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Friday,
August 31, 2001
 Iron
Creek Fire Update
LOCAL FOCUS:
 Funeral
Services for Frank Fear
Iron Creek Fire Update
 The
Iron Creek Fire continues to burn in the Bridger Wilderness in Fish
Creek Park three miles north of Big Sandy Campground. This fire is currently
about 65 acres in size and is being allowed to burn to benefit resources
since it is within the wilderness area. Two 20-man crews and 3 helicopters
are on the fire working to make sure the fire continues to burn north
and actively suppressing it on the south and west flanks to keep it
from burning out of the wilderness area where it could threaten the
Big Sandy Lodge and campground.
The fire is burning in a very rocky area at about 9,400
feet elevation. Originally started by lightning on Sunday, August 26th,
this fire is considered a natural fire and being allowed to play its
natural role in the ecosystem within strict perimeters. The fire will
benefit the area by eliminating fuels for future fires, clearing underbrush
that might hinder wildlife movement, creating new plant growth for wildlife
next year, and adding nutrients to the soil, among other things.
The decision to classify this fire as a Wildland Fire Use
for Resource Benefit was based on many factors including the lateness
of the season and potential for rain or snow at this high elevation,
the rocky terrain and proximity of many natural barriers, natural wind
patterns, and other factors. "If we had this same fire in lat July,
we probably would have actively suppressed it. But now it's almost September
so we've made the decision to manage the fire differently to benefit
resources. It's a natural fire in the wilderness that is being allowed
to take its natural course" said Cindy Stein of the Pinedale Ranger
District.
There
currently are no closures in the  Wind
River, Gros Ventre or Wyoming mountain ranges for campgrounds or trails.
The Green River Lakes area does not have any fires and all areas are
open. Fire restrictions are still in effect and no fires are allowed
in dispersed areas.
Please
see our Fire Update page for more detailed information
about the Iron Creek fire, photos of the fire, info about other area
fires, and fire restrictions.
For
current information about conditions in areas you wish to go on the
Bridger-Teton National Forest, contact the local Ranger District office
(Pinedale 307-367-4326, Big Piney 307-276-3375).
(more detailed fire info)
Memorial
Services
Funeral
services for Frank Fear are scheduled for Saturday, September
1st at Plainview Cemetery south of Big Piney.
Stacking
Hay
(click
for larger photo)
Some
area ranchers still hay the 'old-fashioned way', using horses to cut
hay and stacking hay in mounts with hay stackers.
Tuesday,
August 28, 2001
Governor
to Visit Sublette County
Bacterial
Meningitis Cause of McKenzie Hartwig's Death
LOCAL FOCUS:
Memorial
Services Scheduled for McKenzie Hartwig, Charles VanGoerken, Frank Bray
and Frank Fear
Birthday
Party for Doc Johnston
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
New
Wild Fires
Acting
District Ranger Assigned to Pinedale
Trudy's
Take
Governor to Visit Sublette County
Wyoming
Governor Jim Geringer is scheduled to visit Sublette County
Wednesday, August 29, as part of a 38-community tour of the state. His
first stop will be in Big Piney where there will be a meeting at Three
Pines Restaurant at 11:45 am. He is scheduled to then travel to Pinedale
for a meeting at 1:45 pm at the Pinedale Town Hall, followed by a tour
of local businesses. He is scheduled for a tour of the "wildland
urban interface" at 3:45 pm, after which he will leave Sublette
County and travel to Alpine.
Bacterial
Meningitis Blamed for McKenzie Hartwig's Death
 A
form of bacterial meningitis, meningococcal meningitis, has been blamed
for the death of 18-year old McKenzie Hartwig, who died last Friday
while attending a volleyball tournament in Fargo, North Dakota with
her University of South Dakota Volleyball team.
Memorial Services are scheduled for Friday, August 31st,
at 10 am at the Pinedale High School Auditorium. A luncheon will follow
at the American Legion Park for those who attended the Memorial Service.
The luncheon is being provided by Our Lady of Peace Catholic Women,
PCCW, of Pinedale. Anyone wishing to help provide food can contact Peg
Carney at 307-537-5694.
According to a press release issued on Saturday by
the North Dakota Department of Health, "Meningococcal meningitis
is a bacterial infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and
the brain. Few people who come in contact with the bacteria become sick.
The bacteria is spread through direct, very close contact with nose
or throat secretions of an infected person. Examples of such contact
include sharing eating utensils, toothbrushes, cigarettes, drinks and
food, or kissing. People who have more casual contact with someone who
is infected are not at increased risk." Health officials in South
and North Dakota have been working to identify those people who were
close to McKenzie for treatment with recommended preventitive antibiotics.
Many people have or carry a bacterial meningitis
strain in their bodies throughout their lives in their mouths and throats,
but their immune systems are able to prevent it from affecting them.
High fever, headache, and stiff neck are common symptoms of meningitis
in anyone over the age of 2 years. These symptoms can develop over several
hours, or they may take 1 to 2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea,
vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion, and sleepiness.
In newborns and small infants, the classic symptoms of fever, headache,
and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to detect, and the infant
may only appear slow or inactive, or be irritable, have vomiting, or
be feeding poorly. As the disease progresses, patients of any age may
have seizures. The bacteria are spread by direct close
contact with the discharges from the nose or throat of an infected person.
Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are very contagious,
and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the
air where a person with meningitis has been. Only 1 in one million people
contract the disease, according to the North Dakota Department of Health.
More specific information about meningitis is available from the Center
of Disease Control web site.
The Pinedale schools are working closely with students,
teachers, and parents to help the community cope with the grieving process.
