Meadowlark Award – Mark Mickelson The Wyoming Community Foundation honored Mark Mickelson of Big Piney on Thursday, June 1st. Mickelson was presented with the Spirit of the Meadowlark Award for his years of community service. "His commitment to strengthening communities and supporting the nonprofits in our state is exemplary of the organization’s mission to build a better Wyoming and ensure Wyoming communities have the resources they need to thrive." Click on this link for more on this story: History of service earns Mark Mickelson Spirit of the Meadowlark Award May 23, 2023 Photo by Pinedale Online.

SCUF Catfish Fry in Marbleton June 17 (posted 6/2/2023)
Sublette County Unified Fire will host their annual Catfish Fry at Fire Station 2 in Marbleton on Saturday, June 17th from 11:00am until they run out of catfish! Come support your local firefighters! Fried catfish, corndogs, hushpuppies, fries and more. Meal is by donation. Donations go toward the local Volunteer Support Fund.

History of service earns Mark Mickelson Spirit of the Meadowlark Award (posted 5/23/2023)
Mickelson to be honored on June 1st for his many years of volunteerism and philanthropy in Sublette County and statewide
Wyoming Community Foundation
BIG PINEY, WYOMING – The meadowlark arrives with the hesitant Wyoming spring and is the first bird to start the work of building their avian communities. They are often the birds that give many of us a spark of hope for warmer months! Meadowlarks are one of the few birds that sing both while perched and flying, much like those individuals that willingly give their time, expertise, and financial support in an effort to strengthen their community. A good example of one such individual is community member, Mark Mickelson.

A valued community servant in Sublette County, Mickelson will be presented with the Spirit of the Meadowlark Award on Thursday, June 1st.

The Spirit of the Meadowlark Award was created in 2021 by the Wyoming Community Foundation’s Sublette Area Local Board to ensure that those who give the most of themselves to their community are not overlooked but recognized for the good they do to build a better Wyoming. The award acknowledges those in the Sublette area that give of their time, skills, and own resources to make their community stronger - in good times and in bad.

Mark Mickelson has served on both the Statewide and Sublette Area Local Boards of the Wyoming Community Foundation. His commitment to strengthening communities and supporting the nonprofits in our state is exemplary of the organization’s mission to build a better Wyoming and ensure Wyoming communities have the resources they need to thrive.

"Volunteer board members like Mark make the efforts of our local non-profits possible, providing their time, experience and financial support to causes they are passionate about," says Sublette Local Board Chair, Mindi Crabb. "Serving on a nonprofit board and giving back to your community is a rewarding experience." Nonprofit organizations rely on the generosity of people like Mark to help achieve their mission work and support their constituents.

Beyond his work with WYCF, Mickelson has served on the boards of SAFV Task Force, the Children’s Learning Center, Rendezvous Pointe Senior Center, the Wyoming Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and Shriner’s Hospital, and has been involved in several other voluntary roles within Sublette County and across Wyoming.

Anyone wishing to celebrate Mickelson is invited to join the Sublette Area Local Board on Thursday, June 1st at 5:30 pm at the Sublette County Fairgrounds. Food and beverages will be available at this non-solicitation event. Please RSVP to Jerrica Becken at jerrica@wycf.org or call 307-721-8300.

Sublette County to host Wyoming Artists’ Association Convention June 9-11 (posted 5/23/2023)
The Wyoming Artists’ Association (WAA) has held its annual convention, uninterrupted since 1955, until Covid put a halt to things in 2020. WAA is a nonprofit organization that promotes Wyoming artists and provides an opportunity for its members to gather once a year to display their works, learn, inspire, and have fun. Traditionally, a three-day convention is held the first weekend in May, hosted by the current president, usually in their community. The convention hosts a judged exhibition for its members; two to three workshops with locally renown instructors; a Friday evening quick draw as its fundraiser; and a Saturday evening banquet. Historically, it has proven to be an incredibly fun weekend, and a great way for artists across the state to stay connected.

