The Energy Mix: The Power Grid
STORY BY WREN STAFF
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
Every year about this time I drive my wife and kids crazy when they ask me what I want for Christmas. My answer is simple, I want to be out of debt, and I want world peace. Well, I’m still in debt and the world, most definitely, is not at peace, but I keep asking.
There is something, however, that I would like for Christmas from all the loyal WREN readers, but first I’ll explain why I’m asking you all for this special gift. As you may know, a big part of my job as the Executive Director at The Wyoming Rural Electric Association (WREA) is to represent your cooperative in the Halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. and in the state capital before the Wyoming legislature. In other words, I’m your lobbyist. Hopefully you didn’t scrunch up your face when you read the word lobbyist. I know the common perception people have towards this profession and in some regards, it’s well founded; the “cigar-filled backroom deals” or the lavish trips in the name of “fact-finding” portrayed in movies or sensationalized in the news. And while I do enjoy a good cigar, my “lavish trips” involve crisscrossing our beautiful state in my F-150. But what my job entails is fighting for what’s best for the rural electric cooperatives and our members. That means supporting or coming up with legislation that helps the cooperatives, or fighting against policies, regulations and legislation that would be detrimental to us.
In this upcoming legislative session beginning on Jan. 14th, 2025 I’ll be asking and educating legislators on three pieces of legislation that are important to the cooperatives, having to do with wildfire liability (protecting the cooperatives from potential bankruptcy from frivolous lawsuits), protecting
certificated service territories (protecting the cooperatives from losing revenue), and prescriptive easements (perfecting unrecorded easements so our crews can keep them safe and clear of wildfire danger and keep the lights on).
This is where you and my Christmas wish come in and I’ve made it easy for you to do. With these pressing issues coming up in the legislature I could really use your help in communicating their importance to you as a cooperative member-owner and to the cooperatives. The best and easiest way to do this is to visit voicesforcooperativepower.com and click on the “join us” button. Input your name, zip code and email. That’s it! Your information is safe and isn’t shared with anyone and you can learn more about our top issues, and when needed, send a message to your legislator. With the cooperative grassroots army support in the coming session, I’m confident we’ll make a difference for rural Wyoming.
That is my work-related Christmas wish. I hope you visit voicesforcooperativepower.com and sign-up to help and protect Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives. My personal wish for all of you is that you and your families find love, peace and happiness this Christmas season.
SHAWN TAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AURORA OVER RED CANYON RANCH
Cheepy is a sheep in a book I have recently written and illustrated. My book tells the true story of a sheep and an older mare here on the Lazy B Bar ranch that fell in love and went on a few adventures.
View more art from Lyn at LynFoley.com.
LYN FOLEY BURLINGTON Cheepy
Energy Share Kicks Off 33rd Annual Season of Giving
Energy Share of Wyoming, a nonprofit organization, is a partnership of numerous associations, utilities and businesses that assists individuals with energyrelated emergencies when unusual circumstances create financial needs not met through existing energy assistance programs.
A one-time expenditure of up to $500 per household can be made to provide assistance. First priority goes to individuals and families at or above 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, and special consideration is given to senior citizens and the disabled.
Voluntary contributions from sponsors and individuals support the program.
THE PROGRAM BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS DEC. 1 AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH APRIL 30, 2025. For more information, or to apply, visit energyshareofwyoming.org.
SPONSORING GROUPS:
The Align Team
Black Hills Energy
Enbridge Gas Wyoming
Montana Dakota Utilities
Rocky Mountain PERC
Rocky Mountain Power
Wyoming Rural Electric Association
PARTNERS:
The Salvation Army First Stop Help Center-Lander Sweetwater Family Resource Center-Rock Springs
Laramie Interfaith
$155,215 donated from private and corporate
289 households assisted
14 counties reached $113,603 in distributions for energy and propane bill assistance
Nick Cary
Nick
Cary is a Journeyman and is also President and Captain of the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department.
How long have you been a lineman?
I started as a groundman for Carbon in the spring of 2011.
What made you want to be a lineman?
I never really thought about working as a lineman before seeing an ad for the groundman job in our local paper. I didn’t know much about the job so I wandered up the street to ask Tom about it. Tom had been working for Carbon for a while and was the only lineman I knew real well. He told me about the job itself and how the apprenticeship program worked. He seemed to enjoy the job so I figured I’d give it a shot. I put in for it and got an interview. After the interview I remember thinking I wasted my time and there was no way they were going to hire me. I had zero electrical experience. I was a millwright at the mines in Wright for seven years and worked at a refinery for a year before applying. I couldn’t believe it when the foreman called and offered me the job. It was a big cut in pay for the first three months but I figured it was going to be worth it. I was right.
What is your favorite part of the position?
It has its days like any other job but the good days outweigh the bad by far. My favorite part of being a lineman is that every day is different. We mainly build and maintain power lines but we also perform fleet maintenance and once in a while I still get to do a little welding which I still enjoy. I think it keeps the job interesting not knowing what the next day will bring. It can all change with a phone call.
When did you become a fireman?
I started with the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department in 2011 also, just a few months before getting hired at Carbon. My dad had been a firefighter for SVFD since 1977 and I always looked up to him and thought it was the coolest thing. Once I moved back to Saratoga he got me in the department. I got elected as President by default in 2012 when our president took a different job out of town and resigned from the department. I am still currently President and Captain. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. There is no better feeling than knowing that you made a difference for someone who honestly needed help.
