Thursday, December 4, 2008
COLLEGE HAS LIMITED QUANTITY OF QUALITY MEAT FOR SALE
The Casper College Agriculture Department has a limited number of quality pigs and lambs for sale to the public.

“You can save money and help the Casper College Agriculture Department by purchasing meat from the lambs and pigs the department has used for teaching purposes,” said Heath Hornecker, agriculture instructor.

Pigs will be priced at $.60 per pound and weigh between 250 to 300 pounds. “Pigs will be sold whole or half and bacons and hams can be cured at the customer’s request or left ‘fresh’ or uncured, and chops, steaks and roasts will be cut to the customer’s specifications,” Hornecker said.

Lambs will be sold for $1 per pound and vary in weight from 125 to 175 pounds.

“This is quality product and a great way to support the Casper College Agriculture Department,” added Hornecker.

The live animal is purchased from the Casper College Agriculture Department, which will then deliver the animal to Kompac Meat Processing. In addition to the cost of the animal, buyers are also required to pay processing fees.

To purchase an animal or for more information call Casper College at 268-2525.

Friday, December 5, 2008
GOVERNOR’S SPEECH ON CLIMATE CHANGE NOW AVAILABLE FOR LISTENING
Governor Dave Freudenthal’s recent presentation on climate change and its impact on state finances is now available for listening or downloading from the University of Wyoming/Casper College (UW/CC) Center Website, www.uwyo.edu/uwcc/carbon. Interested listeners will find a link to podcasts of past sessions, where the governor’s talk is available.

Freudenthal’s speech, focusing on the reality of climate change, its impact on energy markets and the importance for Wyoming to take a leadership role in serving those new markets, was the final talk in a series presented by the University of Wyoming in Casper this fall, titled “Climate Change in Carbon Central: Developing Strategies in Wyoming.” Audio of talks from five other evenings in the series are available at the same site.

The lecture series was sponsored by UW’s Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, the UW/CC Center, and UW’s Outreach School.

Friday, December 5, 2008
“A SHINY NEW WINTER” CONCERT SET FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The Casper College Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band and Brass Ensemble will present “A Shiny New Winter” concert on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center.

The jazz ensemble, under the direction of Bob Kleinschmidt, Casper College woodwind instructor, will perform first and play a very short program of Christmas favorites. “I don’t know who's favorites they are,” joked Kleinschmidt, “but will include ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ ‘What Are You Doing New Years' Eve,’ – featuring Ana Millburn on vocals – and ‘Jingle Bells.’”

The Casper College Concert Band “will be playing all new selections, (published or re-released in 2008), so it should be a lot of fun,” said Doug Bull, Casper College band and brass instructor.
In addition to the jazz ensemble and concert band, the Casper College Brass Ensemble, also under the direction of Bull, will perform at the concert.

“A Shiny New Winter” concert will be held in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center, and is free and open to the public.

Monday, December 8, 2008
UTILITY LOCATOR CLASSES OFFERED FOR SPRING AT CASPER COLLEGE
Casper College is offering several utility locator classes for the spring semester.
“The utility locator certification class and lab were developed at the request of One-Call of Wyoming, who provided funding to start the program. The utility locator certification class is designed to train and certify utility locators on basic methods for locating and verifying underground utility lines,” said Bill Mixer, Casper College Environmental Training Center director.

Classes are offered either face-to-face or as hybrid classes (the class is online and the lab is face-to-face). The classroom course is a five-day course, four days for lecture and labs, and one day for certification. The lecture portion consists of classroom theory and practical demonstrations in the field. The lab portion will consist of students using locating equipment to locate different types of utility lines on the Casper College campus. “Each class will be limited to 10 students. This will allow for adequate instructor/student interaction,” said Mixer.

The online course will consist of an online theory section that the student will have four to five weeks to complete, and a two-day lab section in Casper within a week or two of completion of the online sections. Student in the online section must pass a final exam to be admitted to the lab section.

Classroom courses will be offered Jan. 5-9, Jan. 22-24 and Jan. 29-30, Feb. 12-14 and 19-20; March 19-21 and 26-27; and April 23-25 and 30-May 1.

