82717 February/March 2019

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Gillette’s Lifestyle Magazine

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KITCHENS WE LOVE SMART TECH FOR YOUR

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MARBLE FLOORS TO MARVEL

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Gillette Home Show

Celebrates 27 Years This March

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inter still has a hold on Wyoming in the spring, but that doesn’t mean you should stay inside and put off that home improvement project for later.

If you’re planning on building, renovating, or remodeling this year, the Northeast Wyoming Contractor’s Association (NEWCA) Home Show is the place to be in March. For the past 26 years, the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce has hosted builders, landscapers, flooring professionals, heating-and-cooling experts and more than 100 other specialists at CAM-PLEX. It’s an annual event that brings visitors from all over Wyoming, and from out of state.

There’s a little bit of everything for anyone looking to change their home or start a larger project. Despite being free to attend, the Home Show is also a fundraiser.

“There are other home shows around this time of year, but ours directly benefits the skilled trades,” said Tracy Mathews, NEWCA liaison.

“A portion of our vendor booth sales goes to local SkillsUSA students, and our silent auction supports the NEWCA Scholarship, which sends students working towards a degree in career and technical education to college.”

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This year, the space inside the Wyoming Center is being re-imagined to better feature exhibitors. One of the newest Chamber of Commerce members, Jack's Truck and Equipment, joined the Chamber after seeing the benefits of participating in the event. Other local businesses, like Knecht Home Center help sponsor the show.

“We're a local, employee-owned company that wants to be involved in the community,” she said. “We're friendly people that know a lot about the building industry, which creates that hometown feel when people walk in the store.

So, it’s important to be a part of our local Home Show.”

Knecht usually starts putting together their display months in advance, and this year is no exception. They’re planning on a “design center” theme to showcase how they can help someone redesign any aspect of their house.

“Everything from flooring to paint color to tiling, we order ahead of time to have at the show,” Branch Manager Liz Mussell said.

Exhibitors vote on each other’s displays, judging based on first impression, how informative it is, its uniqueness, and the friendliness of the booth’s staff, just to name a few. The winning 2018 booth was from Sheridan photographer Tim Doolin, who will be returning this year.

“Even if you've been before, you should come check it out this year,” Mussell said.

“There’s always something new to see.”

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Contents 28 MINIMALISM

The simple, yet massive discipline of minimalism could declutter your life and clean up your space.

Take notes from this proud minimalist’s rave over the avant-garde movement’s hypnotic effect.

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Photo by Adam D. Ritterbush

31 WALLPAPER 101

Ready to update your space but feeling like a commitment-phobe? This one’s for you: The hottest wallpapers (and how to apply them) made easy. Enough inspo for every day of the week!

17 MODERN SHOME

The homesteading trend is heating up with combination shop / homes exploding in northeast Wyoming. Locals Shawn and Cassidy McKim are on the front range of this cost-effective design trend.

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Editorial CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Erika C. Christensen MARKETING DIRECTOR Stephanie L. Scarcliff CHIEF OF STAFF Lisa A. Shrefler SALES Jessica L. Pierce Jason N. Kasperik CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer C. Kocher Kevin M. Knapp Megan K. Huber Ryan R. Lewallen Charity Stewart ART DIRECTOR Richard W. Massman DESIGNER Candice E. Schlautmann PHOTOGRAPHER Adam D. Ritterbush

On the Cover

Immaculate kitchen by local design pro (and our favorite CEO) Erika Christensen of Infinity Builders, LLC. Live the dream in this month’s cover kitchen at 4338 Quarter Horse Avenue. Contact professional Re/Max Realtor Keyur Patel at (307) 689-1613 for your private showing or visit infllc.com.

Florals provided courtesy of Janelle, Carla, and Jordan at Gillette’s own Crazy Daisy Floral, now conveniently located at 502 E. Lakeway.

Photo by Adam D. Ritterbush

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Inquiries & Customer Service Outliers Creative, LLC P.O. Box 3825 • Gillette, WY 307.686.5121 • 82717@mcllc.net 82717 is a publication of Outliers Creative, LLC © 2018, all rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited.

This magazine accepts freelance contributions. 82717 is not responsible for loss, damage, or any other injury to unsolicited manuscript, unsolicited artwork (including but not limited to drawings, photographs, or transparencies) or any other unsolicited materials.

Outliers Creative, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The MC Family of Companies, LLC.

Editor’s Note:

Where the heart is

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hat do you think about when you think of home? Is it a foundation, a roof, a front door, lumber, and siding? Is it a smell, a feeling, a memory? Or is it family? ... your fur baby? .... a loved one?

If you’re interior designer MaLinda Perry, it’s about purchasing high-ticket items in traditional style and colors, and lower priced trendy elements.

If you're realtor Keyur Patel, it’s sellable features and notable upgrades like original hardwood floors, sliding barn doors, and an updated kitchen.

If you’re a bit of both—designer and builder— like wife and mother Erika Christensen, it’s all of that, combined—from the foundation to the final touches, loving everything that’s in your home.

And if you are officer Steve Dillard of the Gillette PD, maybe it’s Klaus—his sevenyear-old K9 partner.

But, if you’re a young-ish Wyoming transplant like me, home is more of an idea. It’s transitional, at this point. Ever-evolving. The culmination of hard work and imagination, a space to rest your head and rejuvenate the heart. It’s more than just a place; it’s the people, the things (the linens, the art and, yes,

the cat!), along with the love you bring into it.

Sometimes, a house can be a home: your parent’s place, a shared dorm room full of independence, a walk-up apartment with no co-sign, a small but chic camper, your first mortgage.

Other times, it’s far less superficial: a safe haven, a person, a pet.

No matter where you hang your hat, this issue is for you, the home owners, home buyers and sellers, and home lovers alike! There’s something inside for the weary, the hipsters, the tidy-uppers, and the ones

who make old things new.

You’ll also find questions to ask your contractor, today’s hottest paint colors, wallpaper application tips, and more.

Here at 82717, we value integrity, ingenuity, and beauty.

You’ll see these themes echoed throughout our creative works. In many ways, this magazine you’re holding and the people who build, make, and create it— our staff, friends and readers, and valued advertisers—all come together to help make our city feel more like home for all of us each and every day.

Welcome to the Home issue. Come in.

Let us whip you up a metaphorical martini or latte. We hope you stay awhile and know you’re always invited to be our guest both here and online at 82717life.com.

Stephanie L. Scarcliff, Production Editor FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

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82717LIFE.COM

Start the Conversation Our Chief of Staff, Lisa, keeps us all on track. Whenever we need advice, we pin her down and she sets us straight, from everything like what to wear on a first date to how to have those hard, but necessary relationship-defining talks. She’s crazy smart about such things, and we’d be lost without her wisdom and advice. Now, we’re sharing her with all of you.

Let her help you out at 82717Life.com More 82717 online at 82717Life.com Though 82717 Magazine may only be published once a month, don’t forget to go online to 82717Life.com to keep up with our local community. You can re-read our print stories, find a full calendar of local events, additional features from our team of reporters and community mavens, and video discussions about the stories you see here in print.

facebook.com/82717Life

Let’s Ask Lisa > What To Write? > Dating Sites For The Over 50 Crowd > When You Start Dating Later In Life…Oy!

@82717Life

#InGoodTaste We’ve got the best selections of stylish local living just for you! From what you wear or where you eat, to how you decorate and personalize your home, we’ll be your go-to guide for living #InGoodTaste.

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@82717Life

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Ask a Contractor: with Gillette roof repair experts Nate and Tana Sikkenga Q&A

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ou have questions about residential roof repair. Lucky for you, we have local experts with answers.

