ON THE CALENDAR: October 26, 2012

VISIT OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

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ROCK SPRINGS:  ROCK SPRINGS MAIN STREET HALLOWEEN STROLL

The Rock Springs Main Street Halloween Stroll will be held OCTOBER 27, from 11 A – 2 P, beginning at the Rock Springs Historical Museum downtown. There are even more merchants particpating this year, and RS Main Street is looking forward to a bigger and better stroll!! A great event for the family — click here for more info! 

LARAMIE:  GHOST TOURS OF LARAMIE CITY — WYOMING TERRITORIAL PRISON

Ghost Tours of Laramie City, “Terror Behind Stone Walls”  runs October 26, 27 and 31. This tour is a two-part tour, and will last approximately an hour and a half. The tour starts off at the Territorial Prison, where thrill seekers will be led through a section of the park by a menacing character. After that, a hayride will wind though Downtown Laramie. Guests will hear the ghostly stories of the Gem City and see local historical haunts. After that, guests will return to the prison via hayride and finish up the tour in the penitentiary.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for children ages 7-12 (not recommended for children under 7). There are six tours a night starting at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30. Payment in full is required in making your reservations. Time slots fill up fast so please call or come down to the Territorial Prison to reserve tickets ahead of time. Click here for more information.

LARAMIE:  HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LARAMIE’S SCARAMIE TRICK-OR-TREAT EVENT

The Laramie Main Street Alliance presents the annual Scaramie event — a fun time for families in Downtown Laramie! Lots & LOTS of candy, a city fire truck parked in front of the Laramie Main Street office at 207 Grand Ave. for kids to explore, as well as carnival style games in the First Street Plaza at First & Grand Ave. coordinated by the LHS Choice Kids program. The Gem City Grand (Albany County Transportation Authority) will also be parked downtown at the First Street Plaza and will be handing out candy from their decorated bus. 10 A – 12 P on October 27!  Click here for more!

CHEYENNE:  GHOST TOURS!

From October 26-28 (6 and 7:30 PM), the Cheyenne Street Railway has partnered with the Paranormal Hunting Observation Group to investigate local hauntings. They’re presenting their observations on this year’s Ghost Tours! “These 90-min tours illuminate the spirits of who once inhabited the vasst prairie and our wild west town,” the Visit Cheyenne website says. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children — reservations are REQUIRED. Tickets are on sale at the Depot, W. 15th St. and Capitol Ave., or by calling 307-778-3133 with a credit/debit card. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.  Click here for more information.

CHEYENNE:  PARAMOUNT CAFE PRESENTS…

CASPER:  NATRONA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HAUNTED MANSION

October 26 (5 P – 7 P; 9 P – 12 P), and October 27 (7 P – 12 P), the NCHS haunted mansion fundraiser helps raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Admission is $5 but with a donation of one non-perishable food item, admission is discounted to $4. More info:  http://www.casperwyoming.info/events.php

 

CASPER:  CASPER REC CENTER’S FALL FESTIVAL

October 27 (6 P -8 P), head to the Casper Recreation Center for carnival games, inflatables, a costume parade and other spook-tacular activities! Candy & Prizes will be awarded at the games; refreshments will be available. FREE event for kiddos 12 & under and their parents; sponsored by the Community Recreation Foundation.  http://www.casperwyoming.info/events.php

 

EVANSTON:  HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE!

On October 26 (2 P – 4 P), children ages 2-8 years old are invited to the Bear River State Park Visitor Center for fun-filled Halloween activities! There will be games, activities, pumpkin picking decorating for all. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED — register at the rec center. Parent supervision is required. Pumpkins are donated by Wal-Mart.

RIVERTON:  CENTRAL WY COLLEGE’S HALLOWEEN TRAIL OF TERROR

On October 26 & 27 on campus in Riverton, the CWC Theater Department & Student Activities hosts the Halloween Trail of Terror, guided tours of outdoor campus haunts. From 7-10 PM, this scary, family-friendly event is free, but donations to breast cancer awareness will be appreciated.

Sponsored by the CWC Theater Department and Student Activities, guided tours of outdoor campus haunts are provided by theater students Rustin Burr and Zedikiah Mills from 7-10 p.m. on both evenings. Click here for more info!

SHOSHONI: SHOSHONI HAUNTED HOUSE

On October 31st, the popular Shoshoni Haunted House is held at the Shoshoni Senior Center basement from 7 – 9 PM. Cost if $3/person, $2/person wiht a canned food item donation. With three months’ worth of work going into the event by the Shoshoni Recreation Department staff, you won’t want to miss this popular event!

GILLETTE: HAUNTED HOUSE AT HANDS ON POTTERY

A free haunted house will be held at Hands On Pottery, 110 W. 4th St., on October 26 & 27 from 6-7 PM. The event, geared toward smaller children, will be free, with treat bags FOR ALL WHO SURVIVE!!!!! Muuuhahahaha!! (OK, that’s what they said.) 🙂 “We will be closing the store early each night for the haunted house. Please come by and enjoy in the fun!” they add. For more information check out their Facebook page.

