Today's Highlights

Chorale carols around town

The Casper Children's Chorale takes its annual holiday caroling tour throughout the city today with the following stops planned: 4:15 p.m., Star-Tribune lobby; 4:45 p.m., Wyoming Medical Center lobby; 5:15 p.m., Primrose Retirement Community, 1865 S. Beverly; 5:45 p.m., Eastridge Mall, inside near Sears.

Listeners are welcome at any of the stops.

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Cowboy hoop tickets up for grabs

The Casper Family YMCA and Underdog Basketball will be hosting the 1st Annual Cowboy Casper Christmas Classic 5 on 5 Basketball tournament December 27-28, 2004. The classic is open to all 4-8 grade hoopsters as there will be male and female divisions. Team fees are $100 and the registration deadline is Saturday. Hurry in today and don't miss-out…winning teams from each division will receive tickets to watch the Wyoming Cowboys men's basketball team! For more information, contact the Casper Family YMCA @ 234-9187.

Skate with Santa

Santa Claus will pay a visit to the Casper Ice Arena on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Get into the season by skating to holiday music, taking a sleigh ride on the ice and visiting with Santa. Only $2 per person pays for admission and skate rental is free. For more information, all 235-8484.

Roller skate during break

The Wagon Wheel Roller Rink in Mills is offering school out day sessions through the Christmas break. $2 admission plus rental, $1 for regular rental or $2 for speed or blade; meal deals from concession start at $1.75. Parents are welcome to stay and watch kids for free.

Sessions are Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 20-21, 12-2 and 2-4. Wednesday, Dec. 22 is Dollar Day and Skate with Santa from 12-2, 2-4 and 6-8.

Thursday, Dec. 23, sessions are 12-2, 2-4 and 6-8.

Friday, Dec. 24, sessions are 12-2 and 2-4.

Special Christmas night sessions, $2 admission, skate-n-dance, 7-9 or 9:30-11:30 p.m.

Info: 265-4214

Alumni hockey Dec. 21

All former Casper players back in town for the holidays are welcome to participate in the Alumni Hockey Game at the Casper Ice Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. Alumni will play alumni and alumni will play the Midget Varsity. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and $5 to play. For more information, call Gail Bowman at 265-5479 or 577-4545.

Water exercise incentives

The Casper Recereation Division is pleased to announce a new incentive for those interested in water exercise. Beginnning Thursday, each registrant for water exercise gets a 5 percent discount coupon toward their first water exercise class at the new Casper Family Aquatic Center. Class participants can receive a treat for each class they take up to a maximum of 25 percent off their first class in the new facility.

Water Works exercise registration will be accepted beginning Thursday. Classes are held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Natrona County High School Indoor Pool. Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday class options are available.

For specific session information or to register, go to the 1801 E. 4th St., call 235-8383 or check the Web at www.casperwy.gov on the Playing in Casper - Swimming page.

Ride with Pride rodeo

The first rough-stock only rodeo is set for Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, at The Arena at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds, beginning at 7 p.m. Events are bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding. Contestants will be PRCA and National Finals qualifiers, 12 in each event.

Stock provided by Wyoming contractors, $2,000 added money per event.

For more information, call Joe Middleton at 265-2995 or Chris Timberman at 472-2058.

Cross country ski lessons

Casper Nordic Club is now taking registration for cross-country ski lessons for adults and children. The club offers classic and skate lessons, as well as our very own "Kids Learn to Ski" program for children 5 to 14. Please sign up by Dec. 29, 2004. Classes begin Jan. 2, 2005. For more information, call Cheryl Keffeler at 472-9535.

New PeeWee programs at the YMCA

Following the first of the new year, the Casper Family YMCA will be offering PeeWee Gym & Swim along with PeeWee Sports Seasons. These new programs will join the already popular Tuesday afternoon PeeWee Sports Sampler, when all combined, will provide 2-4 year-olds with a variety of activities. PeeWee Gym & Swim will be held Thursdays from 11 am - 12 pm and will provide participants the opportunity to play games in the gym for 1/2 hour followed by 1/2 hour in the pool. PeeWee Sports Seasons are conducted on Saturday mornings in 4-week, abbreviated sessions of basketball, soccer, floor hockey, and flag football. For more information please contact Trey @ 234-9187.