Q: How often should I have my roof professionally inspected?

A: It’s always a good idea to have your roof

inspected after a hail storm if the hail was quarter-sized or larger and before you buy or sell a house. The roof is a major factor for home owner’s insurance in our area, and the condition

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of it can make a large impact on your premium.

Q: What’s the best roofing material to weather

the Wyoming wind and snow?

A: I’m so glad you asked! It’s the Vista shingle line from Malarkey Roofing Products.

There’s this huge misconception that metal roofing is the end-all, be-all roofing product in Wyoming, but the truth is that it’s not.

Metal roofs need to have the screws and rubber grommets inspected and/or replaced every 5-8

years as a part of routine maintenance. Metal also cannot be cut to an exact fit for any pipe protrusions like shingles can. Those areas have to be inspected and resealed every few years also to make sure there are no leaks. Don’t get me wrong, metal roofing is a good application; it’s just not the BEST roofing application, especially for the expense and the additional maintenance required.

Q: What makes Malarkey’s Vista shingles so great?

A: They are wind resistant up to 130 mph,

impact resistant and will qualify for a discount with many homeowner’s insurance companies, and all for about half the cost.

READY TO HIRE A ROOFER? “Take into consideration more than just the price,” Tana said. “The most important thing when choosing a contractor, whether it be for roofing or full construction, is to hire someone who’s fully licensed and insured.”

Nate added, “Another great resource is to check their rating with the Better Business Bureau. By far, the worst mistake someone can make is hiring an unlicensed, uninsured contractor because his bid was so cheap.”

1. Will you provide me with a copy of your license and insurance?

2. How long have you been in business?

3. Where is your office located?

4. What warranty do you hold up to for your work?

5. Will you help guide me through the insurance claim process?

Tana says, “Talk to your insurance agent. They can’t specifically recommend someone but they deal with contractors all the time. They know who does a good job and who to steer you clear of.”

HAVE YOU HIRED A LOCAL ROOFER? Join the conversation!

www.82717life.com

Tell us what questions played a role in your hiring process and who, in your opinion, does the best work in town.

EXPERI ENCE

It makes all the difference

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SHOME

Sweet Home From man caves to she sheds, the quest to cohabitate and share space comfortably continues to manifest into new housing trends. The latest hybrid in hisand-her turf sharing is the shome, or shouse, which is a combined shop and home structure all under one roof.

Part industrial steel building, part modern loft-style living, couples are learning the power of compromise in this uniquely Wyoming design.

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MODERN HOMESTEAD S

hawn McKim admits he got pretty lucky when it comes to picking a wife.

Along with sharing his passion for outdoors and hunting, his wife Cassidy also got behind his idea of building a shome – or shop/home. In fact, she not only designed the interior space herself using an ink pen and graph paper, but she’s also gotten her hands plenty dirty helping to build it.

“She’s the little engine that could,” Shawn said of his wife, who was trying to diffuse a temper tantrum from their youngest son, 2-yearold Atlas, who was face down on the concrete floor as his older brother Sylis spun circles around him on a tiny, red scooter.

Cassidy smiled as she peeled her youngest from the floor and handed him a snack, then cautioned Sylis to slow down.

Photos: Adam D. Ritterbush

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“Once the wood floors go in, there will be no more in-house riding,” Cassidy said. But for now, with the unpainted walls and big, empty rooms, it makes for a perfect playground.

For the kids anyway.

The adults have been busy working.

After ordering a shop kit online, the McKims, along with family and friends, erected the steel post-frame building all on their own without the cost of hiring a contractor.

From the outside, the McKim’s large, gray rectangular shome looks a lot like somewhere you’d take your car for a tune-up or to get a tire changed.

Inside, however, the cement floors, large open floor concept and towering cross beam ceilings look more like a fancy loft in a big, urban city. Were it not for the miles of snow-covered flat prairie visible through the many windows, one might forget they were south of town, off Highway 50, in rural Campbell County, on land homesteaded in 1912 by Shawn’s great-great grandfather.

Little nods of history can be found in the open rooms, like the barnwood mantle over the fireplace and the large cast-iron pellet stove.

Preserving family history is important to Shawn, who last year purchased five acres of land from his dad, who also has a house on the original homestead, along with his brother.

“It’s the McKim compound,” Shawn joked, explaining that it had always been the goal to return to the country after a few years of suburban living in downtown Gillette.

Also paramount to the dream was building their own place, ground up, as a family.

After nearly a year of work, a lot of sweat equity has gone into the project, including bits and pieces from the couple’s three children, whose handiwork is currently visible in the form of gray dabs of paint on one wall that Shawn comments looks pretty cool, like Chinese characters. Apart from their art contributions, the kids are good hands, according to Cassidy, and love to help their parents with the light lifting and carrying chores.

As a stay-at-home mom, Cassidy and the boys spend a lot of time tinkering with various odds and ends in their half-built home, which, despite the big rooms and cold floors, feels surprisingly cozy.

Unlike most shomes, the McKim’s home is much larger than the shop portion, where Shawn

Unlike most shomes, the McKim’s home is much larger than the shop portion, where Shawn plans to store and work on his classic cars.

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plans to store and work on his classic cars.

Originally, they had planned to divide the space in equal halves, but once Cassidy began designing, the shop quickly shrank from 60-40 down to a 70-30 split, with roughly 1,600 sq. ft. of shop and 3,000 sq. ft. of living space.

This versatility is what the McKims like best about their shome design, which unlike traditional stick homes, can be configured any way they like — given the lack of load bearing walls that can be erected anywhere. They’ve divided the large space into four bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bathroom between the kids’ rooms and their own massive master bath complete with a separate “throne” room.

For her “she” section of the house, Cassidy has carved out a design studio where she plans to one day restore furniture and do other art projects, once the little ones join their big sister at school.

Already a year into the project, Shawn guesses it will take another couple weeks to finish, though Cassidy is less optimistic.

Between Shawn’s full-time job, along with her full-time mothering duties, there are only so many hours in the day with which to work.

The tradeoff for progress, however, is well worth it to the couple who like the fact that everyone has had a hand in helping to build the family’s home.

Mainly, Shawn is happy to finally get his shome, which he has been eyeing since high school when the 31-year-old dad first thought about building his own home. Having acreage is a big part of the appeal.

Outside, he envisions a motocross track for the boys and maybe room for a horse or two.

As far as Cassidy is concerned, being able to design the space around her family has been a huge part of the creative process that she enjoys.

Best yet about the shome is its price tag, which Shawn estimates costs $50 per sq. ft. versus $114-120 per for a stick-built.

Another advantage is the low cost of maintenance for the steel roofs and walls, which are far more durable than traditional siding and shingles, particularly when it comes to Wyoming hail and snow storms.

This is a big part of what makes these properties so popular among Wyomingites, according to WYCam Construction owner Shane Robinson, who has built several of these structures in the area.

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Anderson SHOME Well ahead of the trend, Scott Anderson and his family built their shome nearly a decade ago. At 48 x 80 x 18” tall, their shome is divided into 30 x 34” for two stories of living space with about 2,000 sq. ft. devoted to their three-door large shop. Along with in-floor heat throughout, as well as a wheat pump that serves as air conditioner in the summer months, their shome sits on 10 acres just across the South Dakota border.

Pricewise, it cost about $385,000 to build, but it’s the family’s dream home with many bells and whistles to boot.

Apart from the straight staircase in the shop that goes up to the top floor, there’s also a spiral staircase in the living room leading up to the two bedrooms and bath on the upper floor. Downstairs is another bedroom and bath and a large, tiled living room and kitchen.

