A NATURALISTS DREAM

Have you ever wanted to get “up close and personal” with a Bighorn Sheep? Tours led by the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center in Dubois get up close to the majestic animals. I didn’t know anything about this until a recent article in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle pointed it out.

I believe they are some of the most amazing animals in Wyoming. Throughout the year, the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center offers wildlife viewing tours of sheep habitat that meander several miles through a section of property owned by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The area butts up against the Fitzpatrick Wilderness Area, which is a gateway for the sheep from their summer range high in the Bridger-Teton National Forest to their winter range. The tours are most popular this time of year when the annual breeding season, or rut, turns the male sheep into reproductive machines.

Interested? Wildlife viewing tours cost $25 per person, regardless of age. They start at 9 a.m. and can last up to five hours but average three to four hours. The center can accommodate six people on each tour. Binoculars and spotting scopes are provided.

The Whiskey Mountain Habitat Area is open, wind-swept country. Dressing in layers is strongly advised, paying particular attention to head, hands and feet. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. For more information, call 1-888-209-2795, e-mail info@bighorn.org or write to National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, P.O. Box 1435, Dubois, WY 82513.

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

Christmas is on the way and what better way to celebrate than to listen to the sounds of the season. We are truly blessed to have several concerts coming up this weekend.

You like traditional orchestra music you have to attend the 3rd Annual Christmas Concert, Friday, December 01, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. at the Cheyenne Civic Center.
The Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra is presenting "A Sacred Christmas." Free, though tickets are required for admittance. FOR TICKETS, CALL THE CIVIC CENTER AT 637-6363 OR CHEYENNE SYMPHONY AT 778-8561.

Then there is the All-City Children's Chorus. Saturday, December 02, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
at the Cheyenne Civic Center. The theme for this concert is "Carol Mosaic." again Free admission, though donations will be accepted.

If this isn't enough take time out to listen to the Capitol Chorale present "Sing the Messiah." This Sunday, December 03, 2006, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church. Phone: (307) 778-7977 for more information.

What a great way to get into the true spirit of Christmas. Don't you think?

COME HOME TO CHRISTMAS

What are your doing December 8th or 9th? If you are looking for a great night out with a Christmas (not holiday)theme come to the King of Glory Lutheran Church for their Christmas Festival.

The family image of the 1930s and 1940s that is captured in classic Norman Rockwell paintings is the basis of the festival theme that the King of Glory Lutheran Church has chosen this year. The new King's Christmas Festival, "Come Home to Christmas," replaces the traditional Renaissance Christmas Festival this year only. "It's still the King's Christmas Festival, but the theme is 'Come Home to Christmas,'" said Dee Allen, who is on the Board of Parish Life at King of Glory. "We're focusing on the mid- to late 30s and early 40s. That era was when family really was the important thing." "Come Home to Christmas" also was inspired by the biblical account of the birth of Christ, according to Cantor Steven Hoffman. Hoffman plays the piano and organ. "He'll be playing Christmas carols - 'Silent Night,' some of the lighter ones, not strictly religious songs, just fun ones," Allen said. "We have our church choir, and they will be singing for the group. We encourage everyone to join in."

The church will have carols, a story for children and wassail, which are all things that children can be a part of. The wassail is one of the traditional parts of past Christmas festivals at King of Glory that still remains. “We have it simmering all day long in the pot, and it's the best smell," Allen said. "It smells wonderful. Wassail is apple cider, cinnamon sticks and cloves, and it just permeates the room." The Christmas festival will include a light meal. "At this time, we're planning on having maybe some type of soup, cakes or cookies and a choice of several types of desserts that will be available," Allen said.

The King's Christmas Festival is open to everyone from all denominations. The King's Christmas Festival, "Come Home to Christmas," for all ages. When: Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Where: King of Glory Lutheran Church, 8806 Yellowstone Road. Reservations required and seating is limited. Light meal included. It is a free event. Call 632-1247.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is this Thursday. What a wonderful holiday. I can't wait to get together with family and friends and "pig out". Turkey, dressing, potatoes and gravy, cranberries, sweet potatoes and PIE! Ummm Ummm. We have so much to be thankful for here in the Cheyenne area. Don't forget to take some time to be grateful for the blessings we have.

If you don't have family or friends to visit this holiday. There are some wonderful options for you.

