My uncle, Lester “Jim” Wolfe, was always a crazy guy…in the best way possible, of course. He loved playing tricks on people, always keeping things lighthearted and fun on visits. Whenever he and my dad, Al Spencer, got together, you could count on them doing the wildest things. I can’t recall all the antics these brothers-in-law pulled, nor the bizarre food they concocted, like onion and mustard sandwiches, but my older sister, Cheryl Masterson and cousin, Shirley Cameron do. I do remember those wonderful visits, because they were always so much fun.

Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth were the kind of people who loved surprises. They often showed up at our house unannounced…from several states away, no less. It was a risky move, considering the long trip without knowing if they’d see us, but if we were out of town when they arrived, they never mentioned missing us. I’m not sure how they managed to catch us at home, since our family traveled often too. My dad and his sister, Ruth both loved exploring the country and did plenty of traveling in their day. When Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth arrived, it was always cause for celebration…rather like coming home to a surprise party! One memorable surprise for Uncle Jim was discovering that his son-in-law, Wayne “Shorty” Cameron, shared his birthday with him. I’m sure they enjoyed that immensely.

When they visited, we might go camping, have barbecues, or just hang out. It didn’t matter much what we did, because their presence always made things more fun. In the early years, we loved seeing our cousins, but as they grew older, it was usually just Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth who came. Our own lives became busier too, with marriages and kids making it harder to spend as much time with them as before. Still, whenever they were in town, we made the most of it. I miss those days. Today is the 105th anniversary of Uncle Jim’s the 85th anniversary of Shorty’s. Happy birthday in Heaven Uncle Jim and Shorty. We love and miss you both very much.

I realize that it would be virtually impossible to save every building of historical value, but it seems a real shame to see some of them disappear from existence when they were so very beautiful. Buildings are regularly added to the historical registries, but many buildings with historical value don’t make it to the list in time to save them, and I suppose that some that are added to the registry, are still unable to be saved. Buildings like the Granada Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, which was demolished the property in 1989 to 1990 to build a planned apartment-and-commercial structure. In the building’s “memory,” the new structure, which was built in 1991, a 16-story apartment tower and shopping arcade was originally named “Granada Center.” Loyola University later bought the building, converting it into 12 floors of student apartments above a base with parking, retail, and university offices. The tower was renamed “Fordham Hall,” while the retail and office section kept the “Granada Center” name.

Sure, modern theaters have their charm, but nothing could match the grandeur of the original Granada Theatre. The movie palace stood in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood at 6427 N. Sheridan Road. Built in 1926 for the Marks Brothers circuit, a major theater operator in the United States. It was designed by Edward E Eichenbaum of Levy and Klein to host both live stage shows and movies. Perfectly situated near an elevated train stop, multiple bus lines, and a spacious parking lot, it offered easy access for everyone. The three-story, 92-foot-tall building boasted a 93-foot-wide rectangular marquee on Sheridan Road, dazzling with thousands of electric lights.

The Granada’s interior featured two main elements…a grand 3,448-seat auditorium and the public spaces behind it, just past the impressive entrance. The auditorium offered a column-free main floor with a spacious balcony stretching over the back third of the seats. From the ticket lobby, patrons could take a marble staircase to the mezzanine or step into the grand lobby on the main floor. This lobby was 153 feet deep, 59 feet wide, and topped with a vaulted ceiling of the same height. Its floors and baseboards were made of polished pink Tennessee marble. To the left, doors beneath the second-floor promenade led into the main floor of the auditorium. At the east end, another marble staircase ascended to the second floor and lower balcony. Upper levels featured marble balustrades and handrails. Above, an 80-foot dome was adorned with smaller, ornate inset domes trimmed in gold leaf. Three large arched glass vaults on each side of the balcony glowed blue to mimic the night sky. The central dome formed a rosette, crowned by a smaller dome. Four crystal chandeliers illuminated the main spaces. The theatre debuted on September 18, 1926, with Jack Haskell’s stage show Eastern Nights, alongside Alfred F Brown playing the Wurlitzer 4-manual, 20-rank organ. The stage measured 32 feet deep by 98 feet wide.

