Wilson, WY’s Answer to the Winter Doldrums – by Liberty Lausterer

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Liberty Lausterer, our guest blogger, is back with another look at life in Wyoming from a new resident’s eyes. We greatly appreciate learning what our state looks & learns like to someone new – always keeps the perspective fresh!

 

Wilson, Wyoming’s Answer to the Winter Doldrums

by Liberty Lausterer

As a newcomer to Wyoming I have paid close attention when someone tells me what they do to make it through these long, cold winter months. The advice has been wide and varied: take up a winter sport, learn a new hobby like knitting, take full advantage of your Netflix membership, read those books that have been on your list for eons, and be sure to take a trip to a warmer climate in April or May (a.k.a. “Get the hell out of Dodge.”). This is great advice but you may have noticed that many of these and other winter activities are solitary ones. In a sparsely populated state that is beset by hostile weather for much of the year, how does one keep from growing lonely and isolated? Where do you go in subzero temperatures to connect with other people?

Wilson, Wyoming’s answer to the winter doldrums is the Stagecoach Bar. Over the past seventy years the Stagecoach Bar has been that rare place where people from all walks of life are brought together by music and dancing. It’s the place people could stay connected to each other through snow and ice, despite frigid temps and unrelenting winds. On any given Sunday evening one can see wranglers, hippies, bikers, cowboys, ski bums, millionaires, dudes, and curmudgeons on the dance floor together. The story of how a bar became the glue that holds together an unlikely mix of people has been told by filmmaker Jennifer Tennican in her documentary “The Stagecoach Bar: An American Crossroads.”

If you are interested to learn how the history of a bar could mirror the history of an entire region (Jackson Hole) and become a powerful unifying force, Tennican’s film is worth watching. But, more importantly, if you long for an experience of authentic community in your neck of the woods, then this film will provide inspiration and a reason to head to your local watering hole.

Tennican’s documentary will be screened at the Center for the Arts in Jackson on March 14th and the WYO Theater in Sheridan on May 24th.  It will also air on Wyoming PBS in May, and on dozens of other PBS stations across the country.

MADE IN WYOMING: Strasser Log Furniture

We are thrilled to team with the Wyoming Business Council to feature a Wyoming First business every week on our blog! Wyoming First is a program that promotes Wyoming member businesses. Visit their website (click here) to learn more about this service — and if you are a Wyoming business who’s not a member, be sure to inquire about membership! There are many benefits!

This week we are featuring Strasser Log Furniture of Cheyenne

Mike Strasser, Strasser Log Furniture 10121 Branding Iron Cheyenne, WY 82009   307-349-9741   strasserfurniture@yahoo.com www.strasserlogfurniture.com

Strasser Log Furniture is a family owned and operated furniture, crafts and gift workshop in Cheyenne. Mike Strasser started looking for log furniture sites and magazines featuring log furniture and decided he could build it himself. In 2009 he began making log furniture as a hobby. It has since become a growing business in which he builds beautiful, high quality, handcrafted products made from Wyoming Pine at an affordable price. Mike’s goal is to be building log furniture full time when he retires from his career in the Wyoming Army National Guard.

Each log is hand peeled, hand sanded, and then dried into a custom creation here in Cheyenne. Hand peeling helps preserve the pine’s beautiful grain, rustic knots and unique color variation. Because the logs are dried naturally they may feature worm tracking, cracks and checks, which add to the natural beauty of the wood and also gives each piece its own character. All orders for Strasser Log Furniture are custom orders.

Mike is looking for retail shops to sell his work at this time. Mike is a native Wyoming citizen. His parents and grandparents were in the timber industry, and Mike has kept that tradition alive with Strasser Log Furniture. Instead of harvesting timber for communities, Mike harvests trees for the household by putting log furniture in the price range that Wyoming residents can afford. Strasser Log Furniture products vary from coasters, candles, pet beds, full size beds, bunk beds, end tables, book shelves and custom military awards. Cost range from $10 to $1500. Contact Strasser Log Furniture directly via phone, email and their website regarding questions and to discuss orders.

Valentine’s Day Fun in WY – Singing Flowers in Laramie, Wintry Fun in Green River…

Laramie’s Fresh Flower Fantasy Brings Harmony to V-Day

In Laramie and looking for something fun & unique for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day? Fresh Flower Fantasy offers singing valentines! Have your beautiful roses or other flowers delivered by some very talented musicians – and you can even name your tune! Delivery charges are tiered, from the non-musical variety to a selection from the list below…or add your own for just a little extra! Details — call 307-742-7616!
A list of the selections you can choose…or name your tune for just a little extra: 
“1, 2, 3, 4” by the Plain White T’s — “It Only Takes a Moment” from the musical Hello, Dolly — “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz — “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars — “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri — “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain — “Mine” by Taylor Swift — “Lucky” by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz (duet only) — “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” duet originally by Elvis — Duets or solos available, unless marked otherwise!
 

Green River — 2014 Crystal Classic Winter Festival Offers Wintry Fun, Food & Heat for the Whole Family! Say wha?! Read on for more…

Be sure to check our the Crystal Classic Winter Festival in Green River, where you can enjoy fun of the chilly — and hot — variety… Confused? Here’s a list of what you can enjoy:  ice carving competitions — Snow Boot Softball Tourney – 5K Walk/Run — fireworks at Expedition Island — ice bar — Ice Cube Hunt — soup cook off & s’mores stations — live music to heat you up… just to name a few activities! Check out the Sweetwater County Tourism website for a full schedule of events – and head to Green River to get your winter adventure on!