STORY:  HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL

Head to the Halloween Carnival in Story on Friday, October 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 P at Story Elementary School, 103 Fish Hatchery Road. Carnival games, fortune teller, cake walk, prizes, costume contest, haunted house! Free admission, including free chili dogs. For more information, call Ramona at (307) 752-5004 or the Story school at (307) 683-2316.

SHERIDAN: HOLY NIGHT “FRIGHT NIGHT” HAUNTED HOUSE

Friday, October 26, and Saturday, October 27, 7:30 – 10:30 P at Holy Name Catholic School, 121 S. Connor. Enjoy this haunted house adventure, recommended for ages 8 and up. $5/person. For more information, call Holy Name Catholic School at 307-672-2021.

SHERIDAN: SHERIDAN JAYCEES DOWNTOWN HALLOWEEN PARADE

Saturday, October 27, from 2 – 3:30 P. Meet on Grinnell Plaza in Historic Downtown Sheridan. The Sheridan Jaycees will be taking the kids trick or treating to the downtown businesses. Be sure to wear your costume – and maybe get a prize in the costume contest too! Bring your own bucket or bag (or something even bigger!) For more information, contact Jarod Martin at 307-751-5738.

SHERIDAN:  PET-O-WEEN

The 12th Annual Pet Costume Contest kicks off at the Kendrick Park Band Shell, and runs from 11 A – 12:30 P. Bring your costumed pet and
compete for prizes in three categories — Scariest, Most Creative, and Funniest. Treats for all entries. Entry fee is $5/pet, with proceeds to benefit the Dog & Cat Shelter. Also enter the raffle for many other prizes. Music and fun for the whole family. Bring dog or cat food, which will be shared with people who are struggling to afford feeding their pets. For more information, call the Shelter at (307) 674-7694 or Kandy DeTavernier at (307) 763-1146.

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ON THE CALENDAR: August 24

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & FIND THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

OUR SISTER PUBLICATIONS:  Wyoming Weddings www.wyoweddings.com  Wyovore www.wyovore.com  WYO XY http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html  The Wyoming Woman http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

A few items on the calendar for the last little hurrah of August and looking into September…

image from www.artcorewy.com

CASPER:  CELTIC CULTURAL EXHIBITION & IRISH DANCE FESTIVAL AUGUST 24-25

The Irish Dance Association of Central Wyoming will host an evening of Irish culture, featuring Celtic musicians from the Casper area and performances by Anne Ellis Donovan, world qualifier and championship Irish dancer. Selected dancers from the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance will also perform. Donovan has performed for many years at the Dublin, Ohio, Irish Festival, one of the top Irish Festivals in the US. The next day, the Irish Dance Association will host a feis – an Irish dance competition – the first “Cowboy State Feis.” For more info, including times, location, ticket prices and more — visit http://www.casperwyoming.info/specevent.php?id=9230.

LARAMIE:  WYOMING BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 2

Presented by the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming College of Business, the level one seminar is a valuable opportunity for business education. Contact Cyndi Garretson-Weibel for more information:  cyndi.weibel@wyo.gov.

CHEYENNE:  WYOMING BROADBAND SUMMIT OCTOBER 23

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis, the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services invite you to the Wyoming Broadband Summit at the Little America Hotel and Convention Center in Cheyenne Oct. 23, 2012. Join the effort to address broadband expansion, adoption, innovation and opportunities to build a faster, connected future for Wyoming. For more information, contact Troy Babbitt, Enterprise Broadband Coordinator, Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services, at 307.777.5648 or email troy.babbitt@wyo.gov

 

image by Travis Klingler

SUNDANCE:  BEAR LODGE MTN CLASSIC, SEPTEMBER 16

Check out the website for schedule and lots of info on this annual fun event put on by the Sundance Chain Gang Mountain Bike Association! 

image by Paul Anderson, Sundance Trail Run

SUNDANCE:  SUNDANCE TRAIL RUN, SEPTEMBER 22

Check out the website for schedule and lots of info on this annual run, an ultra distance event included in the popular Black Hills Trail Running series.

image by Linnea Kimble, Snowy Range Music Festival

LARAMIE:  SNOWY RANGE MUSIC FESTIVAL, LABOR DAY WEEKEND

With names like Huey Lewis & The News, Blinddog Smokin’ and Macy Gray, the Snowy Range Music Festival is gearing up to be another epic event! This annual festival has enjoyed regular growth and a HUGE response from locals and music fanatics nationwide. Head over to the Albany County Fairgrounds for a spectacular event! More info on the website  — click here!

image from www.landerartcenter.com

LANDER: LANDER ART CENTER OKTOBERFEST October 7

From 5-9:30 PM at the Museum of the American West (Red Barn and Schoolhouse), enjoy music and lots of fun! Tickets $10, kids 12 & under are free.  Click here!

image from www.bdar.org

CHEYENNE:  INK FOR ANIMALS, September 8

Original tattoo designs at TRIBE tattoo in Cheyenne, with proceeds to benefit Black Dog Animal Rescue. Noon to 8PM. Walk-in only, first come, first serve. Visit www.bdar.org for more details.

image by University of Wyoming Photo Service

COWBOY FOOTBALL IS ALMOST HERE!!!