"It is natural for kids to talk with their peers about it. But
it is also important that they find a trusted adult to talk with because
adults usually have more experience to help them" said Peggy Sanders,
Superintendent for Sublette County School District #1. The following
people are available at the schools for consultation and more information:
Richard Kennedy, High School Principal, 367-2137 ext. 235
Brad Martin, Special Ed Director, 367-2139 ext 3
Melanie Sampson, Social Worker, 367-2828 ext 262
Peg Carney, Middle School Counselor, 367-2821 ext 238
Mike Cothern, High School Counselor, 367-2137 ext 247
Web sites
with more information:
University
of South Dakota Press Release
Dealing with Grief
Center
for Disease Control
LOCAL
FOCUS
Memorial
Services
Services for McKenzie Hartwig will be held on Friday, August
31, 10 am, at the Pinedale High School Auditorium. Lunch will be served
following the services at the American Legion Park in Pinedale for those
who attended the Memorial Service.
Services
for Charles VanGoerken will be held on Saturday, September 1st
at 11 am at the Chapel of the Pines at Hudson's Funeral Home in Pinedale.
Services
for Frank Bray will be held Thursday, August 30th, at 2 pm at
the Episcopal Church in Big Piney.
Funeral
arrangements for Frank Fear are being made through Hudson's Funeral
Home in Pinedale, but no date for the services has been announced yet.
Birthday
Party for Doc Johnston
Everyone
is welcome to come help Doc Tom Johnston celebrate his 70th birthday
on Friday, August 31, from 4-7 pm at the American Legion Park. Food
and drinks will be provided. Tom Johnston, aka "Doc", "Doc
Tom", "Doctor Tom", has been a long-time Sublette County
physician, instrumental in starting the Pinedale Medical Clinic. He
has spent over 40 years administering to the health needs of the community
and left the Clinic earlier this spring.
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
The
Pinedale Snow Explorers Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race will be held September 8th at the west end of Pinedale
behind the Rocky Mountain Home Center. There is $1500.00 added purse,
80% payback. Pre-registration will be Friday night at Stockman's, 7-9
PM. Registration at the track: 8 - 9:30 AM. Drivers meeting at 9:30
AM. The race starts at 10 AM. Concessions will be sold at the track.
For more information call Troy at 367-6368 or Brad at 367-2865. So come
out and join the fun!
New
Fires - Fire Danger EXTREME
A
new fire began on Sunday in the Bridger Wilderness approximately three
miles north of Big Sandy Lodge on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
The fire is north of the Big Sandy trailhead and south of Fish Creek
Park and Dad's Lake. Although being called the Iron Creek Fire, it is
not in Iron Creek. The fire is approximately 35 acres in size and located
1/8 mile west of the Fremont Trail, but the trail is still currently
open. This fire is being managed as a Wildland Fire Use for Resource
Benefit, meaning they will use modified suppression strategies closely
monitoring the burn to reach desired perimiters. Signs are posted at
the trailhead about the fire status. Sixteen smokejumpers and a Type
II medium duty helicopter are working this fire.
The Boulder Fire is still being patrolled for flare ups
and hot spots, but is 100% Contained and all trails and the campground
are open.
The Roosevelt Fire is located about one mile west
of Roosevelt Meadows and 4 miles northeast of Deadman Mountain on the
Greys River District. This fire is still estimated at 25 acres and is
being aggressively suppressed by crews. Two new 20-person hand crews
have arrived on this fire relieving Interagency firefighters for any
potential initial attack needs in the area. These crews are still supported
by one Type II medium duty helicopter.
Partial fire and smoking restrictions are still in
effect for all of Sublette County, the Bridger-Teton National Forest,
and BLM land due to the extreme fire danger. Under these restrictions,
it is prohibited to build, maintain, attend or use "any fire or
campfire except within agency provided fire grates at developed recreation
sites, or within fully enclosed stoves or grills, or in stoves using
pressurized liquid or gas."
There currently are no closures in the Wind River,
Gros Ventre or Wyoming mountain ranges for campgrounds or trails. For
current information about conditions in areas you wish to go on the
Bridger-Teton National Forest, contact the local Ranger District office
(Pinedale 307-367-4326, Big Piney 307-276-3375).
Acting
District Ranger Assigned to Pinedale
Tom Montoya has been appointed as Acting District Ranger for the Pinedale
Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest by Forest Supervisor
Kniffy Hamilton. Montoya is a Fisheries Biologist from the Salmon-Challis
National Forest and will serve as Acting Ranger for the next 120 days.
He replaces Bob Reese who announced his retirement earlier this month.
 Trudy's
Take
by Trudy Fry
As the summer officially comes to a close it is a time of reflection.
There have been so many things that have happened, it is hard to keep
track of them all. It has been a summer of beginnings. There have probably
been a record number of weddings performed in this area plus several
babies have been born. There have been new buildings and businesses
in our community along with new people moving in to fill the openings
in the communities and oil field. It has also been a time of endings
and sad good-byes. We have experienced great losses this year. So many
people that are vital to our small towns have passed away. Some from
lingering illnesses and som from tragic unexpected illnesses and accidents.
Our sadness and sympathy for the families and friends of these people
is deeply felt. Words can't describe our feelings and trying to express
our sentiments is difficult, if not impossible. The best we can do is
to tell those that have suffered losses that we are in pain also and
our choicest thoughts and praryers are with them. It is wonderful to
see the way our communities are uniting to help us all get through this
time of loss. May God bless each of us.
Hardin
Creek in the Wyoming Range.
Click for larger picture.
Monday,
August 27th
Sublette County again mourns at news of the death of Frank Fear of Big
Piney Sunday while on a fishing vacation in Mexico.
New wildfires are burning near Big Sandy within the
wilderness in the Wind River Mountains and in Roosevelt Meadows in the
Wyoming Range on the Greys River Ranger District.
Pouring
Concrete
(click
for larger photo)
Workers
began pouring the concrete for the Pinedale Entertainment Center complex
on the west end of Pinedale on Thursday. The building will house a bowling
alley, two movie theaters, arcade and meeting room facilities. (more)
Saturday,
August 25, 2001
Pinedale
mourns the death of McKenzie Hartwig
McKenzie
Hartwig, daughter of Ken and Laurie Hartwig, died suddenly Friday evening
while in Fargo, North Dakota attending a volleyball tournament with
the University of South Dakota's Women's Volleyball team.
