Honoring a co-worker lost

On the morning of July 10, 2018, the Sheridan community lost James Andrew Shassetz in a climbing accident on Black Tooth Mountain. That Jim passed away while climbing Black Tooth, a pinnacle he had scaled many times before, is in many ways fitting. Jim had an intense love of nature. He used his passion for plants and spent the larger portion of his working career caring for the trees and gardens of Sheridan County. Jim was engrossed in the science and practice of tree care and became a certified arborist. Over the past 15 years, Jim worked to help keep Sheridan beautiful by caring for trees, helping put up Christmas lights out on Absaraka and tending the gardens at Whitney Commons park. Jim began working at Whitney Commons park in 2014 and his knowledge and care made the park more vibrant and beautiful than ever before. He was such a special member of the Whitney team and he will always be greatly missed. Jim’s presence has been felt throughout the community his entire life. Jim was quick with a smile and had an easy, genial laugh, both of which made him easy to like. Many will remember Jim for his athletic prowess. In high school, Jim represented Sheridan admirably as a decorated football and baseball player and an accomplished swimmer. In football, Jim was Sheridan County player of the year in 1977. Jim had an insatiable desire to hike, bike, camp, ski and explore the outdoors. During the winter, he could be found trying to beat his friends to the bottom of the mountain on a variety of ski runs across the Rockies. He introduced his children, nieces, nephews and friends to a variety of hiking trails and camping spots in the Bighorns. He loved to share the stories and history of the places he went with those fortunate enough to be his travel companion. When he couldn’t make it to the mountain, you could expect to find Jim outside golfing at The Powder Horn. Jim’s competitive nature was not limited to the sporting arena. He was always eager to beat family, friends and foes alike in everything from skiing to tennis to board games. While many will remember Jim for his athletic prowess and outdoorsmanship, those who knew him best will remember him as a generous, loyal, dedicated and humorous husband, father, son, brother and friend. Jim frequently started his day walking with his lovely wife of 27 years, Jenifer. Jim’s home was always open to his family, whom he valued intensely. Jim taught his children, nieces and nephews how to swim and throw a football. He mowed the lawn and cleared the driveway at his mother’s house. To his last days, Jim’s closest friends had been those who had been his closest friends 50 years prior. His last days were spent showing one of his closest and oldest friends the way to the top of Black Tooth Mountain, a mountain he had traveled often and loved best among the Bighorns. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jenifer, his son, Joseph, his daughter, Jamy, his mother, Jean, his sister, Andrea, and many nieces and nephews and friends and admirers too numerous to mention. His untimely passing has left a huge hole in the lives of many and he is missed immensely.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk

The Senior Center hosted the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Whitney Commons Park. This walk showed support to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their family members and care givers.

Concerts in the Park

Every Tuesday evening from July 3 to August 21, the 2018 Concerts in the Park were held in the Plaza and amphitheater areas at Whitney Commons Park. The performances were free of charge and open for the entire community to enjoy. The free music was made possible by the John & Dorothy Duncan Trust, First Interstate Bank, the Sheridan Recreation District, the family of Marvin Fritz, and contributions through the Sheridan Arts Council. The bands that performed were: Crusin’ Band from Sheridan, Nathan Dean & the Damn Band from Arizona, the Sheridan Community Band conducted by Pat Maloney, Sidetrack Rock Band from Sheridan, the Sheridan Community Band conducted by Diane Knutson, Nu-Blu from North Carolina, and Orchard Fire from Nashville. Whitney Commons Park was the ideal location for these outdoor concerts.

March Against Domestic Violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. The Advocacy and Resource Center in Sheridan and the Compass Center for Families teamed up to hold the “March Against Family Violence” which was held October 13, 2018, at Whitney Commons Park. The Advocacy and Resource Center in Sheridan provides assistance to victims of violence that may not have anywhere else to turn or may need support navigating the criminal justice system as a result of the violence. The march was to raise awareness of family violence and to show that healthy families make a healthy community.

