By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
Since the fifth grade, Brandon Russell has painted ducks and sent them to Jackson in April.
The nine-by-11 paintings are judged as part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-sponsored art competition for kindergartners to 12th-graders. Most years, Russell placed first in his age group, but never best overall. Until this year.
“It was my last chance to enter and I finally got what I was looking for,” the Encampment High School senior said.
His oil painting of a Cinnamon Teal, a reddish-colored bird local to the Platte Valley, earned the blue ribbon in Wyoming and will appear as one of about 50 paintings to travel through the country this summer. Each state and U.S. territory should be represented in the show.
The painting made its way to San Diego for the national competition on April 17, but did not win. Instead, a rendering of Hawaiian Geese by Seokkyun Hong, a student in Dallas, will appear on the stamp, which sells for $5 to support conservation education. Hong also receives a $5,000 prize along with a trip to Washington, D.C.
In the past, Russell has painted trumpeter swans, Canadian geese, a green-winged teal, a pintail and even a prior attempt at a cinnamon teal.
“I wish I’d had my own photos” to work from, he said. He used several reference photos to create his artwork. “(The birds) are real pretty,” he said.
When Russell first entered the contest at 11, he was already a duck hunter. Since it’s necessary to purchase a $5 duck stamp to hunt migratory water birds, the idea of his art appearing on the stamp was appealing.
Now, seven years later, he’s not sure if he’ll try his luck in the adult competition. “It’s real tough,” he said. “Some of those guys spend two years on their entries.” In comparison, Russell spent an hour a day for a month on this year’s entry.
Russell is going to the University of Wyoming next year to major in art. The $1,500 winnings can be used any way he wants, but is recommended for furthering his art education.
“I might buy a dirt bike,” he admitted after outlining plans to save the funds for college.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Clear the path!
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
When the big snowstorms hit Saratoga, the coaches head to the new track, shovels in hand, to clear a path for the kids to run.
It’s been a snowy winter, but that won’t stop Saratoga’s track team from holding the school’s first invitational on Saturday. Scott Stevens, who hatched the project too build an all-weather track a decade ago, should be at the track’s inauguration.
Five to seven junior varsity and varsity teams should show up at the track, which is located west of Saratoga High School, at 9 a.m. for the field events. Running events should begin around 11:45 a.m. and should last about three hours.
As far as the track’s condition, coach Rex Hohnholt said despite the weather, it’s ready to go.
There’s still a 100-yard long snowdrift at the south end that’ll force the team to delay installing the bleachers. Instead, teams and spectators can join each other on the already sodded, well-drained football field.
Likewise, snow and mud have prevented connecting the plumbing in the restrooms. Alternatives include the nearby locker rooms and several portable restrooms rented for the event.
“We won’t have any problems,” Hohnholt said, but “it’s impossible to fight Mother Nature. There is a lot of snow and a lot of mud still, but you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”
Having the track finished this season is important, since the old track is in poor shape, according to Hohnholt. “If we’d not gotten this facility this year, we’d have been in a world of hurt. The kids are tickled pink.”
Times staff writer
When the big snowstorms hit Saratoga, the coaches head to the new track, shovels in hand, to clear a path for the kids to run.
It’s been a snowy winter, but that won’t stop Saratoga’s track team from holding the school’s first invitational on Saturday. Scott Stevens, who hatched the project too build an all-weather track a decade ago, should be at the track’s inauguration.
Five to seven junior varsity and varsity teams should show up at the track, which is located west of Saratoga High School, at 9 a.m. for the field events. Running events should begin around 11:45 a.m. and should last about three hours.
As far as the track’s condition, coach Rex Hohnholt said despite the weather, it’s ready to go.
There’s still a 100-yard long snowdrift at the south end that’ll force the team to delay installing the bleachers. Instead, teams and spectators can join each other on the already sodded, well-drained football field.
Likewise, snow and mud have prevented connecting the plumbing in the restrooms. Alternatives include the nearby locker rooms and several portable restrooms rented for the event.
“We won’t have any problems,” Hohnholt said, but “it’s impossible to fight Mother Nature. There is a lot of snow and a lot of mud still, but you’ve just got to roll with the punches.”
Having the track finished this season is important, since the old track is in poor shape, according to Hohnholt. “If we’d not gotten this facility this year, we’d have been in a world of hurt. The kids are tickled pink.”
Social services to be featured on site
By Janice Kurbjun
Times staff writer
As part of an overarching effort to unify the community, a Web site featuring information on social help organizations is being developed.