Details about her sudden illness are still sketchy at this
time. According to Ken Konicek, longtime family friend, McKenzie became
ill early Friday morning and was taken to the emergency room of Innovis
Health Hospital in Fargo. She died at 9:30 pm Friday, August 24th. Her
brother Garrett, a sophomore at the University of South Dakota, was
with her at the hospital. Her parents, Ken and Laurie Hartwig, flew
to Fargo late yesterday afternoon, but did not reach the hospital in
time before she passed away. Doctors indicated that McKenzie had an
undetermined illness, possibly a bacterial infection such as meningitis,
affecting her immune system and causing respiratory problems. An autopsy
is being performed today to determine the exact cause of her death.
Cremation will take place today.
McKenzie,
18, graduated this spring from Pinedale High School and was a freshman
at the University of South Dakota under a volleyball scholarship. The
NDSU Classic tournament in Fargo was the Women's Volleyball team's first
volleyball game of the season. McKenzie had been at the University in
Vermillion, South Dakota for about three weeks. She was one of six new
recruits for the University of South Dakota's Women's Volleyball team.
While at
Pinedale High School, McKenzie was an Honor Society student, all star
athlete, and musician among her many talents. Her sudden death was a
total shock to everyone.
A
memorial service will be scheduled for later this week at the Pinedale
Auditorium, with the exact time and date to be announced soon. The McKenzie
Hartwig Memorial Fund has been set up at the First National Bank of
Pinedale for anyone who wishes to contribute in her name. A press release
was given to the Casper Star Tribune today. Local Pinedale newspapers
will have more details when they publish on Thursday. More information
is also available from Kelly Higgins with the Athletic Department at
the University of South Dakota, 605-675-1021.
More
about the University of South Dakota Volleyball team
Friday,
August 24, 2001
Annual
Community Picnic
Sublette
County
Property Info
Pinedale
Entertainment Center
LOCAL FOCUS:
Birthday
Party for Doc Johnston
School
Coaching Positions Open
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
Trudy's
Take
Annual
Community Picnic
Big
Piney, Marbleton & LaBarge
Everyone
from the Big Piney, Marbleton and LaBarge communities is cordially invited
to help welcome new community members and kick off the new school year
at the Annual Community Picnic on Tuesday, August 28. Bring your favorite
covered dish and enjoy burgers, potato salad and drinks furnished by
sponsors Community First National Bank, Sublette Co. School District
No 9, and the Towns of Big Piney & Marbleton. Festitivies start
off at 6:30 pm on the grassy area behind the School District Fine Arts
Center in Big Piney. For more information, call 307-276-3322.
Sublette
Co Property Info
The
average cost of homes in Pinedale decreased from over $118,000 in 1999
to just under $117,000 in 2000 according to information from the Sublette
County Assessor's office. Home sales have fluctuated since 1990 in Sublette
County, with sales typically in the 20-30 homes sold per year range.
1990 recorded 26 home sales with the average price of a little over
$43,000. In 1995 there were 29 sales with home prices averaging around
$90,000. In 2000 there were 32 homes sold, an increase in the number
sold, but the average sale price dropped by around $1,800 from 1999.
Interest for homes lately has been for the lower end under $150,000
and the over $250,000 range. Home sales in the $150,000-$250,000 range
have been slower recently, but interest tends to fluctuate depending
on the season of the year.
Sales of vacant residential land in Sublette County peaked
during 1994 and 1995 with around 180 sales transactions during those
years. Over the past 5 years, average yearly residential vacant land
sales has been between 120 to 140 transactions. Sagebrush building lot
prices range from $2,000-$30,000/acre out of town. Anyone still dreaming
of getting their 35 acre building lot in the trees can expect a price
tag of $250,000-$700,000 or more. Properties with trees and water are
very much in demand and command premium prices.
New residences constructed each year in Sublette County
has remained fairly constant for the past three years with around 80
new homes built each year in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Sublette County's assessed valuation has been increasing
significantly since 1997, attributed to the development of the Jonah
gas field. The minerals industry pays 85% or more of the property tax
in Sublette County. The top ten taxpayers in Sublette County are all
oil & gas related businesses.
Pinedale is seeing new growth and business start ups.
The oil & gas industry is going strong. White Pine Ski Area will
be in its third season. The motel industry is growing with the near
completion of a new Super 8 motel on the west side of town. Sweetwaters
Soda Shoppe is opening a second building across from McGregor's Pub,
Bill Webb recently opened Spirits of the West western memorabilia store
next door to Sweetwaters, and Dan Abernathy opened an art gallery on
main street.
The new growth is an indication of local
businesses being very optimistic for the future and confident to expand
their existing businesses, as well as investors who are optimistic for
the future and starting new businesses that service visitors and recreationists
coming into the county.
Existing businesses for sale in Pinedale include the
Cowboy Bar ($850,000), Country Lane Gas, Groceries & Liquor Store
($1,550,000), Pa-Jo's Art Gallery ($295,000), Elk Country Bar-B-Q ($540,000).
Commercial real estate along Hwy 191 in Pinedale is going for top dollar
and rental space for commercial businesses and offices is very hard
to find. The old Knotty Pine Plaza, Pinedale's only "mall",
was recently renovated and renamed the Summit Building. All but one
of the available commercial and retail spaces have been rented out,
according to property managers Pinedale Properties, Inc.
For
more information about real estate in Pinedale and Sublette County,
see local real estate agencies
and their web sites. Click here for 'For
Sale By Owner' real estate properties.