Hybrid online courses will be offered Jan. 12-Feb. 13 with a lab Feb. 18-19; Feb. 9-March 20 with a lab Mar. 25-26; March 16-April 24 with a lab on April 30-May 1; and April 27-May 29 with a lab on June 4-5.

Students who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of certification from Staking University, a nationally recognized underground utility locator certification and training center.

Both Mixer and Dave Arndt, Casper College electronics instructor, attended Staking University’s weeklong utility locator training program in Illinois to become certified utility locator instructors.

For more information or to register call Mixer at 268-2670 or Arndt at 268-2521, toll free at 800-442-2963 or log onto www.caspercollege.edu, A-Z index, Utility Locator Program.

Monday, December 8, 2008
CASPER COLLEGE STRING STUDENTS PERFORM IN RECITAL
The string students of Casper College string instructors Jennifer Cowell, Gary DePaolo and Christine Dunbar will perform in a recital on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

“Various solo classical repertoire will be presented by violin, viola and cello students. A wide-range of students will be represented and will include Natrona County Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), music majors and nonmusic majors,” said Cowell.

Pianist Paula Flynn will accompany the students. According to Cowell, the recital serves as a final grade for each of the students.

The recital is free and open to the public and will take place in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center on the Casper College campus.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008
OLLI CELEBRATES SEASON WITH HAPPY OLLI DAYS GIFT CERTIFICATE OFFER
The Osher Lifelong Learning Center (OLLI) at Casper College is again celebrating the holiday season with Happy OLLI Days featuring $30 gift certificates.

“These certificates make a terrific gift for those special people who are 50 and older not only for the holidays, but birthdays as well,” said Vicki Pollock, lifelong learning specialist at Casper College.

“During Happy OLLI Days gift certificates worth $45 are available for only $30. With their OLLI gift membership your special someone(s) will receive two free OLLI classes in spring 2009, one free OLLI class in summer 2009, the OLLI newsletter, and invitations to OLLI member socials and open houses,” Pollock said.

“Each person who purchases an OLLI gift membership during Happy OLLI Days will receive a gift certificate and welcome packet in a lovely envelope to give for the holidays or a birthday,” Pollock noted.

OLLI at Casper College is a program for adults age 50 plus who want to continue learning and exploring for the sheer joy of it, according to Pollock.

The Happy OLLI Days special $30 gift certificate will be available for purchase through January 30. For more information call 268-2097 or 268-3401.

Monday, December 8, 2008
CASPER COLLEGE STRING STUDENTS PERFORM IN RECITAL
The string students of Casper College string instructors Jennifer Cowell, Gary DePaolo and Christine Dunbar will perform in a recital on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

“Various solo classical repertoires will be presented by violin, viola and cello students. A wide-range of students will be represented and will include Natrona County Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), music majors and nonmusic majors,” said Cowell.

Pianist Paula Flynn will accompany the students. According to Cowell, the recital serves as a final grade for each of the students.

The recital is free and open to the public and will take place in Durham Hall, located in the Aley Fine Arts Center on the Casper College campus.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
COMBOS TO PROVIDE HOLIDAY CHEER AT METRO
The Casper College Jazz Combos, under the direction of Robert Kleinschmidt and Tracy Pfau, will provide some holiday cheer at the Metro Coffee Company on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

According to Pfau, Casper College guitar instructor, the Casper College Guitar Ensemble will open for the combos at 6:30 p.m. with a “Mostly Mozart Concert.”

The concert is free and open to the public. The Metro Coffee Company is located at 241 S. David in downtown Casper.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
COLLEGE ANNOUNCES DECEMBER MEETING TIMES
The Casper College District Board of Trustees will hold its December board meeting on Tuesday, December 16 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Strausner Student Center, Room 217.
Prior to the board meeting the board will hold its work session and finance meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Strausner Student Center, Room 207.

All meeting minutes and schedules for the board are available on the Casper College Web site at www.caspercollege.edu/administration.

