Stepping off the Cycle - Getting Workers Back to DONNA GEWECKE - Wyoming Rural Electric ...
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FEB 2020 WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS
Stepping
off the
DONNA GEWECKE
Cycle Getting
Workers
Back to
Trading in coal dust
Work
for chalk dust and
other opportunities
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FEBRUARY 2020
M A G A Z I N E
THE WREN MAGAZINE
WYOMING RURAL ELECTRIC NEWS
The official publication of the
Wyoming Rural Electric Association
The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News,
volume 66, number 1, February 2020 (ISSN 1098-2876)
is published monthly except for January for $12 per
year by Linden Press, Inc., 214 West Lincolnway, Suite
21C, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Periodicals postage paid at
Cheyenne, WY (original entry office) and at additional
mailing offices. POSTMASTER – Send address changes
to: The WREN Magazine, Wyoming Rural Electric News,
c/o Linden Press, Inc., 223 S. Howes St., Fort Collins, CO
80521, [970] 221-3232. Include 3-digit co-op code.
WREN Magazine is owned and controlled by rural
electric cooperatives in the interest of the economic
progress of rural areas specifically and the entire
population of Wyoming and the nation generally. WREN
Magazine has a total average monthly paid circulation
of 40,985 for 11 months ending September 2019.
WREN Magazine is delivered to rural electric member/
consumers and other subscribers throughout the
entire state of Wyoming and the nation.
Acceptance of advertising by WREN Magazine does not
imply endorsement of the product or services advertised STATE NEWS
ON THE COVER & EVENTS
by the publisher or Wyoming electric cooperatives.
WREN STAFF
15
Publisher: Linden Press, Inc. • Editor: Maggie York
06
CENTERPIECE GRASSROOTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS NETWORK
FROM OUR
Stepping
Tri-State G&T, Westminster, CO –
Dick Clifton, President
Garland Light & Power, Powell –
12 THE CURRENT READERS
off the
Scott Smith, Vice President
Deseret Power, South Jordan, UT –
13
Gary Nix, Secretary/Treasurer
27
COWBOY STATE BUZZ COUNTRY COOKS
Cycle
Basin Electric, Bismarck, ND – Paul Baker
Big Horn REC, Basin – John Joyce
C H I C KE N
30
Bridger Valley Electric, Mountain View – Ruth Rees
Carbon Power, Saratoga – Kenny Curry
WHAT'S HAPPENING
29
High Plains Power, Riverton – Hearley Dockham STORY BY ELIZABETH SAMPSON
High West Energy, Pine Bluffs – Michael Lerwick PEN TO PAPER
Lower Valley Energy, Afton – Fred Brog PHOTOS BY RHIANNA GELHART SNOW
Niobrara, Lusk – Andy Greer
On the cover: PRECorp member
ESSAYS & 32
Powder River Energy, Sundance – Mike Lohse
Wheatland REA, Wheatland – Sandra Hranchak Donna Gewecke keeps nine JUST PICTURE IT
Wyrulec, Torrington – Dewey Hageman
horses on her ranch. “I can
ANECDOTES
SNOW
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO understand buying a horse, but
WREN Magazine • 214 West Lincolnway, Suite 21C I have no idea how people sell
04
Cheyenne, WY 82001, [307] 772-1968
them,” Gewecke said.
wren@wyomingrea.org
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Read about Gewecke's work on
WREA NOTES
GRASSROOTS FORCE JUST FOR FUN
BY SHAWN TAYLOR
20
$12 per year, Single copies $1.50 each pages 15 and 22.
KIDS' CORNER
ADDRESS CHANGES
25
W H AT D O
To change, contact Jean Whitlock:
HOME ON THE RANGE T E AC H E RS D O ?
[307] 286-8140 or jean@golinden.com. Please make
E X T R A L AY E R S
FEATURES
sure to include your name, address and co-op.
BY GINA SIGEL
ADVERTISING
21 PUZZLE
36
To purchase, contact Dhara Rose: T E N - DO LLAR WO RD S
10
[307] 996-6552 • dhara@golinden.com
CO-OP YOUTH ENLIGHTEN US BY KENDRA SPANJER
C A B I N FE V E R
OFFICE OF WREN OWNER B IG H OR N ' S
BY CHUCK LARSEN
24
Y UL IS A M E N D E Z
BOOK REVIEW
2312 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001
N O G OO D D E E D :
22
OFFICE OF WREN PUBLISHER
Linden Press, Inc., 214 West Lincolnway, CO-OP SPOTLIGHT A S A M DAWSO N
Suite 21C, Cheyenne, WY 82001
B ACK T O W O R K M Y S T E RY
BY ELIZABETH SAMPSON BY STEVEN W. HORN
PRINTED WITH VEGETABLE INK
WREA NOTES
May the (Grassroots)
Force Be With Us …
Always. SH AWN TAY LOR
EX EC UT IV E D I R E CT O R
I’m going to admit up front that I am entities must collect at least 85% of Congressional members were asked to
a Star Wars nerd, living in a household income from member dues (or in the co-sponsor legislation and implore the
of fellow nerds. Not quite to the point case of a rural electric cooperatives, leadership of the House and Senate to get
where we dress up as a character from utility bills) and no more than 15% of this done.
the movie and wait in line to see the income from non-member dues.
newest release, but I did see "Return Many of you may have received a similar
of the Jedi" six times and my wife and Cooperatives across the country message from your cooperative asking
daughter have already seen "The Rise of routinely have to apply for Federal you to do the same thing, and for those
Skywalker" three times in one week! So, Emergency Management Agency or of you who took action, I want to express
be forewarned that my columns this year FEMA funds to help them recover from my sincere gratitude and let you know
may have a reference or two … or three natural disasters. Furthermore, there that, within 24 hours of the message/email
from this series of theatrical wonder. is a push from the federal government being sent out asking you to contact our
to expand broadband or connectivity Wyoming delegation, all three members, if
Back to the real world – I do want to rural America, and as such millions they hadn’t already co-sponsored the bill,
to point out that the rural electric of dollars from the U.S. Department of signed their name onto the bill supporting
grassroots network both in Wyoming and Agriculture are available to cooperatives the cooperatives. A few days after that
nationally really is a force, and one that to help in this effort. Unfortunately the bill was passed in both the House and
can’t and shouldn’t be ignored. Late last with the change to the tax code, these Senate and sent to the president who
year there were a number of issues of funds would have counted as “non- signed it into law and saved us all from a
importance to the electric cooperatives member dues or income” and therefore financial catastrophe.
