Tag: Wyoming Weddings

WYOMING LIBRARIES SNAPSHOT DAY

Posted on by wlmeditor

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine — www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore — www.wyovore.com

Our sister publication:  Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com

Wyoming’s libraries highlighted on Snapshot Day

 On Tuesday, Oct. 11 the state’s libraries will host Wyoming Snapshot Day, an event highlighting the importance of libraries to the state. More than 60 libraries will collect photos, comments and usage numbers to illustrate their impact every day of the year. Participating sites include public, school, special, community college and University of Wyoming libraries.

“Wyomingites love their libraries,” Susan Mark, Wyoming State Library statistics librarian said. “They use them to encourage their kids to read, to find a job, to further their education. Last year, circulation was well over 5 million. Wyoming public libraries alone typically have between 3 and 4 million visits and nearly a million computer uses a year. The typical school librarian sees every student in the building at least once a week.”

Many libraries will be taking pictures of their activities and asking patrons to fill out short survey forms and to provide comments. “Beyond the numbers, we really want people’s stories,” Mark said. “Whether it’s a child checking out a book for the first time, a high school student learning how to do research, or someone finding information on how to re-enter the workforce, we want to know how people are using our libraries.”

Wyoming residents can participate in Snapshot Day by visiting their local library and providing their comments. More information on the event, and a list of participating libraries may be found at http://wyomingsnapshot.weebly.com/.

Wyoming Snapshot Day is a project of the Wyoming State Library (WSL) and the Wyoming Library Association. For more information, contact Susan Mark, WSL statistics librarian at 307-777-5915 or susan.mark@wyo.gov.

Thank you to our fabulous Wyoming libraries and librarians who dedicate their time to enriching our lives in the Cowboy State!

‘Til Next Time…

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES & READ THE CURRENT ISSUES (also available in many WY public libraries!):

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore:  www.wyovore.com

Our sister publication:  Wyoming Weddings:  www.wyoweddings.com

Memorial Hospital of Converse County Receives Notoriety!

Posted on by wlmeditor

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore — for bookstores! www.wyovore.com

Our sister publication for Wyoming wedding inspiration:  www.wyoweddings.com

Congratulations to Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas on their recent commendation!

On September 28th, the National Rural Health Association announced Memorial Hospital of Converse County has been named among the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in America.  The Hospital Strength Index compares 56 different measures of performance to help identify those hospitals best prepared for success under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.  The index includes a unique set of measures rating market strength, value-based strength, and financial strength as key pillars for benchmarking and goal setting.  The index is designed to provide the 1,327 Critical Access Hospitals across the United States with balanced scorecards and comparable ratings of their performance.  Interim CEO Larry Schrage accepted the honor on behalf of the MHCC Board of Trusties and employees at the Wyoming Hospital Association’s Annual Conference held in Casper last week.

Congrats to the board and staff of Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas Wyoming!

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES & READ THE CURRENT ISSUES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore — our travel mag for bookstores:  www.wyovore.com

Our sister publication for Wyoming wedding inspiration:  www.wyoweddings.com

 

SNEAK PEEK — COWBOYS VS. HUSKERS

Posted on by wlmeditor

Link back to our website & read our current issues, or find our distribution locations & a local vendor!:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore:  www.wyovore.com

We enjoyed a VERY busy (and exhausting!) day at the Wyoming Cowboys v. Nebraska Cornhusker game Saturday, September 24. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and the crowd was EXHILARATING.  Levi and I served a little time as UW Cheerleaders ourselves, and we were excited to feel that rush of the crowd while on the field — sure brought back some great memories!  (I also found my old uniform for sale at the cheerleaders’  fundraiser tent — I had to snag it before it was gone forever!) Below are a few images from the day — and be sure to check out the link to our video of the drum line from UW’s Western Thunder Marching Band warming up — the whole band is awesome and we’ll have more footage coming, but we were really awed by the cool tricks the drum line had up their sleeves for us…

Western Thunder Marching Band drum line

Til Next Time…I’ve still got my crowd buzz from that energy…WOW…

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyel.com

Link back to our websites & read our current issues, or find our distribution locations & a local vendor!:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore:  www.wyovore.com

WY HUNTING & FISHING: “The Tug Is The Drug – It’s Streamer Time On The North Platte River”

Posted on by wlmeditor

Thanks to Platte River Fly Shop & Mark Boname Photography for our latest installment in our look at Wyoming hunting & fishing!


