Pinedale Wyoming Local News
HEADLINES:

Nordic Ski Grooming Report – February 20, 2025 (posted 2/20/2025)

Obituary - Thomas Mark Kellen (posted 2/19/2025)

Growing Tomatoes class March 1 (posted 2/19/2025)

Nordic Ski Grooming Report – February 18, 2025 (posted 2/18/2025)

High Altitude Farmers Market Spring dates (posted 2/18/2025)

Order daffodils now (posted 2/13/2025)

Rec Board grant request hearings March 11 & 12 (posted 2/11/2025)

‘The Little Mermaid’ March 19-21 (posted 2/11/2025)

Outdoor Living Space fully funded for the future Sublette Center (posted 2/11/2025)

Obituary – Alta Faler (posted 2/11/2025)

Mark your calendar for Daniel community events (posted 2/7/2025)

40th Annual Daniel Chili Cookoff March 8th (posted 2/7/2025)

Youth Snocross races (posted 2/1/2025)

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Upcoming Events: Full Year Pinedale Community Calendar
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February 20-22: Wyoming Senior Olympics - At White Pine Ski Area and the Pinedale Aquatic Center. The games are for people 50 years of age or older by December 31, 2025. Schedule: Thursday, Feb. 20: 1:00PM: Singles Pickleball. Friday, Feb. 21: 8:00AM-5PM: 1 Mile Walk; 8:00AM: Women’s Doubles Pickleball; 9:00AM: Nordic Classic (2.5K, 5k, 10K); 1:00PM: Swim Meet; 1:00PM: Men’s Doubles Pickleball; Celebration Banquet, guest speaker: Dr. Uriah Gracia-Salinas, banquet ticket included with registration. Saturday, Feb. 22: 8:00AM: Mixed Doubles Pickleball; 9:00AM: Nordic Freestyle (2.5K, 5K, 10K); 1:00PM: Snowshoe Races (2.5K, 100 Meter); 5:00PM: Pickleball Skinny Singles. Games are sponsored by the National Senior Games Association. Register by February 9, 2025. For information and registration, visit www.wyomingseniorolympics.com.
February 21 & 22: Pinedale High School Alpine Races at White Pine - Friday & Saturday More info:
www.whitepinewyoming.com, 307-307-6606
February 22: 25th Annual One Lunger 100 Vintage Snowmobile Race - Hosted by Snow Explorers/Altitude Off-Road Inc. at Sagebrush Downs Racetrack in Cora. Racer Meeting at 10 am, Races begin at 10:30 am. Find us on Facebook for rules and entry forms. Bring out the whole family to enjoy a great day at the races! Concessions available. Spectators $10 per car or $5 per person at the gate. For more info, call or text Josh 307-360-7783 or Patrick 307-231-6161.
February 23: Wind River Youth Snocross - At Sagebrush Downs Snowmobile Track in Cora. For ages 4-10. Each class has three heats. Sign-ups from 8:30AM to 9:30AM. Riders meeting at 10AM. Warm-up laps and racing to follow. Races go to April 12th. Participants earn points at each race. Presented by Pinedale Snow Explorers and Altitude Off-Road. For more information, call or text Kendra at 702-830-1742 or Tiffany at 307-248-1168.
March 1 & 2: Big Fish Winter Derby on Fremont Lake - Ice fishing derby put on by the Pinedale Lions Club.

Pinedale Local News

See links for higher resolution versions of ski trail maps

Nordic Ski Grooming Report – February 20, 2025 (posted 2/20/2025)
Mike Looney, Groomer
Thursday, Feb. 20, 9:45AM: All trails above have been groomed this morning except Elkhart Road, Flatline and Heart Attack. Chilly this morning, -5F in Surveyor Park, but has warmed up to 19F now. The Senior Games will start tomorrow and Saturday at 9AM in Upper Surveyor area.
This Nordic ski trail grooming report is courtesy of the Sublette County Recreation Board.

