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The temporary closure of the Star Plunge this week is a much discussed and controversial topic in our community and elsewhere. The facility, located in Hot Springs State Park, closed on January 14. A legal dispute between C & W Enterprises and Wyoming State Parks needs to be settle before a new operator can take over. Without a resolution to that ongoing litigation, or a finalized sale, the temporary closure will proceed. Many have shown the Luehne family an outpouring of support, others look forward to an updated, modern facility. Regardless...
submitted by RYTE Rehabilitation As Americans prepare their health goals for 2025, we want to share tips to help individuals create sustainable exercise habits. They have combined current research with practical strategies to help people maintain their fitness resolutions beyond January. Therapists say that starting exercise isn’t usually the problem, it’s sticking with it. Key tips to remember are: Research showing that exercising four times weekly for six weeks is the minimum for habit formation Schedule exercise into your calendar Treat it...
Because National Martin Luther King Day is the 20th of this month, I asked one of my sons what he can remember about Martin Luther King’s dream, and he immediately responded “I saw it fulfilled when I was in Milwaukee. I saw little children of all races happily playing on the playground at a park!” His dream that one day people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by their character lives on! We can live with people of different sociology; we can be non-judgmental, and we can treat everyone as a brother or sister because we all a...
by Lara Love If you are a subscriber, this week’s edition of the Thermopolis Independent Record will be delivered one day later than normal. We apologize for the inconvenience. The National Day of Observance statement next to this editorial explains all the Postal Service particulars. On our end, the date was set to honor the 39th President of the United States too late for us to plan for an early deadline, which would have gotten subscribers their paper a day early. That is our typical policy when there is a Thursday holiday. Thank you for y...
by Daniel Powell Well, the Broncos managed to outperform all expectations for this season, and have secured the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs. I am sure there are some hard-core Broncos fans that were not surprised - and no doubt, there are many, many, more Broncos fans - who will, adamantly, claim to not have been in the least surprised. After all, everyone loves a bandwagon. Having grown up in the suburbs of Denver, I can truly claim to have been a Broncos fan – long before the team was ever considered to be competitive. In those early d...
by Teri Gergen First Day Hikes are coordinated by the National Parks Service to encourage people to “get outside and connect with nature” on New Years Day. I had completed a couple hikes in Middle and East Tennessee before moving to Wyoming and was glad to see that they happened here as well. January 1, 2025 marked my fourth New Year in Thermopolis and the third time I participated in the annual hike. In 2022, the group met at the visitors center and hiked through the Frisbee/Disc Golf course. The winter of 2022-2023 was especially brutal. The...
I was so happy to read that the fluoride ordinance was passed. I’ve read quite a few times that fluoride was a by-product of a manufacturing process and not a favorable addition to our drinking water. I’ve hoped for years that it would no longer be added to our water and finally it has happened. Thank you to all the supporters for getting this accomplished. Linda Kalli...
We have compiled the year in review and it is featured in this edition. 2024 has been an interesting year in Hot Springs County. The year in review features a small look at 52 stories, one for each week, that ran in the IR. We have had some amazing accomplishments by our residents, both adults and youths. As a community, we have suffered the loss of some of our residents, some in tragic ways. The election has put new faces on a few of our local boards, bringing with them new ideas and new focus. We hope you enjoy this first edition of 2025 and...
by Bryan Golden The New Year is a time of resolutions. It’s a time when people commit to making a change in their life. Losing weight, changing jobs, saving money, making money, a new relationship, getting in shape, going back to school, or giving up smoking, are just some of the goals people set for themselves on January 1st. Although it’s possible for anyone to make a change or a new start, it takes determination, commitment, and persistence. A new goal must be your own. You have to really want it. Without a burning desire, your mot...
As we approach the year 2025, let’s look forward to maximizing our community’s potential and putting our unused or under appreciated resources to use to bring greater prosperity to Hot Springs County. Imagine those who are waiting in the wings, the unseen, who have talents and abilities that go above the status quo. It is up to us to be self aware and recognize where talent and giftings can be put to their full achievement. There are so many of them that bring much to the table. Diminishing them diminishes the overall possibilities for gre...
by Bryan Golden Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question most often asked of people is, “what did you get?” Much less frequently asked is, “what did you give?” Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts. Purchasing a gift can certainly be thoughtful and a wonderful gesture, especially when it’s backed up by your actions. However, the most valuable presents are those that aren’t sold in stores. When you give your love, your time, help someone in need, aid another in solving a problem or...
As of the date of this edition, I have been working for the Independent Record for 26 years, 7 months and 26 days (yes, I counted). I have a lot of issues behind me, in more ways than one. This particular issue, the one that includes the Letters to Santa and the Christmas Greetings, is one of my favorites each year. You’ll find them in the B section. Both of my sons were raised in Thermopolis and attended RWE. I’ve looked through the back issues from their youth and read their letters. Its a f...