that needed to be addressed before the would have changed the cooperatives
end of the year. One issue impacted our to a taxable entity, which as you can Now this may not sound like that big of a
employees and their health care, another understand would have had negative deal to you, but in the world of politics and
was an obscure tax issue that, if not fixed rate impacts on cooperatives members. grassroots engagement, it is this collective
by Congress, would have had a drastic effort by rural Americans that allows us to
impact on cooperatives and you, the Suffice it to say that Congress had
continue to punch above our weight class
member-owners of the cooperatives, and known about this issue, and that it
in Washington.
your rates. would have gone into effect at the
beginning of 2020 for a year, if not So to close with another Star Wars
I don’t want to get into the weeds on the longer, but hadn’t done anything about reference, if you all want to join
issues but I would like to show how the it. As the clock was winding down on the Rebellion and become a part
force of the grassroots played a major 2019 it became clear that the senators of the grassroots force, please visit
role in keeping rates low. A couple of and representatives in Washington had wyomingrea.org and click on the
years ago there were changes made to to hear from the people back home, “Grassroots Network” to sign up.
the U.S. tax code. One change would including the Wyoming delegation. Thanks again for your support and may
have impacted the tax-exempt nature Collectively the cooperative grassroots the Force be with us … always.
of the cooperatives. As a tax-exempt network across the country were asked
entity, cooperatives and all tax-exempt to reach out to their elected officials
organizations have to adhere to the 85- and tell them that this problem had
15 rule. That rule states that tax-exempt to be fixed before the end of the year.
4 FEB 2020
Tough
training.
Safe &
reliable
power.
Linemen play a critical role in our mission to provide reliable,
affordable electricity. Tough training and a focus on safety
is behind everything they do. Simulated field operations
and emergency-response training are ways Basin Electric
invests in their safety and in providing reliable power to you.
Your energy starts here.
basinelectric.com
GRASSROOTS NETWORK
A PARTNER & TRUSTED SOURCE
Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives are part of a
FROM THE NRECA
much larger network of cooperatives that strive to
provide the safest, most reliable electricity possible to Consumer-members across the country are increasingly
satisfied with the performance of their electric cooperatives
their members. The cooperative difference is that you,
and more than ever before see them as trusted information
the members, own your electricity provider, and your
sources and partners in keeping energy costs low.
needs drive the cooperative.
These are among the key findings of a recent national survey
commissioned by NRECA and conducted by Frederick Polls.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
recently commissioned a national telephone survey to find “We hear a lot of stories about how Americans are losing
whether cooperative members are satisfied, and engaged, faith in institutions like big companies and government,
with their cooperative. This month, we’ll look at survey results but that’s clearly not the case with electric cooperatives,”
regarding electric co-ops’ importance in sustaining the local says NRECA Communications Senior Vice President Scott
economy. During the next few months, WREN magazine will Peterson. “The positive view that members have of co-ops
publish more results of the survey, including member political is a testament to their reputation as honest brokers and
engagement and satisfaction with electric rates. entities who truly care about their communities.”
POLL RESULTS
The 2nd annual
Sheridan WYO winter Rodeo
FRiday, February 14, 2020
fat bike + Nordic ski registration
Paul Bogart Concert
Saturday, February 15, 2020
fat bike + NORDIC ski registration
nordic ski races
fat bike races
Sunday, February 16, 2020
trail end family sled + BBQ
Friday, February 21, 2020
skijoring registration
winter rodeo ice breaker
Sheridan Hawks Hockey Game
saturday, February 22, 2020
DOWNTOWN Skijoring races
90TH WYO Rodeo Ticket Sales LIVE
Sheridan Hawks Hockey Game
skijoring calcutta
Sunday, February 23, 2020
DOWNTOWN Skijoring races
*SKIJORING REGISTRATION TAKES PLACE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
21, 12PM-7PM AT BLACK TOOTH BREWERY. ALL ATHLETES MUST
REGISTER IN PERSON BEFORE COMPETING IN SKIJORING RACES.
*More than $5,000 in added purse
6 FEB 2020
New Report
MEMBERS THINK THEIR CO-OP
MAKES A DIFFERENCE
RANKING: ENTITIES THAT SUSTAIN THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Co-ops placed first, above credit unions and hospitals, for importance in maintaining the economic health of the community.
Your electric
co-op 43% 27% 21% 4% 3%
70% HIGH
Local banks or
credit unions 43% 27% 21% 6% 3%
70% HIGH
Local doctors
and hospitals 43% 23% 21% 8% 6%
66% HIGH
Locally owned
small businesses 41% 25% 23% 6% 4%
66% HIGH
Businesses that support
farmers and agriculture 41% 25% 22% 6% 3%
66% HIGH
Big national retailers
like Dollar General 33% 29% 23% 8% 7%
and Walmart
66% HIGH
Cell phone
companies
26% 26% 29% 11% 5%
52% HIGH
Local landline
telephone 24% 18% 27% 13% 12%
companies
42% HIGH
5(Highest) 4 3 2 1(Lowest) DK/Refused
Note: Rounding means some lines don’t add up to 100.
Don’t know
Disagree
4%
8%
DO ELECTRIC
CO-OPS PLAY A
“CRUCIAL ROLE” Agree 93%
IN YOUR LOCAL
ECONOMY? 88% rate the overall
performance
of their co-op
positively.
Source: Survey of 750 electric co-op members, July 2019, margin of error +|-3.6% by Frederick Polls
FEB 2020 7
EVERYTHING YOU
The census data provides monetary
funds for Wyoming. Wyoming towns and
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT counties each received about $600/person
from state tax distribution based on
THE 2020 CENSUS census data in the 2019 fiscal year.
CENSUS INFORMATION IS USED IN WYOMING FOR PLANNING AND FUNDING
NEW SCHOOL MEDICARE ROADS AND POLICE AND FIRE LIBR ARIES AND
CONSTRUC TION DISTRIBUTION BRIDGES DEPARTMENT LOCATIONS PUBLIC BUILDINGS
THE CENSUS IN YOUR COMMUNITY THE CENSUS IS SAFE
The census will not be mailed to P.O. Box addresses. Instead, a The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to keep your
census worker will bring a postcard or questionnaire to your home. answers strictly confidential. Data cannot be used for
law enforcement purposes or to determine personal
How to identify a census field representative: eligibility for government benefits.