Both meetings are open and the public is invited to attend.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
CASPER COLLEGE STUDENTS CURATE NEW EXHIBIT AT FORT CASPAR MUSEUM
A new exhibit, curated by the students of Valerie Innella’s museum studies class at Casper College, is set to open at the Fort Caspar Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The exhibit, “Hollywood in Wyoming” will contain many of the elements needed for a good Western film. Items on display will include the saddle presented to Tim McCoy by the Arapahoe tribe, a costume from Starship Troopers, a costume worn by Casper native Laurie Anders in “The Marshall’s Daughter,” a costume worn by Kenny Rogers in the film “Wild Horses,” and much more.

According to Innella, Casper College art history instructor, students designed the show and educational offerings related to it during the 2008 fall semester class. “‘Museum Studies’ (ART 1300) provided an understanding of the basic operations of a museum or gallery and included exhibit design, education, collections management, marketing, and an overview of the history and changing role of these facilities in society. The course also involved travel to Casper museums to explore their missions, services and collections,” she noted.

Casper College students from the museum studies class who participated in the exhibition include Jessica Barnes, Carolyn Christie, Zhanna Gallegos, John Goss, Lisa Janpol, Amy Keyser, Laura Lucero, Stevie Patton, Will Royer, Jamie Smith, Ben Stagg, Wendy Walker, Janet Waterman, Johanna Wickman, and Jane Young.

The Casper College museum studies students curated the Hollywood in Wyoming exhibition, with further support from Fort Caspar, the Western History Archives, the Jackson Hole Historical Museum, Boyd and Dona Magers, and the American Heritage Center. A Casper College Innovation Grant funded the exhibition.

Fort Caspar Museum is located at 4001 Fort Caspar Rd. Operating hours through April are Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $1.50 for adults, $1 for youth aged 13 to 18 and free for children 12 and under. When fort buildings are open, May through September, admission is $3 for adults, $2 for youth aged 13 to 18 and free for children 12 and under. The exhibit is expected to be on display through November 2009.

Hollywood in Wyoming was made possible through a Casper College Innovation Grant. Look for upcoming listings of events related to the show this spring from Fort Caspar.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I CANTORI SPENDS CHRISTMAS ON THE HOMESTEAD
The Casper College opera band I Cantori will present several musical numbers as part of “Holiday On the Homestead” at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper on Saturday, Dec. 13.

“I Cantori’s program will be geared toward our families when we sing the song, ‘Mama,’ and our troops when we sing ‘Land and Liberty’ based upon Beethoven's ‘Symphony No. 7.’ We will also perform ‘The Sacred Flame’ and ‘Adeste Fideles’ (‘O Come All Ye Faithful’) specifically for the holiday season,” said Jean Tichenor, I Cantori founder.

“Holiday On the Homestead” will begin at 9:30 a.m. with I Cantori’s performance beginning at 12:15 p.m. In addition to I Cantori, five other groups will perform during “Holiday On the Homestead.”

Though the eight singers of I Cantori use classical vocal technique, the “key to the sound of this group is in the interpretation of the music by the singers and the flair with which they perform the songs,” said Tichenor, Casper College Music Department chair.

The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. “Holiday on The Homestead” is free and open to all.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
CANDELARIA RECEIVES 2008 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Peggy Candelaria, Casper College administrative assistant for student housing, has been recognized by the Association of Intermountain Housing Officers (AIMHO) with the 2008 Distinguished Service Award.

According to Barb Meryhew, director of student life at Casper College, Candelaria “performs her job with ease and enthusiasm. She is a professional and takes her job seriously. Her responsibilities demand accuracy, the ability to meet deadlines, excellent communication skills, the ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities, and to take the personal responsibility to get things done.”

Candelaria began working at Casper College in February of 1981. “In her early years at Casper College Peggy worked with the housing director in the day-to-day operations of the residence halls. When she moved over to the Casper College Accounting and Financial Management Office her primary responsibility was overseeing the accounts of the students who resided in the residence halls,” said Meryhew.

Candelaria returned to housing four years ago where, among other things she “maintains the individual housing/food service contracts, the billing for residence halls and apartments, roommate assignments, is surrogate mom to 400 plus students and in-house counselor to the staff,” noted Meryhew.

The AIMHO Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize years of service, dedication and significant contributions to both students in the residence halls and the residential community in an outstanding manner.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
VOIGT HONORED WITH HIGHEST AWARD OF RMASFAA
Casper College Director of Financial Aid, Darry Voigt, was recently honored with the Hall of Fame Award by the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA) at its annual conference.