Pinedale
Entertainment Center
Construction
workers began pouring the concrete floor for the new Pinedale Entertainment
Center complex west of town yesterday. The building will house a bowling
alley, two movie theaters, an arcade, and meeting facilities. The steel
building structure is scheduled to start being erected on September
4th. Projected completion date is November 1st. The Entertainment Center
is located near the hockey rink, Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course and
the Best Western and new Super 8 motels.
LOCAL
FOCUS
Birthday
Party for Doc Johnston
Everyone
is welcome to come help Doc Tom Johnston celebrate his 70th birthday
on Friday, August 31, from 4-7 pm at the American Legion Park. Food
and drinks will be provided. Tom Johnston, aka "Doc", "Doc
Tom", "Doctor Tom", has been a long-time Sublette County
physician, instrumental in starting the Pinedale Medical Clinic. He
has spent over 40 years administering to the health needs of the community
and left the Clinic earlier this spring.
School
Coaching Positions Open
Sublette
County School District #1 is accepting applications for several coaching
positions.
High School Head Alpine Ski Coach
High School Assistant Alpine Ski Coach
High School Assistant Football Coach
High School Assistant Girls Swim Coach
These positions will be open until filled. Applicants must
hold or be willing to obtain coaching permits for their respective
sports. Information and applications are available from the Sublette
County School District #1 office in Pinedale at 147 East Hennick, or
by calling 307-367-2139 ext #1.
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
Some
of us think the summer is already going too fast, but the Pinedale
Snow Explorers are anxious to race their snowmachines. The Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race will be held September 8th at the west end of Pinedale,
behind the Rocky Mountain Home Center. There is $1500.00 added purse,
80% payback. Pre-registration will be Friday night at Stockman's, 7-9
PM. Registration at the track: 8 - 9:30 AM. Drivers meeting at 9:30
AM. The race starts at 10 AM. Concessions will be sold at the track.
For more information call Troy at 367-6368 or Brad at 367-2865. So come
out and join the fun!
Fire
Restrictions in Effect
Fire Danger EXTREME
Partial
fire and smoking restrictions are still in effect for all of Sublette
County, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and BLM land due to the very
high fire danger.
Under these restrictions, it is prohibited to build,
maintain, attend or use "any fire or campfire except within agency
provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully
enclosed stoves or grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or
gas."
Trudy's
Take
by Trudy Fry
It is that time of year. Back to school clothes and supplies shopping
is always a challenge in our town. Actually we go to Rock Springs or
Idaho Falls or Salt Lake or do the catalog thing to get those specialty
items. It is nice to get out of town every now and then. We are more
appreciative when we get back. Big Piney schools start this next week
and Pinedale's start the 4th of September. Some of us aren't finished
with summer yet and would appreciate an extension if someone out there
knows how to arrange one. This has been a wonderful summer. The signs
of fall are beginning to show. The leaves on the aspen trees are beginning
to turn and the little buck deer that has been shepherding two does
around our neighborhood has gotten his winter horns. I am even bringing
in my tomato plants (some nights), there is a nip in the air.
Circuit
Court on the Move
(click
for larger photo)
If
you are driving by the Courthouse on South Tyler and you have to do
a double take, don't worry, it's not your eyesight. The Circuit Court
building has been moved to the south corner of the Law Enforcement parking
lot.
(more)
Friday,
August 17, 2001
Circuit
Court Building
Camping
Amongst the Grizzlies
Cowboy
Shop Classic Roping
LOCAL FOCUS:
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
Circuit Court Building
 As
part of the Courthouse Facilities Construction Project, the site the
building used to occupy will be part of the new addtion to the south
end of the Courthouse. They hope to pour footings for the addition sometime
this fall.
The
Circuit Court will continue to be housed in the same building until
mid-October, when the Court and County Attornery will move into what
was once the Old Library. Once the building is vacant it will be moved
again. This time to the County Shop, south of Pinedale and used as office
space for the Road & Bridge Department.
Camping
Amongst the Grizzlies
Todd Stevie
says "the bear came in really early in the morning and tore up
our cook tent but he didn't get any food rewards because we keep a very
clean camp". The Wyoming Game and Fish Department believe this
was the same bear that they trapped and killed in Dubois on July 30th.
Todd hopes this was their last encounter with a grizzly.
With
so much in the news lately about the grizzly bears, some people wonder
why anyone would even want to go camping. Several people thought Carolyn
Bing was "crazy" to risk encountering a bear on a camping
trip she was taking with Todd Stevie of Thomson Outfitters. Carolyn
and her family just came back from that trip a few days ago, so we asked
her to write how she felt about camping with the grizzlies.
"Color
me naive, color me stupid. I just returned from four nights on the edge
of the Bridger Wilderness, camping amongst the grizzlies. We arrived
at Thomson Outfitters Wednesday evening just in time for one (of several)
of Beverly's wonderful meals. Todd showed us the huge hole a grizzly
had made in the cook tent the previous week while he lectured us on
"grizzly prevention". As we locked up our toothpastes, soaps,
and deodorants in the car, we attached our weapons of choice to our
belts. Mine was pepper spray. At $45 a can it's not cheap, but the peace
of mind was worth it . My son Travis made sure we all practiced with
the spray cans - removing the cover, safety, and firing the trigger.
We all gauged the distance the cans fired - praying nothing would ever
come that close that needed sprayed. Darkness surrounded us as we finished
dinner and the obligatory campfire "one upmanship". Everyone
visited the outhouse with a people or dog buddy before we settled into
our respective tents for the night. It wouldn't be prudent to wander
around camp after dark. The next three days were spent horseback riding,
hiking, and fishing. The grizzlies graciously remained out of sight,
leaving us only their tracks and scat to remind us whose land we were
visiting. The good news - I've still got $45 worth of pepper spray (minus
a few practice shots) for my next visit. Thomson Outfitters took such
good care of us eight rookies, I slept like a baby every night knowing
they were in charge. The challenge is now to get back in the groove
of sleeping with telephones ringing and (the neighbors') dogs barking."
