Legends of Carbon County

Dick Perue’s Birthday Celebration Highlights Lifetime of Local History Preservation

Publisher — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Dick Perue’s Birthday Celebration Highlights Lifetime of Local History Preservation

Publisher Sat, 04/18/2026 - 19:30

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The Platte Valley Community Center filled with friends, family and community members April 12 as Saratoga honored one of its most recognizable voices and dedicated historians, Dick Perue, on his 90th birthday.

The gathering, held at 2 p.m., blended celebration with storytelling, an approach fitting for a man whose life has been defined by preserving and sharing the history of the Upper North Platte River Valley. Co-sponsored by the Saratoga Museum and the Friends of the Library, the event drew a crowd eager not only to wish Perue well, but to hear once again the stories and see the images he has spent decades collecting.

Perue, known for his approachable demeanor and quick wit, delivered a pictorial presentation titled “Preserving local history one picture at a time.” The program featured selections from his vast collection of photographs, manuscripts and stories—materials he has gathered over more than 75 years.

Throughout the afternoon, laughter frequently accompanied the presentation, as Perue mixed humor with historical insight, a style that has made his talks a staple in the community for decades.

“I’m more a collector,” Perue once said of his work. “And then I try to collect all the facts and make them line up. But I don’t ignore the legends or the stories that go along with it.”

That philosophy has guided a lifetime of work that has left a lasting imprint on Saratoga, Encampment and the broader Carbon County region.

Although Perue often describes himself as a Wyoming native “by conception,” he was born April 6, 1936, in Iowa after his parents temporarily relocated during the Great Depression. The family returned to Wyoming in 1938, settling at the historic Pick Ranch when Perue was 18 months old.

Raised in a ranching family with deep Wyoming roots, his grandmother was born on the Laramie Plains in 1884 and his father was born in Laramie in 1911. Perue’s early years were shaped by both the hardships and traditions of rural life. After a harsh winter in 1949 made travel difficult, the family moved into Saratoga, where Perue would spend the rest of his life.

His entry into journalism came unexpectedly at age 14. While working for Bob and Mary Martin, owners of the Saratoga Sun, Perue was offered a job in the print shop after a trainee damaged a press.

“I just happened to go over to the print shop,” he recalled in an earlier interview. “And they asked if I’d be interested in a job as a printer. I said yes.”

From that moment, Perue’s path was set.

Perue graduated from Platte Valley High School in 1954 and went on to attend the University of Wyoming, where he studied journalism. With support from the Martins and a scholarship encouraged by an English teacher, he became editor of the university’s student newspaper, the Branding Iron.

After graduating in 1958, he returned to Saratoga and resumed work at the Saratoga Sun. Over time, he took on nearly every role at the newspaper: editor, reporter, photographer, printer, linotype operator, janitor, publisher and eventually owner.

In 1968, Perue purchased the newspaper from the Martins, fulfilling an agreement made years earlier. He operated the paper until 1982, later continuing the print shop before eventually transitioning fully into historical work.

During his tenure, the Saratoga Sun earned widespread recognition. Under Perue’s leadership, the newspaper won nearly every major award presented by the Wyoming Press Association. Notably, it became the only weekly newspaper to receive both the Hanway plaque in 1969 for overall excellence among weeklies of any size and the Wally Biggs Trophy in 1978 for small weeklies.

The paper also received the University of Wyoming’s editorial leadership award, given annually to a single newspaper in the state.

Perue himself was inducted into the Wyoming Press Association Hall of Fame in 2008, recognizing his lasting contributions to journalism in Wyoming.

Central to Perue’s success was his wife, Marty, who worked alongside him for more than 50 years as business manager and partner. He has often described her as his best friend and an essential part of the operation. Marty passed away in 2022.

Together, they built not only a successful newspaper but a legacy rooted in community service and storytelling.

While journalism shaped much of Perue’s professional life, his passion for history has defined his legacy.

Over the past seven decades, he has assembled one of the most extensive collections of historical materials related to the Saratoga and Encampment Valley. Known as the Dick Perue/Bob Martin collection, it includes photographs, negatives, manuscripts, news items and other records that document the region’s past.

Perue has worked to digitize the collection to ensure its preservation and accessibility, and he has expressed plans to donate the materials to local institutions, including the Saratoga Museum and the Grand Encampment Museum.

His contributions extend beyond collecting. Perue has played a key role in establishing both the Saratoga Museum and the Grand Encampment Museum, serving on boards and supporting their development over the years. He currently serves as president of the Saratoga/Ryan Park Museum Tax District.

Through his small business, Historical Reproductions by Perue, he has made historical images and materials available to the public, further expanding access to the region’s history.

He has also authored and compiled numerous historical works, including “Riding the Stage,” which features more than 150 photographs, drawings and maps depicting the valley along the Encampment and Upper North Platte Rivers. Other projects have explored topics such as Saratoga’s mineral hot springs, local churches, the Overland Trail, Fort Halleck, the Grand Encampment Mining District and the Snowy Range Highway.

In addition to his publications, Perue continues to share history through presentations, walking tours and his column, “Postcard from the Past,” published in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

In 2024, Perue’s lifelong dedication to preserving Wyoming’s history was recognized with the Mable Brown Award for Cumulative Contribution from the Wyoming State Historical Association.

The award honors a living Wyoming resident for extensive contributions to the understanding and awareness of the state’s history. Perue’s selection followed a nomination process supported by community members, authors and museum directors from across the county.

Letters submitted on his behalf highlighted not only the breadth of his collection but also his commitment to sharing it. His willingness to collaborate with institutions such as the Wyoming State Archives and the University of Wyoming has amplified the impact of his work.

Beyond his historical contributions, Perue has been deeply involved in the community. He is an honorary life member of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, an organization he helped establish, and has been a member of the Saratoga Lions Club for 65 years. He has also contributed to the cleanup and beautification of the Saratoga Cemetery.

An Air Force veteran, Perue served six years in the Wyoming Air National Guard. He is also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Saratoga and the American Legion.

Perue’s influence extends to education as well. Through events such as Grand Encampment Living History Day, he has demonstrated traditional printing techniques, including hand-setting type and operating a press, giving younger generations a hands-on connection to the past.

His presentations, like the one delivered at his birthday celebration, continue to draw audiences interested in learning about the region’s history through photographs and firsthand accounts.

The April 12 event served not only as a birthday celebration, but as a reflection on a lifetime of contributions.

Friends and attendees gathered not just to mark 90 years, but to recognize the enduring impact of Perue’s work, preserving stories, images and artifacts that might otherwise have been lost.

From his early days in a print shop to his decades of collecting and sharing history, Perue has remained committed to documenting the people, places and events that shaped the Platte Valley.

