The place was bustling when we dropped by last Saturday afternoon. Some 130 kids had been there in the morning, for the usual Saturday morning youth bowling league. Then, in the afternoon, almost all of the 20 lanes were filled with men competing in the Men’s City Tournament happening that day. But down at the end, in the first three lanes, there were kids having a birthday party with their own brand of bowling fun.

As co-owner Mike Hardesty pointed out, bowling is a sport for all ages. From the preschoolers, who push the bowl to roll down the lane (with the bumper guards raised on the sides of the lane) … to the handful of “regulars” who are still playing every week at age 90-plus.

Hundreds of Sheridan County residents are bowling at Cloud Peak Lanes every week – most of them on teams in the youth league or one of the seven men’s, women’s, mixed, or senior leagues. Seven days a week. There are usually 3-5 children’s birthday parties every weekend too, and lanes set aside for open bowling for individuals or small groups who just drop in to play.

Over the next two weeks we’ll be covering the history, ownership, and special events at Cloud Peak Lanes. In the meantime, how long has it been since you’ve gone bowling??It’s great physical exercise, a great family activity, and a great idea for a date … and it’s FUN. You can even still join a league that might have some mid-year openings.

You know where they’re located – set back from the street at 1520 Coffeen Ave. The phone number is 672-7459. Check out the website too – www.cloudpeaklanes.com.

History (February 19, 2013)

Last week we provided a glimpse of the activity level happening at the bowling alley. This week we’ll step back and take a look at its history in the Sheridan County community.

Cloud Peak Lanes, with 12 bowling lanes, was built at its current location in 1958 or 1959, by Wes Christianson and Olive Davenport, farmers out of the Dakotas. At the time, and for years after, Cloud Peak Lanes (and for a while another bowling alley, Sheridan Recreation, behind what is now Bank of the West), the drive-in movie theater, the roller skating rink, and the YMCA were the recreation hubs of Sheridan, especially for the kids.

After several years, Wes and Olive sold the bowling alley to Scott Lockens, who later turned the business over to his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Attila (“Bert”) Bertalan, who operated it for many years. It was in the 1960s that Bert expanded the building and added eight more lanes, to the current 20 lanes today.

Then Bert died in January 2007 and Linda either needed to find a new owner or close the business. That’s when the Hardesty brothers appeared. Jim and Mike Hardesty had grown up in the Sheridan area, at the family ranch in the Wyarno area where Jim still lives. Jim and wife Candy and Mike and wife Kyla wanted to keep bowling alive in Sheridan and purchased Cloud Peak Lanes in Summer 2007 .. and continue to operate it today.

Next week we’ll be looking at some of the special events at Cloud Peak Lanes, and especially the events that bring bowlers to Sheridan from all over the state of Wyoming.

We also give special acknowledgement to Dr. Oscar Rojo of Sheridan, who provided much of this history. Oscar was bowling at Cloud Peak Lanes when it first opened in the late 1950s and is still, in his 90s, bowling there two to three times a week. He must like it.

Special Events (February 26, 2013)

Today we’ll look at some of the special events happening at the bowling alley.

First and foremost are the bowling leagues, which start in late August (when the bowling alley re-opens after a summer hiatus) and continue until May. There are seven adult leagues, as well as a youth league with kids ranging from age 4 to age 18 who play on Saturday mornings. There’s also a traveling youth group (about 32 youth) who compete with a traveling youth team in Gillette – one month they play in Gillette, the next month they play in Sheridan. Want to join a league mid-year? Give them a call – there are occasional openings.

Last year Cloud Peak Lanes hosted the Women’s State Competition, with 170 4-person teams playing in Sheridan over four weekends. The year before, the Men’s State Competition was here, and Sheridan will have Men’s State again this year – 200 4-person teams – coming and going for five weekends in late April and early May! Then June will bring the Wyoming Bowling Proprietors Association “High 5″ tournament, where bowling alley owners in Wyoming send their 5 men and 5 women bowlers with the highest averages to the statewide “high 5″ tournament here in Sheridan. Last fall Cloud Peak Lanes hosted a special event on behalf of the Wounded Warrior program, with NFL Quarterback Jim McMahon as a special guest; they’re hoping to get him here again sometime soon.

And there are more events happening on a regular basis. Certainly birthday parties (with several choices of party packages). Jackpot Bowling every other Saturday, with colored pins and a jackpot prize. Every Sunday, 12 noon to close, is Family Fun Day, where kids age 9 and under are free!

Then while you’re there, there are plenty of food choices, a full bar, video game area, and a pro shop. Drop by and renew your love of bowling! Find Cloud Peak Lanes at 1520 Coffeen Ave., (307) 672-7459, www.cloudpeaklanes.com.

The Black Tooth Brewing Company opened for business in Historic Downtown Sheridan on November 26, 2010, in conjunction with the Christmas Stroll event.