The Granada stayed in fairly good shape until early 1988, when vandalism and water damage started to take their toll. Despite efforts to preserve it, Senior Lifestyles Corporation bought and tore down the theater. In 1991, a 16-story apartment tower with a shopping arcade was built and named “Granada Center.” Later, Loyola University acquired the building, converting it into 12 floors of student apartments above a base with parking, retail spaces, and university offices. The tower was renamed “Fordham Hall,” while the retail and office section kept the name “Granada Center.” While they tried to keep a bit of the essence of the theater, new buildings can’t hold a candle to the original.

Athena Petersen became my granddaughter when she married my grandson Josh Petersen on June 24, 2023, but she won our hearts when we first met her on February 8, 2021. It was their first date, and they decided to go bowling. It happened to be our league night, and when Josh saw us, he introduced us to his girl. The rest, as they say, is history. We liked her immediately, and somehow, I knew that Josh had lost his heart to her. That fact was easy to see, and I could totally see why. I loved her immediately too. Since that time, Athena has never given me any reason to think that she was anything but genuine, sweet, and loving. In her we have been very blessed.

Athena is a boy mom, with four sons, but she would love to have a daughter someday. Time will tell, I guess. Athena and Josh’s boys, Justin, Axel, Cristian, and Graham keep their parents running. Having been the mom of two girls, I had no idea what having boys would mean. Boys are very different than girls, that’s for sure. Boys are a big job, and the mom of those boys had better keep herself in good shape. Athena does just that, getting up early in the morning (and she is not a morning person) to work out before Josh leaves for work. It’s hard work, and I’m very proud of the strong woman she is.

Athena is strong, but even more important, in my opinion, is the fact that she is a strong Christian woman. Athena has been attending her church for more that ten years, and she is very dedicated both to her Lord, Jesus Christ, to her family and extended family. I love the fact that Athena and Josh are raising their family to love the Lord too. They have raised good little boys, and they are so proud of them. The children are growing up fast. I love to see how Josh and Athena continue to cultivate their love every day. It’s as if they are still dating, and that is a great way to keep a marriage young and strong. Today is Athena’s birthday. Happy birthday Athena!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

My grandniece, Jolene “Jo” Thompson, is the oldest daughter of my niece, Kellie Thompson’s husband, Tim Thompson. Of course, she is now also Kellie’s daughter in every way. Jo is such a sweet girl, and now for the first time, Jo is living with Kellie and Tim full time. They are so excited to have her with them, and Jo’s new little sister, Tayla. Jo is such a good big sister, and Tayla loves her so much. Jo is growing up so fast, something that Kellie and Tim can hardly believe. Jo has always loved being big sister to her other half siblings and is thoroughly enjoying the new baby.

Our family has felt blessed by the addition of Jo and her dad to our family. They fit right in from the very start. My sister, Allyn Hadlock and her husband, Chris (Kellie’s parents), were thrilled to have another granddaughter and now two. Jo was such a perfect addition to their family. Her cousins, Ethan Hadlock, Aurora Hadlock, Adelaide Sawdon, and Mackenzie Moore love having a new cousin to hang out with. The three younger girls are just like the three musketeers when they are together. They have a great time together. They are a perfect fit as cousins, and they are close in age, Jolene is 11 years old, Addi is 10 years old, and Mackenzie is 9 years old. That makes them interested in the same things to a large degree. We are so happy to have added Jo to our numbers. She is perfect.

Jo is so smart and strong!! Kellie and Tim are loving all the time we get to spend with her now!! Tim and Jo are constantly playing and having fun!! Recently, they worked together to build her brand-new loft bed!! Jo started school at a Casper school this year and is meeting new friends and doing new things!! She just started volleyball and had her first game, and she did amazingly well!! Jo is such a happy girl, that I’m sure making new friends is easy. She always wears a smile on her face, and she brings sunshine into the room when she walks in. Jo is enjoying her new school, as well as her new home and room. She is so kind and helpful and loving. Kellie and Tim are so very blessed to be her parents!! Today is Jolene’s 11th birthday. Happy birthday Jo!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

My nephew, Jason Sawdon has been with the Wyoming Highway for as long as I have known him. He married my niece, Jessi Hadlock on August 18, 2012. Jessi grew up in a “cop family” and so marrying Jason seemed a lot like what she had always known. When they got married, Jason was a patrolman for the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Jason still works for the Wyoming Highway Patrol, but now in a different role. In 2021, he was promoted to Sergeant of Equipment and Technology, a change that meant moving his family from Casper to Cheyenne. On June 5, 2021, they made the move as the next step in his distinguished career. It was tough for all of us to see them leave, but it was the best decision for their family. Jason is no longer out on the streets, and his hours are much better suited for a family man. His wife and daughter need him home at night.