The representative must present The representative The census will NEVER ask for:
an I.D. badge with: will have a letter from
the director of the SOCIAL SECURIT Y NUMBERS
THEIR PHOTOGR APH U.S. Census Bureau
and can provide the
BANK OR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION
number for the regional
A DEPARTMENT OF
COMMERCE WATERMARK office for verification.
Wyoming residents can MONE Y
also call 211 for census
AN EXPIR ATION DATE
information.
ANY THING REL ATED TO POLITICAL PARTIES
CENSUS TIMELINE
2010 MARCH APRIL MAY JULY 31 2030
The last census You will receive an If you haven’t Census workers begin Census The next census
took place 10 invitation to participate responded yet, you visiting homes that closed. will take place
years ago. in the 2020 census. Some will receive a reminder haven’t responded to 10 years later.
households will receive letter and paper make sure everyone is
a postcard, others will questionnaire. counted.
receive a questionnaire.
Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives encourage
MAKE SURE YOU COUNT! you to participate in the 2020 Census.
Sources: Wyoming Department of
For more information call 211, log onto 2020census.gov or visit your local library. Administration & Information Economic
Analysis Division, Wyoming State Library.
As a cooperative we are changing together. We are committed to delivering
responsibly generated electricity while working to ensure your power remains
reliable and affordable. Because whatever the future holds, we’ll power it.
To learn more about our Responsible Energy Plan, visit www.tristate.coop
CO-OP YOUTH
PHOTO BY GERRY MYERS
WREN: Tell us about your studies and
interests.
YM: As I plan to study business
CO-OP
management and marketing, I was hoping
to attend a highly ranked business school
with a community feel, and Villanova gave
YOUTH
me just that. I chose these majors because
they let me delve into my creative side
while also improving my interpersonal
skills. Some of my interests are volunteering
with Habitat for Humanity and tutoring
Wyoming’s rural electric elementary students. I’ve gotten involved
cooperatives are proud to with several business societies, Belle Aire
support our youth, giving Yearbook and Inter-Hall Council to name a
college scholarships and few clubs.
lineman scholarships.
In addition, our co-ops
sponsor high school WREN: How have your hometown, family
students on the D.C. Youth and/or friends influenced you?
Tour in June and Youth
Leadership Camp in July. YM: The community in which I grew up
YULISA
helped me realize that I am capable of so
much more than I believed. They had faith
MENDEZ
THIS MONTH: in me and pushed me to be the person I am
today. It was this community feeling that I
Big Horn Rural Electric
hope to get out of a university. Additionally,
Company nominated
my family played a huge role because
Yulisa Mendez, who
they have been my No. 1 supporters
attended Youth
in every decision I’ve made, including
Leadership Camp and HOMETOWN:
moving across the country. They taught
the NRECA Youth Tour. Burlington
She was selected as the me to be hardworking and to seize every
Wyoming delegate to the opportunity.
Youth Leadership Council
HIGH SCHOOL:
during the Youth Tour.
Burlington
She was a Daniels Scholar
WREN: What are your plans for the
and is now attending
future?
Villanova University.
YEAR OF GRADUATION:
YM: I hope to be a marketing manager for
2019
a successful company, and to continue
enhancing my skills throughout my career
as it is vital to keep improving. Holding
COLLEGE:
Interested in applying for a this leadership role, I believe that I can
scholarship, D.C. Youth Tour and/
Villanova University
use my expertise to mentor others. With a
or Leadership Camp? Contact your
local rural electric cooperative! successful career, I wish to give back to my
See the insert in the center of the MAJOR STUDY INTEREST: family, community, and organizations that
magazine for contact information.
Business Management have helped me not only financially but
and Marketing socially as well.
10 FEB 2020LINEMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
A GOOD PROBLEM IS STILL Due to its popularity and the generosity of our board,
A PROBLEM, BUT WITH YOUR and increased interest in the trade, WREA’s Lineman
HELP, OURS CAN BE FIXED. Scholarship Program is in danger of running out of funding.
WHAT IT IS SCHOLARSHIPS RECEIVED
The WREA Lineman Scholarship offers Over the past several years the board has awarded many scholarships,
scholarships year-round to one or more donating a total of $146,540.00 since 2015.
individuals, including recent high school
graduates who are interested in a career as
$ $ $ $ $
a lineworker and plan to attend an approved 14.9K 27.5K 30K 45K 35K
regional lineworker training program. 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
CANDIDATES FUNDING A GOOD PROBLEM IS
STILL A PROBLEM
To be considered, applicants must submit For over a decade, the
the application form, a resumé describing scholarship’s main source Because of the board’s generosity,
their education and work experience, three of funding has come and due to the fact that distribution
letters of recommendation and a transcript from a fundraising golf systems statewide have done a good
of grades. (If the candidate has not attended tournament during the job promoting the lineworker trade,
an educational institution in the three years Cody Hotline School. schools and scholarships, the fund is
prior to submitting the application, the Vendors, cooperatives and beginning to run out.
transcript is not necessary.) others who do business
In 2019, the WREA board agreed that
with cooperatives have been
Candidates must submit their scholarship we should start to look at other sources
solicited for donations to
application to the Wyoming Rural Electric of income for the scholarship fund
the fund. It has been very
Association; they are then passed on to the by reaching out to our membership
successful, raising as much
WREA board for consideration. and others who may want to make
as $20,000 in some years.
a contribution.
DONATIONS CAN Calling the WREA Office Mailing a check to the WREA Office:
BE MADE BY: Manager, Robin Feezer: 2312 Carey Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001
(307) 634-0727 Make check out to WREA Lineman ScholarshipTHE CURRENT
CONTEST
CODY HOTLINE SCHOOL
T-SHIRT DRAWING CONTEST
It’s time again for elementary
aged kids to enter the drawing TO ENTER:
contest. The Wyoming Rural
Electric Association and the city Draw your ideas of a person safely
of Cody are looking for pictures working on your electric lines and
to show off at the annual Cody power poles. Write your name,
Hotline School. address, age and phone number on
the back of your drawing. Turn it in
The first place winner will receive
to Niobrara Electric Association,
$200 and their drawing will be
P.O. Box 697 by March 1.
featured on the Cody Hotline
School T-shirts. The second place
winner will take home $100 and Questions? Call the Niobrara Electric
both the third and fourth place Association at 307-334-3221 and ask
Last year’s winners are: first, Emmalee Guymon of Dutch
John, Utah (above); second, Annalene France of Lyman; winners will get $50. for Twyla Barker.
and third, Bella Gardiner of Mountain View.
