Wyoming Rural Electric News April 2024

The Energy Mix:

STORY BY WREN STAFF

JUST THE FACTS MA’AM

I’m not old enough to remember the original “Dragnet” series when Joe Friday would famously use this phrase throughout the show. But I do remember the phrase and thought it was applicable for my column this month and throughout our series on energy resources in the coming year.

Our first two issues of WREN this year focused on the big picture energy mix and then on carbon. What we are striving to do with this series is to talk/write about an all-of-the-above energy mix. A phrase that is entirely overused and often mis-used. Politicians love to use the phrase but in practice and/or policy it’s more like all-of-the-above except for the resources they don’t like, or agree with or, on the flipside, only the resources they like or that advocacy groups tell them they should support.

The issue with trying to stick to “just the facts” is that everyone, depending on where their loyalties lie, can find, and manipulate, their own facts to fit their narrative. However, if we keep the general mission of the cooperatives in mind, “To provide reliable affordable power and to empower the people and communities we serve,” I think there is some common ground to be found on truly an all-of-the-above energy strategy, both at the state and national levels.

For example, in this issue we’re covering solar energy. Reasonable people should be able to agree that the sun doesn’t shine 24 hours a day so it cannot be counted on to meet the reliability standards that we in a first world country have come to expect, even demand. It’s also hard to argue that utility size solar needs a lot of land. Sometimes that land is productive agricultural land or critical animal habitat. There are those who argue that the solar industry is heavily subsidized by taxpayer dollars and others who argue that the subsidies are needed to improve and expand the industry. That is where those on either side of the solar issue can find their own facts to support their position. This is true of any energy resource, and what we hope to do in the coming issues of WREN is to share all sides of whatever resource we might be covering in that issue. We hope to make you think, maybe ask questions of your local cooperative and keep an open mind. So maybe the title of this column should be “Not Just Your Facts” but then I couldn’t use the Joe Friday reference.

SHAWN TAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOY FEEDING CALF

PHOTO BY MELODY TURNER, MELODY MAE PHOTOGRAPHY TORRINGTON, WYOMING

He Was A Man: A Cowboy Story

MARIE HAINES MOORCROFT

It all started in the summer of 1958. It was a Banner Year for me and the beginning of the rest of my young life. Something exciting and new was happening. We were moving from a small house in the town of Torrington, Wyoming to a land of canyons and rolling prairies. Our new home was located above Lone Tree Canyon. It was just a short country drive of 30 miles East of Chugwater. My sisters and I decided to call it Lone Tree Canyon Ranch. In our eyes, it was a heavenly paradise. It was owned by a cowboy. He had become my stepdad.

His name was Ernest Wilkins, and he was a giant of a man. I marveled at his ability to roll a cigarette in the howling wind while cutting cattle. He could ride any horse and was thrown by few. He taught me to follow my horse when cutting cattle. I learned the hard way that when you are chasing a cow and calf pair, you can’t follow the calf when your cutting horse has his nose on the cow. (When the calf went the wrong way, so did I.) I learned to become one with my horse.

Even though my stepdad was rough and tough, he had a gentle side to him too. Some people liked him, some didn’t. I suppose that’s the lot of a man who had grown up in a land that required rugged tenacity just to survive. But, let me be clear, this story isn’t just about him. It’s more about the typical cowboy of times past. They could be hard, mean, kind or gentle. Whatever the situation required. These men could handle it.

The years passed and I grew into my teens. I came to know

the Ranchers who lived nearby. Many of them fit into that same description. Their faces are still etched in my mind’s eye. Some became good friends, men that I looked up to. Virgil Jackson was one of them. His great sense of humor was legendary. I could name many.

Life moves on and things change. This we know, there was a time when a day held the promise of being out in the elements, be it sunshine, snow, rain or mud. It was a time when Ranchers still did the Fall branding with a “rope-an-throw-an-brand-em” attitude. They did it with style and speed. They cursed the bad times and gave thanks for the good times. They loved their women, children, dogs, and numerous barn cats. Yes, it does sound like a country song, but it was real life. I dedicate this poem to them. The men we were blessed to know, then and now.

He was a man of iron will, pure ruggedness and still, he cradled kittens in his hands. He tilled the fields, he read the skies, a man with deep and blazing eyes. Yet, children loved him.

He walked slow and acted tough. His words were few but said enough. His working hands were cracked and rough, yet gentleness was in his touch. He planted crops to feed the herds. He mended fences and broken birds.

A field to plow, a horse to break, windswept rows of hay to rake.

I still can see him even now with hat pulled low across his brow.

On trusted steed with leathered brand, riding high across the land. Through canyon rocks to gaze and stand.

As sunset fades, just horse, and Man.

Whether you’re turning the lights on in your home or keeping your livestock warm, electricity is vital to our way of life. It powers our communities and keeps us safe. We use many different fuel sources to keep electricity affordable for the cooperative family because investing in you is why we exist! AFFORDABILITY BASIN ELECTRIC

INVESTING IN POWER

Groundman to Lineman

Gaining momentum toward a resilient future

Tri-State and our members know that operating in a dynamic industry calls for an openness to continuous improvement. Looking ahead, we have an ambitious plan focused on electric system resilience and reduced costs. Built on a foundation of collaboration, our plan is designed to benefit electric consumers, while accelerating our clean energy investment.

To learn more about our plan for a reliable future, visit www.tristate.coop

LITTLE WYOMING

ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS

Engineers alter landscapes so humans can thrive. Before engineers designed the roads, bridges, dams and buildings that we now see around us, the areas in which we live looked and functioned very differently! Many animal species engineer their environments to function in a way that helps them thrive. Animal species that make significant modifications to their environment are called ecosystem engineers.

An Engineered Landscape Creating Wetlands Building Dams

Ecosystem engineers can be found in different habitats all around the world, but they all cause significant changes by making the landscape more suited for their needs. In doing so, they create habitat features that often also benefit a multitude of other plant and animal species. Even ecosystem engineers as small as ants or termites can alter the landscape in ways that persist for millennia, long after the species has disappeared from the area.

Beavers build their homes in streams and rivers by creating a dam made out of sticks, mud and other natural materials. When a water source is dammed, it creates a deep pool of water behind it. These deep pools allow beavers to dive to avoid predators. Deep water also doesn’t freeze solid like shallow water does, so beavers can keep a cache of food at the bottom of their pools that they can access all winter.