Fall is definitely known as “trophy trout time” on the North Platte River Tail Waters and it’s one of our favorite times to fish. Because of the heavy snow pack runoff, the North Platte has been high all summer and is finally starting to recede to its normal fall clear low levels.

Photo by Mark Boname Photography

Streamer fishing is probably our most favorite way to fish the North Platte because it produces so many large fish. As the river drops this fall, the lower flows will give fisherman access to classic runs, flat-water glides, and undercut banks that are typically obscured by higher flows during the summer. With this clear water most of the time you can actually see the fish come out of nowhere and eat your fly. Streamer fishing in general involves a little more casting than other methods but the reward is definitely there. It is truly something special when a big fish almost pulls the rod from your hand while attacking your fly on the retrieve.

It can also be said with reasonable confidence that fall on the North Platte offers anglers their best shot at a true trophy. Double digit browns as well as rainbows are caught every year in the fall. On these fall streamer trips you won’t catch as many fish as nymphing  in the spring and summer months but the size and quality will make up for it.

To streamer fish effectively you must cover a lot of water; so fishing from a boat is the most effective way to cover long sections of the river. However, those that wade can also do well by using a heavier sinking line. We recommend a 7 to 8 weight fly rod with a sink tip line for throwing big streamers all day.

Photo by Mark Boname Photography

Don’t forget to bring your dry fly rod and a box of small dry flies as well. Fall is one of the best dry fly fishing times of  the year. We have both a good Blue Wing Olive and Pseudo hatch along with some left over hoppers and caddis. Watch the banks as you float down river as these fish are feeding very quietly and half the time you have to see them to know they are there.

We hope you have a great successful fall fishing season and please don’t hesitate to visit our website at www.wyomingflyfishing.com, our Facebook page at North Platte River Fly Shop, or call the Platte River Fly Shop at 307-237-5997.

Article by the Platte River Fly Shop Guide Staff / Photography Mark Boname

Thanks Mark & Platte River Fly Shop for this column!  Happy fishing this fall season — the weather is still gorgeous, so be sure to get out there!

‘Til Next Time…I’m craving more outdoor activities while the weather’s so beautiful!

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES & FIND OUR CURRENT ISSUES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  Fall 2011 issue is UP online! www.wyolifestyle.com

Wyovore, our bookstore publication is out and circulating and UP online for digital subscriptions:  www.wyovore.com

Check out our wedding publication, for destination & local brides AND grooms in Wyoming!

www.wyomingweddingsonline.com

 

Bridal Expo Mania!!!

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Well, as is the case with most bridal expos, it snowed. However, we were able to travel easily, so it was okay! What. A. Weekend. Although it’s draining and busy, it’s arguably one of my favorite weekends of the year, business-wise!

We started with a quick trip to Rawlins for some business Thursday night. Met some great folks! Hit the road and headed to Rock Springs, where we had to have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants: Winger’s! We used to have one in Laramie, where I waited tables in college, and we MISS it! We had a great time there — brought back a lot of memories… 🙂 http://www.wingers.info/

We stayed at the Homewood Suites in Rock Springs, which is a co-sponsor for our Sweetwater County Bridal Expo along with First Comes Love Bridal in Rock Springs. WOW. Seriously. Christine Kronz and I discussed how we could quite possibly be content just making that our second residence. 🙂 The staff was so fun to work with, like always. GM Ginny and Sales Director Pam put on quite a show! We had to enjoy our favorite places (IHOP stacks of pancakes, for example), 🙂 but we tried a new place for lunch — Dickey’s Barbeque Pit! Holy COW they are GOOD! We were expecting Keith & Erin Turbitt in that night, so we didn’t eat a big lunch, since we DID have stacks of pancakes at IHOP for breakfast…had to keep our stomachs ready to go out that night… 🙂 We were informed by the staff that we were ‘going to be sorry’ we ordered one sandwich to split. And yup, they were pretty much 100% right on that. 🙂 GOOD. Yummers. Go there. It’s awesome!

http://www.dickeys.com/default.aspx

Before lunch, we went and visited Bernice, a dear friend from Facebook who lives in Rock Springs. It’s always so neat to get to meet people and put faces and voices with names. Bernice is a very dear lady, and a good friend, and we wished we could have spent more time visiting with her. We had a hiccup with vendor tables that I had to sort out Friday, and we had to keep working on that, so we cut our visit short. I was excited, though, to see her at our expo on Saturday, along with her husband David! What a treat to meet them both — and Bernice even got pictures so we can remember our visit! She is a VERY special lady.