Do any of the skills you have from being a first responder cross over into your job as a lineman, or is there anything you’ve learned in either position that has helped you in the other?
I think being able to stay calm in stressful situations is something that I’ve learned both as a firefighter and a lineman. At times you have to be able to put everything else aside and focus on what is going on in front of you with both jobs. Other than that just being willing to do what needs to be done is a big part of both jobs. A good work ethic and willingness to take care of business is probably the number one thing a lineman needs. When you are the guy answering the phone it’s up to you to do what needs to be done. The same with the fire department when the pager goes off.
Who or what inspires you to do your job well?
My wife and kids are the ones that inspire me to do my job to the best of my abilities. The most important thing for me is that I come home safe to them every night.
What’s the best part about working in rural Wyoming?
The best part of working in rural Wyoming is you’re working in rural Wyoming! Some days I catch myself just looking around at the mountains and thinking, man I can’t believe I’m getting paid for this!
Is there any part of being a lineman that surprised you or that you didn’t expect?
The part that surprised me about being a lineman is the guys you meet. It’s a pretty tight knit bunch of guys no matter where you go. I have made friends with guys I never would’ve met besides line schools and utility expos. It is a very small world.
What kinds of tips would you give someone who is interested in becoming a lineman?
I would tell anyone that is interested in line work that the best thing they can do is be willing to work hard and keep learning. There is a lot to this trade and it’s changing all the time. It’s like no other job on earth. Never stop learning.
CARBON POWER & LIGHT’S
Tom Westring
Tom Westring is the Director of Operations and is a member of the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department
How long have you been a lineman?
I was a lineman for 17 years, before becoming the Director of Operations. I have worked at Carbon Power & Light for almost 21 years.
What made you want to decide to become a lineman?
Becoming a lineman was not a decision that I just made one day. I was encouraged to apply for an apprentice position by a friend who was a lineman and found that it was a career that I enjoyed and found rewarding.
What is your favorite part of the position?
My favorite part of being a lineman was working with a tight-knit group of co-workers through some very adverse and challenging conditions.
When did you become a fireman and what made you decide to do so?
I became a member of Saratoga Volunteer F.D. shortly after starting at Carbon Power & Light. I was asked to join the department by another fireman.
What are the most important qualities for someone in your position to have?
The ability to adapt to changing conditions and situations while ensuring the safety of public and team members, and the ability to calmly react and take action when unforeseen situations present themselves. I believe a lot of the skills required to be a fireman and a lineman are the same.
Who or what inspires you to do your job well?
I was taught at a young age to do any job to the best of my abilities and take pride in my workmanship. That inspires me to do my job well.
What’s the best part about working in rural Wyoming?
The best part of working in rural Wyoming is the wide open and uncrowded space.
Are there any tips or tricks you learned while making the transition to lineman?
When making the transition to being a lineman I learned the following tips and tricks:
a. Always pay attention to the wind direction before opening the truck door.
b. Never assume a call out will be quick.
c. Don’t be surprised by the way that power lines can be damaged.
Is there any part of being a lineman that surprised you or that you didn’t expect?
I never expected that no matter where I am or what I am doing I always find myself patrolling power lines.
What kinds of tips would you give a young person that is interested in becoming a lineman?
Tips to a young person interested in the trade:
a. Common sense will take you a long way.
b. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
c. Work hard.
d. Put your phone down and pay attention to what goes on around you.
SAFER, BETTER, FASTER: POWER UP YOUR LIFE WITH ELECTRICITY
HEAT & COOL WITH A HEAT PUMP
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when paired with proper insulation, an electric heat pump can save over 30 percent on your heating and cooling bills compared to conventional HVAC systems. Here are some more advantages of a heat pump:
• One system to heat your home (even in sub-zero temperatures) and cool during warmer months
• Eliminate potential carbon monoxide exposure from combustion byproducts
• Costs substantially less to heat your home than propane or electric baseboard heat
SAVE WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGER
A study from Consumer Reports showed that EV drivers spend close to 60 percent less on fuel (aka charging) costs compared to drivers of gas-powered cars. The biggest savings come when drivers charge overnight during off-peak hours. Other benefits include:
• No oil changes and less maintenance required
• Increased savings compared to gasoline
• Fun to drive because of torque
• A federal EV tax credit offers up to $7,500 for new cars and $4,000 for first-time used buyers
• More responsive, fun to drive and no lag
MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE REBATES MAKE THE SWITCH EASIER
Our energy efficiency program is over 40 years old, and we’ve provided 10,000+ electrification and efficiency rebates as a part of our Electrify and Save program. Together with our members, we’re extending the benefits of electrification for schools, homeowners, businesses, agricultural producers, nonprofits and more.
Contact your local electric co-op or public power district to find out more on available rebates and incentives.
Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
We’ve Found the Most Beautiful Endangered Species
Theirs sold at auction for $226,000. Ours is JUST $29! Curious? Read on!
To art nouveau jewelers at the turn of the last century, nothing was more beautiful than the dragonfly. In the dragonfly’s long body and outstretched wings, jewelers found the perfect setting for valuable stones. ese jewelers’ dragonfly designs have become timeless statements of style; a dragonfly pendant designed by French jeweler René Lalique recently sold at auction for $226,000. Inspired by his stunning artistry, we’ve crafted our Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection, an elegant jewelry set for JUST $29!