Morton_WREN_2.20.qxp_Layout 1 1/17/20 11:26 AM Page 1
A ride preserved for generations. HEATING HELP
IN THE BUILDING made for generations. IN WYOMING
You can help keep Wyoming warm this year
by donating to Energy Share, a nonprofit
organization that helps residents whose other
means of assistance have been exhausted.
Last winter, the program paid
$78,256 to help 277 Wyoming
households with utility bills.
Your dream garage begins with limited-time savings when you Those in need may contact the local
commit during Building Value Days. Now through February 29. Salvation Army to apply for assistance.
TO DONATE
Energy Share, c/o Align Team
1401 Airport Pkwy Ste. 300
800-447-7436 | MORTONBUILDINGS.COM Cheyenne, WY 82001
©2020 Morton Buildings, Inc. A listing of GC licenses available at mortonbuildings.com/licenses. Certain restrictions apply. Ref Code 618
12 FEB 2020COWBOY STATE BUZZ
WOMEN DRIVING HUNTING,
FISHING NUMBERS
PHOTO COURTESY WYOMING GAME AND FISH
Wills, Trusts
& Probate
Land Use
GAY WOODHOUSE DEBORAH RODEN
TARA NETHERCOTT JOANNE SWEENEY
HOLLI WELCH KATYE BROWN
JEFF VAN FLEET CHRISTOPHER BRENNAN
1912 Capitol Avenue
Suite 500
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Ashley Clark of Cheyenne hunts (307) 432-9399
pheasant near Torrington
WRNLawFirm.com
Assisted LivingIN DUBOIS, WYOMING
FROM THE WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT
More women are hunting and sports and photography. Beyond BOW,
fishing in Wyoming, according to a new hunting-focused camp for 2019,
recent Wyoming Game and Fish specialized in hunting ethics, firearms,
archery, gun cleaning, optics and a
Department license trend data.
simulated hunt with a mentor.
Over the last ten years, women’s
participation has increased 30.5% Boswell notes the camps have been Living assisted on the
in hunting and 14.4% in fishing. popular and in step with the trends. In Wind River – western style
the past two years, 119 women attended 59 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone
either a traditional or Beyond BOW. In
It’s a trend Game and Fish has been Privately owned, non-profit
survey results following the hunting-
nurturing, reaching out to women who Medicaid approved
focused BOW, all the women who
are interested in learning more about the 10% monthly discount for private pay Veterans
participated felt they had the resources
outdoors and conservation. Game and
and knowledge to hunt. Take a tour of our facility at your convenience 7 days a week.
Fish Hunter and Angler Participation
“Happy Hour” on Fridays – 4:30 to 5:30pm
Coordinator Kathryn Boswell organized “I think women are starting to see hunting
two Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) as an activity that is accessible to them,”
camps this year to teach women outdoor Boswell said. “And, it comes with a certain
skills and activities. The traditional pride in putting healthy food on the table
BOW camp covers topics like local and knowing exactly how it got there–
plants and wildlife, canoeing, maps, something I think all hunters regardless of Want more information? (307) 455-2645
5643 US HWY 26 • Dubois WY • warmvalleylodgewy.com
orienteering, fishing, archery, shooting gender can relate to.”
FEB 2020 13COWBOY STATE BUZZ
SCAMS COST WYOMINGITES The WREA and WREN magazine
won a total of eight awards,
$3.42 MILLION including four first place awards,
at the Wyoming Press Association
2019 Associates Contest in January.
Award-
Phone, text and email scams target anyone,
including rural electric co-op members.
Recent examples of scams show how prevalent the crime has become. Just
last month, a member of Big Horn Rural Electric Company received a fake call
threatening to shut off her power. The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle reported in
Winning
January that Wyoming’s senior citizens lost $3.42 million to cyber scams in
2018. The story included an interview with Margaret Pinney of Cheyenne, who Magazine
said that she realized she had fallen for a text scam after sending the scammer
$4,500. Pinney told the newspaper that the scammer used the name of her 1ST PLACE AWARDS
friend as part of the scam.
TO REPORT A SCAM TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION:
FTC.GOV/COMPLAINT 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION OFFERS TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS, INCLUDING:
1. Spot imposters. Scammers often money through services like Western — PUBLICATIONS —
pretend to be someone you trust, Union is risky because it’s nearly WREN MAGAZINE
like a government official, a family impossible to get your money back.
member, a charity or a company you That’s also true for reloadable cards
do business with. Don’t send money
or give out personal information in
and gift cards. — OP-ED WRITING —
response to an unexpected request– 5. Talk to someone. Before you give WREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
whether it comes as a text, phone up your money or personal SHAWN TAYLOR
call or email.
information, talk to someone you
2. Don’t believe your caller ID. trust. Con artists want you to make
Technology makes it easy for decisions in a hurry. They might
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS E C O N O M I C B E Yard
N E F I Cleanup
TS is EASY with a
DR® CHIPPER
Assisted Living SHREDDER!
WHEATLAND RURAL NIOBRARA ELECTRIC HIGH PLAINS POWER, INC.
IN DUBOIS, WYOMING
• Chip big
branches Yard &
scammers to fake caller ID
ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION, INC
up to 5" in Garden Waste
even threaten you. Slow down,
diameter.
• Shred yard & Branches
garden waste
up to 1.5" thick. COUNTIES 2.72 13,245
1A065X © 2019
CARBON, FREMONT, HOT SPRINGS, NATRONA, WASHAKIE METERS PER MILE METERS SERVED
COUNTIES 2.28 4,115 COUNTIES 1.32 3,036
• Powerful engines
Tough
spin massive fly-
Wills, Trusts ALBANY, GOSHEN, LARAMIE, PLATTE METERS PER MILE METERS SERVED CONVERSE, GOSHEN, NIOBRARA, PLATTE METERS PER MILE wheelsMETERS SERVED
to reduce
& Probate Living assisted on the everything FAST. High Plains Power is proud to take part in Operation Roundup. Each month
Wind River – western style
information, so the name and
Check out the full DR® lineup! our members who have opted in to “round up” electric bills to the nearest
training.
