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Jim Angell: Publicly Financed News Outlet Barring Public From US House Debate? Laughable.

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By Jim Angell, Managing Editor
Angell was the president of the Wyoming Press Association for 20 years

At first blush, the idea of a publicly financed news outlet barring the public from a debate featuring candidates for one of Wyoming’s top offices seems laughable.

Especially when it come from as respectable an outlet as Wyoming PBS, a long-time vocal advocate of transparency in government.

But, I guess, when you get too used to taking those federal dollars, you start behaving like the federal government.

“Closed because of security concerns.”

“You really don’t need to know that information.”

“We’re withholding that pending an internal investigation.”

“To ensure the safety of the candidates, the debate is closed to the public and the press.” 

That last one came from Wyoming PBS General Manager Terry Dugas, in an announcement explaining why the public and the media will be locked out of next week’s congressional debate in Riverton.

I spent 20 years of my life fighting to convince state and local governments to keep their proceedings and documents open to the public, the very people who pay for EVERY SINGLE THING that those governments do.

To have to stand toe-to-toe now with the very people who often stood with me in this battle just makes me sad.

There’s no room here for fiery rhetoric. Just a resigned shake of the head that PBS, probably on orders from someone else, is closing public access to the congressional debate.

Now, for someone interested in politics, there is nothing more informative than being able to watch a candidate being quizzed by knowledgable members of the media on important policy points. To see how they react to difficult, complex questions. To see whether they pause, deflect, obfuscate or offer well-considered answers on the important questions of our day.

Watching on a livestream simply isn’t the same. Nor is it meant to be. It’s a remote viewing of a television event. Informative, but lacking the in-person context. 

Media coverage after-the-fact will be good, but it can’t capture the small items, the candidates trading glances, hand gestures, or any of the post-debate chatter that occurs.

Just as a reminder, Wyoming PBS is largely a publicly funded organization supplemented in part with grants from private companies. In Wyoming, we hold our publicly funded institutions to a pretty high bar when it comes to transparency. Our own Supreme Court says public entities should operate “in a fishbowl.”

It’s a shame Wyoming PBS isn’t following the same rules it encourages others to follow although, again, it’s probably at someone else’s behest.

Will Cowboy State Daily cover this event anyway? Absolutely. It’s our job to keep you informed of what is happening in the election so you can make an educated decision when you cast your vote. Wyoming PBS’ decision to lock out the media, except for those asking questions, should make no difference in any outlet’s coverage plans.

But unless and until Wyoming PBS can come up with a better explanation for this closure than “it’s for safety,” I’m going to be mighty disappointed.

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Dr. Seuss: And To Think That I Saw It On PC Street

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By Jim Angell, Cowboy State Daily

Today, I found myself scouring the internet, looking for contraband of such an apparently appalling nature that I was actually hesitant to launch a search, worried the Google overlords might be tracking me.

After finding what I wanted, I still faced the daunting prospect of actually obtaining my purchase of socially questionable material.

But I set my jaw and proceeded to enter the number of my credit card, completing my purchase and throwing caution to the not insubstantial Wyoming wind.

I was not purchasing firearms, explosives, rock albums with explicit lyrics or porn.

I was looking for Dr. Seuss books. Specifically, six that Dr. Seuss Enterprises says will no longer be published.

Heinous, I know. For a supporter of free speech to stockpile books that are declared racist by today’s standards … well, it’s almost as bad as reading “Huck Finn.”

But before you think too harshly of me and waggle a finger in my direction — as many enlightened people have chosen to do on the national stage — hear out my reasoning.

First, I love these books. I haven’t read all of the books on the list, but “If I Ran the Zoo” was one a beloved uncle read to me too many times to count. “Eggs Super Duper” was one of the first books I learned to read on my own.

And of course, “To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street,” the first of the children’s books published by Theodore Geisel under the pen name of Dr. Seuss, is a literary milestone.

And while these books are not being banned, stopping their publication amounts to the same thing. 

A search of book retailers large and small revealed that most are completely sold out of the “Mulberry” title — and with no more being printed, there will be no replacements on the market any time soon, save those collectible editions that are going for $900 and more.