With kickoff coming up September 8, Wyoming is gearing up for some Cowboy Football action! Check out their schedule for more info — GO WYO!!! http://www.wyomingathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/wyo-m-footbl-body.html

DOWNTOWN LARAMIE:  COWBOY FOOTBALL KICKOFF, SEPTEMBER 8:  Check out the Laramie Main Street website for more info — get your spirit on for the Pokes!

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ON THE CALENDAR: August 17, 2012

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

OUR SISTER PUBLICATIONS:  Wyovore — www.wyovore.com  Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com  WYO XY — http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html The Wyoming Woman — http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

image from www.cheyenneribfest.com

CHEYENNE: RIB FEST AUGUST 17-19

The annual Cheyenne Kiwanis Rib Fest is a highly anticipated event! A ‘best rib’ competition joins live music, fun for the kiddos and a car show — all at the historic Train Depot in downtown Cheyenne! http://cheyenneribfest.com/

 

CHEYENNE: ARTS CHEYENNE’S INAUGURAL 17TH ST ART FESTIVAL, AUGUST 17 & 18

Check out this inaugural art event, held at the 17th St. Dineen Plaza in historic downtown Cheyenne! http://artscheyenne.com/blog/latest-news/17th-street-art-festival-call-for-art-display-booth-at-the-festival/

 

DOUGLAS: WYOMING STATE FAIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY THROUGH AUGUST 19

The State Fair this year is going to be an even more awesome event, as Wyoming celebrates its 100th fair! Click here to check out the website for more information — parades, rodeo, concerts, carnival, exhibitors, LOTS of fun for the whole family!

DOUGLAS: WYOMING MUSTANG DAYS THROUGH AUGUST 18 — Check out the website for more information! http://friendsofalegacy.org/?page_id=1304

 

CENTENNIAL: UPTON BREAKDOWN AUGUST 18, 4-8 PM

Uptown Breakdown in Centennial on Saturday- free festival at the Beartree, starts at 4 pm! http://www.centenniallibrary.net/calendar.html

 

image from www.casperwyofiddleclub.com

CASPER: REGIONAL FIDDLE CHAMPIONSHIP, MUSIC FEST, ART & CRAFT SHOW/SALE: AUGUST 17-19, YELLOWSTONE GARAGE

The festival includes the 22nd Annual Rocky Mountain Regional Fiddle Championships, and the 1st Annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale. The festival begins Friday evening around 8pm with an informal ice-breaker jam session as musicians and fans arrive. Arts & Crafts opens along with the music competition, which includes numerous nationally certified fiddle categories, including guitar, variety instrument, female and male vocals. All music is acoustic, traditional old time style bluegrass or country.  http://www.casperwyoming.info/events.php

 

image provided by Nancy Brizuela

CURT GOWDY:  ANTELOPE DASH, AUGUST 25

The third annual Antelope Dash–a Race to Benefit the Nature Conservancy in Wyoming, will be on Saturday, August 25th, 2012, at Curt Gowdy State Park, in between Cheyenne and Laramie. There will be 4-mile or 8-mile options which participants can walk, jog, run, or race. Post-race pancake brunch by the Laramie Kiwanis, souvenir running socks for participants. To register or for more information, please see website at: www.theantleopedash.org

JACKSON:  CALDERA FESTIVAL, AUGUST 17 & 18

The inaugural Caldera Festival is a fusion of art, music, and fashion, showcasing the unique culture of Jackson, Wyoming – a place unlike any in the world. The two day festival will utilize the 550 seat theater and 55,000 square foot lawn of the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson to welcome Terra:Textile on Friday evening and an outdoor concert featuring musician Andrew Bird on Saturday night. See The Mountain Pulse for more info:  http://www.themountainpulse.com/2012/08/caldera-festival-preview/

LARAMIE:  OLD LARAMIE CITY BROTHEL TOUR , AUGUST 24, 5:30-6:30

This tour will emphasize how prostitution facilitated the economic growth and development of Laramie City. The tour will begin at the 1st Street Plaza, move east to Grand News Stand (the site of the Grover Institute—Christy Grover’s elaborate Victorian brothel), then move north along the front street architecture (specifically designed to facilitate retail businesses on the ground level, with the small side entrances, leading to staircases for brothels on the second floor level). The tour will end at Second Story Books for a good look at the original brothel rooms, now used in the bookstore.  Social, cultural, and health issues surrounding the economics of prostitution will be discussed, as well as the tax revenue gleaned from the industry.Note: This tour is NOT appropriate for children 12 and under.  http://www.laramiemainstreet.org/Events.html 

WORLAND:  PEPSI WYOMING BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS AUGUST 17 & 18

Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, this 8th annual BBQ/Bluegrass Festival includes 30+ BBQ cookers which come to compete for this year’s prizes totaling over $6975! Also includes a brew fest this year! http://www.wyo-bbq-bluegrass.com/

 

Snake River Brewery at the Steinley Cup www.whofish.org.

