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Articles written by mike heath


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  • Everybody Loves Tomatoes

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Jun 23, 2022

    Kinda', somewhat, maybe. Or not. With downcast eyes and a cowed demeanor, I have to admit that I never liked tomatoes. Everybody around me would put raw, sliced tomatoes on their sandwiches or even just eat the fruit by itself. But me, no, I just couldn't stand them. UNTIL! Yes, until I tried a tomato right off the vine. Suddenly I fell in love with this terrific, tasty fruit. I don't quite understand this phenomena because I've always loved ketchup, pizza, marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce and...

  • Democrats Praise Liz Cheney

    Mike Heath|Jun 23, 2022

    Thursday night I watched the made for TV hearing on the January 6th protest. For the first five minutes or so the Chairman, Democrat Bennie Thompson, praised Liz Cheney for her support of the Democrat’s actions against Donald Trump. He gave Cheney the honor of being the first to speak against Trump and the “riots”. Cheney stated multiple times that Congress needed a full accounting of what happened that day but she presented an patently biased account, presenting the Democrat’s story as if she was a prosecuting attorney. The present...

  • The Laramie County Fair - Wyoming's Oldest and Largest County Fair

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Jun 16, 2022

    It's that time of year again. Time to submit your entries for the Laramie County Fair. The Laramie County Fair is the largest and oldest county fair in Wyoming. And guess what? It's not just for kids. While the 4-H and FFA classes draw a lot of attention there is a whole lot more to the fair that includes adults, too. The Fair Book is available online at www.laramiecountyevents.com/fair/. The Fair Book is where you'll find all the information available about the fair and what you can enter. I...

  • Why a Convention of States?

    Mike Heath|Jun 16, 2022

    On a bumper sticker the statement, “It needs to be reread, not rewritten” overlaid a picture of the Constitution. It appears to oppose a Convention of States but, at the same time, it showed ignorance of what the COS truly is. Until about three months ago I said the same. Then HJ0002, Convention of States, tweaked my curiosity and I had to actually research the COS rather than just listen to what others had to say. It didn’t take me long to realize they were wrong and didn’t have a clue about the COS. Now I understand the only people who sho...

  • Meet the Candidates

    Mike Heath|Jun 16, 2022

    Hello, Everyone. It’s that time of year, sign season. I’ve been encouraging you all to get involved and research all of the issues for yourselves, including candidates. Now’s your chance to meet the candidates in person. There are two functions coming up in Eastern Laramie County that everyone is invited to attend. The first happens on June 26th, starting at 5 pm, at the Pine Bluffs Community Center. This is the Pine Bluffs Pie Social that’s held every election year. The event hosts all of the candidates that effect Eastern Laramie County:...

  • Companion Plants in the Vegetable Garden

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Jun 9, 2022

    When I first started gardening, and I mean something besides just zucchini, I just planted whatever seeds I wanted directly in the ground and expected them to grow and produce the vegetables that I wanted. Sometimes they did and sometimes they didn't. It seems like zucchini is what a lot of gardeners start out with because it nearly always grows and produces very well. Did I say, "very well"? I mean to say that it produces an overabundance of fruits. In fact, my neighbors started locking their...

  • Is there really Infighting in the Wyoming GOP?

    Mike Heath|Jun 9, 2022

    Last fall I received an email from Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota, as the rhetoric from the Left-leaning faction of the Laramie County Republican Party was heating up and I, along with several other Conservatives, were pushing back. Governor Noem wrote, “As any fighter pilot will tell you, you take the most flak when you’re directly over the target.” Kristi Noem, Gov SD. I have to admit, I was feeling the strain of constantly pushing back as Ben Hornok and his cohort were doing their utmost to break the LCGOP and help Democrats. Gover...

  • Gardening with Children is Great Fun

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Jun 2, 2022

    As the gardening season gets underway I've found a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment watching my granddaughter learn about plants and working in the garden. She's about two and a half now and still loves to be outside with us. A version of this article ran about a year ago but having her with me in the garden this year has been so much fun I had to speak to the topic of gardening with children again. She is actually starting to learn about the plants and she still mimics our actions. She...

