Making a point to appreciate all the little things

“I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world.” — Dolly Parton 

For each Chamber Chat, I try to come up with a quote to inspire. This week it had to be Dolly Parton. Transitioning that quote into something relatable to this week’s chamber chat was challenging. At the same time, it is Dolly. She is relatable to everything. 

Had the opportunity last week to spend 2 1/2 days in Buffalo for a Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resource commission meeting. The things we did, the places we saw, the people we talked to made us appreciate the “many great, glorious pieces of good” in Wyoming. (See what I did there? Pulled in her quote) We are surrounded by history as old as the earth itself. 

We spent hours exploring a spot on Wyoming state lands with over 144 teepee rings. The most fascinating part was there were layers of remnants from other travelers that had also made their transient homes there, including spent ammo, tin cans and pieces of brown glass. 

We also went to Fort Phil Kearny for a tour of the new visitor center, the grounds and battle sites. Fascinating. They host moonlight tours of the fort in the fall. Storytellers tell tales of the grisly battles. Sounds scary. 

So many cool things to do right here in Wyoming. Check out the chamber’s Wyoming Staycation page on Facebook. 

The September chamber member meeting is Sept. 10 at noon. Lunch provided. Please come and share what is happening in your business. 

Chamber member news: 

• Basin Rec: Youth Soccer Month in September on Tuesdays and Thursdays for ages 4-9 years. Call 307-568-1488. Mommy and Me Music and Movement Class starting Sept. 2, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. The class will be Mondays and Thursdays. 

 • BHCSD #4: Riverside football team hog raffle for a half hog. The drawing is Sept. 18. Monies raised will purchase Military Appreciation jerseys, a team hoodie and help pay for next summer’s team camp. Contact the high school or a team member. 307-568-2416. 

• Wyoming Retirement Center: They are working on our Annual Halloween Carnival and are accepting candy donations.

 • Basin/Greybull Farmers Market: In Basin on Wednesdays starting at 4 p.m. In Greybull on Saturdays starting at 9 a.m. 

• Big Horn Citizens for Economic Development: The board is donating money to Oxbow Consulting in Basin to assist with the mental health of BHC citizens. Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. 

• Hope Reigns Community: Pickle party, Friday, Sept. 4, 5 p.m. at Basin First Baptist. Learn how to pickle the cucumbers grown in the community garden. The cost is $10 which includes a jar of pickles to take home and the training on canning/pickling. RSVP to Tiffany Tanner at 818-554-4319

• Basin First Baptist: Two mission fundraisers this week. Sept. 3, at 5 p.m. is a soup and bread dinner for Jennifer Jacobs and her mission team. The second fundraiser is also for Jacobs and her team. It is a car wash, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

• Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site: Annual Dutch oven cookoff and harvest games, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

• Shell Community Hall: Margaritaville silent auction and taco bar, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m.