True artisanship in Austrian crystal and yellow gold. is necklace and earring set features gorgeous multicolored enamel paired with Austrian crystals and a yellow gold finish. Ask any jeweler and they’ll tell you it takes true artisanship to properly blend the blues and purples found in this enamel. While art nouveau dragonflies are hard to come by, we’re helping to repopulate their numbers with this artfully stylized depiction of some of nature’s smallest wonders!
Buy the pendant, get the earrings FREE. If Stauer were a normal company, we’d sell the necklace and earrings for $199 each, but because we engage the world’s best artisans and cut out the middlemen to sell directly to you, we’re offering the necklace for JUST $29! Even better: If you buy within the next few days, we’ll throw in the earrings for FREE! at’s a nearly $400 value for JUST $29!
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• Enamel with Austrian crystal. Yellow gold finish
• Pendant: 1 ½" W x 1 ¼" H. Chain: 18" + 2", lobster clasp. Earrings: 1 ¼" L, french wire
Dragonfly Nouvelle Collection
A. Necklace $199 $29* + S&P Save $170
B. Earrings $199 FREE with purchase of Dragonfly Nouvelle Necklace
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
THE ENERGY MIX:
THE POWER GRID
BY WEREN STAFF
THIS YEAR, WREN MAGAZINE SET OUT TO REVIEW WYOMING’S ENERGY SOURCES – BOTH RENEWABLE AND NON-RENEWABLE – IN AN EFFORT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WYOMING’S FULL POWER GRID.
Throughout the year, we were able to highlight how the resources in Wyoming’s energy mix work together to compose a diverse power grid, which not only keeps the lights on, but helps to stimulate the state’s economy. What follows is a brief recap of the topics covered in this year’s feature stories, told through voices of the Wyoming energy experts, visionaries and leaders we were fortunate to have had conversations with.
“More
is more when it comes to energy – whether it’s made from Wyoming coal, Wyoming wind, Wyoming uranium or Wyoming oil and gas,” Rob Creager, Executive Director of the Wyoming Energy Authority said in last month’s issue. “We are going to need more of all kinds of energy to meet the future energy demands in this country. And we want Wyoming to be front and center in that future.”
In August, CEO of TerraPower Christopher Levesque said, “People in Wyoming understand energy better than a lot of places in the country.” There’s a lot of evidence to support that statement, including Wyoming’s position as the nation’s leading coal and uranium producer, its rank as eighth and ninth in production of oil and natural gas, and as the overall second largest energy producer in the nation. As communications director for Governor Mark Gordon’s office Michael Pearlman mentioned in October, “Wyoming has world class minerals and mining opportunities.”
Discussing wind energy in the state, Dr. Jonathan Naughton, Co-Director of University of Wyoming’s Wind Energy Research Center said in May’s feature article, “We’re great energy producers, not just for the state but for the nation. I look at wind as another resource that we can develop.”
Over the course of this year, giving a voice to Wyoming’s main energy sources, we broke down how each resource is converted into energy for the power grid, and discussed their advantages and disadvantages. Having done so, it’s clear that, as Naughton stated in May, “we shouldn’t be focusing on one energy source, we should be developing whatever we can that’s good for the state.” Wind, for instance, “diversifies our economy to some degree, our energy economy. It makes us more resilient in the sense that, if one resource goes away, there’s another that’s going to be here,” Naughton said.
This touches on a recurring theme we encountered over the course of this year through interviews with energy industry experts, as well as energy projects and organizations across the state: Wyoming’s energy sources, renewable and non-renewable, together create a flexible and dependable power grid.
Paul Ulrich, Vice President-Government and Regulatory Affairs of Jonah Energy, said in July’s feature story on oil and natural gas,“I strongly believe that if Wyoming is working together, which we’re known to do, even with a fairly large push to migrate away from a carbon based energy system, Wyoming is well positioned for growth. We have the ability, the smarts, and the will to produce energy where it can be very competitive with a non-carbon based energy system.”
“Together renewable and non-renewable energy provide a reliable, affordable and responsible energy supply for our member systems,” Lisa Tiffin, Senior Vice President Energy Management of TriState Generation & Transmission, said last month.
“
The Aging Grid and Primary Demand Drivers
~70% of the grid was built 25+ years ago and is in need of upgrades or replacement
Grid capacity in the U.S. would need to more than double by 2035 to meet expected demand Increasing Demand (By 2050):
U.S. Datacenters +65% Residential Power Consumption +14-22% Date Source: NRECA; U.S. Energy Information Administration
Kara Choquette, Director of Communications and Government Relations for Power Company of Wyoming
THE POWER GRID: A JOURNEY
01 electricity generation
In Wyoming, 61 power plants generate more than 43.5 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually. These are fueled by various energy resources.
In 2023, the TransWest Express Transmission project, a 732-mile line, broke ground in Wyoming, just southeast of Rawlins.
transmission 02
After generation, electricity needs to travel from power plants to centers of demand through a process known as transmission.
First, the electricity is sent from power plants to substations where step-up transformers convert it into extremely high-voltages.