7th Annual Sheridan Chamber of Commerce Brewfest

The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce hosted the seventh annual Suds ‘n Spurs Brewfest at Whitney Commons on August 25, 2018. Whitney Commons was the perfect venue for this event, which had 1,300 participants and raised around $45,000. This is the major fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce with funds dedicated to furthering the missions of their volunteer committees and to education and training opportunities for the Sheridan business community. They were 25 brewers from Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois including Sheridan’s own Black Tooth and Luminous breweries. Brewers competed in a judged competition in best lager and a People's Choice Award.

Relay for Life Cancer Awareness Fundraiser

The Relay for Life of Sheridan and Johnson Counties was held at Whitney Commons on June 2, 2018. Relay for Life provides an opportunity for community members to honor, mourn, and celebrate loved ones who battled cancer. There were approximately 200 people in attendance and $38,300 was raised. This event was a celebration of the year-long fundraising effort and is the signature fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society to honor all cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and to make a global impact on cancer. The event included a survivor dinner as well as a candle luminaria ceremony to honor those that have been lost.

Out Of The Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk

The 8th annual Out of the Darkness Walk was held on Sept. 15, 2018 at Whitney Commons. The event was hosted by the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness of and funding for suicide prevention resources and efforts in Wyoming. Around 200 people participated in the two-mile walk which started and ended in Whitney Commons. This walk provides the community with an opportunity to come together to remember loved ones and shine a light on the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental health problems.

The Link: Partner in Pink Run/Walk

The Link: Partners in Pink 10th Annual Run & Walk was held on the morning of October 20, 2018. The race started and ended in beautiful Whitney Commons Park and once again, fall weather in Sheridan was spectacular. This community event offered a 10K run, a 5K run/walk, and a 1.5-mile walk. The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation has organized the breast cancer awareness event annually for the last decade. Originally, awareness was combined with a goal to raise funding for new mammography technology and most recently, 3-D equipment. This year, all efforts and proceeds were focused on the message of cancer screening and early detection for all types of cancer. Nearly 600 individuals registered, with an estimated 700 actual participants. In addition to racers, over 100 volunteers from all over the community played a significant role with the success of this 10 year celebration. Those involved included SMH employees, Sheridan area Boy Scouts, First Federal Bank & Trust, Sheridan College nursing and massage students, WYO Rodeo Royalty, and Miss Wyoming. Students from Sheridan High School included Student Council, Interact Club, Spanish Club, volleyball team, FBLA, cheerleading team, and many others. Proceeds from the day are expected to near $50,000 and will be used to support cancer screening and early detection for patients at SMH.

WYO Rodeo Boot Kickoff

The Chamber Ambassadors and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo board kicked off the 2018 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week with the annual Boot Kick Off event on Tuesday, July 10 at Whitney Commons park. Congratulations to all of the winners this year! There was a great turnout and some stiff competition.

Whitney Commons, an interactive park located in the center of Sheridan between the Fulmer Library and the Senior Center at 320 West Alger, has something for everyone to enjoy. Park features include a universally accessible play structure designed for fun and safety, large turf areas supporting any number of informal leisure activities, the popular water spray grounds, an amphitheater and plaza area, vintage lighting illuminating pedestrian walks and bike paths, the Dorothy King reflective flower garden, and closed circuit cameras providing park security and online viewing. Bronze art pieces reflecting and honoring Mr. Whitney’s life have also added beauty and interest to the park. Learn more about the sculptures. For current updates, see our Whitney Commons Park Facebook page.

Whitney Commons Rules

• There is no smoking in the park. • All pets must be on a leash. • There is no skate boarding in the park. • Please use provided plastic sacks to clean up pet waste. • Current hours are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Spray Grounds Schedule

The spray grounds typically operates from May to September (weather dependent) between the hours of 11:00 am and 10:00 pm.

