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updateVolume 3, Issue 1 March 2009

STATE PArkS

Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources

ARTS. PARKS.HIS Y.

Wyoming Kids Xtreme Fire & Ice Festival

continued ...

The Division of State Parks Historic Sites & Trails held its first “Fire & Ice Festival” on Friday and Saturday, January 23 and 24, with a resounding success. It’s estimated that more than 500 people attended the event, most of them families. Everyone was having so much fun that many of them stayed for the full duration of the event. Chris McNeil had a line all morning on Saturday and counted at least 175 waiting to try the ATV simulator. The State Museum reported walk-in traffic of more than 200 during the three hours on Saturday.

Many employees made this “Wyoming Kids Xtreme” Kids in the Outdoors initiative kick-off event possible. Thanks to their efforts, we accomplished the main goal – every kid who attended spent time doing fun and educational activities outdoors.

Ice sculpting by Dazzling Ice Sculptures Chris McNeil and event participants

Terry Lee making snow

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STATE PArkS conTinuEd

Wyoming Kids Xtreme Fire & Ice Festival continued ...

Big Horn Sheep sculpture sponsored by Senator Bruce Burns

Mabel Jones helps with the igloo made from man-made snow

Paul Gritten gets in on the fun

Gary Schoene assists with the gamesL - R: Susan Wells, Julie Huntley, Bob Wilson, Bill Canfieldset off the cannon

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STATE PArkS conTinuEd

Big Horn Sheep visit the Lower Wind River campground on a daily basis this time of year at Boysen State Park.

Ice fishing near North and South Muddy campgrounds on Boysen Reservoir.

Boysen State Park

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STATE PArkS conTinuEdnew EmployeesRegina Curry began working as an Administrative Specialist in the Support Services area for the Division of State Parks and Historic Sites, in October 2008. Regina received a degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and started her career working for the Federal government in Arizona. Regina has previously worked for the State of Wyoming at the Department of Administration and Information and the Department of Revenue. Regina and her husband Kevin have a daughter, Brice age 7. They all enjoy the Snowy Range Mountains and the Grand Tetons!

Kathy LaCroix is the new AWEC Field Staff Support. In the late 90s, she worked for the Division of Workers’ Safety and Compensation. So, she is familiar with the minutiae of state employment. Her background also includes several years as a paralegal in family law and a decade in the mortgage credit business. She has three children and one grandchild. She and her husband, Sean, are both Cheyenne natives.

Volunteer Kenneth Gould decorating one of seven trees at Trail End, part of the Annual Holiday Open House.

Celebrating the Holiday at Trail End

Nearly 900 people attended the Holiday Open House at Trail End in Sheridan. An annual tradition for nearly 25 years, the Open House featured holiday music, decorations and treats, as well as the first-ever showing of twelve historic quilts from the site’s collection.

STATE HiSToric SiTES

Wondering About Wyoming Wyoming State Trails and Channel 13 have completed and aired 10 episodes of “Wondering About Wyoming.” Some of the links are listed below:

Summit - Lincoln Head/Joy Monument/Lincoln Highway http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/andrew+schenkal#watch%3Dv6268339bqwYggAb

Wyoming Territorial Prison http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/travel/watch/v6268459xg3mH97T#

Wyoming Aviation/Cheyenne Airport

Guernsey State Park

Curt Gowdy State Park http://www.veoh.com/collection/wyomingparks/watch/v1334269BgT7qTsH#

Fort Fred Steele http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/travel/watch/v12067108SmECSyHf#

Fort Bridger http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/andrew+schenkal#watch%3Dv14086656n5PERbrc

Point of Rock Stage Station

Granger Stage Station

Historic Governors’ Mansion http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/andrew+schenkal#watch%3Dv11996804r6KyrEh4

Walcott Sheep Barn http://www.veoh.com/search/videos/q/andrew+schenkal#watch%3Dv759143922C3xw8f

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STATE HiSToric SiTES conTinuEd

Renovations at the Carrisa MineA 57-foot-tall and 450-foot-long head frame and trestle reconstruction project was done of the one built at the Carissa in 1929. First wooden head frame in the state of Wyoming in over 80 years. The head frame and trestle project was a joint effort between Abandoned Mine Lands Division of the DEQ and the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails.

Carissa Mine VandalismOn or around February 8, the Carissa Mine near South Pass City State Historic Site sustained significant damage from vandals who broke windows, forced access to the underground working of the mine and damaged property at the historic site. Property damages are estimated at more than $10,000.

