Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
Serving the Platte Valley since 1888
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To the Editor of the Saratoga Sun, We recently visited your lovely valley and were so pleased to find two museums of such depth. We are both history fiends and visit every museum and historical site we can. Both the Saratoga Museum and the GEM were quite impressive especially considering how small the population is. We are full time RVers and visit many small towns across the country. It never ceases to amaze us at the enthusiasm and energy of the seniors in these little villages. Maybe it’s the small town attitude, the a...
Dear Editor, Before social media, the best way to for organizations to promote local events was through posters hung in the windows of businesses. Fred Williams volunteered to deliver these posters on his daily round about town. One day, Freddie and I were visiting, and he said, “Thanks for the donuts.” I was left wondering what he meant. A few days later, it dawned on me. Years ago, I asked Freddy to deliver some posters for Soroptimist. I was so grateful, I bought Freddie a gift certificate to the donut shop so he cou...
As we draw ever closer to Wyoming’s primary elections, the term “crossover voting” is on the tongues of Republicans and Democrats alike. For those who are unaware, crossover voting is when someone casts a ballot who is not a member of their political party. In states such as Wyoming, where we have closed primaries, it involves an additional step in which a person must fill out paperwork—often at the election polls on the day of the election—to switch parties. Anecdotal...
The first time in Australia convinced me. I needed to spend more time in the land down under. My plan was to work a summer in Wyoming, which the Hotel Wolf granted, and then head back to land of kangaroos. That summer in Wyoming had me so happy, I bought a townhouse in Saratoga just before the summer ended. I was still determined to complete my goal of living in Australia again, and rented out the Togie home knowing I would be back in a year or so. I had been content in...
Last week, Saratoga lost yet another person who was a long-time fixture of the area. In my experience, there were very few people who didn’t know Fred “Freddie” Williams. It was never difficult to spot him as he made his way around town, with a cup of coffee in one hand. He was, in a way, the one-man welcoming committee of Saratoga. I think you could truly feel you were welcomed to town if you crossed paths with him. My first experience with Freddie was way back in 1999....
My name is Ezra Boileau, and I am a summer intern with the Saratoga Sun. While the newness of this position makes me nothing short of green, I am excited for the opportunity to meet people and gain journalism experience under the guidance of Josh Wood. I hail from the rolling green hills of central Kentucky, just south of Lexington. Growing up there was a unique thing, as it was an odd mixture of urban, suburban and rural horse pasture, all within a twenty minute drive of my front door. I had never felt like a Kentuckian,...
A lovely time of year in Wyoming is when the lilac bushes are in full bloom. The smell is intoxicating and the Valley becomes vibrant in colorful flowers. The common lilac can grow in multiple growing zones, making it a hardy shrub. They need very little care to survive and can withstand temperatures of even -40 degrees fahrenheit in winter months. This makes it a perfect shub for the harsh Wyoming growing seasons. Though not a native North American plant they are often found...
Recently I have been watching the Australian TV show “Roar” that was filmed during 1997-99 in Queensland. I was a bit surprised when I found the DVD series because I didn’t know the show had any viewers in the States. In a way it makes sense. It was Heath Ledger’s first starring role and I think he was 21 then. I was living in Australia when the show was on Australian prime time TV. I barely remember watching it. However, watching the show now and seeing Queensland scenery...
Last week, my son finished the 2nd grade. We counted down the days with him until school was finished. On Wednesday morning, I hugged my son a little tighter while we were waiting for the bus. Last week, 21 lives in Uvalde, Texas were snuffed out with just two days left in their school year. Nineteen young children—all of them in 4th grade—and two teachers were murdered. All of them were in the same classroom. Seventeen others were injured before the shooter, an 18-...
“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald This weekend, the seniors of Carbon County School District No. 2 will walk into their respective schools for the final time as students and walk out as graduates. Among this year’s graduates, we have future teachers, linemen, nurses and mechanics. If there is one thing I would impart to the Class of 2022—or any graduating class for that matter—it would be this; do not be afraid to fail. This may seem... Full story
Holy cow, where do I start? I have been writing these “advice to graduate” columns for almost four decades and each year some of the main points remain constant. For example, go find some mentors. Also, if you fail, move on. You are young – that can be your advantage. And so on. But this year? It has taken me a few weeks to put this message together. We are living in the strangest times. At my current age, I could never have imagined living through a worldwide pandemic that killed 1 million Americans. Or watch as Russia pound...
Editor, I recently read an article from your paper regarding the explosions at Number 1 mine in Hanna in 1903 and 1908. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry at the mention of donkeys pulling the loaded mine carts out of the mine. Perhaps you should educate Messrs Armstrong and Leathers about the different between donkeys and mules. Please do not use the term quadruped since that may add even more confusion. As a founding member of the Hanna Historical Society and a person who lost family members in the 1908 explosion I h...
I came across the two pack DVD movie special recently that was so cheap I couldn’t really pass it up. One movie I had not seen and the other had been many years ago. The combo pack was the two versions of Red Dawn. The first movie came out in 1984 and had a lot of young stars that hit it big later. The 2012 version had a lot of good young stars in it too. If you don’t know the premise of the movie, a foreign country attacks the United States. Not the entire country is tak...
With school finishing up and the weather getting warm summer is preparing to make an appearance in The Valley. I wouldn’t say the busiest time of year, yet there’s certainly a lot of fun to be had. The nice weather can make just about anyone want to get outside. Lemonade stands are popping up all over the valley and late spring sports are in full swing. Exciting activities are some of the best parts of summer. Outdoor recipes are also one fun way to spend summer. Who doe...
Saratoga is growing. This is a fact. Whether you look at the updated signs at Saratoga Town Limits, try to find a home to buy or place to rent the evidence is there. With growth also comes change. Ten years ago, an agreement was reached between the Town of Saratoga and The Yard—a music venue owned by Cindy Bloomquist and Chris Shannon—in the form of Chapter 5.30 of the Saratoga Municipal Code. This chapter of the town’s code came as a result of a number of public meetings and discussions involving the community over a two y... Full story
Editor, Gun ownership has always been a given in Wyoming. Both political parties support it. Hunter safety classes are in our schools and children are raised hunting for food and recreation. Many of us have hunted and owned guns all our lives. But there is a counter culture that has emerged that raises the hair on the back of my neck. It has nothing to do with personal protection or recreational use of guns. It is a predatory, terrorist movement that seeks to plunge us into a civil war. Their propaganda is pervasive across...
“Depression isn’t a war you win. It’s a battle you fight every day. You never stop, never get to rest. It’s one bloody fray after another.” ~ Shaun David Hutchinson Normally, I try to avoid columns on difficult topics such as mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, however, it felt important to write something. That being said; I don’t know about anybody else, but each day I struggle with an inner voice whose sole intention is to bring me down. Somet...
Do you have what it takes to be a public servant? Next week—May 12—marks the start of the filing period for the 2022 Primary Election. In recent elections, the Saratoga Sun has encouraged our readers to head to the polls in both primary and general elections to cast their votes. What should be equally stressed is the need for people to run for those offices in the first place, especially at the local level. After all, there could be a great turnout of voters but it means little if there is nobody to vote for. Just two yea... Full story
Nothing has prepared for me to see pictures of Shanghai, the city I lived in for five years, in a lockdown state which have been showing up the past couple weeks on different news outlets. One in particular hit home on how bad the lockdown is for the residents, was a pic of a major road artery from an aerial view which is deserted. When I lived there about seven years ago, these same roads were almost parking lots due to the heavy traffic. The picture I saw the other day from...