Serving all of Eastern Laramie County since 1908

Articles written by Penny Merryfield


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  • Jasmine Lloyd A Veteran Story

    Penny Merryfield|Mar 7, 2024

    Jasmine Lloyd came into this world to Richard and Tina Lloyd in December of 2000 in the town of Mount Vernon, Washington. She would stay in Washington until after her high school graduation in 2019 from Sedro-Woolley High School. Upon graduation, Lloyd decided she would enter the military, as it was way too expensive for college at that time. "Besides," she stated,  "I wasn't the best student at that time." Loyd knew with all the military influence in her life it was the right decision for her...

  • PB Police Department goes to the "Dogs"

    Penny Merryfield|Feb 15, 2024

    After Mayor Justin Fornstrom greeted everyone, he called the meeting to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance was said, the town council jumped into the meeting full speed. Motions were made and both agenda's were accepted. Moving onto new business, Mayor Fornstrom changed the line up of the items under new business. Sheriff Brian Kozak was scheduled to be present to discuss the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Pine Bluffs and the Laramie County Sheriff's office. This item was moved down...

  • When One Door Closes..........

    Penny Merryfield|Feb 1, 2024

    Sayings and quotes are something I grew up with. My grandmother Lydia always had a saying for any event or situation. To this day, I can hear her echoing in my head with one of her famous sayings. So many times, grandma’s sayings find their way into today’s life and situations. It is almost as if she is still speaking to me. The one that comes to mind right now is the famous saying from Alexander Bell who said, “When one door closes, another opens.” This is the part of his quote that is so famous. However, the whole quote is, “When...

  • Vietnam Peace Day

    Penny Merryfield|Jan 11, 2024

    As with any war there comes an end ... a day of peace. January 27, 1973 was a day that the United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong and North Vietnam would sign the Paris Peace Accords, which created the end of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. It is still a war remembered by so many who have served in Vietnam or in the waters off shore. It is still strongly remembered by family and friends of the 58,220 United States military members who died in this war. This war took a total of 1 . 3...

  • Crosses for Unsung Heroes presented to local Heroes

    Penny Merryfield|Dec 28, 2023

    Semi retirement has hit, and the boredom of it has struck a cord with William "Buzz" Canady and his wife Kathy. After recovering from COVID, this Pine Bluffs couple of over twenty years residency, decided to bring a hobby to life and do a good deed at the same time. Buzz who learned to weld in high school, taught his wife of 27 years how to weld some 24 years ago. With both of them able to weld, and enjoying it, they came up with an idea, to do what they love, and be able to work together. Thus...

  • Christmas in the Trenches A Veteran Story

    Penny Merryfield|Dec 21, 2023

    During every war since the civil war, our troops have been deployed or served on Christmas Day. In the history of the Civil War, Christmas was not forgotten. Soldiers would sing Christmas songs and decorate their tents with hard-tack and salt pork. Fighting was temporarily ceased during World War I with the Christmas Truce along the Western Front. This “Truce” ended in 1916. During Christmas’ of World War II there was no “Christmas Truce” as in World War I. In the history of World War II, during the Battle of the Bulge our soldiers we...

  • Building Permits, and new officer for Pine Bluffs

    Penny Merryfield|Dec 14, 2023

    Mayor Justin Fornstrom opened the town council meeting with a welcome to everyone followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Immediately following the council went right into to the approval of  the agenda. Councilmember Allie Leitza made a motion to correct the Consent agenda by moving two items to the new business items. It was agreed on after some discussion moved and seconded to accept the corrected Consent agenda. Going into the new business items, first on the list was a building permit for a...

  • Ordinances on budget and election major topic at council meeting

    Penny Merryfield|Nov 23, 2023

    It was business as usual for the start of the Pine Bluffs town council meeting on November 13th. After agenda approval and consent agenda approval, the town council moved into new business. Items on the agenda for new business were: Building permit for 512 Walnut; Resolution 2024-04 Budget Adjustment; Charter Ordinance. Discussion was heavy and thoughts on the first item, building permit went back and forth amongst the town council members. It was moved and passed to postpone this permit indefinitely. With regards to the Resolution 2024-04 Bud...