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dirEcTor’S cornEr

Dear Arts Parks & History employees,

Welcome to the new installment of the department newsletter! This is that heady time of year when we work directly with our elected representatives to help craft new laws for the benefit and improvement of our great state. This year is, of course, the “long” general session and there are several bills being considered that either directly or indirectly impact our agency. Nearest and dearest to me are the bills addressing the top priority interim topic of cultural tourism. We worked long and hard with the good members of the TRWCR committee for over a year to help craft legislation that would finally help us fulfill the potential of this huge niche market. Of course, it’s a different ballgame under the golden dome given these difficult economic times and it has already shaped up to be a very interesting session in which we have already “won some and lost some”.

In the “lost some” column, a bill to expand the 1% for art in public buildings statute has failed and a bill that would have established a new agency program to grant funds for the establishment of cultural heritage areas or corridors throughout the state has been indefinitely postponed. In the “won some” column is a bill to create a $1 million matching account for private gifts to state parks and cultural resources has passed the house. Another extremely significant bill, Senate File 14, that would appropriate state funds to invest in maintenance, development and interpretation of our state owned historic sites has passed the senate with a big “hair cut” - down from $14 million to $1 million (which, under the circumstances, is still firmly in the “win” column). Be on the lookout for the final “legislative tracking” update that you’ll receive when the session is over in early March.

Switching gears to look at agency activities, I’ve often said that it is difficult to choose among the many great programs and projects in this diverse

agency, but I’m particularly excited about three developments. First, we are very close to finalizing a new volunteer handbook that reflects a carefully considered effort to put volunteer recruitment and retention on the “front burner” for our agency. The volunteer strategic plan committee has worked extremely hard and I’m confident their effort will bear great fruit for us all by expanding citizen involvement, ownership and support for our agency and its programs. Second, I’m excited about the new “green team” and their efforts to identify and propose ways that we can do our part to be better stewards of our natural (not to mention material and financial) resources. Conservation is a founding principle of the national and state parks movement and we will be recognized leaders in this area.

Third, we have successfully launched our “Wyoming Kids Xtreme” kids in the outdoors initiative! The inaugural “Fire & Ice” event last month on the Barrett building grounds was a smash hit and I’m extremely excited about all of the doors this initiative will open for us as we “ramp up” in terms of new, mutually beneficial partnerships with federal and state agency partners and other public and private stakeholders, as well as the intensified public awareness, support and buy-in for our department that I know will flow from this effort.

I hope you all continue to find your work with this department rewarding and that you are finding ways to accomplish great things. As “Fire & Ice” demonstrated in spades, our success is a direct result of the enthusiasm, energy and passion you bring to your work and your pride in showcasing all of the wonderful things we have to offer!

With appreciation,

Milward Simpson, Director

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STATE HiSToric PrESErVATion oFFicE

Living Upstairs in WyomingGetting Residential Space Back in Use Sheridan, Wyoming

Wyoming History DayWyoming History Day is a program affiliated with National History Day in which students develop historical research projects associated with an annual theme. Students in grades six through twelve create a project and compete with their peers in one of the following categories: historical papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances, or websites. There are two divisions: Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior (grades 9-12). Students can participate as a team, which is comprised of up to five students, or as individuals. Students from public schools, private schools, and home schools all participate, competing first at the local or district level, and advancing to state and national levels. Through their involvement in Wyoming History Day, students learn essential research, critical thinking, and communication skills that they can apply in all aspects of their lives.

The Wyoming State Historical Society is partnering with the Cultural Resources Department to produce instructional videos for teachers, students, and parents to create awareness and interest in the Wyoming History Day program. Dean Petersen, videographer for the State Parks and Cultural Resources Department, has been tracking the progress of students as they develop their projects based on the 2009 Annual Theme: The Individual in History. With permission, students are taped and interviewed as they foster their ideas, conduct research, and create their projects. Dean is also obtaining interviews from principals, teachers and veteran History Day participants to elicit the benefits of the program. The 2009 Wyoming State History Day competition will be held in Laramie, Wyoming at the American Heritage Center and the University of Wyoming Student Union on April 20th.