So I want to save these books for my grandchildren. I want them to hear and enjoy the same hypnotic rhyme that I enjoyed as a child.

I want to save them for me. As a way to remember my childhood.

And I want to save them for a society that has become so sensitive it cannot realize that the same standards in place now were not in place 80, 40, 20, 10 or even five years ago.

My biggest concern over the whole fracas is this: These books are not being taken out of publication because they are racist or discuss issues of race.

The problem stems from images that were found on their pages. Images that would have been common in 1937, when “Mulberry” was written, but that many rightfully find objectionable now.

So a book is being pulled from publication not because of its words, but because of images. I just want to make sure everyone has that straight. A book pulled from the public view, but not for what it says.

But history can’t be changed by removing objectionable images. Those types of racially stereotypical images were used widely at the time and not only by Dr. Seuss. Removing them from public circulation just means future generations won’t know why they were objectionable.

We often learn far more from the mistakes of history than we do the successes. These were the mistakes of Dr. Seuss, a man who, by all accounts, made very few — almost none when these books are placed in proper historic context. 

Indeed, Seuss was known for the lessons of tolerance he passed on to children through his books (who can forget the lesson of the Sneeches?). 

Some have said Seuss himself would have supported this move, but I humbly disagree. I believe he was a man who would rather figure out a way to eliminate the objectionable images of his books than have his words disappear entirely.

So I will brave the glares of cashiers as I try to collect these memorials to my childhood. I will no doubt bow slightly under the judgmental pursed lips of those who will find my actions just a little less reprehensible than collecting Nazi memorabilia.

But I will not surrender Seuss’ words to the mob.

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Jim Angell: A Look Back at Some of the Year’s Top Stories

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By Jim Angell, Cowboy State Daily

Because New Year’s Eve is always a time for reflection, Cowboy State Daily wanted to give everyone a chance to look back on what may be one of the most tumultuous years in anyone’s memory.

Below, you’ll find our choices for the top five stories of the year, along with some “runners up,” important stories that captured the attention of many of our readers.

Disagree? Have something you want to add? Please, by all means, leave us a comment and let us know what you think the top stories of 2020 were.

  1. Coronavirus

Along with the rest of the world, Wyoming fell victim to COVID-19. The resulting hospitalizations and deaths — 405 as of Tuesday — left many residents rattled, but as the year wore on, the number of active cases in the state plummeted sharply, leaving the state to enter 2021 with fewer than 2,000.

Wyoming’s first confirmed case of coronavirus was diagnosed on March 12. While the numbers  grew slowly through the summer, by October, it was common to see more than 200 new cases one day, a figure that grew as high as 1,251 in November.

While Gov. Mark Gordon was at first hesitant to adopt a statewide mask mandate, he did issue restrictions on businesses such as bars and restaurants in the early months of the pandemic to slow the spread of the illness. A number of people objected to the rules and critics held protest Marches across the state and at the Capitol.

Businesses were allowed to reopen, with some social distancing rules, in the summer, but when faced with more than 11,800 active cases in the state in late November, Gordon imposed a requirement for masks to be worn in all public places, a limit on public gatherings to 10 people or fewer and orders for restaurants and bars to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The year ended with the statewide mandate in place, although the number of active cases fell sharply through December to total 1,395 on Tuesday.

The pandemic prompted schools to teach many classes online and led the Wyoming Legislature to push back the start of its budget session.

2. State Budget

Faced with a one-two punch of a collapse in the state’s coal industry and the loss of tax income created by the coronavirus, Gordon was forced to cut state spending by more than $250 million, about 10% of the state’s total budget.

Gordon also submitted a supplemental budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 that would reduce spending contained in the state’s biennium budget by another $500 million.

“Our circumstances require that we make further reductions in order to meet our Constitutional obligation to balance Wyoming’s budget,” he said when releasing his supplemental budget.

The cuts were made necessary by predictions that the state’s revenues would fall almost $1 billion short of what was needed to pay for the general operation of the state and $500 million short of what was needed to finance schools during the fiscal biennium that will end on June 30, 2022.