  • A Thanksgiving Veteran's Story

    Penny Merryfield|Nov 23, 2023

    Serving in the military means often times one is away from home during Thanksgiving time. For many military members their Thanksgiving meal is one provided by the military at the chow hall. This meal, depending upon where the military member is, will depend on whether it is a full fledge traditional turkey dinner with all the normal trimmings and desserts or if their mess tent was able to do a make shift Thanksgiving meal. David J. Parshall, Navy Veteran - Cook saw many holidays aboard ship and away from famiIy. “When we cooked ‘holiday mea...

  • Happy 248th Birthday United States Marine Corps

    Penny Merryfield|Nov 9, 2023

    It was a vision of the Second Continental Congress that gave us the United States Marine Corps. On November 10, 1775 they decided there was a need for two battalions of Marines to cover and protect as landing forces with the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. The war lasted from 1775-1783. After the war ended, they disbanned the Continental Navy, and included in their disbanning the Continental Marines as well. Due to the growing conflict with revolutionary France, they...

  • Veterans Day A Military Story

    Penny Merryfield|Nov 2, 2023

    Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.) History of Veterans Day...

  • Katelyn Bach travels to Portugal for World Youth Day with Pope Francis

    Penny Merryfield|Oct 26, 2023

    During a recent Council of Catholic Women of Saint Paul's meeting Katelyn Bach gave a report with photos on her trip of a lifetime to Lisbon Portugal for world youth day . Bach, representing Burns, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, her college, Chadron, Nebraska, and the United States, set out on a journey to participate in World Youth Day with Pope Francis. However, this trip started out rough. When Bach was asked for her current passport, in error she had sent her passport from when she was a little girl...

  • Chief Smith awarded certificate during Pine BluffsTown Council meeting

    Penny Merryfield|Oct 19, 2023

    Due to Columbus Day, the regular Pine Bluffs town council meeting was moved to Tuesday, October 10th. The meeting was called to order and was business as usual for the first few items on the agenda. Guests from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office came forward and spoke to the council with regards to Pine Bluffs Police Chief Austin Smith and his assistance on a call in August. Sheriff Brian Kozak awarded Pine Bluffs Police Chief Austin Smith a Certificate of Commendation. This Commendation was...

  • Wyoming American Legion Baseball Cheyenne Post 6

    Governor Gordon Penny Merryfield|Oct 19, 2023

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. – In August Cheyenne Post 6 Baseball was the first Wyoming team to reach the American Legion World Series, where they advanced to the semifinals. Governor Gordon stopped by their fall practice to congratulate the players and coaches. At the practice Governor Gordon shook each players hand and presented them with a coin. Afterwards, Governor Gordon was presented with a signed game ball from the American Legion Cheyenne Post 6 Baseball team Speaking with Phil Maggard Board...

  • Drug Arrest made in Pine Bluffs

    Penny Merryfield|Oct 12, 2023

    Recently Pine Bluffs Police Department assisted the Department of Criminal Investigation on an arrest that occurred in Pine Bluffs. Roland D. French was arrested on September 29, 2023 at 2:26 p.m. at 4th and Blair Street. He was charged with a 35-7-1031ciii-Possess Controlled Substance-Sch I, II, or III Felony amount; 35-7-1031aii-Manufacsture or Deliver Controlled Substance-Sch-I, II, or Felony amount; 35-7-1042 Attempt and Conspire Felony. Chief of Police Austin Smith stated: "Good Afternoon...

  • Agent Orange Awareness Month

    Penny Merryfield|Oct 12, 2023

    October is Agent Orange Awareness Month; a time in which communities around the world can learn about the dangerous chemical Agent Orange and how it affected American Veterans and Vietnamese civilians. “The wounds of war are not always visible; Agent Orange left an indelible mark on the bodies and lives of our brave and unwitting servicemembers, a horrible reminder of the sacrifices they made for our nation and its freedom.” Timothy Sheppard A Brief History Of Agent Orange While it is widely reported that American combat troops did not...

  • Grace Steenbergen recognized by Senator Barrasso

    Penny Merryfield|Sep 21, 2023

    This summer one of Burns High School's 2022 graduates, Miss Grace Steenbergen, served as an intern for Wyoming's U.S. Senator John Barrasso in his Cheyenne, Wyoming office. On July 19, 2023, she was recognized and thanked by Senator John Barrasso (R) from the floor of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C.   Senator Barrasso addressed his fellow senators and formally entered into the Congressional Record the following, "Madam President, I would like to take the opportunity to express my...