As another year comes to a close, we begin to focus on the events, and the atmosphere, of the holiday season. Certainly, the holidays can be hectic – stressful even. It is important, however, that we always try to overlook those aspects of the season, and focus instead, on the more joyful things – especially, how we look forward to time spent with friends and family, in celebration of the season. Understandably, our thoughts may turn to holiday seasons of the past, and to happy times spent with some loved ones, who are no longer with us. Thi...
by Jill Palmquist It’s the end of a long, stressful, contentious year for many of us. We’ve absorbed more than our share of anxiety over the election, over world events, and over the rising prices of…well, everything. And now, here come the holidays barreling toward us like a tinsel-decked locomotive. Ugh. How are we supposed to get in the holiday spirit when all we can muster right now is a half-hearted “bah humbug”? Actually, the stretch between now and New Year’s is a great time to get your sparkle back and end 2024 on a high note. I’m n...
by David Peck, Lovell Chronicle There is a popular and strongly held belief running through American society these days that we are a nation divided, a people torn asunder. To a certain degree it’s certainly true. I have lamented that condition in this very space numerous times that we are a nation of grievance and retaliation. And when you look at national politics, that notion certainly rings true, especially during a presidential election year. I have entered into plenty of wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding our nation’s internal con...
Last Tuesday night, the Thermopolis Town Council passed an ordinance on its third reading to remove fluoride from our municipal drinking water. Beginning December 12th, fluoride will no longer be added to our water supply. As your mayor, I want to provide clarity about this decision, its implications, and how we can ensure continued dental health for our community. The debate over water fluoridation centers on balancing risk and reward. Fluoride has undeniably played a significant role in reducing tooth decay, especially in children. However,...
by Jeff Alan If you really love rice like I do, your theme song could be “Rice Is Nice” from the 60s band The Lemon Pipers. When it comes to eating white or brown rice, just having it plain can be boring. There are many things that you can put on it or have with it. I have autism and love to eat rice. In fact, I have a routine where I eat rice for both lunch and dinner. I have tried many things on it and with it. Some of the things I have tried may seem strange. My two favorite beef dishes to have with rice are meatballs and gravy and meatloaf,...
The guest column on this page explains the many reasons to support our local small businesses. The column states “Small businesses are the backbone of our democracy, and the solution to our most challenging economic problems.” We suggest you support our local businesses this holiday season, as well as year around. The Merry Christmas Market gives you another reason to shop local - $500 in Chamber Bucks can be won over the next two weeks. It is really easy. All you have to do is shop local at a participating business and turn in your rec...
by SBA Regional Administrator Aikta Marcoulier, SBA Regional Administrator and Wyoming District Director Amy Lea The Season of Small Business is an annual U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) led campaign designed to drive Americans to shop at small businesses throughout the entire holiday season. The pandemic confirmed the essential role that small businesses play in our daily lives. The holiday shopping season is a crucial time for small firms that depend upon the boost in sales earned between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. It sounds cl...
We want to take the opportunity to say how thankful we are for our loyal advertisers and readers. Many of you have supported us for several decades and continue to do so. To our loyal readers, thank you for your unwavering support. We truly appreciate you taking the time to engage with our content, and your continued presence is what drives us to keep putting out a newspaper each week. To our dedicated advertisers, we couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for partnering with us to keep this small town newspaper alive. Your continued trust in u...
by Joanie Holm, CNP Would you like to sleep better, have a healthier heart and less aches and pains? How about a lower blood pressure, a higher self -esteem and enhanced relationships? Would you believe that the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University, as well as other scientist all say these benefits can be yours with very little effort. And it doesn’t require a change in your diet or excessive exercise! So, what is this magical therapy? GRATITUDE!! Gratitude comes from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness or gratefulness. P...
by Trenda Moore, HSC Senior Citizens Center Director Being informed and involved is so important in our community. I’m going to touch on things you may not have heard about recently or at all. We are constantly reminded – until someone has a need or comes through the door, they don’t know what we do or all the services we offer daily. It takes every entity and partnership we have to make things all work. Following our recent Veteran’s Day lunch, we need your help to spread the word to veterans and their families. Please bring your militar...
The local Community Survey results are in and a public meeting was held on Tuesday evening to discuss the results, form committees and plan for next steps. We had the survey in our Oct. 3 edition as an insert, it was circulated to area business and on social media. Shurie Scheel is leading the way for the planning committee who put out the survey. If you did not get a chance to fill out the survey or attend Tuesday’s meeting, we are sure you can still participate in some way. The group has announced they will need several volunteers to serve o...
by Bryan Golden We all grow up being indoctrinated with rules that limit us. The purveyors of this information are not malicious. They are simply passing along what they themselves have been taught. You are probably aware of one or more of the following rules. Decide for yourself if you have been limited by any of them. Don’t rock the boat -- This rule encourages conformity. Conformity offers a protection from criticism. But those who succeed don’t care about criticism. They become adept at new or better ways of doing things in spite of opi...
by Debra Johnston, M.D. Lately my teenager has been fascinated by medical dramas. Although my “doctor self” is usually rolling my eyes throughout the program, it’s often a good conversation starter. One recent show featured a pregnant woman who experienced one medical crisis after another. Her kidneys, liver, and lungs failed in succession as the team raced to identify the underlying obstetrical problem and find a treatment. At the climax of the episode, her heart stopped. Of course, being television, the correct diagnosis was made, the exper...