High-voltage conversions help minimize how much electricity is lost in transmission across long distances.
Transmission line voltages can vary from 69kV to 765kV, and lines are interconnected and shared across the nation.
It’s really exciting and important for the United States to have meaningful and domestic supplies of the rare earth elements and other critical minerals as well as domestic processing facilities.”
A new revenue source such as critical minerals could help diversify the state revenue sources.
distribution + consumption 03
Distribution is the final stage of delivering electricity. It is the process of transporting power from the transmission system to individual consumers.
Distribution poles host smaller localized transformers that optimize voltage for specific end users.
At all times, the amount of electricity sent through the grid must equal the amount of electricity consumed. For this reason, electricity supply often fluctuates throughout the day, usually peaking in the evenings.
The power grid is how electrical power travels from the power plant to homes and businesses.
Electrical power starts at the power plant; this is the source of the power, where power is generated from the non-renewable or renewable power resource. There is almost always a spinning electrical generator at the power plant. The generator may be spun by a water wheel in a hydroelectric dam or by a gas turbine, a diesel engine or another source of power. In most cases, the generator is a steam turbine; the steam may be created by burning coal, oil or natural gas, or it may come from a nuclear reactor.
When power leaves the generator, it enters a transmission substation - still at the power plant. The substation uses large transformers to convert the generator’s voltage to extremely high voltages for long-distance transmission on the transmission grid. The higher the voltage, the less energy is lost due to resistance; a typical maximum transmission distance is about 300 miles.
What Wyoming needs and what this country needs, it’s not ‘all of the above’ strategy. It’s an ‘all that works’ strategy, and fossil fuels, including uranium, work.
Transmission lines may run underground or in the air, acting as highways for electricity.
For the power to be distributed to and useful in everyday circumstances, it needs to be converted or “stepped-down,” which happens through a transformer at a power substation. Substations are important for ensuring the electricity is safe for use.
Once at the correct voltage, electricity travels over distribution powerlines to reach homes, schools and businesses.
Travis Deti, Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association
Erin Campbell, Wyoming State Geologist at the Wyoming State Geological Survey
The Need for New Transmission
The U.S. has about 240k circuit miles of transmission.
What’s Needed:
Why?
Future
Aging Grid
Challenges
Capacity would need to more than double by 2035 to meet expected demand. Permitting
Project Bottlenecks
Supply Chain Delays
Hydropower today is probably more valuable than it’s ever been. We need to protect it and not take it for granted.
Working Together to Contribute to the Grid
Throughout the year, through research, conversations and passionate remarks from members of each industry, the resounding themes were that Wyoming is smart about energy, having “a high energy I.Q.,” (Kara Choquette, Director of Communications and Government Relations for Power Company of Wyoming in May’s WREN), and that here in Wyoming, we can, we have and we will work together to find solutions that contribute power to the grid so it remains accessible, reliable, safe and affordable.
“What Wyoming needs and what this country needs, it’s not ‘all of the above’ strategy. It’s an ‘all that works’ strategy, and fossil fuels, including uranium, work,” said Travis Deti, Executive Director of the Wyoming Mining Association, in August’s focus on uranium and nuclear power.
“Even out in the middle of nowhere, that farmer or rancher out there deserves reliable power. You have a right to have power. Frankly, in Wyoming, being the rural state we are, that energy is generated by coal, it’s generated by gas, and it’s going to be generated by nuclear from Wyoming uranium,” he said.
As Creager said in November, “Our philosophy is really more about how we can keep Wyoming at the forefront of delivering reliable energy to millions of Americans for the next several decades.”
“Wyoming is a participant in something that really has national and international significance,” said Levesque in August.
And in an opinion piece quoted in the November WREN, Governor Gordon said Wyoming provides energy of all types, and “that our future - America’s and the world’s - depends on all types of energy.” He said, “all of our energy is valuable.” W
David Gattie, Associate Professor at the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia
Jim Horan, Executive Director of the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association
wyobiodiversity.org
Distinct Look
These summer visitors are very large. They are 24 to 32 inches long, have wingspans up to six feet, and weigh over three pounds.
Turkey vultures are easily identified with bald red heads and black bodies said to resemble turkeys. The bald head serves a purpose, allowing them to reach inside rotting carcasses to feed without getting dirty.
Helpful Diet
Vultures’ highly acidic stomachs allow them to digest just about anything. They can eat dead animals that would make other predators sick, helping prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, botulism, distemper and anthrax. They also clean up the environment.
Their excellent sense of smell allows them to detect the rotting carcasses. When you see one or more vultures with wings raised in a V, making wobbly circles low in the sky, you can be reasonably sure they are looking for or have found their next meal.
Survival Tricks
Because vultures eat animal carcasses, they may be hit by cars or attacked by predators. In the latter case, they simply vomit up their meal and the acidic stomach acid to escape. Because of their dark color, they may become too warm on hot days. Then, they defecate on their legs to cool off. Eww!
They are not very pretty and cannot even sing like other birds. However, the Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) is essential
LITTLE WYOMING
A Rainbow
Christmas Day dawned sunny and clear. The 20-degree frosty morning had created ice crystals on the horses’ backs. Frost clung to their ears and whiskers. The horses snorted and bucked across the corral, impatient for me to bring their hay. Our Doberman and French bulldog raced wildly around the yard leaving trails in the frosty grass. It really was the Currier and Ives picture of a quintessential Christmas morning.