The design works perfectly for their family, as Scott’s interests revolve around heavy equipment and sports car racing, while his wife prefers to refinish old furniture.

He estimates he gets about three requests a week from customers interested in owning a shome, which along with its cheaper price tag, especially seems to appeal to people building homes in Wyoming.

“They are incredibly versatile,” Robinson said, explaining the virtues of the structure’s unique features, like cement floors that can be custom treated in interesting ways – like acid etching, stamped or colored – as well as the vaulted, oversized ceilings.

Where men, like the recently divorced bachelor who requested a shome, so he could finally have a shop and bachelor pad in one, seem to like the functionality of having a shop to tinker in at their home, women seem to like the ability to custom design a home to the specifications of the family.

Along with features like radiant heating, low-cost maintenance and a large selection of colors and siding options, people can also design a shome that looks a lot like a traditional house, complete with partial or wraparound porches and other overhang features.

Shome kits can be purchased from a variety of dealers, and his company uses Lester Buildings

out of Minnesota that also allows contractors to design a shome with software, so people can customize size, pitch of the roof, and any other number of design options.

The only caveat is that in Campbell County, shomes can only be built in rural residential or commercial zones and cannot be built within residential zones where attached shops cannot exceed the size of the home itself.

That’s why you see a lot more shomes out in the county, he noted, where people have a lot more freedom to build.

Regardless, it’s becoming increasingly popular as more couples and families find ways to peacefully split the space in their home to cater to one another’s interests.

For the McKims, it’s the perfect solution, and a lot like the pioneering days, when families and neighbors got together to help build each other’s homes. In a sense, Shawn feels like he’s continuing on the family tradition by pioneering his own corner of the homestead with his home.

By: Jen C. Kocher

“The 2,800 sq. ft. of shop space is very versatile (and warm in winter) for all of our projects,” Scott said, "and the space works perfectly."

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industrial Build to suit

HOT KITCHEN TRENDS

IN THE KITCHEN

By combining clean lines and plays of white with smart material selections, Gillette design pro Erika Christensen created a livable dream kitchen for her toughest critic yet: herself. by STEPHANIE SCARCLIFF For her modern Legacy Ridge family home, the stylish Infinity Builder’s design connoisseur Erika Christensen outfitted her space with crisp white cabinets, slate appliances, incredible Kashmir White Granite countertops, and sleek single-pendant lighting from Joss&Main.

“For our growing family,” Erika said, “when it comes to the kitchen, it absolutely needs to be functional, yet beautiful.” From the beginning, she knew she wanted to create a place for her family and friends to gather. Prioritizing style, space, and seating to entertain, she then let her taste and design expertise take the reins. Erika’s pro kitchen tip? “If you’re going to give one room in your home a facelift, consider the kitchen,” she said. “Make it a space you’ll want to spend time in.”

Dark-stained bamboo floors, crisp white cabinets, and granite countertops provide a clean slate for elegant, oversized appliances and expensive accents.

With a few modern material choices and out-of-the-box design moves, you can flip your family’s favorite gathering place into an Instagram-ready space.

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Modern metallics

This Infinity kitchen’s custom copper-plated backsplash lends a warm and glamorous allure without compromising the rustic feel of its otherwise modern farmhouse appeal. The countertops are granite, and the counter bar stools are Ashley Furniture by Mestler ($116 each).

Smart tech

Techie gadgets have infiltrated the kitchen in a big way, and smart technology geared at making life easier is doing just that. From the Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi ($149), which can be controlled using your smartphone or Google Assistant, to the Adorne

by Legrand’s Wave Switch ($65), which allows for hands-free lighting with just a wave.

Pro Tip: “If you’re going to give one room in your

home a facelift, consider the kitchen,” Erika said.

“Make it a space you’ll want to spend time in.”

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With a few modern tile choices and out-of-the-box design moves, you can flip your family’s favorite gathering place into a memorable, Instagram-ready space.

More showstopper kitchens at

82717Life.com/kitchens

Kitchen Confidential Thirsty for more? Us too. We asked the professionals at Re/Max to chime in on everything from the best kitchen gadgets that make life easy to the latest kitchen fads they never want to see again.

Keyur Patel, Realtor

Q: What design details make the 4338 Quarter Horse kitchen great?

A: Ample and defined counter space for storage and use.

Tara Harris, Realtor

Q: What’s your favorite go-to cooking utensil?

A: My favorite kitchen utensil is my garlic crusher; when in doubt, always apply garlic to your dish.

Stacey Peterson, Realtor, CRS

Q: How to make a kitchen stand out?

A: To make a kitchen pop, choose an inspiring backsplash to complement the cabinets and countertops.

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3 Tiles to Try

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rom bold patterns to new takes on the tried-and-true classics, tiles lend affordable haute décor and style to your home in 2019—whether you’re updating or creating your space.

Erika picks her favorite tiles of the moment.

Go Stainless Add a fresh edge to any kitchen with brushed stainless steel in metal mosaic copper. “You should see the copper kitchen in 4338 Quarter Horse; it’s incredible.”

Try: Stainless Steel Metal Mosaic Tile in Brushed Copper by Ivy Hill Tile

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Blue Hues Mix and match your blues. “A fun variety of blues, from across the color spectrum, bring color to any modern family kitchen.”

Try: Opaque Glass Mosaic Tile in Blue by MSI

Subway Style Subway tile’s a popular backsplash choice. Why not spice up your look with creative installation concepts like basketweave, stacked, offset, and herringbone?

Try: Ceramic Subway Tile in Bright Glossy White

by WS Tiles

By: Stephanie L. Scarcliff FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

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I’m a Minimalist and Proud of It

I

used to laugh at people who were minimalists. I thought that I truly needed every stick of furniture, every piece of wall art, every knick-knack, every everything I owned! I loved “stuff.” Clothes, shoes, jewelry, kitchenware, furniture … you get the idea. When I was younger, it didn’t seem to bother me that every time I moved, it took a small army of friends and family (burned that bridge after three moves!) or a big moving van.

Like so many things we adults deal with, it probably stemmed from my childhood. But in a

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good way. My parents didn’t move much, but they always had fully furnished homes. They had furniture for a living room, family room, dining room (complete with china cabinet that was packed), kitchen eating area, never less than three bedrooms and every room had stuff on the walls, too. And clothes … don’t get me started! My parents were clothes horses.

When I moved out on my own, I followed suit (yes, including having several actual suits!).

That all changed thanks to a three-anda-half-week vacation I took in the late 90s. I took only enough clothes for one week and did laundry. I took only the bare necessities for makeup, too. And just a couple pairs of shoes.

It. Was. WONDERFUL! Suddenly, those crazy people living a minimalist lifestyle didn’t look that crazy. I realized I could live quite nicely on a handful of good outfits, a couple good pairs of shoes, a few go-to pairs of earrings ... let me just say that the second-hand store got some great stuff to sell.

The next part of minimizing what I had came around 2010. I finally got sick (and tired) of moving so much unused furniture and knick-knacks that paring down was a no-brainer. I mean, what’s the point in having a fully-furnished home office when (a) I didn’t work from home, (b) I always did my bill paying while sitting on the sofa, and (c) I hated dusting all that stuff! So, off it went.

The real turning point in my minimalist look at life came when I moved to Gillette in 2012. I sold everything that wouldn’t fit in my Volvo S60. All I brought was clothing, toiletries, my computer and a flat screen TV. The euphoria that came with shedding all of the unnecessary “stuff ” I had was even better than cleaning out my wardrobe.