Seventy-five percent of animals in Wyoming heavily rely on wetlands and riparian areas. Yet, wetland habitat only accounts for 1.5% of the land area in Wyoming! When beavers build their dams in riparian areas, they slow down and spread out the flow of water, which benefits the landscape on a large scale by recharging groundwater reserves and reducing the effects of flooding and erosion. These beaver-created wetlands attract and sustain a flourishing population of native fish, plants, insects, waterfowl and mammals.

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Solar THE ENERGY MIX:

As national energy consumption and topics such as energy independence are being discussed more and more, several states and electric utilities across the nation have established net metering programs, however it is a complex subject that varies drastically from state to state, and net metering rules continue to change year over year.

BY WREN STAFF

While we won’t get into the deep complexities of these rate structures, we hope to provide a basic understanding of the differences between large and small scale solar, and a glimpse into why net metering cannot be simply defined.

Sweetwater Solar, developed by Clēnera, is located in Southwest Wyoming just outside the city of Green River. It became the first utility scale solar farm in Wyoming in 2019. Since then, there has been additional interest in commercial solar projects around the state. In 2020, the Wyoming State Legislature placed the permitting of commercial scale solar projects (more than .5 MW of power) under Wyoming’s Industrial Siting Council.

For co-op member-owners who are considering installing solar on or near their home, this is typically accomplished by installing a renewable energy generation system, such as a small solar panel system. Solar on your house is a great way to install this energy system without taking up land, however the rate structure needs to be set for everyone involved.

1 Light from the sun is made up of tiny particles called photons.

Photons hit the solar panel, knocking electrons free of the silicon atoms within the solar cells.

These freed electrons are now free to move, creating an electric current from the positive and negative charges now present. They pass through the layers of the solar cell.

The current flows to the edge of the panel into a conductive wire which leads to the inverter.

The inverter converts the direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC),

This electricity then transfers to the building. If the solar panels are connected to the utility meter, excess electricity is transferred to the utility grid. This causes the meter to run backward, crediting the property for surplus generation.

Net Metering

It’s arguable that net metering is one of the most controversial, but also least understood, energy issues currently being discussed today.

In the simplest terms, net metering is a state law requiring utilities, including electric cooperatives, to purchase the excess electricity produced by consumers who install a renewable energy source. This means that your cooperative is required to credit energy system owners for the electricity they add to the overall grid, which can allow members to offset some of the cost of power drawn from the utility.

While net metering allows member-owners to adopt renewable resources, it can be complex for the cooperative as a whole to recover all of its costs depending on the utilities rate structure. Utility companies can risk losing revenue from lower kWh sales and net metering credits, which could potentially exacerbate cost shifting and impact the non-net-metering households through higher rates.

While net metering can serve as an option to help satisfy the member-owners looking to invest in renewable energy, it’s not a cut-and-dry solution that benefits the whole cooperative, and should be a discussion point for you as a member-owner with your local cooperative. The process is highly complex and can vary from co-op to co-op.

Net metering involves installing a special electric meter or reprogramming an existing meter so that electrical flow can be measured in both directions. Traditional electric meters only measure electricity flowing from the utility company to the customer. Because net metering customers are generating electricity in addition to using electricity, the meter must be able to measure the flow of electricity both from the consumer and the utility company. Depending on the type of meter currently installed, this may involve the utility company reprogramming the existing meter, or installing a new meter. Some utilities will provide this meter at no cost as part of the interconnection process, while others will pass the cost of this new meter on to the customer.

Your cooperative encourages those members considering net metering to contact them early in the process to identify meter considerations, cost of interconnection and to ensure that any wiring is done according to utility company specifications.

A net metering member’s production and use of electricity will not be equal most of the time. When the production of electricity is less than the usage, electricity is then supplied by the utility company through the electrical grid. Alternatively, when a member generates more electricity than they are using, excess electricity is then transferred back to the electrical grid. At the end of the billing period, the net metering member’s electrical production is subtracted from their total electrical consumption. The member is billed only for the net amount (this is why the arrangement is referred to as “net metering”) of electricity consumed. In some situations a customer may produce more electricity than they use, in which case the excess credit or compensation may be carried over to the next billing period or transferred to the utility company at a price determined in the net metering contract.

There are additional things to consider before installing a renewable resource like solar, including:

Solar Advantages and Disadvantages

Will zoning regulations for my area allow for the installation of solar panels? If zoning laws prohibit solar arrays you may not be a good candidate for a net metering project.

What systems will my utility allow and what standards must be met by the system? Net metering policies will vary by utility. Contact your local utility early in the process of considering a net metering project to obtain copies of their policy.

How much energy per meter do I currently consume? Net metering establishes an energy offset on a meter-by-meter basis. When calculating energy consumption, customers should only consider the meter they intend to off-set with alternative generation. Determining total energy consumption per meter can be accomplished by contacting the utility or reviewing your past statements.

What will a net metering system cost?

Do I have an appropriate generation resource? For example, some locations have better solar resources than other locations. The better the resource, the more power the system will generate.

In Wyoming, solar panels have yet to prove to be incredibly efficient, even though we have a large number of sun days, with potential for 200 days a year for clear enough skies to produce power. Let’s take a look at some quick pros and cons of solar.

Renewable Power

Financial Independence

Advantages

Some of the electricity you are using is provided by a renewable, local or alternative generating resource.

You can gain some energy independence by being partially self-sufficient in your electrical usage.

Disadvantages

Renewable energy generation systems could require many years to provide a positive financial return.

Installing solar panels – both large and small scale –can be incredibly expensive.

It’s also important to remember that while you are able to generate some of your own electricity, it isn’t “free energy.” You as a consumer are responsible for installing and maintaining the solar panels on your property, and it may take many years to break even on your solar energy investment. Additionally, there are still the fixed costs of the overall utility system to provide you with reliable electricity when your system isn’t producing.

Environmental Impacts

Recycling

Solar power provides an alternative source of energy.

Installing rooftop solar provides a small scale option that is not as disruptive to the land as large scale solar.

Solar panels can be refurbished and reused, extending the life of the panels and the materials in them.

Solar is not a one stop shop for energy needs, and must be supplemented with other energy resources.

There is still the environmental impact of manufacturing solar panels, as well as disposing of them when they lose generating capacity and disposing/recycling options may be limited.

Small Scale vs. Large Scale Solar

There is a notable difference in the type and scale of solar projects, which is an important distinction to make. Utility-scale solar is large scale solar whereas rooftop solar projects are considered small scale.

Utility-scale solar projects offer you much more flexibility. While rooftop solar is often limited in where it can be placed, larger projects of scale are in optimal locations with the highest amount of guaranteed sun exposure.