As the presentation concluded and the celebration continued, one theme remained clear: Dick Perue’s work has ensured that the history of Saratoga and the surrounding region will continue to be remembered, studied and appreciated for generations to come.

The Epps’ Story of Service and Tradition in Rawlins

Publisher — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

The Epps’ Story of Service and Tradition in Rawlins

Publisher Sat, 01/31/2026 - 07:00

By Dana Davis

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Information provided by Mira Miller, Community Relations/PIO, City of Rawlins

For more than 50 years, Roger and Nicki Epp have quietly shaped life in Rawlins through decades of volunteerism, community service, and civic engagement. From coaching youth sports and leading local organizations to playing Santa and Mrs. Claus during the holidays, the Epps have become fixtures in the community they call home.

Roger Epp’s connection to Rawlins began shortly after his birth, though he was not born here. “My parents wanted a second child, so I was conceived. Dad worked passenger service for the Union Pacific Railroad and could not guarantee that he would be by my mother’s side when I was born. My mother said, ‘That’s fine, take me to my home in Fairbury, NE and I will have this child there,’” Epp recalled. Three weeks later, his father brought him and his mother back to Rawlins, where he has lived ever since.

After graduating high school, Epp was drafted into the U.S. Army. He recalls walking into the local draft board and placing his notice on clerk Ruby Vagner’s desk, declaring he would not be drafted. “She thought that meant I was going to Canada,” he said, “but I told her, ‘No, I am going to enlist.’” Enlistment did not spare him from serving in Vietnam. Following his deployment, Epp was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he met his future wife, who was his superior by two ranks. He convinced her to move to Rawlins, and the couple has lived there since September 1970.

In the early 1970s, Epp became a local business owner, operating Dave’s Standard at the corner of 5th and Spruce during the energy crisis. For months, his station was one of only two in Carbon County open 24 hours a day, the other being a truck stop. Around this time, he joined the Carbon County Conservation Club, eventually serving as president for three years. It was during this period that Ray Ortiz, a salesman for Napa Auto Parts, encouraged Epp to join the Rawlins Lions Club. Epp agreed, initially seeing the connection as a potential benefit to his business — a decision that would spark decades of service.

In July 1976, Epp followed his father’s advice and sold the gas station, joining the Union Pacific Railroad for a more stable career. At the same time, his oldest son was old enough to play Pee Wee baseball, and Epp volunteered as a coach. His involvement expanded over the years to Little League and youth football, reflecting a growing passion for supporting local families and children.

Through the Lions Club, Epp advanced through both local and state leadership positions. He served as District Governor for eastern Wyoming, chairman of the Governors’ Council, president of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, and a two-year term as president of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation. He also held various responsibilities with Lions International, highlighting a commitment to service that extended well beyond Carbon County.

Nicki Epp’s contributions to the community began in 1971, when she worked for the City of Rawlins as assistant manager of the Washington Park outdoor pool. When the pool closed due to boiler issues, she took a job at Sears, Roebuck & Co., where she famously donned the Santa suit for children visiting the store. Over the years, she became deeply involved in school activities as a room mother and volunteer, served as an election judge, and held numerous positions at St. Thomas Church. She continued to serve the city in a variety of part-time roles, including water aerobics instruction, managing the golf course pro shop, and working with the municipal court.

Retirement brought new opportunities for the Epps to serve the community. When Rawlins lost its Santa and Mrs. Claus for the downtown Christmas parade, the couple stepped in. “Wouldn’t that be fun to do?” Nicki said. Roger added, “I would do that as long as Mrs. Claus was by my side.” Over the past decade, the pair have participated in 18 holiday events and visitations annually, becoming a beloved tradition in the community.

The couple was recently nominated for the Community Builder Award, which they plan to donate to the Ribbons of Hope project. “We plan to continue living in this wonderful town until the good Lord calls,” they said.

From a childhood spent in Rawlins to decades of business, civic, and volunteer work, Roger and Nicki Epp have woven themselves into the fabric of the community. Their story is one of service, dedication, and the enduring impact that a single couple can have on the lives of thousands in a small town.

Rex Rudd Remembered for Service and Dedication to Veterans

Publisher — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Rex Rudd Remembered for Service and Dedication to Veterans Publisher Sat, 11/15/2025 - 07:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rex’s passing. I used to see him at the Medicine Bow Senior Center quite often as I dropped off the Comet. Rex was declining mentally, but he was always cheerful and he loved our paper.

I find it especially sad that he passed away just before Veterans’ Day.

When I started with the Saratoga Sun, they had a Veterans section on Veterans Day and the staff would get interviews of vets.

Rex Rudd was the first vet I ever interviewed.

I believe I have interviewed Rex close to a dozen times about his time in the military.

In his first interview, he talked about his experience on the USS St. Paul, a heavy cruiser that was built in 1943.

He was very proud of his time on this ship.

It was not until I read his obituary last week did I learn where he grew up. According to his obituary published in the Comet, November 1st-

“Rex Raymond Rudd, 80, of Medicine Bow, entered into his eternal rest on October 27, 2025, at the Chapman Hospice Home in Casper, Wyoming.

Rex was born on April 11, 1945, to Alvin Sylvester Rudd, Sr. and Catherine Irene Rudd (née Ford) in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Rex spent his childhood in Letcher, South Dakota and graduated from Letcher High School in 1963. He enrolled in the Army ROTC program at South Dakota State University - Brookings for two years before enlisting in the United States Navy and going through the submarine program at New Groton, Connecticut. Initially, he served for four months on the submarine S.S. Burgara, before choosing to transfer to the heavy cruiser, the U.S.S. Saint Paul. Much of his service on the Saint Paul was spent in the Gulf of

Tonkin, off the coast of North Vietnam. For his tireless work as a cook,

Rex earned Saint Paul’s sailor of the month once in 1968.”

I remember him telling me about that accomplishment. Rex was so proud of his service.

According to the obituary- “Upon returning to the United States, he was stationed at Widbey Island Naval Air Station in Widbey Island, Washington. Rex was discharged from the Navy in 1971 after four years, 8 months, and one day of service to his country.”

I knew this but until I read his obituary, I had no idea he worked for the coal mines.

“Rex began working as a heavy equipment operator at Arch Minerals Corporation in 1973 and worked there until his retirement in 2011.

Shortly before his matriculation at Arch, Rex met Kathy Kennedy,

whom he married in 1975. They had two children: Barry, born in 1979, and Bridget, born in 1984.”

One point his obituary made was that, “Rex joined the American Legion in 1972 and was passionate about helping veterans, children and youth, and anyone in need for the duration of his time in the organization. He served on the post, district, and department levels.”

