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updateVolume 3, Issue 3 October 2009

STATE PARKS

Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources

ARTS. PARKS. HIS Y.

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After becoming a favorite destination for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians in recent years, the Curt Gowdy State Park Trail System has now been nationally recognized as a world class mountain bike destination.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association has given the trail system an “Epic” designation, Wyoming’s first and only such honor.

Although there isn’t a defined criteria for an Epic designation, the IMBA says that Epic trails are all “quality” rides.

“The sky’s the limit to the experiences that the Epic program can embrace,” according to the IMBA website. “Like the sport itself, the definition of an Epic will continue to evolve. One theme remains unchanged: The criterion for the Epic designation is quality: quality trails, a quality experience – something worth celebrating. Whether you are on a flowing singletrack, hang time or a mega challenge, Epics feature something for everyone.”

The Curt Gowdy Trail system was built three years through the efforts of hundred of volunteers.

During the past three years, the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails has hosted mountain bike events, cancer walks and F.E. Warren Air Force Base uses the trail system for returning vets in therapeutic and rehabilitation programs. Additionally, more than 500 kids and their parents participated in a Wyoming Kids Xtreme Event – Summer Outdoor Slam.

The Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trail has also partnered with the University of Wyoming; Laramie County Community College; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; local sports shops; bicycle clubs; and the Wyoming Conservation Corps in the development and use of the trail system.

“Epic” Trails at Curt Gowdy

Milward Simpson, Domenic Bravo, Todd Thibodeau and Paul Gritten at the ceremony at Curt Gowdy.

Todd Thibodeau, Wyoming State Parks, accepts a grant from the Overland Mountain Bike Club, Ft. Collins, accepts a grant to create and/or improve more trails within Wyoming State Parks.

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What people are saying about Curt Gowdy State Park Trails: http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/curt-gowdy-state-park.html

http://www.imba.com/epics/curt_gowdy.html

All of these uses have proven to be low impact and contribute to the cleanliness to the overall trail system.

A ceremony commemorating the Trails System’s Epic Award designation was held on September 26 at the Aspen Grove Trail Head.

“Epic” Trails at Curt Gowdy continued ...

Thibodeau Awarded FOX/IMBA Award Award honors trail advocates who advance mountain bike access in their communities.

says Thibodeau. Revenue is rising significantly each year as word of the Gowdy trails spreads, and visitation has increased substantially in the shoulder seasons when colder weather or low water levels would keep boaters and fishermen away.

Thibodeau has shown that well thought-out trails can be a tremendous asset to parks that wish to provide more recreation opportunities to a variety of user groups without increasing congestion at traditional park destinations like beaches, boat ramps, or picnic grounds. He's helped to create a model for land mangers nationwide, and for that Todd Thibodeau is a Fox/IMBA Hero.

Todd Thibodeau has been part of the mountain biking scene along Colorado's Front Range since 1987, when he bought his first Stumpjumper and pitched in to help build the Peaks Trail that connects Breckenridge with Frisco. And he's long been a friendly face on the trails as part of the Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol around Fort Collins.

Today, Thibodeau is the Planning and Grants Manager for Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails. He's been the driving force behind the new trails at Curt Gowdy State Park, one of the newest "Epics." While it may seem that the development of the Curt Gowdy trails has happened almost overnight relative to most large trail projects, Thibodeau has been working for years to develop strategies and procedures for trail construction and management within a state park system that is traditionally focused on lake-based recreation. Thibodeau says that one of his favorite aspects of this job is that, "I really feel like I'm in a position to make a difference." And he's certainly improved the lives of mountain bikers in Wyoming and surrounding states.

The success at Curt Gowdy has led Wyoming State Parks to explore similar projects at other parks, plus it has caught the attention of land managers around the country that want to bring sustainable, quiet recreation to their parks. "Now that we're a couple of years in, there's almost a synergy around the project,"

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“Bam Bam” the Sinks Canyon State Park Bighorn Sheep ram, who has gained local and internet fame in recent months, was moved to a new home in the Wind River Mountains, far away from roads and, hopefully, people.

The ram had become something of a celebrity because he was so tame. Visitors from around the world saw the animal up close and personal, usually a rarity with Bighorn Sheep. The ram even starred in a “YouTube” video charging a truck.

One of the last surviving animals from the Sinks Canyon herd, the sheep had become habituated to people over the years. People petting and feeding the animal didn’t help and Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Sinks Canyon State Park staff attempts to get him to stay away from roads and other populated areas didn’t work.

“He is still a wild animal and had become more aggressive as the summer went on,” Hot Springs State Park Superintendent Darrel Trembly said. “He had started chasing people, cornering them against fences and butting vehicles. It was only a matter of time

“Bam Bam” has a New Home

before someone got hurt or he got hit by a vehicle.”The Wyoming Game and Fish Department lured him into a trailer early in the morning last week and then transported him to his new home.