But, if you do small-scale solar on your home that doesn’t take up acreage, the rate structure needs to be set up. Putting solar on your house is a solution for not taking up land, but you will need to consider the rate structure and what is fair to the cooperative as a whole.

Is net metering right for you?

Governments, utility companies and non-profit organizations offer a variety of programs to support alternative energy development.

These incentives may include tax credits based on capital costs or electrical production. Other incentives may be in the form of a grant or other direct payment. Free or reduced-cost technical or business planning advice may also be available. The requirements to qualify for these incentives vary depending on the specifics of each program.

The most powerful tool available to the cooperative in developing a program to meet the challenge of solar generation likely is its rate structure. Revising the rate structure to more closely match fixed and variable costs can eliminate false price signals to member-consumers and address much of the cost-shifting problem that can result when members adopting private solar do not bear their fair share of fixed costs. Rates that more closely match costs allow the cooperative greater flexibility in designing and promoting a solar program that encourages solar generation. For instance, the cooperative could modify its net metering rate to better reflect a program’s real economics and mitigate some of the cross-subsidy issues with non-solar consumers.

Whether you are interested in investing in a renewable resource like solar or considering net metering, it is best to contact your local cooperative to learn more before you take the leap! There’s a lot to consider, including scale, placement, the startup investment as well as net savings, environmental impacts and, last but certainly not least, how it would affect your cooperative. W

average annual growth of the solar market over the past 10 years

263K

People currently employed by the solar industry

Value of the U.S. solar market in 2023

4.85M $51.4B 22%

Number of solar energy systems installed in the U.S.

Every Client is Important

BY DR. BRUCE CONNALLY

Monday mornings in the summer are busy. The first patient was a black Lab who jumped over a ditch Sunday morning and landed badly. He wasn’t walking on his left rear leg. I suspected a torn cruciate ligament but we needed an X-ray to be sure there was no bone damage. I was in the pharmacy getting a sedative for the lab when the phone rang.

“Wind River Veterinary Services. How may I help you?” Marci’s smile permeated her voice as she spoke into the phone. I listened to the conversation as she helped the client set up a vaccination appointment for their Standard Poodle. Marci had only been our receptionist for about six weeks. Our previous receptionist had retired. She left large shoes for Marci to fill. Pat had the calm demeanor of a mother who had raised boys. When my

4-year-old son rode his pony into the office she just moved her chair closer to the desk for the pony to turn around and kept talking on the phone as if nothing was happening. Clients were reassured by her soothing voice and willingness to listen to their problems. The only time I saw Pat lose control was when a drunken client brought a rattlesnake into the office in a glass jar.

Marci brought new energy and enthusiasm to our clinic. She was a 20-something with a year-old son, a Husky dog and a beautiful long-haired cat. We had known her as a client for a couple years. She was personable and friendly but didn’t have experience as a receptionist. Because the receptionist is the face and voice of a veterinary clinic, we were monitoring her closely. Marci interacted well with staff and made clients feel like they were important. So far, she seemed to be a good addition to our clinic.

The Monday morning express continued. Lisa, our technician, administered preanesthetic medications to a dog that was scheduled for removal of a skin tumor while I examined a Cocker Spaniel who had walked in unannounced. She had been shaking her head since their hike in the mountains on Saturday. The little dog was so nice I was able to remove two grass seeds from her floppy left ear without sedation. Marci filled out the invoice and collected payment for the Cocker between phone calls.

Lisa had clipped and prepped the dog for surgery by the time I finished with the Cocker’s ears. The tumor removal went well but took time. It was 12:40pm when we moved the patient from surgery to a recovery cage. Afternoon appointments started at 1:00pm and none of us had eaten lunch. I sent Lisa to the break room to microwave her bowl of soup while I monitored the dog and filled out the surgery report. Marci ate her sandwich as she entered invoices onto the day sheet.

I had eaten half of my sandwich when I heard the front door bang open.

“My dog just got hit by a car! Please help!” A panicked man’s voice shrilled through the clinic.

“Through that door to the exam room,” Marci pointed.

I stuffed the last of my sandwich into my mouth and rushed into the room. A bloody Siberian Husky dog lay on the exam table. He appeared to be in shock but his tail thumped twice on the table as I spoke.

“Who is this?” I asked the man while examining the Husky.

“Jethro,” the man answered. “He jumped over my yard fence after a rabbit. Didn’t even see the car.”

“And what is your name?” I asked, taking the stethoscope out of my ears.

“Paul.” His voice was not so shrill now. Tears trickled down his cheeks. “Sorry. I’m kind of shook up.” Jethro thumped his tail again at the sound of his owner’s sad voice.

Meanwhile, outside the exam room door Marci was facing a new challenge. The phones had gone silent compared to the morning but there were three clients waiting while I treated the injured Husky.

“The doctor is treating an emergency,” she explained. “As soon as that dog is stable, we will be able to see your dogs.”

Everyone was quiet for a few minutes. Then a little man in a dirty white teeshirt that stretched over his bulging belly stood up. We knew him as Pastor Dave. He had a tiny church in a singlewide blue and white trailer between Boulder Flats and Ethete on the Blue Sky Highway.

“I am IMPORTANT!” Pastor Dave announced in a surprising baritone voice. It was as if he were giving a sermon to the reception area. “I AM important.” After his pronouncement he remained standing in the center of the room, apparently unsure what to do next. His shepherd mix dog

remained curled up quietly beside Pastor Dave’s empty chair.

“Of course you are!” Marci sprang into action. “Would it be alright if I had Lisa, our technician, take your dog into the treatment area? She could begin the physical exam and Dr. Connally could join her and administer vaccines when he felt comfortable leaving the injured dog.”

“Um, yes, that would be fine,” Pastor Dave responded. Then added as an afterthought. “He needs his shots.”

Lisa took the dog and Marci reassured Pastor Dave.

“Your dog is named Jacob, right? We will take good care of him.”

“Thanks,” the little man replied quietly as he returned to his chair. “He is a good dog.”

The afternoon rush wrapped up a little before closing time. The injured dog

had a torn pad and fractured femur. We would repair the fracture tomorrow. Pastor Dave paid for Jacob’s shots without asking for the clergy discount he usually requested. It felt like a very long day. Lisa and I were tired as we completed final rounds, but Marci apparently wasn’t.

“That was a fun day,” she said happily as she headed out the door to her car.

“See you tomorrow.”

“She did well today,” I commented to Lisa.

“Yep,” Lisa answered quietly. “We need two of her.” W

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

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Popular CoQ10 Pills Leave Millions Suffering

Could this newly-discovered brain fuel solve America’s worsening memory crisis?