It is true he immensely enjoyed Legion get-togethers. I covered a fair amount of veteran services and Rex was always making himself available for funerary honors for his fellow veterans.

Every Veterans Day breakfast that I have attended at HEM, Rex has been there. He usually speaks, and although he might forget something or repeat a line of his carefully written speech, Rex was always well received.

Rex loved this Country and constantly told the younger generation how important service was to the U.S.

It was common for him to tear up while talking about his love for the Country and how important the men and women who served were. It was touching to hear his voice waver as he looked for the words to convey his love for this Country and the vets who served.

I know he affected many with his heartfelt words at Veterans services.

Rex, probably over anyone I have interviewed, and I have interviewed quite a few outstanding, selfless vets who have amazing stories, is the man who gets choked up the most, on what an honor it was to serve his country.

You cannot help feeling his passion for his military brethren.

Anyone who knew him would tell you the same thing.

He really was legendary that way.

I personally am going to miss him, but I know he is in a better place. The words in his obituary ring very true.

“Rex will be missed by all who knew him, and we are grateful that he instilled a sense of service, compassion, and love for others in all of us.”

Historic Elk Mountain Hotel Hosts Local Legends

Publisher — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Historic Elk Mountain Hotel Hosts Local Legends

Publisher Sat, 07/26/2025 - 07:00

By Courtney Priest

Carbon County Comet Contributor

An evening of engaging local history and colorful tales unfolded at Local Legends Night on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025. The event, held at The Historic Elk Mountain Hotel, was a celebration of the area’s rich heritage, sponsored by the hotel and the Elk Mountain Museum. Community members gathered to listen as longtime residents shared their personal stories and memories.

The night featured a lineup of “Local Legends,” each with a unique story to tell. “When these folks come to the hotel individually, they always have a tale or tidbit of history to share. We thought it would be fun to have them all in the dining room at the same time, with the hope the stories and memories would flow over dinner. There was no formal format, just good food, good friends, and sharing memories. Hotel employee Reed Brannon acted as emcee and helped get the stories started and flowing throughout the night and museum director Angie Hobbs was on hand to help record some of the stories,” said Courtney Priest.

Joyce Menke recounted the tale of a car thief who was ultimately revealed to be a wanted cattle rustler and sent to “The Big Pen”. Shorty Richardson fondly remembered the simpler times at the hotel when it operated as a bar, where laying a quarter on the counter would promptly get you a beer.

The hotel’s livelier past was a recurring theme. Clyde Johnson described it as “kind of a rough place back in the day,” humorously noting, “You had better be a man when you walked in and you walked out a better man”. He admitted to being thrown out once himself, though he kept the reasons to himself. Johnson also shared an amusing anecdote about country music star Little Jimmy Dickens, who, after a few too many drinks, took a tumble off a bridge into a ditch.

Ranching history was another prominent topic. Bob Johnson shared the history of his family’s ranch, which holds water rights dating back to 1871. His brother, Bert Johnson, also spoke of the generations of his family that have ranched in the area for many years. Lua Kelly, who considers himself a “newcomer” despite living in the area for over 40 years, paid tribute to the local ranchers who have had a significant impact on his life. Adding a touch of ranch ingenuity, Sally O’Connor told the story of Old Man Skiver, who cleverly deterred his ranch hands from ramming his gate by welding tire-popping spikes onto it; the gate still stands today and some have suggested it be moved to the museum.

The evening also included a story from hotel guest, Jack Gerrit, from the Missouri Ozarks. He shared a family tale of his father getting stuck in Green River, WY, during a massive blizzard in the winter of ‘49. To pass the time, his father gambled and managed to win a small hotel, only to lose it a few days later in a different card game—a key reason his family remains in Missouri.

The event was filled with many wonderful stories shared among the families and townsfolk in attendance. The Elk Mountain Museum will host professional “Storykeeper” Clinton Haby in August with the goal of recording these cherished memories into a legacy film to preserve the rich history of Elk Mountain for generations to come. Those in attendance praised the event and when Shorty Richardson thanked owner Christine Neel for providing a place for locals to gather and feel welcome, many echoed the sentiment.

A Legendary Carbon County Couple

Publisher — Sat, 03 May 2025 05:00:00 +0000

A Legendary Carbon County Couple Publisher Sat, 05/03/2025 - 07:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

A couple weeks back, I was at a track event at the Hanna Elementary School (HES) where I was watching kids from Encampment, Saratoga, Rock River and Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) middle schools compete.

I had gone over to talk to Carbon County School District No 2 (CCSD2) Superintendent Darrin Jennings who was helping at the disc throw.

Darrin is a great person and I have known him since he was the Saratoga Elementary principal.

When he talks, I listen.

We talked a little about some subject, I honestly don’t remember now, when he said, “Now there is a legendary couple,” as he pointed to Medicine Bow and HES principal Jackie Jones and HEM athletic director/history teacher Cliff Jones who were walking down the field together talking.

They have been married for as long as I have known Cliff, which is 25 years.

“Born and raised here and Carbon County and they do so much for the kids and always have,” Darrin said. “They are to be much admired.”

Retired HEM athletic director/art teacher Russ Wiggim who was nearby agreed.

“Cliff has helped so many kids with special needs and been there for them, I am not sure they would have graduated without his help,” Russ said. “He really has been there for so many of his students. He is famous for it.”

Wow.

I knew Cliff was low-key, but I had no idea.

Both Jackie and Cliff have been coaching sports programs since I started working as a reporter around eight years ago and I have done countless interviews. Both stress that sports is character building and that their real job is to make good citizens.

Before Jackie became a principal, she was a 6th grade teacher at HES. A really good one too, I might add.

I would say over any other teacher I have worked with, she has been the educator who went out of her way to keep me informed of programs she was doing at HES and what CCSD2 was implementing.

That is not to slight any other teacher in the Carbon County school districts, but Jackie kept me abreast of so much of what I would have missed.

And it would have been a lot.

Truly.

Then there is Cliff, who was actually the first person I became friends with in Hanna.

He is the reason I moved to Hanna.

Cliff was my boss at the Lazy River Cantina in Saratoga. He was the bar manager (although he didn’t drink) and did some substituting at HEM.

I had just come back from Australia and I was giving Wyoming a shot to reside. Scott McIlvaine offered me a job almost from my first day back and I had bought a small townhouse across from the Country Store. All seemed great, except I was finding it a bit small for all of the furniture I had. When I bought the place from Teense and Sandy Wilford, I literally left a month later to live in Australia and it was not until I got back, did I bring all my furniture together. Before that, some had been in friend’s homes or a storage unit in Virginia. Once all housed under one roof, it was very crowded.