Wheatland REA is actively engaged in our communities. Each year cooperative The Niobrara Electric Association stays involved with our community through
Land Use 59 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone dollar, provide the funds for charitable services within our service territory,
check out the story, do an online
personnel teach electric safety to approximately 800 school children and volunteering, sponsorships and scholarship awards. We participate in parades,
providing for food, shelter, clothing, health or educational needs. This small
GAY WOODHOUSE DEBORAH RODEN adults. Wheatland REA participates, along with mostPrivately
of the owned,
other non-profit
co-ops in fairs and the Legend of Rawhide. We also visit area classrooms to teach
TARA NETHERCOTT JOANNE SWEENEY Wyoming, in the electric educational booth at the State Fair.approved
We are proud change makes a big change in our community. So far we have donated over
Medicaid electrical safety.
HOLLI WELCH KATYE BROWN
to award scholarships and send students to Leadership Campfor and thepayYouth $122,000 to individuals and organizations.
JEFF VAN FLEET CHRISTOPHER BRENNAN 10% monthly discount private Veterans
Safe &
Tour each year, and support worthwhile activities of our local organizations.
AT THE CO-OP
USA ENGINEERED
and BUILT
Assembled in the USA using domestic
and foreign parts.
Join us for: Bingo on Tuesdays – 6:30 to 8:00pm
1912 Capitol Avenue “Happy Hour” on Fridays – 4:30 to 5:30pm FREE SHIPPING 6 MONTH TRIAL
AT THE CO-OP
AT THE CO-OP
number you see aren’t always real.
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(307) 432-9399
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the truth, call back to a number you
I T ’ S T H E L AW ! WRNLawFirm.com
WRNLawFirm.com AT THE CO-OP: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) recently completed a study of the economic benefits of Wyoming’s rural electric
AT THE CO-OP: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) recently completed a study of the economic benefits of Wyoming’s rural electric
AT THE CO-OP: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) recently completed a study of the economic benefits of Wyoming’s rural electric cooperatives. Looking at employment and tax revenue data from 2017, the WBC reported that High Plains Power is an economic driver
Drivers in Wyoming are required to cooperatives. Looking at employment and tax revenue data from 2017, the WBC reported that Wheatland Rural Electric Association is an cooperatives. Looking at employment and tax revenue data from 2017, the WBC reported that Niobrara Electric Association is an
in the local community.
answer the phone and hear a
economic driver in the local community.
move over or slow down for stopped
emergency and utility crews.
economic driver in the local community.
IN THE COMMUNITY: Between 2007 and 2017, Wheatland Rural Electric Association gave more than $5 million back to the community. IN THE COMMUNITY: Between 2007 and 2017, Niobrara Electric Association gave more than $2 million back to the community.
Your energy starts here. IN THE COMMUNITY: Between 2007 and 2017, High Plains Power gave approximately $23 million back to the community.
Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar.
basinelectric.com
INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN:
Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar. Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar.
6 SEP 2019 6 JUNE 2019
6 NOV 2019
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BEPC Linemen safety-reliability ad 8-18.indd 1 8/28/2018 2:37:43 PM
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3. Don’t pay upfront for a promise. report it to the FTC. These calls are “Economic Benefits”
Someone might ask you to pay in illegal. Don’t press 1 to speak to a WREA
advance for things like debt relief, person or to be taken off the list.
credit and loan offers, mortgage That could lead to more calls.
assistance or a job. They might even
say you’ve won a prize, but first you 7. Don’t deposit a check and wire
CENTERPIECE
Darby Fox competes in barrel racing in Cheyenne in 2017.
have to pay taxes or fees. If you do, money back. By law, banks must PHOTOGRAPHING
THE RODEO
they will probably take the money make funds from deposited checks
and disappear.
RODEO. IT’S THE OFFICIAL STATE SPORT OF WYOMING.
available within days, but
The High School National Finals Rodeo was in Rock Springs in
2018 and will be again in 2019; the College National Finals Rodeo
happens in Casper every year; and Cheyenne Frontier Days has
long been credited as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo.
But it’s a sport anyone can participate in, from kids in
gymkhanas all the way up to professional cowboys and cowgirls
in the PRCA and WPRA. In between, there are amateur rodeos,
big and small, all across the state throughout the summer. Even
in the colder months, you can enter team ropings, barrel races,
uncovering a fake check can take
and other events that take place in indoor arenas.
Not everyone wants to strap themselves to a Brahma
4. Consider how you pay. Credit
bull or jump off a horse onto a 400-pound steer at 35
miles an hour, though. Most of us get our thrills
by watching from the outside of the fence.
I tried to ride bareback broncs when I was in college, but
figured out early that I was terrible at it. Later, I gave
steer wrestling a shot, but again, I realized I’ll never be a
champion at that, either. Yet I still wanted to get a little
weeks. If a check you deposit turns
closer to the action than the fence would allow me to get.
cards have significant fraud
BY TY STOCKTON
NOVEMBER 2018 W R E N M A G A Z I N E 15
protection built in, but some out to be a fake, you’re responsible
payment methods don’t. Wiring for repaying the bank. PHOTO STORY:
“Photographing the Rodeo”
14 FEB 2020 NOV 2018 – TY STOCKTON | WRENCENTERPIECE
Trading in coal dust for chalk dust may seem like quite a change, but that is just what
one former Wyoming coal miner did when he pivoted to a new career as an elementary
teacher. Travis Unterseher of Gillette is one of many Wyoming coal miners who has faced
similar tough choices after losing their livelihood, but rather than panic, he turned to
help from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (WDWS) through the Gillette
Workforce Center to make a new path for himself and his family.
Stepping off
the Cycle
BY ELIZABETH SAMPSONWYOMING AT WORK
Each year the editorial staff at WREN
magazine plans a common theme
for our Centerpiece stories; in past
years we’ve featured Wyoming Grit,
Wyoming Energy and Wyoming
He
Innovation. For 2020, we are looking
at How Wyoming Works; how we find
jobs and how we find careers.
Work has changed in much of the
nation, as baby boomers retire and
younger generations embrace the
internet, mobility and “gigs.” But
that’s not always the case. This year
we’re going to travel the state to
visit manufacturers, farmers and
content creators as we examine how
Wyoming works.
wasn’t one of the hundreds of people
This month we begin in Gillette,
who faced layoffs in July when
where mining jobs pay well, but Blackjewel LLC filed for bankruptcy,
have always been volatile. We’ll but he was part of an earlier mine
interview workers who decided to layoff in 2015.
pivot to a new career field, and chat
with Wyoming’s Workforce Services In both cases, people from the WDWS
about the employment resources stepped in to help the laid-off workers
they offer. get back on their feet and on the road
to recovery.