“I was very surprised to win this award. It signifies that my peers feel I have done my job well, and that means a lot to me,” said Voigt.

The Hall of Fame Award is “given to any person who has contributed significantly to the financial aid profession over a sustained period of years.” Voigt was recognized for “… outstanding achievements and personal contributions to the financial aid profession.”

“Casper College and its students are very lucky to have someone as knowledgeable as Darry heading up the financial aid office. The Hall of Fame Award acknowledges Darry’s devotion and dedication to Casper College and its students,” said Joanna Anderson, vice president for student services.

RMASFAA is part of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and represents colleges in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The RMASFAA is a professional organization of individuals who work at institutions dedicated to administering college financial aid.

Voigt has worked at Casper College since August of 1989. He has a B.A. in physical education from the University of Wyoming and a M.S. in physical education with specialization in sports medicine from the University of Arizona.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
CASPER COLLEGE OFFERS PERSONAL BUDGET CLASS
During tough economic times many people have a hard time staying within their budget, or would like to simply learn the efficient management of money. To address this need, Casper College is offering “Personal Finance” (BADM 1030 01) during the spring 2009 semester.

“The ‘Personal Finance’ class at Casper College will enable participants and their loved ones to have a bright financial future,” said Mark Oxley, instructor.

“Most people take dozens of classes in order to prepare for a career to earn money. I believe that people owe it to themselves to take one class, the Personal Finance class at Casper College, in order to make their hard earned money work for them,” he noted.

According to Oxley all major topics will be reviewed in the class and include: time value of money, (how to calculate the future value of an investment or amount of interest required to pay off a loan); personal financial statements, (statement of net worth, statement of cash flows and a budget); goal setting and career planning; consumer loans and credit management; health and disability insurance; investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate; college funding for children and retirement planning; life insurance and long-term care planning; and estate planning, (wills, trust funds and estate protection).

“Personal Finance” will be offered 12 to 12:50 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The class is recommended as an elective for business and nonbusiness majors “and anyone who wants to learn how to manage their money,” said Oxley. The class can be taken for credit or audited.

Spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 12. For more information on this class or to register, call Casper College at 268-2207, toll free at 800-442-2963, ext. 2207 or log onto www.caspercollege.edu.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
MCMURRY’S CONTRIBUTE $1 MILLION TO CASPER COLLEGE
Neil and Doris McMurry have contributed $1 million to the Casper College Foundation for the benefit of the Casper College Single Parent Program and the Early Childhood Learning Center.

According to Paul Hallock, executive director of the Casper College Foundation, the $1 million will become a permanent endowment fund and will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the “Wyoming Community College Endowment Challenge Matching Program.”

“Neil and Doris have been longtime supporters of our single parent students and we are grateful for their interest in the success of our students and this college. Ultimately the students are the beneficiaries and have the opportunity to accomplish their career goals as a result of the McMurry’s generosity,” said Hallock.

The endowment resources will be invested for a minimum of one year before distribution of earnings to the programs will occur.

Casper College Foundation Executive Director Paul Hallock, Doris and Neil McMurry, and Kym Byrd, Casper College student success coordinator, after the McMurry’s presented the Casper College Foundation with a check for $1 million.
(Casper College photo by Matt Young.)

Monday, December 29, 2008
BLUE ENVELOPE ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP WITH $50,000 GIFT
Representatives from the Blue Envelope Health Fund presented the Casper College Health Science Division with a check for $50,000 to begin an endowment for the Blue Envelope Tate Health Science Scholarship.

“The Blue Envelope has been very involved in health care and the health of people since 1958,” said Mark Bower, Blue Envelope chairman. “We believe that this is a great opportunity for us and the community to donate to Casper College to help students to get into health care,” he said.

According to Paul Hallock, executive director of the Casper College Foundation, the gift will be matched by the “Wyoming Community College Endowment Challenge Matching Program” to create a $100,000 endowment. Hallock noted that the funds would be invested and interested earned will be used for the scholarship.

The scholarship will be open to any resident of Natrona County enrolled in nine or more hours per semester majoring in the health science careers of nursing, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technology, paramedical, radiography, respiratory therapy, activities professional or medical lab technician with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.