Please
take precautions and remember "Don't Feed the Bears!" Click
here for more information on the young bear that was euthanized
in DuBois. You can visit Thomson Outfitter's website at www.wyohunt.com
Carolyn
and her husband Bob own the Cowboy Shop
in Pinedale. Read on for more information about the Cowboy Shop Classic
Drawpot Roping being held next weekend at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds.
Cowboy
Shop Classic Six-Head Drawpot Roping
The
annual Cowboy Shop Classic, Six-Head Drawpot Roping, will take place
Sunday, August 26 at 1 pm at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds. Sponsored by
the Sublette County Sporting Association, this roping is open to Sublette
County and LaBarge residents only, or by special invitation. Two $1600
saddles, made by Tom Colerick of Tom's Saddle Shop, will go to the top
header and heeler. There will be six $250 Bill Hill Buckles also awarded.
Warm-up Roping begins at 10 am and the Calcutta starts at 12:30 pm.
There is a $50/man entry fee and entries are due by noon on Saturday,
August 25th. For more information, call the Cowboy
Shop in Pinedale at 307-367-4300.
LOCAL
FOCUS
Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race
Some
of us think the summer is already going too fast, but the Pinedale
Snow Explorers are anxious to race their snowmachines. The Snowmobile
Grass Drag Race will be held September 8th at the west end of Pinedale,
behind the Rocky Mountain Home Center. There is $1500.00 added purse,
80% payback. Pre-registration will be Friday night at Stockman's, 7-9
PM. Registration at the track: 8 - 9:30 AM. Drivers meeting at 9:30
AM. The race starts at 10 AM. Concessions will be sold at the track.
For more information call Troy at 367-6368 or Brad at 367-2865. So come
out and join the fun!
Trudy's
Take
by Trudy Fry
Some Mondays are more challenging than others. For those that are over
the hill and have gone tent camping for several days it is more than
challenging it is overwhelming. This is expecially true if you have
not engaged in this activity for 20 something years. The body did not
want to extract its self from the bed this morning and the shin area
of the legs are in a bit of a snitt at this point. However, the time
spent at Green River Lakes was fabulous to say the least. The weather
was perfect. Warm days and chilly nights perfect for hiking and sleeping.
In the midst of 23 Girl Scouts and 12 adults there was a lot of fun
and adventure. We did discover a couple of other "locals" up there who
were also having a great time. Compared to a few mishaps such as keys
being locked in a car, one child having a relapse of hoof and mouth
and a car breaking down just outside of camp, the wonder of just being
there was incredible. The view from the lake and the things we saw on
the hikes were priceless. Now we know why we live here. What a marvelous
place to be!
Solemn
Tribute
(click
for larger photo)
A
Memorial Service was held on Friday morning for Rocky Shaver, Chief
Detective for the Sublette County Sheriff's Office, who died from injuries
he received in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago.
(more)
Photo by Delsa Allen of the Pinedale
Roundup.
Friday,
August 10, 2001
Tribute
to Rocky Shaver
Sailing
Regatta on Fremont Lake
Model
T Tour
Griz
from Winds euthanized in Dubois
LOCAL FOCUS:
Memorial
Service for "Bud" Skinner
"Dewey"
Lloyd Passes Away
Partial
Fire Restrictions in Effect
Tribute
to Rocky Shaver
 A
Memorial Service was held at the Pinedale Auditorium Friday morning
for Rocky Shaver, who died as a result of injuries he received in a
motorcycle accident on Teton Pass on July 28.
Rocky was Chief Detective for the Sublette County Sheriff's Office.
The Shaver family has lived in Pinedale since 1993. Rocky started working
at the SCSO as a detention officer and worked his way through the ranks
to Sergeant Chief Detective in 1998.
The Memorial Service paid tribute to a  man
who was committed to his family, the community, and his work. Law enforcement
officers from many different agencies attended the service as well as
a grieving Sublette County community. Rocky
is survived by his wife Kim, son Josh, and daughter Roxanne.
The family asks that anyone wishing to make a donation
please send it to the Benefit Account for Rocky Shaver at the Bank of
Pinedale, PO Box 1510, Pinedale, WY 82941. Photos by
Delsa Allen of the Pinedale Roundup.
Sailing
Regatta on Fremont Lake
Don't miss
the 2001 Little America's Cup Sailing Regatta on Fremont Lake
August 11th & 12th sponsored by the Fremont Lake Yacht Club and
the Pinedale Boat Club.  Racing
begins at 11 am in front of Lakeside Lodge. This is an unsanctioned
regatta, more to have fun and stay within the rules. There will be three
race classes consisting of open class Cruisers, Catamarans, and Butterflys.
Additional classes will be added if there is a minimum of three like
boats. Overall point score will be computed on the best of four races.
Registration begins at 9 am. There is a $20 race entrance fee. Club
memberships will be available at the registration desk. Banquet it on
Saturday at 6:30 pm. See the Boat Club web
page for more information, schedule of races, and regulations.
Model
T Tour
 Thursday
brought an unusual sight to Pinedale as four classic Model T Fords rolled
into Pinedale. The four vehicles were on a tour that was taking them
from Texas to Alaska and back as part of a group called Model T Tours
Unlimited. The group is "Dedicated to preserving the legacy of
the Model T Ford and to promoting the restoration and use of Model T's
for adventurous travel."
The cars and crew left Abilene, Texas on June 6 and
made it to Alaska June 28. Along the way they passed through New Mexico,
Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia,
Canada. Their route home took them through the Yukon Territory, British
Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Wyoming and Pinedale, then on to Colorado
and finally back to Texas.
The tour was planned as a voluntary association of
people who wanted to make an extended Model T Tour with other Model
T lovers, rather than as a competition. Drivers were expected to take
care of their own vehicles in case of a breakdown. Average driving speed
was about 35 miles per hour, and they drove about 200-275 miles per
day.