SARATOGA: STEINLEY CUP MICROBREW FEST AUGUST 18

“Come for the Beer… Stay for the Bull”  Held on Veteran’s Island in Saratoga, Wyoming the microbrewery competition brings together the top professional microbreweries in Wyoming in search of the coveted Saratoga Steinley Cup traveling trophy and is Wyoming’s original and only official microbrewery competition. Live music and great eats complete the event. Stick around for the Saratoga Bullfest, a bull riders-only event at Buck Springs Saturday evening. The cost is $20 per person. Attendees will receive a mug and ballots to vote for People’s Choice.  http://www.saratogachamber.info/

 

GREEN RIVER:  ARTS ON THE GREEN AUGUST 17 & 18

Come enjoy this annual art loving event, including sculpture and drawing, a kid’s event and lots more! Held in conjunction with the River Festival, hosted by the Green River Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.cityofgreenriver.org.

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ON THE CALENDAR — JULY 19, 2012

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE: www.wyolifestyle.com

Our Sister Publications:  Wyoming Weddings — www.wyoweddings.com  Wyovore — www.wyovore.com  WYO XY — http://www.wyolifestyle.com/WYOXY/index.html The Wyoming Woman — http://www.thewyomingwoman.com/

A look at all the action coming up this weekend — into next week — some even TODAY, July 19 — across Wyoming… 

SHERIDAN 3RD THURSDAY — TONIGHT!!!! JULY 19, 5 PM

Sheridan’s 3rd Thrusday Fest for July is about to kick off! Music, fun and FOOD — including the Blue Ribbon Rib-Eye Cook-Off! Click here for more information!

www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com

UPTON FUN DAYS — JULY 20-22

Lane Todd Goldhammer Memorial 5K…parade…Joe Hayne Memorial Golf Tourney…kid’s rodeo…music at the park…bbq… LOTS of fun to be had in Upton July 20-22! http://uptonwyo.com/home/

RIVERTON RENDEZVOUS BALLOON RALLY — JULY 20-22

This exciting annual event takes place the 3rd weekend of July annually! The 20th Annual Rocky Mountain Rebels Car & Bike Show takes place July 20, with Friday Night Cruise from 6:30 – 9:30 PM! The Buffalo Tracks Running Club’s 5K will take place Sunday, July 21 at 8 AM — the run takes place on the Wind River Reservation, and is open to participants of all ages. More info — click here!

THE WRANGLER CLASSIC 2012, RIVERTON — JULY 19-22

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the The Wrangler Horse & Rodeo News (published in Riverton), the event will be hosted at the Wind River Casino.  Check out this article  by www.county10.com for lots of information:  http://county10.com/2012/07/17/wrangler-classic-coming-up-this-week-in-riverton/

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS — JULY 20 – 29

The Daddy of ‘Em All is about to kick off! Enjoy parades, pancake breakfasts, exhibitions, concerts, and of course….RODEO!!! It’s an event that brings thousands to Southeast Wyoming annually — and definitely one not to miss! http://www.cfdrodeo.com/home/ 

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RODEO, ROCK SPRINGS & GREEN RIVER — JULY 15-21

Southwest Wyoming has been flooded by visitors as thousands flock to Rock Springs and Green River for the National High School Rodeo! Festivities culminate this weekend, but there’s still action to be had. Kudos to the Southwest Wyoming communities, businesses and Sweetwater Events Complex for one heck of a job well done! http://www.sweetwaterevents.com/WebPage119.aspx

CROOK COUNTY FAIR & RODEO, SUNDANCE & HULETT — JULY 21 – 29

Head over to Sundance for the Crook County Fair & Rodeo! Sheepdog Trials happen July 23; A horse show will be held Saturday, July 21 at the Hulett Arena at 8:30 AM. Fair events kick off on July 25 and run through July 29! Click here for schedule.

EVANSTON BREW FEST — JULY 21

Evanston’s annual Brew Fest is a GREAT time! The fest runs from 12-5 PM — 22 breweries represented (14 on site!) and 60 different brews available for tasting! The fest takes place on Historic Main Street in beautiful Evanston — definitely worth the trip!

CASPER — WILD WEST EGGFEST BBQ AT PORTER’S — JULY 21

Awesome BBQ to be had at Porter’s in Casper, 11 AM – 4 PM!

