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CHEYENNE – Food is a basic necessity of life, and few places in Cheyenne understand this as much as St. Joseph's Food Pantry. Whether it be a single mom working two jobs or senior citizens raising their grandchildren, it can be a struggle sometimes to get food on the table for the whole family. Monday morning, from 9:30 to noon, St. Joseph's Food Pantry gave away more than 500 boxes full of food for Thanksgiving meals to local families. There was no financial requirement for pick-up; you only needed to be a resident of Laramie County. The pantry opened pre-registration for the Thanksgiving boxes late last month, and maxed out by Nov. 11, according to food pantry director Eva Estorga. She said this was the fastest they've ever "sold out." When the pantry initially began in the 1980s, it was relatively small, starting in the basement of the parish office of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cheyenne. Over the course of many years, the demand for assistance required the pantry to move to a larger space, and then another one. They've been at their current location since 2016. The pantry currently provides an average of 700 to 800 clients a week with a week's worth of groceries. They serve their clients Monday through Thursday and have help from more than 80 volunteers. A majority of their produce, whether it be for Thanksgiving or any other day, is donated by local businesses, the community or food drives, but they also use any money donated to them to buy products themselves. The Thanksgiving box distribution day takes months of preparation. Estorga has to make sure they have enough food and boxes, is constantly seeking volunteers, and double-checks that all of the orders can be fulfilled when the day comes. Volunteers spend the beginning of November helping bring Thanksgiving food donations into the warehouse, and the day of the event is when they pack and hand out all the boxes. They usually need about 40 volunteers every year for it, and any extra ingredients they have will go to the boxes they hand out at Christmas time. The pantry has been doing the Thanksgiving box distribution for more than 15 years, and most of the food items have remained the same, but they try to get more each year. They give away boxed potato mixes, stuffing, turkey, canned yams and other Thanksgiving staples. Kathy Cunningham, a volunteer with the pantry who helps with check-ins, told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, "We've had families tell us that if we didn't put this on, they wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving." The way the pantry distributes its boxes is with a drive-through system, where volunteers help with unloading food deliveries, picking up donations, filling boxes, welcoming clients, managing volunteer teams and distributing food. Wyoming first lady Jennie Gordon also helped in the assembly line as a volunteer. Another volunteer, Denise Hawkins, who helps with St. Joseph's Food Pantry's website and social media, told the WTE, "I love volunteering, in general, but here it's more of a family, and it feels like I receive more than I give." The pantry will be closed until next Monday so volunteers can spend the holidays with their families. "We've been doing this for years, and it just wouldn't be possible without (the kindness) of the community," said Hawkins. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.The history photo this week says so much about simpler times. It’s a photo of Vernon’s Jeff Hurmuces in his home on Christmas Eve, 1952. Look at the fantastic black-and-white photo courtesy of the Museum and Archives of Vernon. Look closely. Photos of family framed, hanging on the wall, some level, some askew. The Christmas tree in the corner, clearly a live tree with a star on top, minimal lights and the always-present tinsel at the time. Christmas cards were regularly hung from string going wall to wall, and you can see Mr. Hurmuces received at least 19 cards that year. And the food. My word, the food. The drink. Something for every palate in this pic. Hurmuces was the co-owner of the highly successful National Cafe, in the old National Hotel, according to his niece, Gayle, who lives on Vancouver Island and who pays tribute to her uncle on her website, Eatinscanada.com. Hurmuces owned the cafe with another Vernon legend, Nick Alexis, as well as Tom (Curly) Pulos and Gus Haros from 1935-1963. Curly’s daughter Evinia (Pulos) Bruce wrote a letter to The Morning Star in 2004 explaining how the National Cafe had a chocolate factory in the back and a soda fountain up front, where such concoctions as the Graveyard Milkshakes ( a mix of every available flavour) and the Three Men In A Tub original sundaes were created and dished out. The National Cafe, said Bruce, was the “largest and most known restaurant in the block (2900-30th Avenue) all during the Second World War due to the thousands of soldiers training at the army camp on Mission Hill.” On Dec. 9, 2021, the highly popular Facebook page Vintage Vernon ran the exact same photo, courtesy of the museum. Gayle commented that her uncle Jeff was her best friend when she was a little girl. The same photo hangs in her home, she said. And a man named Ronald Smith commented that “Jeff was a real gentleman, and was always very kind and polite with my mother and me.” Smith also mentioned that he worked for Capitol Taxi as a kid and had many interactions with Curly Pulos.
RM1.5mil to set up complaints centreMEXICO CITY (AP) — Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary said Friday it plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for alleged anti-competitive practices involving suppliers. Walmart de Mexico said in a statement that it had talked with suppliers to see if there were any concerns. The agency that issued the fine, known as the Federal Competition Commission, expressed concerns about a “relative monopolistic practice.” The commission, Mexico's main anti-monopoly regulatory agency, is one of several independent agencies soon to be eliminated as part of what the government describes as a money-saving measure. It apparently levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage. Walmart is by far the largest retail chain in Mexico. It called the decision “incorrect” and said it contained “errors in applying the law.” The company said it would abide by the agency’s ruling Thursday, but would appeal the decision. Walmart's shares rose about 7.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Friday. Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.
Wisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level Media
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