Cliff and I were working together one night, and I was telling him about how I really needed a larger place.

He and Jackie had just bought a place in Hanna and Cliff said houses were really reasonable and maybe I should check it out.

I took his advance and found the house I live in now.

I fell in love with it from the moment I saw the backyard, with its terraced gardens. It also has one of the best patios I have seen anywhere. I made an offer that day.

Cliff knew I graduated from University of Maryland and he had been there a couple times for some summer educational programs. We realized he had even been housed in the dorm I lived in during my college years. He talked about Maryland sports with me all the time.

Cliff was not boss for all that long because he got hired full time at HEM.

I saw him occasionally and there was one day, I remember very well, at the Hanna Recreation Center where he schooled me in basketball. By the time I played Cliff one-on-one, I had played guys much taller than myself I beat, and it didn’t really occur to me that Cliff, who is a little shorter, would just whoop me.

Whoop me he did, especially with his perimeter shot. He could hit from anywhere. Even half court. I kid you not.

And he was so laid back about doing it.

He took me to my first University of Wyoming basketball game. The weather was blizzarding, but Cliff was perfectly comfortable driving.

You could tell he had been raised in Carbon County.

Cliff was the first person to take me to Elk Mountain. I was surprised how many little back roads it had. While driving through, he gave me a history lesson about the town.

Being around Cliff meant I was going to learn something.

When I decided about a year and half later that I needed to get back to Asia to make my living, Cliff watched out for my house.

I was gone for a few years, and Cliff made sure all was good with the place. People in Hanna are great about helping their neighbors, and Cliff was a perfect example of helping a Hanna resident out.

I don’t remember exactly when I met Jackie, but Cliff talked about her all the time. They were true Carbon County kids who grew up with each other, fell in love and have been married ever since.

Both have impressed me as quality human beings and educators, but until Darrin and Russ said their words, I had not realized how important these two were to Carbon County.

I think it is sort of the old adage “You don’t see the forest for the trees.”

Neither will brag about their accomplishments as educators, coaches or as whatever generation they are as Carbon County native. I honestly don’t know, although I know the Briggs family (Jackie) and Jones’ family are very established.

Cliff has had some health issues and yet, when asked about it, he for the most part downplays it.

Both Cliff and Jackie care so much about the kids they have educated, I actually feel sort of stupid it took Darrin’s and Russ’ words to realize how important they have been to students and families in Carbon County.

I know personally how generous they are with their time both as reporter and a friend.

I knew they were a couple to respect, but looking back, I do understand the words indicating their legendary status here in the North, which I imagine translates into all of Carbon County.

Jackie and Cliff have really dedicated their lives to the students, communities and friends, it is not hard to call them legends.

I cannot begin to list Jackie or Cliff’s achievements for the schools they work for, nor all the teams they have coached.

At the moment what they are teaching at HEM is track.

I look back and feel lucky when I first met Cliff at the Lazy River Cantina, taking me under his wing, in his special way that he does for those who might be a little lost.

The same goes for Jackie.

Because of her, I realized education stories need to be presented for all of Carbon County to take pride in. I may not get them all, because there are many good educators throughout the County and they don’t always talk about it, but Jackie inspired me to try and get as many as I can.

I remember Sarah Jones, Jackie’s sister, who is also an excellent educator, that when they were girls growing up, Jackie would set up a chalk board and teach their dolls and stuffed animals. She has had the passion to be a teacher since she was little.

There is no doubt in my mind, when Darrin said Jackie and Cliff are a legendary couple, the words rang true.

They are living proof of what great people Carbon County can produce.

LaVonne Tlustos Remembered as a True Legend of Carbon County

Publisher — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

LaVonne Tlustos Remembered as a True Legend of Carbon County Publisher Sat, 04/05/2025 - 07:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I had heard that LaVonne Tlustos was in the hospital last week and I knew she was a person I wanted to highlight as a living legend of Carbon County. I considered her a remarkable community leader who I had met when I first moved to Hanna some 20 years ago.

Recently, she celebrated her 90th birthday.

I knew I had to contact her family to give me some background information, because there was quite a lot I didn’t know about her.

What I did know, she was very involved in her church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hanna; she had been mayor of Hanna; she had five sons; she recycled cans to get funds for the community; was one of the founders of the women’s swimming aerobic exercise and an all around true community leader.

LaVonne was not afraid to speak her mind if she did not agree with the direction the community was going.

More than once I saw her speak at Council meetings giving her take on something she felt needed fixing.

She was also a gardener and I still remember when she gave me seeds to plant blue/purple poppies. I had orange poppies, but I admired hers and I had mentioned it to her in passing. She came over the next day and had blue poppy seeds for me.

When I had my restaurant in Laramie, I saved the cans for her and she would come by my house to pick them up and just talk about Hanna back in the days of the mines.

Recently, she stopped me at the Post Office and was worried her subscription had lapsed to the Comet.

I told her not to worry and it would get taken care of.

Kind woman that Lavonne was, she said some very positive words about what we at the Comet had created, and she was proud of me.

High praise coming from a person who for many years really gave to the community in which she lived.

I really felt she was one of those people that all communities in Carbon County have and are the better for it.

Dedicated to God, family and helping neighbors, whether it is in the town they lived in or the County as a whole, Lavonne did her best.

These people like Lavonne are not famous outside their community quite often, but their impact for what they give, cannot be measured.

They are important in so many ways.

A person like LaVonne is an example to us all.

That is what makes her a legend, like others who contribute their best to their community.

Sadly, I learned LaVonne passed away on March 30.

I can honestly say, I was saddened to learn this.

I found it ironic, I was going to write about her this week and let her see how admired she is by so many.

LaVonne Imelda (Marso) Tlustos came to Hanna when she married her husband Jack James and they ended up here.

I do know they met in South Dakota and got married there.

I had hoped to learn more about her than just my personal interactions, but it feels like right now, I should leave the family alone and let them grieve.

But I do have my memories.

When I was Hanna’s Recreation Director a couple years back, I saw LaVonne often as she attended the water aerobics class. More than once she led the class. Remember she was in her late 80s.

Since I was the lifeguard, I interacted with these ladies and it was a true highlight of my morning.

Watching them swim was inspiring enough, because most were seniors, but what I really enjoyed was them breaking into song as they swam. LaVonne was often the woman who would start. It was special to witness.

Her recycling drives, she donated the money to different community causes. I was really happy to contribute, because Lavone worked hard to get the cans and then the funds.

She truly epitomized what is good about a Carbon County resident.

When she passed, a community legend passed too

There is no one in Hanna, or most likely the north, that will disagree.

She will be missed by many.

That is what legends are made of.

