June, 2002

The Ford Blues Band performed Saturday during the 2nd Annual Wind River Blues Festival at the Rendezvous Grounds in Pinedale. Sixteen bands performed over the 2-day festival. Charlie Musselwhite headlined Saturday night. Sunday's lineup started at 11 am and was headlined by Indigenous performing around 9:30 pm. Also appearing were Aynsley Lister, Chris Duarte, Rory Block, Blinddog Smokin', Miss Blues, Zach Parrish and Kapp Brothers. Click on photo for a larger view. Photo by Pinedale Online.

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Buzz around town
(Contributed by Jennifer Binning 6/28/02)
Summer school has completed the first 2 weeks, with all kids enjoying the oceans section. Most came home carying posters adorned with seashells, and Mrs. David contributed a huge box of large conch shells that children could be seen listening to the ocean as they walked home. Four more weeks to go.
    Folks driving to Jackson and Idaho Falls should expect delays in both the Hoback and Snake River canyons. The Hoback is getting a badly needed bridge overhaul which was started last year. Delays up to 20 minutes should be taken into consideation when going to Jackson. The Snake River Canyon also is experiencing delays, as a new parking area is being built near the Lunch Counter Rapid. Cars cannot park in the area until construction is complete.
   Don't miss the "Red White and the Blues" photo show by Dave Vaughn at Rock Rabbit Gallery on Pine Street, just in time for the Blues Fest.

1982 Pinedale 20-Year Class Reunion
July 5-7, 2002 (Contributed by Sublette Examiner 6/2/02)
Attention all 1982 Pinedale graduates! The 20-year class reunion will be July 5, 6 & 7th. Organizers have been contacting as many people as possible, but if you have not yet been contacted, please call or send an e-mail to one of the members. More details about the reunion will be available later.
Jeff Kirkpatrick, e-mail: jeffreyk@dal.asp.ti.com
Robb Fletcher, e-mail: rfletch@tegelerinsurance.com, 307-733-7577
Karen Andrews, e-mail: snowkaren@cox.net
Hal Johnson, e-mail: hjohnson63@yahoo.com, 307-347-4921
Craig Davidson, e-mail: wio35@gobrainstorm.net
Bill Bishop, e-mail: bishfam2@attbi.com, 406-248-3713

2nd Annual Wind River Blues Festival
Saturday & Sunday, June 29-30, 2002
The 2nd Annual Wind River Blues Festival is scheduled to held on Friday and Saturday, June 29th & 30th. The event will feature 16 locally and nationally known entertainers at the two-day festival. Performing artists lined up include Charlie Musselwhite, Indigenous, Rod Piazza, Tab Benoit, Aynsley Lister, Blinddog Smokin', Chris Duarte, Miss Blues, Ford Blues Band, Ian Moore, Curtis Salgado, Rory Block, Billy Branch & Sons of Blues, Carl Weathersby, Fatt Cat Freddie, and Zach Parrish.
   The festival will again be held at the Sublette County Sporting Association Rodeo Grounds on the south end of Pinedale. Music will start at 10 am on Saturday and 12 noon on Sunday and run until dark. Vendors will be onsite to provide food and drink, as well as souvenirs. There is room for blankets, lawn chairs or sitting on the bleachers to view the fest. Porta-pottys are onsite.
   Camping will be available up at the rodeo grounds by advanced arrangement for tent camping or RVs for $8/night (dry camp, no showers or power, porta-pottys available onsite). Organizers are trying to arrange as much nearby camping space as possible to allow people to stay close to minimize drinking and driving. Commercial RV campgrounds are located on the west end of Pinedale, at Lakeside Lodge on Fremont Lake (4 miles from town), and near the small town of Boulder, approximately 11 miles south of Pinedale. Nearby National Forest campgrounds are located on Fremont Lake (appx. 9 miles) and Half Moon Lake (approx. 15 miles out of town). The comercial campgrounds offer shower facilites, but none is available at the National Forest campgrounds.
   This year's Blues Festival has been somewhat clouded by the many financial problems plaguing the promoters, Moose Productions, who declared bankruptcy last month. Both local newspapers have written several articles following the status of the Blues Festival and the promoters, Moose Productions, with many of these articles available online. (Pinedale Roundup news archive) (Sublette Examiner news archive). The event is partially sponsored by the Wyoming Blues & Jazz Society.
   Tickets for this year's festival are $90 for a two-day weekend pass for adults, or $50/day. Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the gate. Tickets are also available from vendors in Rock Springs, Salt Lake City, and Jackson. In Pinedale, tickets are available from Bottoms Up Pub (formerly LaVoie's). For more information about the festival, call or e-mail Moose Productions: 307-367-7093 or e-mail: moosematko@aol.com. See the links below for lodging information or contact the Pinedale Area Chamber of Commerce at pinedalechamber@wyoming.com, 307-367-2242. We recommend anyone planning on staying in a motel make their lodging reservations well in advance to assure they get a room during the festival as they book up fast.
Local Motels | Campgrounds | RV | Other Businesses