To find out more about the these old cars and pictures
and diary from this year's tour, visit their web site, www.modelttours.com.
Griz
from Winds Euthanized in Dubois
A young
male grizzly bear was euthanized by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department
in Dubois the night of July 30. The young bear had unfortunately developed
a taste for human food and become dangerously habituated to people,
reports G&F Bear Management Officer Brian DeBolt. The subadult male
grizzly had been trapped for research purposes May 31, 2001 near Jim
Creek, some 25 miles north of Pinedale. At that time it was fitted with
a radio collar, tagged no. 382, and released on site. The bear was estimated
to be 3 to 5 years old and 200 pounds. Since then, it traveled widely
throughout the Union Pass and Upper Green River area. The bear reportedly
received a large food reward in at least one camp before finally ending
up in Dubois.
The bear was frequenting dog food bowls and scavenging
other food and garbage. This bad situation was compounded when the bear
became popular with residents approaching closely to view and photograph.
This incident has the G&F pleading with anyone living
or camping in bear country to make a special effort to prevent bears
from getting such food rewards.
"In dry years like this, when natural food may
be lacking, we tend to see more bears in conflict situations,"
says DeBolt. "I can't stress the importance enough for people to
properly secure their garbage, barbecue grills, bird feeders, pet and
livestock food, etc. to prevent habituating bears. Bears will be actively
searching out food sources from here on out, until they begin to hibernate
this winter." Taken from WG & F Press Release
LOCAL
FOCUS
Memorial
Service for "Bud" Skinner
A
Memorial Service will be held for Clement "Bud" Skinner on
Saturday, August 11 at 1 pm at the St. Andrews in the Pines churchyard
in Pinedale.
"Dewey"
Lloyd Passes Away
DeWayne
Lloyd, known as "Dewey", passed away unexpectedly on August
3rd in Pinedale. Dewey moved to Pinedale 14 years ago and worked at
Stockman's. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 9 at Hudson
Funeral Home with graveside services afterward. He was interred at the
Pinedale Cemetery.
Fire
Restrictions in Effect
Fire Danger EXTREME
Partial
fire and smoking restrictions were put into place August 1st for all
of Sublette County, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and BLM land
due to the very high fire danger.
Under these restrictions, it is prohibited to build,
maintain, attend or use "any fire or campfire except within agency
provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully
enclosed stoves or grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or
gas."
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle
or building, a developed recreation site such as a campground, or while
stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or
cleared of all flammable material.
Chainsaws must have approved spark arresters and operators
must have a chemical fire extinguisher and round point shovel with them.
In addition, other restrictions regarding welders and explosive devices
are in effect. Copies of the complete restrictions are being posted
at Forest boundaries and developed recreation sites and are also available
from Forest Service offices.
Trudy's
Take
by Trudy Fry
The
"summer shower" that we had Thursday was rather refreshing.
We really appreciate the cooling effect it had on the temperature. It
made for great sleeping weather. We have been suffering through hot
nights where interior house temperatures don't cool down until 1 AM
and we are used to pulling up the covers at about 11 PM. Those of us
that couldn't stand the heat anymore took a break and escaped to Sandy
Beach on Fremont Lake. The view is incredible and the water is refreshing.
Maybe it is my old age but the water in Fremont seems warmer this year
than past years. However, one of the "old" ranchers made the
comment that he was going to throw a few spices in the water at the
top of his property and pull out all-ready-cooked cajun fish at the
bottom of the property. He seems to think that the water temperatures
in the streams are on the rise. Perhaps there is a chance for an introduction
of big mouth bass to the area. Then again we could just add the bass
since we already have a few "big mouths" already in the area.
The county fair was a great success and those of us
that attended had a good time. It is always great to see the biggest
and the best in the area or just to get together with friends.
This has been a week of sadness also. We have said
good-bye to a couple of people that we have enjoyed knowing. Rocky Shaver
was one of those rare people that took his work seriously but could
be a great cop and could also be a good friend. He cared when no one
else seemed to. He will be greatly missed.
Dewey Lloyd was one of those people that you waited
to see which tables he was waiting on so that you could ask to be seated
on his side of Stockman's. He was always courteous and very careful
that you were treated with special care no matter who you were. It will
be very difficult to replace him.
Recent
Visitor Comments:
"Just back from 18 days, mostly in your backyard--didn't see
the spoof website before the trip, but howled afterwards....had a fabulous
backcountry hike in the Wind Rivers and enjoyed Rock Springs' Red Desert
rodeo, among many other things. Wish I lived there (at least in the
summer.....)."
Editorial Note: Did you miss Pinedale
OFFline, our April Fool's Day spoof?
Extreme
Fair
(click
for larger photo)
The
Gail Webb's Extreme Sports & Air Show was part of this year's Sublette
County Fair. World-class inline skaters, skateboarders and bicycle riders
did flips in mid-air off quarter pipe ramps in an action-packed show
that had the kids, and adults, amazed.
The Extreme Sports Show was just one of the many events that took place
over the week during this year's Sublette County Fair. More
pictures.
Sunday,
August 5, 2001 - Fair is here!
Sublette
County Fair
Sailing
Regatta on Fremont Lake
Cowboy
Shop Classic Roping
Lodges
Offer Unique Getaways
LOCAL FOCUS:
Green
River Lakes Campground program
Sublette
County Fair
The
Sublette County Fair took place last week, July 28 through August 5th
at the Sublette County Fairgrounds just north of Marbleton. Events included
the Open  Carriage
Competition, Little Buckaroo Rodeo, Greased Pig Contest, Rodeos, Horseshoes
Doubles tournament and more. Special programs and exhibits included
the Extreme Sports Show, Chain Saw Artist Oley Shearer, Freddie Prez
Kid's Show, singing by Ken Overcast, S.A.M. the Synthetic Automated
Man and others. Click here for more
pictures from this year's Fair. For detailed schedule information,
please visit their web page at: Sublette
County Fair
Sailing
Regatta on Fremont Lake
Don't miss
the 2001 Little America's Cup Sailing Regatta on Fremont Lake
August 11th & 12th sponsored by the Fremont Lake Yacht Club and
the Pinedale Boat Club. Racing
begins at 11 am in front of Lakeside Lodge. This is an unsanctioned
regatta, more to have fun and stay within the rules. There will be three
race classes consisting of open class Cruisers, Catamarans, and Butterflys.