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Chabad Jewish Center of WY Celebrates Passover

LINK TO OUR WEBSITE & READ THE CURRENT ISSUE:  www.wyolifestyle.com

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Thank you to Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming for sharing this information on Passover! Happy Easter and Passover to our friends across Wyoming — Passover begins on April 6 and is celebrated through April 14.

Passover, The Universal Holiday of Freedom

by Howard Goldstein, Jackson, Wyoming
Passover –Pesach in Hebrew– has an interesting distinction. It is not the holiest day of the Jewish calendar—a superlative reserved for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement— and it is not the most well-known; most likely, this is Chanukah, a festival that’s modern tradition of gift exchange and temporal proximity to Christmas has resulted in it being the closest thing to a “culturally mainstreamed” Jewish holiday. Despite Passover being neither the most “important religious” holiday nor the one most seemingly accessible to modernity, the central activity of Passover—the Seder— is, in one form or another, the single most widely practiced ritual among Jews worldwide. Like any group of people, individual Jews run the gamut of philosophical convictions from atheism to orthodoxy, with innumerable varying degrees of observance by those in between. Yet regardless of level of personal observance, more of the world’s Jewish population will participate in some form of a Seder than will fast on Yom Kippur, light candles on Chanukah, attend Friday night or Saturday morning Sabbath services, or perform any daily religious ritual. What is it about Passover that makes it the most universally imbedded holiday within worldwide Jewish consciousness?

One possible reason is the story of Passover itself. One does not need to be observant or believing Jew—or even a Jew at all— to appreciate the Torah’s account of the events surrounding Passover. The story of a great spiritual hero chosen by the Omnipresent One to challenge an evil and seemingly invincible tyrant in a (successful) quest to free his people from hundreds of years of slavery and lead them to their great destiny in the Promised Land must surely rank as one of the great epic tales of human history, regardless of whether one regards it as historical fact or allegorical legend. The themes of hope in the face of crushing oppression, deliverance of the innocent from the hands of the cruel, and the ultimate victory of freedom over slavery are universal and indeed has inspired the world beyond the Jewish people; Dante’s description of  penitent souls working their way to redemption with allusions to the Hebrews’ song of thanksgiving to God at the Exodus in Purgatorio; American revolutionaries frequent equation of the colonies with the Children of Israel and Great Britain with Egypt (and especially, King George with Pharaoh) in separationist literature; movie mogul C.B. DeMille production of The Ten Commandments, a film which ranks as the fifth highest grossing movie in the United States of all time (when adjusted for inflation) are but a few examples.

Yet this does not fully explain why world Jewry observes the Seder more than any other Jewish ritual. While the themes of hope and freedom present in the Passover story apply to all humanity, only Jews commemorate Passover with an outlined ritual—the Seder—composed of 15 steps including the retelling of the Exodus story, holiday specific prayers, and once a year ritual foods laid out on a special plate. Of course, how much one’s Seder conforms to Jewish religious law varies with the beliefs and inclinations of individuals, but this is the whole point: as the most widely practiced ritual, many Jews who may not perform a single other Jewish ritual all year will participate in this one; even the most intentionally non-religious Seder, not performed to meet religious law and consisting of little more ritualization than a family meal in which matzah is also on the table, is still willing participation and acknowledgement in a specifically Jewish observance.

And that may be the reason. For Jews, Passover is not only the Festival of Freedom, but the origin story of Jewish peoplehood. While the first Jew, Abraham, lived before the events of Passover, it is in the Exodus in which Jews go from a single family line (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Sarah, Rebekkah, Rachel, and Leah) to a nationality; to a group of people. It is in the Passover story that descendants of the last Patriarch Jacob have become a numerous people organized into 12 tribes; that this people is recognized as distinct by another established nation and persecuted; that the collective suffering comes to end when God appoints Moses to lead his people to freedom; and that this exodus concludes with this people’s acceptance and reception of the Torah, the laws upon which Judaism is defined. More Jews participate in Passover more than any other holiday because, for all its many themes and meanings (too numerous and too complex to discuss in this article), Passover is also essentially the holiday that celebrates simply being Jewish.

On April 6, 2012, the world’s orthodox Jewish population will observe [the first night of] Passover, as indeed, they observe all of the holidays and rituals of Judaism, and Jews of innumerable variations in beliefs and lifestyles will participate in innumerable variations of traditional Passover observances, but the most astonishing of this number will be those with little or no religious beliefs at all, who yet will attend some form of a Passover Seder. A person who defines themselves as both a Jew and an atheist may not believe in God or divine authorship of religion, but they do believe in the reality and existence of Jews, and many of these people will attend a Seder precisely because acknowledging Passover, in essence, is acknowledging being part of the Jewish people. Passover is a time for any Jew of any description to reconnect with simply being a Jew.