Once here, and because I’m too old to sleep and sit on the floor, I only bought a few basic pieces. While my two-bedroom apartment looked empty, it felt perfect to me (still don’t remember why I rented a twobedroom, though.)

When I got ready to move back to Colorado 19 months later, guess what? I donated that furniture to a charity in Gillette.

And, because I seem to be a nomad at heart, when I moved back to Gillette last year, I repeated the process. I only brought what fit in my car. Now, to be honest, it was what fit in my 2-door Jeep and my friend’s small SUV, but still … there wasn’t any furniture, and no television this time.

To me,

minimalism is the only way.

To me, minimalism is the only way. When I find a place to buy, it will be cozy, quaint and small. I would challenge you to take a really good look at the “stuff ” you own. When was the last time you used it, wore it, sat on or at it? Maybe it’s time to donate your extraneous items and let

someone else enjoy them for a while.

Not only will your space be less crowded, but your wallet will be fuller.

Minimalists unite!

By: Lisa A. Shrefler

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

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Paint and Wallpaper 101

T

he energy industry in Campbell County is coming back, and the housing market locally is picking up as well. Whether you are trying to get a home ready to sell, or just bought a home and are ready to paint, choosing the right paint colors can be overwhelming and

a bit tricky. The right shade creates a feel to the home that can either attract buyers or turn them away. We all want our homes to look attractive and feel welcoming to our guests, so let’s take a closer look at how to achieve that feeling with paint and discover a fun new wallpaper idea to also use in our homes.

WHY IS WHITE SO DIFFICULT? White paint is by far the hardest color to work with.

Why you may ask? In the furniture painting world, we know that covering furniture with white takes at least two-to-three more coats than any other color to

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Rule of thumb is: if you have cool tones in your house, stick with cool shades such as grays, blues, bright whites. If you have warm tones such as yellows, tans, reds, etc. stick with warm tones. That said, there is a world where you can get away with blending both.

Greige is a term used to define a paint color that is both gray and beige, hence, greige. Greige is a neutral gray/beige, that when combined, creates a richer color, and can work in a cool or warm color scheme. Greige is so multi-dimensional it is a go-to

achieve full coverage. It is tricky if you are painting over a dark piece of furniture or a wall because the dark tends to show through. Bleeding is an issue I come across when working with white paint projects all the time. Bleed-through happens when the original stain of the piece creeps through the paint, leaving unsightly blemishes on the finished surface.

Choosing the wrong undertone can make the white appear yellow or gray. This can make your curtains, floor tile, and other dĂŠcor clash or look dirty, when in fact, they are not. It is almost an optical illusion in a way.

The sheen of the paint can also affect how the color looks, especially white, so make sure to ask for sample cards that show it in satin, semi-gloss, and flat. Looking at the paint samples during different times of the day is especially helpful. I always look in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening to make sure I still like the way the color looks in the room I am painting.

GREIGE IS ON POINT The answer to choosing a great shade is picking a neutral color. In every paint deck or home improvement store is a paint section of colors under the title Neutral. I especially recommend this when trying to choose a shade of white, gray, or beige.

Neutrals such as beige, ivory, taupe, black, gray and shades of white appear to be without color, but in many applications these hues often have undertones.

Be aware of these underlying tones as you match colors or choose paint.

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when preparing a house for selling because it warms a house, but also gives it a fresh trendy gray look as well. Most accent colors pair well with it, too, so don’t be shy about adding lots of color in with throws and accent pillows.

If painting a smaller room, choosing a lighter neutral or shade of greige will help make it feel larger and lighter. A large room can handle a slightly darker shade, but if painting for resale, I advise to stick with the top three shades in the color sample you are going with. In other words, now is not the time to try lime green in the bathroom or a bright red in the kitchen. A neutral palette allows us to get a real feel for the space and imagine the possibility of our own style and tastes that accompany it, so the fewer distractions the better.

Painting different shades within the same color sample is a great way to create an appealing flow from one room of the house to the next. For example, if choosing neutral grays, stick to varying

from oversized florals, to tribal patterns, and even cacti.

But, peel and stick wallpaper is the new kid in town. Found at your local retailer or online, the sky is the limit to bringing your home from drab to fab.

Here’s how it works.

Follow the directions that come with your peel and stick decal or wallpaper. Then after measuring and cutting your panels, start from the ceiling and slowly peel away the paper backing, carefully, to smooth across the width of the panel as you work your way down the wall.

I bought what looks like a squeegee and use it to apply pressure to the smoothed paper and really make sure it sticks. (A note of caution: Wear long sleeves! I got a nasty papercut on my wrist while wrestling with getting the backing off.)

Once you get to the bottom of the panel, use a butter knife or your nail to mark where you need to cut, so the wallpaper meets the trim. Then, just keep working until you have stuck all the panels in place, and voila! A whole new feel to your room.

Then when the pattern gets old or tired, just peel the panels off and start over fresh.

How easy is that?! I plan on doing the walls in my camper next.

They suggest not using on textured walls, but I did it anyway. I

can’t say it will last and I can somewhat see the texture of my wall through it, only because of the pattern of paper I chose (white ship lap). However, I was happy enough with the results, so I decided to keep it for a while anyway.

It is also suggested that you paint and prime walls first before applying the decal or stick and peel wallpaper to ensure best results.

There are a million video tutorials online, and I’m sure if I looked, I could find one on how to do this. Sometimes seeing someone else doing it can be a great help. Having a second pair of hands to help hold the panels in place would have made it a lot easier for me, so ask a friend for help.

Lastly, if you mess up and take a panel completely off after having put it in place, it will not stick the second time to a textured wall (wallpaper fail, right here, folks).

COLOR OF THE YEAR Spring is an exciting time to spruce up your home.

Adding a wallpapered accent wall or applying a fresh coat of paint to a dingy room is refreshing to the eye as well as the soul. Contact your local paint suppliers for more information on paint and wallpaper options available locally. Have fun with the accessories. Coral is the new Pantene color of the year. I love it with navy, gray, tan, burgundy, gold, or jade green. It is almost….dare I say…..a neutral that goes with it all!

By: Megan K. Huber

Photos: Megan K. Huber

shades within the color sample card you chose.

The darker shade would be better for, say the larger spaces like the dining room or living room. Leave the lighter colors for smaller spaces such as the bathroom and bedrooms. Remember: adding color with accessories is best when the goal is to create a relaxing space that flows.

NEW WAY TO WALLPAPER

Have you heard? There is a new way to apply wallpaper to those boring walls in your home or camper! Decals are a big deal and are available in every pattern imaginable, FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

33

CHANGING your space

I

without changing your place

am one of those happy homeowners who loves my house. It’s not the structure or its contents that makes it so special, but the community and neighbors that surround me. Our little piece of heaven is a throwback to old-fashioned days of neighbors helping neighbors – a village where you know where every kid you see out sledding lives.

As much as I love my home, I’m not immune to the need for change and updates over my

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decade-and-a-half there. Call it nesting, nervous energy, or just the need to wake up to a different view, but over the last several months, my bedroom has been the focus of my creative musings.

While trying to decide on a headboard solution for my platform bed, I came across a project – yes, on Pinterest – that incorporated thrift store doilies, needlework hoops, and an old branch. I collected the necessary supplies by visiting all the local haunts for used treasures

others no longer need, including several doilies in varying shapes and colors, as well as the hoops in which to display them.

The bare branch, from my yard, was weathered gray with a few cracks and what appeared to be worm holes once burrowed under the bark. In other words, perfect.

Since this project was intended for my bedroom, I wanted the colors to remain on the natural, calming side. Using odds and ends of ribbons, ropes, and other trappings from my sewing room, ones that I had been saving for a rainy day, I started to assemble my headboard art.