A Legend that Helps Carbon County and Beyond

Publisher — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

A Legend that Helps Carbon County and Beyond

Publisher Sat, 02/01/2025 - 08:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

The first time I talked to Diane Shober, the Executive Director for the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) where she has led the state’s promotional efforts since June 2003, I just made the Hanna representative for the Carbon County Visitors Council (known as Discover Carbon County).

I was very enthusiastic about my new position.

My prior exposure to tourism was being a tourist.

But by being a tourist myself, I knew quite a lot about how Asians book their trips and what they are looking for. I even went on one junket with 20 or so Taiwanese when we went to the Bourbon Trail. That was the primary objective, but also visited Chicago and L.A.

I thought I had valuable insight and called WOT and started talking to Diane. This was about seven years ago.

She listened to me and wanted to meet me and set up a meeting with Discover Carbon County. The meeting didn’t happen because Diane got sick, but I was really impressed with how she listened.

I met her in person at the Fall Summit on Tourism when it was held in Saratoga. She was delightful; I mean it.

I was working for another newspaper and did an interview with her. She was gracious and interesting to talk to.

Diane is a gifted communicator. One of the best I have come in contact with. I believe I have seen a few over the years in all the countries I have been too. I think what makes her stand out is her passion for tourism.

Not just tourism, Wyoming tourism.

Diane makes it clear she loves what Wyoming has to offer and she wants visitors to appreciate it too.

That is what makes her magic.

Listening to her makes a person want to hear more.

Her background gives the credibility that she knows what she is talking about.

Diane represents Wyoming on a variety of boards, including the Western States Tourism Policy Council, the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the Executive Committee of the U.S. Travel Association, as well as the University of Wyoming College of Business Advisory Board. Diane was also on the inaugural board for Brand USA 15 years ago, and has served with numerous professional and civic organizations throughout her life.

I doubt I have listed everything she has been involved in, but for a minimum of 21 years, she has been doing her best to make the world appreciate the Cowboy State.

What is particularly impressive is her knowledge of all the counties in the State and what they have to offer the locals and visitors alike. I would not be surprised if she knows more about Carbon County and what it has to offer than most residents.

She also knows the people who have made an impact here with tourism.

There is an award called the Big WYO that honors an individual(s) for their contributions to tourism over the years. Carbon County has had several recipients. They have included Teense Wilford, Dave Rader, Doug and Kathleen Campbell and C.J. Box. I guarantee Diane knows (knew) them all and although I don’t know this for sure, I bet they have respect for her and what she has done for the County and the State.

For 21 years she has guided this wonderful place we call home to be a destination that other Americans and people from different countries can enjoy.

She seems to know exactly how to hit those dream places people want to experience and show them in their best light.

The reward for all this hard work does equal dollars to these areas. The Wyoming Office of Tourism is funded on a lodging tax. This means the ultimate goal is to have people stay for a period of time in a hotel. But even if they stay only a day, these visitors are probably buying gas, food and maybe souvenirs.

I can’t really fathom all the efforts Diane has made for Wyoming that have been successful over the years for tourism, but I do know I watched three governors speak high praises of all her efforts.

From what I understand, most state tourism heads serve for just one administration, and few earn the admiration she has.

It is because she gets results.

Her passion and commitment get results and I know this by watching her over the half dozen years she has been on my radar.

She is not someone I look at from afar.

Diane has made time for me when I have asked for interviews for newspapers, time for me when I have ideas that are not necessarily winners, and she will say so- and made time for those ideas that might have merit.

One thing I’ve learned from publishing the Comet with Dana and Keith is that my time is much more limited, making it harder to do many things I used to.

I accept it, but again, I can barely fathom how much time Diane gives people on her mission to make all of Wyoming, Carbon County included, a place where every bed that is available for tourism is slept in.

This bodes well for Carbon County because we do have places that are historical, luxurious, mid-range and everything else.

They are all businesses that benefit from her efforts.

I can’t possibly do her justice for all she has done for so many hoteliers, lodges, resorts in Wyoming in a column about Legends.

It is just not possible.

What I can do is say, there is a Wyoming born force of nature that is doing legendary work in every county in the State. Diane probably has the same impact on the communities.

I watched her at the Governor Conference being the hurricane, tornado, typhoon, whatever force of nature you want to equate, yet instead of destruction, she is a builder.

She builds confidence that our State is fantastic, wonderful and yes magical.

We did talk a couple times briefly, and I told her I wanted to introduce her to the owner of the Virginian Hotel who was attending. I was not surprised she said yes.

Then when they met, she was gracious to him and told him to get in touch if he needed her help in any way. Then she thanked me for the introduction.

That was typical Diane.

I picked her as a Legend this week, because besides being one, the Conference picked her for the big WYO award.

She was surprised.

The committee who chooses did a great job of fooling her.

When the audience learned it was Diane, I could tell the entire room was in absolute agreement that it was right she was picked.

I heard several people say it was about time.

I got to talk to people who know her well and they all used the word proud.

I know what they are talking about.

I am proud she was picked.

Now that you know a little about her, every resident of this excellent County should be proud too.

There are not a lot of people who really make an impact on so many by their efforts, but Diane Shober is one of them and has been legendary for a while now in many ways

There is a Carbon County resident who works in hospitality and tourism and is from a younger generation than myself, who told me Diane was her role model.

Legends should be.

Remembering the Savior of Sinclair

Publisher — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Remembering the Savior of Sinclair

Publisher Sat, 07/20/2024 - 07:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Steve Sondergard’s name might be familiar to many residents of Carbon County because he once was the refinery manager of Sinclair. To the people who knew of him, it would not be a surprise to think of him as legendary.

He was.

It seems especially timely to remember this person who brought the Sinclair refinery back from the brink of closure as the town of Sinclair gets ready to celebrate 100 years.

Steve was born in Kansas but grew up in Littleton Colorado. He got his bachelor’s and master’s in chemical and petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He studied economics at Wharton Business School and Duke University.

In 1975 he got his first professional job as operations manager at the Total refinery in Commerce City, Colorado.

The company was bought by Bolero Oil and he worked for them for a short while. Then he went to work for Citgo and it was owned by the Venezuelan Government. Steve was asked to move to Venezuela.

Ryta, his wife of 36 years, remembers the country having a lot of protests against Chavez. Steve and she had a house in Tulsa that they visited every other weekend. Eventually, Ryta stayed in Tulsa while Steve did his job. He worked for the company until 2005.

He got a job at Suncorp and moved to Denver. By this point, he had around 30 years of experience in the oil refining business. The company bought an old Cononco refinery in Commerce City along with the one he had once worked at. He was in management. Then he moved to Alberta to work for a large Canadian company and by this time he was very respected in the oil industry circles as a person who knew his stuff.

