Dec. 3, 1983, was supposed to be our day, the day Jean and I had set for the wedding ceremony in Jackson. Instead, Mother Nature laughed at our puny human plans and said, “Watch this.”
Neil Rafferty constructed a rope tow from an oil rig cable salvaged from Casper in 1939 on Snow King Mountain. Skiers attached themselves with leather girths and metal bars. In those days the Ski Club had six members. They were the only people who could ski downhill without killing themselve…
Dan Thomasma died on Jan. 13. He was a beloved member of our community. Last Father’s Day his daughter Melissa paid tribute to him in this column. To honor his memory, I am running that column again.
Roy Garton got his start in acting while growing up in Jackson Hole. He was cast as an extra in the TV series “The Monroes.” From there followed an appearance on the television series “Then Came Bronson.” One of the most popular television programs to be shot in Roy’s hometown was the pilot …
It was around Labor Day in 1957 when Ann and Ben Ruehr camped at a spot known as the “Gros Ventre Primitive Campground,” located one-third of a mile south of Gros Ventre Junction, just to the west of Highway 89. This campground was listed as the only camping option in that area. The camping …
I asked Jacksonites to reflect on local news stories of 2022 that had the greatest impact on them personally. Here is what they shared.
When I asked folks to talk about their best or worst New Year’s Eve in Jackson Hole, I was thinking I would hear stories about wild partying at the Cowboy, Rancher, Virginian or The Wort.
As the year 2022 draws to a close, I asked several valley residents to tell us their favorite memories of the past year.
Of all the old-timers that I met while working at the Jackson Hole Senior Center, I would have to say that Bob Kranenberg was rated among the top as being most unforgettable. He had an even disposition and was so generous with his time. He was a great handyman and was so good to help many wi…
This is a continuation of Rod Newcomb’s story of attempts for passive avalanche protection for the Glory Bowl avalanche path on Teton Pass. Sometime during the night of Jan. 21-22, 1969, during a storm, a large avalanche released from Glory Bowl and ran full track, removing all the water and…
Rod Newcomb founded the American Avalanche Institute in 1974. He has taught avalanche courses all over the country. He was honored by the American Avalanche Association in 2004. He was once the owner and guide at Exum. Rod is 89 years old and is still active in the field. Here he writes the …
A few years ago Pope Francis stated that the most influential people in society are actually the normal folks, through their everyday kind gestures. He called such people “the artisans of the common good.” Small deeds express love for our community. I looked around our community and found th…
It wasn’t on my bucket list. I didn’t want to go. I was kicking and screaming all the way to the airport.
I know that Halloween has come and gone. Even though I am a couple of weeks late, I want to share this scary story sent to me by J.R. Herzberg. He tells us about a house that was haunted after murders occurred in the house in Teton County in 1969.
The general election is less than a week away. There are two candidates running for House District 22: independent Bob Strobel and Republican Andrew Byron. I am also including Teton County Commission candidate Wes Gardner in this interview. See othe commission candidates’ answers in the Oct.…
Election day is less than two weeks away. This week the spotlight is on three candidates who are running for the Wyoming Senate District 17: Republican Steve Duerr, Democrat Mike Gierau, and Libertarian Amanda Padilla.
This week’s questions are directed at three County Commission candidates: Democrat Luther Propst, an incumbent, and Republicans Tom Segerstrom and Kasey Mateosky.
This week my series of interviews with candidates continues with Republican Paul Vogelheim and Democrat Liz Storer, who are running for State House District 23, and Republican, Jim McCollum, who is running for District 16.
This is an election year for several key government offices. I have asked the candidates questions so that we can get to know them on a more personal level. This column will continue until all candidates running with opposition have a chance to answer. Not all have responded. Early voting be…
I asked readers for law enforcement stories from days gone by. Many times the stories mentioned former Jackson police officer Loyd Laker. He began his long career in 1968 and retired in the early 2000s. He was a Wyoming native, born in Star Valley. When he was drafted into the United States …
The board and management of Pioneer Homestead Apartments hosted an outdoor barbecue for their residents last week. Fifty guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Bubba’s Bar-B-Que.
This week I feature Q&A with two more Jackson Town Council candidates, Arne Jorgensen and Devon Viehman so voters can get to know them. The general election is Nov. 8. Early voting has already begun.