First Comes Love’s super cool owner, Sonya, got to work setting up the staging, balloons, etc. with her hubby Kevin, and their amazing support staff of family and friends. Sonya & I were laughing at how easily things came together this year — even if we did have a hiccup in vendor tables. Part of the excitement! 🙂  They were super organized, so Keith & Erin, Levi & I went to Bitter Creek Brewery for dinner that night…

Bitter Creek Brewing is one of our must-eat places in Rock Springs. Levi really enjoys their brew pub burger, and I’m a classic burger gal. We discovered Keith will find ways to work their creative beer names into the conversation…which dissolved the entire table into laughter more than once. We had entirely TOO much fun!  Levi and Erin highly recommended the Sweetwater Wheat…and the Red Desert Ale too… YUM… http://www.bittercreekbrewing.com/BEER.html

The show Saturday was AWESOME! We had a fantastic turn-out, and great vendors — we are so blessed to work with such amazing people! The hotel was very accommodating, First Comes Love put on a fantastic fashion show, and we greatly enjoyed the event. We’re excited for next year! 🙂

The snow made its appearance as we packed up to leave. It never fails! We were going to take Keith & Erin to Winger’s, but we changed plans and hit the road with snacks to make sure we made it back to Laramie — we had to be in the Laramie Bridal Expo Sunday! We made it back late and drug our tired selves to Altitude in downtown Laramie. Levi & I really enjoy splitting the Garlic Chicken Pizza, and Erin liked the chicken fried steak…Keith had to tempt us with fried cheesecake, which was entirely too delicious. Levi’s favorite beer at Altitude is the 7200 Stout…yes, he has a favorite at all of Wyoming’s breweries. 🙂 Check Altitude out online! http://www.altitudechophouse.com/index.html

We were EXHAUSTED, but mustered up the energy for the Laramie Bridal Expo on Sunday. And of course, it revolved around food as well… 🙂 Yes, we enjoy eating! We introduced Keith & Erin to McAllister’s in Laramie — my absolute favorite there is the orange cranberry club sandwich, and Levi really digs the french dip…and the sweet tea. LOOOOTS of sweet tea. 🙂 Erin was wondering why we had never introduced her to McAllister’s before… 😉 http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/

The Laramie Bridal Expo was AWESOME as always!!! Lori at Dan D Party Corner puts on quite a show. Anne from Ludwig Photography is her co-sponsor, and Lori (surprisingly!) gave me a microphone for a SECOND time — one of these times she is going to learn! 🙂 I got to introduce Kelli Erickson, owner of Mountain Valley Bridal in Laramie, for the fashion shows, and announced door prizes… And discovered just how tricky some names can be…sorry to those names I butchered! We met a LOT of wonderful brides from all over Wyoming and the country — our wedding guide is sure making the rounds this season! We weren’t able to attend the Cody Expo, but David Huber Photography and Pre.Veil Events had them on hand — we heard they flew! Thanks guys! www.wyomingweddingsonline.com

Tonight, we’re tuckered out. But ready to hit the ground again tomorrow, because the printed copies of our newest issue are hitting the streets! Time for distribution trips — more eating — and more blogging! Best of all….more exploring Wyoming! 🙂

‘Til Next Time…I’m going to work off these calories I digested the last few days…(but they were worth it!)

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

www.wyolifestyle.com

www.wyomingweddingsonline.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/WLMTV?feature=mhum

Tips from the Road

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I have been on the road a LOT the past week. Since last Thursday, I have driven over 2000 miles. And we’re not done! We have traveled darn near every corner of the state repeatedly since we began our Wyoming Weddings guide in January 2009. Having grown up in Wyoming, we have spent years traveling the state to visit family, attend sporting events (as participants and coaches), with our volunteer organizations, for vacations, etc… But I have to say that we’ve learned the most about our state these past two years. Now that our 1st anniversary of Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine and 2nd anniversary of Wyoming Weddings is approaching, I thought it appropriate to highlight some of the tips and memories I have accumulated…

I have learned that when speaking in front of people, I need to remember one word: EXHALE. I tend to inhale, inhale, inhale, until I’m speaking fast and about to hyperventilate!