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — Millions of Americans take the supplement known as CoQ10. It’s the coenzyme that supercharges the “energy factories” in your cells known as mitochondria. But there’s a serious flaw that’s leaving millions unsatisfied.

As you age, your mitochondria break down and fail to produce energy. In a revealing study, a team of researchers showed that 95 percent of the mitochondria in a 90-year-old man were damaged, compared to almost no damage in the mitochondria of a 5-year-old.

Taking CoQ10 alone is not enough to solve this problem. Because as powerful as CoQ10 is, there’s one critical thing it fails to do: it can’t create new mitochondria to replace the ones you lost.

And that’s bad news for Americans all over the country. The loss of cellular energy is a problem for the memory concerns people face as they get older.

“We had no way of replacing lost mitochondria until a recent discovery changed everything,” says Dr. Al Sears, founder and medical director of the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine in Palm Beach, Florida. “Researchers discovered the only nutrient known to modern science that has the power to trigger the growth of new mitochondria.”

Why Taking CoQ10 is Not Enough

Dr. Sears explains, “This new discovery is so powerful, it can multiply your mitochondria by 55 percent in just a few weeks. That’s the equivalent of restoring decades of lost brain power.”

This exciting nutrient — called PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone) — is the driving force behind a revolution in aging. When paired with CoQ10, this dynamic duo has the power to reverse the age-related memory losses you may have thought were beyond your control.

Dr. Sears pioneered a new formula — called Ultra Accel II — that combines both CoQ10 and PQQ to support maximum cellular energy and the normal growth of new mitochondria. Ultra Accel II is the first of its kind to address both problems and is already creating huge demand.

Over 47 million doses have been shipped to men and women across the country and sales continue to climb for this much sought-after brain fuel. In fact, demand has been so overwhelming that inventories repeatedly sell out. But a closer look at Ultra Accel II reveals there are good reasons why sales are booming.

Science Confirms the Many Benefits of PQQ

The medical journal Biochemical Pharmacology reports that PQQ is up to 5,000 times more efficient in sustaining energy production than common antioxidants. With the ability to keep every cell in your body operating at full strength, Ultra Accel II delivers more than just added brain power and a faster memory.

People feel more energetic, more alert, and don’t need naps in the afternoon. The boost in cellular energy generates more power to your heart, lungs, muscles, and more.

“With the PQQ in Ultra Accel, I have energy I never thought possible at my age,” says Colleen R., one of Dr. Sears’s patients. “I’m in my 70s but feel 40 again. I think clearly, move with real energy and sleep like a baby.”

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and Dr. Sears receives countless emails from his patients and readers. “My patients tell me they feel better than they have in years. This is ideal for people who are feeling old and run down, or for those who feel more forgetful. It surprises many that you can add healthy and productive years to your life simply by taking Ultra Accel II every day.”

You may have seen Dr. Sears on television or read one of his 12 best-selling books. Or you may have seen him speak at the 2016 WPBF 25 Health and Wellness Festival in South Florida, featuring Dr. Oz and special guest Suzanne Somers. Thousands of people attended Dr. Sears’s lecture on antiaging breakthroughs and waited in line for hours during his book signing at the event.

Will Ultra Accel II Multiply Your Energy?

Ultra Accel II is turning everything we thought we knew about youthful energy on its head. Especially for people over age 50. In less than 30 seconds every morning, you can harness the power of this breakthrough discovery to restore peak energy and your “spark for life.”

So, if you’ve noticed less energy as you’ve gotten older, and you want an easy way to reclaim your youthful edge, this new opportunity will feel like blessed relief.

The secret is the “energy multiplying” molecule that activates a dormant gene in your body that declines with age, which then instructs your cells to pump out fresh energy from the inside-out. This growth of new “energy factories” in your cells is

MEMORY-BUILDING SENSATION: Top doctors are now recommending new Ultra Accel II because it restores decades of lost brain power without a doctor’s visit.

called mitochondrial biogenesis.

Instead of falling victim to that afternoon slump, you enjoy sharp-as-a-tack focus, memory, and concentration from sunup to sundown. And you get more done in a day than most do in a week. Regardless of how exhausting the world is now.

Dr. Sears reports, “The most rewarding aspect of practicing medicine is watching my patients get the joy back in their lives. Ultra Accel II sends a wake-up call to every cell in their bodies… And they actually feel young again.”

And his patients agree. “I noticed a difference within a few days,” says Jerry from Ft. Pierce, Florida. “My endurance has almost doubled, and I feel it mentally, too. There’s a clarity and sense of wellbeing in my life that I’ve never experienced before.”

How To Get Ultra Accel II

This is the official nationwide release of Ultra Accel II in the United States. And so, the company is offering a special discount supply to anyone who calls during the official launch.

An Order Hotline has been set up for local readers to call. This gives everyone an equal chance to try Ultra Accel II. And your order is backed up by a no-hassle, 90day money back guarantee. No questions asked.

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This Cowboy Doesn’t Just Wrangle Cows

If you asked Tim Barkhurst when he rode his first horse, he would say, “Oh, I guess … when I was born.”

BY NEVA BODIN

Tim Barkhurst, the inaugural inductee into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame (WCHF) in 2014, an organization established to honor the men and women who made Wyoming the Cowboy State and recognize their contributions to the state’s rich cowboy heritage, stands as a living testament to the spirit and skill of these cowboys. In the iconic picture on WCHF’s website, you see Barkhurst as a seasoned cowboy, leaping from his horse to tie a calf he just roped, one of the skills that has earned him this well-deserved honor.

Born in 1939 to a ranching father, Barkhurst has always been a cowboy. He rode horses, drove workhorses in the hayfields, and cared for sheep and cows, not only on their own ranch but for a while at a few others.

His professional rodeo career began in high school in Saratoga, Wyoming. Saratoga had the first Wyoming High School Rodeo in the state, formed in 1955, said Barkhurst. In 1956, he was crowned the Saratoga High School State Champion Bull Rider, a testament to his early talent and determination. He also secured second place in the high school calf roping competition and eventually won the title of Wyoming State High School Rodeo

Runner-up All Around Champ. These early victories were just the beginning of a long list of team and calf roping championships, some won in states bordering Wyoming.

He practiced at an early age. Barkhurst rode lambs, then sheep, and after building a bucking shoot around the age of 5 to hold the animals while he got on their backs, he rode calves. “I built it out of poles and boards and had a gate on it with a catch I’d push open with my foot,” he said.