“It went as smoothly as any transplant could,” said Kent Schmidlin of the Wyoming Game and Fish Lander Region Office. “Now hopefully he can be with other wild sheep and live like he is supposed to.”

A Cave AdventureOn Saturday, August 22, Sinks Canyon State Park hosted a Kids Xtreme event, a cave exploration, for nearly 80 kids and parents whose ages ranged from 4 to 72.

Five different groups spent up to an hour exploring "Boulder Choke Cave" under the direction of SPHS staff and volunteers.

The staff at Sinks Canyon State Park thank all the folks involved in providing a unique outdoor experience for everyone who participated.

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The Legend Rock Visitor’s Center near Thermopolis is getting electricity soon and will be open to the public by spring!

Bear River State Park recently partnered with the Uinta County Library to preview the video series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” The six-video series, directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan, was previewed by area

Video Series at Bear River State Parkresidents in late September at the Bear River Travel Information Center. The week-long series then aired on PBS beginning on September 27. Visit http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#642 to see a selection of clips from the documentary.

Oct 6th at Medicine LodgeThe snow has now melted, but we had 4-6 inches, and 8 degrees for a temp one morning.

Legend Rock Visitor’s Center

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Hunting season at Medicine Lodge 2009Pictures of the variety of different hunting camps this year.

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WY Youth Congress highlighted in Huffington Post“Blame it on the Tetons to actually let kids share their opinions. Maybe the kids will tell us what society is doing wrong and why they prefer television over camping. Over the next three days, October 15th-18th, youth from all 48 Wyoming school districts are convening for the Wyoming Youth Congress on Children & Nature through the Teton Science School.The conference focuses on the children of Wyoming and how to keep them in touch with their “outer” youth. The Congress has a touchingly local approach,

allowing kids to share their concerns and then create an “Action Plan” for implementing projects and reporting back on success. Their findings will be reported to the Governor’s office and the State Department of Education.”

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deanna-neil/growing-movement-to-get-k_b_32 2760.html

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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

Castaneda Wins Historical Society AwardThe Wyoming State Historical Society recently honored residents and organizations across the state as recipients of awards presented at the society’s 56th

annual meeting in Powell. Sue Castaneda of SPCR’s PIO office, won first place in the Audio Video Documentary Award for her oral history project titled “How Are You Doing in Vietnam: The Lost Tapes of Captain William B. Graves and Family.”

Castaneda and Mark Junge, Cheyenne author, historian and former SPCR employee, also won an honorable mention in the Audio-Video Documentary category for their join project titled “Wyoming Lincoln Bicentennial Minutes.”

Each year, the society recognizes residents and groups statewide for their contributions to Wyoming’s history.

http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/Stories/Graves.asp

Captain William B. Graves

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DIRECTOR’S CORNER

Dear SPCR employees,

These past few months have been some of the most eventful (and memorable!) I’ve been fortunate to be a part of as Director.

On Sept. 24 and 25 the WY Arts Council held the second statewide Arts Summit. This follow-up to the first summit held two years ago in Casper focused on the “nuts and bolts” of “cultivating creative communities” through the arts. Attendees heard an inspiring keynote address from First Lady Nancy Freudenthal and learned about such things as putting on community arts festivals and working with community business and government leaders in ensuring a “place at the table” for the arts at the community level.

On Sept. 26 the Parks, Historic Sites & Trails division was recognized for leading the development of new trails at Curt Gowdy State Park that were given the top “Epic” designation by the International Mountain Biking Association.

During the first week of October, we hosted the annual Mountain Plains Museum Association Conference in Cheyenne. By all accounts, it was a very successful conference and 300 museum directors from their 10 state region attended, including several from Wyoming. I was gratified that the WY location made it possible for many more Wyoming museum directors and employees attend than would have otherwise been possible.

Finally, our agency, along with the other state and federal land management agencies that comprise the WY Recreation Action Team (REACT) sponsored the first ever “Youth Outdoors Congress”. This historic event brought two eighth graders from every Wyoming school district to the Teton Science Schools in Jackson for four days in October. It was a groundbreaking approach to the “Children in Nature” issue in that it was orchestrated to put kids on center stage and give them opportunities to share their perspective, opinions and advice to us adults on the nature of the issue and how to address it. 2011, 2012 Biennial Budget Request

The final version of our biennial budget request has been submitted to the governor’s office. The governor approved our exception requests for funding support for our Dept. Volunteer program, for continuing involvement with the WY Conservation Corps, for O&M funding for new facilities, and one-time equipment purchases among other requests. The next step will be to testify on the proposed budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee prior to the 2010 legislative “budget” session.