The projected revenue reductions were the result of steep declines in coal sales, along with a collapse in natural gas markets created by an oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and a drop in sales tax revenue associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

As revenue from coal continues to decline, many people around the state are looking at new ways to use the state’s rich resource and think outside of the coal box for future portfolio diversification.

3. Coal

Wyoming’s coal production continued to decline in 2020, due largely to cuts in demand as power companies continued looking for sources of energy with less of an impact on the environment than coal.

Layoffs that began in 2019 continued in 2020, as companies such as Navajo Transitional Energy and laid off workers at Powder River Basin coal mines including Antelope near Wright and Montana’s Decker mine. In all, more than 600 workers were laid off.

State officials encouraged Wyoming’s involvement in technology such as carbon capture to encourage the continued use of coal as a power source, as well as the use of coal for non-energy purposes, such as the creation of carbon fibers.

4. Election

Wyoming cemented its position as one of the nation’s biggest supporters of President Donald Trump, with slightly more than 70% of all those casting votes in November’s general election voting for the incumbent president.

Trump’s apparent loss to Democrat Joe Biden resulted in calls from across the state for Wyoming to get involved with a Texas lawsuit challenging the validity of votes cast in some states. More than 30 legislators and legislators-elect wrote a letter asking Gordon to have the state join the lawsuit.

Gordon ultimately declined to to join the lawsuit, which was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The general election also saw Wyoming voters return former U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis to Washington as the state’s new senator.

Lummis ran against Democrat Merav Ben David for the Senate seat being vacated with the retirement of U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, who served four terms in the Senate.

Lummis served in the U.S. House for four terms before stepping down in 2017. In her race to become Wyoming’s first female U.S. senator, Lummis collected almost 73% of the votes cast.

5. GOP Differences

Several established Wyoming legislators lost their positions during the November election as factions within the Wyoming Republican Party battled over which candidates were the most conservative.

Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, and Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette, both lost their re-election bids after being targeted for defeat by Wyoming Gun Owners, a pro-gun group that has labeled officials it opposes as being “anti-gun” despite the fact they often take positions that are supportive of the Second Amendment.

The schism in the party also made itself known as Gordon took steps aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus such as requiring the closure of some businesses and encouraging residents to wear face masks when in public. 

Gordon was met with protests at the state Capitol and when he issued a statewide mask mandate in November, organizations including the Wyoming Republican Party objected.

The Wyoming GOP had earlier in the year issued a statement calling for Gordon to rescind the “state of emergency” that allowed him to issue public health orders.

Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Frank Eathorne, in a column circulated to Wyoming media, criticized a “vocal minority” within the party of trying to undermine those who adhered to the party’s platform.

He suggested any party member not willing to endorse the majority of the party’s platform should leave the party.

A member of the party’s Central Committee was censured because an organization she established to encourage women to run for office provided funds for the campaigns of several Democratic candidates, but was accused of refusing to provide funds for two Republican candidates.

Below are some stories of 2020 that warrant a mention, even if they weren’t groundbreaking news:

Forrest Fenn’s treasure: Ten years after he hid it, the treasure chest of author Forrest Fenn was found in Wyoming. Fenn had offered clues for finding the chest, which contained gold and precious jewels, in a poem he wrote and hundreds went in search of the prize, knowing only that it was somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

When the treasure was found in June by a Michigan man, other treasure hunters complained, accusing Fenn and the treasure’s finder of collusion. Fenn died in September at the age of 90.

Grizzly 399: The travels of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s most famous grizzlies and her four cubs provided endless entertainment through the summer and late into the fall.

Grizzly 399 was tracked through the season as she roamed through the area, at one point stopping just long enough in Grand Teton National Park to let her cubs play with some traffic cones. Grizzly 399 is one of northwest Wyoming’s older grizzlies and this year emerged in Grand Teton in May.

Stories followed her daily trips — many expressed concern over the fact she had apparently sampled human food and then relief when she went elsewhere rather than becoming habituated to humand, usually a death sentence for bears. One of her cubs developed a limp, but then recovered. Most recently, the bear and her cubs were seen in Grand Teton during hunting season.