Hallock noted that the foundation hopes to be able to award funds from the endowment in the spring of 2010.

Blue Envelope Health Fund Board of Directors’ President Mark Bower presents a check for $50,000 to Paul Hallock, Casper College Foundation executive director and Laurie Weaver, Casper College radiography department chair. Other Blue Envelope board members shown, (l to r): Deborah O’Brien, Sue Hoag, Martha Stovall, Elaine Hough and Nathan Zeller.
(Casper College photo by Matt Young.)

Monday, December 29, 2008
SOUL FOOD NEXT OFFERING FOR DINNER AT CASPER COLLEGE
Casper College will recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. and African American History Month with a soul food dinner on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Roberts Commons Cafeteria.

“During dinner there will be live music provided by the Casper College Jazz Ensemble to get the diners in the mood for the College’s annual Kinser Jazz Festival in February,” said Janet de Vries, Casper College Diversity Committee member.

The menu for the soul food dinner includes tossed green salad, country coleslaw, red bliss potato salad, bean melody bonanza, sheet pan corn bread, bourbon chicken over rice, southern fried catfish, chopped Carolina style pork BBQ with tartar and cocktail sauce, black-eyed peas (vegetarian), collard and mustard greens with fat back, collard and mustard greens vegetarian style, macaroni and cheese (vegetarian), mashed potatoes with country gravy, sweet potato pie, strawberry rhubarb pie, and yellow cake with lemon icing.

Tickets are available for $8.50 in advance through Friday, Jan. 16, or $10 at the door, $7 for ages 6-12, and free for 5 and under.

Advance tickets may be purchased at the Accounting and Financial Management Office, located in Room 103 of the Administration Building, the Roberts Commons Cafeteria, and the coffee bars located in the Administration Building and the Wold Physical Science Center. Cash is accepted at all locations and credit cards at the cafeteria and coffee bars.

Two dinners remain for this school year: Hawaiian on Feb. 26, which will include dance lessons, and Native American on April 2 with a dance demonstration. The Casper College Diversity Committee hosts the ethnic dinners.

Monday, December 29, 2008
COLLEGE OFFERS CLASS ON HOLOCAUST FOR FIRST TIME
A new class that will study the Holocaust will be offered at Casper College for the spring 2009 semester.

Taught by Casper College Director of Security and Judicial Review, Lance Jones, the class will explore the foundations of the Third Reich beginning after World War I and ending in May 1945.

“During this class, we will discuss the economic, military and social factors that led to the rise of National Socialism, the personal characteristics of Adolf Hitler and the other members of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) hierarchy, the legal maneuvering that legitimized genocide, and the creation, rise, and fall of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and their replacement by the Schutzstaffel (SS),” said Jones.
Jones noted that the class would also cover “the various roles of the SS, concentration camp administration, mobile killing operations in the East, conditions of the prisoners, motivation of the staff, and evolution of the concentration camps. The end of the war and the post-war fates of many of the key figures will cap the semester.”

“Holocaust and the Third Reich” (HIST 2490-01) will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30 to 6:45 and can be taken for credit or audited.

For more information on this class or to register, call Casper College at 268-2207 or toll free at 800-442-2963, ext. 2207 or log onto www.caspercollege.edu. Spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 12.

Monday, December 29, 2008
COURSE STUDIES COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS
It has been said that the great leaders of both the past and present are also great communicators. A new course at Casper College will help students to identify the skills great leaders demonstrate in “Communication and Leadership” (CO/M 2490).

“Leadership and, consequently, ‘follower-ship’ are often described as the two ends of relationships in any kind of organization. From small groups to large, complex corporations, those who are successful have mastered communication skills,” said Grant Wilson, instructor.

“After an historic presidential election, in which many would say communication style was perhaps more important than substantive issue differences, how leaders communicate is even more relevant,” Wilson added.

In addition to learning how to identify the skills great leaders demonstrate, students will also study the theory of why communication skills are important and be given opportunities to practice their communication skills for leadership.

“Communication and Leadership” will be held on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. and can be audited or taken for credit.