Related Links:
www.sublettetrails.org Additional information on winter and summer trail recreation in Sublette County, including maps and requested trail etiquette
White Pine-Kelly Park Ski Trail Map - (10.3MB PDF)
CCC Ponds Ski Trail Map - (1.84MB PDF)
Road and Weather links
www.visitpinedale.org Pinedale tourism website (links to lodging, dining, area information)
www.whitepinewyoming.com White Pine Resort, 307-367-6606, (Nearby alpine skiing, food services, restroom)
www.greatoutdoorshop.com The Great Outdoor Shop, 307-367-2440
www.sublettechamber.com Local businesses & services, 307-367-2242
www.golfpinedale.com Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course (Additional Nordic ski trails, food services, restroom)

Tom Kellen

Obituary - Thomas Mark Kellen (posted 2/19/2025)
June 12, 1943 - February 19, 2024
Covill Funeral Home
Our father, Thomas Kellen, died a year ago today from cancer. I struggle to find the right words to sum up his incredible life and if I'm being honest have probably avoided it until now because it just makes his heartbreaking passing more real, more final. He did so much in his 80 years of life: served in the Navy, traveled the world, climbed Mount Rainier, and had many business ventures, including the Sinclair gas station in his beloved Pinedale. He was a dentist by trade and even worked in that capacity for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. He was an artist who did ceramics, woodworking, welding and even built custom guitars, surfboards & kilns. He was a musician who loved to create music with various instruments and especially enjoyed playing guitar in several bands over the years. Our father was always active, whether it was fly fishing, golfing, skiing, surfing or riding his bicycle past the local cemetery in Pinedale, where he is now laid to rest.

One of his best friends and former neighbor created a poem that she read at our father's memorial and I can't think of a better way to share our father's story:

"TO TOM" - poem by Jane Smith

"Love thy neighbor" is always the right thing to do.
When your neighbor was Tom, it was impossible not to.
In 1977 he moved in right next door.
He was building his house himself, and much more.
He commuted daily to Burbank for his dentist life
And lived briefly in a trailer with his baby and wife.
Who did that? But Tom.

He built an aquarium and a pond and even the doors
And speakers with vibrators with seats in the floors.
When the house was finished the family was now x4
The projects continued with guest house and more.
Who did that? But Tom.

He was a kaleidoscope of a man, as diverse as can be.
He’d already served in the Navy and lived in Cuba by the sea.
He skied, dived, golfed and surfed - all very well
So he built his own boards and moved to Malibu to dwell.
Who did that? But Tom.

He went to a great art school (Otis) out of the blue
And became a ceramic artist, entirely something new.
He was creative and talented and amazing pieces he made
So he built his own kiln, an oven, for his newfound trade.
Who did that? But Tom.

With our group we had tennis, lunches and parties galore
And traveled to Palm Springs, Jamaica, Tahoe and more.
Always the event photographer and video taker,
He was such a great chronicler and memory maker.
Who did that? But Tom.

Always fun and willing to go the extra mile,
He was an unbelievable friend with a ready smile.
He knew something about everything and really cared
And everything about something and we loved that he shared.
Who did that? But Tom.

He was the godfather to our Scott, our son
He attended birthdays and games and missed almost none.
His godfather’s graduation gift was beyond compare
x1,000 new $1 dollar bills in a briefcase, so rare.
Who did that? But Tom.

He discovered Wyoming and invested with his brother
Built a movie theater, restaurant, gas station and other
He fell in love with Pinedale Wyoming of all places
And traded the Malibu beaches for the wide open spaces.
Who did that? But Tom.

With his time there he went to restaurant school and played in a band
And of course he built his own beautiful guitar - by hand.
He visited with all, many hours he would spend
And he even chose Pinedale to rest at the end.
Who did that? But Tom.

Kim and Casey were his beloved daughter and son
He embraced Ray and Ben and his family were one.
Granddaughter Leia was his life’s greatest treasure
His love for his family was truly without measure.

When he re-met Roberta years ago, their love was easy to see,
Their match has been as perfect as any match could ever be.
They traveled the world, to many exotic places they’d go
Her care and devotion at the end, their great love would show.

Tom’s life was well lived and a most generous one.
He is no doubt in heaven, talking to everyone.
God blessed us to have him with us here,
We will miss him and love him ’til our end is near.

"Love thy neighbor" was easy to do when your neighbor was Tom.
There was no one like Tom.

Growing Tomatoes class March 1 (posted 2/19/2025)
On Saturday, March 1, Master Gardener Arlinda McLaughlin will be teaching a class about growing tomatoes. The class will feature the best tomato-growing strategies for Sublette County’s short growing season in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Arlinda will share some new seed-starting tips so gardeners can grow their own tomato transplants, and she will showcase many different tomato varieties that local gardeners already grow successfully. She will talk about fertilizers, soil mixes, and soil amendments that are an important part of growing tomatoes successfully. She will showcase several local gardeners’ strategies for pollination, trellising, and pruning to promote growth and ripening. Each subtopic will be illustrated with great photos, and students will receive a packet of handouts about growing tomatoes in Sublette County.