New teen sports programs at the YMCA

The Casper Family YMCA will be introducing a Pre-High School Strength Training program as well as a variety of sport-specific skills camps. Two levels of Strength Training will be offered to 5th-8th graders. Level I will concentrate on improving overall strength, cardiovascular endurance, core strengthening and flexibility, while Level II is geared more towards increasing speed and acceleration, agility, vertical leap and decreasing risk of injury. For more information, contact Trey Ransom or Sherri Martin @ 234-9187.

YMCA Adult Dodgeball League

For the first time in it's long-standing history, the Casper Family YMCA will be offering a Friday night Adult Dodgeball League. Play will consist of 6 vs 6 and teams will be divided into Coed, Mens, and High School divisions. The Dodgeball League will run from Jan. 7 to Feb. 18 and will conclude with the 1st Annual Casper Family YMCA Dodgeball Derby February 25-26, 2005. For more information, contact Trey Ransom @ 234-9187.

YMCA Indoor Floor Hockey

The Casper Family YMCA will be offering Indoor Floor Hockey for 4 year-olds - 4th grade beginning Jan. 10 - Feb. 10, 2005. The Floor Hockey season will be held on Monday and Wednesday nights and play typically begins at 5:15 pm. We may not have ice or skates but we do have a penalty box! Registration deadline is Jan. 3, 2005, so register now and experience the Fun in Fundamentals! For more information, contact Trey Ransom @ 234-9187.

YMCA Indoor Soccer

The Casper Family YMCA will be offering Indoor Soccer for 4 year-olds - 4th grade beginning Jan. 10 - Feb. 10, 2005. The Floor Hockey season will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and play typically begins at 5:15 p.m. Indoor Soccer offers children the opportunity to laern and fine-tune the "touch" in soccer. Registration deadline is Jan. 3, 2005, so register now and experience the Fun in Fundamentals! For more information, contact Trey Ransom @ 234-9187.

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Midwest magic show

Eleventh-grade Midwest chemistry students will perform a Christmas magic show at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16.

The program will last about 30 to 45 minutes. Two programs will be held - one for kindergarten, first and seconds grades and another for grades three through six.

Call teacher Bill Ochs at (307) 437-6545 for more information.

5th-6th Ice Skating and Dance

Fifth and sixth graders are invited to celebrate the end of school with ice skating and a dance on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. The adult-supervised activity is sponsored by the Community Recreation Foundation, the City of Casper Recreation Division, CRC Teen Council and Pepsi.

Ice skating is from 7 to 9 p.m., and the dance begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6 per person and includes food, pop, dancing, ice skating, contests, door prizes and more.

For more information, call the Rec Center at 235-8383.

Spring scholarships available

Graduates of Fremont County high schools and Kelly Walsh High School in Casper will benefit this spring from two scholarships offered by the Casper College Alumni Association.

The Harold Boedeker Memorial Scholarship, established by his son, Dr. Ben Boedeker, awards $600 to a graduate of a Fremont County high school.

For the first time ever, the Don and Donna Klinker scholarship will be offered for graduates of Kelly Walsh High School. Established by the Klinker family, the first award will be $200 cash. Dr. Tim Klinker says he and his siblings established the scholarship as a gift for their parents' 50th wedding anniversary. All four of Don and Donna's children earned degrees at Casper College.

"We hope this scholarship will continue to grow, and we want it to help a Kelly Walsh graduate who can use some financial help to attend college."

To apply for either scholarship, simply log on to the Casper College web site, caspercollege.edu, or call the financial aid office at Casper College, 268-2636.

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December Eagles

Today: 1 p.m., jackpot bingo; 5:30-7:30 p.m., snack bar; 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo; 7 p.m., regular bingo

Dec. 17: 8 p.m., dance to Jim Cox & the Outlaws

Dec. 19: 8-11 a.m., breakfast, open to the public; 2 p.m., free football snacks; 2-4 p.m., children's Christmas party, members only

Dec. 20: Monday Night Football, 6-8 p.m., variety food bar, $4; 7 p.m., auxiliary meeting

Dec. 21: 6 p.m., aerie trustee meeting; 7:30 p.m., aerie meeting

Dec. 22: 1 p.m., jackpot bingo; 5:30-7:30 p.m., snack bar; 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo; 7 p.m., regular bingo

Dec. 24: 5-7 p.m., free Tom & Jerry's, members only

Dec. 25: lodge closed

Dec. 26: no breakfast

Dec. 27: Monday Night Football, 6-8 p.m., variety food bar, $4

Dec. 29: 1 p.m., jackpot bingo; 5:30-7:30 p.m., snack bar; 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo; 7 p.m., regular bingo

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve Dinner & Dance, $14 per person or 2 for $25; prime rib dinner and all the fixings with New Year's favors. Reservations: 235-5130; dance to Whiskey Creek until you bring in the New Year.