"Town deer" enjoy the shade, green grass, and water along the canal on Lake Rd at the base of Orcutt Hill this past weekend. The buck's antlers are in velvet. Click on photo for a larger view. Photo by Pinedale Online.

Black Bear Season Over, Bait Needs to be Removed
Wyoming Game & Fish
Hunters and outfitters are reminded that regulations require
black bear baits on public land be removed within one week of the close of the spring or fall season. The majority of bear seasons close June 15, making June 22 the deadline to have baits off the forest. G&F regulations specifically prohibit hunters from burying their baits.
Anyone encountering a bear bait on public land after June 22
should report the location to the nearest G&F office.

Sage Chicken Open
July 19-21, 2002
The Pinedale Sporting Clays Club will present the 2002 8th Annual SageChicken Open Friday-Sunday, July 19-21st. The event has grown from a warm-up for bird hunters to a sanctioned tournament of the National Sporting Clays Association. In fact, the past three years the Sage Chicken Open has been the home of the Wyoming State Sporting Clay tournament. Last year the three-day tournament hosted 79 shooters representing 5 states who fired very close to 20,000 shots.
   Many of the shooters are NSCA members, but there are lots of opportunities for casual shooters to shoot. In addition to the practice field, non-NSCA shooters (called "Hunters") can shoot the same targets as some of the best shooters in the region. They might even get to shoot in the same squad as shooters who have earned the distinction of being "Master" class shooters. The Pinedale Sporting Clays members are anxious to introduce shooters to the sport which is why they have designed affordable Hunter class events into the shoot.
      "Yeh, we know that the bird the shoot is named for is properly called the 'Northern Sage Grouse'. The fact is, thought, that local lingo for the Northern Sage Grouse is "sage chicken". Eight years ago when we began this shoot it was scheduled to happen just before the annual opening of the Sage Grouse season. The idea was that it would be a great opportunity for shooters to sharpen their skills before going afield." said Eric Peterson of the Pinedale Sporting Clays Club.
   The shooting course is spectator friendly, provided that spectators use eye and ear protection and observe common sense rules of decent behavior.
    For more information, contact Tom Thompson (307) 367-2307, Ron Hines (307) 367-4639, or Eric Peterson, sublette@wyoming.com. (Click here for more Sage Chicken Open information)

Skyline Drive is open all the way to Trail's End Campground and Elkhorn Park. It's a beautiful drive with many wildflowers in bloom. Click on photo for a larger view. Photo by Pinedale Online.