Park visitations: Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks saw record visitation as people holed up in their homes during the worst of the coronavirus pandemic took advantage of the social distancing that comes with visiting nature.

Yellowstone saw more than 837,499 visitors in September and 360,499 in October, both records. Likewise, Grand Teton 351,173 visitors in October, the highest number of visitations on record for the month.

CJ Box on television: 2020 saw a second Wyoming author hit the small screen with his creation. CJ Box’s “Big Sky” debuted in November to join Craig Johnson’s “Longmire” as television fare.

“Big Sky” is based on Box’s 2013 novel “The Highway,” about a long-haul trucker who is a serial killer. Box told the Cowboy State Daily the book was the “creepiest thing I ever wrote.”

A Cheyenne hero: Cheyenne’s Bridger Walker became a hero to heroes in 2020 after being badly injured while saving his little sister from an attack by a dog. Walker’s heroic act left him with scars from multiple bites from the dog.

However, it also attracted the attention of many of the cast members of the “Avengers” films, who reached out to Bridger with words of encouragement and gifts. Chris Evans, who played Captain America in the Avengers films, sent Walker a shield.

Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man, recorded a video message for the young man and promised him a special birthday present, and Tom Holland, who played Spiderman, called Walker and invited him to the set of the next Spiderman movie.

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Jim Angell Rates 10 Holiday-Themed Drinks (Yes, He Had a Designated-Driver)

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By Jim Angell, Cowboy State Daily

NOTE: This story was filed in December, 2019 (before the pandemic).

Seasonal adult beverages have been associated with Christmas for as long as the holiday has been celebrated.

From Bob Cratchit’s gin punch in “A Christmas Carol” to the “flaming rum punch” mentioned by Clarence the angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” cocktails and mixed drinks have been a fixture in countless holiday celebrations.

So in the spirit of the holiday (pun intended), Cowboy State Daily set out to visit 10 Cheyenne establishments to see what they could offer up in terms of holiday drinks.

Since I have the most experience at taste testing (see my in-depth review of carnival food at Frontier Days), I won the enviable job of trying out special holiday drinks around town.

Some were warm, sweet and inviting, like a grandmother’s hug. Other’s were refreshing and brisk, like a walk on a snowy winter’s night. But they were all delicious.

As you can see in the accompanying video, I gave each drink a score on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. I based my scores on one simple idea: how universally enjoyed the drink would be.

Now, I have to note a couple of things here:

I did not drive. My beautiful Irish bride was kind enough to take the wheel.

I did not finish all the drinks put in front of me. That would have been dangerous. Although I must admit, some were too good to give up on.

So here is a list of the establishments we visited in the order we stopped, along with a brief description of the drink I enjoyed at each stop.

1.Poor Richards

The drink: Poor Richard’s Winter Storm

Ingredients: Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Amaretto, Frangelico, coffee.

Poor Richard’s has been a favorite Cheyenne restaurant of mine since I moved here. The food is wonderful, the service is great and the bar is intimate, quiet and well-stocked. 

The Winter Storm is a coffee-based drink, with the kick coming from coffee, orange, almond and hazelnut liqueurs. It is a great drink for those seeking something warm and somewhat sweet without the overwhelming taste of alcohol.

2. The Albany

The drink: Irish Coffee

Ingredients: Irish whiskey, sugar, coffee, whipped cream, creme de menthe.

The Albany has been operating as a restaurant since 1905, although under some different names in its early years. The history in this building is palpable and it’s a wonderful place to enjoy a meal or a drink.

The Irish coffee is a staple for cold weather and every establishment has its own twist on it. At The Albany, the twist comes when the bartender pours creme de menthe on top of the whipped cream topping the coffee itself. The minty finish is a wonderful addition to the traditional flavor of the coffee and whiskey.

3. The Metropolitan

The drink: Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Rye whiskey, brown sugar, simple syrup, bitters, orange bitters and a brandied cherry.

The “Met” is one of Cheyenne’s newest restaurants and is generating quite a few positive reviews. Its list of specialty cocktails is impressive, as is its collections of top-shelf liquors.

