Thumbs up to a candidate forum that will take place in Powell next week. 

With the primary election just one month away, it’s important that we begin (or continue) to get to know more about the people who have filed for election to public offices. What better way to do that than attending a forum where we can meet them in person and visit with them about their views on the issues?

Next week’s meet-and-greet will bring together local residents and more than 20 candidates for several offices at state, county and city levels, in a pleasant environment complete with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Talking politics isn’t always pleasant, but this forum certainly will improve the comfort level and should help facilitate friendly conversations. Now, it’s up to us, as Park County voters, to avail ourselves of that opportunity. The forum runs from 5:30-8 p.m. at The Commons on Thursday, July 21.

Some consider the primary election to be insignificant. But, here in Wyoming and in Park County, the primary election narrows the field of candidates for any contested office to one each from the Republican and Democratic parties. Given that most people running for office here are Republican, that can be a significant narrowing down of candidates. And, in the cases where no Democrat is running, it virtually decides the election.

We applaud Powell Economic Partnership for providing this opportunity to local voters.

If you’re unable to attend the candidate forum, or if you would like more information, look for our Aug. 11 online primary election edition, which will be published at www.powelltribune.com. Become informed about each candidate before you make your selections. Every vote counts.

Thumbs up to the annual Field Day at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research Station and Extension Center, slated for Tuesday from 1-4:30 p.m. This year’s event celebrates 125 years of agricultural research by the university, and 74 years at the Powell field station. The workshops and field trips offered this year provide more opportunities than usual for area farmers and agricultural businesses and workers to hear about projects currently underway and information gleaned from past research. It’s a valuable opportunity to access information and analyses that can be important to local agricultural operations.

Thumbs up to the first-class fireworks show put on by the town of Byron. Despite its small size, Byron puts on an impressive fireworks display each year at the conclusion of Byron Days, and Saturday night’s dazzlingly powerful show was no exception. The town spent a lot of money on fireworks for the event — something many of us from Powell enjoy even more now that our city has no fireworks display. It would be appropriate for us to show that appreciation by donating money to the town to help fund next year’s display.

Thumbs down to the litter left in and around Jones Park in Byron when an appreciative, but very messy, audience left after the big-bang conclusion of Saturday’s fireworks show. Much of that litter — cups, plates, napkins, and various other types of trash and debris — surely was left there by guests from other cities, towns and counties, whom Byron hosted graciously without charging admission. The least we can do is pick up after ourselves.

Thumbs up to summer. This is a great time to get away, unplug and enjoy the beautiful world around us. We are surrounded by Yellowstone, the Beartooth Mountains, Big Horn Mountains and McCullough Peaks. We live in Mother Nature’s theme park, and its jaw-dropping beauty eliminates the need for rides or other entertainment.

Leave work, stress and computer games behind, and put away your cellphones — except, of course, when you’re moved to use them to record the amazing world around you. Pay attention to the little things — the perfection of a tiny wildflower or the playfulness of a chipmunk — as well as the breathtaking views, sweeping landscapes, graceful wildlife and amazing sunrises and sunsets — while obeying the rules, of course.

It would be a shame to let the all-too-short summer pass by without taking advantage of the abundant nature we’re so very blessed with in our area.