  • How Do You Vote? Part 3

    Mike Heath|Jun 2, 2022

    In the final installment of this series we’ll look at how the process works. I hope I’ve been able to allay any fears of fraudulent elections in Laramie County. Our system is secure and you can be certain that your vote will be counted as cast. Security at the polls starts with the poll book. Although it’s electronic, the voting machines aren’t. Every machine is stand-alone and tallied separately. No voting machines or other equipment is connected to the Internet. This makes it difficult at the voting centers but ensures the integrity of our...

  • Potatoes - a Native American Staple

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|May 26, 2022

    French fries, mashed potatoes, hash browns, baked potatoes, potato chips...few vegetables have a greater diversity that the potato. This is my favorite vegetable and with as many as are sold in this country I'd guess that you probably like them pretty well, too. The potato is one of the few vegetables that originated in the United States and migrated around the world. In fact, after being introduced to Ireland it saved the country from famine on many occasions. Of course there's always another...

  • How Do You Vote? Part 2

    Mike Heath|May 26, 2022

    Last week covered part 1 of my interview with Debra Lee, Laramie County Clerk. Just a quick reminder, the Clerk is responsible for elections in the county. We’re fortunate to have Debra Lee. Most people don’t know her background. Ms. Lee has worked around the world in nations with emerging democracies to set up voting procedures, training the local population and workers in running elections, and advising government officials in the election process. Her experience in Afghanistan (2003-2004) helped solidify her belief in an efficient and eff...

  • Irrigation System for Home Gardens and Flower Beds

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|May 19, 2022

    I'm feeling pretty good about the work I've done on my garden and flower bed irrigation systems since last year. We have several rose bushes that were transplanted from my in-laws farmstead in Nebraska nearly 20 years ago that have never had any significant amount of water. It isn't that I didn't care but flowers just aren't at the top of my priority list. I think about running water to them every year then get tied up doing something else. Last year I finally buckled down and put in an...

  • How Do You Vote? Part 1

    Mike Heath|May 19, 2022

    This is it! Every two years campaign signs decorate the landscape and soon politicians and wanna-be’s will be out asking for your vote. The primary election is August 16th and the winners will move to the general election on November 1st. There are some changes this year in how we vote so I sat down with the County Clerk, Debra Lee, to talk about the election process and learn more about the voting process in Laramie County and how we can be sure our votes are secure. Right off the bat I want you to know that your precinct number has c...

  • Trees are ready for Planting

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|May 12, 2022

    It's spring and everything seems to be coming to life. Birds are nesting, yards are turning into jungles, and trees and shrubs are budding out. This is the perfect time to plant new trees. Actually you can plant a tree anytime as long as you can get the shovel in the ground. But spring will give your tree the best chance at survival. New trees can come from a variety of sources, but there are some things to consider before you purchase. To begin with, ask yourself what you want the tree for. Is...

  • Laramie County Voters Cancelled by State Republican Party

    Mike Heath|May 12, 2022

    As predicted, the Wyoming Republican Party denied Laramie County voters a place at the table when it comes time to provide input into Republican Party politics in Wyoming. In a 15-8 vote, the Credentials Committee recommended that the Laramie County delegation should not be permitted to participate in the biennial Republican Convention. Several delegates were already in Sheridan prepared to represent Laramie County Republicans. The Wyoming GOP had already cancelled Natrona County for not paying their dues. That’s 28,739 voters from Laramie C...

  • Spring Time Honey-Do List

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|May 5, 2022

    Last year we had consistent warm weather by now and this year I'm hot one day and freezing the next, always looking for more rocks to stuff into my pockets. But that doesn't mean there isn't anything to do to get ready for those spring gardening projects. Time moves on regardless of the weather and it'll be time to plant before you know it. I've been working in the greenhouse all winter and by about 9 am it's easy to work in a tee shirt. That environment set me to thinking about what I needed...

  • Would You Fight for America?

    Mike Heath|May 5, 2022

    Their ghosts still wander the forgotten battlefields, the streams and valleys, distant fields on foreign soil, at the bottom of the sea and cemeteries worldwide where their bodies lie. Some never found. Some returned to a final resting place for family and loved ones to visit and remember. Some were forgotten. For others their memory is committed to the hearts of those they loved. Some had families and some had nobody. But they all had one thing in common. They loved freedom and liberty. And they loved the United States. They were all willing...