The Old Fashioned isn’t really a holiday drink, but it is a classic, something often associated with the elegance and glamour of the “Rat Pack” years of the 1950s and 1960s. To put it simply, the Metropolitan’s Old Fashioned is the best I have ever tasted. Complex and well balanced, it would appeal to someone who wants just a hint of whiskey flavor backed up with mixers that in themselves are not too strong. So grab one when you’re feeling like belting out “New York, New York.”

4. Rib & Chop House

The drink: Chop House Peanut Butter S’mores

Ingredients: Peanut butter whiskey, hot chocolate, whipped cream.

Rib & Chop has restaurants scattered across Wyoming and by some accounts, it offers up the finest steak in the state. Its bar is always lively and inviting.

I’ve got to be honest:  I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a peanut butter whiskey. And once I learned there was, I wasn’t too sure I wanted to try it. But Rib & Chop’s Peanut Butter S’mores is a delicious dessert drink featuring — believe it or not — the great taste of peanut butter and chocolate. Sort of like dunking a chocolate bar into a tub of peanut butter. This is going to be popular with anyone who likes to end the night with a sweet drink.

5. Little Bear

The drink: Little Bear Nudge

Ingredients: Frangelico, Amaretto, Irish cream, hot coffee, whipped cream and sprinkles.

Talk about historic — the Little Bear has been around in one form or another since an important stagecoach line ran between Cheyenne and Deadwood, South Dakota. The atmosphere is wonderful, like a neighborhood bar and restaurant, and always inviting.

The Little Bear Nudge is another coffee-based drink getting its flavors from the hazelnut and almond flavored liqueurs, along with the Irish cream. The Irish cream adds an interesting taste to the hazelnut and almond and cuts the strong flavor of the (home-ground) coffee to yield a pleasantly balanced drink that is sweet, but not too sweet. The green sprinkles, it was explained, are just there for decoration.

6. Uncle Charlie’s

The drink: Gingerbread martini

Ingredients: Pumpkin-flavored Irish cream, butterscotch-flavored schnapps, half-and-half cream, cinnamon.

Uncle Charlie’s has been a popular gathering place in Cheyenne for years, particularly famous for its happy hour snacks and treats. It’s always fun and there’s always something going on.

On our arrival, bartender Pam created — on the spot — what I consider to be the most Christmassy of all our drinks: the gingerbread martini. She pulled it together while we waited. And the name doesn’t lie — the mixture of the pumpkin and butterscotch flavors yields a gingerbread taste. Served cold in a martini glass, it’s an instant Christmas classic, sweet and creamy. Make sure you ask for it when you visit.

7. Peppermill

The drink: Rachel’s Reindeer Revenge

Ingredients: Vodka, peach schnapps, cinnamon-flavored whiskey, holiday Red Bull (plum flavored)

The Peppermill is a very popular spot on Dell Range, with numerous pool tables, video games and various special events occurring through the week.

The drink created by bartender Rachel was slightly sweet, but not cloying. The carbonation provided by the Red Bull gave it a certain lift and left it very light on the tongue. The peach schnapps reduced the influence of the vodka and whiskey, creating a very easy-to-drink cocktail that was very refreshing.

Plus, we were given the honor of naming it, so there’s that.

8. The Office

The drink: Peppermint Cranberry

Ingredients: Peppermint schnapps, cranberry juice, splash of soda water.

The Office is one of Cheyenne’s newer establishments and has received extremely good reviews for its food and specialty cocktails.

The one made specially for me during my tour, the peppermint cranberry, was the first at The Office, but not the first for our experienced bartender. It was like drinking a candy cane. The bright red color made it visually appealing and the strong peppermint flavor, boosted by the carbonation, made it a very refreshing drink. An excellent choice for an after-dinner drink.

9. Alf’s Pub

The drink: Irish coffee

Ingredients: Irish whiskey, Irish cream, coffee

Alf’s is famous in Cheyenne for hosting a number of charitable events, raising more than $2 million in the last several years for donation to various causes. It’s a friendly bar with a “neighborhood pub” feel.