Steve started doing some consulting but found himself hired by another oil company owned by the Swiss. It was called Petroplus. The refineries he was asked to turn around were in France. The Sondergards moved to Zug, Switzerland and then Normandy, France where the refinery was.

The labor situation was not good and Steve decided to leave Europe and rest from the oil industry in Denver. Then a good friend Paul Moote, whom Steve had known for 30 years, called. He was an executive at the Sinclair refinery.

Paul asked Steve to come be the Sinclair refinery manager.

Steve said no.

Steve refused three times.

It would not be a promotion or lateral move in the industry and at that time the Sinclair refinery had a reputation that was not good.

The quality of a refinery is measured in four different ways. Sinclair at that time was at the bottom of the quartiles.

Paul was persistent and got Steve to come out. Once he was there and saw the refinery, he came back to Denver and told Ryta, “I think I can help, but it is in a remote location you might not like.”

Ryta remembers driving to the manager’s house on a landscape that looked like the moon. She thought, “Where is this man taking me?”

He had always said, “Give me three years and I will turn it around.” Steve did so again.

Ryta looked at him and more or less said, the clock is ticking.

Paul found a job for Ryta in the company because the emphasis by the owners was family.

Ryta was made Community Relations Coordinator. So the husband and wife were together. Which was good because the Sinclair refinery was a mess.

This was 2012 and he went on to say safety and caring about the families who worked for the refinery were of utmost importance.

He realized the importance of connecting work with the welfare of families. He understood if a company cares about its workers, the workers care about the company. This was his mantra while he was manager of the refinery. He also emphasized pride in what a person does in their work.

Steve learned when he first came to the refinery, many workers were embarrassed to say they worked for Sinclair. There were safety issues and even a bit of a drug problem.

He started doing quality control and putting workers in leadership roles that earned it. He also brought in experienced personnel who Steve knew from other companies. Equipment was fixed and the refinery was on a turnaround.

Steve really had no choice. Governor Matt Mead told him OSHA Wyoming was seriously looking at closing the refinery and putting management in jail. They were tired of all the fires and explosions. Steve said he would do the job of turning around the safety issues. He had to sign a contract.

The Christmas letter Steve sent out to the workers in 2012 gives insight into Steve’s thoughts on the refinery.

It is dated December 20, 2012.

“We are all aware that our jobs are extremely demanding. Please know that it is my intent to help improve the health and safety where we work…but I cannot do it without your cooperation, expertise, and teamwork. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve tried to introduce myself to you, but it will take a bit of time to get to know you all… but that’s one of my goals. I have an open-door policy, so if I don’t get to you, please come to see me…I’m happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability.

I believe the key to a great working environment is of course the people working in that environment. I am known for seeking ways to reward good work. I cannot foresee the future, but I know this, when you treat people well, they respond well.

That might answer the dominant concern that has been raised concerning the retention of our good workers. I assure you that I am taking steps to value our employees more, including increasing wages and salaries when possible. This alone will allow us to ratchet up good processes so that we don’t lose traction or fall back.

The plant has had a rough few months, that’s understood, but it can and will change. I’m a hands-on manager who is not afraid of hard work and criticism. I will rely on all of you to let me know how I’m doing, what requires urgent attention, what I can do to help all of us to be proud of where we work.

In looking forward, we need to focus on everyone performing their respective jobs well… that includes me. I am committed to having us function as a great team and realize our best results. Specifically, we are going to focus on Process Safety Management (PSM), operating manuals, operator training and inspection of equipment.

I also have concerns for your families…. I want them to know your safety and pride in your world is my primary concern. I am married like most of you and I want my wife, Ryta, to feel confident that I work in a safe place where we all look after each other.

Steve did it.

In 2015 he received a silver belt buckle commending Sinclair for not having three years of no lost time due to accidents.

He won the best of the best in 2016 for the mechanical integrity team given by the international group RLG.

Steve learned the refinery like the back of his hand Ryta observed. She said he should’ve since he had to know where equipment needed to be replaced.

Sinclair promoted him in 2016 to corporate vice president in Salt Lake City. He was part of the senior management that oversaw the finding, and marketing of supply. He compiled the stats and data for the Sinclair and Casper refineries that were presented to Holly Frontier for their consideration.

Steve retired in 2022 but he was looking forward to working in his garage.

Steve was an accomplished writer having written a book on climate change, called ‘Climate Balance’ published in 2016 and another on management titled ‘The Art of Leadership and Organizational Transformation’. It was published in 2019.

Ryta and Steve did missionary work throughout the world. They gave to faith-based charities. He also gave to the Boys Scouts because he was proud to be an Eagle Scout. He always has been involved with Colorado Uplift and helps mentor kids from inner-city Denver.

It is hard to comprehend what would have happened to Sinclair the town or the refinery if Steve had not agreed to come to help.

He proved he was a true troubleshooter when it came to oil refineries.

It is not to say someone else might not have done the job, but it seems like Steve was a godsend for Sinclair and Carbon County.

I met Steve on occasion in the past few years and he was always friendly but I had no idea how important he was to Carbon County.

I do now.

Carbon County Legendary Cowboy Gone

Publisher — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Carbon County Legendary Cowboy Gone

Publisher Sat, 06/08/2024 - 07:00

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

“My heart is broken but what a great legacy he’s left,” the owner of Wild Visions Photo, April Avery said. “He truly loved Carbon County.”

Avery is talking about Billy O “Cowboy” Wadsworth who passed away on May 31.

Cowboy was a human being whose passing touched a lot of people throughout the County.

On May 24 this reporter ran into Cowboy at the Divide where he was having dinner with friends including owner Duke Altschuler.

Cowboy recognized me and said some complimentary comments about the Comet before telling me, we had gotten it wrong.

Immediately I asked what he meant.

Cowboy told me his name was not William and his birth certificate said Billy O. He was referring to an article we did on him some months before on Legends. It read:

“Carbon County ambassadors are one of the most important people in introducing this area to the visitors who come to learn about this beautiful, historical and cultural place in Wyoming. There is an exceptional individual who has become a true legend when visitors come to Carbon County, whether they are entering the Visitors Center in Riverside, or are lucky enough to meet him.”

Everybody knows him as Cowboy, although his given name is William Wadsworth.”

Cowboy just turned 96 on October 31.

According to Leslie Jefferson, CEO of Discover Carbon County, he has been working at the Visitors Center in Riverside since the summer of 2005.

His knowledge is vast when it comes to Carbon County and Western history. Visitors are often amazed at the vastness of his recall. Plus, he has led an interesting life, not only in Carbon County but places all over the USA including the big island of Hawaii.