Coming up, we will visit more
workers in the state, including Travis Unterseher had worked at a coal
scientists competing for the Carbon mine for eight years when the news
XPrize, farmers, beer brewers, of his layoff arrived. He said there
windmill technicians and more. had been some talk about possible
layoffs, but it was still a surprise when She helped with anything I needed. She had
You’ll also find our regular features in his boss called him while he was on some answers and gave some support that
the magazine, Co-op Spotlight, Home
vacation to let him know his job was stuff was going to be ok. I still go back and
on the Range, Enlighten Us and Kids’
over. Unterseher said up until then, let her know what is going on with me.”
Corner. We hope you’ll continue
the company was doing very well and
to send entries for Just Picture It,
making record production numbers, He worked nights as a custodian for one
Country Cooks, Puzzle, Book Review,
so it was strange to suddenly be out of of the elementary schools in Gillette as he
Pen to Paper and Events. And we’ll
keep you informed on the latest a job. worked both online and on campus at Black
rural electric cooperative news with Hills State University to earn his degree.
Luckily for Unterseher, he was fairly Now he has a job teaching special education
your local insert in the center of the
magazine, along with information well prepared for a layoff. He had at Hillcrest Elementary School in Gillette.
in WREA Notes, Grassroots Network, money saved and had already paid off
Co-op Youth and The Current. his house. He also had a year and a Though he misses his work running
half of college under his belt to jump equipment at the coal mine and the people
off from, and decided to go back to he worked with there, his new career finds
AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR college to become a teacher. He spoke him enjoying the regular hours instead of
READING WREN MAGAZINE! to Donna Gewecke of the Gillette doing shift work.
Workforce Center, and she helped him
That has been especially helpful now that
find federal funds to pay for the last
he and his wife Maggie are the parents of a
two years of his college training.
Maggie York, Editor
baby girl. He knows that if they had had her
“It was really nice,” Unterseher said. while he was working in the mines, he would
“Donna kept in good contact with me. not have been as available to help and spend
Kelly Etzel Douglas, Managing EditorAgency
Travis Unterseher teaches
special education at Hillcrest
Elementary in Gillette.
Offers
Job Help
Statewide
You might visit a workforce
center to find help with:
FINDING A JOB.
Job seekers can visit the
Wyoming Department
of Workforce Services website,
wyomingatwork.com, to find statewide
job listings. Anyone who would like help
navigating the website can visit a local
workforce center.
WRITING RESUMES.
People who need help writing or
updating their resume can visit
any workforce center.
PHOTO BY RHIANNA GELHART
time with her. In his new job as an Workforce Center FILING
UNEMPLOYMENT
educator, he received paternity leave
after she was born.
Locations INSURANCE.
Sheridan
The WDWS is the state agency
Powell Lovell
Even though help from the Workforce Cody
SHERIDAN CROOK
that facilitates unemployment
BIG HORN
Sundance
Center made his career transition a PARK
Basin
Gillette insurance claims. The program
Buffalo
smooth one, completely changing his
TETON
WASHAKIE pays temporary benefits to
JOHNSON CAMPBELL Newcastle
work has come with some difficulties, HOT SPRINGS
Worland
WESTON
workers who have lost their job
Jackson Dubois
and Unterseher wants to encourage
Thermopolis
through no fault of their own. To
Riverton file an initial claim, call
other miners and let them know it FREMONT
NATRONA
Casper
CONVERSE
Glenrock
NIOBRARA
Afton Pinedale
(307) 473-3789.
can be done. SUBLETTE Lander Douglas Lusk
Glendo
Big Piney
GOSHEN
“It’s hard to change from working
PLATTE
LINCOLN
ALBANY
Wheatland
Torrington FINDING
in the coal mines to another job,” Kemmerer
Rock Springs Rawlins
Hanna
WORKERS.
he said. “Other jobs are completely Lyman Green River CARBON
UINTA Saratoga
Laramie
LARAMIE Employers can
different. You have to know that it’s Evanston SWEETWATER Baggs
Cheyenne work with the WDWS to list job
going to get better. Know that you’re
openings that reach job seekers
Audit Employment & Training
not going to learn stuff instantly. in the state through the same website.
Mines Inspection & Safety Workers' Compensation
Know that there are people who Wyoming OSHA Labor Standards
Vocational Rehabilitation/ Unemployment Insurance
actually care about you and want you Outreach Office of the Director
to succeed.”
FEB 2020 17Kimberly Jones is the owner of
Kimberly Anne’s Hair Design in Upton.
PHOTO BY RHIANNA GELHART
C ONSTRUCTION AND
COSMETOLOGY
Another former coal miner making a
major pivot is Kimberly Jones of Upton.
Though she didn’t jump directly from
coal mining to her new career as the
owner of a full-service hair, skin and
nail salon, she too utilized the help
of the Workforce Center to obtain job
retraining.
After high school in Colorado, Jones
moved back to Gillette and worked in
construction. When that work slowed
down, she started working in one of the
coal mines where she worked for about
a year and a half. She stopped working
in the mine when she married and had
children, but divorce and some other life
changes led her to look for a stable career
in a field she had always been interested
in – cosmetology.
She sought retraining funds through the
Department of Workforce Services and
received a grant to help cover the cost of
her tuition at True Colors Cosmetology
Even though going from a coal mine to a Jones said even though it was a
Training Center in Gillette.
hair salon is a big change, Jones said her difficult time going through school
Now she owns Kimberly Anne’s Hair work in the mines leant itself to her current and completely changing her career,
Design in Upton and works between career. She said she learned how to work she encourages anyone who needs
40 and 60 hours every week. She says with others while in the mines, which she
job retraining to visit a workforce
she loves the opportunity to be creative, noted is very important for working with her
center in their community.
and often her clients will sit in her chair clients in the community.
and tell her to do whatever she wants to “They have an entire list from A to Z
She said the safety and infection control
their hair. that goes through any kind of trade
required by the Wyoming State Board of
She loves the challenge of coloring hair, Cosmetology are very close to some of the you would want to do,” she said.
knowing that she has to understand the safety standards she complied with while “They have a lot of programs and
chemistry of the color she will use. working at the coal mine. grants to change your career.”