I began placing the doilies into the hoops, some of which were extremely small. For those, I ended up sewing them onto scrap pieces of fabric, which I then displayed in hoops. I used different lengths of ribbons and ropes and started strategically arranging them on the branch. By strategically, I mean moving them around until it looked good to me.

Using up the rest of my stash, I hung a few strands of shells, some tiny pearls, and random cordage in between my hanging dream catcher doilies, as I’ve started to call them.

As with any project, you must set a solid foundation. For me, it was a fresh coat of paint.

BEFORE As with any project, you must set a solid foundation. For me, it was a fresh coat of paint.

Ask any realtor and they’ll tell you, paint is the easiest and most cost-effective way to update a space. What began as plain white walls with one denim-blue accent wall, gave way to a barely green shade called dried lichen.

It was at this point that I ditched the platform bed altogether and opted instead to

use the antique cast iron bed from the guest room. In addition to downsizing from a queen to a full, the new bed was much higher than the old. So, I had to incorporate an old cedar trunk at the foot of the bed so that Cash, my beloved 7-year-old black lab, could get into bed without assistance.

I updated the trunk, which had served as my childhood toy box, by recovering the

padded lid with a fun pattern in the rustic bohemian style I was shooting for.

Loading in the room, I started by hanging my doily dream catcher art above the window, valance style. I centered my new “old” bed with the window, adding new orange sheets and a hand-me-down comforter from my friend Cindy to complete the transformation.

The change was comforting, and I spent

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

35

the summer sleeping under the breeze from the open window.

My new space was everything I wanted: a relaxing oasis.

However, I quickly realized, as I nearly fell out of bed while rolling over, that although it was just me and the dog, a full-size bed wasn’t the best choice.

It was back to the brainstorming drawing board.

While shopping with a friend, I came across an upholstered headboard I fell in love with. And, better yet, it was on sale. It had a subdued, beachy feel that seemed to speak to me.

I could picture it with the backdrop of my dried lichen walls.

I failed to mention, that after my bedroom renovation and before I realized

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I was merely surviving in my tiny bed, I had moved on to another project. An updated master bedroom, must be followed by total bathroom redesign, right?

I had already picked out this wood-looking vinyl plank flooring for the bathroom and was beginning to blend the two projects. Picture my weathered, woodlooking floors flowing seamlessly in my new master suite.

Perfect! But, since I had already purchased my dream bed and scheduled delivery, the window in which to pull up 20-year-old carpet and lay a new floor was pretty tight.

Luckily, I come from a family of handymen

and have some pretty great friends. Together, we were able to pull it off with only a little yelling, and the results were better than I hoped.

Face it, even when simply rearranging furniture in the same room, that first try is rarely the best.

All I need now is to install some new baseboard trim, reinstall my closet doors, load in a dresser or two, and then I’ll be ready to tackle my already gutted bathroom.

The joy of homeownership is the project that never ends.

My new space was everything I wanted: a relaxing oasis.

By: Charity D. Stewart

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

37

Speak Out

www.82717Life.com

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To

Protect

and

Serve

T

he streets were quiet.

Minimal traffic on Gillette’s major roadways created a relaxing silence, with residents evidently choosing to remain at home rather than disturbing a seemingly tranquil city.

It was Sunday, a day that most people would spend lounging about at home, soaking in the last few hours of relaxation before the Monday morning rush to work.

But Steve Dillard was already at work, lazy Sunday afternoons a long-forgotten leisure. Fullsized pistol, bullet-proof vest, and weighty duty belt in place, Steve sat as comfortably as he could in his office, a Ford Interceptor SUV with the words “Gillette Police” stamped across its sides.

As he patrolled the streets, Steve had one window rolled halfway down to listen for disturbances as he drove. Steve’s eyes were constantly on the move, keeping a sharp eye out for

traffic infractions and known criminals.

Steve’s K9 partner, Klaus, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, stood in the back seat that had been converted into a kennel, his ears attentive to every passing noise, as he waited impatiently for a call to come in.

Their morning had already started with some excitement; Steve and Klaus had assisted in the arrest of a woman at a local hotel. She had been convinced that President Donald Trump was paying for her stay.

It had ultimately been found out that the woman’s outlandish statements were the result of recent drug use, and the woman was now sleeping off her latest high in the Campbell County Detention Center.

“It’s a pretty typical call for a Sunday,” Steve said, dragging his finger across his patrol vehicle’s tablet to clear several calls that had been completed. Evidently, even those few addicts who struggle with substance abuse can’t resist the urge to relax on Sundays.

But overall, Steve stands behind his belief that Gillette is a relatively safe place for residents and the police officers who protect them.

“It’s a good town,” Steve said, one of the least segregated that he has ever seen, at least in terms of class and crime.

Across Gillette, trailer houses can be seen hunkered down a few blocks away from estates worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Together, Steve and Klaus have responded to narcotics calls, their bread and butter as a K9 team, and other disturbances all across the city.

From the classy Country Club estates to dim, smoke-filled apartments on Church Street, it makes no difference; crime can happen anywhere and at any time.

Steve underwent his police training in Michigan, where he had grown up and was preparing to join a Michigan police department when he was recruited by the Gillette Police Department in 2011.

Unlike cities in Michigan, Gillette has no crime problems relative to an eastside or westside, “and that’s very weird,” Steve said.

In terms of violent crimes, Gillette is extremely safe. But the region remains slightly higher than average in domestic violence, suicide, and theft.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

39

As if to prove him wrong, a call rang out over his radio, requesting he respond to an Elon Avenue residence for a search at the request of the Campbell County Probation & Parole Office.

“We’ve got to respond to this,” Steve muttered, flipping a U-turn on Shoshone.

An hour and a half later, Klaus was sitting on his haunches in the bedroom of a dark, foreboding ground-floor apartment. In front of him, concealed in a nylon bag, was a bag of marijuana and a bag of spice, a synthetic marijuana.

Steve took a moment to play a quick game of tug-of-war with Klaus, the K-9’s reward for doing a good job, before he emerged from the room, his face undeniably furious.

that part of the job wasn’t part of his training – and his safety is ultimately up to Steve.

During searches, it would be easy for an uncapped needle to plunge into Klaus’s nose. Given that the GPD does not carry a K9 version of Narcan, a nasal spray designed to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, the aftermath could be fatal for Klaus.

The woman hung her head, ashamed, and after a brief attempt to deny ownership or

“Riddle me this, you said when I walked in here that there was nothing in this residence that could poke me or my dog.”

His anger was explained when he tossed the bags on the dining room table, accompanied by a handful of used hypodermic needles, where a thin woman in her 40’s was squirming with obvious nervousness.

“Alright, you have the right to remain silent,” Steve began, the opening line of the Miranda Warning.

Once finished, Steve dove into a round of questions with the accusatory opening statement, “Riddle me this, you said when I walked in here that there was nothing in this residence that could poke me or my dog.”

The bond between Klaus and Steve is as strong as any bond between a man and his dog. Klaus may be a valuable tool to the police department, but he is also a member of Steve’s family, accompanying him home every night after work.

Klaus loves searching; it’s a game that has been drilled into him since he was a puppy. He only knows what happens when he does a good job, he gets play time with Steve, thus he eagerly and energetically shoves his nose into anything he can reach, searching for the scent of drugs.

But Klaus doesn’t know to be cautious –

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knowledge of the needles, was escorted in handcuffs to the backseat of another officer’s patrol car, where she would remain until she was booked into the Campbell County Detention Center.

“It ticks me off,” Steve said later of how he feels when suspects lie to him about needles, though he admitted that he occasionally plays up his anger to get the desired end result: an alleged criminal in custody.