LUNAThe State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Wyoming State Archives are working to image all current and historic photographs in their collections. The SHPO office is working to make available on-line all photographs taken in association with the National Register program. Many of these photographs were taken by present and former SHPO staff members and represent some of the most important historic resources in Wyoming. Ashley Rooney, SHPO intern, is working to scan and document the collection into a customized software package developed by Luna Imaging, Inc. (http://www.lunaimaging.com). LUNA is an online database that allows for sharing of, and access to high-resolution images and their corresponding data. State agencies, schools, libraries, and the general public can access these digitized images for personal or professional use. LUNA is a great tool for research and public education because anyone can access the database from anywhere at any time. LUNA is also being utilized by the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.

Bath Ranch

This workshop will explore the reuse of the upper floors of downtown commercial buildings as residences.

May 11-12, 2009Best Western Sheridan CenterWorkshop: No Registration FeeRSVP: Ashley Rooney by May 1, aroone@state.wy.us307-777-7566 for workshop registration and agenda

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STATE ArcHiVES

The Wyoming “Blue Books,” a comprehensive guide to the state’s history from pre-territorial days to 2007, is offered to the public from the offices of the Wyoming State Archives.

The recently completed Volume V, is now available

for the first time and chronicles Wyoming’s history from 1990 through 2007.

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,

Wyoming Blue Books

Words of Wyoming GovernorsEver wonder what some of our former governors had to say about Wyoming? The Wyoming State Archives provides both the audio and transcripts of in-depth interviews with former Wyoming Governors Simpson, Hansen, Hathaway and Herschler. The interviews were conducted by John Hinckley, political science professor at Northwest College in Powell, in 1977.

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

biographies of elected officials, election results, legislation, historical articles, information on government agencies, historical photographs and much more.

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

The five-volume set can be purchased as a CD for $35. Please call for availability.

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.

The Wyoming Chapter of ARMA International is conducting an all day seminar on March 11, 2009 in Cheyenne, Wyoming on the "Digital Haystack, Spoliation & Legal Holds as seen through a Mock Deposition and Mock Trial." The speaker is John Isaza, a California-based attorney and author, who is one of the country's foremost experts on electronic discovery. John has an International Records and Information Management (RIM) consulting practice.

This seminar has been pre-approved for:CMC Recertification/MMC points by IIMC - 3 CMCCRM Credit - 6 CMP's CLE Credits - 6 For more information and to view the seminar brochure with registration information, click on the link below. http://armawyoming.org/2009SeminarBrochure.pdf

Digital Haystack, Spoliation & Legal Holds as seen through a Mock Deposition and Mock Trial

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LETTErS From our miLiTAry

Letter from Maj. Nicole McAdams, USMCKabul, Afghanistan2-5-2009

Hello, It’s hard to believe this is my seventh week in Afghanistan. Work has been very busy with nearly ‘round-the-clock operations requiring logistics and supply chain management analysis and support. You may have heard news reports about the U.S. expansion (troop plus-up) in southern Afghanistan – for logisticians that equates to analysis for all the supplies that sustain those forces: all the life support, equipment, construction/infrastructure supplies, fuel, food, etc.; how those supplies arrive in theater in support of the troops – ahead of the troops. In the CJ4 shop (Combined [NATO, U.S., Canada, + 40 other countries] Joint [U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force] 4 [Logistics]), we juggle the troop expansion strategic puzzle with daily negotiations with the various Afghan Ministries (Finance, Commerce, Foreign Affairs) and supplies sub-contractors to ensure goods (mainly fuel) pass freely at the Afghanistan border crossing points (BCP). Managing the issue of goods passing without bribes and customs fraud, key supply bridges being blown up by insurgents, and ensuring its route security has required travel to the BCPs for on-site