Tim Barnes, Travis Zeilstra, and Dr. Michael Strahan set out to provide Sheridan with a unique atmosphere to enjoy handcrafted beer, with the hope that the community would embrace their products and be proud to call Black Tooth Brewing Company “our brewery.” Winning the Business of the Year award after only two years in business is a big step in that reality.

Expansion happened early and often at Black Tooth, starting with the partnership with Sheridan business icon Big Horn Beverage through the signing of a distribution agreement in April 2011. Black Tooth began to distribute four different beers into the five counties that make up NE Wyoming. This required additional infrastructure to be installed, with the first two fermentation vessels arriving in July 2011. This was followed by five additional vessels in November 2012, and a second agreement for further distribution into Natrona and Converse counties through Casper Beverage. But expansion has only just begun, with the coming introduction of Black Tooth Beers in Aluminum Cans projected for Summer 2013.

The brewery enters a number of national and international competitions throughout the year and has been awarded 15 medals at events such as the World Beer Cup, The Great American Beer Festival, The North American Beer Awards, and the US Open. This has been highlighted by Gold Medals for Wagon Box Wheat at both the World Beer Cup and The Great American Beer Festival, the two largest beer competitions in the world! Black Tooth was also awarded 5th Best Brewery Overall at the US Open in 2012. It’s equally important to show well regionally, and this is where Black Tooth has excelled – winning the People’s Choice Award at beer festivals in Casper, Jackson Hole, Lander and Sheridan in 2012.

Great beer hasn’t been Black Tooth’s only offering. It has been a goal since their inception to become a visible contributor to the Sheridan community. This has been accomplished largely through the use of The Timberline Room at the brewery. This space has been made available for private parties, public meetings, and numerous non-profit fundraising activities – and weddings, retirement parties, annual meetings, training seminars, and even the occasional memorial service.

The Black Tooth Brewing Company is extremely proud to be Sheridan’s Local Brewery, and WE are proud to have them in our community.

312 Broadway, Sheridan
(307) 675-2337
www.blacktoothbrewingcompany.com

Each week in January we have been featuring one of our 2012 Chamber Business Award winners. Today our spotlight is on Jim Schellinger (of Sheridan Media), who won the “2012 Spirit of Sheridan” award. This award category honors a Chamber member business or person who volunteers countless hours for the betterment of the Chamber and the community.

Jim Schellinger, sales manager at Sheridan Media, has been involved in almost all aspects of Sheridan County since he became part of our community in 1989. He is currently on the board of both the Sheridan County Chamber and Sheridan Travel & Tourism and is one of our Chamber Ambassadors. He serves on the new Sheridan Channel 22 committee, keeps very busy with the Elks, and is an active member of many of our special events committees. Jim also served as City Councilman and on the Sheridan Area Water Board from 1995 to 2002. He’s always there, ready to get involved and to help.

Jim also credits the community spirit at Sheridan Media. “At Sheridan Media we have always believed in the Community Partner concept, even before it was actually recognized as such.” [Sheridan Media is in its 4th year as one of the Chamber's Community Partners.] “Our employee/owners are encouraged to participate on non-profit boards and in civic organizations and with other groups that make positive differences in our everyday lives.”

Jim, we thank you!

Across the U.S., approximately 11% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned by McDonald’s Corporation, while approximately 89% are owned by independent owners, the franchisees.

The restaurants in Sheridan are locally owned and operated by Larry Storo, Sr., who started as crew in 1969. He worked his way up through the various positions within McDonald’s and in 1986 he purchased his first restaurant. Over the past 26 years, Larry and his team have supported the local community in various ways.

Larry’s first restaurant located on North Main was recently rebuilt and the location on Coffeen was built 3 years ago. He knows from personal experience that McDonald’s can provide people with various career opportunities. 75% of McDonald’s Restaurant Managers started as crew, which is very evident in his business. Maryann Kaminsky is the Restaurant Manager at North Main. She started as crew with Larry and has been managing for over 14 years. Chris Dooley, the Restaurant Manager at Coffeen, has been with the company for over 20 years. McDonald’s was Chris’s first job at the age of 15. As part of the store manager training, they attend Hamburger University to receive a degree in Hamburgerology. In fact, McDonald’s management training program is the only recognized quick service training program by the American Council on Education (ACE). The managers can earn up to 50 college credits toward a 2- or 4-year degree.

McDonald’s and Larry Storo recognize that the staff makes outstanding contributions in our restaurants and deliver the Brand promise to their customers each and every day. Many of his staff have worked for him for over 10 years. For example, one employee has been at North Main even longer than Larry – Judy Kinter has worked with Larry for 26 years, but has actually been with McDonald’s locally for 32 years. Larry Storo appreciates all the work his current and past employees have done over the years to satisfy all of their customers and thanks the Sheridan community for their continued support.

