Thumbs up to increased enrollment in Park County School District No. 1. That shows our community and our schools are thriving, and it is something to celebrate. 

Powell’s relatively young population likely is one of the reasons for the increasing enrollment in Powell schools.

While Powell and Park County are considered good places to retire, the median age within the city of Powell stood at 31.9 years old in 2010. That was nearly five years younger than the statewide median age of 36.8, and younger than all other cities and towns in the Big Horn Basin, which ranged from 51.3 in Meeteetse to 35.9 in Byron, according to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cody’s median age in 2010 was 42.4 years old.

Northwest College probably accounts for some of Powell’s relative youth, but not all of it. When compared to other Wyoming cities with community colleges, Powell’s median age still was younger than all but Gillette (30.6) and Rock Springs (31.5). 

The younger population is also indicative of a strong local economy.

The quality education Powell schools provide likely is a factor in the district’s enrollment growth, serving to attract people who are looking for a good school system for their children. 

In that regard, it’s hard to beat Park County School District No. 1, where all three elementary schools have been named Blue Ribbon schools in recent years. Students in Powell Middle School and Powell High School also perform well when compared to the rest of the state. 

In other words, Powell’s school enrollment increase likely is the result, at least in part, of a symbiotic relationship between the city’s younger population and the draw the schools provide for them. 

Thumbs up to two recent annual events that benefitted children in our extended community.

Taste of Park County took place in Cody on Oct. 2, with 19 Park County restaurants and other vendors providing food and beverage samples for about 300 people who attended the event earlier this month. Taste of Park County is a fundraiser for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. The money raised will fund volunteers’ training who serve as voices for children who are in the court system due to abuse or neglect. 

Glow for Kids Sake took place on Saturday evening, attended by about 85 people. The annual event raises awareness of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Wyoming. It also provides an opportunity for matched “Littles” and “Bigs” to enjoy fun activities along with the community in general. While its primary purpose is not to serve as a fundraiser, Saturday’s event did raise about $1,000 to help the organization. It also raised awareness of the need for people to volunteer to serve as Big Brothers or Big Sisters for boys and girls who need someone to mentor and spend time with them. 

Thumbs up to a successful food drive and to a food distribution effort, both of which help people who are struggling financially. 

The food drive took place on Wednesday, with volunteers collecting bags of canned goods and non-perishable food. That food will help restock the shelves at Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes, the local food pantry that provides food once each month to families who meet income guidelines. 

An additional food distribution happens monthly at the American Legion, with tons of outdated, but still good, food provided free of charge to people who qualify.

It’s good to know that both those services are available to put food on the table for families who find it difficult to make ends meet.

Thumbs up to Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Dongman Han, who visited Powell and Cody and recognized local and state Korean War veterans.

“You answered the call to defend a country you never knew, and a people you never met,” Han told a group of veterans Oct. 8 at the Korean War memorial in the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody. “We in Korea remember your noble spirit,” he said. 

Han presented each of the local veterans with a Korean Ambassador of Peace Medal, thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

Han spoke that evening to an audience in the Yellowstone Building at Northwest College. 

Thumbs down to an unusual October wildfire, the Cole Creek Fire, that destroyed homes and buildings north of Casper over the weekend and resulted in the evacuation of 1,300 people from their homes. We’re thankful that most people were able to return in recent days, and we deeply sympathize with those who lost their homes. 

Thumbs up to the Red Cross, which offered clothing, food and help with medication to people who had lost their homes, as well as vouchers that would allow them to stay in motels. 

The Red Cross asked for donations of yard tools, on Tuesday. People who have lost their homes will need rakes, shovels and leather gloves to help them search through the debris to find personal belongings.