With this new energy boom, we can soon expect lots of new people coming into our great state.
House prices are high and demand for housing indicates that folks are coming here.
So, what advice would we give to these newcomers?
It was just 55 years ago when our family moved here and let me use that experience as a partial example:
• What the heck is a barrow pit? Well, here in Wyoming that is the area along the roads where dirt was gathered up to create a roadbed. But back home, we call that a ditch? No, a ditch is a groove in the land that carries irrigation water. Also sometimes called a borrow pit.
• The pass is closed because of bad weather. Really? Hard to imagine the possibility of a pass being closed here in the 21st century? If you are coming to Wyoming, you better darned well believe it is.
• What are mineral severance taxes? Newcomers have heard of property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes, but what is this? Newcomers should learn about it since taxes on our minerals amount to about two thirds of all taxes paid here.
Those are just three things that seem to be pretty much unique to Wyoming.
Is A Primer Needed?
This is the example of a project completed over a decade ago by the Wyoming Humanities Council. That august group felt some kind of primer was necessary for newcomers to our state. What should be in such a guide?
Probably one thing would be the admonition to keep your mouth shut when you attend your first public meetings.
Our old-timers are insufferably polite but it is almost impossible to not think: If it was so great where you came from – why did you leave there and come here?
John B. Brown of Lander offers, friendly version: “It’s nice how you did things back at home, but that’s not how we do it here. Not so friendly version: If you like how they did things back home, perhaps you should go back there.”
Along that theme, Vince Tomassi says: “I would tell them that there are five directions out of Kemmerer. If it's so bad, pick one and go back where you came from.”
Karl Brauneis of Lander recalls: “What I learned when I first came to Wyoming? The game wardens wear red shirts and you could still legally hunt grizzly bears. Also, they throw bananas at CSU's basketball team at UW home games. They had a special crew that took the court to clean up the mess when the referees stopped the game. They got pretty good at it because they had to if the game were to continue moving along. Finally, I could drink hard liquor at age 19 on the Wyoming Hot Shot Crew in Greybull. That's right. I was 19!”
Some Tips By Old Timers
So, what other unique Wyoming tips would you offer someone who is moving here? Over the past decades, I asked some folks and here is what they said:
Scott Goetz of Lander says we need to explain to people what those odd fences are used for out in the high desert. The late Jo Anne McFarland of Riverton always said that when she told newcomers they were “snow fences,” they thought she was kidding.
The late Clay James of Jackson says to buy a good strong snow shovel. Diane Galloway who moved from Wyoming to Washington, D. C. says she always packed a survival kit in her car for winter trips.
Rancher Jim Allen of Lander reminds that good fences make good neighbors. Wyoming is a “fence out” state. It is your responsibility to fence your property so other people’s livestock does not trespass on your land.
Former Iowan Tom Lacock of Cheyenne says that you should keep your gas tank at least half full, especially in winter. “Just because there is a dot on the map does not mean there’s a gas station there.”
The late Dave Kellogg of Lander always said you need to make sure the spouse is prepared for the kind of erratic weather you can get here. UW Prof Phil Roberts echoes that you better learn to appreciate the Wyoming wind. Bob Peck of Cheyenne says get used to “horizontal snow.” And if you do not know what directions are, just look at the trees, “they all point east.”
Chris Boswell of Cheyenne said when he first moved to Wyoming (to Green River) it was somewhat intimidating to see all the bumper stickers that read Wyoming Native. But the town was welcoming and all those people stayed and have families full of new Wyoming natives.
The late State Treasurer Joe Meyer of Cheyenne recalled taking new state officials around the state and advising them “to just listen.” He also suggested they read “Rising From The Plains” by John McPhee.
Scott Ratliff of Riverton says it is great to have a state where you can have a good career without needing an advanced education, thanks to the mineral industry.
My sister Susan Kinneman of Riverton says newcomers do not understand all our acronyms like BLM, USFS, G&F, EPA, and DEQ.
How Were Things Back Home?
And finally, Debbie Hammons, formerly of Worland, offered: Do you know the story about the guy in Wyoming who had a small convenience store? A newcomer stopped and asked what the folks were like in the town. The owner asked, “What were folks like back where you're from?”
"They're really small minded, closed to newcomers, and gossip a lot.”
"Well," said the owner. "That's about what you'll find here."
That fellow left, and another newcomer pulled in. He, too, asked what folks were like here? The owner replied with the same question, "What were folks like where you're from?"
"Oh, they're great," said the fellow. "Open and hospitable, help you out if you need it but respect your privacy."
"Well," said the owner, "that about describes the folks here, too.”