One major positive development so far is that, during the October State Building Commission meeting, the Dept. of A&I, Capital Construction requested re-instatement of the $3.6 million in formula funding for major maintenance for our facilities and roads and the State Building Commission (the five statewide elected officials) voted to approve their request! The $3.6 had been originally approved as part of last year’s supplemental budget, but had been cut during the 10% budget reduction process.

According to the latest state revenue projections, the 10% cuts will stand, but will not likely need to be increased.

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Hiring freeze, Travel and Spending Restrictions

I appreciate everyone’s effort to hold the line on these items as we continue to operate in this restricted spending environment. We also continue to work through the governor’s “exception request” process for requesting to fill vacant positions.

State Classification & Compensation Overhaul

The State Human Resources overhaul process reached the phase of determining the compensation piece for the new employee classification system. Domenic Bravo is serving on an advisory committee working on this. I appreciate all of you who took the time to submit requests for review of the new job classification system. A&I will be announcing the results of the review process by the end of November.

Legislature

As part of its “interim topics” process, the Travel Recreation Wildlife and Cultural Resources joint legislative committee approved two pieces of draft legislation for consideration during the upcoming session. The first on “State Park boundaries” would remove legal descriptions of certain parks and historic sites from statute while giving us the authority to describe the boundaries through rules and regulation. It would also “declare” all of our other parks and historic sites in statute.

The second would allow us to dispose of small properties that we own but don’t manage without requiring legislative approval, provided that the properties in question do not comply with the department’s mission.

At their upcoming meeting in Saratoga I will be testifying regarding our involvement with the new Statewide Tourism Master Plan and will participate in a discussion regarding our agency’s potential involvement in helping the WY Dept. of Game & Fish deal with the serious issue of managing the prevention of aquatic invasive species.

Keep up the great work!

I couldn’t be more proud of all of you and your ongoing accomplishments, including those profiled in this latest department newsletter. Keep up the great work!

Respectfully, Milward Simpson, Director

DIRECTOR’S CORNER CONTINUED

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STATE MUSEUM

Mountain-Plains Museum Association Conference

Museum professionals from 10 western states traveled to Cheyenne Oct. 5-8 where they discussed a variety of historic and museum related issues during the Mountain-Plains Museums Association conference at the Holiday Inn.

More than 250 museum staff, volunteers and board members attended the conference to discuss the latest developments in the museum field. Milward Simpson, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, was the conference chairman.

Included in the conference were tours of a variety of Laramie and Albany county museums, historic buildings and archaeological venues.

The conference was highlighted by the Leadership Luncheon which featured Former Senator Alan K. Simpson and University of Wyoming Political Science Professor Dr. Peter Simpson, who presented

“A New Cork in an Old Flask – A ‘Simpson Eye’ View of the West.” The luncheon was held October 8.

These well-known, Western icons reflected on the tensions, the triumphs and the turbulence of Wyoming’s colorful history. They spoke to the paradoxes the “cowboy state” faces as it wrestles to reconcile its old west legacy with the challenges of the new world.

Additionally, Senator Mike Enzi was honored for his support of museums in Wyoming and around the nation.

Samuel M. Trautman of Snowy Range Graphics in Laramie was the luncheon sponsor.

On Oct. 7, art historian Gordon McConnell spoke at the ArtsCom Luncheon. McConnell, former senior curator at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings, presented, “The Avant Garde in Charlie Russell Country: Building the Montana Collection at the Yellowstone Art Museum.”

He discussed how the art of the West is not just about cowboys and Indians or sublime mountain vistas. He pointed out that romantic realism and academic impressionism, though still widely practiced and celebrated, are not the only styles of art produced in this rapidly changing region.

The realm of Western Art was also discussed during a session titled, “The role of Western Art in America: Sidebar or Mainstream.”

Three western scholars, Bruce Eldredge, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody; Thomas Smith, Petrie Institute of Western American Art, Denver; and Adam Duncan Harris, Ph.D., National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, discussed how western art is as diverse as the region itself and why western art collections have been given more priority and higher profile by collectors in recent decades.

Former Senator Al Simpson and brother Dr. Pete Simpson speak at the MPMA Conference. Click the link to hear their talk: (Part 1) http://cheyennewy.podbean.com/mf/play/uy8xhb/Simpsons_mixdownpart1.mp3(Part 2) http://cheyennewy.podbean.com/mf/play/s52bn/Simpsons_mixdownpart2.mp3

Listen to Milward Simpson’s discussion at the MPMA Conference: http://cheyennewy.podbean.com/mf/play/cb85s5/MilwardSimpsonMPMASpeech.mp3