18 FEB 2020“Some have savings,
but some – like most
Americans – live Gillette, Wyoming
paycheck to paycheck.
The carpet has been
ripped out from
According to Rick Mansheim, manager of the Gillette Workforce
under them.” Center, reports indicate 580 miners lost their jobs when Blackjewel
filed for bankruptcy, and 440 of those filed for unemployment
insurance benefits through the WDWS. Their latest report showed
only four are still filing for those benefits. Many of the miners went
back to work in the mine after it was purchased by Eagle Specialty
RAPID RESPONSE Materials, he said.
For the miners who lost their jobs when
Blackjewel declared bankruptcy this This large layoff showed the strength of the state’s workforce
summer, the WDWS quickly stepped in to services. Extra staff came from around the state to help.
help as well. “Because we had enough staff members we were able to triage clients
Less than 48 hours after the layoff and get them to the right person as quickly as possibly, making it as
happened, the WDWS had a full rapid painless as possible for those laid off,” Mansheim said in an email.
response team in Gillette. According to He noted Workforce Services employees organized a job fair only
Andrea Hixon, rapid response program three days after the Blackjewel layoff. They had 40 employers who
manager, their main goal was to make participated, and more than 450 job seekers attended.
contact with the dislocated workers to let
them know the services available to them “Our main goal was to help them find employment, either with
– including employment, training, and a mine or in another field,” Mansheim said. “We assisted with
career services such as resume writing, unemployment insurance claims and brought in various agencies to
online job applications and filing for provide help with health insurance, credit services, behavioral health
unemployment insurance benefits. problems and labor laws.”
“When you attend a rapid response event, He said that right now things look positive for the county’s coal
it definitely has a very somber feel,” Hixon mines and their employees.
said. “Some have savings, but some –
“In my opinion things in Campbell County look stable for the near
like most Americans – live paycheck to
future, but as we learned with Blackjewel, things can change quickly,”
paycheck. The carpet has been ripped out
Mansheim said. “If nothing else, we know that this community rises
from under them. We will do whatever
up during a time of need.” W
possible to make sure we research and
find that resource for them and get them
headed in the right direction.” Elizabeth Sampson lives in Cheyenne with her husband and young daughters.
FEB 2020 19KIDS CORNER
02
Teachers in
Wyoming
Teachers work all over Wyoming,
in schools, colleges and education
centers. According to the Wyoming
What do Department of Education, more than
02
How to
01
18,000 teachers worked in the state for
Teachers do? an average salary of about $50,000/
Teachers are helpers whose work is to
year in March 2019.
Become a Teacher
make sure their students understand You need a license to teach in the
important subjects. Some people become state of Wyoming. To obtain a license,
teachers because they like to help others you’ll need to do this:
learn; some people become teachers so Complete a teacher preparation
they can continue to learn, too. 01 program from an accredited
Are you interested in becoming institution of higher education.
UP
04
W 03
I GRO
a teacher? You've come to Pass a background check.
WHEN
the right place!
Pass teacher testing
requirements.
t t o be a
I wa n
a c h e r
Te Tools of
04 the Trade
What does a teacher need for work every day?
Circle the correct items.
05
Teacher Quiz
Wyoming’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, Dane Annie Sullivan was a famous
Weaver, teaches social studies to grades 7-12 teacher who Mark Twain
in Ten Sleep. What does he think is the most called “The Miracle Worker.”
important thing he can do as a teacher? Who did she teach?
A. Coach football A. Helen Keller
B. Advise the student council B. Mark Twain
C. Display a caring attitude C. Laura Ingalls Wilder
toward students D. Albert Einstein
D. Earn a master’s degree
Answers: C, A
To learn more about Teacher of the Year Dane Weaver, visit edu.wyoming.gov/educators/teachers/toy.
Sources: Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, Wyoming Department of Education.
20 FEB 2020PUZZLE
Ten-Dollar
Words
DEFINITION TEN-DOLLAR WORDS
Armpit
Agelast
Counter-clockwise
Aglet
Babbler
Blatherskite
Stamp collector
Borborygmus
24 Sheets of paper
Funambulist
÷ (Division symbol)
Kakorrhaphiophobia
Hand of cards with nothing above 9
Meldrop
Teardrop of tissue at the back of your mouth
Nonpareils
# (Hashtag or pound symbol)
Nudistertian
Someone who never laughs
Oxter
Ethically questionable lawyer
Obelus
A “ten-dollar word” is a bigger,
fancier, less-common word people
Shoelace end
Octothorpe
sometimes use in place of a more
common term. Can using a ten- Fear of failure Pettifogger
dollar word make you smarter?
What about richer? Nose drip Philatelist
Let’s find out by starting 2020 with
new, improved lamprophonious* Sprinkles Quire
lexicon! Match the following 20
ten-dollar words with their regular
counterparts, then turn to page
Ornamental hair net Snood
35, where learning the answer is
always free. Stomach rumbles Uvula
Pointy-toed shoe Widdershins
Day before yesterday Winkle picker
Tightrope walker Yarborough
*loudly and clearly enunciated FEB 2020 21CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
PHOTO BY RHIANNA GELHART
DONNA GEWECKE
Getting
Donna Gewecke
stands with her
horse, King, on her
Workers
Back to
ranch near Gillette.
Work
BY ELIZABETH SAMPSON
Donna Gewecke of Gillette is part
therapist, part paper-pusher,
and if you are someone who is
stunned by the shock of a sudden
job layoff, she is entirely the
person you want in your court.
22 FEB 2020G
Gewecke said she spends her days visiting with walk-in clients
who may still be in crisis mode after suddenly being unemployed,
strategizing with clients she has appointments with, following up
with people she has helped transition into job training and sending
payment to schools where clients are obtaining education. She
said though they are a state agency, the funding for job training is
federal money.