Passover recipe from www.JewishWyoming.com/passover

Serves 6–8

olive oil
6 green peppers, sliced
4–5 lbs. short ribs
1 large onion, diced small
1 cup dry or semi-dry white wine
3 t. water
3 t. sugar
1 t. potato starch

Method:

Saute the green peppers in oil until they are soft. Remove them from the pot and refrigerate. Add a little oil to the pot and brown the meat on both sides over a medium flame. Reduce the flame, add the onion, and sauté. Add the water and wine to the ribs. Cover and simmer the meat for 8–9 hours, checking and basting it occasionally. Remove the ribs from the pot, reserving the juices. In a small bowl, mix 1 t. water, the sugar, and the potato starch until smooth. Combine this with the reserved juices and heat, stirring, until thick. Add the green peppers to the liquid and then return the meat to the pot. Simmer.

TIP:

Do not cut meat pieces too small as they shrink in cooking, and will therefore dry out much.

About Passover

Passover, beginning this year on the eve of Friday night, April 6, until after nightfall on Saturday, April 14, recalls the Jewish People’s miraculous redemption by G-d from Egyptian slavery more than 3,300 years ago. Directed by G-d to leave hastily, the nation of a few million could not even wait for their dough to rise and ate unleavened bread. To commemorate this miraculous exodus, Jews abstain from eating — or even owning or benefiting from — any leavened substance during the eight days of Passover. On the first two nights (in Israel: only the first night) of the holiday a Seder (literally: Order) is held to commemorate the liberation from Egypt. Seder rituals include eating Matzah, four cups of wine, bitter herbs (to recall the pain of the Egyptian enslavement), and recounting the exodus story.

To learn more about Passover, make reservations for the Jackson Hole Community Seder led by Rabbi Zalman and Mrs. Raizy Mendelsohn or for further information, please contact the Chabad Jewish Center at 307-462-0847 or visit www.JewishWyoming.com/passover.

About Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming

Simply put, Chabad’s mission is to reach out to others with acts of goodness and kindness. We’re a community-based nonprofit organization whose efforts are rooted in traditional Jewish values — and many of our programs help the needy regardless of background or belief.

Chabad Rabbi Zalman and Mrs. Raizy Mendelsohn came to serve the Jewish community of Wyoming in 2007 and now run a network of nonsectarian educational and social services. Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve been able to educate, comfort, and give hope to countless people in need.

Chabad of Wyoming is part of the largest Jewish organization in the world, with over 3,700 branches spanning the globe. Chabad embraces a philosophy of study, meditation, and social outreach that combines rigorous academics with proactive community involvement. Our rapidly growing array of educational, cultural and social services programs has made us one of the most dynamic forces in modern Jewish life. “Chabad” is a Hebrew acronym for “Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge.” Founded in 1772 by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Chabad promotes the mystical, traditional, legal and social principles of the Torah — while using modern methods and technology for education, community outreach, youth programs, crisis intervention, and other social services.

Chabad has consistently been at the forefront of Jewish education and community activism. The work of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Chabad Rebbe of blessed memory who assumed leadership of the movement in 1950, is legendary. Motivated by a profound love for humanity and spurred by boundless optimism, the Rebbe lifted the global Jewish community from the ashes of the Holocaust and launched an unprecedented range of Jewish institutions, outreach programs and social services.

Today, more than 4,600 of the Rebbe’s emissaries and a workforce of more than 20,000 continue and expand the Rebbe’s mission to create a world of goodness, kindness and G–dliness, as Chabad constantly innovates new approaches in educational, social and community services throughout the world.

  • In 1995, the Chabad Rebbe of blessed memory was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously, an honor bestowed to only 100 Americans since Thomas Jefferson, for “outstanding and lasting contributions toward improvements in world education, morality, and acts of charity.”
  • Since 1994, Chabad has nearly doubled in size to over 3,700 branches around the world; in 2007, more than 100 new Chabad centers were established.
  • In 2007, Rabbi Zalman and Mrs. Raizy Mendelsohn, together with the encouragement of local and statewide supporters, came to Jackson Hole to establish the Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming.
  • On Friday, April 6, 2012 the Chabad Jewish Center will host its fourth annual elaborate Community Passover Seder. On all major Jewish Holidays including Passover, the Chabad Jewish Center distributes packages of food and holiday supplies to needy families across the State of Wyoming.
Thanks again to Chabad Jewish Center of Wyoming for sharing this information — Happy Passover to our Wyoming Jewish friends, and Happy Easter to our Wyoming Christian friends — and many blessings for peace in this spring season!
Til Next Time,
Kati Hime, Editor
editor@wyolifestyle.com

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On the Calendar: Art & Adventure

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click on the photo above to connect with the Lander Brew Fest!