Among other issues, community violence and the need to help parents care for children between 3 and 5 p.m. have led members of the Carbon County community to seek a centralized social help network.
The network could provide answers to seemingly increasing problems, said Stephanie Moles, director of The Woman’s Heart, an organization in Casper that provides physical and emotional aid to women and children struggling with abuse.
To address the need, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Communities, a committee formed to respond to bullying in schools, is working with The Woman’s Heart to create an online database of assistance organizations. Moles described it as a “home-grown Google with community flavor.”
According to Moles, the site is a tool to bring the community together.
“How do we get out of the problem and into the solution?” Moles asked. “It’s knowledge. And the Web site would provide that.”
Carbon County is among six counties to appear on the Web site, and it should be the first with its own home page. Moles made the decision because she saw a desire for community unity during her visits to the area.
Theresa Pacheco of Project Prevention provided the information for the site. Each year, she publishes contact information and lists of services for area organizations. Alcoholics Anonymous, Carbon County Public Health, the Rawlins Police Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Reach Early Intervention Center and Preschool, and Carbon County Child Development have appeared in the book’s pages.
Marilyn Vercimak, curriculum director for Carbon County School District 1, wants the information widely accessible.
“The site should have links on the county, city and school Web sites... any site where people go to get information,” she said.
Vercimak is overseeing the site’s progress, which is pegged for mid-May completion.
The Woman’s Heart plans to provide training on how to use the site and implement it, but funding should come from participating organizations.
“We want it to be viable, self-sustaining and hugely informative,” Moles said. Anyone who does not maintain their information will be removed from the database.
Times staff writer
As part of an overarching effort to unify the community, a Web site featuring information on social help organizations is being developed.
Among other issues, community violence and the need to help parents care for children between 3 and 5 p.m. have led members of the Carbon County community to seek a centralized social help network.
The network could provide answers to seemingly increasing problems, said Stephanie Moles, director of The Woman’s Heart, an organization in Casper that provides physical and emotional aid to women and children struggling with abuse.
To address the need, Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Communities, a committee formed to respond to bullying in schools, is working with The Woman’s Heart to create an online database of assistance organizations. Moles described it as a “home-grown Google with community flavor.”
According to Moles, the site is a tool to bring the community together.
“How do we get out of the problem and into the solution?” Moles asked. “It’s knowledge. And the Web site would provide that.”
Carbon County is among six counties to appear on the Web site, and it should be the first with its own home page. Moles made the decision because she saw a desire for community unity during her visits to the area.
Theresa Pacheco of Project Prevention provided the information for the site. Each year, she publishes contact information and lists of services for area organizations. Alcoholics Anonymous, Carbon County Public Health, the Rawlins Police Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Project Reach Early Intervention Center and Preschool, and Carbon County Child Development have appeared in the book’s pages.
Marilyn Vercimak, curriculum director for Carbon County School District 1, wants the information widely accessible.
“The site should have links on the county, city and school Web sites... any site where people go to get information,” she said.
Vercimak is overseeing the site’s progress, which is pegged for mid-May completion.
The Woman’s Heart plans to provide training on how to use the site and implement it, but funding should come from participating organizations.
“We want it to be viable, self-sustaining and hugely informative,” Moles said. Anyone who does not maintain their information will be removed from the database.
Hospital wants to clean up butts
Times staff report
It wasn’t on the agenda, but on Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s board members raised a concern: smoking around the hospital building.
“It’s nasty how many cigarette butts there are,” said Art Canaday, the board’s treasurer. “There are at least 100 on the ground by the main entrance.”
The hospital has three designated smoking areas, according to Chief Executive Officer Patsy Carter. But Canaday said the areas are not being used. If they are, no ashtrays are available.
The board members and hospital administrative staff were unsure whether it was employees or visitors contributing to the problem. However, Canaday said the area near the emergency room littered with cigarette butts was likely due to employees because it is largely inaccessible to visitors.
All agreed that action should be taken. Carter should address it with maintenance workers in their upcoming meeting.
“That’s a visitor’s first impression,” said Rex Baldwin, vice chairman of the board. “It’s not our ideal to see folks smoking outside the ER.”
Also at the meeting, board members:
• Were notified that research results for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission’s study on rural health policies will be delayed until December 2008. The hospital was originally supposed to see them in the summer.
• Agreed to increase the amount an employee pays for health insurance each month. To help cover a cost increase of more than $80,000, employees should see about 1 percent of their total pay period earnings allocated to cover the premium. Spouses and dependents should be unaffected.
