokers, parts, service & advice. Available for most makes. Thanks. 307-754-3757. 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. Herren Bros., Box 187, Harrison NE. 1-308-668-2582. Surplus Equipment New and Used: Generators, air heaters, engine driven pumps, (all sizes), solar pumps, 3” and 4” polypipe, etc. A variety of types and sizes available. Call for pricing and details: Premier PowerPlants & Pumps, Farson, WY 307-273- 9591.

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.

10 | MISCELLANEOUS Mark your calendar. WESTI Ag Days in Worland Feb 11 & 12. Washakie County Extension, 307-347-3431.

20 | FREE Soon Church/Government uniting, suppressing "Religious Liberty" enforcing "National Sunday Law." Be Informed! Needing Mailing address. TSBM Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771, thebiblesaystruth@ yahoo.com, 1-888-211-1715.

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ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD’S

Language Skills Receptive language (understanding words and expressions) and expressive language (the ability to express yourself through speech and language) are both important components to your child’s development of communication and language skills. You can encourage their development by … singing!

Pick a song! Pick a favorite classic song you know the melody to, like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Sing this first.

Then, change the words! Use the tune of the song you chose but add your child’s name and sing about what you’re doing.

Next, add visuals! Sing about things around you and point to them or pick them up.

Sing together! Have your kids sing along or make up their own song next! For more speech and language activities to do together, visit:

wyqualitycounts.org/wren

WY Quality Counts, housed in the Department of Workforce Services, helps Wyoming parents and child care providers identify and create quality learning experience for children, thanks to the funding of the Wyoming Legislature.

All WY Quality Counts activities are supported by the Wyoming Early Learning Foundations and Guidelines, as well as the Domains of Development, which include: COMMUNICATION

SENSE OF SELF & RELATIONSHIPS

CURIOUS MINDS

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