Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
It’s kudos time again and I have three to present this week.
Let’s start with the Blessings in a Backpack program celebrating it’s 10th year. According to its website, as little as $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one 38-week school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program. The Results: Nourished Kids Ready to Learn.
Washakie County School District No. 1 understands the value of feeding hungry students. They offer breakfast and lunch programs and starting in February 2018, through grant assistance they began their involvement in the Blessings in a Backpack program.
When writing the story this week it reminded me a lot of the Sleep In Heavenly Peace story and the local chapter started by Dan and Nancy Frederick. They were surprised at the need for beds for children in the Big Horn Basin. Despite going almost a year and delivering 100 bunk beds the need continues.
When you think of hungry children or children without beds, it’s easy to think it is not happening here. We want to believe it is a big city problem but it is not. Kudos to those who understand and see a need.
Melissa Hefenieder, Washakie County School District No. 1 superintendent secretary, is spearheading the Blessings in a Backpack program but she is the first to admit it takes many people with a passion for children to volunteer time and effort to help make this program successful for the students.
It also takes foundations like the Larry and Susan Patrick Foundation that provided the grant funding to start the program here in Worland. As organizations have heard about the program, the generosity that exists in Worland continues to be amazing as people have reached out to help feed the hungry children in our community.
Kudos to those students who are hungry and continue to persevere and work hard.
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Kudos this week also go to the Wyoming Business Council, National Main Street Center and Washakie Development Association working to find solutions in Worland with the loss of Shopko.
One of the tools they are using to help find those solutions is a shopping survey. If you’ve traveled to Worland, Greybull, Powell or Thermopolis to shop at a Shopko they want your opinion and input.
You can access the survey through SurveyMonkey through Monday, May 6, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NS6PP5H.
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And kudos to the Worland High School Drama Department for their production of “Shrek The Musical.” I got a sneak peak during dress rehearsal Monday night and I have to say it is a must-see. Is it “Avengers: Endgame” must-see type? Well, no, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime movie.
But for a musical production “Shrek” is a must-see. The cast is perfect in their roles and make the entire play enjoyable. Anyone who has attended a concert or musical knows Worland is flooded with vocal talent and that talent shines in this production.
The acting is also at the usual WHS top level that one has come to expect.
Director Naomi Durrant and producer Rick Dorn are to be commended for putting together an incredible production.
The show opens tonight with the encore performance Friday night. Curtain opens at 7 p.m. at the WMS Auditorium both nights. There is a small fee to help cover royalty costs and other expenses.
Grab a date or a friend who you want to have a great time with and check out “Shrek the Musical.” You’ll be glad you did.
Besides “Avengers: Endgame” will be in theaters for a while so there’s plenty of time to catch that must-see cinematic adventure.