Covid played havoc with WAA’s traditions, as the 2020 president had to cancel their convention, and the 2021 president resigned due to stress caused by covid-related issues. Since there is currently not an acting president, a group of past presidents met recently to organize a convention for 2023 and get the ball rolling again. This convention will follow WAA’s past traditions, with a few minor exceptions. The dates for this convention are June 9-11, 2023, which is one of the exceptions, due to facility availability. The location will be in the events center at the Sublette County Fair Grounds in Big Piney, Wyoming. This convention will provide the traditional judged exhibition, workshops, quick draw, and banquet. Artists from across the state will be participating in the festivities.

The judge for this year’s art show will be Tammy Christel, a writer, journalist, and arts blogger from Jackson, Wyoming. Tammy is a freelance writer and editor. She consults on the arts for collectors, filmmakers, and non-profit organizations.

We are offering two workshops for the participating artists. One will be instructed by Heather McCullough of Venice, Florida (heathermcculloughartworks.com), a watercolor artist extraordinaire. The second will be instructed by Tammy Callens of Jackson, Wyoming (tammycallens.com), who is proficient in portraits & landscapes done in oil. Both workshops will be excellent opportunities to soak up good tips and information and both are open to all levels of artists.

The theme this year will be a tribute to three artists: Leonardo De Vinci, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso, all of whom resided in France at one time or another during their lifetime. Therefore, the weekend will be like a trip to France, full of French cuisine and décor. The weekend will be a treat for all who attend, whether you are an artist participating in the entire weekend, or an art lover looking for that special piece of art at either the Art Show or the Friday evening Quick Draw. The Art Show and Quick Draw are both open to the public.

Please come and enjoy the Art Show and Quick Draw Friday evening, June 9th, starting at 7pm, with a live auction to follow at 8:30pm. The Art Show will be open to the public on Saturday, June 10th from 2-5pm, and Sunday, June 11th from 9am – noon.

Sublette County Hospital District now offering Urgent Care (posted 6/26/2022)
Sublette County Hospital District
Starting July 5, 2022, the Sublette County Hospital District will now be offering Urgent Care. This will be open at the Pinedale Medical Clinic from 7am to 7pm, Monday thru Friday.

Administrator Dave Doorn notes, "When we administered our Community Health Needs Assessment survey, one of the top requests was for more access to patient care. By adding an Urgent Care and expanding hours, we are able to better meet the needs of the community."

Urgent Care consists of non-life-threatening acute needs, such as lacerations, minor fractures, fevers, animal bites, sprains or asthma.

Public Relations Director Kari DeWitt notes, "I am thrilled we are able to offer Urgent Care, especially for the parents in our community who might have a sick child after hours. It will be such a time saver not to have to drive out of the County for care."

Patients may either call 307-367-4133 or walk in to schedule an Urgent Care appointment.

Routine Care will continue at both the Pinedale Clinic and Marbleton/Big Piney Clinic from 8am to 5pm Monday thru Friday. Routine Care is preventative maintenance, prescription refills, physicals, WYDOT physicals, going over test results and other routine healthcare visits.

Kari DeWitt notes, "We do ask if you have a routine concern, that you make a regular appointment. That will leave the Urgent Care free to deal with truly urgent matters."

Lab and Radiology visits will also remain on the Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm schedule. If you need blood draws, lab work, CT scans, ultrasounds, or other routine lab and radiology services, please plan on coming during normal business hours.

Of course, the Emergency Room is available 24/7 for true emergencies. The SCHD operates full 24/7 EMS service in both Pinedale and Marbleton/Big Piney, so someone can always call 911 for a true emergency. If it’s not necessary to call 911, a patient can call 307-367-4133 to speak with our answering service which can connect you with the ER provider on call if necessary.

