Historic Governors’ Mansion “Tinsel Through Time” exhibit

Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion Christmas Memories
Reminiscence about the traditions of Christmas past with “Tinsel
Through Time: Christmas at the Mansion,” a special free evening of
Holiday music and refreshments at the Historic Governors’ Mansion,
December 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Celebrating in good times and bad, in times of prosperity as well as
war, Christmas has remained a time to celebrate the joys of the world.
The 1905 Mansion, the first official residence of Wyoming’s First
Families, has hosted everyone from United States Presidents to
neighborhood children for 71 years. We now invite you to be our guest
and take this enchanting Christmas tour.
During the open house, enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas as the
Mansion glistens and glows with holiday magic that reminds us of those
special moments with family and friends.
The evening will feature pianist John Brown who will perform
Christmas melodies throughout the evening.
This unique free exhibit featuring numerous trees with historic
trimmings will continue to be on display for the public to view
December 3th – 23th, Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  and
December 24th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Historic Governors’ Mansion is located at 300 E. 21st Street in
Cheyenne. Please call 307-777-7878 for more information.

State Parks enhances trail opportunities through grants, volunteerism

Through the use of grants, partnerships and a corps of enthusiastic
volunteers, the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and
Trails has developed several miles of non-motorized trails at both
Curt Gowdy and Glendo state parks resulting in a new demographic to
the two parks.
       Not only are the parks still a destination to the fishing, boating
and camping crowd, but by providing a more diverse parks system,
mountain bikers, hikers and even equine enthusiasts are finding the
parks an attractive venue to spend the weekend or afternoon.
       State Park officials are even finding the trails are extending the
parks’ “season” lasting from late spring to early fall; months often a
little too chilly for camping, as well as bringing new and different
types of users  to the parks.
       “Increased visitation means increased revenue,” State Parks Trails
liaison Paul Gritten said. “That’s money we can use to make
improvements to all facets of the parks.”
       Currently, Curt Gowdy State Park offers a 35-mile trail system that
is currently one of the more popular trail destinations in the region.
The International Mountain Biking Association has given the Curt Gowdy
Trails an “Epic” designation, one of only several in the nation and
the first in the Wyoming. Additionally, because of the trails system,
IMBA held its regional summit at Curt Gowdy State Park in September.
       Also, since the completion of the Curt Gowdy trails system, the park
has played host to the Summer Outdoor Slam, a kids’ outdoor activity
event, the Conquer Cancer Walk and several mountain bike specific
events such as the Gowdy Grinder and the Stone Temple 8 bike race.
       Due to the success of the Curt Gowdy trails, work has begun on a
similar system at Glendo State Park with 15 of a planned 50-60 miles
already completed.
These projects have been accomplished through funding provided by the
Wyoming Legislature.
       Recreational Trails Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund
grants have been vital to the success of construction of trails at
both parks from a financial standpoint with manpower provided through
the Wyoming Conservation Corps and a seemingly never ending  group of
volunteers.
Additionally, Cycle Wyoming, an organization based in Laramie, has
provided a $15,000 grant to build a kiosk to be placed at the trail
head of the Glendo trails system. The kiosk will provide riders with
maps and other pertinent safety and cycling information.