Jason is always fun and ready for any adventure. My niece appreciates Jason’s laid-back attitude and knack for handling anything. The family has traveled extensively this year, and he’s always eager to take them wherever they want to go. Jessi loves that he teaches their daughter, Adelaide, everything she needs to know…whether it’s caring for a vehicle, looking after belongings, or safely using adventure gear. He’s incredibly patient and truly the best dad. Adelaide cherishes her time with him, and they are the closest of friends. He is also Jessi’s best friend, and they have been since they met. Jessi is grateful that he’s patient with her too and loves them more than anything. He works so hard to give them a great life, and they truly have the best!!

Jason is a great family man, and very loyal to both his side of the family and Jessi’s. Their family ties are very important to them. They have always made sure that they spend quality time with both sides, alternating holidays and making sure they get good quality time with both sides of the family. They love to travel and go camping with the families. Jason is such a devoted husband and dad, and that has endeared him to not only his wife and daughter, but to Jessi’s whole family as well. He is a wonderful uncle to all of his nieces and nephew. They couldn’t have asked for a better addition to the family. Today is Jason’s birthday. Happy birthday Jason!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

My great grandson, Axel Petersen is the quiet one of my grandson, Josh Petersen and his wife Athena’s four sons. It’s not that he can’t make himself heard if one of his brothers annoys him, but Axel does a lot of thinking and considering of things around him. Axel is the second oldest of the boys. At three, he knows his alphabet and can count to ten. He also likes to sing and knows the songs we all sing regularly. Axel is a happy little boy with a great laugh, who loves playing with his brothers…when they are all getting along, hahaha!!

Axel loves coming to our house. I’m GG and while I’ve always called Bob, Papa to the grandkids and great grandkids, Axel calls him Gampa!! He loves his gampa so much and when Bob has to go to the parts house for parts, Axel can often be found sitting on the bench in front of the window watching for his Gampa to come back. The minute Bob walks in the door, Axel yells, “Gampa!!!” Then, he runs up and hugs him!! They are pals!! His favorite toys, besides the tablet, are Lego’s and Hot Wheels cars…at least at GG’s house.

Axel has a kind heart and a sweet nature. He plays well with brothers, Justin and Cristian, and loves to entertain his baby brother, Graham. He is a hugger and always quick to say hi or goodbye with a big hug. His absolute favorite food is Nutella Uncrustables. A rather picky eater, he will turn up his nose at most other foods, except for fruit snacks and Marshmallow Fruit Loops!! While he is a sweet boy, he can also be very stubborn and would rather take a nap than eat a food he doesn’t like. He is an easy boy to get to sleep. Most of the time, he puts himself down for a nap, and that might be laying down, but just as often it’s sitting up or even standing up leaning over the couch!! He is also an early riser, much to his mommy and daddy’s chagrin!! Still, when you look at that sweet face, what can you do. Early or late riser, you just gotta love him. Today is Axel’s 3rd birthday!! Happy birthday Axel!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

As your kids grow up, times seems to accelerate in a crazy way. I’ve often told young parents of babies, “Tomorrow they will be dating!!” They always look at me with an “assuming” gaze and say, “That will be a long time yet!!” Of course, when their child starts dating, they wonder where the time went. I don’t know if they recall what I said or not, but they realize the truth of what I said. Now what seemed like yesterday has left me with not only grown and married children, but grown grandchildren, and great grandchildren who are growing up faster than I want to think about.

My younger daughter, Amy Royce, and her husband, Travis, are celebrating 31 years of marriage today. I can still vividly picture her as a tiny baby, and a little girl who was a feisty as ever. These days, Amy is a seasoned insurance agent, and far from the teenage girl I remember teaching to drive. She and Travis have two adult children, and soon to be a son-in-law, and have built a wonderfully happy life together over the past three decades. I never imagined my girl would choose country living, given how much she disliked it when we lived in the country when she was a child, but times change. They’ve created a peaceful, serene sanctuary in their backyard, a place their friends love to gather. Their home in Ferndale, Washington is not so far from Bellingham, Washington that they can’t make a quick trip to town for anything they need. For that matter, there are a number of towns within a twenty-mile radius, including the Canadian border, so they have access to pretty much anything they might want or need.