Playing up anger can cause a potential suspect to feel bad for, what appears to be, a man and his dog. More often than not, they also feel like they should tell Steve whether or not there are more drugs to be found.

“That’s two-fold” Steve said. “One, it gets her to tell me where there are more drugs, and two, it may actually save my dog from getting stabbed in the nose.”

When it’s Steve’s own life on the line, at risk due to an uncapped needle, he is no less agitated.

Though he hasn’t yet been poked with one,

the threat of an uncapped needle is still “a big deal,” Steve said.

“Beyond someone pulling a gun on me, that’s probably my biggest fear on a day-to-day basis,” he continued. “I’d rather get in a fist fight than get poked, or almost poked, with a needle.”

But, fear or no fear, Steve remains wholly committed to his job as a cop, a soldier on the thin blue line that stands between those who would seek to harm and those who need protecting.

When Steve first became a police officer, he wanted to help people. But as the years have gone by, he has started to look forward to different aspects of the job when he pins the badge onto his chest and straps a gun to hip.

“I think anybody would be lying if they

told you they didn’t do police work for the far frequent adrenaline rush with pursuits and fights,” Steve said. “That’s the kind of stuff that makes the job interesting.”

He still wants to help people, as he has every day since he joined the GPD, but he still acknowledges that it’s a naïve goal, and most likely unrealistic.

“The helping people is great, but honestly, if I had a rookie cop say ‘Oh I want to help people,’ the sad part of that is you don’t get that much,” Steve explained, his tone somber.

If 95 percent of the population obeys the law, that still leaves 5 percent that choose to live and operate outside of it. As a cop, that 5 percent constitutes the majority of his interactions with the people of Gillette.

Whether it’s him writing a ticket or finding drugs with Klaus’ help, people are not always pleased to see him, though they may state otherwise to his face.

Occasionally, Steve runs into ex-addicts he has arrested in the past. A few of them are now on their way to recovery and are packing on weight after years of malnourishment when they were using.

Of those few, some may even shake Steve’s hand and thank him for saving them. But there is still the 5 percent of the population with whom he has to contend, many of them repeat offenders, who are as familiar with the inside of a jail cell as they are in their own homes.

From time to time, Steve has saved a life, evidenced by the crimson ribbon over his left

breast pocket of his uniform: one red bar for saving a life, a star added to it for each additional life saved.

One red bar with a single star, recognition for Steve’s part in saving the lives of two Gillette residents by performing CPR. From the outside looking in, it’s a prestigious honor, but from Steve’s perspective it can be a sobering reminder.

“I guess some of the sadder portion of that is that the public doesn’t know or doesn’t see that we’ve done CPR on 35 people before it works one time,” he said. “That kind of stuff is crazy.”

Some people may choose to call him a hero regardless of the one life saved out of dozens, “but you don’t feel that every day,” Steve explained.

“I guess you don’t feel like you’re making a huge difference every day,” he said.

But being a hero isn’t why Steve remains in his current line of work. He would be hard pressed to find a career that would offer the same mental stimulation, the same freedom, or the same sense of pride.

Being a cop doesn’t mean you’re chained to your desk. Your office is mobile, on four wheels, and it could come with a furcovered partner.

“It can be a lazy man’s game as far as sitting in a car all day long,” Steve admitted. “But definitely not a lazy man’s game for mental thought process.”

Every day, Steve is called upon to remember several hundred hours of training received over the last eight years. Whether he’s gearing up to read a suspect their rights or he’s sticking to procedure as he and Klaus search a dark apartment, Steve has to remember: his life could depend on it.

“That’s what makes it fun for me now,” Steve said.

By: Ryan R. Lewallen FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

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HOMELESS in Gillette

A

s a boy growing up in Gillette during the 70s, Keith remembers watching the homeless shelter being built and thinking it was a waste of time and money.

“There are no homeless people in Wyoming,” he’d told his friends. “Why build one here?”

That he now finds himself staying there decades later is an irony not lost on him. Like many others at the shelter that night, his life had pretty much bottomed out.

It started a year-and-a-half ago, he said, when his mother passed away, and he was tasked with the daunting duties of putting her affairs in order and trying to sell her house.

Prior to this, he’d had a house and a good job stocking shelves for a local retailer where he’d been for five years. Before that, he’d worked as a mechanic and later did outside sales in the energy sector.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL After losing his mother, however, he started to experience what felt like mini-heart attacks, which he now attributes to stress. It was these health problems that ultimately caused him to lose his job, and from there, he said his life spiraled out of control.

In his mid 50s, Keith had never been married, so he didn’t have a wife or children or other family members to help motivate and keep him afloat.

Instead, he just wallowed in his grief, feeling sorry for himself.

He finally managed to sell his mother’s place last fall, and moved into an apartment.

He later rented a cheap hotel room when he could no longer afford to pay his monthly rent. When his money finally ran out, he had nowhere else to go.

“My life fell apart like a Chinese motorcycle,” he said.

Coming to the shelter for Keith was the most humiliating and humbling moment of his life, but he’s using the opportunity to claw his way back.

“You can’t get any lower than this,” he said, “and I knew it would motivate me.”

It has.

After roughly five years without work, he finally has a job again, and is now able to save his money, so he can get an apartment and eventually move out.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

43

The Council of Community Service’s Way Station has given him that opportunity, and without it, he would have had nowhere else to go.

CLOSE TO HOME From the shelter, Keith can see his childhood home just a few blocks away. It’s a complicated feeling of nostalgia and grief, and he’s eager for the time when he’s able to stand back on his own two feet.

He’s grateful for the shelter and the staff, who he says treat him very well. Still, it’s the shame of landing here that overwhelms him.

“I’m scared to death that people will drive by and see my vehicle in the parking lot,” he said, looking down at his shoes.

But, at the same time, hitting rock bottom may have been the only way for Keith to make it back.

of factors, including that state’s population, level of poverty, and the annual PIT counts.

Apart from the PIT counts, the Council of Community Services counted 53 unsheltered people in Gillette last year, which is up from the prior year’s 33.

ROCK BOTTOM As the least populated state, Wyoming is also the least funded state when it comes to HUD dollars for homelessness. Apart from the annual PIT counts, in 2017, Wyoming received $292,970 in funding.

Wyoming is notoriously short-changed when it comes to receiving housing funds. Compared to

neighboring states with similar demographics and topography, Wyoming is at the very bottom of the list.

Other neighboring states fare better when it comes to federal funding. Last year, South Dakota received a disbursement of $1,294,469, North Dakota $1,816,359, and Montana received a whopping $2,500,597. By contrast, Oregon received more than $18,120,000. Given those staggering figures, we’re lightyears behind in the Cowboy State.

A WAY OUT Locally, the Campbell County Council of Community Services relies heavily on grants, fundraisers, as well as local and state partnerships.

ON THE STREETS Surprising to some, there are homeless people in Wyoming, including Gillette.

Last year, during the Annual “Point-in-Time” (PIT) Homeless Count, 873 homeless people were reported throughout the state, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of those, 251 were homeless families with children, which is down slightly in Campbell County when compared to previous years. Last year, around 20 unsheltered people and families were counted locally during the annual PIT count, and this year’s unsheltered number was under 10 in Gillette. Of these, some were families sleeping in their car in a gas station parking lot to individuals who have been chronically homeless for the past several years.

These once-yearly PIT counts have been conducted across the country since 2005, during which volunteers scour the town and county, tromping through parks, back alleys, parking lots, and other places where homeless have been known to congregate.