Additional classes will be added if there is a minimum of three like
boats. Overall point score will be computed on the best of four races.
Registration begins at 9 am. There is a $20 race entrance fee. Club
memberships will be available at the registration desk. Banquet it on
Saturday at 6:30 pm. See the Boat Club web
page for more information, schedule of races, and regulations.
Cowboy
Shop Classic Six-Head Drawpot Roping
The
annual Cowboy Shop Classic, Six-Head Drawpot Roping, will take place
Sunday, August 26 at 1 pm at the Pinedale Rodeo Grounds. Sponsored by
the Sublette County Sporting Association, this roping is open to Sublette
County and LaBarge residents only, or by special invitation. Two $1600
saddles, made by Tom Colerick of Tom's Saddle Shop, will go to the top
header and heeler. There will be six $250 Bill Hill Buckles also awarded.
Warm-up Roping begins at 10 am and the Calcutta starts at 12:30 pm.
There is a $50/man entry fee and entries are due by noon on Saturday,
August 25th. For more information, call the Cowboy Shop in Pinedale
at 307-367-4300.
Lodges
Offer Unique Getaways
Looking
for a place to get away from it all with a view of a gorgeous lake,
great fishing, trees, wildlife and not a lot of people? Sublette County
offers several unique getaways at local lodges.
The closest to Pinedale is Lakeside
Lodge
Resort & Marina on 11-mile long Fremont Lake. Only four miles from
Pinedale, Lakeside offers lodging in one of their historic log cabins,
motel rooms or the RV campground on 15 acres on the lower end of the
lake. They have boat and mountain bike rentals, a restaurant and marina
with slip rentals. A boat dock is located close to the lodge. Groups
will enjoy renting the 'Party Barge' and exploring the inlets and islands
along the lake's shore. Dining is available in their lodge or on their
outside deck overlooking the lake and the beautiful Wind River Mountains.
Each August Lakeside Lodge helps host the Sailing Regatta on Fremont
Lake (to be held next weekend) sponsored by the Fremont Lake Yacht Club
and Pinedale Boat Club.
Half Moon Lake
Resort is situated on scenic Half Moon Lake, nine miles 
from Pinedale. They have rustic individual log cabins tucked away in
the trees on the hillside overlooking the lake, ideal for honeymooners
or people wanting their own gorgeous lake view. They offer hour and
daily horseback trail rides, boat rentals, pack trips, mountain biking,
hiking, marina, and much more. Rent a canoe, fishing boat, motor boat
or their Party Barge! Meals are available in their restaurant overlooking
the lake.
Boulder Lake
Lodge is scenic and secluded, located on Boulder Lake south of  Pinedale.
They have a rustic lodge with fireplace and eight guest rooms available
for rent. From the lodge guests can go horseback riding into the Bridger
Wilderness, hike or fish in Boulder Lake. They also can provide guided
pack trips along the Continental Divide, Green River float fishing trips,
and guided hunting into the Wind River Mountains. The lodge was homesteaded
in the 1900s and has been used for western movie sets in years past.
Fort William
Recreation Area Guest Ranch is remotely located about eight miles
from  Pinedale,
tucked in the aspens on 120 secluded acres at the base of the Wind River
Mountains. Their rustic, old-fashioned, two-story lodge offers eight
guest rooms. They are ideal for small groups or family reunions that
want a secluded place all to themselves. They offer horseback trail
rides, fishing trips, pack trips and guided hunting. In the evening,
dine in their uniquely decorated dining room (steaks their specialty,
dance floor and lounge) then soak in the hot tub on the deck!
Big Sandy Lodge
is located inside the Bridger-Teton National Forest near the wilderness
boundary in the Big Sandy  Opening
on the southern end of the Wind River Mountain range. The lodge is scenic
and remote, offering log cabin accommodations near a lake, and family-style
meals in their lodge. Nearby trails take visitors into some of the most
scenic parts of the Wind River Mountains. They offer horseback trail
rides, wilderness pack trips, fishing trips, mountain climbing and guided
hunts. This lodge is so remote there are no phones at the lodge. Reservations
are required for meals.
All of these lodges take major credit cards, but you
should call ahead for room reservations and for dining.
LOCAL
FOCUS
Green
River Lakes Campground Program
The
Campground Hosts at Green River Lakes Campground, Les & Judi Scharnberg,
will be presenting their final summer program on Wednesday, August 8,
at 7 pm. They have given several of these programs throughout the summer
and we've heard great reviews from the campers that have been up there
when they take place. There will be stories, history of the area, singing,
and much more. The program is put on for their campground guests, but
the public is welcome to come on up as well. It's a lot of fun and a
great excuse to get out for a summer drive up to scenic Green River
Lakes.
The
annual Little Buckaroo Rodeo
took place Wednesday night in conjunction with the Sublette County Fair.
The rodeo events included calf riding, bareback, calf roping, goat tail
tying, sheep riding, and barrel racing for youngsters through 12 years
old. More
pictures.
Friday,
August 3, 2001
Partial
Fire Restrictions in Effect
New
Fires are Small
deCycles
Riders Come thru Pinedale
Wyoming
4th for Small Business
LOCAL FOCUS:
Sublette
County Fair
Recent
Visitor Comments
Fire
Restrictions in Effect
 Partial
fire and smoking restrictions were put into place beginning 8 am on
Wednesday, August 1st, for all of Sublette County, the Bridger-Teton
National Forest, and BLM land due to the very high fire danger.