“Did you know he was in some of those Spaghetti Westerns?” Jefferson asked. “He is actually one of those people who visitors come to visit year after year at the Visitors Center. Cowboy is truly one of our attractions and a real Carbon County asset; that is for sure.”

Cowboy defies age in many ways. He works several jobs around the towns of Encampment and Riverside. Maybe a person will see him at the Divide, pulling duty of some sort.

Cowboy was skiing until age 90 and decided this year to hang up his poles.

Hanna resident April Avery met him in 2012.

“We met him by accident on our way to Steamboat,” Avery said. “We ended up being detoured for some reason and ended up in Riverside, where when we first walked in, he had us sign the guestbook: we shared some homemade jerky and some hot sauce and then went down a road he directed us to go.”

She said that was in July. Then in December, she received a Christmas card from him.

“At first, I thought it was a generic card from the Visitors Center,” Avery said. “But no, he detailed our conversation with him in the 30 minutes we met with him.”

Avery decided she wanted to know him better and once she did, Cowboy impressed her tremendously.

“He is smart, has an incredible memory, and is just full of information,” Avery said. “When we would come to Encampment, he would meet us for lunch or coffee and we became friends. Cowboy is just one of those amazing people who is friendly and a hard worker, who just doesn’t seem to stop. There is so much to admire about him, once you meet him and he is always willing to help someone when he can.”

Cowboy started his life being born in Jefferson, Iowa which was right off the Lincoln Highway. It was Halloween 1927.

Cowboy first came to Carbon County to live in 1951. He was doing some graduate work with the University of Denver and decided to be by his sister who was living in Rawlins. He didn’t stay in Carbon County, because he became a truck driver during the 1950s and 1960s between Des Moines and Denver. Then Cowboy started working construction and moved to California. The company he worked for sent him to the big island of Hawaii for work. He was supposed to stay 90 days, but he lived there for 5 years. While on the island, he got involved with a volcano observatory. He would watch volcanos from helicopters and even got close enough to see the lava flowing in person.

Eventually, Cowboy found himself back in Carbon County where he took jobs driving a truck and doing construction.

Cowboy has not only been in movies but has narrated documentaries. He recently was in one about the Lincoln Highway that included him, Carbon County residents Dick “Red” Karstoft, Margaret Anderson Karstoft and Nancy Anderson. It can be seen on YouTube and is titled “Along the Lincoln Highway, Carbon County, Wyoming [Memories and Milestones}.” It was put out in September of 2023.

Watching the documentary will enlighten the viewer not only about Carbon County and the Lincoln Highway but also about some of Cowboy’s exploits as a truck driver.

Cowboy Billy Wadsworth is a legend for his work ethic, his intelligence, his knowledge, and his willingness to do whatever he can to make sure visitors and locals are comfortable while in Carbon County.

Being this way with all his 96 years of experience under his belt, makes him a legend in Carbon County no one would or can argue.

He is in Jefferson’s words, “A true asset to Carbon County.”

Now he is gone.

“The death of Cowboy is a huge loss for all of us,” Jefferson said. “Cowboy was a wonderful employee, a joy to work with, and greeted Carbon County visitors for nearly 20 years.”

Jefferson acknowledged he was someone special who enjoyed promoting the place he lived.

“Over the past decade I was blessed to work with and get to know Cowboy,” Jefferson said. “Cowboy would not only work seasonally at the Riverside Visitor Center but also traveled to Denver and Salt Lake City and worked at the International Sportsmen’s Expos.”

Jefferson said Cowboy was a natural in his job as an ambassador of Carbon County.

“Cowboy never met a stranger and brought millions of smiles to many people,” Jefferson said. “He will be missed dearly.”

As I was talking to him on May 24, I could not help but marvel at how people gravitated to him. He was sharp and funny.

We talked for about 15 minutes before I went about grabbing some pictures of people enjoying the Divide that evening. It was busy and I grabbed some great pics, including one of Cowboy.

A week later Cowboy was gone.

Tim Nicklas, Director at the Grand Encampment Museum remembers when Cowboy was a tour guide at the museum last summer. Cowboy did the job his way and it made everyone happy although sometimes it was hard to explain to visitors.

“Well, you know he was a tour guide one day a week here last year. In between tours, he would sit down on the bench in the main building and promptly doze off,” Nicklas said. “One day, he was sleeping hard for over 20 minutes. We had visitors in the building who requested to go on a tour. To which I responded ‘Sure thing, let me wake the tour guide.’ Then they said ‘Please don’t wake him up’ and I replied ‘It’s okay, it’s his job, it’s what he gets paid for.’

Cowboy will be missed.

“Quite a unique fellow,” Encampment resident John Farr said. “He did so much for this area in many ways.”

Cowboy’s major contribution was to show people how to love and be proud of what we have in Carbon County and do it in a kind manner.

Cowboy Wadsworth was an example of a person who showed it was how to be proud of where you live.

He also lived a life.

“I think he was phenomenal man,” Doreen Harvey, town clerk of Encampment said. “I knew him for 25 years. I met him by skiing.”

She told a story where he made sure she was okay going down a trail while he went backward. His ski prowess was strong enough to where actors John Wayne and James Arness learned to ski from him.

“A lot of people say stuff like that,” Harvey said. “But he had the proof.”

Harvey pointed out that no matter where you were in the country, the world for that matter if you said you were from Encampment to someone, that person would ask if you knew Cowboy.

“He was a fixture at the Visitors Center and the Grand Encampment Museum,” Harvey said. “Cowboy had so many stories, everybody enjoyed being around and listening to him.”

Harvey pointed out that Cowboy had a life well lived and did until the end. Going to sleep and not waking up is the way many folks would like to pass. People are sad to see him gone, but all are happy there was no lingering sickness.

He talked constantly about the good of Carbon County, whether it was present or past. Cowboy was not just good for Carbon County, he was one of the best.

There is no substitute for what Billy O Wadsworth meant to those who knew him in the County or those who experienced listening to his stories.

It is a sign of a great person when so many people are touched by a life.

Harvey summed up the loss of Cowboy well.

“There can never be enough words written about his life and the stories he could tell,” Harvey said. “The value he had to this County can never be truly measured.”

A Philanthropic Legend in Carbon County

Publisher — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 20:08:34 +0000

A Philanthropic Legend in Carbon County Publisher Mon, 04/08/2024 - 22:08

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

There is a person who I have watched come to the aid of different projects in Carbon County on multiple occasions. Her dedication to helping children in all sorts of ways is not so much amazing as it is inspiring.