The truth is, Travis has made my daughter incredibly happy over the years, and that is all that matters to me. The Pacific Northwest suits them well, though I wish they had liked this area more than they did. Still, I can’t imagine them coming back to the frigid Wyoming winters they always disliked, and especially to the wind we have here. The beauty of where they live now is such a big attraction. The rainforest and all the flowers bring my daughter so much joy. Her garden and backyard are her happy places, where she spends hours watering, planting, enjoying, and even weeding. Travis loves yard work too, happily building anything she dreams of…from ponds to a covered patio. Mowing the lawn, in particular, is still his peaceful escape. That’s a hard thing for me to imagine, but he has always enjoyed mowing the lawn, whether pushing a mower or riding on one. I think that’s very cool, even though it would not be something I would enjoy.

I couldn’t have wished for a better life and marriage for my daughter. Travis is perfect for her, and they make a great team. That’s why they’re celebrating thirty-one years together today. Their love is strong and beautiful. That is very evident and always their top priority. From the start it was a perfect love, and it’s only grown over the years there in the Pacific Northwest. Who could ask for more from their children’s marriage? Today marks Amy and Travis’ 31st wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary Amy and Travis! Have a wonderful day and a fantastic year ahead!! We love you so much.

My grandniece, Mackenzie Moore is the daughter of my niece, Lindsay Moore and her husband Shannon. She is a very social person and is loved by everyone who knows her. Mackenzie has grown up around the Wyoming Cowboys football team and the cheerleaders, because her dad is the assistant coach for the team. He is also their tight ends coach. The team has rather adopted her as their “little darling.” She has hung out with the cheerleaders during practices and is one of the team’s biggest fans. She has been attending their games since her dad took the job in 2019, when she was just two years old.

Mackenzie is all girl!! She decided that she wanted to paint her room for her birthday, and of course she chose pink!! So, they did that on Monday. Mackenzie is very happy with the result. She loves dressing up and looking pretty, and she is often in pink…unless it’s game day, of course!! Mackenzie probably has one of the most extensive collections of Wyoming Cowboys clothing there is!! She is her mom’s mini-me, so they often wear matching outfits for game days. Lindsay says, “She is the sweetest. She’s so kind. She is truly a blessing to us. So grateful to be her mom! She is my little sidekick…my twin, and I love to do all the things with her because she is so fun and funny!!” They have a very close relationship.

By the same token, Mackenzie is very close to her dad too. Shannon is a hands-on dad who never just comes home from work to sit in front of the TV while telling Mackenzie to entertain herself. He loves spending time with her. They’re like two peas in a pod. Whether it’s the park, the pool, or anywhere else, they go together. Shannon enjoys teaching her new skills in true coaching style…swimming, throwing, swinging, climbing…everything! That also play with the family dog, Brinkley. Mackenzie loves her little Brinkley bear. They are together all the time when she is home…unless she’s doing homework, I would imagine. Nevertheless, I doubt if Brinkley is far away, because after homework comes playtime, and Brinkley doesn’t want to miss out on that.

Mackinzie is also very close with her cousins, Ethan and Aurora Hadlock, Adelaide Sawdon, Jolene Thompson, and the newest addition, Tayla Thompson. She loves cousin- time. For the most part, she sees Adelaide, because she lives the closest, but she looks forward to time with all the cousins, and grandparents, Chris and Allyn Hadlock. Mackenzie just loves everyone and enjoys spending time with them all. Today is Mackenzie’s 9th birthday. Happy birthday Mackenzie!! Have a great day!! We love you!!

The San Francisco Gold Rush was a wild chapter in American history, full of excitement and anticipation. Gold has a way of changing people, and the mere thought of striking it rich inspired many to pack up and head west to try their luck at mining. After making their fortunes, a lot of folks chose to return east. The idea of traveling back by wagon wasn’t very appealing, so these newly wealthy individuals opted for a sea route instead. The easiest path was through the Panama region. Of course, the Panama Canal didn’t exist yet…though the French had tried to build it…so the journey required two separate ship trips.

