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Sharon Hawkins, Executive Director for Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts (BCFFA), said she remembers when an artist told her that her artwork was always in black and white, but once she finished her residency at the Artist Camp on the Brush Creek Resort (BCR) property, all the work she produced was in color. "How can you not be inspired by this beautiful setting," Hawkins said as she made a sweeping gesture with her hands to the scenery around her. There is an area for a campfire in the...
The Valley had the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band return to the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) on Aug 29 to a sold out auditorium. The band was established in 1966 in Long Beach, which translated into fans of all ages. The six man band, formed back in the 60s, has two founding members still entertaining audiences. Frontman Jeff Hanna, who plays guitar and vocals for many of the group's songs, and Jimmie Fadden, drummer, singer and harmonica player, have been with the group since day one. "We got... Full story
The 24th annual Saratoga Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival and Competition was held this past weekend and over 640 craft beer enthusiasts attended the festival. This year's competition class was ESB, and Melvin Brewing Company's "Johnny Rotten" was announced to be the Best ESB in Wyoming according to the judging panel. The People's Choice winner for favorite brewery was newcomer Bond's Brewing of Laramie. Eleven breweries attended this year, which thrilled Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of...
What could be more enjoyable than a day of fun for the entire family? The Copper Days Festival in Encampment, Wyo.has been entertaining tractor enthusiasts since 1994. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 8 and at 10:30 a.m. on Sun., Sept. 9, the whole family can watch antique tractors pull heavy, weighted trailers to compete for the title of strongest tractor. Admission is free! Antique and old-time engines will be on display all afternoon, too. And don’t miss the tractors on parade Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Tractors have been collected f...
On the afternoon on Aug 6, a videographer could be seen following a group of women down Bridge Street. Ryan Halverson was making a documentary for Hermann Global, a company that specializes in highlighting tourism. "Hermann Global publishes USA Parks, which is an online resource for people who are planning road trips across the country that include state and national parks," Casey Adams, Client Services Director for Herman Global, said. "So, finding smaller destinations like Saratoga or Carbon...
It is not uncommon for fans of popular book series to want to journey to the locations that inspired their favorite authors. Chuck "C.J." Box, New York Times Bestselling author of the Joe Pickett series, has made no secret about the state and the communities that have inspired his writings. The fictional town of Saddlestring, Wyo. is an amalgamation of different Wyoming towns, including Saratoga. When Box announced in February 2018 that his 18th book, "The Disappeared", would take place in the...
The official State of Wyoming Microbrew Competition will be held Aug. 17 in Saratoga, Wyoming. Microbreweries based in Wyoming are slated to compete for the coveted Steinley Cup at the 24th annual competition. This year’s competition brew is ‘ESB’ and will be judged by a panel of brewing professionals from Colorado. The event starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. at Saratoga’s Veterans Island Park. Among the breweries invited to this year’s event is the defending Steinley Cup champion, Altitude Chophouse of Laramie. Snake River Brewing o...
Nashville based musician Jake Clayton will be playing Encampment's Music in the Park on Aug. 3. Recently, the Saratoga Sun sat down for an interview with Clayton For many people, there are pivotal moments that happen in their lives. These moments are so important in how one's life moves forward and the path they take that the date is forever in their memory. When it comes to Jake Clayton, that date is Aug. 7, 1997. It was on that date that an 11-year-old boy from Mexico, Mo. saw the broadcast...
The last album released by Americana duo The Bird and The Bear was an Extended Play (EP) in 2015 titled "Build A Fire." With the inclusion of the hauntingly romantic track "As Soon As Winter Comes", it was a step-up from their first EP, "Breathe", which was a gorgeous album in its own, bare bones way. Now, four years since the release of "Build A Fire," the Nashville-based duo are preparing to release their first full length album, "Wild Rose." Though they may be living in Nashville, the duo hav...
During the summer of 1903, Judge Charles E. Winter of Encampment put pen to paper and wrote a poem entitled "Wyoming." The words, describing a new state that was young and strong, were given a score shortly thereafter by Earl Clemens, editor of the Grand Encampment Herald. It wasn't until 1955 that "Wyoming" was officially adopted as the Wyoming State Song and, in that time, a new score had been written by George Knapp, director of the music department at the University of Wyoming. At the 16th A...
Top hand cowboy music and poetry aren't the only attractions at this weekend's seventeenth annual Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering (GECG) at Grand View Park complex in Encampment. Other activities include a campfire jam session, song writer's workshop, stick horse rodeo for folks of all ages, hot dogs and hamburgers, continental breakfast, cowboy church and historic tours of the Grand Encampment Museum. Cowboy music and poetry events include a Friday evening open mic session, Saturday's high...
Art work for this year's Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering posters, flyers, programs and promotional material again comes from the brush of Riverside artist R. G. Finney and is a framed Giclee painting entitled "Suzi & Tuff as Flip". World renowned western artist R. G. writes: "After years of painting cowboys and pioneer families, this year's painting is one of a local cowgirl and her horse". Seventeen years ago, when the Cowboy Gathering Outfit was organized, committee members voted to use...
