Jack Edwards with Edwards Law Office in Etna called into the Weekday Wake-Up on Monday, Nov. 17 to promote this year’s Christmas Coloring Competition for Star Valley kids.  Coloring books will be distributed this week through the elementary schools and public libraries in Star Valley.

(0:00) Joining me live over the phone right now (0:02) was Jack Edwards from Edwards Law Office. (0:05) And again, the annual Coloring Book Competition (0:08) hosted by Edwards Law Office is coming up. (0:10) Good morning, Jack, how are you doing today? (0:12) Good morning, Duke, I’m doing great.

(0:14) I’m so happy to be here. (0:15) You know, I was thinking about saying good morning (0:18) to Star Valley, but you guys are, (0:19) you’re in Kemmerer, Bridger, Valley? (0:22) Yeah. (0:22) Where else? (0:24) As of this morning, it’s just those places.

(0:26) Sometimes we have Montpelier, but not today. (0:28) So I think you got them all, actually. (0:31) Man, this is awesome.

(0:32) Thank you for having us. (0:34) Absolutely, well, appreciate your time. (0:35) We’re happy to partner with Edwards Law Office again (0:37) on this Christmas Coloring Book Competition.

(0:41) Remind us, how many years has this been going? (0:44) This has been going seven years. (0:45) I think we had a break during COVID, (0:47) but otherwise we’ve been going strong. (0:49) Perfect, and for those who maybe are new to the area (0:53) or haven’t had kids, but now they do, (0:55) remind us, what is the Coloring Book Competition? (0:57) What do you guys do? (0:59) Well, Edwards Law Office, the best law office (1:01) in Aetna, Wyoming, puts out coloring books (1:05) throughout Star Valley, and there is one page per sponsor, (1:11) and they compete.

(1:14) They color a page, and then they hand deliver it (1:16) to the sponsor, which gives the sponsor the opportunity (1:19) to have more people come through their business, (1:22) and each sponsor chooses their winner, (1:25) and each sponsor also has their own separate prize. (1:29) So the applicants have many opportunities to win, (1:33) and they get to see what prizes they might like (1:36) over another one, and color more pages for that sponsor. (1:40) That’s the way it’s worked.

(1:41) And then we end up with a final grand prize (1:44) from Edwards Law Office for the best piece of work, (1:49) and we have seen some awesome stuff (1:51) from kindergartners all the way up to sixth graders. (1:54) You would be amazed how talented the kids are (1:56) here in Star Valley. (1:57) It is really hard to pick the winners.

(2:00) Every single year, it’s really hard. (2:02) We, of course, have our page, and we’ve had pages (2:05) turned into us in the past. (2:06) It’s really hard.

(2:07) What is the grand prize this year from Edwards Law Office? (2:10) The grand prize has been a $100 crisp, $100 bill. (2:18) Plus, this year, we’ve added on for that grand prize winner (2:21) the opportunity to design next year’s cover. (2:25) Now, there’s also a grand prize for the teacher (2:29) with the most entries.

(2:31) And whatever teacher with the most entries (2:33) will get a class pizza party from Artisan Chefs. (2:37) And then the school with the most entries, (2:40) it’s a movie and bowling night (2:42) at Star Valley Station, Salt River Cinemas. (2:45) Very amazing.

(2:46) So individual, teacher, and school prizes (2:50) all from Edwards Law Office at Aetna (2:52) with the annual coloring book competition. (2:54) Now, distribution of the books. (2:56) When does that happen, (2:58) and where can people get those coloring books? (3:01) Great question.

(3:02) They’re going to be going out later in the week. (3:05) Students can pick up their coloring books (3:07) right through their school. (3:09) Also, at any Lincoln County Library location (3:13) or at our office, Edwards Law Office (3:15) at the Star Valley Community Center in Aetna, Wyoming.

(3:18) Excellent. (3:18) So they go out to each of the elementaries in Star Valley, (3:22) and you always have a really good response (3:23) from those that attend school at home, homeschool groups. (3:28) And that’s where they can pick those up at the library, right? (3:30) Always a great response from those.

(3:32) Yeah, the homeschoolers are the silent hammer. (3:37) Everybody needs to be careful (3:38) because they have come out in force (3:40) and nobody knows their numbers, (3:42) but they have won in the past. (3:44) So, you know, we don’t want to pick winners and losers.

(3:48) Nobody’s a loser, of course, in this contest, (3:51) but everybody has incentives (3:52) to come out and work hard and win. (3:55) Jack Edwards, Edwards Law Office, (3:57) and watch for those coloring books (3:58) to be distributed through the schools (3:59) and libraries in Star Valley (4:01) this upcoming week, later on in the week. (4:03) Jack, you mentioned this is the seventh year (4:05) that Edwards Law Office has done this competition.

(4:08) It is so much work to put this whole thing together (4:11) with the sponsors and the printing of the books (4:13) and everything like that. (4:15) Why do you keep doing it? (4:16) What’s the motivation for Edwards Law for this? (4:19) You know, honestly, when we thought about it, (4:21) we were like, well, what can we do (4:23) to get our name out in the community (4:24) and be part of the community and, you know, give back? (4:29) Because, gosh, this community (4:31) and the whole state of Wyoming has done so much (4:33) for this office and our team. (4:37) But now it’s like, it’s expected.

(4:40) And, I mean, it makes us happier than we even know. (4:44) To hear parents weigh in and say, (4:47) you guys have helped keep our kids off screens (4:50) during the holidays, (4:51) and we’re so grateful that you’re doing that. (4:54) And then, finally, it’s our sponsors.

(4:56) We couldn’t get any of this done without our sponsors. (4:59) And everybody throughout the Valley (5:02) that’s taken part, you know, (5:03) Brolin’s Crater Mountain Health Clinic in Thane, (5:06) Chickadee Cafe in the Star Valley Community Center, (5:09) and Intrepid Real Estate out of Afton are new sponsors. (5:12) But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have (5:15) these longtime other sponsors that we’re grateful for.

(5:18) So it makes us feel good. (5:20) Community activities, sponsors, and it gets our name out. (5:25) So it’s just, it’s a big warm hug.

(5:27) Do you know how many businesses are participating this year? (5:30) How many sponsors you have? (5:33) Oh my gosh, I’m counting them right now. (5:35) Yeah, not to put you on the spot or anything. (5:37) It’s, you know, we’re just- (5:38) About 22, it looks like, 23.

(5:41) Excellent. (5:42) Yeah, and maybe we need to think about (5:44) the rest of your coverage area (5:46) because you guys have been so awesome and given us time. (5:50) We want everybody to be able to take part in this.

(5:53) And, you know, we would love everybody to know (5:55) about Edwards Law Office and the good things we do (5:58) for people all over the state of Wyoming. (6:00) That’s Jack Edwards. (6:01) And again, that Christmas coloring competition (6:03) with those coloring books being distributed (6:05) later on in the week in elementary schools (6:07) around Star Valley and the libraries as well.

(6:09) Jack, as always, it’s a pleasure. (6:11) Thank you for the report this morning. (6:12) Anything we missed you need to mention today? (6:15) Nope.

(6:16) It’s not too early to say happy holidays. (6:19) Not at all. (6:19) That’s Jack Edwards, Edwards Law Office.

(6:21) It’s all part of the weekday wake up this morning (6:23) on SVI Radio.