His calf roping skills began similarly. “My dad roped some, and I started out roping lambs. He let me rope two or three lambs every night, then calves. I really enjoyed roping calves,” Barkhurst said. He spent a lot of time learning from neighbor Len Walker, who helped him “quite a bit on roping calves” and whom he named “my idol. He was the greatest cowboy I ever knew.”

Barkhurst was also inspired to ride broncs (bucking horses). He heard stories from his uncle, Jesse Barkhurst (also inducted into WCHF in 2019), who had ridden broncs in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show all over the United States, England and France, and proved up on several homesteads in the area. And Barkhurst was always “pretty eager” to accompany his dad to Saratoga

to the saddle shop where the owner was friends with his dad, and Billy Whitney, the son of the owner, was a bronc rider. “We’d go to the store and talk a half hour or more.”

After marrying his wife, Margo, in 1957, he worked at neighboring ranches and a sawmill. Eventually, the couple began building their own log home in 1962 — on the ranch his grandparents homesteaded “back in 1882 or ’84. We hauled all the logs for our house with a team and a sled. Peeled them and put them up,” he said.

Barkhurst exhibits Western diversity in the cowboy life. He has been a brand inspector for the state of Wyoming for almost 48 years now. “I met a lot of

Tim Barkhurst ready to cowboy.

nice people [in that role],” he said. He owns a successful hunting and outfitting business where he said he also “meets a lot of great people.” He owns several hound dogs for hunting mountain lions.

One of his former hunting clients stopped by the morning of our interview, “just to visit.” The man and his family were passing through the area while on vacation.

You might also find this cowboy flying through the air, and not necessarily because he was tossed off the back of a bull.

Obtaining his pilot’s license in 1979 and buying a Super Cub airplane, Barkhurst received a permit for predator control using his flying and shooting skills. He spent two winters decreasing the number of coyotes that had been killing lambs, sheep and occasionally calves of ranchers in the area.

And he is thrilled that, after 26 years of applying for a permit, he got “a fabulous mountain sheep” himself this year. “It made the record book of Boone and Crocket and the Safari Club [SCI] too,” Barkhurst said, proudly emphasizing this feat by the lilt in his voice. “I just had a gal from the SCI call me this morning and tell me they’re going to send me a plaque for the big sheep in the SCI!” He is having the animal mounted for his den to join other hunting successes mounted there.

Margo and Tim have four children, three daughters and a son, and now have five grandchildren. One daughter, named Sarah, continues on the ranch with him. “She’s my right-hand cowboy, you might say,” said Barkhurst.

He also noted that he continues “ranching and doing what I can. I try to help Sarah. I put up the hay here last year.”

Barkhurst said he had a “big surprise … a great surprise” when he found out he was being inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2014. His family had kept it a secret until he got the notification from WCHF.

Wyoming cowboys are the real way the West was won! W

FAST-TRACK THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO JOIN A GROWING INDUSTRY FULL OF

Neva Bodin is a Casper-based author, artist, poet and freelance writer.

Tim Barkhurst working cattle on the Condict Ranch.

COPPER PENNY CARROTS

2 LBS CARROTS, SLICED AND COOKED

1 SMALL GREEN PEPPER, CHOPPED

1 SMALL ONION, CHOPPED

1 CAN UNDILUTED

TOMATO SOUP

1/2 CUP SALAD OIL

PINCH OF GARLIC

1 CUP SUGAR

3/4 CUP VINEGAR

1 TSP PREPARED MUSTARD

1 TSP SALT

1 TSP PEPPER

1 TSP HORSERADISH

Mix ingredients together and pour over cooked carrots. Refrigerate. This recipe came from my mother 40 or 50 years ago.

ELLEN ROEHM WRIGHT

BEET CHIPS

3 LARGE BEETS

OLIVE OIL

FAVORITE SEASONINGS

BLUE CHEESE (IF DESIRED)

THE BEST CARROTS EVER

2 LBS CARROTS, CUT INTO THICK STICKS

3 TBSP OLIVE OIL

1/2 TSP EACH: SALT, GROUND CORIANDER, GROUND CUMIN, BLACK PEPPER

1/4 TSP EACH: CHILI POWDER, PAPRIKA, GROUND GINGER

1/8 TSP GROUND CINNAMON

DASH OF GROUND CLOVES

DASH OF CAYENNE PEPPER

Place carrots in a bowl and cover with oil. Add the spices and toss until all are covered. Place in a single layer in a baking pan and roast at 400° for about 30 minutes or until tender.

KAREN MIXON ALADDIN

Slice washed, unpeeled beets approximately 1/4 inch thick. Place in a plastic bag with oil and seasonings; shake to coat beets. Arrange a single layer on a wire rack with cheese on top, if desired. Air fry at 400° for 20 minutes.

SKIP DUNN HARRISON, NE

STUFFED BAKED TOMATOES

2 LARGE RIPE SUMMER TOMATOES

1 CUP SMALL CURD COTTAGE CHEESE

1/4 CUP FINELY CHOPPED FRESH BASIL, SPINACH OR ARUGULA

2 CRUSHED OR FINELY MINCED GARLIC CLOVES

1/2 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE, GRATED

Preheat the oven to 400°. Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. You can scoop a small portion of tomato out of each to help hold the cottage cheese mixture. Combine remaining ingredients; stir gently. Divide cottage cheese mixture evenly between the 4 tomato halves. Bake for 15 minutes or until hot and slightly browned.

YUMMY

GREEN BEANS

2 CANS GREEN BEANS

1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

1 SMALL CAN SLICED WATER CHESTNUTS

1 CUP SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE, MORE OR LESS AS DESIRED

Mix soup, chestnuts and cheese until smooth. Gently stir in green beans. Heat in an ovenproof dish until warm through, approximately 20-30 minutes in a 350° oven.

KAYE WILSON LYMAN

This picture is somewhat dated, the two kids in this picture are now 24 and 23, one about to have his first kid. But they liked to “dude” themselves up to go to the Rodeo at Frontier Days. The “dude” on the left is also a ranch hand in Converse County.

Rob Dickerson, Cheyenne

Lil Cowboy Keeping His Horse Clean

Heather McLaughlin, Upton

Pretty Lil Cowgirl

Heather McLaughlin, Upton

Tractor Time

Carrie Miller, Laramie

Introducing the lightest folding power chair in the world

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Mobility issues affect over 1 in 5 Americans. These individuals, and their loved ones, know how decreased mobility can result in loss of independence, pain and falling hazards. They are often stuck at home, missing out on a variety of activities, in a vicious cycle that diminishes their quality of life. In the past, mobility devices like scooters and power chairs were too heavy and bulky to transport easily. Now, carbon fiber material invented for the aerospace program has been used to create the ultimate mobility device. It’s called the Journey Air Elite … and there’s nothing else like it on earth.