Participants can sign up for the class by registering with www.subletteboces.com. The class will be from 9AM to Noon. Cost of the class is $20 per person.

The class will be held in the Sublette BOCES Education Center in Pinedale.

For information, please call Arlinda at 307-231-9402.

See links for higher resolution versions of ski trail maps

Nordic Ski Grooming Report – February 18, 2025 (posted 2/18/2025)
Mike Looney, Groomer
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 9:00AM: All trails above have been groomed this morning including Elkhart Road, but excluding Flatline and Heart Attack. There’s about an inch of new snow. 15F degrees. Also, the golf course and CCC trails have been groomed this morning.
This Nordic ski trail grooming report is courtesy of the Sublette County Recreation Board.

Related Links:
www.sublettetrails.org Additional information on winter and summer trail recreation in Sublette County, including maps and requested trail etiquette
White Pine-Kelly Park Ski Trail Map - (10.3MB PDF)
CCC Ponds Ski Trail Map - (1.84MB PDF)
Road and Weather links
www.visitpinedale.org Pinedale tourism website (links to lodging, dining, area information)
www.whitepinewyoming.com White Pine Resort, 307-367-6606, (Nearby alpine skiing, food services, restroom)
www.greatoutdoorshop.com The Great Outdoor Shop, 307-367-2440
www.sublettechamber.com Local businesses & services, 307-367-2242
www.golfpinedale.com Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course (Additional Nordic ski trails, food services, restroom)

High Altitude Farmers Market Spring dates (posted 2/18/2025)
The High Altitude Farmers Markets dates for February, March, April and May have been scheduled. They will be held from 2:00 to 6:00:PM in the Lovatt Room of the Pinedale Library. To be a vendor, contact Main Street Pinedale at info@mainstreetpinedale.com.

Schedule:
Friday, February 21
Friday, February 28
Saturday, March 8
Saturday, March 15
Saturday, March 29
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, April 19
Saturday, April 26
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, April 19
Saturday, April 26
Saturday, May 3
Saturday, May 31

Order daffodils now (posted 2/13/2025)
Fundraiser for cancer support
The Sage and Snow Garden Club is holding their annual daffodil fundraiser, an event to help Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County and other cancer support groups in Sublette County. Daffodils are $15 per bunch of 10. Order and payment deadline is Friday, February 28th.

The flowers can be picked up on Tuesday, March 25th at two locations:
Pinedale Aquatic Center: 11AM to 1PM and 5 to 6PM
Marbleton Town Hall: 11AM to 1PM

The order form can be found online here and at the Sage & Snow Garden Club website: www.sageandsnowgardenclub.org.

Order forms also are available at the Pinedale and Big Piney Libraries.

Filled out forms and payment should be sent to:
Sage and Snow Garden Club
PO Box 2280
Pinedale, WY 82941
Or email for electronic payment to sageandsnowgardenclub@gmail.com.

Partners in this effort include Ridley’s Farm Market, the Pinedale Aquatic Center, and Marbleton Town Hall.

For more information, call 307-231-0070 or email Bettina at bat1969Wicloud.com.

If order form and payment is not received by February 28th, they cannot guarantee your daffodils.

Rec Board grant request hearings March 11 & 12 (posted 2/11/2025)
The Sublette County Recreation Board will hear Grant/Budget Requests for the fiscal year 2025-2026 in Marbleton and Pinedale.

Hearing dates are scheduled for:
Marbleton: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:00pm, Marbleton Town Hall
Pinedale: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6:00 pm,
Commissioner’s Meeting Room in the Sublette County Courthouse

All requests will be heard on a first come, first served basis. Please sign in upon arrival to meeting.

The members of the Rec Board would appreciate your cooperation in complying with the following guidelines when requesting funds:

A representative of your project/organization must
attend one of the budget hearings.
Please bring 11 copies of the completed grant application.
Include a list of items requested in order of priority.
Provide current profit/loss statement and balance sheet.

Request packets should be four pages or less.

Grant applications will not be accepted after March 12, 2025.

Grant applications can be obtained by contacting Board Clerk, Betty Cheeney at 307-360-8135 or Sublette County’s Website: https://www.sublettecountywy.gov/198/Recreation.

‘The Little Mermaid’ March 19-21 (posted 2/11/2025)
Pinedale High School will present their performances of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid" Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 19-21 at 7:00PM in the Sheppard Auditorium in Pinedale. Tickets: Adults $10/seat, Children $5/seat (lap children free).