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Lecture SeriesLecture: Seeking the Dutchman’s Lost TreasureSpeaker: Bob Willis, Fort Collins, CODescription: Is there anyone who hasn’t read about and been enthralled by the famous Lost Dutchman Mine in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains? Bob Willis, a television travel pioneer and freelance travel journalist, has carried his cameras to every continent and nearly 90 countries. About a dozen years ago, Bob moved to Arizona and linked up with a team of treasure seekers who had spent over 35 years researching (and searching for) the famous mine. Is the treasure real? You bet it is! Bob will share with us the history of and the many attempts to locate the lost mine. Most importantly, he’ll share with us where the mine isn’t. Date: November 12, 2009Time: 7:00 p.m.Place: Wyoming State Museum, Multi-Purpose RoomCost: Free and open to the publicContact: 777-7022

Second Annual “Night at the Museum” Halloween EventChildren can enjoy a safe and educational Halloween evening while meeting some of Wyoming’s most famous characters at the State Museum’s, “A night at the Museum,” from 2 to 5 p.m., October 31.

Children and their families will meet a variety of characters from Wyoming’s past while touring the State Museum’s galleries.

During the afternoon, children will get a chance to visit with each character and ask them about their role in the history of the Cowboy State. Each child that talks to a character will receive a bag of Halloween Treats.

This event is for all ages and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Lecture: Lester C. HuntSpeaker: Rick Ewig, American Heritage Center, Laramie, WYDescription: Lester C. Hunt was one of Wyoming’s most popular politicians from the 1930s to the 1950s. A Democrat, he never lost an election. Twice he served as Wyoming’s secretary of state, six years as the state’s governor, and one term as a U.S. Senator. Hunt is credited with the idea for the bucking bronco which has resided on the state’s license plates since the 1930s. He served as governor during World War II, and during his term in the U.S. Senate he witnessed firsthand the excesses of McCarthyism. Rick Ewig’s talk will examine the partisan atmosphere in the U.S. Senate during the early 1950s and the events which led to Hunt’s suicide in his senate office on June 19, 1954. Date: December 10, 2009Time: 7:00 p.m.Place: Wyoming State Museum, Multi-Purpose RoomCost: Free and open to the publicContact: 777-7022

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Two new traveling exhibits are now available from the Wyoming State Museum and are available to museums, libraries and other cultural institutions throughout the state.

The two new exhibits, “West Across the Skies,” and “Paper or Plastic?” are two-dimensional exhibits that consist of photographs, illustrations and text.

“West Across the Skies,” discusses the history of early aviation in Wyoming from 1911 to 1950. The exhibit includes 40, 16X20 inch and 20X24 inch panels of historic photographs. This exhibit is currently available.

“Paper or Plastic?” examines the history of the retail sales of food in Wyoming from the late 19th century to the present. This exhibit includes 30, 16X20 text

STATE MUSEUM CONTINUED

and historic panels of historic photographs. This exhibit is available November 1.

The Wyoming State Museum makes a variety of traveling exhibits available to venues statewide. Borrowers are encouraged to use materials and objects from their own collections and community to augment the exhibits.

There is no charge for this program, but borrowers are responsible for paying shipping costs and provide reasonable security for the traveling exhibits.

For more information about this and other Wyoming State Museum traveling exhibits, please contact Manny Vigil at 307-777-7025.

New Traveling Exhibits

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STATE HISTORIC SITES

The winning team from Hudson (above), champs of the 9th annual Vintage Base Ball Tournament held at South Pass City State Historic Site in connection with Gold Rush Days. It was the second team title for Hudson, as they captured the team title in the inaugural event in 2001. The teams play games with authentic 1900 uniforms, equipment and rules.

Tournament champions through the years: 2001 - Hudson 2002 - Riverton 2003 - Lander 2004 - Lander 2005 - Riverton 2006 - Lander 2007 - Lander 2008 - Riverton 2009 - Hudson

Team scores from the 2009 tournament (double elimination):Saturday:Hudson 9, South Pass City 5Lander 2, Riverton 0South Pass City 11, Riverton 3 (Riverton eliminated)Hudson 7, Lander 1Sunday:Lander 10, South Pass City 2 (South Pass City eliminated)Lander 15, Hudson 0Hudson 9, Lander 8 (Championship game)

2009 Hudson team members: John Horne, Serol Stauffenberg, Scott Keele, Erik Baker, Bruce Knell, Dennis Schurg, Ray Puroll, Rich Matson, Jim Race, Matt Johnson, Zach Matson.

Gold Rush Days Vintage Base Ball

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A scary night at the Wyoming Territorial Prison.

Wild West GhostsBy Lynette Nelson

It’s that time of year again when trees stand bare and open as a cool wind whips around their skeletal frames. When night falls, a chill runs up our spines and our senses become alert to the things that go bump in the night, to ghosts and witches and creatures that dwell in our imagination. Legends and stories of hauntings fill our heads, for it is Halloween.