Captain Clean currently has twelve employees who specialize in complete customer satisfaction, by responding to their clients’ needs 24 hours a day … 7 days a week.

Their services include:

* Water damage restoration, including pumping, extraction, drying & dehumidification, disinfecting & sanitizing, and mold remediation.

* Fire damage restoration, including odor control, structure cleaning, content cleaning, and soda blasting.

* Carpet cleaning in residential, commercial, and commercial contract settings.

* Furnace and duct cleaning, including air washing, residential & commercial duct cleaning, chimney cleaning, fireplace cleaning, wood stove cleaning, and sanitizing.

Other services include upholstery cleaning of all fabrics, leathers, and dry cleaning, as well as oriental rug washing including hand-made, domestic, and moth proofing.

Maybe you have a trophy animal mount that needs to be cleaned? Or do your bathrooms need “detailing”? How about cleaning the blinds? This is the time to get everything in shape, for the holidays and the new year!

They also provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Complete customer satisfaction is what has kept them in business for almost 40 years. And they respond to client needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As they say on their website, “Expect honest answers to your questions and concerns. We treat your home, office and belongings as if they belonged to a dear family member. With Captain Clean you become part of our loyal family of clients. We make personalized recommendations to help satisfy your needs without high-pressure selling. Our commitment is to get the job done quickly and easily in an affordable and effective manner.”

You can find out more by visiting the Captain Clean website, www.captainclean.com, or just give them a call at (307) 672-0726.

Our Featured Member for November is Best Western Sheridan Center, the only hotel in our historic downtown. And this month they are celebrating their 50th anniversary! The Best Western has also been a member of the Chamber of Commerce all of that time, since 1962 – that’s 50 years of support to the Sheridan community.

The original Best Western was the 38-room Val Vista building constructed in 1962. (The photo here was taken in the early years, but is undated.) The Best Western was a big deal back then for the town of Sheridan, and today the Best Western is still one of the anchors of our downtown area. Owners added the Convention Center building as well as the Lodge and Main Street buildings in the years following.

The current owner is Sheridan Hospitality Group, who purchased the business in 2001. They have made significant improvements since then, from top to bottom, including plumbing, electrical, new beds, and kitchen. Sheridan Hospital Group has made a commitment to invest back into the property and now only has two more projects to complete.

We’ll be sharing more about today’s Best Western Sheridan Center in the coming weeks. In the meantime, drop by the location at 612 N. Main Street and check out their latest improvements, or give them a call at 672-2891 to book your event or even your overnight stay.

JCPenney Company, one of the oldest continuing businesses in Sheridan and a great Chamber member for over 43 years, is our Featured Member for the month of October.

Let’s start with some history. In January of 1907, a store opened up on the newly built strip of our Main Street. This department store (pictured right), named “Golden Rule,” was named to reflect its policy of offering every customer that walked in the door the same price, along with great customer service for a value. Guy Johnson and his partner Henry C. Stevens opened the Golden Rule store in Sheridan, one among 20 that they owned. All of the stores were bought out in 1927 by JCPenney Company, and our Sheridan business became one of 131 new “JCPenney” stores across the nation in 1928.

JCPenney in Sheridan celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008, which means it has been serving the residents of Sheridan for 104 years now!

Now look at our JCPenney TODAY (pictured right). 

In just the past year, JCPenney company-wide began offering consistent pricing on all their merchandise – everyday low prices. They do not offer doorbusters, or special sales. They believe this is a rare position in today’s retail world, bringing sanity back to the industry. They do regularly have merchandise on clearance in order to clear out seasonal merchandise.

Another change that will happen soon will be in the appearance and organization of the Sheridan store. In the past 10-20 years, department stores have not grown but shops have, so they are creating that feel across the board. As you enter JCPenney department stores, you will see shops such as Men’s Arizona Shop, Women’s Liz Claiborne Shop, Women’s Cold Weather Shop, Children’s Shop, and much more. These shops will be revealed on November 1.

To make the shopping experience better, store manager Randy Reinemer also listens to suggestions from his customers. As just one response to some of those suggestions, the Sheridan store will soon be removing some racks for bigger aisles, as well as always continuing to improve customer service. He welcomes your feedback.

Come on in and see what JCPenney has to offer today! 234 N. Main Street, 672-2891.

Our Featured Member for the month of September is Centennial Collaborative, Inc., headquartered at 237 N. Main in Sheridan, with multiple locations throughout Wyoming.

Centennial Collaborative provides quality architecture, engineering, and land surveying services for both private and public sector clients all over the western United States.