Dave Doorn notes, "We couldn’t expand services like this without the buy in from our staff. We would like to thank them for going above and beyond and figuring out how to expand access to care in Sublette County and better serve our community."

Be aware of new Wyoming ID rules for voting (posted 4/10/2022)
Wyoming voters are now required to show one of the following acceptable forms of ID when voting in person:
- Wyoming Driver’s License or ID card
- Tribal ID Card
- Passport
- US Military Card
- DL Card or ID card from another state
- University of Wyoming Student ID
- Wyoming Community College Student ID
- Wyoming Public School Student ID
- Valid Medicare Insurance Card
- Valid Medicaid Insurance Card

If you don’t have any of these IDs, you can obtain a free ID card from your local Driver’s Services office. For more information, call 307-777-5860, email elections@wyo.com, or go online to http://www.sos.wyo.gov/Elections/VoterID.

Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)
Sweetwater County
In a joint release issued on Tuesday (May 29, 2018), Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and County Treasurer Robb Slaughter described the details of Wyoming statute concerning vehicle registration for non-residents working in the state.

"The Wyoming statute that addresses this issue," Slaughter said, "is W.S. 31-2-201 (j) and (k). It can be reviewed online at the State Legislature’s website at http://www.wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution?tab=0 ."

Lowell and Slaughter outlined the statute as follows:

A non-resident who is employed in Wyoming, on either a temporary or full-time basis, and who is the owner or operator of a vehicle in Wyoming that is not a commercial vehicle must immediately obtain a valid Wyoming registration or purchase a temporary registration.

To obtain a temporary registration, their vehicle must display a valid registration from another jurisdiction and be properly insured. Application is made in person at the County Treasurer’s Office at the Sweetwater County Courthouse at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. The fee for a temporary registration is $50.00 per month and cannot exceed 120 days per vehicle. If a worker is going to be employed in Wyoming for longer than 120 days, a regular Wyoming registration must be issued.

Those applying for a temporary registration will need to bring with them the following:

- The vehicle’s current, non-expired registration
- Proof of insurance
- Color of vehicle
- Payment for temporary registration in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card

Subsection (k) of the statute makes the following provisions for a commercial vehicle owner, a non-resident owner of a vehicle who is not employed in Wyoming, or any owner, upon transfer of ownership to, as an alternative to registration:

A 30-, 60-, or 90-day permit may be obtained in any 12 month period. The temporary permit begins on the date the owner enters Wyoming or on the date of purchase of the vehicle. The fees for a temporary permit are:

Up to 30 days - .10 X regular registration fee
Up to 60 days - .20 X regular registration fee
Up to 90 days - .30 X regular registration fee

Lowell and Slaughter noted that Wyoming has full reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, and Nebraska. Non-residents working in Wyoming who live in these states may run with their regular registration. If they take up residence in Wyoming, however, (by living here over 120 days, for instance), they must obtain Wyoming registration.

In addition, Wyoming has daily commuter reciprocity with Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah. Non-residents who live in these states and commute to work daily in Wyoming may run with their regular registration.

Lowell emphasized that Sweetwater County deputies are enforcing this statute, and will continue to do so.

Slaughter said those with questions may contact their County Clerk’s office.

3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’ (posted 1/15/18)
Including Big Piney, Wyoming
Wyoming Public Radio posted an article today (Monday, January 15) about three towns that are fighting to claim the title of "Ice Box of the Nation.’ Those three towns are International Falls, Minnesota; Fraser, Colorado; and Big Piney, Wyoming. Each has had record cold recorded temperatures. Big Piney has reached -61F.