Ghosts, the main attraction during this season, come in all shapes and sizes and from all corners of the earth and beyond. Some are in the shape of an orb, some are only a vapor or mist, while others take on a humanly shape with features. And at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, the ghosts wear cowboy hats and carry a gun.

During the month of October, Ghost Tours of Laramie City, which is sponsored by the Wyoming Territorial Park Historic Association, take visitors, or should I say victims, on an adventure like none other. For one and a half hours the guests are transported back in time to the year 1868 when Laramie had its first giddy beginnings. As guests travel on a hayride through historic downtown Laramie, they become acquainted with the ghost from Laramie’s past and learn why these former residents refuse to leave or to be forgotten.

The tour ends with a candlelight tour through the Wyoming Territorial Prison. As you walk through the dark passages you may meet Julius Greenwald, one of only two prisoners to die at the prison.

Experience for yourself what life was like for prisoners in the untamed Wyoming wilderness and the wild west town called Laramie. Tour dates for this year’s Ghost Tours are: October 16, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31. Tickets are $10 per person and go on sale October 1. If you would like more information on Ghost Tours of Laramie please call the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site at 745-6161.

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STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE

In an effort “to better acquaint the public with the discipline of archaeology and strengthen the enduring bond between past and present in the Equality State,” Gov. Dave Freudenthal proclaimed September Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month during a brief ceremony in his office on August 26.

Gov. Freudenthal was joined during the proclamation signing by members of the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.

As special guest at this year’s signing was Mitzi Frank, superintendent of Ft. Laramie National Historic Site, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary and is featured on this year’s WAAM poster.

Gov. Freudenthal was presented with a framed copy of this year’s poster.

The WAAM celebration included the 11th Annual George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology sponsored lecture, “Chocolate (Cacao) and Culture in Prehispanic Mesoamerica,” by Janine Gasco, professor of Anthropology at California State University, Dominquez Hills.

The lecture was held at the University of Wyoming Ag Auditorium on September 24. A reception in the

Department of Anthropology foyer followed and featured a book signing by Drs. George Frison, Mary Lou Larson and Marcel Kornfeld, authors of the newly released “Hell Gap, A Stratified Paleoindian Campsite at the Edge of the Rockies.”

The 2009 WAAM poster is available free of charge, and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office, Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or in Laramie in the Anthropology Building located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312.

The posters are also available via mail with a $10 charge to cover mailing costs. Limit one poster per person. Send your request along with a check or money order payable to “Wyoming Archaeology Month” and your name and mailing address to: Judy Wolf, State Historic Preservation Office, Wyoming Archaeology Month, Dept. 3431, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071.

The 2009 WAAM t-shirts and caps are available at the State Museum Store in Cheyenne, or via http://wyoshpo.state.wy.us/aamonth/pdf/orderform.pdf.

Short-sleeved shirts are available at a cost of $15. Shirts in sizes 2XL are available for an additional $1.50. Long-sleeved shirts are available for $22. Add $1.50 for size 2XL. Caps are available for $15.Proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts and caps are used to help fund WAAM activities.

Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month

Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month

••SEPTEMBER 2009

Crossroads of a Nation Moving West

In the spring of 1834, “Fort William on the Laramie” was established by fur traders William Sublette and Robert Campbell as a stockade made from cottonwood logs. In 1841, a replacement structure, “Fort John,” was built using adobe bricks, a more substantial construction medium. In 1849, the U. S. Army bought the structure and established a military post that became known as “Fort Laramie,” an army post that existed until 1890. “Fort William/John/Laramie” remains the longest continuously occupied Euroamerican location in the state. The fort is currently managed by the National Park Service as a National Historic Site. Archaeological work at Fort Laramie has contributed much to our knowledge about life on the frontier of a nation moving west.

Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Army National Guard, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Current Archaeological Research Inc., ASM affiliates, ENTRIX Inc., TRC Environmental Corporation, Western Archaeological Services, engineering-environmental Management Inc., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Department of Transportation, University of Wyoming Department of Anthropology, Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists, Wyoming Archaeological Society.

Watercolor (ca. 1863–1868) by Anton Schonborn courtesy Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library • Graphic design by Elizabeth Ono Rahel

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A ceremony dedicating interpretive signs along the Gold Flakes to Yellowcake Historic Mine Trail was held at South Pass City State Historic Site’s Carissa Mine on September 10. An informal drive of the Mine Trail followed.

In 2005, the Wyoming Legislature established the first Historic Mine Trail, which connects the gold mines of the Sweetwater Mining District in the South Pass City area to the Uranium mines of the Gas Hills. The Historic Mine Trail links significant areas of mineral development in Western Wyoming.

Throughout much of the state’s history, mining has played an important role in Wyoming’s economy. Traditionally, Wyoming has been reliant on mining activities and its relation to cultural and environmental effects on the state.