Under these restrictions, it is prohibited to build,
maintain, attend or use "any fire or campfire except within agency
provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully
enclosed stoves or grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or
gas."
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle
or building, a developed recreation site such as a campground, or while
stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or
cleared of all flammable material.
Chainsaws must have approved spark arresters and operators
must have a chemical fire extinguisher and round point hovel with them.
In addition, other restrictions regarding welders and explosive devices
are in effect. Copies of the complete restrictions are being posted
at Forest boundaries and developed recreation sites and are also available
from Forest Service offices.
New
Fires are Small
"Be
careful" was the caution from Tom Johnston of the Pinedale Ranger
District, referring to the current very high fire danger, "People
need to be really careful about what they are doing."
Monday a new fire began near Cora on BLM land that
is believed to be a lightning hold-over. The Cora fire reached a little
over 100 acres in size and is now controlled and being mopped up. Two
additional small fires occured during the week due to escaped campfires
or camper negligence, one on the upper end of Fremont Lake and one in
the Green River Lakes campground. Those two fires were spots that were
about 6' x 25' and are now out. The Fisherman and Buck Creek fires are
still being patrolled. The Rim fire is out.
The Green Knoll fire up in Jackson Hole is now being
called 100% contained and 4470 acres in size. The fire reached homes
in subdivisions near Wilson, Wyominig over the weekend. It was the #1
firefighting priority in the nation and had many ground and air support
firefighters working to keep the fire from destroying homes. Due to
the huge firefighting efforts, no homes were lost. As of today, the
fire is not so serious a threat and residents are being allowed to return
back to their homes and many firefighters have been reassigned to other
more pressing fires. In northwestern Wyoming, other fires are burning
in Yellowstone National Park and in the Snake River Canyon.
The cost of the firefighting efforts for the Green
Knoll fire are estimated at 8 million dollars to date.
For current updates on the fires in the northern portion
of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, see the Teton
Fires web site. For a current map of the recent wild fires, see
the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Wildland
Fire Map.
deCycles
Riders come thru Pinedale
Each year,
deCycles Indiana, a non-profit ecumenical youth development program,
offers high-spirited summer bicycle trips for teenagers and young adults.
The cyclists ride in groups of six on roads chosen for the best combination
of riding surface, safety, facilities and scenery. The group passed
through Pinedale Monday and Tuesday, staying at Our Lady of Peace Catholic
Church.
This year's trip began on July 23 in Denver, Colorado,
and will take the 50 participants on a 20-day, 1300 mile trek that will
end in Rapid City, South Dakota. Their route this year took them through
Rocky Mountain National Park climbing the Continental Divide and on
to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. From there, they went whitewater rafting
through Dinosaur National Park. Their route then took them north to
Flaming Gorge National Park in Wyoming, through Pinedale. Leaving here,
they went up to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National
Parks. The final week of their ride will take  them
east into northern Wyoming through Cody, past Devils Tower, and finally
into Rapid City, South Dakota. They riders average about 75 miles per
day.
The purpose of the bicycle trips are for young riders
to learn more about themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.
Overnight accommodations are provided by church or school gyms along
the way. Rest stops with food, juice and water are planned every 20-35
miles and several motorized sag vehicles support the entire group of
riders throughout the day.
The deCycles program has been in operation since 1968 with
over 1,500 riders pedaling four million rider miles. For more information
about deCycles, you can visit their web site at http://www.geocities.com/decyclesindiana
Wyoming
Ranked 4th for Small Business
Wyoming is ranked 4th out of the 50 US states as having one of the
best environments for small businesses and entrepreneurship according
to the Small Business Survival Index 2001 report released by
the Small Business Survival Committee recently. The SBSC is a non-profit,
non-partisan group that works to promote small business. The report
ranks the 50 states and District of Columbia according to how friendly
or unfriendly their public policy environments are to small businesses.
Nevada ranked first, followed by South Dakota and Washington.
Each state was scored according to 16 measures: personal
income tax, capital gains tax, corporate income tax, propert taxes,
sales taxes, death taxes, unemployment tax rates, health insurance tax
ratex, electric utilities tax rates, workers' compensation costs, total
crime rate, right to work, number of bureaucrats, tax limitation requirement,
internet taxes, gas tax and state minimum wage. The report can be reviewed
in its entirety at www.sbsc.org.
 LOCAL
FOCUS
Sublette
County Fair is Here
The
Sublette County Fair events began Saturday, July 28 and will run through
August 5th at the Sublette County Fairgrounds just north of Marbleton.
The festivities kicked off with the Carriage Driving Competition on
July 28th. Click here  for
pictures of the Little
Buckaroo Rodeo that took place Wednesday, August 1st.
The
Talent Contest is on Saturday at 4 pm, and the Extreme Sports Show will
be Thursday through Saturday. There are many, many activities, performances
and fun events scheduled in addition to all the shows, so don't miss
the Fair! For detailed schedule information, please visit their web
page at: Sublette
County Fair.
Recent
Visitor Comments:
"I just returned (on July 30) from my annual visit to Lozier's
Box R Ranch, this year was my 9th visit. I managed to stop by the
Sundance Motel for some fudge; the
clerk and I were laughing about the snowstorm photo you'd put on the
website in June... I tell everybody here about Sweetwater's Soda Shop
and their mouths water. You just can't get old-fashioned sodas and shakes
in the East Coast cities any more."
"Love your little town."
"I had forgotten how beautiful the country was,
and how friendly the people always were. I'm now going to plan a vacation
in the area next summer to remind myself of the beauty this country
has to offer."
"What a wonderful town Pinedale is. We went to the Rendezvous
and had a great time. The town people were sooo nice and friendly, and
such beautiful country to look at. We plan on going back in September
for the hunting! We stayed at the Teton
Court Motel. Owners Robert and Peggy Maw are such nice, nice people.
We feel we've made lifetime friends, so Thank You."
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