I soaked it all in quickly, then hurried inside to open Christmas presents with my wife, daughter and German exchange student.
I really needed this quiet, loving time. The previous two days had been challenging. We had several inches of snow and unusually cold temperatures for our area. I had several emergency calls to treat animals that were just not able to handle the extremes of winter. One -20-degree morning, a young woman found her 25-year-old gelding down in the snow. He was unable to get up when she went into his pen to feed. He had obviously been down for hours over night because he was melted down into the snow, even with a blanket on.
As her grandmother, father and I tried to get the little horse up, the young woman commented quietly, “This was my first horse.”
We spent two and a half fruitless hours trying to save the palomino gelding. Finally, we all decided the most humane option was to let him go. My hands were so cold I struggled to remove the safety cap from the bottle of euthanasia solution. When I attempted to inject the pink drug into the jugular vein, I found the solution had frozen in the needle. My cold, stiff fingers were barely able to retrieve a clean needle from my warm pocket to finally be able to give the little horse the relief that he needed.
BY DR. BRUCE CONNALLY
These life and death decisions were weighing heavily on me. This beautiful Christmas Day with my family was proving to be just what I needed to lift the weight of those decisions from my mind. We opened presents and ate a delicious breakfast.
“
Children see magic because they look for it.
Then the girls decided we should go to Evergreen Lake for some ice skating. The lake is set in a valley with pine forest all around. One end has a hockey rink for some throwback outdoor hockey. The other was cleared for recreational
“A rainbow!” he exclaimed joyously. “Look! A rainbow.” His family was standing in line at the skate rental shop. They were too far away to share his rainbow.
He repeated “it’s a rainbow” once more before running to join his family in the skate rental line.
I looked at the place he was pointing. One of the machines used to plow snow from the path had apparently dripped some oil, forming a colorful sheen on the surface of the water.
The author Christopher Moore said in his 2002 book, “Children see magic because they look for it.”
This little boy had found a magic rainbow that had fallen from the sky. His family had not been looking for magic, so they missed it. But the boy showed the magic to me. What a great Christmas gift. W
Dr. Bruce Connally practices equine medicine in central Wyoming and northern Colorado from his home in Berthoud, Colorado.
BLACK-EYED PEAS
1 LARGE TOMATO, DICED
1/2 RED ONION, FINELY CHOPPED
1 RED BELL PEPPER, FINELY CHOPPED
1 JALAPEÑO, FINELY CHOPPED
2 TBS GREEN ONIONS, CHOPPED
2 TBS PARSLEY LEAVES, CHOPPED
1/4 CUP RICE VINEGAR
1/4 CUP CANOLA OIL
1/2 TSP SUGAR
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
2 15 OZ CANS BLACK-EYED PEAS, DRAINED
Mix the first six ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar and salt and pepper. Toss together and let marinate for up to 8 hours in the fridge. Serve.
DOLORES MAYERS MURRAY, UTAH
1 WHITE ONION, DICED
2 4 OZ CANS HATCH GREEN CHILIES HAM HOCKS
16 OZ DRIED BLACK-EYED PEAS
1 15 OZ CAN BLACK-EYED PEAS
Soak dried beans overnight. Drain and add to a pot with ham hocks, onions, chilies and salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 hours until meat is falling off bone. Serve with cooked spinach and cornbread.
WREN STAFF
In a medium bowl with a lid, combine all ingredients and stir. Refrigerate for 4 or more hours. Serve with corn chips or tortillas.
SANDRA SAMPLE LAGRANGE
1 15 OZ CAN BLACK-EYED PEAS, DRAINED
1/4 CUP CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS
1/4 CUP CHOPPED RED BELL PEPPER
2 CLOVES MINCED GARLIC
2 TBS OLIVE OIL
2 TBS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
1 OR 2 FRESH JALAPEÑO PEPPERS, SEEDED AND FINELY CHOPPED SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE
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Tillie Sewell: Tough as Nails and Sweet as Can Be
BY ILENE OLSON
Matilda “Tillie” Bock Sewell was a cowgirl and expert horse handler in Weston County from the time she was a small child.
Tillie was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in October after being nominated by her granddaughter, Debra Sewell.
“She was definitely a cowgirl, and a very good one,” Debra said.
Tillie was born on Nov. 30, 1902. She was the second of seven children born to Julius and Bertha Bock on the Double Spear Ranch.
Julius homesteaded the ranch, expanding it over time by purchasing more than 60 other homesteads and the YT Ranch. With the help of as many as 20 hired hands, he eventually ran 1,200 head of cattle and 2,000 sheep.
Tillie began attending school when she was just 4 years old. Because the winters were so severe in the area, school at that time was held only in June, July and August.
“When the children were old enough to go to school, they would either ride a horse or walk,” Debra said in her nomination. According to another granddaughter, Tammy Sewell Clyde, the school was in Black Canyon, a seven-mile trip one way for the teacher from her homestead north of Clay Spur.
Because they were the oldest, Tillie and her sister Clara did their share of the ranch work at an early age.
“They spent long days in the saddle, helping gather cattle and sheep during the roundups, and helping ship them on the railroad,” Debra wrote.