In the mood for adventure? Try the Thanksgiving Brunch, Thursday, November 23, 2006
11:00, 1:00 & 3:00 at the Terry Bison Ranch. All you can eat, champagne & mimosas, bison herd tours with brunch. ForINFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS, CALL 634-4171

There is a Free Thanksgiving Dinner Sponsored by Unity Missionary Baptist Church. On Thursday, November 23, 2006. This will be held at the Community House at Lions Park. For the sick & shut-in seniors, singles who will be alone or away from family and the lest fortunate of our community. Free delivery. Volunteer or if you want to donate, call Claude, 632-8454; Ernest, 634-5643; Ruby, 634-5643; Ted, 637-5431l Nargaretm 63201816 or the Church, 634-0272. Call for serving time.
Thursday, November 23, 2006

Also, many area restaurants are offering Thanksgiving Dinner specials, if you would rather not deal with the making, baking and cleaning up after a big feast. That's not all bad either.

Take time this Thanksgiving to remember those that serve our country. They may be here at home or in some far away country. Be thankful for their service. And say a prayer for them and their familys to keep them safe and bring them home soon!

No matter what you do. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ALL OF US!

A PYRAMID ON THE PRAIRIE

I was reading the newspaper recently and I learned something. Did you know that between Laramie and Cheyenne, just off of I80 is a pyramid on the prairie? WOW Wyoming has it all doesn’t it? The Ames Monument was completed in 1882 at a cost of $65,000. The 60-foot high granite pyramid built by the Union Pacific Railroad Company stands on the highest elevation of the original transcontinental route. You can find it in the nearby plains in the ghost town of Sherman. American Indians once said playful spirits flitted amongst the balancing rocks of Vedauwoo. Viewed from atop Turtle Rock, the Ames Monument looks like a pinhead on the blond landscape with the smoky blue spread of the Rocky Mountains to the south and the Snowies off to the west.

The state considers the monument that lays south of Vedauwoo and Interstate 80 a postcard stop. Those who get curious after spying the brown sign drive up the long gravel road, park, get out, snap a photograph and point the car back to the highway. On most days, the wind pushes hard, making picnicking unpleasant.

Marking the highest point on the railroad, it was something for travelers passing through Sherman to look at. So people quickly forgot it when the town died after the railroad's board of directors was driven away in bankruptcy and its new leader relocated the track.

It could be Wyoming’s monument to the Gilded Age. In 1983, the Union Pacific donated it to the state of Wyoming, but today, the state does little to promote it. But if the Legislature approves a bill early next year, that could change.

"It's an absolute gem that we need to figure out how to do more with," said Todd Thibodeau, a planning consultant for the Department of State Parks and Historic Sites. "I don't know if there's anything like it in the whole country, to be honest with you." If funding is approved, the site will remain a postcard stop, but visitors will be able to hear the story of the great railroad that transformed the West, the two brothers who built it and the scandal that brought them down.

Hopefully the funding will be available and we won’t lose this unusual piece of history.

Craft and Bazaar Shopping Ahead!

Thanksgiving is only a week away, but Christmas is in the air. This Saturday, November 18, there are three Craft/Bazaar sales sets that I know of. What a wonderful way to spend a day. Get some friends together and head out to do some Christmas shopping.

You could start out at the Women of the Moose Annual Bazaar. It will be Saturday, November 18, 2006 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Moose Club, S. Greeley Hwy.
Phone: (307) 638-8449. Look for Crafts, flea market, bake sale, Christmas table, nuts. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL ARLENE 638-8449.

Next check out the Bain Elementary Craft Fair & Bake Sale. 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Bain Elementary School. Crafts & bake sale. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL JENNIFER NELSON, 632-5852.


Then there is a Craft Show starting Tomorrow, November 17, 2006 thru Sunday.
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 801 Everglade. Enjoy crafts, bake & candy sale. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL MARY SUE WILSON, 637-5226.

Save some energy for the Lighting of the Depot Plaza, Saturday, November 18, 2006
6:00pm. At the Historic Depot, 121 W. 15th Street. If you need more information on this event call 632-0614.

Join us in the Plaza for caroling and the lighting of Cheyenne's Christmas tree and the Plaza decorations. Sounds like a great way to kick of the Christmas season doesn't it?

THE AROMA OF THE HOLIDAYS

How talented are you? Do you like to bake? How about building the ultimate gingerbread house? I know a place that you can show off your creativity and compete for prizes.

Build and decorate a gingerbread house and enter the contest to be held on Saturday, November 18. There will be categories for professionals and amateurs, adults and children. I will not be in the competition, but if they need a taster, I will be ready and willing to serve.

The contest will be held at the Historic Depot, 121 W. 15th Street. Give them a call at 632-3905 for more information. Gingerbread, now doesn't that smell like the holidays?