Hot Reading at Hot Springs State Park

We had a terrific set of readings at the Hot Springs State Park pavilion June 1-2 in Thermopolis. Rain came down most of the day Friday, but miraculously let up about an hour before the 7 p.m. start. A few squalls passed through, but the readers and their texts were protected by the stage roof and the audience of Wyoming Writers, Inc., conference attendees came prepared with rain slickers and even umbrellas (rare equipment in this state where raging winds usually accompany the rain and snow).

We heard from some of the Bear Lodge Writers on Friday -- Jeanne Rogers, Pat Frolander, and Maureen Blake. They're all from the northeast part of the state (and western S.D.). Gwen Peterson from Big Timber, Mont., recited some cowboy poetry and then brought out the guitar for a sing-along with Abbie Taylor from Sheridan. I was emcee, and had to keep things moving so the crowd wouldn't get restless. Since it was Friday night in Thermopolis, we also had to contend with cruising diesel pick-ups patrolling the park roads. At one point, the sprinkler system erupted, but stopped short of drenching the audience.  

On Saturday evening, the crowd heard from Jackson novelist Tim Sandlin ("Jimi Hendrix Turns 80") and Montana Poet Laureate Sandra Alcosser who opened things up. Thermopolis writing duo Mike and Kathy Gear served as the closing acts. At the banquet that preceded the reading, we ate bison meatloaf from the Gears' herd. Great to be nourished in body and in spirit, all in one evening under the wide Wyoming skies.

--Thermopolis, Wyo., 6/3/07