Outdoor Living Space fully funded for the future Sublette Center (posted 2/11/2025)
Sublette County Health Foundation
PINEDALE, WYOMING — After an 18-month journey, the Sublette County Health Foundation is thrilled to announce that the Outdoor Living Spaces at the future Sublette Center are officially funded. Thanks to the generosity of our community, more than $500,000 has been raised to create vibrant, accessible outdoor areas designed to enhance the lives of our seniors.

These thoughtfully designed spaces—the Front Porch, Skilled Nursing Courtyard, and Memory Care Garden—will feature lush landscaping, irrigation, boulders, benches, and comfortable patio furniture, offering residents a place to relax, socialize, and connect with nature.

"The excitement around this project is truly inspiring," said Sublette Center Administrator Dawn Walker. "Having beautiful and inviting outdoor spaces are a cornerstone of wellbeing. It’s a love of the outdoors that draws many of us to live in this beautiful area. We’re so excited to be able to provide this space to the people who call it home. This is an invaluable gift for our residents."

A Community-Driven Effort
This project is a testament to the power of community support. Several key donors stepped up to fund unique features that will make these outdoor spaces truly special:

Rocky Mountain Power Foundation contributed $5,000 to fund wheelchair-accessible raised garden beds—an initiative that has captured the hearts of many. These beds will allow residents to experience the therapeutic joys of gardening while fostering relaxation and engagement.

Satchitananda Foundation generously funded a playground for the Skilled Nursing Courtyard, designed to encourage intergenerational connections. Local preschoolers, who visit the Sublette Center weekly, will now have a fun, safe outdoor space to share with seniors. "We can’t wait to bring our preschoolers to the new facility," said Kalie Miles, Director of the Children’s Discovery Center. "The Intergenerational Program (Grandma's and Grandpa's) with the Sublette Center has been going since the Children's Discovery Center started in 1997. The children look forward to it every week."

MPLX made a significant contribution to fund the Front Porch area, ensuring that seniors and their visitors are welcomed by a beautifully landscaped entryway. This space, adjacent to the chapel, will serve as a peaceful gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. "Supporting healthy communities is a priority for MPLX," said Kris Burton-Bacheller of MPLX. "We are honored to be part of this historic project and to make a lasting impact on the lives of seniors in our community."

Be Part of This Legacy
As the community eagerly anticipates the July 1, 2025, opening of the new facility, there’s still an opportunity to make history. If they act quickly, community members can still add their names to the donor wall, leaving a lasting mark on this transformative project. The donor wall will go under construction shortly, so don’t wait to participate.
Visit www.sublettecountyhealthfoundation.org to learn more or make a contribution of any size.

About the Sublette County Health Foundation
The Sublette County Health Foundation is committed to supporting the SCHD in its efforts to improve access to quality healthcare in rural Wyoming. By working to help raise the funds necessary for critical services and infrastructure, SCHF can aid the Hospital District in ensuring that residents have the best access to top-tier care close to home.

Alta Faler

Obituary – Alta Faler (posted 2/11/2025)
Covill Funeral Home
Alta Faler, 97, left us peacefully on February 6, 2025, with her daughter by her side. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt, Alta will be remembered for her love of people and her winning smile, even to strangers.

Born on January 18, 1928 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Alta grew up the only daughter of Dennis and Mabel Washam Mitchell and sister to Marvin (Marv) and Henry (Hank). She grew up on the ranch at Silver Creek in Boulder and attended school at Silver Creek School before moving to Pinedale and residing with family friends to complete high school. That is where she discovered the love of basketball and played on a high school team. She proved to be quite feisty despite being only 5’2.

It was while in high school that she met her future husband, William E. Faler (Bill). After graduating with the class of 1946, the two were married November 3, 1946. They later divorced in 1975. They welcomed three daughters, Patsy in 1947, Sherry in 1948 and Shauna in 1957. In 1962 Alta went to work at Faler’s grocery store and worked there for over twenty- five years. Her smiling face was a welcome sight to the locals and many summer people throughout the years.

In 1996 Alta relocated to Rock Springs to be closer to her daughters. While in Rock Springs she tended four families’ children and raised them from a few weeks old until they started school. These children were a source of much joy for her. She remained in Rock Springs until 2013 when she relocated to Heber City, Utah and then on to Mesquite, Nevada. In 2022 she relocated back to Pinedale and became a resident at the Sublette Center, remaining there until her death.