HUD requires this count during the last week of January, in order to identify the need in each community to receive federal funds. By their standards, a person qualifies as chronically homeless if he or she has a disability and has been continuously homeless at least a year or has experienced repeated episodes of homelessness in the last three years with a combined length of time of at least one year.

The funding model is determined by a number

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Tracy Obert, Council of Community Services housing program manager.

uptick in numbers. To be low-barrier means to allow The pantry has been pretty empty these Meanwhile, the Way Station has had a packed house in people who once would have been banned under days, a resident pointed out, so he tries to eat for the past couple months. In the month of January, their former standards. before he gets there. Depending on donations, they’ve averaged around 30 people a night. The facility Though the staff initially fought the sometimes there’s food available, but other times only has 36 beds available, about half of which are change, it’s ended up being just fine, according to they might go the night without eating. By 7 a.m., currently filled by families with children.

Milner and Tracy Obert, Council of Community they all have to be out of the shelter after a cup Manager Sara Milner attributes this upsurge to Services housing program manager, who spends a of coffee, and the doors stay closed until evening, the cold weather, and the continued relative high cost lot of her time keeping up with the daily affairs of though in cold weather, they’re allowed to gather of housing in Gillette, which has lowered significantly the shelter. on the enclosed porch. in the waning years of the recent boom, but is still outside of reach for many people, particularly Unsheltered Homeless Numbers By County those attempting to get 350 back on their feet after a life-altering situation has — for whatever reason — landed them 300 Years out on the street.

2015

SEEKING SHELTER

2016 2017 2018

250

Albany Big Horn Campbell Carbon Converse Crook Fremont Goshen Hot Springs Johnson Laramie Lincoln Natrona Niobrara Park Platte Sheridan Sublette Sweetwater Teton Unita Washakie Weston

Like a mishmash family, 200 Way Station residents gather in the heated covered porch, waiting 150 for the shelter to open its doors at 5:30 p.m. They banter and share bits and 100 pieces of their day and pet Gizmo the dog as she sniffs at their feet in her 50 little plaid sweater.

Some of them are coming back from work 0 while others have been idling the day away at the library or wandering through town until the Source: Department of Housing and Urban Development shelter opened.

When the doors Thick snow blankets the ground as the open, residents line up at the counter to fill out temperature continues to plunge into the low 20s. the necessary paperwork and breathe into the On days like this, the red flag outside the shelter breathalyzer. Then, they go change into their night is raised, letting people know it’s open to anyone, clothes, typically a pair of sweat pants and T-shirt regardless of past incidents or other infractions that provided by the shelter, while their own clothes may have once got them kicked out. Infractions like get sterilized to kill off any bed bugs, and then are drinking alcohol, fighting, or sexual harassment are washed by the staff. not allowed inside the shelter.

They go through a lot of bleach and laundry Since HUD made them change their status soap, Milner explained, now that they no longer charge last year to a low-barrier shelter, they have seen an the residents 50 cents for washing their own clothes.

WALKING THE WALK Tonight, Obert chats amiably with a fifth-grader as the girl whispers secrets in her ear and laughs. She’s there with her family, who has spent the past couple weeks sleeping there each night. The girl’s goal, she tells Obert, is to get her photograph taken with every single police officer in Gillette. Many nights officers drive over to the shelter for just that purpose. She did the same when they lived in Idaho, and when she FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

45

grows up, she plans to be a cop.

Obert smiles and gives the girl a shoulder hug.

She has a big heart for the people who come to the shelter, because she knows exactly what it’s like to be in their shoes.

There was a time, a couple decades ago, when she would have been one of the people lined up to enter at night. Hooked on methamphetamine and heroine after years in an abusive relationship, Obert and her two kids were living on the streets.

Eventually, the kids were put in foster care as Obert’s life plummeted to the point where she was finally able to get clean and turn her life around.

“When they say that drugs are the devil, they’re not kidding around,” she said.

She knows how it feels to lose everything and to live without hope. Gratefully, she was able to kick her addiction and make a positive and lasting change. She has been working at the Way Station for more than 12 years.

It’s her own experiences that motivate her to help as many people as she can to get themselves off the streets and help them find a pathway back to a normal life, through supportive housing, for example, and other programs the council funds.

Along with the 36-bed Way Station shelter, there are two adjoining buildings with reduced rent apartments to help those who are working save money by paying nominal rent. Another assisted living facility is designed to help people who have kids in foster care align their lives with jobs and other necessary training of life skills, so that they can become able to get their children back.

LANDING ON THEIR FEET Rock bottom, spiraling lives out of control, and trying to get back on one’s feet are common refrains from many of the residents. To wind up at a homeless shelter, by default, is for many people the lowest point in their lives.

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Some clearly are suffering from mental illness, while others have simply had a stretch of bad luck and are trying to come back. Casey, for example, has been staying at the shelter for a couple months.

Typically, residents are allowed to stay for 30 days, and after that, if they prove they are making steps to repair their lives, that time can be extended up to 60 or 90 days, depending.

At nearly 40, Casey says he spends a big chunk of the day looking for work at Manpower and other

temp agencies, and sometimes, goes door-to-door shoveling snow. Originally from Casper, which he refers to as “down south,” he’s traveled around a lot, working mainly as a roofer. He’d been in Iowa when his dad died and he returned for his funeral.

Since then, he’s been hanging out in Gillette, while he waits for his brother to get out of the Volunteers of America (VOA), a transitional living facility to help those who have been incarcerated adapt to everyday life. Once his brother gets out, the two

DONATE TO the Way Station If you’d care to donate to the Way Station, they’re always in need of bleach, men’s sweatpants and T-shirts (in all sizes), laundry soap, combs and brushes, and travel-size soap, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo and conditioners, and any type of snacks or microwavable dinners. ____________________________________

Supportive Housing for Families For families who are actively involved with the Department of Family Services (DFS), we offer a six-unit apartment building to help reunite families. Officially titled Permanent Supportive Housing for Families (also referred to as Phase or Way Station II) this supportive program allows families to work cooperatively with DFS and the CCS to build skills and work towards self-sufficiency. ____________________________________

Supportive Housing for Individuals with Mental Health Disabilities Individuals with a mental health disability who have experienced chronic homelessness can find the support they need in our supportive eightunit apartment building. Permanent Supportive Housing for Individuals (also referred to as Phase or Way Station III) allows people with a history of homelessness and mental health disabilities the opportunity to live independently while receiving the support they need to thrive.

plan to start a roofing company. Until then, he’ll keep looking and hopefully spend his nights at the shelter.

Shane, another resident that night, is recovering from several knife wounds in his hand that prevent him from getting work until the doctor will release him. Originally from Sheridan, he has spent some time in prison after setting a truck on fire. He doesn’t want to discuss his past; he’s served his time, as far as he’s concerned, and paid the price.

He wants to get on with his life and is tired of looking at “the downside of life,” and is just waiting until he is able to work and plans to find a job, and then, an apartment.

Like some of the others, Matt is there because he’s fallen on hard times. Originally from Kansas, he was a union teamster with a high-paying job, who married his high school sweetheart. Life had been going well until his wife developed bone cancer, which over the course of a decade, finally led to her death.

The last couple years of her life were spent in an assisted-living facility, which the couple’s insurance

didn’t cover. So, two years away from having his house fully paid off, Matt put it up for collateral. The bank took everything when he was unable to pay his bills, and eventually, he also lost his job.

The year after his wife’s death he went on a full-time bender, going state-to-state as he blew through his 401k. Finally, he landed in Gillette, penniless, and ready to start again.

Now, he’s working again and saving the money to get a place of his own.

