RIVERTON — Every Thursday at 9 a.m., Scotty Ratliff welcomes a ragtag collection of local old guys for coffee around his kitchen table.
He makes the brew strong to keep up with the conversations heating up around the custom-made table, inlaid with beautiful patterns and protected by coasters under each coffee mug.
Around this large table sit Riverton's grouchy old men, intermingled with younger professionals in various stages of their careers.
Ratliff has a habit of inviting folks in for a visit to share insights and their passion projects, ranging from politics to homelessness.
“We invite anybody that wants to come,” Ratliff said. “Though we don't go out of our way to get people that are disrespectful.”
That’s the main rule.
You are there to talk civilly and can express an opinion only if you are there to hear other opinions as well. You don’t even have to like coffee.
Alma Law brings his beverage in a water bottle. In his 40s, he is one of the youngest regulars.
“I was invited because I was told my perspective would be welcome,” Law said. “They knew I didn’t drink coffee, and I’m not retired, but they thought I would fit in well despite these things.”
There is also a recommended training video.
Walter Matthau is a legend among many of those around the table, and his movie 1993 “Grumpy Old Men” sparring opposite Jack Lemmon gives a great foundation for the talk around Ratliff’s table.
“I don't know that I would call it organized,” Ratliff said. “It just started with a couple of us coming in for coffee and talking about what's going on.”
The group discusses current issues that are happening in Fremont County, on the Wind River Reservation and in Wyoming.
Over time, the number of coffee drinkers has grown with the largest meeting nearing 20 people gathered around Ratliff’s table, though the average is usually about 10.
Networking For A Better Community
Ratliff is retired from the Wyoming Legislature but still very active in his community.
He regularly invites people from different walks of life to come and present their thoughts and ideas to the coffee group. Regulars are always happy to welcome them to the table.
“Scotty does a real good job of bringing really intelligent, viable people in,” regular member Jack Schmidt said. “You get a bird’s-eye view of what they know and get to meet all sorts of personalities which is really cool.”
“We have a variety of people who have come,” Ratliff said. “We've had educators in here and people from the City Council. We'll bring anybody in that wants to come and share their experience.”
Carl Manning was one such guest invited to the table to discuss local school board issues as a member of the Fremont School District No. 25 board.
“I just sort of hung around ever since,” Manning said. “It opens my thinking every week, and I enjoy it. It's a highlight of the week.”
Drew Duncan comes to Ratliff’s table to enjoy the coffee and company.
“It helps me keep my finger on the pulse of things in our community,” Duncan said. “I learn about events and get to meet people like the county coroner that I otherwise wouldn’t meet.”
Manning said that even if they are not able to solve particular issues, it is good to hear what others think would be a good solution.
“There's enough diversity in thought that all of a sudden our complaints develop into a conversation about what needs to be done,” Manning said. “Even if we cannot change things, we can at least exchange ideas about what to do.”
Law agreed and said that he is excited to be at Ratliff’s table because of the opportunities that are presented.
“We're involved in a lot of things, and none of us have any circles that cross over with each other,” Law said. “I get my news from them because they really care about what’s going on, even on a federal level.”
There’s also talk around the table of how things used to be compared to how things are now.
“There’s a couple of old legislators that talk about state legislature the way it was and the way it is, and how it's not always a good thing,” Manning said. “We have regular attendees like Randy Tucker that have been covering a lot of history and a lot of people talking about their personal history and family history in the area.”
Complain, Then Act
John Woods is a regular who is not retired and still working at Central Wyoming College. He likes his coffee, and said that the difference between this group and other coffee klatches is that they actually act on their ideas.
“Sometimes we have a topic, but a lot of times that topic develops into other things,” Woods said. “We complain about it, but then we try to think, ‘How do we get it to be different?’ We're open to suggestions.”
Like many at the table, Jack Schmidt fits the role of a doer. He is a retiree who is active on several local boards and believes that it is important to help Riverton and those in Fremont County.
“We are always asking each other how do we make things better,” Schmidt said. “Sometimes it is just by getting the word out and realizing we even have a problem. Then we can start working on a solution.”
Schmidt put these words into action when he joined the crusade against homelessness because of a conversation started at Ratliff’s table about an organization he didn’t even know existed called Eagle’s Hope Transitional Housing.
He is now an active member of the board and helping people who have hit rock bottom transition back into society. Law is also very active on several boards and believes that is key to being a doer.
“I am personally involved in a lot of local things and believe that if I'm going to make a difference, it's not going to be on the national stage,” Law said. “I speak up and say what I see is going on right here in our community and who's picking up momentum to make good changes.”
As Ratliff brews another pot of coffee, the conversation around his table continues as the coffee drinkers — and those who bring their own drinks — continue to talk about a wide range of topics that affect their community. Also, how to make a positive difference by doing something about it once they walk out the door.
“We have really good conversations where we get right to the point and figure out a plan,” Law said.
People have walked away from Ratliff’s table pumped and ready to make changes.
Some have taken that energy to enter political races, both on a local and statewide level. Others, such as Schmidt, have found themselves on boards, putting into action the words that were spoken at the table over a good cup of coffee.
Jackie Dorothy can be reached at jackie@cowboystatedaily.com.