Alta loved to travel, was an avid crossword puzzler and loved to read. Her favorite pastime was reminiscing about early times growing up in the area. Many trips were taken to California to visit family. She was always ready to jump in the car and go even if it was just a ride in the country, to Farson for ice cream or to gaze at Fremont Lake. Fremont held a very special place in her heart.

Alta was preceded in death by her parents and both brothers, daughter Patsy, daughter Sherry, grandson Bret Sommers and beloved sister-in-law Kay Mitchell.

Survivors include her daughter Shauna Faler, grandchildren Keri Summers Greer (Jay), Brian Sommers, Kevin Quinlivan (Jenny), great-grandchildren Heather Summers Almeida, Brandon Summers, (Krysti) Austin Greer, Hunter Greer, Camdyn Greer, Sienna Quinlivan, Caden Quinlivan, and Stephanie Mulford (Jake).

Great-great-grandchildren Riley Almeida, Nolan Almeida, Maisey Mulford, Owen Mulford, Greyson Summers and Easton Summers.

A special hug is sent to nephew Tom Mitchell, niece Dianna Mitchell Crawford, Jim & Mary Washam and Trena Eiden for their love and kindness shown throughout her final years.

Alta’s loss is deeply felt by immediate family as well as all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be held later in summer at the Boulder Cemetery. Donations in memory may be made to The Museum of the Mountain Man or Happy Endings Animal Rescue in Pinedale.

Related Links:
Obituary – Alta Faler, January 18, 1928 - February 6, 2025 Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming

Mark your calendar for Daniel community events (posted 2/7/2025)
The Daniel Community Center has announced their 2025 Schedule of Events. Events take place at the historic Daniel Schoolhouse in Daniel, Wyoming.

Saturday, March 8: Aniel Daniel Chili Cookoff. Entry 4PM, Judging 5PM, Meal 6PM, Live Dessert Auction 7PM
Saturday, April 19: Easter Egg Hunt. 2PM
Saturday, May 10: Mother’s Day Tea. 2PM
Sunday, July 20: Old Timers Picnic. Noon
Saturday, September 27: Harvest Bingo. 3PM, bring a party snack
Sunday, December 14: Daniel Christmas Party. Eat at 5PM. Santa at 6PM

For more information call 307-360-8438 or email schoolhouse1920@yahoo.com. More information can also be found on the Daniel Community Center’s Facebook page.

40th Annual Daniel Chili Cookoff March 8th (posted 2/7/2025)
The 40th Annual Daniel Chili Cookoff will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the historic Daniel Schoolhouse, 18 Schoolhouse Lane.

The event is a fundraiser for the Daniel Community Club. People are welcome to bring their chili entries for judging, entry fee is $25 per crockpot of chili. Prizes given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places in red and green categories.

Chili check in is from 4-5PM, no pre-entry is required. Judging is at 5PM. The chili dinner is at 6PM,and is by free-will donation. Everyone invited. Please bring a salad to share.

The Live Dessert Auction is at 7PM. Dave Stephens will be the auctioneer. Please donate a dessert. There will be prizes for Best Decorated Dessert and Most Money Earned. There will be Kids and Adult divisions.

For more information, call 307-360-8438 or 307-859-8602, or find the Daniel Community Center on Facebook.

This event is sponsored by the Green River Bar, Dave Stephens (auctioneer), Office Outlet, and the Daniel Community Center.

Youth Snocross races (posted 2/1/2025)
Pinedale Snow Explorers and Altitude Off-Road are hosting the 2024-2025 Wind River Youth Snocross snowmobile race series. This event is for youth ages 4-10. There are six classes: 120 Stock (ages 4-7), 120 Modified (ages 4-7), 120 Open Mod (ages 4-7), 200 Stock (ages 7-10), 200 Modified (ages 7-10), and Open Modified (ages 7-10). Each class has three heats. Costs range from $35-45 to participate. Sign-ups from 8:30AM to 9:30AM. Riders meeting at 10AM. Warm-up laps and racing to follow. Races go to April 12th. Participants earn points at each race.

Race Schedule:
January 4, 2025: Beaver Creek Lodge, Garden City, Utah
February 1, 2025: Snow Explorers, Cora, Wyoming
February 9, 2025: Winter Carnival, Pinedale, Wyoming
February 23, 2025: Sagebrush Downs, Cora, Wyoming
March 16, 2025: Evanston, Wyoming
April 12, 2025: White Pine Ski Resort, Pinedale, Wyoming

For more information, call or text Kendra at 702-830-1742 or Tiffany at 307-248-1168, www.pinedalesnowexplorers.com

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US 189 north of Marbleton - View looking south

US 191 at Farson