For more on this story, click on this link,Why Three Towns Are Fighting To Be The 'Ice Box Of The Nation' and then click on the audio link on the left hand side. Story by Kelly McEvers, All Things Considered, npr.org, Jan. 15, 2018

Local Contact Numbers
Big Piney Town Hall
PO Box 70
Big Piney, WY 83113
307-276-3554
www.bigpiney.us

Marbleton Town Hall
10700 US 189
Marbleton, WY 83113
307-276-3815

Flicks & Pins Entertainment Center
Open Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 3:00PM to Midnight
Phone 307-276-4062 for movie times
www.flicksnpins.com/

Big Piney Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 218
Big Piney, WY, 83113
307-276-3375 or 276-5800/5200
Fax: 307-739-5235/276-5835
www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Sublette County Courthouse
21 S Tyler, Pinedale, WY 82941
Big Piney Direct Line 307-276-3827
Marbleton Annex 307-276-3735
Pinedale Information: 307-367-7722

Sublette County Sheriff's Department
PO Box 701
Pinedale, WY 82941
Marbleton: 307-276-5448
Pinedale: 307-367-4378

Big Piney Post Office
401 Budd Avenue
307-276-3772
1-800-275-8777

Sublette County School District #9
Superintendent's Office: 307-276-3322
Big Piney High School: 307-276-3324
Big Piney Middle School: 307-276-3315
Big Piney Elementary School: 307-276-3313
Big Piney Pool: 307-276-9966
www.sublette9.org


Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 E First St, Marbleton, WY
P.O. Box 33
Big Piney, WY 83113
Phone: (307) 276-3249
Fax (307) 276-3249
E-mail: southwest001@centurytel.net
Open 8:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch at 12:00 noon Tue. Wed. Thurs. (starting July 1, 2008)
Joan Mitchell / Director
www.bpmseniorhousing.com
Facebook page

Green River Valley Cowbelles
www.greenrivervalleycowbelles.com

More Area Information:
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce (Pinedale)
307-367-2242 or 1-888-285-7282
www.sublettechamber.com

BigPiney.com (Pinedale Online!)
307-360-7689 (days, evenings, weekends, after hours calls ok)

Sublette County Fair
July - August
The Sublette County Fair is packed with entertainment and fun. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the many highlights is the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The audience holds their breath as these young cowboys and cowgirls try their hand at bronc riding. The evening ends with the youngest contestants competing in the stick horse barrel race. The greased pig contest is another favorite, the crowd roars with laughter watching the wave a kids overtaking the slimy critters.

Spend some time viewing the livestock shows and watch the participants as they receive their awards for a job well done. Enjoy the wonderful food which some how tastes more delicious in the atmosphere of the fair festivities. Finish the night off at the rodeos with many local cowboys and cowgirls participating in the fast paced events. Visit the Sublette County Fair web page to enjoy pictures from previous years fairs.

For more information visit - www.sublettecountyfair.com.

Green River Valley Museum
Open June through October
The Green River Valley Museum is located on the main street in Big Piney. Artifacts from prehistoric Indians, pioneers, homesteaders and other various groups that have settled this area are on display at the museum. Many of the items displayed at the museum were donated by local families. 'Hard Hats and Stetsons' is the annual fundraiser for the museum. The name of the fundraiser itself reflects how important the cattle and oil industry have been for this valley.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM from June into October (opening date varies, so watch for announcements on the specific date each year). Admission is by donation. Special tours can be arranged by calling Museum Director Jeannie Lockwood at 307-276-3637.

For more information visit www.grvm.com

Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Chuckwagon Days takes place each year over the 4th of July holiday in Big Piney. There is a Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo, a parade down Big Piney's main street followed by a free BBQ at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, an afternoon rodeo, street dance and late evening fireworks (on the 4th).

The "Chuckwagon Chug" a 5k and 10k Walk/Run, will be held on July 4th, before the Big Piney Parade. Start/Finish is at the Big Piney High School parking lot. There will be prizes for top finishers and gift bags for all contestants.