negotiations and the odd dinner here and there with the Afghan Border Police Commanding General. While on these trips, the group stays at FOBs (forward operating bases), usually U.S.-run, but we’ve also stayed at German- and Danish-run FOBs. The FOBs really are forward - in the military sense of the word: on the tip of the spear. Most are heavily reinforced and fortified, yet still very vulnerable to mortar attacks and IEDs. The men and women living at the FOBs are incredible individuals who endure austere conditions while maintaining the most positive attitudes. The trips to the borders have been phenomenal opportunities to interact with locals and view this country from their perspective. From the aerial photos you can see it has amazing relief to it that at times is reminiscent of 29 Palms, California and other times the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In Kabul, some days the temperature is around zero, other days it’s in the 40s. I’m told we have not had much snow this winter compared to last year when the temps were in the negative 10s and 20s. I know I am very fortunate to have a warm place to sleep and hot food and I think about this every day when I reflect on the folks living out at the FOBs. Several weeks ago as I was walking toward the base front gate to leave for the airport, a car bomb (known as a SVBIED [suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device]) detonated about 2 km down the street in front of Camp Eggers destroying the façade of the German Embassy and killing several people. The reverberation the blast caused was surreal; I had never felt a blast so close before, but I immediately and instinctively understood that it was a bad thing, not a drill and not a car backfiring or a firecracker. Our base siren went off and we locked down for about 30 minutes, after which the all-clear was given. Interestingly, we proceeded to go about our day: I was picked up at the front gate and went to the airport; others went to work or the gym. For a long time, black smoke seeped from Camp Eggers as they cleaned up the debris.

When you've got a loved one in the military, there nothing like a letter home. We thought we'd share these with you.

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Things come around full circle. While in Kandahar I participated in a Ramp Ceremony to pay my respects to a service member recently killed in action. The Ramp Ceremony was conducted for Sgt Johnson, USMC who was being returned to his family, first through Ramstein, then to Dover, DE. I say full circle because in my first email from Kuwait I mentioned I was on a C-17, strapped in and ready to fly to Afghanistan when we were told to disembark, that the plane was being rerouted to Kandahar to receive human remains. At the time I remember feeling frustrated that I couldn’t get to my destination to start work and start making a difference. Later I reflected back on it and was disappointed in myself for feeling that way, given the circumstances of why we were being bumped off the flight. The Ramp Ceremony was incredibly moving. While the attendees were all service members, many of whom were Marines paying their respects to Sgt Johnson on his journey home, it was difficult to find anyone who wasn’t affected. The service members of Kandahar Air Field were formed up at the back ramp of the C-17 on the flight line; the Marines were formed up in a separate company. The chaplain said a prayer and told us a little about Sgt Johnson: his contributions to country and Corps and a description of his valor during his ultimate sacrifice. The U.S. Ensign-draped casket was carried by Sgt Johnson’s peers aboard the C-17 and we saluted the National Ensign and Sgt Johnson as it went past. The casket was followed up the ramp into the C-17 cargo bay by Sgt Johnson’s unit Commanding Officer and Sergeant Major. Taps was played. The ramp hatch closed. Last night the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps visited Camp Eggers (which houses a larger contingent of Marines than ISAF) on his tour of the theater. It was good to see him as I used to know him many years ago when he was the CO of MAG-31 and I worked for MajGen Ryan at II MAW. Go Steelers!V/r,Nicole

LETTErS From our miLiTAry conTinuEd

Letter from CPL Sean CastanedaSenegal, Africa

".....They told me a few days ago to plan a rifle shoot off the back of the ship for Marines on the 22nd. I've never planned a range shoot let alone ran the shooting range so it was all a big new experience especially having to do it off a ship and all the bureaucracy to go with it and everything went perfect. The Navy officer weapons instructors said that they never would have known that it was my first time running a range until they were told so.

We also had a couple APS staff (Africa partnership station...kind of a big deal. (Google it.) shoot with us and they loved it so much they were like "hey can you do this again for some of the foreigner APS staff?" We said sure so we did that today. We had admirals and colonels and majors and French and Canadians, Brazilians and Germans and a British naval captain and officers from all of the countries we're going to shooting and even the Comodore (just below admiral) came down and they all loved it. Haha our officers were like "this is just some of the things we are going to be presenting to these nations" and of course everyone was like 'yes we love you Marines'...I said "I know." We tried to hook up some of the crew aboard too like the barber and the sailors that are really helping us Marines out and it just made their day. They don't get to shoot all the time so it was nothing but smiling faces. Big learning experience for me!

CPL Sean P. Castaneda \USMC EMBARKED

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STATE TrAiLS

Chris McNeil, Trails Safety and Education coordinator, for the Wyoming Trails Program has received the State-of-the-Art Technology Award from American Trails for an ATV simulator that he designed and built.

American Trails, a nonprofit trails advocacy organization, recognizes trails professionals from throughout the country through the National Trails Awards Program. The awards were presented during the 19th Trails Symposium recently held in Little Rock, Ark.

