Tuffner reflects on move here

Waiting to get some lunch at the Hot Springs County Senior Center, Betty Tuffner visited for a few minutes about her move to Thermopolis.

"I moved here this time in 2004," Tuffner said, "but I lived here before in 1988 and '89." Her most recent move was from Sheridan.

Raised in southern Utah, Tuffner said what brought her to Thermopolis in the 1980's was her husband Ken's work. "My husband is an electrician and we were following the oil patch." This last move was after he decided to retire.

"He liked it when we lived here before," she said of her husband's choice for retirement, further adding that they lived in Worland in the 70's and he always liked Thermopolis. "It was either Thermopolis or Lander, but it was definitely not retiring in Sheridan."

Her own path while Ken followed the oil patch included college at Sheridan and Casper, working in the hotel business and managing a department store. "Now, I deliver mail. I do a rural mail route. I am the Owl Creek mail lady."

The couple also breeds German Shepherds and are expecting a couple litters this week, Tuffner noted they have three female long haired German Shepherds and one male short hair. They also have chickens, she noted, in response to an announcement at the center that there were some free eggs available.

About Thermopolis and the center, Tuffner said what she enjoys about both is the people. Specifically for the center, she said the food is good and she enjoys the companionship. Because of the nature of her job, she gets into town around 10:30 or 11 a.m. - except on days after a long holiday - and has lunch. She also regularly swims and does water aerobics.

"Thermopolis is a great community," she said, "and I'm now going to grab some soup."