Wrapping up a busy year in Shell

“The priceless lesson in the New Year is that endings birth beginnings and beginnings birth endings. And in this elegantly choreographed dance of life, neither ever find an end in the other.”

— Craig D. Lounsbrough

Happy New Year!  I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year will be one that brings you many blessings.

The December Shell Valley Women’s Coffee was held Dec. 4 at the home of Veda Gerrard. Those gathered enjoyed having the time to relax, visit, consume far too many delicious treats, and share in the exchange some very special wrapped ornaments. Those attending included hostess Veda Gerrard, Sherie Barber, Holly Barnes, Mary Beth Cochran, Judie Deepe, Pam Flitner, Karen Hayes, Benjaporn Helburn, Diane Henrich, Lea Levitt, Christine McMillan, Carla Mowell, Bette Neal, Irbi Nelson, Jade Smith, Michelle Umland, Mary Whaley and Lesa Young.

The January Women’s Coffee will be held today (Thursday, Jan. 8) at the home of Karen Hayes. Karen lives at 1470 U.S. Highway 14 just west of Shell. Watch for a green man at the turn into the Hayes driveway. The coffee begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends about 11 a.m.  Karen will have coffee, tea and cider.  Bring a little nibble to share if you like. She’ll have a jigsaw on the dining table. You are encouraged to bring a fresh idea/activity for this year’s monthly meetings. Check you calendars and consider hosting a month in 2026. If you have questions, give Karen a call at 765-2732. If you know of someone new to Shell, be sure to invite them, or bring a friend.

The Wild Roses Garden Club held its annual holiday luncheon at the home of Bette and Frank Neal on Thursday, Dec. 11. The group enjoyed a delicious meal with Bette’s “melt in your mouth” brisket. Those attending brought side dishes and desserts. Meetings have been postponed for a few months until spring.

The 2025 Shell Christmas Festival at the Shell Community Hall on Dec. 13 was enjoyed by everyone who attended. There were several vendors with unique handcrafted items, a Santa’s Workshop and special Little Shoppers area. This event has become a favorite event for kids and big kids alike.                 

Kudos to Erik Kvale for organizing the Wild West Dino Den’s holiday gathering at the Shell Bar Saturday, Dec. 20. Those attending had the opportunity to see the copy of Baby Toni sauropod and a clutch of allosaurus eggs up close. It is exciting to see the dreams of a Big Horn Basin Dinosaur Museum come closer to becoming a reality. Both the Greybull and Basin papers had a great article about the WWDD organization and all it has and is working to become a reality.

Congratulations to the board members of the Historic Red Shell School. They have replaced all but one window and are moving forward to making their vision of a playground and park area a reality. It is a relief to know this historic building will be preserved.

Barbara Fiedler is in the process of finalizing more workshops and lectures for the Arts & Humanities Trapper Creek 2026. As of this writing, she has a private tour of the Plains Indian Museum in Cody scheduled and will be announcing the date and details soon. I attended the private tour of the Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West last year, and although I have been there many times through the years, I learned so much by joining the group.

Don’t forget the Shell Community Hall’s annual business meeting Saturday, Jan. 10 beginning at 6 p.m. Come learn about all the hall board has accomplished in 2025, and what they plan for this new year.  Hope to see you there.                               

If you have any news or events in the coming months that pertain to the Shell area, feel free to contact me by calling or texting me at 307-431-6471, or email me at jade.trapper75@gmail.com before the third Saturday of the month.