ROCK SPRINGS – A new year is now before us as we reflect on the memories of 2013: the highlights, the lessons learned and the struggles each person went through during the year. For some, 2013 was a learning experience while, for others a single highlight outshone the rest. As midnight hit, residents shared these highlights.
For Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Board Trustee Joyce Corcoran, her 2013 highlight was her 75th birthday party. She said it was a special moment because all her children were here to share the day with her.
As for 2014, Corcoran said she loves her job at Western Wyoming Community College, working with inmates at the Sweetwater Detention Center. She said she also enjoys her work on the SWCSD No. 1 Board and her other government roles in the community, and that is what she is looking forward to in the new year.
For Shawn Persinger, watching his kids play sports and being healthy were important moments for him in 2013. For 2014, he hopes for continued good health and good luck.
One big trip was the highlight of 2013 for Scott Sanders. He reflected on a horseback riding trip to California last year. As for the new year, Sanders can’t wait for his horseback trip to the Windrivers.
Young-At-Heart Senior Center Director Jeanine Cox said the highlight for the center was the Gray Matters Conference. She said this conference was the biggest for the senior center in 2013 as the staff served over 300 people.
The senior center will be busy again in 2014. Cox said they are quickly looking forward to Casino Fever, which will be the second Saturday in April. She said they are working to make that as successful as the conference was for the center.
The beautiful summer we had was David Joseph Fedrizzi’s 2013 highlight, and he is wishing for continued good health in the new year.
While going boating and fishing were two activities Rock Springs High School Students Shelby Martin and Haley LeFaivre enjoyed; they both also spoke about the work they are doing at the RSHS Health Academy.
LeFaivre was part of a dog rescue in Casper while Martin was part of a fundraiser for the Red Desert Humane Society. When asked what they were looking forward to in 2014, both young ladies said in unison, “Graduation.”
Another resident who loved the lake and his time spent there in 2013 was Dwayne Andrew. For the new year, Andrew is ready for the snowmobile hill climbs.
Todd Smith’s year was highlighted by spending time with friends as they took a trip to Las Vegas. He is hoping for a prosperous year in 2014.
Getting married was Ashey Fulkerson’s big 2013 event and for 2014, she is looking forward to having a farm with horses.
The past year saw a new pope, another Sprint Cup Championship for Jimmie Johnson and a second title for LeBron James and the Miami Heat. We watched as Boston rose above a tragedy to shine, and many foreign countries continue to fight for their freedoms.
We started the year with President Barack Obama’s second inauguration and then we all felt the effects of a government shutdown. We also watched a healthcare website fiasco. We watched the birth of a king and said goodbye to a leader in Nelson Mandela. We also said goodbye to Margaret Thatcher, Cory Monteith, James Gandolfini, Peter O’Toole, “Dear Abby” aka Pauline Friedman Phillips, Lou Reed and Hugo Chavez to name just a few of those lost.
While we look back at all the memories of 2013, we here at SweetwaterNOW are wishing all residents peace, health, love and prosperity in the new year.