Mineral development in Wyoming has followed a boom and bust cycle since the first discovery of gold

in the 1860s. The Historic Mine Trail exposes this story by linking gold mines to uranium mines and connects the boom and bust experience of the 1870s to the 1970s.

The Historic Mine Trail and Byway program was established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2005. The program was created for the purpose of designating and identifying historic mine locations and trails and byways linking historic mines within the state. Objectives of the program are to 1) provide a precise history of mineral development in Wyoming; 2) Interpret the role of mining and minerals in the development of Wyoming's economy; 3) Identify and describe Wyoming's mining and mineral development heritage.

For more information please contact Laura Nowlin, Mine Trail and Byway Program coordinator, at lnowli@state.wy.us or 307-777-6179.

Historic Mine Trail Dedication

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STATE ARCHIVES

A free two-part workshop on the protection and recovery of documents, records and information was held October 2 in Cheyenne.

The Wyoming Chapter of ARMA International in partnership with the Wyoming State Archives sponsored the workshop.

The first part of the workshop was “Disaster Planning and Recovery.” A disaster is any event that creates an inability on the part of an organization to execute business functions for a period of time.

Disasters will affect your records. As documents and information are necessary to successfully recover from a disaster, you must put protocols in place to ensure their protection and recovery when a disaster strikes. Only a fully trained recovery team can assure

the best possible outcome. Participants learned how to be the key to their disaster recovery.

Part two of the workshop was “Media Mix and Conversions.” Choosing the appropriate media mix for your organization's information involves understanding the benefits, costs, and risks of the media available.

In this session, participants explored paper, microfilm, and digital media applications. Participants were able to evaluate their information needs from six different perspectives in order to determine the best media choice for their records as it moves through the information life cycle. Media conversions are expensive challenges.

The Wyoming “Blue Books,” a comprehensive guide to the state’s history from pre-territorial days to 2007, can now be ordered in CD form. The Blue Book CDs are available in a five volume gift set at a cost of $35.

These comprehensive guides to Wyoming history and government are essential reference books for federal, state, county and city government offices, school libraries, personal libraries, businesses and industries.

Included in the volumes are historical timelines, biographies of elected officials, election results,

Disaster Recovery Workshop

legislation, historical articles, information on government agencies, historical photographs and much more.

Individual hard copies of volumes I through V are available for $25 each. The complete five-volume set can be purchased for $75. All prices include shipping and handling.

The Blue Books can be purchased at the Archives offices, or by sending a request and payment to Wyoming State Archives, Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82002. Credit card orders can also be taken at 307-777-7826.

Wyoming Blue Books

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State Archives Provides Valuable Hansen Interviews to Media

CongratulationsRobin Everett has accepted the position of Processing Archivist for the State Archives. Robin interned at the Archives off-site facility, Archives South, prior to joining the agency in the Archives’ Micrographics Unit. For the past year, she has served as the receptionist and reference assistant in the Archives’

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After the recent death of former Wyoming Governor and Senator Cliff Hansen, the Wyoming State Archives was an invaluable resource to the news media providing both audio and photos.

Digitalized audio and transcripts from an oral history done in 1977 were offered to all newspapers, radio and television stations across the state. This interview was conducted by John Hinckley, a former political science professor at Northwest College in Powell. As well, thanks to a recent grant from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, a new series of oral histories are being done which included one with Cliff and Martha Hansen done in late September, 2009 by former SPCR employee Mark Junge. Not only were the photos and audio made available to the media, but also the Wyoming Tribune Eagle asked Junge to write a feature piece about his interview with Hansen -- the last official interview given.

Many of the media outlets were thrilled to learn of the resource that the Wyoming State Archives could provide and used the photos for newspaper stories and radio features.

You can listen to a podcast of the first day's interview between Hansen and Junge at artsparkshistory.com.

Reference Room. Robin received a B.A. in History at UW last year with the goal of beginning a career in Public History. Robin is as well-known for her sense of humor and practical jokes as she is for her ability to dig up information on someone’s past. Please congratulate Robin when you have a chance.

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The Wyoming Arts Council, in cooperation of the Casper College Literary Conference, will conduct an Oct. 10 poetry reading by the WAC’s new creative writing fellowship winners.

Fellowship recipients are Sam Renken from Laramie, Lori Van Pelt of Saratoga and Casper poet David Zoby. They will read their award-winning work with fellowship judge Greg Pape of Missoula, Mont. The free event is on Saturday, Oct. 10, 1:30 p.m., at the Izaak Walton Clubhouse, 4205 Fort Caspar Rd., Casper.