The Irish coffee at Alf’s was basic and comforting — kind of like an old friend. The Irish cream helped blunt the edges of the coffee and smoothed out the wonderful Irish whiskey. Served in a standard coffee mug, the drink stayed satisfyingly warm throughout.

10. Paramount Ballroom

The drink: The Land of Nod

Ingredients: Brandy, butterscotch liqueur, spiced rum, apple cider, cinnamon, orange, cloves and cranberry, all topped with butter.

The Paramount has gained fame as a Cheyenne home of specialty cocktails. The atmosphere is upscale and bright, making it a perfect place to meet after work or before dinner.

The Land of Nod tops the list for Christmas cheer on the warm drinks list. The various flavors blended beautifully and the butter melted on top of the drink gave it a smooth, warm finish. Although it tends toward the sweet side, the orange peel and cloves help keep it from being too sweet, all while adding a very “Christmassy” nose.

So that was my trip. I’d encourage anyone to stop by any of these establishments if they get a chance at any time of the year — don’t wait for Christmas!

Remember, though, if you’re going to try to replicate my five-hour journey, do it safely. Bring a designated driver. And, if you can, somebody to record the experience. The fear of appearing in an online video doing something, well, undignified should keep you on your best behavior.

Slainte (Gaelic for cheers) and Merry Christmas!

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Jim Angell: An Interview With Santa Claus

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By Jim Angell, Cowboy State Daily

While away on business in western Wyoming, I was lucky enough to run into the big man himself.

No, not God. I’m hoping that meeting is a ways off yet.

I’m talking about the man of the season, Santa Claus.

While visiting a department store, I saw, well, politely put, a rotund man (I can say that word because it’s a physical attribute we share) with a very white beard, his white hair peeking out from beneath a stocking cap, his face adorned with small, round glasses.

As a longtime scholar of Santa, I was sure it was him. The signs were there — an ever-present smile turning up the edges of his mustache, rosy cheeks — it had to be him.

He was carefully scanning the items in the toy section, making notes in a small notebook and occasionally nodding.

As I approached, ready to ask if he was indeed Kris Kringle, he turned to face me and put his fingers on his lips in the universal symbol of “shush.”

“Not here,” he muttered. “Meet me outside and we’ll talk.”

I headed for the door and a few minutes later, he joined me.

“Let’s go get some cocoa,” he said.

A short time later, I was seated in a quiet restaurant enjoying a fine mug of hot chocolate, the legend himself sitting across from me.

“I’m …” I started.

“I know who you are. I’m Santa,” he interrupted with a chuckle. “You want to ask me some questions. I can’t guarantee I’ll answer them all, but I’ll do the best I can.

What follows is a transcript of my chat with the boss of presents.

CSD: So, Santa, what are you doing in Wyoming?

SC: I travel the world in the weeks leading up to Christmas to get an idea of what toys are selling well, which would be the best for kids, the average prices … basic market research. I have to know how we measure up at the North Pole and keep up with the latest trends.

CSD: Well, what are the best toys out there?

SC: I really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into today’s toys. The variety of dolls, cars, electronic games, board games and other items is astounding. And the attention to detail every step along the way is admirable. I like to think my elves have inspired the entire toy world to step up to the plate.

But for me, I like the classics — Legos, Play-doh, art kits, books — toys that inspire creativity, let a child’s mind roam free. Life is complicated enough these days — I like the fact that the kids can just sit back with some of those old-fashioned toys and let loose.

And I really should note the elves don’t let me play with hoverboards any more. I keep falling off and knocking their toys on the ground.

CSD: You appear in so many places at once — stores, street corners raising money, parties, parades … how do you do it?

SC: Well, it’s no secret I don’t work alone. There are thousands of people out there who serve as my assistants, filling in for me at all of the holiday events where Santa’s presence would be appreciated. 

What a lot of people don’t know is I fill in for the assistants every once in a while. It helps me keep tabs on what’s going on down here. So that Santa on the street corner? It might be me. The one at the department store? Could be me. At the family party? Yeah, I’m big on family parties — I might be the guy you thought was Uncle Lowell hoovering his way through the Christmas Rice Krispie treats. 