Public Input Requested for Wyoming Wolf Management Plan
Wyoming G&F
All interested parties are invited to contribute their input to help the Game and Fish Commission develop a wolf management plan for Wyoming. Scoping meetings for the plan, which will guide wolf management in Wyoming when the animal is removed from the federal endangered species list, will be held July 1-12 across Wyoming. Those unable to attend a meeting can submit written input through July 15.
"This is the first step in developing the plan," said Bill Wichers, G&F deputy director. "A draft plan will be constructed using the public input received. Then the draft plan will be taken out for public comment this fall. So, this is just the start of the process."
   The meetings will be led by a private, independent facilitator
and begin at 7 p.m. at the following locations:
July 1 Lander, The Inn at Lander
July 2 Casper, Parkway Plaza
July 3 Sheridan, Best Western Sheridan Center
July 8 Rock Springs, Holiday Inn
July 9 Pinedale, Pinedale Entertainment Center
July 10 Jackson, Snow King Resort
July 11 Cody, Cody Auditorium
July 12 Laramie, Holiday Inn
Written comments can be mailed to: Wolf Plan, Wyoming Game and
Fish Department, 5400 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82006 or emailed to
wgfwolf@wgf.state.wy.us.
   Following presentation of the draft plan to the G&F Commission
in October 2002, the plan will be presented to the public at open houses
across the state. During a 45-day comment period coinciding with the
open houses, the G&F will conduct a random telephone survey to find out Wyomingites' opinions on wolf management. The plan will be presented to the commission in January 2003. Any additional revisions will be incorporated and taken back to the commission for final approval at their February meeting. The plan will then be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their review and approval.
   The gray wolf was reintroduced by the federal government to
Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Subsequent growth and expansion of
the population has made removing it from the endangered species list
possible as soon as 2004. One requirement for delisting is that states have a management plan in place for the species. Anyone requiring auxiliary aids to attend a meeting should call (307) 777-4501. The G&F supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations.

Half Moon Lake is just a few miles from Pinedale and offers fishing, boating, picnicking, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and much more. Half Moon Lake Resort provides lodging and meals overlooking the lake. Click on photo for a larger view. Photo by Pinedale Online.

Drought prompts ban on open fires, BBQ grills and fireworks on Wyoming Game & Fish lands
Wyoming G&F
Due to low snow pack followed by hot, dry conditions inflicting extreme fire danger across much of Wyoming, open fires, barbecue grills and fireworks were banned June 11 from all lands and facilities administered by the Game and Fish Department.
   The judicious use of gas stoves is still permitted at G&F habitat management and access areas, but open fires and barbecue grills are being prohibited to help guard against a range or forest fire breaking out. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
   "Since it's another very short forage year due to the hot, dry conditions, we need to take steps to protect the grass and shrubs we have for big game that winter on our habitat areas," said Bill Gerhart, G&F assistant habitat supervisor. The G&F will be posting signs on its lands to inform users of the emergency ban.
   "We recognize many anglers and hikers enjoy campfires, but with the extreme fire danger the risk is too great to our areas and adjoining lands," Gerhart said. This is the third summer in a row drought has prompted the G&F to enact fire restrictions. Gerhart adds that this summer's open fire and fireworks ban does not change the department's long-term commitment to improve wildlife habitat through prescribed burns. "The Game and Fish is not abandoning its support for prescribed fires when the conditions are right, because prescribed fires under proper conditions improve the health of vegetation communities and wildlife habitat," he said. "But conditions aren't right in summer and certainly not this summer."
   The G&F thanks the public for their cooperation with the emergency ban. Anyone with questions should contact the nearest G&F regional office or call (307) 777-4600. Fire restrictions have also been placed on state parks, state recreational areas, state historic sites and the Medicine Bow National Forest. If the summer continues to be dry, campers are urged to check with the other national forests and the Bureau of Land Management about possible restrictions.

Arrow leaf balsam root is in bloom all along Fremont Lake. Lakeside Lodge is open for lodging, meals, RV, and boating on Fremont Lake. Photo by Pinedale Online. Click for larger version.