Preceding the reading at noon Saturday will be a free chili lunch provided by members of the Casper College Literary Conference planning committee.The 23rd annual literary conference takes place Oct. 8-10. It includes writing workshops by Jackson novelist Tim Sandlin, globe-trotting journalist and author William Powers of New York, South Dakota essayist and poet Linda Hasselstrom and Greg Pape, Montana Poet Laureate. Fee is $60 per workshop.

Free events include 7:30 p.m. author talks on Thursday and Friday in the college’s Durham Hall, the WAC fellowship reading and chili feed on Saturday, and a poetry slam at 9 p.m. Saturday at Metro Coffee Company, 241 S. David in downtown Casper.

For more conference information, contact Terry Rasmussen in the Casper College English Dept., 307-268-2480. To register for workshops, call Ann Dalton, 307-268-2085. You can also go to the Casper College web site at www.caspercollege.edu.

To find out more about the Arts Council’s programs for individual artists, contact Mike Shay at 307-777-5234 or mshay@state.wy.us.

WAC Poetry Reading at Casper College

ARTS COUNCIL

The Wyoming Arts Council held the Arts Summit, Sept. 24-25 at Little America in Cheyenne.

The Summit featured sessions by renowned experts exploring linkages among the arts, government, community development, economic prosperity and business.

Mayors & their Creative Communities Session: Duane Evenson - Mayor of Gillette, Rick Kaysen - Mayor of Cheyenne, John Zeiger - Mayor of Saratoga

Keynote Speaker First Lady Nancy Freudenthal

Arts Summit 2009

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ARTS COUNCIL CONTINUED

Wyoming Arts CounCil

Biennial Fellowship Exhibition

Featuring fellowship recipients from the

2008 and 2009 fellowship competitions

Nov. 5, 2009 through Jan. 9, 2010Opening reception on

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Barrett Building2301 Central Ave.Cheyenne, Wyoming307-777-7022

Museum hours:Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sundays and State and Federal Holidays

Wyoming State MuseumMatt Flint, Lander

Leah Hardy, Laramie

David Henderson, Worland

Ricki Klages, Laramie

Florence Alfano McEwin, Green River

Doug Russell, Laramie

Fellowship Artists:

The work of six Wyoming artists will be featured Nov. 5, through Jan. 9, at the 2009 Biennial Fellowship Exhibition at the Wyoming State Museum Gallery in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave., in Cheyenne.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the State Museum.

Fellowship judge Lawrence Argent, sculptor and art professor at University of Denver will speak. The public is invited to come out and meet the artists and see their work. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided.

The exhibit showcases the work of the 2008 and 2009 Wyoming Arts Council fellowship recipients: Matt Flint, Lander; Leah Hardy, Laramie; David Henderson, Worland; Ricki Klages, Laramie; Florence Alfano McEwin, Green River; and Doug Russell, Laramie.

Each year, the Wyoming Arts Council awards visual arts fellowships to three artists in the state. Every two years, the WAC honors its fellowship winners with an exhibition at one of Wyoming’s fine art galleries or museums.

The exhibition is a project of the Arts Council and the State Museum. The reception is co-sponsored by the Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Vermont.

For more information on the WAC and fellowships for individual artists, contact Mike Shay at 307-777-5234 or go to the WAC web site at www.wyomingartscouncil.org.

2009 Biennial Fellowship Exhibition

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UPDATE ON OUR MILITARY

Shyan K. Corso (daughter of Mike Corso,IT Webmaster), was recently promoted to Army Staff Sergeant (E-6). She is currently stationed in South Korea and recently took a tour of the DMZ - The most closely guarded border in the world separating North and South Korea. This is her second tour in South Korea having just finished a year long deployment in Iraq. Shyan’s tour of duty ends next year and she plans to attend college at the University of Wyoming majoring in meteorology.

Two Employees Can Now Call Themselves MarathonersSara Needles, Cultural Administrator, and Sue Castaneda, Public Information, both recently completed their first marathons. Needles ran in the Denver Marathon with approximately 9,000 other runners on October 18th in Denver while Castaneda ran in the Marine Corps Marathon with nearly 30,000 runners in Washington D.C. on the 25th. Both said it was definitely a worthwhile experience but are currently looking into signing up for a yoga class together.

Sara Needles Sue Castaneda

SPCR

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GREEN PAGE

A Pat on the Back, Goin’ Green and Savin’ the Green

Green Move Out GW wins the Washington Business Journal “Green Business Award” for innovation!http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/10/12/tidbits6.html

One of the many services the Archives offers is Photo Scans. If possible, we use e-mail to send the scans to customers. However, when there are multiple photos, we use CDs and mail the scanned images. To save the department, Cindy switched from using the Plastic CD cases (which cost $7.14 for a pack of 30 or approx. 29 cents each) to using the paper CD sleeve (which cost $7 for a box of 50 or 14 cents each).