At only 26 pounds*, the Journey Air Elite combines lightweight portability with world class performance. It’s simple to use joystick and powerful dual-motor drive system enables you to zip around quickly and safely. It’s easy to maneuver, never tips, fits easily through doorways, and can go right up to a table or desk. Once you are done, just one pull on the seat handle folds it up. There’s a folddown back to make it even easier to stow and store. It features flat-free tires and rear anti-tippers for added convenience and safety.

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Folds flat in seconds

Ranch Rascal

Lacy Boyles, Lyman

Long Road Home

Susan, Sadie, Whitney and Paige Neves, Otto

Crooning

Ride ‘em Cowgirl

Kathy Kissack, Gillette

Will This Strange Antarctic Squid Solve America’s Memory Crisis?

New Deep Sea Discovery Proven to Be The #1 Natural Enhancer of Memory and Focus

Halfa mile beneath the icy waters off the coast of Argentina lives one of the most remarkable creatures in the world.

Fully grown, they’re less than 2 feet long and weigh under 10 pounds…

But despite their small size, this strange little squid can have a bigger positive impact on your brain health than any other species on the planet.

They are the single richest source of a vital “brain food” that 250 million Americans are starving for, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.

It’s a safe, natural compound called DHA – one of the building blocks of your brain. It helps children grow their brains significantly bigger during development. And in adults, it protects brain cells from dying as they get older.

Because DHA is so important, lacking enough of it is not only dangerous to your overall health but could be directly related to your brain shrinking with age.

With more than 16 million Americans suffering from ageassociated cognitive impairment, it’s clear to a top US doctor that’s where the problem lies.

Regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Al Sears, says thankfully, “there’s still hope for seniors. Getting more of this vital brain food can make a life changing difference for your mental clarity, focus, and memory.”

Dr. Sears, a highly-acclaimed, board-certified doctor— who has published more than 500 studies and written 4 bestselling books — says we should be able to get enough DHA in our diets… but we don’t anymore.

“For thousands of years, fish were a great natural source of DHA. But due to industrial fish farming practices, the fish we eat and the fish oils you see at the store are no longer as nutrient-dense as they once were,” he explains.

DHA is backed by hundreds of studies for supporting razor sharp focus, extraordinary mental clarity, and a lightning quick memory… especially in seniors.

So, if you’re struggling with focus, mental clarity, or memory as

you get older…

Dr. Sears recommends a different approach.

THE SECRET TO A LASTING MEMORY

Research has shown that our paleo ancestors were able to grow bigger and smarter brains by eating foods rich in one ingredient — DHA.

“Our hippocampus thrives off DHA and grows because of it,” explains Dr. Sears. “Without DHA, our brains would shrink, and our memories would quickly fade.”

A groundbreaking study from the University of Alberta confirmed this. Animals given a diet rich in DHA saw a 29% boost in their hippocampus — the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. As a result, these animals became smarter.

Another study on more than 1,500 seniors found that those whose brains were deficient in DHA had significantly smaller brains — a characteristic of accelerated aging and weakened memory.

PEOPLE’S BRAINS ARE SHRINKING AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT

Dr. Sears uncovered that sometime during the 1990s, fish farmers stopped giving their animals a natural, DHA-rich diet and began feeding them a diet that was 70% vegetarian.

“It became expensive for farmers to feed fish what they’d eat in the wild,” explains Dr. Sears. “But in order to produce DHA, fish need to eat a natural, marine diet, like the one they’d eat in the wild.”

“Since fish farmers are depriving these animals of their natural diet, DHA is almost nonexistent in the oils they produce.”

“And since more than 80% of fish oil comes from farms, it’s no wonder the country is experiencing a memory crisis. Most people’s brains are shrinking and they don’t even know it.”

So, what can people do to improve their memory and brain function in the most effective way possible?

Dr. Sears says, “Find a quality

MEMORY-RESTORING SENSATION: The memory-saving oil in this Antarctic squid restores decades of lost brain power starting in just 24 hours.

DHA supplement that doesn’t come from a farmed source. That will protect your brain cells and the functions they serve well into old age.”

Dr. Sears and his team worked tirelessly for over 2 years developing a unique brain-boosting formula called Omega Rejuvenol It’s made from the most powerful source of DHA in the ocean, squid and krill — two species that cannot be farmed.

According to Dr. Sears, these are the purest and most potent sources of DHA in the world, because they haven’t been tampered with. “Omega Rejuvenol is sourced from the most sustainable fishery in Antarctica. You won’t find this oil in any stores.”

MORE IMPRESSIVE RESULTS

Already, the formula has sold more than 850,000 bottles. And for a good reason, too. Satisfied customers can’t stop raving about the memory-boosting benefits of quality-sourced DHA oil.

“The first time I took it, I was amazed. The brain fog I struggled with for years was gone within 24 hours. The next day, I woke up with the energy and mental clarity of a new man,” says Owen R.

“I remember what it was like before I started taking Omega Rejuvenol… the lack of focus… the dull moods… the slippery memory… but now my mind is as clear as it’s ever been,” says Estelle H.

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And 70-year-old Mark K. says, “My focus and memory are back to age-30 levels.”

These are just a handful of the thousands of reviews Dr. Sears regularly receives thanks to his breakthrough memory formula, Omega Rejuvenol

WHERE TO FIND OMEGA REJUVENOL

To secure bottles of this brainbooster, buyers should contact the Sears Health Hotline at 1-800-4406149. “It takes time to manufacture these bottles,” says Dr. Sears. “The Hotline allows us to ship the product directly to customers who need it most.”

Dr. Sears feels so strongly about this product, he is offering a 100%, money-back guarantee on every order. “Send back any used or unused bottles within 90 days and I’ll rush you a refund,” says Dr. Sears.

The Hotline is taking orders for the next 48 hours. After that, the phone number may be shut down to allow for inventory restocking.

Call 1-800-440-6149 to secure your limited supply of Omega Rejuvenol. Readers of this publication immediately qualify for a steep discount, but supplies are limited. To take advantage of this great offer use Promo Code OMWREN424 when you call.

FEATURED EVENT

20TH ANNUAL

COWBOY CARNIVAL

FUNDRAISER

MAY 26  HYATTVILLE

Besides our regular events from previous years, 2024 offers the return of two special events: Jones, of Hyattville, a Hunting and Fishing Outfitter as well as community college course instructor, “Packing Demonstration” along with music by 13-year-old identical twins of Hyattville, Liam and Layne Jordan. Two new events this year are demonstrations for “Training a Sheep Dog” and “Training a Colt” The Dog Trials will be a Jackpot Competition.