  • Asparagus

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Apr 28, 2022

    This week I finished one harvest. Asparagus. Besides green peas, asparagus is one of my most favorite vegetables. In fact, just because the harvest is done doesn't mean that I'm finished cutting it. While I'm out weeding or working in the garden, I've been known to cut a spear or two and eat fresh, right there, as a snack. Just like picking the currants as a snack later in the season. Not only is asparagus tasty, but it contains a whole bunch of nutrients. And fresh asparagus is even better....

  • Why Bother with the Constitution?

    Mike Heath|Apr 28, 2022

    Why bother with the Constitution at all? That seemed to be the attitude of the Laramie County Commissioners last month when they declined the request by the Laramie County Republican Party to declare Laramie County a Constitutional County and stand up for the rights of Laramie County citizens. In January the Laramie County Republican Party Central Committee passed a resolution asking the Commissioners to declare Laramie County a Constitutional County. Four of the five County Commissioners are precinct committee members who are elected from...

  • Lawn Care - Maintenance and Diseases

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Apr 21, 2022

    Earlier we talked about getting a lawn started and annual fertilizing. I did forget to mention that when sowing your seed, make two passes at right angles to each other. You'll get better coverage. Now I want to cover what comes after your seed comes up and you have this beautiful new grass. Don't worry that it looks a bit sparse. If you had good seed and planted correctly it will fill in with time. Now it's time to move into maintenance. Fertilizing is on most everybody's mind at this time of...

  • Wyoming GOP Tries to Cancel Laramie County Voters

    Mike Heath|Apr 21, 2022

    At the Wyoming Republican Party Executive Committee meeting in March a motion was made to investigate the Laramie County Republican Party for a potential by-laws violation at the county convention on March 12th. The motion was made after a complaint was made by Ben Hornok, a Laramie County precinct committeeman and Central Committee member. The state Executive Committee normally does not permit nonmembers to speak or join the discussion even though the meetings are open to the public. At the Laramie County Convention Mr. Hornok rose to speak...

  • Food for Thought

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Apr 14, 2022

    If there was ever a time to start growing your own vegetables this may be it. Joe Biden has recently informed us that we will face food shortages this year. Not "may", but "will". What does he know that we don't? I don't know but it sounds ominous to me. If you've been paying attention you seen prices rise on nearly every commodity on the market. I was appalled at the price of a sheet of OSB lumber, going from $15 a sheet to more than $60 almost overnight. Gas prices are more than double what...

  • Wake Up or Be Woke

    Mike Heath|Apr 14, 2022

    By now everyone should have heard that Disneyworld has “gone woke”. Terrible use of the English language in my opinion. This latest episode in Disney’s downward spiral into the world of liberalism was triggered by Florida’s alleged “Don’t Say Gay” bill which has nothing to do with “gay”. The bill only requires schools to teach sex education in an age appropriate fashion and prohibits indoctrination of children into alternate lifestyles. Disney has latched onto this bill as an excuse to promote LGBTXXX lifestyles to everyone who visits Disney...

  • Spring Lawn Care

    Mike Heath Laramie County Master Gardners|Apr 7, 2022

    It's hard to believe it's nearly April as I write this. But I woke up this morning shortly before daylight and opened the back door to hear the birds singing without the wind as their background band. The smell of the air had changed overnight from late winter/early spring to spring. I can't describe it but spring has a smell all its own. Standing on the patio with the eastern sky just starting to lighten is more than simply stimulating. It's wonderful. However, it's also that time of year when...

  • COVID Tyranny continues to Ravage Wyoming

    Mike Heath|Apr 7, 2022

    With all the pertinent news in Wyoming, we continue to hear the COVID hype from the news media. We still hear about every case and every death allegedly from COVID while other events go unrecognized. For example, how often do we hear about the increased suicide rates since the advent of COVID? Wyoming was well above the national rate in nearly every category, sometimes more than double, in 2018 and suicides have only gone up. Outside of this newspaper how much do you hear about our county commissioners or our legislature? Sure, the major media...

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