LARAMIE — THE GRYPHON THEATER AT THE LARAMIE PLAINS CIVIC CENTER:  Screen Door Porch  RatTrapper

Seader Rose & Aaron Davis, Screen Door Porch

“All my years are gone, faded one by one, washed into the grain,” professes Seadar Rose in the opening lines of “Wrong the Right,” the lead track on Screen Door Porch’s self-titled debut album. Check out Screen Door Porch from Jackson, named NPR’s Best of Wyoming! Friday 4/13  Doors: 6:30 PM / Show: 7:30 PM

CHEYENNE — Art, Design & Dine kicks off the season in April 

Check out Art, Design & Dine’s Season Opener, April 12 from 5 – 8 PM  See the map for locations! Contact artsygeorgia@yahoo.com or call 229-546-5183 with questions!

FT. LARAMIE — Historical Fiction Writing Contest Announced

Dust off that old typewriter or fire-up that slick, new iPad® because the Fort Laramie Historical Association would like to invite you to create a short piece of historical fiction for our writing contest. Your story needs to be as historically accurate as possible and take place at Fort Laramie sometime during 1834-1890. Will your story be a mystery with an added twist of time travel or a love story that ends with an exquisite wedding at the fort? Whatever you envision, we can’t wait to read it! Make sure you follow the rules below and submit your story by 12:00 p.m. MST, April 30, 2012. The winning stories will be published in our May 2012 e-Bugler. Good luck and happy writing!

The Rules:  must be an original, unpublished piece of historical fiction — 10 pages maximum — Times Roman, 12pt font — double spaced — topic: historical fiction that takes place at Fort Laramie sometime between 1834-1890 — due date: 12:00 p.m. MST, April 30, 2012 — submit papers to: Fort Laramie Historical Association, Historical Fiction Writing Contest, 965 Gray Rocks Rd, Fort Laramie, WY 82212 or flha@vistabeam.com. Whether mailing or e-mailing, your story must be in our possession by 12 p.m. on April 30th to be included in the contest.  Please type “Entry Form” information at the top of your story. You don’t have to attach an official “Entry Form”.

 

LANDER ART CENTER — 32nd Red Desert Audubon Wildlife Art Show 

Art by Christopher Bookout

The 32nd annual Red Dersert Audubon Wildlife Art Show opens April 6, 6-8 pm, at the Lander Art Center.  Featuring over 70 artworks from 25 artists, the show features detailed watercolor, painting, encaustic, and ceramic works depicting Wyoming natural flora and fauna. On exhibit through May 12, 2012 4pm.

LANDER — SUPPORT MISS WY USA 2012 

Show some love for Lander’s Holly Allen as she journeys to Las Vegas for the Miss USA competition — best of luck to Holly, Miss Wyoming USA 2012!

CODY — ARTINI FESTIVAL COMING UP! 

Throughout the evening, The Terrace Restaurant & Bar will provide sumptuous hors d’ oeuvres to tantalize your taste buds and compliment your martini palate. Cash prizes and prestigious awards are available to daring martini mixologists and inspired artini artists. All media is being accepted to guarantee a wide variety of interpretations of the martini and the martini culture from the past and its new resurgence. To reserve your bartender table, advance notice is required. Artwork must be delivered prior to the event. Contact The Terrace for more information — click on this link to be connected with their Facebook page or call The Terrace at 307.587.5868.

The $25 ticket price when purchased in advance — $30 at the door) provides a lively evening on Saturday, April 14 at Geyser on The Terrace, 525 West Yellowstone Avenue in Cody starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available in advance at The Terrace (contact them for more locations for ticket pre-sales,) and of course at the door on the day of the festival – tickets are limited. All proceeds from this event benefit thePark County Arts Council. For further information, please call The Terrace at 307.587.5868 or the Park County Arts Council at 307.899.6693.

Shake out your favorite cocktail attire and head to Cody for a stirring night of Martinis and Art!

 

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Happy Birthday Yellowstone!

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Image by Cliff Cox Photography — www.cliffcoxphoto.com

Yellowstone National Park turns 140 today! The park was established by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872 — the first national park in the world!  It has been enjoyed by generations from across the entire planet — and its majority lies within our own boundaries in Wyoming.  Idaho and Montana also contain portions of the park. The Yellowstone Caldera is the largest supervolcano on the continent, and because of this the ongoing thermal activity makes Yellowstone a site to behold — 60% of the world’s geysers reside in the park, including world renowned Old Faithful.

Many people have memories and stories of Yellowstone National Park, and we’d love to celebrate its birthday today by hearing your stories!  Did you visit as a child? In different seasons?  Do you remember the 1988 Yellowstone fires?  As a child, our family visited the summer after the fires, in 1989.  It was quite the experience!

www.yellowstonecountry.org

Please share your stories, photos and memories with us, and we will add them to this blog! Post here, on our Facebook page, our Twitter page (@wyolifestylemag), or email us at editor@wyolifestyle.com!

Happy Birthday Yellowstone — May you live long and wow millions more with your wonders!