“The one thing I like to make sure of is that each person gets
information on what types of services through our agency are
available to them, and when appropriate, refer them to other
agencies and organizations that may also be able to assist them,”
ewecke, who is a workforce specialist in the Gillette
Gewecke said. “Whether it’s one person who’s laid off or 500 – one
Workforce Center and a member of PRECorp, has spent
person is just as important as 500. It makes the news when lots of
more than four decades helping people navigate their next
people are laid off, but when a small business lays off their only
steps in a career change. Sometimes her clients are people
employee, they are going through all the same stuff. It’s tough. We
who have been laid off from a good job, while other clients
want every individual who walks through the door to know how we
are people who are
can help them and what we can do.”
working to move
away from extreme She said that help can be as simple as paying
poverty – including for a pair of steel-toe boots for a worker who
homelessness. can’t afford them but has a new job that
“You take people who don’t requires them – or it can be as complicated as
“You take people who
have much and are at rock helping someone enroll in career training that
don’t have much and will completely change their life path.
are at rock bottom, bottom, and see them turn into
and see them turn into Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training is
people who are paying their
people who are paying one of the programs Gewecke is especially fond
their bills and having bills and having a good life. of. She said if someone who works as a laborer
a good life,” Gewecke That’s the thing that makes it in an industry where layoffs are common has a
said. “That’s the thing CDL, he or she is usually more likely to hang on
worth coming to work.” to their job. Even if they do face a layoff, often
that makes it worth
coming to work.” getting a different job is easier for them.
Though she describes “It almost guarantees that they’re not going to
her job as shoveling have trouble finding a job,” she said.
a lot of paper – and this is true with all the state and federal She said she also appreciates the two-year nurses training she has
forms she helps people fill out – she is also connecting people helped many people enroll in and often sees those nurses when she
to job training programs, money for education and hope for visits the doctor herself.
their future.
“We’ve had so many people involved in those programs we’ve
Roxy Bailey, another workforce specialist who has worked helped,” she said.
with her for 29 years, said Gewecke is always ready to meet a
challenge head-on. She said something that always impresses her is how well people
seem to manage going through the rigors of losing a job and
“Because of her knowledge, compassion and kindness, she looking for a way up.
has changed countless lives with employment and career
“If there is anything that surprises me, it is how good people are
planning, as well as facilitating long and short-term training
even when things are really bad for them,” Gewecke said. “When
opportunities and supportive services,” Bailey said. “Donna
you look at the circumstances they are in and how well they handle
listens, assists in evaluating situations and provides resources
it, it’s just impressive.” W
for success for her clients as well as anyone else she comes
in contact with. Anyone who knows her values her expertise.
Her former clients come to the office to visit with her often, Elizabeth Sampson lives in Cheyenne with her husband and two young
and they refer other individuals for her assistance.” daughters.
FEB 2020 23BOOK REVIEW
No Good
Deed
A Sam Dawson Mystery
BY STEVEN W. HORN
History isn’t what it used to be, as photographer
Sam Dawson quickly discovers while attempting
to unravel the truth surrounding the fatal shooting
of a 14-year-old boy more than a century ago. Past
events and lore compete with stark facts that may
have saved a man from the gallows in one of the
Old West’s most baffling crimes as Wyoming author
Steven W. Horn continues his acclaimed Sam
Dawson Mystery Series in “No Good Deed.”
A young teacher knew the truth and much more.
Maligned by the press and discredited by the
politicians, her story was erased from the public
record. Reaching out from the grave, she attempts
to set the record straight.
Haunted by the loss of the love of his life, Sam is
reluctant to accept the advances of the beautiful
attorney who seeks to correct history and clear her
family’s name. Nothing is as it seems when Sam –
against the advice of his daughter, Sidney – is lured
deeper into the politically charged and confusing
legal entanglements that obscure the truth.
Intertwined in myth and deception, both past
and present, Sam returns to what he does best:
finding lost graves. But not everyone wants the past
exposed. Some skeletons are better left buried.
Summary by Granite Peak Press
WIN A
FREE COPY
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Name: NOVEMBER'S
BOOK WINNER:
Phone:
2019 | 388p. | $29.00
ISBN: 978-0999124819 Address: BETHANY
Publisher: Granite Peak Press TAYLOR
Available at local and online booksellers, OF MEETEETSE
including Barnes and Noble and
granitepeakpress.com
ENTRIES DUE BY DEED
MARCH 10 c/o WREN Magazine
One entry per 214 W. Lincolnway, Ste. 21C
household, please. Cheyenne, WY 82001
wyomingrea.org/wren-submissions
24 FEB 2020HOME ON THE RANGE
sheep and horses need more water
and hay as digestion of roughage helps
them stay warm. And while hauling
feed is no small feat in drifted snow
or blizzard conditions, the biggest
issue is access to water, since it freezes
in the cold. That can mean hauling
water if you don’t have heated tanks or
chopping ice from rivers and streams.
Chickens, on the other hand, do need
shelter. And if you have fancy chickens
with feathers on their feet, you better
make sure they don’t freeze to the
ground. Because the days are so short,
production drops significantly for the
hens which can make hauling all that
food and water seem like a thankless
job. But the hens will show their
gratitude in the spring when eggs will
overflow all the pails and buckets you
Extra
can find. Until then, you will find them
BY GINA SIGEL
roosted on the rafters of the barn,
feathers fluffed against the chill.
Layers Horses, cattle and
even the working
dogs get an extra
layer of hair to
survive the snow and
Here are some terms you need to
know if you find yourself on the ranch
this winter:
SNOWPLOW: this can be
icy temperatures. as simple as a blade on the
The long, coarse front of a four-wheeler, or
hair creates an air an old, yellow, industrial dump
pocket that locks out the forces of nature, truck with a plow on the front that you
IT
allowing natural heat to remain trapped wrangled at a local auction. Either way,
close to the skin. Horses grow a winter you aren’t getting off the ranch and
coat, looking wild and shaggy as they paw you aren’t getting feed on to the ranch
the ground to dig out grass buried under without some way to move snow.
the snow. Sheep keep toasty in built-in
FEEDING: as in, “I have to
shearling that blends in with the fluffy,
go feed.” This doesn’t mean
white snow.
isn’t unusual for bellying up to the breakfast
Wyoming’s visitors to In the cold of winter, potential for disease, table for some hotcakes in
worry about animals infections, and illness actually decrease the morning. In fact, many livestock
spending their winter because germs and bacteria need heat and managers don’t eat until their animals
moisture to thrive, both of which are in do. Feeding hay, as mentioned above,
outdoors. Nope, we don’t
short supply during Wyoming winters. But is especially important when it is cold.
have barns big enough for
what ranchers and farmers give up in the Just don’t forget to plug in the tractor
all of them. And, yes, they
potential for foot rot, they make up for in on those below-zero days, or else it
are hearty and adaptable. braving the weather to do chores. Cattle, might not start, either.
FEB 2020 25You can also read
