Top Clearmont Stories 2023

Clearmont Fire District Receives Check from Ramaco

On March 2, Clearmont Fire Department received a $5,000 donation from Ramaco Carbon. Aurelia Giacometto, one of the independent directors of Ramaco Resources, parent company to Ramaco Carbon presented the donation at the Clearmont Fire Hall.

She said about six months before Ramaco started a foundation to give back to the communities they work in. They have a scholarship program for coal miners that have students planning on going to college.

Fire chief Artie Thomas talked about the fire department, and the fact that most of the volunteers are ranchers who want to protect their own grass. He talked about what the donation would be used for

Several members of the fire department as well Rachelle Woody, office manager of Ramaco Carbon, attended the presentation.

New Clerk for town of Clearmont

Recently the Town of Clearmont welcomed a new town clerk, Kirstie Auzqui, who replaced Vivian Ramsay as she and her family recently moved to Virginia.

Auzqui was born and raised in Clearmont, the daughter of Paul and Carole Auzqui, long time Clearmont ranchers.

She added that she liked the fact that the job was right in Clearmont, and that the town could offer flexible hours which gave her the freedom to spend more time with her parents and help on the family ranch.

Mayor Chris Schock added he was “glad to have her aboard and I think she’ll do a great job.”

Clearmont Historical Group hosts Native American Program

On November 15, in honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Clearmont Historical Center hosted a program on Native Americans to a standing room only crowd. Shane Hampshire was the first presenter and he talked about some of the artifacts he had on display at the Clearmont Historical Center. He and his family have found scrapers, arrowheads, stone hammers and a grinding stone.

After his talk, Fran Felz introduced Mickey Wolf, native American speaker, who talked about his heritage, and growing up.

He said that many of his family, including himself, have served in the military, and he added that his uncle’s taught him the traditional ways as well.

Bates Ranch named a Wyoming Centennial Ranch

The Wyoming Centennial Farm & Ranch program, a branch of the State Historic Preservation Office, annually honors Wyoming families who have owned and operated the same farm or ranch for 100 years or more.

Since it’s inception in 2006, over 260 families have been honored. Each year, the program partners host a celebration to honor these families. There is also an annual yearbook published featuring the histories and photos of the Centennial families.

Fritz and Beverly Bates who have a ranch outside of Clearmont, and their family were honored in 2020, and they can display a Wyoming Centennial Ranch Sign on their ranch.