LaRae Weber - 472-0085

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Ladies fellowship meets Sunday

St. Anthony's Ladies Fellowship will meet on Sunday, Dec. 19 immediately following the 11 a.m. Mass in O Reilly Hall, the lower level of the church. Continental breakfast will be served along with Christmas goodies prepared by Carol Terry. Newcomers and ALL parish ladies are cordially invited to attend. Information: Carol, 234-1297.

Rose Wallace - 234-5619

All-girl slumber party Friday

Girls ages 11-17 are invited to bring a girl friend to the All Girl Holiday Slumber Party, sponsored by the Girl Scout Council of Wyoming.

The event is from 7 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Pre-registration is required by noon Friday. Cost is $15, which includes membership, snacks, breakfast, dance lessons and a souvenir patch.

Girls must register by Thursday December 16th, noon.

The Casper College cheerleaders will join the party to teach some fun dances. Line dancing, swing dance and a special hip-hop dance will also be included. Girls will be treated to oatmeal masks and skin treatments. Girls will set the pace of the party, just hanging out, watching a movie or two or an all-out pillow fight.

Using their newest program, Studio 2B, the Girl Scout Council of Wyoming is listening to its girl members. According to a study conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute, girls in this age group want to be part of a group that they create, participate in activities they choose, talk about topics that interest them, and be advised by a variety of adults to whom they relate.

Studio 2B is open to girls ages 11-17 and their adult advisors. Members of Studio 2B are also members of Girl Scouts, where the Girl Scout Promise and Laws are the cornerstone. Through the Studio 2B approach, girls have the flexibility to define their unique Girl Scout experience by selecting from all of the activities and resources available through Girl Scouts.

For more information about Studio 2B call Jessie Winford, Program Services Coordinator, Girl Scout Council of Wyoming at 234-3505 ext. 30.

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Auction and Reverse Raffle

Wyoming Financial Group, Martin Family Foundation, KCWY 13, and Clear Channel Radio present "An Enchanted Evening" with the Boys & Girls Club Auction and Reverse Raffle, Saturday, Feb. 5th, 5 p.m. at the Nerd Hangar. Join us in welcoming comedian, magician and inspirational speaker Billy Riggs There will be over $65,000 in merchandise and a chance to walk away with $5,000. For more information, call 234-2456.

Casper Needle Guild ornaments at library

The Casper Needle Guild has a display of ornaments, afghan, quilted items, and other needlework items at the Natrona County Public Library. You can place a silent auction bid on any or all of these unique items. See the posters at the library for more details. The proceeds from the auction goes to purchase needlework books, subscriptions, and other materials for the Library.

Nancy Pawlowski - Casper Needle Guild

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Downtown carolers Saturday

Carolers will be downtown Casper on Saturday on East Second Street in front of Lou Taubert'

s. Here is the schedule , as released by the Downtown Development Association.

10:00 - 11:00 Bob Iserman/wife

11:00-Noon

Liberty Baptist Church

Noon - 1:00

NCPL Lyrical Librarians

1:00 - 2:00

First Baptist Church

2:00 - 3:00

Wyoming Medical Center OR Carolers

3:00 - 4:00

The Blues Gypsies

Sunday movie matinee

The final installment of Natrona County Public Library's Christmas film series will be Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Crawford Room. We'll start with the Charles Schulz cartoon about the hapless Charlie Brown as he tries to organize a Christmas pageant. Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye will then sing and dance through a 1954 Irvin Berlin classic, which bears the name of a famous Christmas song. If you can guess these two movies, please call 237-4935, ext. 125, the first five callers with correct answers win a prize. The movie series is free and open to the public.

Hilery Walker - 237-4935, ext. 128

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Challengers Dance Tuesday

Last Challengers Dance of 2004 on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Casper Senior Center. Dance to the Swing Sounds. Cost is $3 and coffee will be provided, please bring snacks for the

break. No smoking or alcohol is allowed, let's begin Christmas week in style. For

more information, contact Gary Baker at 472-5250 or Karen Whitney at 234-6278.