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Articles written by Charlene Smith


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  • New Equipment for a local Athlete

    Charlene Smith|Oct 11, 2018

    You are watching the Pine Bluffs Hornets and Burns Broncs football game. Two teams of boys who have grown up together, swam in the same pool of water and life. You know most of their stories, recognize their faces, may even be neighbors of their parents. And even though you cheer for one team or the other, you appreciate the love of the game in every player. And then, something unique, different, catches your eye on the Burns sidelines. Love isn't always easy, painless or even natural. Derik...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jul 13, 2017

    We could print the news about Albin every day, and you still wouldn’t get the true sense of the community. Communities are built on the idiosyncrasies of the people living there. Even if we tell you about a young boy turning another year older, you don’t appreciate the love for him until you see folks hug him and laugh at his precious little ways that are missed when he is away with his mother. We can write about an elderly couples anniversary, but you cannot see in the print their lawn fil...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jul 6, 2017

    Heroes come in every shape and size. Some have saved us from ourselves. Some step in and protect us from the local and global bullies. Some just quietly live their lives and save us from a life of not knowing what true courage looks like. They quietly fight the battle that has been given them. Never complaining. Always inspiring us who forget how lucky we had it until we see their triumphs just to live. Albin Day theme this year is “Hometown Heroes.” Albin, like most small towns, has more tha...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jun 29, 2017

    Hello from Albin. We welcome summer with a bang and a sale. Albin community garage sales are Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call Dixie if you want a table or more information at 246-3262. After the summer equinox, a few of our friends and neighbors celebrate their birthdays. Jillian McLaughlin’a birthday is June 24. June 29 is Chris Lemaster’s big day. And Dennis Hanson blows out his candles the last day in June. Albin day is quickly approaching. July 8 our little tow...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jun 15, 2017

    All is well over in Albin. The grass is green, the flowers blooming and the storms slip right over us. Birthdays this week include LeAnn McLaughlin on June 16 and Brent Lerwicks June 18. Jacob and Loni Sorensen celebrate their anniversary June 19. The field of dreams is mowed and ready for baseball. Games start this week. Stop by the community center for a schedule. June won’t last forever, which means July and all the bang of the Fourth and Albin Day will soon be here. Contact Jillian Kriz o...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jun 8, 2017

    Summer doesn’t go by any calendar. And that is perhaps why it is such an exciting season. One day we wake up to winter weather warnings, and then it seems the very next day the wind turns warm and the sunshine lays freckles on our ground and skin. Summer is here. Another year has passed on the calendar for many of us, myself included. Sharing a birthday with me this week is Cordell Willert on June 4, who will also begin celebrating an anniversary after his nuptials June 10. Shawnae and Cody Bran...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|May 25, 2017

    The end of school brings field days and class trips. If you are curious about how the future generation’s minds work, take the time to watch elementary races. Some runners hit it hard, never look back. Some get out in front and turn to check on who is behind them and how close. Some just run the race without a bead of sweat or worry crossing their brow. But the most curious is the one that comes in last. The norm is for the last guy to really kick it in to give all effort. But the elementary m...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|May 18, 2017

    What is prettier to the eye, a fresh looked field rich with potential or full grown acres of crop bursting with yields. Taking time to appreciate each stage of life is similar to farming. This weekend we send our area graduates out into their fresh plowed field, not knowing what they will produce. But the sight is wonderful to see. Even if it draws a little “rain” to their parents eyes. All the other students will have to wait a few more seasons before they plant themselves in the world. However...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|May 11, 2017

    Wouldn’t it be nice if we were allowed to vote on our weather? Of course, some ballots might only include blizzard or snow and ice, instead of every vote being clear skies 70 degrees. The saying, “the lesser of two evils,” might mean something as cold as ice. I think, given the choice, even those who never admit it, would vote for a special day just for them. Birthdays should be that day for everyone. Here are some neighbors and friends you can make feel extra special this week. Dorothy Leonard...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|May 4, 2017

    This first week of May keeps us hoping, between May Day, “May the Fourth be with you,” and Cinco de Mayo. The weather seems to feel the need to be just as exciting. Thunder, lightening, snow, rain, and just to keep it interesting, fog as thick as cement. What could be more exciting than birthday’s. One of the nicest and most hardworking men I have ever had the pleasure of calling friend will celebrate his birthday. Larry Sorensen pleasantly ages another year May 9. The Albin Elementary Schoo...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Apr 27, 2017

    Kids love puddles. The magnet between them and water is only enhanced with a little dirt. So it was surprising when the youngest Smith was happy to see the big perennial puddle at the end of 5th Avenue smooth and dry. Even without a maintenance person, the Town of Albin seems to function pretty well. The dumpsters are empty, streets are clear and the burdens that aren’t top of the list are maintained. However, as much as our councilmen are able to keep our town looking nice and functioning, it i...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Apr 20, 2017

    No one ever said Spring came with low expectations. As soon as you expect a cold dreary day, the sun breaks through and warms places in your soul that felt frozen in winter and gloom. It tosses in days where the smell of fresh tilled earth seems to grow new life everywhere it floats on the wind. And if our senses needed more nudging to the new season, the colors of the rainbow burst around every flower garden. Even the yellow dandelions in our front yards are a welcome sight to the eyes that...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Apr 13, 2017

    Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoping down the bunny trail. Easter is on its way. That should mean the tulips and other bulb flowers will color our town shortly. But with all the sugar and chocolate consumed in the next week, none of us may care what colors we see. Or perhaps, even if the wind blows the bulbs back to Holland. Kicking or should we say hoping off the Easter weekend is the Albin Community Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 15 at 10 a.m. There will be five age divisions along with conce...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Apr 6, 2017

    Why is it on the dreariest day of early Spring do the bulb flowers decide to bloom? It must be one of those built-in fail safe natural cheers just in case we get too gray with our colorless lives. Many of Albin neighbors took advantage of the wet weekend to start outside cleanups. Sooner than later our little corner of the world will be just as bright and unfortunately just as fleeting as the color on top of those green bulb bursts. Enjoy it while it lasts. Birthdays certainly are a burst of...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Mar 30, 2017

    This weekend is a great week for pranksters and practical jokers. April Fool’s Day may not be a National Holiday, but it sure brings a lot of laughs. Especially in houses with little ones. So, watch out for that elephant in your front yard or the age-old saran wrap on the toilet. And don’t let yourself get too serious if you are pranked. Ted Anderson was not pulling Bob’s leg when she said “The baby is coming today.” Allison Anderson celebrates her birthday on the funniest day of the year. Now...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Mar 23, 2017

    A story, no matter what it is about, is mostly about perception or how you spin it. Take for instance, a story about trees being cut down in Southeast Wyoming, where it is very difficult to grow trees. Before I go any further, you might think you already know the story. But what if I told you these trees tickled the clouds, shaded many a picnic and playful child. But tragedy struck before they were cut. A storm came in and damaged them beyond repair or regrowth. And it was learned that the...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Mar 16, 2017

    If you ever need to have a long, unimportant conversation, bring up the weather. That should keep you exchanging ideas and words and changing opinions more often than a raindrop turns into a Wyoming snowflake. The town council met last week and accepted Aaron Anderson’s resignation. They thanked him for his service and wished him well with his new position with Laramie County. The election for new council members and the mayor position will be May 2. Two council members and the mayor will be ele...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Mar 9, 2017

    What is that saying, March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well, this lion of ours never seems to nap and in turn is very grumpy. Someone should throw him a lamb, maybe he would stop roaring for a bit. Lions are one of the biggest cats out there. But the smaller, house and farm variety seem to take a bigger part of our heart. Bubba, our family cat, passed away last Monday evening. Most people only get about seven or eight decades. I just spent the last couple with Bubba. And I...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Mar 2, 2017

    Perhaps someone shouldn’t have mentioned the fact that Spring was here. Maybe this year, Spring is similar to some folks trying to leave their house in the morning. They make a few trips back inside before leaving. It doesn’t mean we cannot say “Spring is on its way,” it just needs to get everything together. We wouldn’t want it to forget the flowers or the songbirds or the warm bright sunshine, would we? So, the winter door might swing open a few more times. And the good thing about snow? Soone...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Feb 23, 2017

    Someone should say what everyone is thinking. Spring is here. Calves are dropping like raindrops in California. Baby lambs are out in force looking for Mary. However, no matter how early the Spring or how nice the weather, some things will not grow back. Like the cut trees on 4th Avenue or Derik Smith’s leg. But Spring brings hope that someone will plant new trees and everyone will get to live their dream. So, plant a tree, and drop a line to someone who could use a nudge of hope. Or read a b...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Feb 16, 2017

    Do you think that groundhog got it wrong? Maybe he has cataracts and it was just a floater on his eye and not a shadow. Either way, it sure seems like Spring. Birthdays always put a little spring in our step. It must be that we are just happy to be alive and able to celebrate. One happy neighbor is Ana Maria Manning, who celebrates her birthday February 21. Money and town improvements also put a little spring in our step. The town council approved the 6th penny resolution for our projects to go...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Feb 9, 2017

    There is a reason not a lot of people are fond of rodents. They often stink of trash, have a dirty reputation, and represent the lowest of species on the circle of life. But worse than all that is the fact that one of their own tells us we have six more weeks of winter to endure, when he has the option to let spring appear in two. That darn groundhog. If only he would let us see green before St. Patrick’s Day. The community center is a great place to catch lunch with a friend for less than a p...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jan 26, 2017

    If you listen close enough, you can hear the hum of the days passing by with no fanfare. The only drum beat of the days is often our own hearts keeping time with the hours of deep winter. A few days of warm sunshine is the most jazz we get in these dull days of late January. Maybe what we need is an inauguration of spring a few months early. Something to plant, houses to clean, livestock to welcome and brand, something to do. This hum drum time of year might lead you to going without lunch....

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jan 19, 2017

    Some people are superstitious. I know of a man who stopped his car, got a broom and swept a black cat off his path so he wouldn’t have to drive where the cat walked. The only thing strange about this Friday the 13th starting off with a full moon the night before is how calm the Wyoming weather was. What a beautiful evening with the moonlight bouncing off the crested snow. What a way to sweep superstition away and bring in the beauty of Wyoming winter nights. Do you know the beautiful thing a...

  • Albin News

    Charlene Smith|Jan 12, 2017

    Once upon a time there was a tree. He grew tall and strong in the dry, high and often frozen ground of southeast Wyoming. A feat in itself. The tree shaded a little house and watch a couple of generations of children grow and play beneath him. He swayed when the Wyoming winds blew. He endured “haircuts” when he grew too close to power lines. He dried a little when the summers brought little rain. The tree proudly protected the house and family when the winter brought storm after storm. But the...

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