Kids activities include the BB Gun Shoot, 5K Race and other activities besides the swing set and merry-go-round. History displays of “Cattle Drives to the Manderson Railroad Yards” and “The Writings of Helen S. Turner” will be featured. “My Wyoming” is the theme of the Photo Contest.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under, $35 for an immediate family

Location: Hyattville Community Center

Info: hyattvillecommunitycenter@gmail.com Mary Burns, 307- 469-2366, 307-851-4464

NORTHWEST

01 | SOUTHEAST

CENTENNIAL

THURSDAY-MONDAY

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

CHEYENNE

MAY 1-2

Next Frontier Energy Summit: The Wyoming Energy Authority will host the summit, which provides energy innovators, researchers, developers and stakeholders a place to network, collaborate and champion the Wyoming energy industry. Info: Emily Sorenson, emily@em-poweredsolutions.com.

MAY 10

19th Day of Giving: 8am-4pm. Kiwanis Community House in Lions Park. Collection of non-perishable food, personal care items including new diapers, underwear and socks, craft items, gently used furniture and other household goods, medical equipment and supplies, eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones and chargers to benefit the clients of 16 non-profit agencies in Laramie County. Funds collected to purchase items for clients of 12 agencies in the next year. Info: cheyennedayofgiving.org.

MAY 18-19

25th Annual Cheyenne Mineral, Gem and Rock Show: 9am-5pm Saturday, 9am-4pm Sunday. Archer Complex, I-80 east of Cheyenne. A group of rock, crystal and gemstone vendors get together with the local rock club, Cheyenne Mineral & Gem Society, for people to come and buy whatever strikes their fancy. Admission $3 for ages 13 and up. Info: Jan Shively, 509-953-0634, rockandmineralshows.com.

CHUGWATER

THURSDAYS

Acoustic Jam Session: Stampede Saloon & Eatery 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.

ENCAMPMENT

TUESDAYS-SATURDAYS

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

LARAMIE

MAY 25-27

Dog Show: The Laramie Kennel Club is putting on our annual AKC all breed conformation dog show. We will also be offering FASTCAT competition. FASTCAT is open to registered and non-registered dogs. Come on out and watch your favorite breeds! Info: Billie-Marie, 307-760-9417, Windywyo3@aol.com.

MEDICINE BOW

ONGOING

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

02 | NORTHEAST

BUFFALO

THURSDAYS

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

GILLETTE

THROUGH DECEMBER 2024

Hurrah for the Cowboy: Men of the Open Range: Campbell County Rockpile Museum. The traveling exhibit includes vintage engravings (1867-1911) depicting the North American cowboy – the most romant icized figure in American history – as seen by contemporary artists such as Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, Maynard Dixon and many other notable artists. Curated by Lee Silliman, Hurrah for the Cowboy has appeared in museums across Montana, Colorado and Wyoming. Info: 307-682-5723, RockpileMuseum.com or facebook.com/ RockpileMuseum.

ONGOING

Ava Community Art Center: Exhibits and workshops. Info: 307-682-9133, avacenter.org.

HULETT

MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS (SEPTEMBER-MAY)

Adult 5-mile Walking Class: 4:45pm. GHCC Gym. Info: 307-467-5676.

TUESDAYS (SEPTEMBER-MAY)

Storytime: 10:30am. Hulett Library. Kids ages 0-7. Info: 307-467-5676.

MONDAY-FRIDAY

Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.

TUESDAYS (JUNE ONLY)

Summer Program: 1pm. Hulett Library. For kids ages 6-11. Info: 307-467-5676.

MONDAY-FRIDAY

Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: 9am-5pm. Free. Info: 307-467-5292.

MOORCROFT

WEDNESDAYS

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

THIRD THURSDAY OF MONTH

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

MONDAY-FRIDAY

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

ONGOING

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

NEWCASTLE

THIRD SATURDAYS

Weston County Democrats: 4pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822.

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.

SHERIDAN

SATURDAYS

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

MAY 3-17

Celebrating Complexities: Artist Talk and Reception: 11am-2pm, Sheridan College. Reception 6-10pm, Ucross Art Gallery. Features the recipients of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists in 2022 and 2023: Gerald Clarke (Cahuilla Band of Indians), Savannah LeCornu (Tsimshian, Haida, and Nez Perce), Mikayla Patton (Oglala Lakota Nation) and Cara Romero (Chemehuevi Indian Tribe). Meet the artists and curator behind the exhibition. Info: 307-737-2291, ucrossfoundation.org/ucross-gallery.

MAY 11-12

Bighorn Mountain Cup Soccer Tournament: Big Horn Equestrian Center, 352 Bird Farm Rd. The Sheridan County Soccer Association would like you to join us for the First Interstate Bank Bighorn Mountain Cup at one of the finest soccer facilities in the West. The BHEC facility boasts 26 soccer fields at one location. In addition to the soccer fields, a variety of entertainment and vendors are located on site making it possible to spend the entire day. Info: Sheridan County Soccer Association, sheridanstormsoccer@gmail.com.

MAY 17-19

Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show: Sheridan College. The Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show offers leather crafters from around the world the opportunity to fine tune their craftsmanship through classes offered by some of the world’s best. This is the premier trade show of the year featuring useful information for both beginners and expert leather crafters. Info: Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal, 715-362-5393, info@leathercraftersjournal.com.

MAY 21

Ignite Conference: 8am-5pm. Sheridan College. Full day professional conference organized by the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce. This conference provides an opportunity for professionals at every level to gain innovative ideas, learn about best practices and acquire vital information to spark their professional development and business growth. Info: Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, 307-672-2485, sheridanwyomingchamber.org.

MAY 22

Unplug with Discovery Sessions: Birds on the Move: 5-6pm. Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) Office. Bring on spring with Dr. Julie Rieder of Science Kids as we take a stroll through pastures and along Big Goose Creek watching and listening for birds as they migrate north to their summer nesting grounds. Dress for weather, bring binoculars if you have them. We will have some, too. Info: Sheridan Community Land Trust, 307-673-4702.

214 East 23rd Street, 1st Floor Cheyenne, WY 82001 cheyenneregional.org/wound

MAY 25-27

Hang Gliders Fly-In: 10:30am-3pm. Bighorn Mountains’ Sand Turn. Enjoy watching and photographing hang gliders from across the nation soaring above the Bighorn Mountains’ Sand Turn, weather permitting. Info: Johann Nield at 307751-1138, wyomingwings@wyoming. com.