6th Annual Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday & Sunday, June 22-23, 2002
Two Rivers Emporium of Pinedale is once again sponsoring their annual Fly Fishing Clinic. Mike Kaul, F.F.F. Certified Casting Instructor will again be on hand to provide professional instruction, as well as Dave Fallon, Orvis Casting Instructor and Founder of the Jackson Hole Women's Casting School. Saturday's line-up includes rod reel introduction, knot tying, entomology, casting, fishing ethics and reading water. Sunday the focus will be on private pond fishing; nymphs, dries, streamers, fish handling, wading and casting techniques. Lunch will be available both days by McGregor's Pub and Bob Karsch. The class size is limited to 20 students and pre-registration is required. For more information, call Two Rivers Emporium at 307-367-4131. (www.2rivers.net)
   John Ross, owner of Two Rivers Emporium, also contributes the Fly Fishing & Hatch Reports which we post during the summer on Pinedale Online: John Ross' Online Fly Fishing & Hatch Report

Grand Teton from Buffalo Valley, Photo by Dave Bell

Pinedale High School students help artist David Klaren put the finishing touches on a mural that is going up outside the High School.

Memorial Services for Kitty Rich (6/19/02)
Memorial services for Kitty Rich, who passed away Monday night after battling cancer, will be held Friday, June 21st at 10 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Pinedale. Viewing will be held Thursday night at 8 pm at Hudson's Funeral Home in Pinedale.

Trudy's Take:
Kitty Rich
by Trudy Fry

Some of us have known Kitty Rich for a short time and some of us have known her all our lives. She is one of those people that will leave a large hole in the fabric of our community. Not only was she a caregiver for children for a lot of years she was a good friend and neighbor. She was always the first to lend a helping hand or offer words of advise, wisdom and encouragement when needed.
    Her rather unusual colored house was a landmark in Redstone. We couldn't wait to see what decorations she had in her yard for each new season or holiday.
    She left us after a painful but valiant fight with cancer. We are glad that her suffering is over but we will miss her terribly. To her family and all her friends we would like to give our deepest sympathies.
    Her funeral on Friday the 21st at 10:00 am will be a celebration of her life and the one of a kind person that she was. How fitting that this date is the first day of summer. Summer was her favorite season.

Midget Hockey Picnic at Fremont Lake (6/19/02)
Midget Ice Hockey Players! Don't miss the Hockey Picnic on Friday, June 21st up at Fremont Lake! All family and friends of the Pinedale WAHL Midget/High School hockey team present and past are invited for the fun. The picnic starts at 5:30 pm and will be at the Upper Campground boat ramp parking lot on the south end at Sea Ray Bay on Fremont Lake. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to RSVP to Coach Craig and Ellen Sheppard at 307-367-4654 as soon as possible to confirm. In case of inclement weather, the picnic will be cancelled. Those attending should bring:
1. dish to share for about 10-20 people
2. your own picnic items (silverware, plates, etc.)
3. what you want to cook for your family
4. lawn chairs
5. swim suits, sunscreen, warm clothes
6. boats and play toys if you want
7. what you want to drink
8. roasting objects for bonfire
9. NEED ANOTHER GAS GRILL (Call Craig if you can bring one)

Pinedale Pool opens June 17th (6/16/02)
Maintenance on the Pinedale Pool is now complete and the pool will be open for the summer beginning Monday, June 17th for regular swimming and swimming lessons. Swimmers can register for summer swim lessons for adults and children. Keep posted on what is happening at the pool on the Sublette County School District #1 web site: www.pinedaleschools.org.

Water Law Program (6/16/02)
The University of Wyoming is offering a conference dealing with water law in Pinedale Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23rd. The Pinedale program includes a case study of the Green River and covers, "History and policy issues on the Colorado headwaters, challenges facing irrigation districts, drawing of boundary lines, hydrology and riparian habitat, instream flow and ground water." The cost for the 3-day conference is $55 and a daily fee of $20 for the public. For more information, call Anne MacKinnon at 307-265-6752.

Mary Hill Anderson Memorial (6/16/02)
A memorial service for Mary Hill Anderson, who died on December 24th 2001, has been scheduled for 12:30 pm on Saturday, June 23 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church Parish Hall in Pinedale. A catered picnic will follow at the American Legion Park.