On August 20, 1857, several hundred passengers in San Francisco boarded the SS Sonora of the Pacific Mail Steamship Line and set sail for Panama City. The gold on board was worth $1.6 million at the time—imagine its value today. Among the treasures were thousands of freshly minted 1857-S double eagles, earlier $20 coins, ingots, and other forms of gold. Many of the double eagles were neatly stacked in long rows inside wooden boxes, while passengers carried their own stash in purses and boxes, showcasing their success in the goldfields. Upon arrival in Panama City, they took the Panama Railroad—a 48-mile line completed in 1855 that cut the isthmus crossing to just three or four hours instead of days of paddling and trekking through jungle. When the train reached Aspinwall, the passengers disembarked, and the treasure was moved into storage. The next part of the journey was aboard the side-wheel steamer SS Central America, formerly known as the SS George Law. It was on its forty-fourth voyage for the Atlantic Mail Steamship Company, which operated under a federal contract to deliver mail between the East and West. The steamers were captained by experienced Navy men with solid reputations, and at the helm of the Central America was Capt. William Herndon.

In early September 1857, the gold treasure was securely loaded onto the ship as passengers settled into their cabins, ready for a pleasant voyage to New York City. The time of year was perfect for travel. On September 7th, the ship arrived in Havana’s harbor, a favorite stop where passengers eagerly bought souvenirs and explored the town. The journey toward New York remained smooth and sunny, with calm seas—at least for the moment. At 5:30am on Wednesday, September 9th, the ship’s second officer reported they had covered 286 nautical miles in the past 26½ hours. Noticing a breeze picking up, he thought a storm might be coming, but wasn’t worried—after all, they were seasoned sailors. That confidence turned out to be their first mistake. The storm intensified, and with no port nearby, all they could do was keep the SS Central America facing into the waves. By Friday morning, September 11th, the crew still had control, but the ship was taking on water through the drive shaft, broken or open lights, and other spots. The vessel pitched violently, making it nearly impossible to feed coal into the boilers.

At 11:00am, Captain Herndon warned the passengers that the ship was in serious danger and called on all the men to help bail water using a bucket brigade. By 1:00pm, the rising water in the hold had doused the boiler fires of the SS Central America, and the paddlewheels stopped, leaving the ship at the mercy of the sea. By Saturday, September 12th, 1857, the storm began to pass, but it was too late—the ship was doomed. Passengers were ordered to abandon ship, and the SS Central America sank with all its treasure. In total, 425 lives were lost, while only 153 were rescued by the brig Marine, which had also been damaged by the storm, though not as severely. The wreck was rediscovered on September 11, 1988, almost exactly 131 years after it went down in the hurricane—a valuable find for Thomas G Thompson, his crew, and the museums that would benefit.

Like most people who were alive and old enough to remember, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news broke about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I was at home, with my grandchildren just arriving before school. I was getting ready for work and to take them to school when Kevin, my daughter Corrie’s husband, called to say there were fires at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I recall saying, “How can that be? They’re nowhere near each other!” I couldn’t comprehend it until we learned it was planes and terrorist attacks. The answer to that question left me feeling stunned all day, and for several days afterward. The thought of all the lives lost in the attack haunted me constantly. I felt a deep sense of dread and sorrow for the families who had suffered such immense loss. Like many Americans, I wished I could help but didn’t know how, and I was needed at home. So, I prayed constantly…for those still trapped, for the dead and dying, for their families, and for our country.

Looking back on all that horror, and hearing people complain about airport security, I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking. It was complacency that left our country vulnerable to those attacks, and it is complacency that could let it happen again. If we want to protect ourselves and our nation, we have to stay vigilant. When I hear people say we shouldn’t profile those we search, I think, “Wake up!” In most other countries, we’re treated differently than their citizens. I’m not racist, but I believe that anyone who appears to have an Arab background should understand that if they aren’t a terrorist, these measures are also for their protection. The rules have changed so much since that day, 25 years ago, when we realized we can’t afford to be overly trusting. We should all be more understanding of those working to keep us safe and stop making their jobs harder…they’re just doing their work like everyone else.

In a perfect world, none of this would be necessary. We wouldn’t have lost 2,819 lives in a single day to a planned terrorist attack. Sadly, we don’t live in that kind of world, and there are people who despise us. We owe it to those who died to do everything we can to ensure it never happens again. We owe it to their families to see to it that their loved ones didn’t die in vain or worse yet, that they have been forgotten. Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The memory of that day and those who lost their lives should remain as vivid in our hearts as it was years ago and will be years from now. For those who died on that horrible day, we must never forget!!