Ryta Sondergard may not have been born in Carbon County, but it has been her home for several years. She and her husband, Steve, came to Carbon County to work at the Sinclair refinery.

Ryta was born Marguerite Dozier in Detroit. She has six siblings. Her mother was a social worker.

At a young age, Ryta showed she was a leader. She was class president of her high school, the first African American to do so, and graduated at age 16. Ryta went to the University of Michigan where she graduated with honors while majoring in economics and organizational behavior.

She immediately was hired to be a bank manager in a Detroit suburb. Ryta was offered a job in Denver which she took.

Arriving in Denver, the job was not available due to the person who had hired her left the bank with no mention of Ryta’s impending employment.

Ryta did not let this deter her and she found a job at the Denver branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve as an operations analyst.

She met Steve at a bible study for singles she was teaching.

The couple married on October 13, 1986. Due to Steve’s job as a chemical and petroleum engineer, they traveled the world for business. They also took journeys for leisure and ministry. They shared a love for each other, travel, philanthropy and music.

Ryta got her MBA in marketing from Regis University while the couple lived in Denver in the mid-2000s.

By that time, she had raised $4.2 million for non-profits.

Ryta was hired by Sinclair to run their Community relations.

She focused on helping children with education.

This is no surprise since in 2006 she and five others in the Enlighten Foundation helped create a preschool outside Harare, Zimbabwe.

I first met Ryta at the Carbon County Fair in 2017 where I was taking in everything because I had never attended the Fair before.

She was set up at the Sinclair outdoor stand where they were giving away Sinclair swag mostly for kids.

My neighbor’s daughter Chloe, who did gardening work for me, was volunteering at the booth. As a daughter of workers at Sinclair, she got some funding to help with school. I was curious and started talking to Ryta.

It didn’t take long to realize, if it was about kids or education, she was interested in helping. She is responsible for the Christmas tree lights in Sinclair. She is responsible for the Christmas theme programs done every other year in Rawlins. Some of these events were done while she worked at Sinclair with the company’s help and when she left, Ryta continued to make sure the kids got their magic around Christmas time.

I saw all this firsthand on several occasions as time passed.

It is not only kids she helps.

The table design event at the Carbon County Fair is an attraction that she helps plan that is successful.

I have worked for the Hanna Basin Museum and fundraising is always something on our agenda. Ryta has always supported us when asked. I saw her help the Boys and Girls Club while I was director of the Hanna Recreation Center where the club for Hanna is located.

The most amazing moment I saw of her generosity was at the Medicine Bow Museum where the director, Sharon Biamon, was taking funds for the Fossil House to be moved to the museum’s site.

The old structure about 10 miles outside of town had been donated by the owners, but it was up to the Medicine Bow Museum to move it.

The Fossil House or Fossil Museum was built by Tom Boylan after he had collected 5,796 bones weighing 102,116 pounds near his homestead by Como Bluffs. The dinosaur bones were initially intended to build a complete skeleton; Boylan saw that few of the bones came from the same animal. Boylan, with the help of his son, built the 29-foot by 19-foot cabin in 1932 for the 1933 tourist season. By 1936 Boylan had postcards printed, calling it the “Como Bluff Dinosaurium.” In 1938 the cabin was promoted in Ripley’s Believe It or Not as “The World’s Oldest Cabin”. The name stuck. After the Ripley mention, Boylan also called the cabin the “Creation Museum” and “The Building that Used to Walk.”

Boylan died in 1947, so his widow, Grace, operated the gas station until she sold the property in 1974. The building has been shuttered for at least a decade and needs the attention of a place like the Medicine Bow Museum.

On the day that I saw Ryta in action that has been emblazoned in my mind, several large company representatives were in attendance and Sinclair was one of them. Substantial donations had been received, but it was not enough for the deposit required. The goal was $28,000.

Sharon thanked all that had helped with fundraising as a group gathered around to listen to her.

“How much more do you need?” I heard Ryta ask who was in the crowd.

“About $7,000 more,” Sharon answered.

The next moment, Ryta wrote a personal check for the amount.

Here was this person who lived in Sinclair at the time, miles from Medicine Bow helping make a small-town museum’s dream come true.

She showed zero hesitation.

I was impressed because other areas of Carbon County get great funding for different projects, but it is not common to see in the North.

The Fossil House’s mover had to abandon the job after doing some work to get it ready. The building still sits waiting to be moved. I have never heard Ryta make an unkind remark about the Fossil House not being done.

She invests in history and culture.

Ryta was one of the driving forces to get the Sinclair Theater renovated and open.

All the different towns she has done outreach to shows she really cares about all Carbon County communities.

A couple of years back she and Steve moved to Old Baldy in Saratoga.

Then on October 26, 2022, Steve passed away unexpectedly. I had seen them together on several occasions and it was obvious how much the two cared for each other.

It was very sad.

I made my condolences, which is never easy, and Ryta was gracious as ever. Ryta is a friendly, approachable person and I could not help wondering what she would do with Steve gone.

For one thing, she delved into helping get funding for a preschool in Saratoga.

I saw her at the Carbon County Fair helping at the table event. I saw her volunteer, manning an information booth for the Rawlins DDA during Summerfest.

Ryta not only helps non-profits with funding but also gives a lot of her time.

Ryta was presented with the September 2023 Community Build Award during the Rawlins City Council meeting on September 5.

She works with her non-profit that helps other nonprofits. It was started by Ryta and her husband in early 2022 to help kids in communities.

I remember Ryta telling me her mother was a big reason she helps communities in ways that she can. Her mother had brought her up that it was her duty.

Ryta has listened to her mother’s words over the years. She told me once, that it was her good fortune to marry a man who believed in giving back to communities as much as she did.

Recently, I heard of Ryta’s generosity to an organization that was in desperate shape. Wee Folks in Hanna was looking at having their doors shut in a matter of weeks.

Companies and individuals from all over the County contributed to avert this possible outcome for Wee Folks in a matter of weeks.

A major donor was Ryta.

I was not surprised when I found this out.

Ryta Sondergard may not have lived in Carbon County as long as many people we have picked as legends, but her impact has been felt all over. I saw her make a difference time and time again, sometimes reporting on it, sometimes not.

We are lucky in Carbon County that there are those who move here and really try to help their communities in what ways they can. It is heartening to see because there have been plenty who have come here and not been altruistic.

Ryta is a legend to many nonprofits in Carbon County and deserves to be with all her efforts to help so many causes.

On a personal note, I have heard her passion when talking about helping kids whether it is regarding education or making a Christmas event that beats the one from years before.

It is uplifting.

Ryta Sondergard is a philanthropist in the truest sense of the word for what she does for Carbon County communities, no matter where they are located.

That is what makes legends.