Tillie and Clara became “exceptionally good horsewomen at a fairly young age,” according to a Weston County History report. They became known as “the girls from Newcastle who roped and tied steers.”
As teenagers, they were featured at the Bell Fourche Roundup Rodeo, Tammy said. They were such good horsewomen that a family friend, Joe Fordyce, said anyone having trouble with a horse should take the horse to the “Bock Sisters.”
Top: Bock Homestead Cabin
PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING COWBOY HALL OF FAME
Bottom: Tillie Sewell and one of her favorite horses.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTON COUNTY HISTORY BOOK
Tillie instilled in her children the cowboy way. Tillie and her children went through trying times, but they were cowboy tough.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA SEWELL
Left Bottom: Clara Bock (Engle), front; Tillie Bock (Sewell), behind; photographed in 1917.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTON COUNTY HISTORY BOOK
Tillie married George Sewell in 1925. The couple lived at the YT Ranch until 1934, when they moved to the Turner Place, then to Skull Creek in in 1935. They later moved to the Stewart Place, and in 1946, to a place near Osage.
Tillie and George had seven children: Gladys, Willis, Alice, Mildred, Harold, Sammy and Jeanie.
“Tillie instilled in her children the cowboy way,” Debra wrote. “Tillie and her children went through trying times, but they were cowboy tough.”
George passed away in 1949, and Tillie was left to raise the three children who were still at home. Tillie’s mother and father had both died in 1944.
Debra said Tillie loved driving her car and visiting her friends. Weston County History reports,
“Almost every weekend over the years you can find her waiting on a Sunday afternoon with a delicious home cooked meal ready for whoever decided to drop in.”
That gathering often included Tammy and her cousins.
Left Top: Clara Bock and Tillie Bock in front of Double Spear Barn built in 1912.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING COWBOY HALL OF FAME
Right Top: In August 2024 Tillie Mae Bock Sewell was honored at the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame-Region 1. These are the family members and WCHF officials at the event.
“She was the best cook!” Tammy said. “I spent more quality time with her grandmother than I did at home. I don’t remember a time in my life when Grandma Tillie wasn’t in it.”
Tillie would pick up Tammy, her brother and their cousins in Newcastle and drive them to her place in Osage, Tammy said. “An average of five to seven of us at a time. My brother and I, my cousins on my dad’s side, and some on my mom’s side. She didn’t discriminate!”
Tammy said they would spend holidays and summer vacations with Tillie. “My absolute favorite times were at her house.”
“She could do anything,” Tammy said. “She could get the horses in and saddle them up for us, and she never lost the ability to read a horse: ‘Watch out for this one, he might buck a little bit,’ or ‘He might kick.’ And she could handle them without saying anything to them.”
Tammy said her grandmother was always concerned that the children might encounter a snake.
She could get the horses in and saddle them up for us, and she never lost the ability to read a horse: ‘Watch out for this one, he might buck a little bit,’ or ‘He might kick.’ And she could handle them without saying anything to them.”
“Once, she picked us up, and when we got back to her place, we got out of the car, and we heard a buzzing sound. There was a rattlesnake in the yard, and the dog had it cornered.
“Grandma told us kids to stay back, and we knew by her tone of voice, we’d better not move a muscle. She grabbed her long-barreled pistol and shot at the snake, but it was getting dark and she missed the snake. When she ran out of bullets, she got a shovel and cut that snake into pieces.”
There were quiet times, too, while the children listened to the stories Tillie had to tell.
“She told the best stories,” Tammy said. “She was tough as nails, and sweet as can be.” And she remembered the names of nearly every horse she ever had.
Tillie died on Nov. 26, 1988, at the age of 85. W
Ilene Olson is a freelance photographer, writer and editor in Powell.
Above: Tillie Bock Sewell with her seven children. PHOTO COURTESY OF WYOMING COWBOY HALL OF FAME
Right Top: Tillie on Skull Creek Ranch in 1963. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA SEWELL
Right Bottom: Scott, Tillie, Deb and Sammy Sewell in 1961. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA SEWELL
Celebrating 50 Years of Love
MaryAnne and Dennis Smith, Torrington
Celebrate America
Trudy Craft, Basin
Comeback Celebration
Heather McLaughlin, Upton
Party Like A Rock Star!
Melody Posey-Harris, Saratoga
Celebrating Fall From Our House to Yours
Rob McIntosh, Torrington
Carrie
Martha
Happy
Mr.
Laura
Jasper’s
17TH ANNUAL
ICE FISHING DERBY
MEETEETSE FEBRUARY 1-2, 2025
Reel in the chills and hooks of victory where winter’s bite means competitive fight with two full days of fishing action! Anglers of all ages and skill levels are invited to take part in this exciting competition. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with great catches, community spirit, cash prizes, friendly competition and the chance to enjoy Meeteetse’s winter beauty.
LOCATION:
Sunshine Reservoir & Lower Sunshine Reservoir
INFO: 307-868-2454 meeteetsewy.com/meeteetse-ice-fishing-derby
Stay tuned for additional details, including registration information and prize categories.
Registration opens soon!
01 | SOUTHEAST
CENTENNIAL
THURSDAY-MONDAY
Nici Self Historical Museum: 12-4pm. Explore museum grounds and exhibits. Free. Info: niciselfmuseum.com.
CHUGWATER
T HURSDAYS
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.