Earlier this year Volume V of the Wyoming Blue Book was published. A new feature with this volume was to include a CD copy with the book. An added feature for the digitally minded new generation is, the previous 4 volumes were scanned and put in CD format. One thousand CDs of each volume were ordered.

These Blue Book CDs were shipped to us in paper CD sleeves. Suzi has made certain the sleeves are being saved so we can use them in mailing CDs. So we have the potential of 4,000 recyclable sleeves! This is a savings of $560 for the program. [(4000/50=80X7=560)]

Through an ongoing partnership (since 2004) with the Laramie County School District #1 Special Services Transition Program Cindy has a special needs student assembling the CD sets. This is at no cost to the department, and provides employment opportunities to the student. Here again saving the department/program money.

Congratulations to Dayna Wolter (daughter of Barb Wolter, Micrographics Technician in Archives) for helping with this successful event!

Remember moving-out day in college? All those dumpsters overflowing with old egg crates, crumpled posters and the endless boxes of all the other stuff college students didn’t feel like carting home for the summer.

To prevent those things from being part of the river of junk flowing into landfills, a team at The George Washington University figured out a way around that annual wasteful exodus: Instead of throwing away perfectly good items, give them to people who can use them.

The Green Move-Out program is a coordinated, joint effort of students, administration staff and businesses that concentrates on three areas.

First, the team organized donation boxes to collect See Dayna’s interview under the Media column on the right. continued ...

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GREEN PAGE CONTINUED

resident hall clothing, food and household goods, which were then channeled to groups like Bread for the City, So Others Might Eat, the National Children’s Center, the Capital Area Food Bank and animal shelters.

The second component focused on e-cycling, where students could drop off electronic devices at a central campus location.

The last piece was a book drive, for both textbooks and general interest books. Donation boxes were used to collect reading material for the Books for Africa program.

The concept itself was a simple one, but executing it was another matter.

When the Green Move-Out began, it was more of a nice idea than a methodically planned project. As a result, items wouldn’t actually get into the hands of people who could use them. There was either too much of a certain kind of thing for a small group with limited storage space to take on, or it just wasn’t something a group could use.

“You’d be surprised,” said Matt Trainum, committee co-chair and director of housing programs at GWU. “There are tons of places that don’t take ‘blank’ or ‘blank’ or ‘blank.’”

Help came in the form of adding some professional punch to the student efforts, Trainum says. The program reached a turning point when the university staff committed to get involved.

In addition, the team had learned that “there are complexities of doing good work,” Trainum says.

Without advance planning and troubleshooting, the main intention of the program — to reroute trash

from landfills to people who could use the items — was lost. Junk and donations suddenly co-mingled. There was stuff that didn’t have a good destination. For example, take linens. Each year, students give the heave-ho to pounds and pounds of bed linens. Yet very few homeless shelters are willing to take slept-on blankets and sheets. But surely someone could use good sheets and blankets, right?

Through lots of phone calls, the team uncovered the answer: animal shelters. Rescued dogs and cats need blankets to sleep on, and the pet shelters were more than happy to receive the blankets. It was a two-pronged victory, in fact, as the shelters also were happy to take cleaning products that otherwise would have been dumped down drains and into the watershed.

Over the years, project leaders have sought out and developed partnerships that have helped solve the complexities of execution.

When it came to execution, Moving Masters Inc., a company that handles many of the university’s moves, donated trucks, drivers and boxes to haul the donations.

After all the time spent thinking the process through, the 2009 numbers speak for themselves: 50,537 pounds of food, 2,179 pounds of furniture, 2,169 bags of clothing.

The program has become woven into the student and administrative fabric at GW. Trainum boils it down it to a simple philosophy: “Sustainability isn’t what we do, but it is the way we do things.”

Green Move Out GW wins the Washington Business Journal “Green Business Award” continued ...

WE WANT TO

ENCOURAGE

YOU AND YOUR

COLLEAGUES TO

BE “GREEN”.

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GREEN PAGE CONTINUED

This award will be given every three months to a deserving SPCR employee who has exhibited “green” behavior or who continually makes an effort to make us a more environmentally sustainable agency.

Nomination forms are available at http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/intranet/greenteam.htm and should be sent via e-mail to Lisa Koenig for consideration (no printed paper copies will be accepted).

The green committee will review all nominations at the end of every three months to determine who the most deserving recipient is.

If you know of a co-worker who deserves a little recognition for being conscientious about conservation in their attitude and in their practices, here is your chance to be sure they are acknowledged for their efforts.

Nominate them for the “BIG GREEN AWARD”!

WE WANT TO

ENCOURAGE

YOU AND YOUR

COLLEAGUES TO

BE “GREEN”.

Not only will the award winner make their co-workers green with envy, but they will also become the keeper of the “BIG GREEN TRAVELING TROPHY”.

Please submit your nominations no later than December 1st.