Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Sorted by date Results 137 - 161 of 362
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 Wyo...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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 gr...
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...
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. T...
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...
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...
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 introduc...
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...
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...
"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 attenda...
"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...
Journey with fun-loving Hobgoblins to the “land of colored ice” as they tell the tale of a young girl and her quest to find her best friend. You may find yourself believing in malevolent mirrors, yetis, talking reindeer, and snow chickens when the Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students perform an original musical adaptation of The Snow Queen. The local cast features Charli Powell as Gerda; Conner Konecny as her best friend, Kay; and Katharine Backen as the Snow Queen. Fiona Davis will play Gerda...
There will be a free and open to the public Jazz Concert at the PVCC on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The concert will begin at 12 p.m. and should last about an hour-and-a-half. This concert will feature the Award Wimming Ben Markley Trio with guest tenor saxophone soloist Joel Frahm. Pianist Dr. Ben Markley is the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Markley’s Trio members are Bass player Marty Kenney from the University of Northern Colorado, and Drummer Jim White from the University of Northern Colorado. Joel F...
The monstrous seeds were planted in Riverside. As a boy, Max Weiland would listen to his brother, Erik, scare him to sleep with tales from H.P. Lovecraft, a renowned horror writer of the 1920s pulp fiction era. Max loved the stories and would be frightened as his brother would shout "Look!" and point at luminous eyes passing by his window. Though the eyes only belonged to deer passing by, their eyes lit by reflected houselights, the effect still chilled him. A Dream Begins...
The Saratoga Lions Club and Platte Valley Jaycees recently announced several developments for the Saratoga Skijoring weekend of February 8-10. Popular musical entertainers Chancey Willams and the Younger Brothers have been booked as entertainment for Saturday evening and event organizers have added Calcuttas to the weekend’s proceedings. The first Calcutta of the skijoring weekend is planned for the Friday, Feb. 8 evening and will be held at the Hotel Wolf. That next night, do...
The annual Lighted Christmas Parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and will begin at Bridge Ave. and River Street as it goes through historic downtown Saratoga. While waiting for the parade to begin, residents and visitors are encouraged to take advantage of local retailers and "shop small" this season. The parade will end at the Platte Valley Community Center, just in time to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus at "Winter Wonderland." The parade announcer and...
Kyle Warren said it was his journalism class at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School, taught by Sarah Jones, that got him interested in photography. "We went to a journalism camp when I was a sophomore and there was a big focus on photography and that is what really got me interested," Warren said. "I haven't taken a formal photography class; I more or less have taught myself, but I knew back then it was something I wanted to pursue." About the time he started...
Friends of the Saratoga Library invite all interested parties to experience what is was like to ride the local stagecoach. Dick Perue will present an hour-long slide program featuring views a passenger would enjoy while riding the stage from Walcott Junction to Pearl, Colo., in the early 1900s. The slide show features more than 100 historic photos of the Valley. Perue has also published a book, "Riding the Stage" which features the same photos with descriptions. The program...
It has been nearly 70 years since the infamous Blizzard of 1949, which has been considered one of the worst on record for the states of the northern plains of the United States. The first storm hit on Jan. 2, 1949 and was followed by subsequent storms that lasted through the middle of February brought more snow and more cold, paralyzing countless communities throughout the west. "Small towns across Wyoming dealt with the challenges of having thousands of stranded passengers in...
Danny Roy Perniciaro was 13 when he got his first guitar for Christmas. That instrument set him on a path that would lead the Bay St. Louis, Miss. native on a 46-year journey around the country. Nine years later, the 22-year old would set off on the road with his 4-person band, Seabreeze. In 1972 Seabreeze contracted with the Holiday Inn hotel chain and the band was off on a 10-year ride to places like Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Florida and South Carolina. In the...
By Keith McLendon Despite a rainy Saturday morning, over 550 craft beer enthusiasts, mostly from Wyoming and northern Colorado, attended the 23rd annual Saratoga Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival and Competition. Though the morning was wet, the afternoon was pleasantly overcast and the crowd seemed to enjoy the cooler weather, chili, crafts, microbrews and music until a brief shower gave the late afternoon a short intermission. The band Maxwell Mud played popular rock songs as...