Summer in the Platte Valley is often highlighted with a variety of bands and musicians who come to the area to entertain locals and tourists alike. In keeping with that tradition, Firewater Public House (Firewater) held its inaugural Firewater Fifth. The restaurant, as regular customers are aware, is no stranger to hosting musical acts. When it came to the miniature music festival that took place on Friday evening, however, it was a dream come true for Danny Burau. "I've got goosebumps," said...
As Mother Mountain Anglers (MMA) host their "Tale of Two Cities" disc golf tournament for the third year on June 29, they are continuing to add more to the event. Last year, MMA set up nine temporary baskets at the Encampment-Riverside Lions Club Arena. This year, those temporary baskets are changing location as they are set-up at the old Peryam stage stop just outside Riverside. "You know, last year we did it at the rodeo grounds. So, the idea with this is that, every year, we'll introduce a...
From the Wyoming town of Pinedale to Germany, Jared Rogerson has played his eccentric style of music to many different audiences. Rogerson, who played at the Platte Valley Community Center on June 8, is no stranger to the Valley. Along with playing at the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering in 2018, he also played Freedom Fest at The Yard a few years ago along with the Tika Brock Band and Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band. Using the term "eccentric" is about the best way to describe...
Ever wonder what it takes to convert a cemetery from "Boot Hill" to a place of beauty comparable to paradise? To find out the answer, attend a Saratoga Museum sponsored historic trek of both Cadwell and Saratoga Cemeteries east of town. Local historian and tour guide Dick Perue has put together a panel of experts to explore both cemeteries and relate their histories, as well as community efforts to beautify them. In addition to exploring burial plots, the trek will include visiting the site of...
The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce (S/PVCC) is calling all cooks and crafters to participate in the upcoming Steinley Cup. The 24th Annual Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival, scheduled for Aug. 17, is just around the corner. According to Stacy Crimmins, Chief Executive Officer of S/PVCC, the event is becoming more popular every year, while remaining a fun, family-type event. With live music, playground, skate park, chili competition and craft show, the event has expanded the day’s activities for the entire family. Those who have a g...
Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, countless Americans headed west. Former slaves, Confederate soldiers, immigrants and more headed to the West to start a new life. What would eventually become the Wyoming Territory in 1868 was one such place and serves as the backdrop for Joan Cullins Fountain's book series "No Shadow of Turning." "Many people just went west. It was immigrants, murderers and convicts, and people that just wanted a new start. My great-great-grandfather always had in...
The Grand Encampment Opera Company presents "Mischief in the Magnolias or Weed 'Em and Reap" by P. B. Rogerson. Performing June 12, 14 & 15, 2019 in conjunction with the Encampment Riverside Woodchopper's Jamboree at the Grand Encampment Opera House, 622 Rankin, in Encampment, Wyo. All performances start promptly at 7 p.m. Admission is by donation at the door. Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Services, Englewood, Colo. Clover Leaf was a once stately mansion owned by Colonel...
It can be hard to find someone who isn't familiar with "The Wizard of Oz." The book, written by L. Frank Baum and published in 1900, influenced the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. On May 12, the Saratoga Middle/High School (SM/HS) Drama Club presented their own rendition of the famed children's novel. Despite it being 119 years (almost to the day) since the book was published, the Saratoga Sun will still issue a spoiler warning. As the curtain opens, the audience is introduced to Dorothy Gail,...
I don't ever remember being specifically interested in trains growing up, though I have always found them intriguing. It was the Transcontinental Railroad that, for better or worse, established the American West as we have come to know it and has continued to be the life-blood for many communities. When I found out that Big Boy No. 4014 was making a trip from Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, my interest was peaked....
"Saratoga will have the greatest pool players in the world, per capita, during the Wyoming Open," this from Wyoming Open Director Monte Thayer as he describes the numerous professionals and Hall of Fame pool players coming to Saratoga to play in the region's premier billiards event. In 2018, an American team won the Mosconi Cup held last December in London. That team, comprised of Shane Van Boening, Corey Deuel, Skyler Woodward, Billy Thorpe and Tyler Styer, will be in attendance and will be int...
Rawlins native J.V. Rutz will be sharing his novel, "The Illusion Killer," with the people of his home state during a book signing from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at the Rawlins Library located at 215 W. Buffalo St. in Rawlins. Wyoming served as an inspiration for much of the landscape and settings for the fantasy novel set in a world defying doomsday. Interested parties may bring their own books to have them signed by the author, but limited copies will be available to purchase. Self...
"I talked with Marybeth," former governor Spencer Rulon said. "I hear you might need a lawyer." Joe smiled. "I think I do." C.J. Box, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Joe Pickett series, left readers with quite a cliffhanger at the end of "The Disappeared," Box's 18th book in the long-running series. Following a mission in the Upper North Platte River Valley on behalf of Governor Colter Allen, the game warden with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department was last seen in the back of a...