The firm continues the business and remarkable history of Centennial Engineering & Research, Inc., founded in 1976 by Tom Baker, PE and Jerry Mark, PE. And they’ve been a member of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce since that time – 36 years! Today the firm is owned by Jason Spielman, PE and has a professional, technical, and consulting staff of over 15 employees, including seasonal student interns.

Their services include infrastructure design/build, surveying and mapping, property development, construction-related services, and architecture.

Some of the best examples of their work are right here in the Sheridan area – the site design and planning for the new Ptolemy Data Systems facility at the Wrench Ranch; site work and redevelopment of the retail and office building on Brundage Lane; land planning, annexation, road alignments, infrastructure, subdivision and related construction for the Wrench Ranch developments on the north end of Sheridan; land planning, water rights acquisition, water treatment system design, road design and related construction of the first subdivision (The Shores at Lake DeSmet) to be submitted to Johnson County adjacent to Lake DeSmet.

Give them a call. Centennial Collaborative, Inc. is located at 237 N. Main Street, Suite 200, telephone (307) 672-1711.

The parent company, Mountain West Farm Bureau, is a multi-line insurance company, serving the needs of individuals, families, and businesses throughout Wyoming and Montana. Its mission is to provide financial peace of mind for their customers, with competitive, quality products and services.

The Sheridan business comes from the long-standing heritage of their parent company. Mountain West Farm Bureau began in 1946, when the Wyoming Farm Bureau organized an insurance committee to consider establishing an automobile casualty insurance service for Farm Bureau members.

In 1948, the Wyoming Insurance Department issued charters to the “Agricultural Insurance Company of Wyoming” and “Agricultural Indemnity Company of Wyoming,” and the two companies officially opened for business. The business made its first home in Laramie, with a small group of employees in a three-bedroom upstairs apartment processing 1,500 charter insurance policies.

Mountain West Farm Bureau has come a long way since that opening day. For over 60 years, they’ve provided communities in Montana and Wyoming with quality service. Through a partnership with Farm Bureau Financial Services (in Des Moines), the agents also help clients with their financial needs in life insurance, retirement planning, long-term care, disability insurance, estate planning, and business success planning.

Mountain West Farm Bureau is the largest domestic property and casualty insurance company in Wyoming, and the primary writer of agricultural properties in both Wyoming and Montana. It’s a mutual insurance company – an insurance company that has no shareholders but instead is owned entirely by its policyholders. See www.mwfbi.com for more information about Mountain West Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau Financial Services is located at 52 E. Brundage St. here in Sheridan, 674-7600. Putting faces and names to the business: (pictured here, left to right) Erin DeFries, agent; JoAnn Tardif, office manager; Bob DeFries, agent; and Mark Demple, agent. They’re here to serve you – home insurance, auto insurance, farm & ranch coverage, life insurance, annuities and investments, and retirement planning. Stop in and see these friendly folks today!

Holly Sugar was founded in 1905 in Holly, Colorado, near the Kansas border. By 1915 the expanding company built a factory in Sheridan, under the auspices of Sheridan Sugar Company, of which Holly Sugar was the main shareholder. Holly Sugar continued to build many other sugar factories in Wyoming and across the Western United States. It established an agricultural research station in Sheridan in 1936 on what is now 5th St. and all the surrounding land, for the development of new sugarbeet seed varieties to increase sugar content and yields.

In 1947 the Sheridan Sugar factory was dismantled and the building was transformed into a seed processing and storage facility for Holly Sugar’s seed business. And today Sheridan serves as headquarters for all of Holly Seed’s nationwide seed research and development.

Today Holly Seed is engaged in the research, seed production, seed processing, coating, and marketing and sales – of sugarbeet seeds. (Sugar produced from sugarbeets represents about 50% of the total U.S. sugar production, with the balance coming from cane sugar.)

Holly Seed has seed production facilities in Oregon and Washington. Once harvested, the seed is transported to the processing facility in Sheridan, in the big brick building located behind Ace Hardware/Ben Franklin on Coffeen Ave. There the seed is processed by very skilled and technical staff to provide the best seed available to the sugar growers around the country. Inside that building (which on the outside looks like an old abandoned building) is very specialized equipment designed specifically for producing a quality seed product. In recent years, Holly Seed has been shipping out over $20 million in seed on an annual basis!

Today sugarbeets are grown for sugar in Michigan, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Idaho, Oregon, California, and in Canada in Alberta and Ontario. Holly Seed is active in most all of the growing areas, with research and sales teams.

There is much more than a person realizes to produce that teaspoon of sugar for your morning coffee. And Holly Seed has been part of that process for over 70 years, right here in Sheridan. www.hollyseed.com

The Chamber’s Business After Hours this month will be held at Holly Seed’s headquarters at 1967 W. 5th St. (across the street from the Sheridan County Club). Mark your calendar – Wednesday, July 18, 5:30-7:30 pm – for this opportunity to get more first-hand knowledge of this unique business in our community.