MEDICINE
BOW
ONGOING
Museum and Gift Shop: 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
JANUARY 18-MAY 10
Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites Exhibit: Mon.-Sat. 8am-5pm. Rockpile Museum. An imaginative bookbased exhibit experience for children that we are excited to unveil to Campbell County and the surrounding areas, provided by a grant from Campbell County Community Public Recreation District. Storyland is designed to guide visitors to the discovery that it is never too early to begin the love of reading, and provides adults with tools for cultivating literacy through everyday activities. Free. Info: Heather Rodriguez, 307-682-5723.
THIRD WEEK OF EVERY MONTH
Open Mic Nite: 6-9pm. Thu. or Fri. depending on the schedule. Frontier Auto Museum. Free. All musicians are welcome. We supply the stage, mic and speakers. Bring your voice and/or instrument for an enjoyable evening under the neon lights. Upcoming dates will be posted on facebook.com/frontierauto. Info: Ryan Swanson, 307-686-5667, relics@frontierauto.net.
ONGOING
Ava Community Art Center: Exhibits and workshops. Info: 307-682-9133, avacenter.org.
HULETT
TUESDAYS
Children’s Storytime: 10:30-11:30am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
5 Mile Walking Exercise Class: 4:45-6pm. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
MONDAY-FRIDAY
Senior Exercise Class: 9-10am. Hulett Library. Info: 307-467-5743.
ONGOING
Hulett Museum and Art Gallery: Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. Sat. 12-4pm. 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: 2pm. Weston County Library. Info: 307-941-1822, weston.wyodems.net.
FRIDAYS
Bingo: 7:30pm. VFW Hall. Free.
SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAYS
Gigi’s Closet: 9am-1:30pm. First United Methodist Church. Gently loved clothing available for babies to adults. Info: 307-746-4119.
ONGOING
Anna Miller Museum: 8am-4pm. Closed on holidays. 401 Delaware Ave. Free. Info 307- 746-4188.
SHERIDAN
SATURDAYS
Landon’s Farmer’s Market: 10am. Landon’s Greenhouse, 505 College Meadows Dr. Info: 307-672-8340.
SUNDANCE
FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
Lunch Brunch Book Club: 11:30am. Crook County Library. Join us for an adult book discussion. Free. Info: Shannon, 307-283-1008.
WEDNESDAYS
Storytime: 10:30am. Crook County Public Library. Info: Tonia, 307-283-1008.
UPTON
SECOND TUESDAYS
Veteran Breakfast: 8am. Upton Senior Center. Free. Info: Gary Barnes, 307-468-9251.
FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS
Bingo at Senior Center: 6:30pm. $10 for 10 cards. Info: 307-468-9262.
ONGOING
Senior Center Activities: 1113 2nd St. 12pm lunch 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: 307468-9262.
03 | NORTHWEST
BASIN
JANUARY 4
Goat Roping: 10-4pm. BHC Fairgrounds. BHC Farm Bureau team roping for all ages. Cash payouts! Proceeds support Big Horn County WY Farm Bureau Youth Programs. Pre-register by Dec. 20. Info: Call or text 307-410-9301 or 307-272-5499.
CODY
MONDAY-SATURDAY
Cody Country Art League Gallery: 9am-5pm. 836 Sheridan Ave. Info: 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. 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.
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.
Homesteader Museum: 10am-5pm. Private tours or visits available. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
SATURDAYS
Homesteader Museum: 10am-2pm. Private tours or visits available. Info: 307-754-9481, homesteader@parkcounty-wy.gov.
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.
RIVERTON
WEDNESDAYS
Acoustic Music Jam: 6:30-8:30pm. Holiday Inn Convention Center. Free. Join in or listen as musicians and dancers perform. Info: 307-856-8100.
PreK Tales & Tunes: 10:30am. Riverton Branch Library. Ages 3-5. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
Starlight Storytime: 5:30pm. Riverton Branch Library. Ages birth to 5 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
THURSDAYS
Toddler Move & Groove: 10:30am. Riverton Branch Library. Ages birth to 2 years. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
LEGO Club: 4-5pm LEGO Club. Riverton Branch Library. Grades 2-5. Free. Info: 307-856-3556.
THERMOPOLIS
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 1
Team Branding: Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. Two teams will compete at the same time and they each have two minutes to rope, throw and mark two calves each. The ropers will start together and time begins when they cross the line. The flankers may not touch the calf until the whole calf has been brought across the line. Info: thermopolischamber.org.
FEBRUARY 8
Chocolate Lovers Delight: 11am-1pm. Hot Springs County Library. Pick the box or boxes of delicious homemade candies, cookies and treats in bakery boxes. Silent Auction that you do not have to be present to win. $5. Info: 307-864-3104.
FEBRUARY 14-15
SUBMIT AN EVENT
Send complete information by JANUARY 15!
Please send events occurring in the month of March by January 15 for inclusion in the WREN.
Be sure to include the date, title, description, time, cost, location, address and contact information for each event.
Photos are always welcome.
Central Wyoming Cutting Club: Starts 2pm Fri. and 8am Sat. Hot Springs County Fairgrounds. Cutting is a sport that showcases the special connection between a horse and rider through the precision and skill involved in separating a single animal from a herd of cattle. Membership $35, stalls $20 a night, shavings $12, electric hookups $20 per night, special “cutters” rate at Hot Springs Hotel of $89 if needing a room. Info: 307-921-1219.