Josiah “Si” Ferrin came to Jackson in 1893 and staked a claim in 1907 on Buffalo Bench land. Eventually he owned 3,629 acres called the Elk Ranch. Si was known as the “cattle king of Wyoming.” The ranch is now part of Grand Teton National Park. Si had 14 children, and not one descendent live…
Lawmakers are scheduled to consider five draft trespass-related bills in mid-September, including measures that would criminalize aerial photography of prisons, flying drones “into the immediate reaches” of airspace over private property and crossing private property to collect antlers on pu…
With Labor Day just around the corner, I thought it fitting to ask a few locals about their careers — what life was like for them before retirement.
Ann Smith and her family moved to Jackson Hole in 1981, as her husband was hired at Grand Teton National Park. Her two sons, Greg (aka Tyler) and Tucker, were leaving for college. In the summers they worked for Barker Ewing float trips. The boys moved away, but six years ago Greg was diagnos…
Rod Newcomb has great stories and he is always willing the share. Here he tells us how Dick’s Ditch got its name.
“You make life sweeter!” That was the theme of the Teton County Library staff and Book Nook volunteers’ appreciation event held recently at the library. (The Alta library staff will have a separate appreciation event.) Hosted by the Friends of Teton County Library board of directors, the sta…
Kate Budge loves riding and everything about horses. I caught up with her at the Teton County Fair, where she had just finished a competition at the 4-H Horse Show and was on her way to another one.
This is a brief history of the Jackson Hole Ski Corporation, which was written and generously given to me by Rod Newcomb. Long-timers of Jackson Hole will recognize the names of the people who made the resort a reality.
Jackson Hole native Byron Tomingas sent me this interesting story:
My dear mother, Ruth Hartzell Trout, passed away last Thursday at Sage Living. Her heart stopped while she was sleeping. She was almost 99 years old and had been suffering from dementia for the last three years. There are few events in life as hard as losing a parent.
Animal welfare specialist Rebecca Tinnes, better known as Cupcake, a midwest animal-loving farm girl, came to Jackson Hole to explore and find a free Western lifestyle in 1988. In 2004 she had the vision to create the Animal Adoption Center. She has written a book, “Take Me Home,” which take…
Teton Theater opened its doors in 1941 and closed in 2015. Almost everyone who grew up in Jackson Hole has good memories of the theater. Hand Fire Pizza now sits at that location. Many people shared memories of their time spent in this theater. First dates, first kiss, fights in the back, sm…
A few weeks ago I wrote about former sheriffs who served Teton County. I mentioned all but the last four who served, including Matt Carr, who is our current sheriff. Here is a brief history of those sheriffs.
Dan Thomasma has paid tribute to his parents through this column. Father’s Day is this Sunday. In honor of that, Dan’s daughter, Melissa, writes this about him.
McCrae Chambers is an enthusiastic and smart 7-year-old. This week he welcomes us into his inner world by answering some questions. Interviewing kids is certainly eye-opening.
In last week’s Circling the Square column I mentioned that John Stark will become the next president/CEO for the University of Wyoming Foundation, effective July 1. It was so nice of him to answer some questions.
“The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son Private Glenn M. Hartzell was killed in action on 30 September in Italy.”
When I retired almost 15 years ago my dream was to purchase a small travel trailer so that I could hike and explore the public lands in Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. The dream became a reality and now we are on our second trailer, having totally worn out the first one. We are usually…
When Bob Shervin built Shervin’s Independent Oil and Automotive Center in 1982, many said that the business would never survive because it was too far from town.
The very best gift a mother can give her child is love and comfort. That has been the key to all things great and good since the beginning of time. In honor of Mother’s Day, a couple of locals talk about their mothers.
Wind and snow are a fact of life in Wyoming. It is the windiest state in America and has the highest average elevation, but still, we appreciate everyday of our life living in wonderful Wyoming. Here is your Wyoming history lesson.
Here is a brief history of the Teton County Sheriff’s Office.
Everyone has had them ... embarrassing moments. Here are some that local and former local folks were willing to share.
Connie is on vacation in the desert. The following is one of her most popular columns, which ran June 21, 2017.
Connie is on vacation in the desert. Following is one of her most popular columns, which ran May 7, 2018.
Jackson Hole natives have unique connections to their hometown. Most reflect with happiness on the memories made here. It is so disheartening when kids who were born and raised in Jackson Hole cannot find a way to have a future here. It is also sad when long-timers can no longer afford to li…
Commented