Private Events

Whitney Commons is a perfect location for many private events including weddings, birthday parties, and reunions. The unique features are a perfect environment for a variety of events. For more information about booking your event, download a copy of Whitney Commons Reservation Form. To book your event, please call (307) 674-7303 between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Honoring a co-worker lost

On the morning of July 10, 2018, the Sheridan community lost James Andrew Shassetz in a climbing accident on Black Tooth Mountain. That Jim passed away while climbing Black Tooth, a pinnacle he had scaled many times before, is in many ways fitting. Jim had an intense love of nature. He used his passion for plants and spent the larger portion of his working career caring for the trees and gardens of Sheridan County. Jim was engrossed in the science and practice of tree care and became a certified arborist. Over the past 15 years, Jim worked to help keep Sheridan beautiful by caring for trees, helping put up Christmas lights out on Absaraka and tending the gardens at Whitney Commons park. Jim began working at Whitney Commons park in 2014 and his knowledge and care made the park more vibrant and beautiful than ever before. He was such a special member of the Whitney team and he will always be greatly missed. Jim’s presence has been felt throughout the community his entire life. Jim was quick with a smile and had an easy, genial laugh, both of which made him easy to like. Many will remember Jim for his athletic prowess. In high school, Jim represented Sheridan admirably as a decorated football and baseball player and an accomplished swimmer. In football, Jim was Sheridan County player of the year in 1977. Jim had an insatiable desire to hike, bike, camp, ski and explore the outdoors. During the winter, he could be found trying to beat his friends to the bottom of the mountain on a variety of ski runs across the Rockies. He introduced his children, nieces, nephews and friends to a variety of hiking trails and camping spots in the Bighorns. He loved to share the stories and history of the places he went with those fortunate enough to be his travel companion. When he couldn’t make it to the mountain, you could expect to find Jim outside golfing at The Powder Horn. Jim’s competitive nature was not limited to the sporting arena. He was always eager to beat family, friends and foes alike in everything from skiing to tennis to board games. While many will remember Jim for his athletic prowess and outdoorsmanship, those who knew him best will remember him as a generous, loyal, dedicated and humorous husband, father, son, brother and friend. Jim frequently started his day walking with his lovely wife of 27 years, Jenifer. Jim’s home was always open to his family, whom he valued intensely. Jim taught his children, nieces and nephews how to swim and throw a football. He mowed the lawn and cleared the driveway at his mother’s house. To his last days, Jim’s closest friends had been those who had been his closest friends 50 years prior. His last days were spent showing one of his closest and oldest friends the way to the top of Black Tooth Mountain, a mountain he had traveled often and loved best among the Bighorns. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jenifer, his son, Joseph, his daughter, Jamy, his mother, Jean, his sister, Andrea, and many nieces and nephews and friends and admirers too numerous to mention. His untimely passing has left a huge hole in the lives of many and he is missed immensely.

Alzheimer’s Memory Walk

The Senior Center hosted the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in Whitney Commons Park. This walk showed support to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their family members and care givers.

Concerts in the Park

Every Tuesday evening from July 3 to August 21, the 2018 Concerts in the Park were held in the Plaza and amphitheater areas at Whitney Commons Park. The performances were free of charge and open for the entire community to enjoy. The free music was made possible by the John & Dorothy Duncan Trust, First Interstate Bank, the Sheridan Recreation District, the family of Marvin Fritz, and contributions through the Sheridan Arts Council. The bands that performed were: Crusin’ Band from Sheridan, Nathan Dean & the Damn Band from Arizona, the Sheridan Community Band conducted by Pat Maloney, Sidetrack Rock Band from Sheridan, the Sheridan Community Band conducted by Diane Knutson, Nu-Blu from North Carolina, and Orchard Fire from Nashville. Whitney Commons Park was the ideal location for these outdoor concerts.

March Against Domestic Violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. The Advocacy and Resource Center in Sheridan and the Compass Center for Families teamed up to hold the “March Against Family Violence” which was held October 13, 2018, at Whitney Commons Park. The Advocacy and Resource Center in Sheridan provides assistance to victims of violence that may not have anywhere else to turn or may need support navigating the criminal justice system as a result of the violence. The march was to raise awareness of family violence and to show that healthy families make a healthy community.