  • Pine Bluffs Senior Center to host Centi$ible Nutrition Program

    Penny Merryfield|Sep 7, 2023

    Pine Bluffs Senior Center is hosting a free class at the senior center. It is free for low income or persons getting assistance. If they qualify for SNAP, or free and reduced lunches the family can participate. The class “Eat Healthy for less” will start on September 14, and run every Thursday through November 9 from 1:oo p.m. to 2:30 p.m.. The basis of the class is to teach people how to save money and time at the grocery store, cook healthier meals faster, and stretch their food dollars.A free cookbook, kitchen utensils and more come...

  • Pine Bluffs Small Town Home

    Penny Merryfield|Sep 7, 2023

    Recently in a group conversation about the wonderful pluses about big cities and what they have to offer, I asked the question about safety, helpfulness and neighborly actions. I have to admit, there are some good benefits to big city life such as places to go, things to do, more shopping availability, however, with that also goes more grime, crime and slime. Not to say all big cities are crime ridden places, but the more people you have, the more things tend to change and not always for the good. Here at home, in Pine Bluffs, I love the fact t...

  • Ring presumed lost forever - Found!

    Penny Merryfield|Aug 24, 2023

    It always hurts when you lose something you hold dear to your heart. Thus was the case of the lost Mother's ring, lost a year ago at Oliver Lake by Brandie Wasielewski. She feared it was lost in the water, since they searched the grounds around the campsite and never found it. To make matters worse, the ring was lost the day after her father, Dan McGinnis passed. This added even more sadness for her. Go forward a year to 2023 and an invite to go to a family dinner at the lake where our family...

  • New RMS System for PB Police Department

    Penny Merryfield|Aug 17, 2023

    The reading of Resolution 2024-02 was done by Mayor Justin Fornstrom after the normal start of the Town of Pine Bluffs Town council for August 14th. The Mayor did lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to start the meeting, which was followed by motions to accept the agenda, and the Consent Agenda. Standing in for the town’s attorney Alex Davison was attorney Michael Roley. After the reading of Resolution 2024-02, Councilmember Allie Leitza made a motion to accept Resolution 2024-02, which was seconded by Councilmember Janna Kestner. This...

  • True Troupe performs at Pine Bluffs City Park

    Penny Merryfield|Aug 17, 2023

    As the actors and actresses prepared for their performance, a small but appreciative audience settled in their chairs waiting for the night's performance to start. Everything was set up, including the evening weather and very little wind. This was an omen of a wonderful performance. 'Lady Windermere's Fan' written by Oscar Wilde was performed in Pine Bluffs City Park by True Troupe. It was directed by Katie Overstreet and Adri True. Brielle Bristol was the stage manager, and her assistant was...

  • Bushnell Day - Saturday, August 19

    Penny Merryfield with Roberta Marshall|Aug 17, 2023

    This fun trip is just a short distance away. Bushnell, Nebraska seems like a trip back in time with it's dirt roads, neighborly atmosphere and great small town values, but don't let that fool you. Bushnell is a wonderful active town and it has penned as the Bushnell Day theme - "Penning the Past, Framing the Future" with all of the above with in that frame of thought. At last year's Bushnell Day, a visitor to the town was talking while in line for food, and was overheard saying, "This has been...

  • Brick Ceremony adds new P.O.W. Bricks and Display

    Penny Merryfield|Aug 10, 2023

    In a well attended brick laying ceremony on Sunday, August 6, the Donald Eisenhauer American Legion Post 60 welcomed everyone for coming. In attendance were Veterans, family members of Veterans and dignitaries. Representing the Town of Pine Bluffs was Mayor Justin Fornstrom and his wife Kara, along with Town Council member Allie Leitza. Representing Senator John Barrasso was his Military Liaison Patrick Sheehan. Also in attendance was Martha Wilson from Senator Cynthia Lummis's office, and...

  • Purple Heart Day August 7th, 2023

    Penny Merryfield|Aug 3, 2023

    On August 7, 1782, General George Washington - then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army - established the Purple Heart award, originally designated as the Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart exists in its current form since 1932, and is awarded to service members “wound- ed or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States or as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces”. During World War II, almost 500,000 Purple Heart medals were produced in anticipation of the huge number of casualties...

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