I have learned which public bathrooms throughout the state do not offer paper towels for opening the door to the bathroom as I leave. Yes, I’m one of those. I am a health care worker who is a germaphobe and a mother — bad combination. 🙂

Speaking of bathrooms, I have discovered that there is a gas station and general store combination in Pinedale that has the most beautiful bathroom. Yes, my travels revolve around places to eat, get gas, find cell phone service, and bathrooms. Modern day survival tools! 🙂

I will forever think of setting up the Rock Springs Bridal Show when I eat Domino’s Pizza. Combine a whole stack of pizzas, beer, a stage and balloon arch to assemble… The boys had too much fun making things out of balloons and we enjoyed ourselves far too much. Can’t wait for the next time! It also ALWAYS snows either before or after the show. Always!

Speaking of Rock Springs, I am hopeless when it come to navigating Rock Springs and Green River. I get lost in Downtown Rock Springs EVERY time I am there! Yesterday was no exception — I got lost in Rock Springs AND Green River AGAIN! Someone, I need a map!

For the Rawlins show, it was again storming. We left early with Keith & Erin Turbitt and crawled through the storm to get to Rawlins. There was a very sweet desk clerk at the Hampton Inn who has an accent — it’s a New York accent I think — that I cannot understand. He kept making jokes and laughing at me and I was clueless — Erin had to translate. 🙂

There are some Wyoming terms that you just don’t get wrong. I knew for years that Popo Agie is NOT pronounced ‘Po-Po Agee”, and ESPECIALLY not “Poo Poo Agee”! However, this year I was informed that Devils Tower does NOT have an apostrophe in it. To the dismay of English teachers everywhere. 🙂

In Wheatland, the Best Western has the sweetest desk clerk. He remembers my name, where I’m from, what we do and all of the places I’ve been to recently each time I go in. It’s pretty impressive! I need him to remind ME what I’m doing sometimes… 🙂

I have learned that there are many scenic places I drive through that cause me to say “WOW….” every time. Doesn’t matter if I just drove through that area two hours ago. I say WOW again.

I have learned where the sulfur pockets are throughout the state. Just saying. 🙂

This year was the first time I witnessed the Evanston Roundhouse. WOW! That is one impressive structure!

I learned that Tim Harland of Snake River Brewery eats fried bologna and ketchup sandwiches. My lunch was abruptly ended when I learned that fact. 🙂

I met Patrick Zimmerer in person by surprise when we were having dinner at The Bunkhouse in Torrington — and of course he had lots of Table Mountain Vineyards wine on hand at his table! He’s a good guy — and The Bunkhouse is one of many great restaurants in Torrington!

I have learned that Matt Mead does not mind two obnoxious youngsters who are bent on showing me that they are not going to always behave at a business event. Bless him for being so patient. 🙂

I have learned that Leslie Petersen has a terrific memory for people, places and conversations. She remembered a great deal about our interview the next time I saw her — what a classy lady!

I have learned that I can run four miles instead of two in Torrington — talk about good workouts! I may have to drive to Torrington regularly just to work out! 🙂

I have (slowly) begun to understand the one way streets in Casper and Cheyenne. Kind of.

When I see a Maverick store, I will always think ‘Linda Mccoul’. 🙂

I have learned that wearing my tall platform heels two days in a row to business events will give me a case of plantar fasciitis. However, one day on, one day off and one day on again will not…even though Levi warns me I’m tempting fate on that one…

When a special guest appears at an event, be careful introducing them at the podium. They may just have left early…. Hmmm, does anyone have a joke to fill that moment?! 🙂

And most importantly perhaps… I have learned that no matter who you talk to in Wyoming, they know someone, somewhere, that you also know… Without fail. EVERYONE is connected. Everyone!

Till next time, I’m going to keep gathering those memories and little lessons learned. Last night, as I saw the lights of Laramie ahead, I realized that entire state of Wyoming is ‘home’ to us. And that’s a pretty good feeling.

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

www.wyolifestyle.com