MAY 28

Jentel Presents: 11:30am-1pm. Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library. Features an hour of readings and visual presentations by residents during each 3-week residency period. Informal and casual in setting, the activity is important to extending the spirit of Jentel to the cultural community in the area. The audience is welcome to bring their own brown bag lunch to the presentation. Info: Jentel Foundation, 307-737-2311.

SUNDANCE

WEDNESDAYS

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

UPTON

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 Monday-Friday 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 Tuesday and Friday. 5:30pm card elimination and potluck every third Monday. Info: 307-468-9262.

03 | NORTHWEST

CODY

MONDAY-SATURDAY

Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. 7Info: 307-587-3597.

DUBOIS

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. No story time during May as we prepare for Summer Reading Programs. 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.

FRIDAYS

Story Time: 11:30am. Dubois Branch Library, 202 N First St. Free. Stretches, story, songs, crafts and fun! Ages birth to 5 years. Info: 307-455-2992.

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.

ONGOING

Fremont County Libraries Activities: 10:30am PreK Tales & Tunes on Wednesdays. 5:30pm Starlight Storytime for ages birth to 5 years on Wednesdays. 10:30am Toddler Move & Groove for birth to 2 years on Thursdays. 4-5pm LEGO Club grades 2-5 on Thursdays. Info: 307-856-3556, fclsonline.org.

SUBMIT AN EVENT

Send complete information for July by MAY 15!

Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.

Photos are always welcome.

MEETEETSE

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

Yoga: 10:30am. Meeteetse Recreation District. Info: 307-899-2698, meetrec.org.

MONDAYS

Toddler Storytime: After school. Meeteetse Library. All kids grades 1+ not in school. Legos, board games, crafts, stories, songs and more. Info: 307-868-2248.

POWELL

MAY 31

Homesteader Book Club: 9am.

Discussion “The Last Ballad: A Novel” by Wiley Cash. Info: 307-754-9481

SECOND SUNDAYS

Community, Conversation, and Crafts: 12-4pm. Homesteader Museum. Info: 307-754-9481.

THERMOPOLIS

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.

Look for more events at wyomingrea.org/news.

QUESTIONS & SUBMISSIONS:  wren@ wyomingrea.org  [307] 286-8140  214 W. Lincolnway Ste. 21C Cheyenne, WY 82001  wyomingrea.org/ wren-submissions

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.

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.

FOR SALE

4” aluminum water line 2 miles more or less. Pipe trailers available for sale with pipe. Located in Gillette, WY. Call 307-299-2330.

New & Used Coal Stokers, parts, service & advice. Available for most makes. Thanks. 307-754-3757.

HELP WANTED

Now Accepting Applications for a full-time multi-purpose employee. Prefer candidate be mechanically inclined with equipment operating experience. Must have a clean driving record and pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol test. Hourly pay with benefits, depending on experience. Call or Text Kim at 307-350-0350, Farson, WY.

MISCELLANEOUS

Soon Church/Government uniting, suppressing “Religious Liberty” enforcing “National Sunday Law.” Be Informed! Free materials. TSBM, PO Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540, tbsmads@yahoo.com, 1-888-211-1715.

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. 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 neon motel or store signs, WY license plates and WY highway signs and State Park signs. Please call Jeff Wandler 307-680-8647 wandlerfrontier@gmail.com or daughter Briana Brewer 307-660-2402 relics@frontierauto.net.

Your Best Soup Recipes. 3398 Rd 26, Greybull, WY 82426.

The Pickup Man

People talk about it as being the horse of the suburban ranch and how there is a little cowboy in each of us. “

The other day I took my pickup in for servicing and it got me to thinking about my love-hate relationship with pickups over the years. We got our first truck when I was about 10 years old and it changed the way we ranched. It was an old wreck and we didn’t even license it because we weren’t sure it would make it the 32 miles to town. I sure liked it though, particularly when it was storming, I could take it rather than riding a horse out to get the milk cows. It was a lot easier and warmer than saddling up one of our horses. You see we didn’t use it in the pastures all the time because it burned gas which was expensive, it put wear and tear on the truck driving over the rough terrain, and it trampled the grass down. Yea, I sure did like that pickup on the ranch. But when it came to town, it was altogether a different story.

With the popularity of pickups now, it may be hard to believe that back then they were not cool. In fact they were very un-cool. They didn’t have all the power equipment they have today, they rode rough, and revealed that you were a farm kid. Because we used them for work they were often beat up and smelled bad. Not much chance of picking up girls by dragging Main Street in a pickup. Boy, have the times changed and now how people have changed. As for me the simple truth is when I was on the ranch I lacked self confidence. I thought people would like me better if I drove a car rather than a pickup. As I matured I began to realize that people of substance don’t give a hoot what you drive. In fact when I began buying and fixing houses I bought my very own “beat up” pickup. Then it hit, pickups became cool, so much so that now they are one of the best-selling vehicles in America. People talk about it as being the horse of the suburban ranch and how there is a little cowboy in each of us. They say it is a way of Americans expressing rugged individualism and proving to people that they’ve got nothing to prove. Well, I guess I wouldn’t argue with any of that way of thinking, but bottom line is that a pickup is just plain practical both on the ranch and in the city.

Funny how this is a repeating pattern in my life, that what I used to walk away from on the ranch keeps reappearing as solutions for problems in my daily life in the city. W

Ken Stimson was raised in Goshen County on a small ranch 32 miles north of Torrington. He studied at UW after Torrington High and was a proud member of the Wyoming National Guard for six years.

RAINBOW FLOWERS EXPERIMENT

MATERIALS:

White flowers - something fluffy like a carnation works great

Water

Small cups

Food coloring

The flowers take in the colored water through where you cut the stem. The process is called capillary action: the water travels up tiny tubes in the stem and delivers the water to the flower’s petals and leaves.

This activity is also a fun example of cause and effect: because you put the colored dye in the water (cause), the flower petals changed color (effect)!

Fill the cups halfway up with water, then add several drops of food coloring to the water in each cup.

Cut the stems of the flowers so they will stand on their own in the cups without falling over.

Have your kids place at least one flower in the colored water in each cup.

Ask your kids what they think is going to happen.

Watch and wait!

The white flowers will turn the color of the dye you placed in the water, but the process won’t happen right away. As your kids check on the flowers, make observations together about what’s happening:

Which flower is changing colors first?

There seems to be more color around the edges of a certain color flower.

One flower doesn’t seem to be changing as quickly, should we trim the bottom to see if that helps?

Maybe the colors will be brighter the next day - let’s check in the morning.