04 | SOUTHWEST
FLAMING GORGE
JANUARY 24-26
Burbot Bash: Annual Ice Fishing tournament for Burbot and Lake Trout. Flaming Gorge Reservoir. $40 per person. Info: burbotbash.com.
LYMAN
THURSDAYS
Storytime: 11am. Lyman Branch Library. All ages welcome. Free. Info: 307-787-6556, uintalibrary.org.
MOUNTAIN VIEW
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
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
New & Used Coal Stokers, parts, service & advice. Available for most makes. Thanks. 307-754-3757.
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 307660-2402 relics@frontierauto.net.
Eye See
BY WALT GASSON
My uncle Grant Morck was a wonderful man. He grew up poor, the son of Norwegian immigrants who came to Zion with a boatload of Mormon converts and arrived in Utah just in time for the 1918 influenza epidemic. His dad Carl was working for an undertaker in Salt Lake City at the time, and the corpses were coming in faster than they were going out. Uncle Grant remembered his dad working from home during that time, building coffins in the living room. After a brief and unsuccessful venture in ranching in the Bridger Valley, the family landed in Green River and stayed.
BY
PHOTO
WALT GASSON
Carl became a barber, but times were hard and every dollar mattered, so Grant worked every summer on a haying crew at Doc Gilligan’s place on East Fork, near Boulder. He learned all the old cowboy songs that the hay hands sang, and he picked up on their quick wit. When someone would look optimistically at the clouds after a storm and say, “I believe it’s clearing up,” Uncle Grant’s automatic response was invariably, “Yep. Clear up to your butt.” When someone would voice agreement, saying “I see,” he’d follow up with “…said the blind man.”
spontaneously decide to come loose and start flapping around like a hay tarp in a hurricane?
I spent the summer recovering. Some things were hard. Like tying a fly on when we went fishing. Yeah, one fly change took about 20 minutes. But it was entertaining sometimes, too. Like when the grandsons who were helping out with some smallscale logging at the cabin went on strike until I turned over the chainsaw to them. They’d let me drive the pickup, as long as it was in the daytime. But when I described the psychedelic light show I was seeing in oncoming headlights, they suspended my nighttime driving privileges immediately. Mighty fussy, those boys, mighty fussy…
“But then I found myself asking my daughter what kind of horses those were and hearing her respond, ‘I believe they’re dairy cows, Dad.’”
I thought of that once this summer when I was in Rock Springs for a book signing event. I’d just gotten some new glasses, and I was a little concerned about them. Without warning, a dark shadow suddenly showed up in the bottom right quadrant of my right eye. It covered about 20 percent of the field of view in that eye. Kim was alarmed when I told her, and she suggested I call our optometrist ASAP. I did, but I was westbound near Arlington by the time Nik got back to me. He was pretty alarmed, too. But being an idiot, I went boldly on. The signing was fun, as they always are. But by the next day, the dark shadow had grown to 80 percent in that eye and it was obvious something was badly wrong.
Long story short, we rushed to Denver to see the retina doc, who said I had a detached retina. In a flash of blinding wit I replied, “I see,” and Uncle Grant’s comeback echoed in my head. The doc didn’t laugh, and we rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to get the darn thing reattached. Who knew a retina could just
Anyway, it got me to thinking, while I was sitting in the camp chair, not running the saw and not driving the pickup, sometimes we think we see things perfectly clearly. And we might. Prior to the above adventures, I always prided myself on being able to tell if an antelope a mile away was a buck or a doe without using binoculars, just by the way it moved. I could see that bedded coyote nobody else could pick out. But then I found myself asking my daughter what kind of horses those were and hearing her respond, ‘I believe they’re dairy cows, Dad.’” My wounded eye was nothing compared to my wounded pride.
I guess the lesson for me here goes beyond antelope, coyotes and cows. The fact is that both literally and figuratively, I don’t always see things clearly. I’m a pretty confident old buzzard, and I just about always assume that I do, but I don’t. Sometimes, my vision is clouded by a detached retina, but more importantly sometimes my perspective is clouded by my own pride. The first one is about skilled surgery and long, drawn-out recovery. But the second requires some humility. Dang it.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll. Be good to one another out there. W
Walt Gasson is a fourth-generation Wyoming native, writer and son of the sagebrush sea. He lives in Laramie, Wyoming.
CAPTURING TIME
Make a New Year’s Eve time capsule with your family to capture what life is like right now, then revisit your time capsule at the end of next year and reflect on how things have changed or stayed the same!
INSTRUCTIONS:
First, find a jar, a shoebox, or any container with a lid that will serve as your capsule.
Decorate it however you want!
Then, have everyone choose one or two things to put into the capsule. These can be physical items like a toy or a spoon, a drawing, a photo, a book - anything that feels meaningful right now.
Work together to write a note about yourselves that you can read together next year, and add it to the time capsule. Here are some ideas for what to include:
• Everyone’s favorite food, color, book, movie, song, activity or game
• Your favorite thing to do as a family
• How you each chose what to put in the time capsule
• Your favorite memories from the past year
• Your hopes for the coming year or what you’re looking forward to
Finally, choose a place to store your time capsule until this time next year!