For more information on this class or to register, call Casper College at 268-2207 or toll free at 800-442-2963, ext. 2207 or log onto www.caspercollege.edu. Spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 12.

Monday, December 29, 2008
CC OFFERS CLASS ON PAYROLL ACCOUNTING
Casper College is offering a class for the spring 2009 semester geared towards payroll clerks, small business owners, bookkeepers, accountants, and business majors. “Payroll Accounting” (ACCT 2460) will be a hands-on course where students will learn by doing.

“Students will learn everything they need to know about payroll accounting, including how to compute payroll, how to keep the required payroll records, federal law regulating payroll activities, and more,” said Susan O’Brien, instructor.

O’Brien has been a bookkeeper for 15 years in Casper and has an A.B. in accounting from Casper College, a B.S. in accounting from the University of Wyoming, and a M.A. in education from Michigan State University.

“Payroll Accounting” will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 9:50 a.m. and can be taken for credit or audited.

Spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 12. For more information on this class or to register, call Casper College at 268-2207 or toll free at 800-442-2963, ext. 2207 or log onto www.caspercollege.edu.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008
OLLI TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL BURNS DINNER
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Casper College will host the Second Annual Burns Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Nicolaysen Art Museum. Tickets are currently on sale through Wednesday, Jan. 14 for the traditional Scottish dinner and entertainment.

The evening will begin with hors d’ oeuvres and wine, followed by a Scottish dinner which will feature a choice of pork loin or vegetarian lasagna, “a wee taste of haggis, neaps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes),” salad, side dishes “a generous dram of scotch for toasts,” iced tea and coffee and a “unique” Scottish dessert, according to Vicki Pollock.

“In addition to the dinner, the evening will be filled with merriment, music and laughter in celebration of the Scottish poet Robert Burns,” said Pollock, lifelong learning specialist at Casper College. “Because this dinner is based on those held annually in Scotland to honor Burns, there will be recitations of poems written by Burns and others, a toast to the haggis and more,” Pollock noted.

Chairman of the dinner, Robert Barnes, president and CEO of Casper Area Economic Development Alliance, Inc. (CAEDA), will provide many of the toasts and read several poems, “along with other honored OLLI members and guests,” said Pollock.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Paul Marquard on the bagpipes, and the Celtic fiddle group Anastasia’s Fault, who will perform traditional Celtic music.

According to Pollock, hors d’ oeuvres and wine will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. The Scottish dinner is open to those 21 and older, and participants do not need to be a member of OLLI to attend. Seating is limited and the cost per person is $45. Those with kilts are encouraged to wear them to the event.

For more information or to make reservations, call Pollock at 268-2097.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008
“KING LEAR” REPLACES “TWELFTH NIGHT” ON MCMURRY MAINSTAGE AT CASPER COLLEGE
The first play for 2009 on the McMurry Mainstage at Casper College will be Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” replacing the originally announced “Twelfth Night.”

“I decided to change the play from ‘Twelfth Night’ to ‘King Lear’ for several reasons,” said Tom Empey, director. “I have always wanted to do ‘King Lear’ and since I will be directing for only one more season, it was now or never. I simply cannot escape the intrigue of this play about a world gone mad, a world in chaos.”

In addition, Empey believes that the current theatre student population is more suited to “King Lear.” Finally, had he chosen to do Shakespeare two years in a row, “then the rotation would have been thrown off. We continue our tradition of producing Shakespeare every other year so that every student will have the opportunity to work with the ‘Master Playwright’ during their two years at Casper College. Shakespeare has become a tradition audiences seem to enjoy as they attend in surprising numbers,” he said.

Shakespeare’s powerful and famous tragedy, considered by many to be among his greatest works, will be set “in the modern Middle East. A play about the division of land within a kingdom seems to reflect the pressures and strains of that troubled region,” noted Empey.

“King Lear” will be presented on the McMurry Mainstage of the Gertrude Krampert Theatre Complex on February 27 and 28, and March 3 through 7 each night at 7:30. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students 5 to 18.

Tickets for “King Lear” will go on sale to the general public on Monday, February 23. Tickets may be purchased at the box office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling 268-2500 or toll free 800-442-2963, ext. 2500, or at the box office one hour before each show.