In presenting the State-of-the-Art Technology Award to McNeil, American Trails commended him on Wyoming’s ATV simulator, “a mechanical device that

American Trails State-of-the-Art Technology Award

hydraulically simulates angular movements of All-Terrain Vehicles traveling uphill, downhill, traversing hills left and right, cornering, or a combination of movements.”

During 2007, McNeil spoke with more than 1,200 students at six schools and traveled to 15 special events, including fairs and expos. In all, McNeil presented his message to more than 3,200 children and adults providing them with an opportunity to feel the movement, angular forces while learning proper riding skills in a safe environment.

To schedule McNeil’s ATV safety program at your school or event, please call 307-335-8747.

Chris McNeil instructing students on safety through the use of his ATV simulator.

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Left: Betsy Bradley, SHPO, Robin Everett and Lisa Olson, Archives helped as bartenders for a pre-reception for award winners and sponsors at the Governors Residence before the Governors Arts Awards on Friday the 13th.

ArTS counciL

Diane Springford, Lander

Governor’s Arts Awards

Richard and Tami Davis, Tandem Productions, Sheridan

Jerry Palen, Saratoga

The Park County Arts Council, Cody

Governor Dave Freudenthal and First Lady Nancy recognize the recipients of the 27th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards.

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Wyoming LincoLn BicEnTEnniAL commiSSion

Wyoming celebrated the 200th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with a series of events at the State Capitol and State Museum on February 12. This celebration included a history lecture featuring Dr. Cheryl Wells of the University of Wyoming. Dr. Wells is an associate professor of U.S. Civil War History, Old South and African American history. John Voehl, a well-known portrayer of President Lincoln also performed. In 2007, Governor Dave Freudenthal appointed 14 Wyoming residents to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. The purpose of the group is to engage Wyomingites in the celebration of Lincoln and his ideals of freedom, democracy and equal opportunity. Lincoln’s connection to the West and Wyoming spans from his signing of the Pacific Railway Act, which brought the Union Pacific through southern Wyoming, to the fact that Congress considered naming the Wyoming Territory for him. “As an historian, I knew something about Lincoln, but I didn’t know until I started researching for this project that Lincoln had a mighty impact on the West,” Mark Junge, a member of the Wyoming Lincoln Bicentennial Commission said. “The Commission wanted to educate people about the influence that Lincoln had upon the State of Wyoming.” The Commission has also created a series of “Lincoln Minutes” detailing the President’s impact on Wyoming. These audio productions can be heard at artsparkshistory.com. Click on “Lincoln Bicentennial.” In addition to Junge, the other members of the Commission are: Ann Redman, Kara Hahn, Michell Howard, Marirose Morris, Kathleen Urban and Supreme Court Justice Barton Voigt of Cheyenne; Tom Collins, Rick Ewig and Mike Massie of Laramie; Melvin Hamilton of Casper; David Kathka of Rock Springs; Linda Fabian of Wheatland; and Ken Roberts of Kemmerer.

President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday

John Voehl, portrayer of President Lincoln, performing at the State Museum.

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STATE muSEum

A Night at the MuseumHalloween scavenger hunt at the State Museum

Robin Everett as Elinore Pruitt Stewart John Goodell as a frontier surgoen

Linda Thyfault as Nellie Tayloe Ross

Suzi Taylor as Alice Barber

Zack Puls as Jim Backer Dick Hart as Teddy Roosevelt

Bill Westerfield as Nathaniel Boswell

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STATE muSEum conTinuEd

Moving the Packard Padded boxed and wrapped artifacts waiting to be moved

The Museum Moves to "New Digs"

PuBLic inFormATion

Congratulations to Gary Schoene and our public information office staff on the recognition they received during the recent Wyoming Press Association Convention.

The SPCR PIO was presented with a second place news writing award in the "three releases on a single

Wyoming Press Association Awardtopic" category for a series of press releases on last year's Poetry Out Loud competition. In presenting the awards, the judges commented that the Poetry Out Loud competition was "an interesting story which was covered by many local newspapers. This is just what the news release is for in helping local newspapers get the word out about unique events."

SPcr

new Employees Christie Christensen joined our team in December as the administrative assistant for the Cultural Resources and Parks Division administrators, Sara Needles and Domenic Bravo.

For the past nine years, Christie has been working with Game and Fish as the Policy and Development Secretary in the Director's Office. She is married and has three grown sons, two miniature Dachshunds, and has lived in Cheyenne for the past 23 years. Christie's hobbies include fishing, camping and reading.