Morss 50 Year Anniversary Celebration (6/12/02)
(Contributed by the Sublette Examiner)
The family of Murl and Dona Rae Morss are inviting their friends to celebrate the Morss' 50 years together. Plans are for an open house to be held Sunday, June 23 from 2 to 5 pm in the Heritage Room of the Sublette Retirement Center

Snowball's horns were growing within a half inch of her eyes, so she got them trimmed last week. Click on photo for a larger view. Photo by Josh Wilson.

Pine Creek, as viewed from Harmony Bridge in the Pinedale Town Park,
seems pretty low for this time of year.

Penton/Wight Wedding (6/12/02)
June 15, 2002, 1 pm
Sally Kristine Penton and Austin Trent Wight invite you to share in the joy of the beginning of their new life together on Saturday, June 15 at 1 pm at the American Legion Park in Pinedale. Anyone who wants to attend can come.

Pinedale Pool still closed (6/12/02)
Due to extended maintenance, the Pinedale Pool remains closed this week. Swimmers can still register for summer swim lessons for adults and children. The opening date will be announced in local papers as well as on the Sublette County School District #1 web site: www.pinedaleschools.org.

Pitchfork Fondue opens June 13 for season
Looking for a unique dining experience? How about taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage up to the rodeo grounds and enjoying tender steak sizzled in a cauldron of hot oil, a variety of fondue sauces, fresh tossed salad, home-made potato chips, and home-made dessert? Thursday-Saturday, June 13-15, you can ride to dinner for free on the wagon. Groups are welcome, reservations are appreciated. Pitchfork Fondue is open during the summer Monday through Saturday from 5:30-8:30 pm. Call 307-367-3607 or 307-859-8264 for more information or visit their web site: www.pitchforkfondue.com

Rock skipping on Fremont Lake. Click on photo for a larger view.

Let's Go Fishing!
Love to fish? There are lots of on tap this month for kids and adults. The Kid's Fishing Day will be held Saturday, June 8th, from 11 am - 3 pm at the CCC Ponds near Fremont Lake. This annual event, held in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week, is ponsored by the Wyoming Game & Fish, US Forest Service, BLM, and the Upper Green River Chapter 468 of Trout Unlimited. Clinics include: spinning and flycasting, fishing safety, hook baiting, fish handling, fishing ethics, knot tying, fish habitat and fish identification. Parents are asked to stay and spend the day with their children. Advanced registration is requested and forms are available from the US Forest Service, BLM and Game & Fish Office. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
   Tis the season for Fishing Derbys! Half Moon Lake Resort will be sponsoring their annual Half Moon Lake Fishing Derby this Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9th. There will be over $1,000 in cash and prizes awarded. Call Half Moon Resort at 307-367-6373 for more information. The Pinedale Boat Club will be hosting their annual Father's Day Fishing Derby on Fremont Lake on Saturday, June 16th. Two Rivers Emporium will have their annual Fly Fishing Clinic Friday & Saturday, June 22-23rd. (Call 1-(800)-329-4353 or e-mail 2rivers@trib.com, for more information.)

New mural at the high school (6/6/02)
Local artist David Klaren and students from the Advanced Art and Clay classes at Pinedale High School have been working since May on a new mural for in front of the high school. Students started the design last year and have been working on the firing and glazing of the tiles since May. Thursday, June 6th, they began putting the individual tiles in place on the outside of the high school building. The mural tiles depict school-related topics including science, reading, math, band, and other subjects designed around a stylized Wrangler horse. The project was funded through money by Sublette County BOCES, Pinedale Outreach through Western Wyoming Community College. David Klaren, who owns and operates Dire Wolf Studios in Pinedale, has done several large art projects around Pinedale including the Sunrise/Wind River Mountain mural on the side of the post office building and the Wind River Mountain antelope panorama on the wall of the deli inside Faler's General Store. New mural at the high school (6/6/02)
Local artist David Klaren and students from the Advanced Art and Clay classes at Pinedale High School have been working since May on a new mural for in front of the high school. Students started the design last year and have been working on the firing and glazing of the tiles since May. Thursday, June 6th, they began putting the individual tiles in place on the outside of the high school building. The mural tiles depict school-related topics including science, reading, math, band, and other subjects designed around a stylized Wrangler horse. The project was funded through money by Sublette County BOCES, Pinedale Outreach through Western Wyoming Community College. David Klaren, who owns and operates Dire Wolf Studios in Pinedale, has done several large art projects around Pinedale including the Sunrise/Wind River Mountain mural on the side of the post office building and the Wind River Mountain antelope panorama on the wall of the deli inside Faler's General Store.