You never know when it might be me — so don’t be naughty. I’m talking to you, Wyoming legislators.

CSD: What kind of changes are you seeing this year with coronavirus?

SC: There so many safeguards in place to prevent the spread of the illness. And I support that. As Santa Claus, I’m immune — there are some perks to being a saint, after all — but I don’t want to spread any germs I might pick up from my travels around the globe.

So we’re seeing a lot of shields between Santa and the kids. I miss having the kids talk directly to me, but we’re getting by. 

Of course, some things never change. There’s still nothing more entertaining than a room full of adults trying to make a toddler smile during a photo with Santa. 

CSD: Are the kids nicer or naughtier in midst of the pandemic?

SC: You know, it’s funny — they spent so much time cooped up in their homes for so many months, you would expect that they would act out. But they seem nicer — it’s like they got the idea that the nicer everyone is while stuck at home, the better life is going to be. 

And you know what that means! A LOT of Barbies, Hot Wheels, Playstations and Baby Alives are going to be underneath trees this year.

CSD: You’ve been doing this for, what, about 1,300 years now? What is the biggest change you’ve seen?

SC: The real game changer has been social media. You know, I don’t have to make nearly as many trips south as I used to to keep tabs on people. I just check out Facebook.

And let me tell you something, a lot of people on Facebook are going to be getting coal this year. Let me give you a tip: calling someone a “poophead” because you disagree with them politically is one sure way to get on my naughty list. Think about it.

CSD: Speaking of politics …

SC: I don’t.

CSD: OK, fair enough. So is there anything else you want to share?

SC: I just want everybody to remember that Christmas — and Santa — aren’t just for one day out of the year. Everybody should work hard throughout the year to earn a spot on the “nice” list. Treat each other like it’s Christmas every day. Say hello to a stranger. Offer to help a neighbor. Spend a little more time with family and friends. Donate what you can — time or money — to a favorite cause. Smile a little more. Maybe even treat someone with different opinions from you with some respect.

Those things won’t make it Christmas every day — but each day will feel a little more like Christmas.

Other than that … Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

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Jim Angell: Cheyenne Frontier Days “Frontier Fun Food Festival” Is High Point Of My Year

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By Jim Angell, Cowboy State Daily

The cloudy skies of my personal COVID-saturated 2020 parted just a bit this week as Cheyenne Frontier Days officials announced the return of the high point of my year.

Frontier Days announced that during Labor Day weekend, its food concessionaire will hold the “Frontier Fun Food Festival,” an opportunity to sample the ambrosia that is carnival food.

Now, it must be noted that I while I enjoy Frontier Days, I see it largely as life support for a bigger cause: the ability to get fine carnival food.

I won the best assignment in the world in 2019 when I was sent by Cowboy State Daily to sample and rank the 10 best carnival foods. I am the slightly rotund intrepid reporter seen in the video above consuming enough calories and cholesterol to incapacitate the average human.

I was crushed when the announcement came earlier this year that Frontier Days would be canceled — taking with it my shot at getting a genuine carnival corndog in 2020.

Thankfully, between Frontier Days and its new food concessionaire, Fun Biz Concessions, I will get my chance at that corndog after all.

On Sept. 3-7, Fun Biz Concessions will open booths at the Frontier Days Midway where people can sample the best of its selections: hot dogs, corndogs, deep-fried pickles, deep-fried Oreos, corndogs, deep-fried cookie dough, turkey legs, sausage on a stick, corndogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, hamburgers, pork chops on a stick and, of course, corndogs. And, as they say on television, much, much more!

If there seems to be a pattern to the dishes listed above, it stems from my two personal rules regarding food:

Everything is better deep-fried, and

Every kind of food tastes better on a stick.

And so, sometime on Labor Day weekend, you will find me at the Frontier Days Midway, eyes glazed and probably holding onto a corndog or two.

However, if I am assigned to sample the fare, on the advice of my doctor, I will limit my samples to five.

Bon Appetit!

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