He never imagined he’d be living at a homeless shelter, but at age 53, he’s eager to turn his life around and start anew.

“I hear after 50,” he said, “you can start reversing your numbers around. So, that makes me 35, and I’m ready to start again.”

By: Jen C. Kocher

Editor’s Note: Some of the names in the above story have been changed for anonymity, and last names have been purposefully omitted.

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Group Home for Adults For adults with a severe and persistent mental illness we offer 24/7 supported living in our group home, the Greenhouse. The Greenhouse allows six residents to receive the tailored support they need to live healthy and productive lives.

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Update your ordinary concrete floors with

museum-quality faux marble finish

W

hile marble flooring looks cool and classy, it can be expensive and can get scratched easily. If you want the look without the hefty price tag, give your floor an update with a faux marble finish.

1st Class Realty agent M.G. Stellpflug and his wife, Becky, recently had the floors in their Owl Road house professionally done, but share that the technique is easy enough to do yourself if you have the inclination, and time.

Step 1: CLEAN THE FLOORS

To achieve a real-marble finish, it’s important to begin with clean concrete. Sweep the floors and use a small vacuum to remove all of the dirt in

the corners and on all surfaces.

Step 2: REMOVE BLEMISHES

To get rid of unwanted stains, fill a bucket with hot water and oil-free soap. Sponge-wash the concrete floor. Let dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: APPLY PAINTER’S TAPE

Tape off your wall where it meets with the concrete or in the nooks and places where the concrete is separated by runners or carpet.

Step 4: PRIME TIME

Because concrete is porous, it will soak up paint.

Therefore, you’ll want to be sure to cover your

BEFORE

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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

concrete floor with a high-quality primer, using long, even strokes with a paint roller. Start from the back of the wall and work forward to give yourself working space. Let dry and apply a second coat if needed. Note: Some cement might take up to four coats of primer.

Step 5: SELECT YOUR COLORS

The easiest way to select paint colors for a faux marbel look is to compare your colors to pieces of actual marble. Marble is often two-tone, so the best way to match those colors is to take a photo of your desired selection to the paint or home improvement store with you. There, they’ll be able to help you color match for the right tones. Note: that you will need to choose

1st Class Realty agent M.G. Stellpflug and his wife, Becky, recently had the floors in their Owl Road house professionally done. three colors to create this affect, a darker hue, a lighter one, and white.

Step 6: PAINT A TEST SWATCH

To test your colors, first paint a broad swatch onto the concrete with your darkest color. Be sure to separate the swatches, so they don’t overlap.

When the dark swatches are dry, connect them with the lighter color to create thin “veins.”

Hint: Make a web between swatches, using real marble as your inspiration and guide.

Step 7: APPLY SEALANT

After the paint is dry, add a layer or two of sealant to protect your new faux marble paint job, and polish leisurely to keep floors looking up to snuff.

By: Jen C. Kocher

The floor was done by Billings-based ProCrete Concrete Flooring with a metallic epoxy and urethane, clear top coat. They removed the existing epoxy coating with a concrete floor grinder then put a light gray epoxy base coat down. After the epoxy cured out overnight, they trawled out the pearl-colored epoxy on the floor, then mixed in the gunmetal color. After the epoxy was dry, they applied the clear urethane top coat.

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Community Calendar  February 16

Gillette Dinner The Annual Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Dinner in Gillette is so much fun! Join us Sat., Feb. 16 from 4 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center. Buy tickets online through Feb. 14 at ducks.org or contact Mark Bunney at (307) 680-4963.  February 16

Sundance Winter Festival A family-friendly and exhilarating Winter Festival of extreme horseback ski-joring on Main Street, downhill bar stool races, wild horse races, tube races, and more. Sat., Feb. 16 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Town of Sundance. Contact Reggie Gaylord at (307) 283-2438. See full schedule of events at sundancewinterfestival.com.

 February 22-24

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Up in Arms Gun Show & Flea Market Open to the public. General admission only $6 for a weekend pass. Children 12 years of age and under free. Fri., Feb. 22 from 3 – 7 p.m., Sat. from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sun. from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the CAM-PLEX Central Pavilion.

Contact Lisa at (208) 420-2295 or upinarms1@msn.com. More information online @upinarms.gunshows.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2019

 February 23

iLunimate iLuminate is a company based on the fusion of technology and dance. This distinct intermix will reawaken your senses and imagination.

Audiences will see dancers in electrified glow-in-the-dark suits performing dynamic routines and illusions on a darkened stage.

We’ve been on TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and Ellen. See us at CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Sat. Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. for $45-50. Contact CAM-PLEX ticket office at (307) 682-8802 to purchase.

or GARF. Sat., Mar. 2, from 6 – 10 p.m. at the CAM-PLEX Energy Hall. Call (307) 686-8071 for ticket information.  March 2-3

Star Dance Alliance Competition An alliance of the top international dance competitions, committed to bringing the greatest dance competition experience to life. Saturday, Mar. 2 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sun., Mar. 3 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater.

Contact Kathy Helton at (937) 376-9415 or info@worlddancechampionship. com. More information online @ worlddancechampionship.com.

More events

www.82717Life.com

 March 2

 March 9

Wyoming Sportsman’s Group Annual Banquet Join us for supper Sat., Mar. 2 at 5 p.m. in the CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center Equality and Frontier Halls. Single ticket $50, couple $75, family $100, all kids under the age of 17 admitted free. Contact Ken Ford at (307) 660-6263 or wyosportsman@ gmail.com. More information online at wyosportsmangroup.com.

Princess & Super Hero Party!

Come party with Bell, Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Anna, Elsa, Lego Batman, Spider-Man, Buzz, Woody, Maui, and Moana! Meet your favorite characters, enjoy crafts, food, dancing, games and more! Each pass includes free admittance for two adults. Additional adults are $5 each in advance, $10 each at the door. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. VIP pass $35 in advance, $45 at the door.

Sat., Mar. 9 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center Equity Hall. Contact the CAMPLEX ticket office or visit www.cam-plex.com.

 March 2

Chuckle for Charities An annual fundraising event including an evening of food, drinks, and local comedic talent to benefit the Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation,

New Patients Welcome!

 March 9

Bounty in the Rockies No Limit Poker Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, except December. Registration begins at 2 p.m. and play starts at 4 p.m. Sixty players will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Buy-In $100 and receives 3,500 in poker chips, re-buy $100.00 receives 3,500 in poker chips. One re-buy is allowed. $50 of buy and re-buy will go to the pot and $50 will go to the bounty. Learn more at www. gillettechamber.com.  March 16

Make a Ring Workshop Make your very own statement ring! Choose your own stone and ring components, and learn innovative techniques and stylings during this four-hour workshop with Archetype Collective designer and owner, Stefanie Wilkerson. Class space is limited, and allows for only six people for quality design and in-depth teaching time.

Sat., Mar. 16 from 1 – 4 p.m. at AVA Community Art Center. Tickets available from avaartcventer. org for $225 and up.

 March 19

Legislative Wrap Up Join us March 19 as we meet with our local legislators to discuss the 2019 Legislative Session. The guest panel will be followed by a question and answer session.

Breakfast buffet starts at 6:30 a.m., provided by Pokey's. Tue., Mar. 19 in the Gillette College Technical Center. Learn more and register at www. gillettechamber.com.

•• General & Cosmetic Dentistry •• Comprehensive Dental Care •• Single Appointment Crowns •• Laser Cavity Detection •• Digital X-Rays •• Single Appointment Root Canals •• Nitrous Oxide Available

Delta Dental Provider 417 West Flying Circle Drive, Gillette, WY 82716

Call (307) 682-3353 www.GilletteDental.com

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