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

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Saratoga Cutter Races 2012

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Image by Reumade Images

Thanks to our friend DJ Anderson for keeping us informed with great events from Saratoga! The annual cutter races were held this past weekend…it’s always a great time!  More info from DJ on cutter racing and some images from this year’s and last year’s event follow…thanks to our friends for keeping us plugged in to great Wyoming information!

Image by Reumade Images

DJ Anderson sent us this information from Star Valley:  Cutter racing had its start in the late 1930’s with two milk wagons barreling away from the Freedom Cheese Factory in a mad dash to see who had the faster team.  This impromptu sport progressed when they dropped the wagon and ran with the front bob to get the faster time.  Cutters became popular during the winter and they began starting races using the ‘Lay 7 Tap’ method.  Cutters with tracks were popular until the 1960’s when wheeled chariots became common with the advent of dirt tracks (vs. the maintenance-intensive snow track). Cutter races were held in many different towns and the track might be the main street, a field or anywhere a track could be marked out.  Starting gates were scarce and were moved from track to track.  For many years, Thayne, WY hosted the cutter races in Star Valley with the gairgrounds in Afton being an alternate race location.  Thayne was known as the home of cutter racing and in 1948 The Racing Club was chartered.  In 1994, thanks to the support of the public and local businesses, the best track int he state of Wyoming is located in Afton.  It is a snow track which is rpetty uncommon now — the races do use wheeled chariots but the track provides a beautiful backdrop.  One can also get better photos than mud flying from a dirt track!

Image by Reumade Images

Learn more about cutter racing in Wyoming via the Wyoming Tourism website, Star Valley Chariot Racing on Facebook, or the Carbon County tourism website! Thanks to DJ Anderson for passing along this great information and photos!

‘Til Next Time…

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

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Stage Stop Begins!

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All images by Chris Havener

The 2012 International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) starts Friday!  Visit their website at www.wyomingstagestop.org for lots of information, past results and some great images by Chris Havener.  According to the IPSSSDR’s website:  “In 1996 Frank Teasley, with the help of public nurse Jayne Ottman, launched the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race to showcase the beautiful state of Wyoming and to make sled dog racing more accessible to the public. In addition, the race worked to spread the word about the need for childhood immunizations—and each year the race makes a contribution to communities on the race route for childhood immunizations.”

All images by Chris Havener

The 2012 schedule is as follows:

Friday, January 27: Jackson Hole

Saturday, January 28: Travel Day

Sunday, January 29: Lander

Monday, January 30: Pinedale/Cora

Tuesday, January 31: Big Piney/Marbleton

Wednesday, February 1: Alpine

Thursday, February 2: Evanston 1st day of racing

Friday, February 3: Evanston 2nd day of racing

Saturday, February 4: Park City

All images by Chris Havener

Here is the kickoff day’s timeline for events from Jackson!

Timeline race start at Town Square Friday, January 27, 2012:

5:00 Music on the sound system, food and booths

5:00 Storm Show’s 2011 ski/ride film “Action Jackson” playing on the JumboTron

6:00 P.M.  Welcome

6:30 IPSSSDR RACE START

7-9 Pedigree Party at Snow King

8  Torchlight Parade

8:30 Fireworks

Please note: START Bus runs every 15 minutes from the Town Square to the corner of Cache and Snow King from 7-8 PM then from 8-9 it runs from Town Square to Snow King Center Bus Stop.

All images by Chris Havener

Time to get mushin’!

‘Til Next Time…

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

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WY PEOPLE: Lander Children’s Art Museum

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Check out all the fun over at the Lander Children’s Museum — annual Fall Fun Fest and more program information follows…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Early Out After School Program — Now registering for Session II!

“World Cultures”

Dates: October 19 – November 30 (No class November 23rd)

Time: 2:30 – 4:00 pm

Cost: $60 per session, museum members receive a $5 discount.  Class size is limited to 10 students.  Pre-registration is encouraged.

Come join us for an opportunity to learn about each other!

We will explore Canada, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa through play, stories, songs, celebrations, art, toys, food, and school experience.

Discovery Clubs — Tiny Tots

Drop-in program for pre-K (ages 2-6), free with paid admission.  Caregivers must accompany children.

When: Tuesdays beginning October 4th

Time: 10:00 – 10:45 am

After School

Program for children ages 7 and up.  Work on Science Fair projects, general science discovery, robotics and technology.  Pre-registration strongly encouraged.

When: Thursdays beginning October 6th

Time: 3:30 – 4:45 pm

First Friday Family Nights

Discounted admission of $5/ family.

Light dinner is offered for $2 per person

Time:  5-7 pm

Dates:  October 7 — November 4 — December 2 — January 6 — February 3 — March 2

Don’t Miss Out on a Great Night Out!

 

Thanks to the Lander Children’s Museum for some great programming for Lander families! I’m impressed!

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITES & READ THE CURRENT ISSUES:

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com

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