• Heard the hospital staff is still working with the University of Wyoming to secure a summer externship to encourage new nurse recruits. Two soon-to-be nursing graduates from elsewhere in the state have shown interest in coming to the hospital.
• Were notified that the hospital is under new liability and malpractice insurance for the amount of $465,000. The cost is up from last year’s $338,000.
• Were told of a decrease in the amount of contracted labor. Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said it was due to the staff workers taking on extra shifts.
It wasn’t on the agenda, but on Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s board members raised a concern: smoking around the hospital building.
“It’s nasty how many cigarette butts there are,” said Art Canaday, the board’s treasurer. “There are at least 100 on the ground by the main entrance.”
The hospital has three designated smoking areas, according to Chief Executive Officer Patsy Carter. But Canaday said the areas are not being used. If they are, no ashtrays are available.
The board members and hospital administrative staff were unsure whether it was employees or visitors contributing to the problem. However, Canaday said the area near the emergency room littered with cigarette butts was likely due to employees because it is largely inaccessible to visitors.
All agreed that action should be taken. Carter should address it with maintenance workers in their upcoming meeting.
“That’s a visitor’s first impression,” said Rex Baldwin, vice chairman of the board. “It’s not our ideal to see folks smoking outside the ER.”
Also at the meeting, board members:
• Were notified that research results for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission’s study on rural health policies will be delayed until December 2008. The hospital was originally supposed to see them in the summer.
• Agreed to increase the amount an employee pays for health insurance each month. To help cover a cost increase of more than $80,000, employees should see about 1 percent of their total pay period earnings allocated to cover the premium. Spouses and dependents should be unaffected.
• Heard the hospital staff is still working with the University of Wyoming to secure a summer externship to encourage new nurse recruits. Two soon-to-be nursing graduates from elsewhere in the state have shown interest in coming to the hospital.
• Were notified that the hospital is under new liability and malpractice insurance for the amount of $465,000. The cost is up from last year’s $338,000.
• Were told of a decrease in the amount of contracted labor. Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said it was due to the staff workers taking on extra shifts.
Valley health fair is Saturday
Times staff report
Saturday’s health fair in Saratoga is part of an ongoing effort to bring low-cost health screening exams to area residents.
With more than 20 agencies, organizations and health professionals scheduled to have booths at the event, the fair should cater to adults and children alike. Those who had their blood drawn earlier this year can pick up their results. To help individuals interpret their results, Dr. Diane Noton of the Platte Valley Medical Clinic plans to make a Power Point presentation.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the great hall of the Platte Valley Community Center and is open to the public.
Those who attend can pick up free, magnetic cards that contain a patient’s name, important medical information, insurance policy and Social Security Number. When a patient is unable to give necessary information, the cards can aid emergency medical staff in delivering quick, effective care .
At the event, children can have a bone density scan or have the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office take their fingerprints.
Attendees can also hear presentations on the nutritional benefits of the Mona Vie Health Vitamin Drink or find out how to create a healthy diet from the University of Wyoming’s Carbon County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Division.
There should also be a demonstration of Reiki, a Japanese practice of healing the spirit, which in turn heals the body.
The American Cancer Association, Carbon County Counseling Center, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Platte Valley Helping Hands and the Saratoga—Encampment Ambulance Service are a sampling of other organizations that should be present.
Saturday’s health fair in Saratoga is part of an ongoing effort to bring low-cost health screening exams to area residents.
With more than 20 agencies, organizations and health professionals scheduled to have booths at the event, the fair should cater to adults and children alike. Those who had their blood drawn earlier this year can pick up their results. To help individuals interpret their results, Dr. Diane Noton of the Platte Valley Medical Clinic plans to make a Power Point presentation.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon in the great hall of the Platte Valley Community Center and is open to the public.
Those who attend can pick up free, magnetic cards that contain a patient’s name, important medical information, insurance policy and Social Security Number. When a patient is unable to give necessary information, the cards can aid emergency medical staff in delivering quick, effective care .
At the event, children can have a bone density scan or have the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office take their fingerprints.
Attendees can also hear presentations on the nutritional benefits of the Mona Vie Health Vitamin Drink or find out how to create a healthy diet from the University of Wyoming’s Carbon County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Division.
There should also be a demonstration of Reiki, a Japanese practice of healing the spirit, which in turn heals the body.
The American Cancer Association, Carbon County Counseling Center, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Platte Valley Helping Hands and the Saratoga—Encampment Ambulance Service are a sampling of other organizations that should be present.
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