Nagle News Volume 12, Issue 1 January 2009

A VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

I promise that I will keep the Nagle News interesting with unique content.  We will offer specials frequently that are only available to people reading the Nagle News.  My creative juices seemed to let down in the past and the News became an advertising rag.  We are sticking with three editions a year and no more.

We would like to hear from you about information you would like us to include in future issues. 

The mansion turned one hundred twenty years old this summer.  That makes it a little over half as old as the country.  When the mansion was constructed, Custer had just sacrificed himself to the Indians.  My eleven years here seem pretty short, but have been loaded with new friends.

This past spring we went live with a new program driving our web site.  I am impressed by how this communication tool has matured to provide really good information about the hotel.  We can now keep it current.  When we have something new we add it to the site so it is constantly changing,  You still can't substitute a web site for a good conversation.

The garden has grown very well.  I recently came across a photo from 10 years ago when it was first planted.  The direction that it seems to want to take is a little shady, but it still has good character (shady character, get it?).  On the House Avenue side of the mansion there were roses that we replaced with hydrangeas,.  The Carriage House walk is now getting significant shade from the crab apple trees, so we are swapping out the plants along the walk.  The Sky Rocket Junipers by the patio lived up to their name.  They shot up and now provide a shield from the afternoon sun.  The deep shade under them is perfect for coleus, impatiens and a "hosta" others (couldn't resist).  It's also a fun challenge to find good homes for the displaced sun-seekers.

This morning I noticed that the snow has packed into the coneflower seed pods highlighting the pods' little spines.  Since living in the mountains, I have enjoyed the winter garden.  The texture and mounding of the snow, when we have some, always keeps the garden changing.  So do the shadows cast by the trees and last summer's plants.  The roses' stems and hips add color and pattern, as do the red dogwood branches.  I'm so glad that I do not have to wait for the garden to be in full bloom before I can enjoy it.  This summer I got behind on the fertilizing and weeding, it had been nice having Nick take care of it.

Nick, my eldest grandson, spent the summer doing an Internship program at the Spartanburg, South Carolina Marriott.  This is his second year at the University of South Carolina majoring in hospitality.  He told me last spring "I learned three things this year; how to clean, how to study, and how to organize."  Sounded like an exceptional year.  The rest of the children and grandkids are doing well.  We had an opportunity  to get most of us together in June.  Great fun!

The History Channel is scheduled to film parts of two shows at the Nagle in early January.  One episode is about Tom Horn, the last person hung in Wyoming.  The other is about Cattle Kate a, should we say, notorious lady of the old west.  Look for the Nagle in the backgroud (in the interior shots).  They needed the authentic "cattle baron look" so it will be interesting to see the outcome.

We wish you a wonderful 2009.  Thank you, Jim


AROUND CHEYENNE

A new stable was constructed close to the Cheyenne Depot on 15th Street.  The free carriage rides are using it as a staging point, as are the mounted police.  The police are hoping to provide more mounted patrols in the downtown area during the spring, summer and fall.  A farrier is on site shoeing and caring for the police horses every Friday during that period.

The Statement, that delightful little clothing shop with very personalized service, has moved downtown.  They are located at 1819 Warren Avenue.  Hacienda Guadalajara has opened just two blocks away.  You feel like you are in Mexico as soon as you enter.  The food is great and so is the service.  The fountains and stone doorways add a village feel to the bright colors.  Overall it is very nice and so convenient.  Speaking of convenient, Pizzeria Venti opened just a block west of us on 17th Street.  It's an old storefront that still has the original tin ceiling.  Obviously it's Italian with a bent toward pizza, but it is not limited to the pie.  The food is great and the service is fast and casual.

The world's largest super computer is coming to Cheyenne.  The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has land in a business park on the west edge of town.  As any good government project, it has had it's problematic loops.  The University of Wyoming recently funded the planning stage and the project is again moving forward.  Three positive values helped to bring this computer to Ceyenne: plenty of available land, great fiber optic access, and plenty of readily available electrical energy.

Little America Hotel added to their meeting space by creating an 11,400 square foot Convention Center.  Denver International Airport is an hour and twenty minutes from Cheyenne, we are now a regional convention city.  If you belong to a group or association, suggest they look at Cheyenne.  Our three room conference center with the board room for a maximum of twenty people seems tiny by comparison,  Then again, small meetings and groups benefit from our personal attention.

The brand spanking new Laramie County Library received the "#1 Library in the US" award for 2008.  The best way to understand the award is to visit our library.  You will love it!

Cheyenne Botanic Garden ios constructing a Children's Garden.  Rumor, from people in the know, is that it will be something very special to the point that it will be worth the trip to Cheyenne all on its own.  Yes, it is for children and older children.  Completion is slated for late May 2009.

CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS --- JULY 17, 2009 TO JULY 26, 2009

What a wonderful night show line-up CFD has put together this year!  In addition to the best stock and cowboys, the night shows will feature George Strait, Sawyer Brown, Taylor Swift, Professional Bull Riding, Rodney Atkins, Kenny Chesney, and one more to be announced.  come for the Art Show and stay for the finals.  Let's Go, Let's Show, Let's Rodeo.

NEW LOOK FOR OUR WEB SITE

The main objective in revising our website was to provide current information for our guests.  When we started working on the project, we had a three-page list of changes/additions, including the ability to up-date our own information.  By the time we launched the site, we already had a four-page list of revisions.  We are pleased with the new look but, more importantly, we can keep it up-to-date.

The schedules for the Murder Mystery Dinners, Fine Wine & Dines (with the menu & wines) can now be posted as soon as we have them solidified.  Events, such as the Valentine's Day Romantic Candle Light Dinner for Two, are each posted with their menu.  Jane put together a very good wedding planning section to assist brides and their families.  Our luncheon, dinner, party, and reception menus are all posted for reading or downloading.  We feel really good about being able to continually provide current, relevant information.  We hope you will take a peek soon.


FRANKIE WARREN PERSHING'S DIARIES

We recently acquired copies of the diaries of F.E. Warren's daughter, Helen Frances "Frankie", who married John J. "Black Jack" Pershing.  It has been delightful getting some insight into daily life in 1903 Cheyenne and Washington, D.C.  Frankie began her diaries at the age of 23, following her mother's death.  Frankie's notations reveal her to be an intelligent, energetic, loyal, funny and down-to-earth person who was a voracious reader, who enjoyed nature, ranch life, chocolates, ice cream, and dancing.  We thought it would be fun to share excerpts from her diaries.

Since most of us are in the midst of cold weather, we though you might enjoy learning what it was like driving out to the Terry Ranch in 1903.

Saturday, September 12

Rose, dressed in double set of underwear, equestrian tights, sweater, Stetson, raincoat, and buckskin gloves, and went to the ranch with the Lacey's, Van Devanters, Browns* of Washington, Papa and Uncle Charlie.  Besides clothing, we had three hot water bags, two fur lap robes, two other lap robes. (in the ambulance**) three extra shawls, and a few other things.  It was cold as fry --- and a wind.  But after we got started, ti wasn't so bad --- and air like champagne.  Stunning dinner at the Terry --- five kinds of vegetables, mutton, country fried chicken, fig cake, cornbread, brown bread, etc.  Drove home by way of Valley and Willow Springs.  Dinner at Lacey's --- guests Judge and Mrs. Riner, Potters and the ranch party.  American beauty roses, caviar, soup, chicken, grape & nut salad, & ice cream.

*Justice Brown was on the US Supreme Court 1891-1906
**Frankie referred to their landau as "the ambulance"