This week a few notes from local events that are worth mentioning.

First, standing up on Teton Pass last week and looking over that pass that had to be re-constructed in such a short time to keep commerce open as we know it for a regional area. I was so impressed with the skills and abilities of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. That was a serious problem. WYDOT corrected it with engineering and organizational skills. They fixed a broken mountain! Over the years I watched them do this with two major slides in the Snake River Canyon. The state is fortunate to have such a skilled agency. If it’s broken, they fix it! Please, let’s not take their work for granted.

Second, Mtn. Days in Alpine. Years ago, I remember sitting through meetings in Alpine as the town looked for their own summer celebration, one that might compliment the state’s centennial celebration and one that could carry on for years. That’s what happened and it was a great start to a long-standing summer tradition with Mtn. Days. I can recall standing in front of the civic center listening to Donn Wooden, Alpine’s first mayor, open the Mtn. Days celebration. Little did Donn know the event would continue for years to come and the building behind him at the time would one day have his name on it – the Donn Wooden Civic Center. Donn Wooden and Mountain Days, good memories.

Third, an event that has grown rapidly in recent years, Afton’s Freedom Festival. There’s a group of people working behind the scenes to bring this event together and they have improved on it every year. What was once a bounce house or two and few pop-up tent displays or vendors has grown to countless vendors, kids’ activities, pancake breakfast, basketball tournament, car show, jr. rodeo, ranch rodeo and much more. All of it spread out over several locations at the fairgrounds, main street and town park. As I walked from one end to the other and attended events at different times, I was amazed at all the work that was quietly completed to make this happened.  What a compliment to the community.

This is what happens when we pull together for good with neighbors and our communities – we rebuild roads, bring people together and celebrate all that’s good about our communities!