More information about Chuckwagon Days can be found here: www.ChuckwagonDays.com

Local Lodging
If you are looking for local lodging and places to stay in the Big Piney-Marbleton areas, be sure to check the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce website under lodging. Big Piney and Marbleton are located about 35 miles south of Pinedale, so look under motels, RV parks and campgrounds specific to our towns.
Lodging Links:
Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Motels, Guest Ranches, RV
www.sublettechamber.com

Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
The closest campgrounds are located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. They offer two developed campgrounds and many opportunities for dispersed camping in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney and Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from local businesses and town services. For detailed information, contact the district office at 307-276-3375.

Sacajewea Campground Located 25 miles west of Big Piney. This campground has 26 sites, basic amenities, and is open June 15th through September 30th. The camping fee is $7.00 per site, per night. This campground has running water, an on-site host, and is well maintained. No electricity, showers or phone.

Middle Piney Lake Campground This is a primitive campground located further down the road from the Sacajewea Campground. This camp area is next to Middle Piney Lake and has 5 tent sites, tables and pit toilets. NO running water, electricity, showers or phone service. NO fees. Because of the narrow winding road to this campground, it is not recommended to take trailers to the lake site.

Forest Service Cabins Big Piney Ranger District offers two Forest Service work centers for rent for overnight stays. One is located at Snider Basin and the other in the Hoback. Contact the Big Piney office for more information on availability and fees.

NOTICE ABOUT BEARS: These campgrounds are in bear country. Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the Wyoming mountain range. Visitors are strongly encouraged to practice clean camping techniques and store attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to bears. Bear-proof canisters are available for rent from the Big Piney Ranger District office. Bear-proof dumpsters are located at various locations at campgrounds and recreation areas on National Forest land.

Dispersed Camping:
There are practically unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney/Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from town. Stay limit is 16 days in any one location. Campers should either bring their own water or boil water obtained from sources in the outdoors to avoid getting sick from organisms that live in lakes and streams. Do not drink untreated surface water. Dispersed camping is available along the Piney, Cottonwood and LaBarge Creek drainages.

Camping on BLM land
There are no developed campgrounds on BLM land near Big Piney or Marbleton, however there are many places for dispersed camping for those who are prepared to bring their own drinking water and camp without developed facilities. For more information, contact the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Pinedale.

Private RV Campgrounds
There are several private businesses that offer RV campsites for overnight and extended stays. Most have power, water and sewer hookups. Click here to our sister website, Pinedale Online, for info about private RV campgrounds and services.

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest/Big Piney Ranger District
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce

Big Piney, Wyoming, "Ice Box of the Nation"

Big Piney & Marbleton
Ice Box of the Nation
Big Piney is the oldest settlement in Sublette County, Wyoming and was named by Dan B. Budd for the Piney Creeks. In 1879, Daniel B. Budd and his partner Hugh McKay brought a thousand head of cattle from Nevada hoping to ship them at Point of Rocks, but winter caught up to them here in the Green River Valley. The following year Dan Budd moved his family here and that is how the settlement of this town began. Big Piney was called "Ice Box of the Nation" when it was officially made a weather station in 1930. Big Piney had the coldest year round average temperature of any place nationally.

It's a curiosity, considering most Wyoming towns are few and far between, that Big Piney and Marbleton would only be a mile apart. They have separate post offices and town governments. Big Piney was incorporated on July 5, 1913. In the early days there was a lot of drainage problems with the site on which Big Piney was built. So Charles Budd, eldest son to Dan B Budd had hope to build the town up on the bench to alleviate this problem. Charles did establish Marbleton on the bench, in late 1913, but it never replaced Big Piney. Any attempts to combine the two towns has been unsuccessful. The truth is people here kinda' like it that way. Both towns cooperate with each other, they have a common school. The citizens of these two towns take a lot of pride in the growth of their little metropolis over the past years and think the founders would be proud too. Both communities have thrived in the last several decades because of the oil and gas industry. In the 1980's Marbleton recieved it's own post office, because of the number of people moving to the area.

To contribute information to this community website,
please e-mail: info@bigpiney.com or info@marbleton.com.
Phone: 307-276-5699 • Fax: 307-276-5414