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Triple Peak Lodge Open House Saturday (6/6/02)
June 8, 2002, starting at 1 pm
The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening and Open House of Triple Peak Lodge on South Cottonwood Creek on Saturday, June 8th, beginning at 1 pm. There will be live music, food and fun-anyone with a muscial instrument is invited to bring it along and join in the entertainment.) "We want to celebrate with the community and thank all our friends who have supported and encouraged us in building the lodge and our new business venture." The new business, Triple Peak Lodge and Triple Peak Outfitters is a family venture of Toni David, Clint Gilchrist, Kent Profit, Cheryl & Vince Pierce, and Laurel Profit on their family ranch located on South Cottonwood Creek southwest of Daniel. The new guest ranch offers lodging, fishing, and outfitting and guide services into the Wyoming Range. The two story lodge was designed to look like an old western hotel and has eight guest rooms available for nightly rental. (more about Triple Peak) (Map to the ranch) Call 307-276-3408 for more information.

Memorial Services for Eilene Hopkins
June 8, 2002
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 2 pm, for Eilene Hopkins at the Chapel of the Pines at Hudson's Funeral Home in Pinedale.

Pinedale Boat Club Annual Horseshoe Pitch
June 9, 2002 (Contributed by Jennifer Binning)
The Pinedale Boat Club is hosting the annual horseshoe pitch and BBQ on Sunday, June 9, starting at 10 a.m. in the American Legion Park. The Horseshoe Pitching contest is open to members only for a $5 entry fee. Memberships may be purchased at the event for $20 per family and $10 for an individual. The BBQ is free for members and $8 for non-members. Come on out and enjoy the fun.

Kid's Fishing Day
June 8 at the CCC Ponds, 11-3 pm
The Annual Kid's Fishing Day, held in conjuction with National Fishing and Boating Week, will be held on Saturday, June 8th, at the CCC Ponds near Fremont Lake. The annual event is sponsored by the US Forest Service, BLM, Wyoming Game & Fish, and the Green River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Everyone is welcome and all activities are free. Parents are asked to stay with their kids and take part in the day. Activities include special Clinics on spinning and fly casting, fishing safety, hook baiting, fish handling, fishing ethics, knot tying, fish habitat and fish identification. All participants will be awarded prizes. Registration begins at 10 am. Free lunch and refreshments will be available.
   Parents should preregister their children. Forms are available at the Wyoming Game & Fish office and Pinedale Ranger District office. Any adult wishing to be involved and helpl with this fun event should contact John Ross at 367-4131. For more information, please call Kurt at 367-4326 or Hilda at 367-4352.

Bird Causes Tuesday's Power Outage
According to David Eskelsen, Media Representative for Pacific Power, a bird got into a substation at Chapel Creek approximately 10 miles south of Big Piney causing power to be lost to approximately 4,000 customers in Pinedale, Daniel, Boulder, Cora, Big Piney, Marbleton and LaBarge at approximately 4:30 pm Tuesday afternoon. Power was restored to Big Piney and LaBarge areas around 6:30 pm and to Pinedale around 7:20 pm. "It doesn't happen very often," commented Mr. Eskelsen, "but occassionally a bird perches in the wrong place."

Pinedale Preschool Brownies for a Bus
June 5, 2002 (Contributed by Jennifer Binning)
The Pinedale Preschool is sponsoring the Brownies for a Bus fundraising event on Wednesday, June 5. Come by the Preschool at 216 South Maybell and quench that chocolate craving by purchasing some ooey gooey brownies. The proceeds will go towards the purchase of a badly needed new bus for the Preschool kiddos. Please call 367-2666 with questions, or to make a donation.

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