7th Annual Sheridan Chamber of

Commerce Brewfest

The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce hosted the seventh annual Suds ‘n Spurs Brewfest at Whitney Commons on August 25, 2018. Whitney Commons was the perfect venue for this event, which had 1,300 participants and raised around $45,000. This is the major fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce with funds dedicated to furthering the missions of their volunteer committees and to education and training opportunities for the Sheridan business community. They were 25 brewers from Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois including Sheridan’s own Black Tooth and Luminous breweries. Brewers competed in a judged competition in best lager and a People's Choice Award.

Relay for Life Cancer Awareness

Fundraiser

The Relay for Life of Sheridan and Johnson Counties was held at Whitney Commons on June 2, 2018. Relay for Life provides an opportunity for community members to honor, mourn, and celebrate loved ones who battled cancer. There were approximately 200 people in attendance and $38,300 was raised. This event was a celebration of the year-long fundraising effort and is the signature fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society to honor all cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and to make a global impact on cancer. The event included a survivor dinner as well as a candle luminaria ceremony to honor those that have been lost.

Out Of The Darkness Suicide

Prevention Walk

The 8th annual Out of the Darkness Walk was held on Sept. 15, 2018 at Whitney Commons. The event was hosted by the local chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness of and funding for suicide prevention resources and efforts in Wyoming. Around 200 people participated in the two-mile walk which started and ended in Whitney Commons. This walk provides the community with an opportunity to come together to remember loved ones and shine a light on the stigma that surrounds suicide and mental health problems.

The Link: Partner in Pink Run/Walk

The Link: Partners in Pink 10th Annual Run & Walk was held on the morning of October 20, 2018. The race started and ended in beautiful Whitney Commons Park and once again, fall weather in Sheridan was spectacular. This community event offered a 10K run, a 5K run/walk, and a 1.5-mile walk. The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation has organized the breast cancer awareness event annually for the last decade. Originally, awareness was combined with a goal to raise funding for new mammography technology and most recently, 3-D equipment. This year, all efforts and proceeds were focused on the message of cancer screening and early detection for all types of cancer. Nearly 600 individuals registered, with an estimated 700 actual participants. In addition to racers, over 100 volunteers from all over the community played a significant role with the success of this 10 year celebration. Those involved included SMH employees, Sheridan area Boy Scouts, First Federal Bank & Trust, Sheridan College nursing and massage students, WYO Rodeo Royalty, and Miss Wyoming. Students from Sheridan High School included Student Council, Interact Club, Spanish Club, volleyball team, FBLA, cheerleading team, and many others. Proceeds from the day are expected to near $50,000 and will be used to support cancer screening and early detection for patients at SMH.

WYO Rodeo Boot Kickoff

The Chamber Ambassadors and the Sheridan WYO Rodeo board kicked off the 2018 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Week with the annual Boot Kick Off event on Tuesday, July 10 at Whitney Commons park. Congratulations to all of the winners this year! There was a great turnout and some stiff competition.

Whitney Commons, an interactive park located in the center of Sheridan between the Fulmer Library and the Senior Center at 320 West Alger, has something for everyone to enjoy. Park features include a universally accessible play structure designed for fun and safety, large turf areas supporting any number of informal leisure activities, the popular water spray grounds, an amphitheater and plaza area, vintage lighting illuminating pedestrian walks and bike paths, the Dorothy King reflective flower garden, and closed circuit cameras providing park security and online viewing. Bronze art pieces reflecting and honoring Mr. Whitney’s life have also added beauty and interest to the park. Learn more about the sculptures. For current updates, see our Whitney Commons Park Facebook page.

Whitney Commons Rules

• There is no smoking in the park. • All pets must be on a leash. • There is no skate boarding in the park. • Please use provided plastic sacks to clean up pet waste. • Current hours are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Spray Grounds Schedule

The spray grounds typically operates from May to September (weather dependent) between the hours of 11:00 am and 10:00 pm.

Private Events

Whitney Commons is a perfect location for many private events including weddings, birthday parties, and reunions. The unique features are a perfect environment for a variety of events. For more information about booking your event, download a copy of Whitney Commons Reservation Form. To book your event, please call (307) 674-7303 between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.