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…

In August 1977, Bob and June Heinbuch sold their 3.5 acres of land in East Jackson so that a low-cost senior citizen apartment complex and senior community center could be built. Their home sat on the east side of the property, and the remainder was used for a car wrecking yard.

Fulfillment is often found in becoming a part of something bigger. “Guys Who Give” includes a group of individuals who are a real team. They are a dynamic and inspired group of local men who are interested in making a meaningful impact right here in our community. They come from all walks of…

Last year during the pandemic the Senior Center of Jackson Hole held a writing contest. Becky Kimmel took third place. I think that you will enjoy reading her winning entry.

Nothing makes us happier than talking about our beloved pets — past and present. Here are some animal tales from people who love animals.

Resilience and civility are two words we have heard over and over in the past two years. Both are required to navigate the world.

Valentine’s Day is approaching. Each year at this time I write about the meeting, courtship and wedding of several local couples. It usually turns out to be one of my favorite columns of the year.

Libraries are the heart of communities, and ours is no exception. Even during the pandemic, Teton County Library found creative ways to stay open and serve our community.

Driving on Wyoming roads can be dangerous at any time of the year but winter seems to be the most treacherous. Here are more stories from Wyoming folks driving on Wyoming roads.

The North Face of the Grand Teton is among most challenging climbs in the world. It was first ascended in 1936, but the first mountain rescue there didn’t occur until August 1967.

State Sen. Affie Burnside Ellis, from Cheyenne, was born and raised in Jackson. She graduated from Jackson Hole High School in 1996. She is the first Native American and member of the Navajo Nation to serve in the Wyoming Senate.

This week Jacksonites reflect on the stories that had the greatest impact on them in 2021.

The Square was bustling when I “circled” it this week. Several folks that I ran into told me their favorite memory of 2021.

I received this story from my primary care physician, Dr. Glenn Burnett. With his permission I am sharing it because it fits the holiday season:

Little Free Libraries are a wonderful way of uniting the community and endorsing literacy. “Take a book; leave a book” is the motto of the non-profit LFL program. These exchange boxes are all unique in style but have a common purpose in the community.

My friend Mary Obringer sent me this article on kindness, which was written by her sister, Jane Lawther, who is a columnist for a small newspaper in Montana. The idea came from People magazine, the Kindness Issue, which ran on Nov. 8, 2021.

In the annals of time there is something to be said about tradition. When the late Bob Stewart was a young boy he saw a Christmas Tiny Town in Morrison, Colorado, and loved it. In 1960 that fond memory prompted him to make a display for the kids in Jackson Hole. Tiny Town was originally loca…

It’s important to keep the memory of Jackson old timers alive. They are the history of this valley. On social media, I asked the group “You Grew Up in Jackson Hole” to name an old timer and tell us what made them memorable. I received 86 reactions and 535 comments. Here are a few.

Joy and Stan Steiner came to Jackson in 1980. After 10 years they left but returned in 2014. Joy’s career was working as a free-lance storyteller in schools and libraries. She was also a preschool teacher. During the pandemic the Senior Center of Jackson Hole had an essay contest. Joy entere…

It is a special holiday. Veterans Day is perhaps the most important holiday our country observes. It is a day to remind us that our fighting men and women, past and present, deserve every American’s heartfelt gratitude.

Sandy Chapman celebrated her 90th birthday on Oct. 23 at the family ranch in Wilson. Sixty-five good friends and relatives were on hand to honor her, which included her three children, Neil, Scott and Kelly, and four of her grandchildren. There were also nephews from California and New Mexic…

I circled the square looking for Halloween stories. Some folks refused to talk about their pranks. Even though the pranks took place decades ago, they were still afraid of being arrested. Here are some adventures that locals and former locals were willing to share.

Here is another success story about a kid who was born and raised in Jackson Hole and found his way back home after graduating from college.

The beautiful outdoors, pristine wilderness, small Western towns — that is Wyoming. Here are a few facts about our wonderful state.

Oct. 31 marks 40 years since the Jackson Hole High School football team won its first state championship. The team was undefeated, 9-0, when it entered the field on that cold Halloween afternoon to play Newcastle. The football field was where Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation now sit…

Summers are always a busy time for Jackson Hole folks. I caught up with some of them to find out what special memories they have of this past summer.

In an effort to bring back memories of the past and also some trivia about the present, I have compiled these tidbits.

Life is full of coincidences. Most people have had “small world” experiences and are amazed at how events line up for them to have one of these experiences. Here are a couple of those so-called coincidences.

I circled the square and asked several locals to talk about their pet peeves. Here are their responses.

Clifford “C.A.” Poindexter recently had the best weekend ever. He celebrated his 85th birthday with his wife, Becky, and four daughters: Polly and her granddaughter, Quynn, from Billings, Montana; PD (Patrice Diane), also from Billings; Kelly, who lives in San Diego; and Hannah and her husba…

Jack Stark served as superintendent of Grand Teton National Park from 1979 to 1992, which made him the park’s longest-serving superintendent. He had a distinguished lifelong career in the National Park Service.