Jalan Crossland visited the Wyoming PBS studios in Riverton a few weeks ago so I could interview him for Wyoming Chronicle to be aired this coming Friday evening, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. I was really looking forward to interviewing Jalan because I am such a fan of his music. I also think he is a very good guy. Jalan walked into the studio with his guitar and banjo, wearing his signature black hat. My son, Marc, was also in the studio to meet Jalan, because, like me, Marc is a fan on his music. During the interview, Jalan plays both his guitar and his banjo. He is an amazing musician and you will enjoy watching his masterful and unique “picking” styles close up! Since we don’t edit Wyoming Chronicle, my son Marc was recruited to stand in the wings and hand Jalan his banjo or guitar as needed. Marc was very happy to be up close to his hero and be Jalan’s “roadie” for the shoot. So, all Jalan Fans tune in! You will see Jalan play some of your favorite songs including, “Don’t Taze Me Bro!” You will also hear the stories behind his music and career from the man himself! Margaret
Some of my favorite TV shows might be calling it quits for the season, but Wyoming Chronicle is still going strong. Just today I filmed two episodes with two Wyoming originals.
Dr. Ted Vlahos helps horses with leg injuries that would have most equine vets recommending euthanasia. With the help of custom prosthetics, Dr. Vlahos has saved the lives of dozens of horses at his Sheridan Equine Hospital.
Meeteetse Chocolatier Tim Kellogg might have first gained notoriety because he sold his truffles to fund his rodeoing. Today though, his truffles and chocolates – especially his sea salt caramels – can hold their own against the treats made by the country’s best. Check the Wyoming Chronicle website to see when these two episodes will air.
This coming Friday Evening (March 26) at 7:30 p.m. on Wyoming Chronicle my interview with Wyoming Supreme Court Justice, Marilyn Kite will air. I have known Marilyn for many years, so I was pleased to talk with her about her 10-year career as the first female to be appointed as a Wyoming Supreme Court Justice. We did the interview in the basement of the Hathaway building in Cheyenne on a very snowy day. Justice Kite took her lunch hour off to conduct the interview. She spent the entire rest of her day (and week) sitting “on the bench” listening to cases in the newly remodeled Wyoming Supreme Court Building.
Now Justice Kite has acheived another female first in Wyoming history! This past week it was reported that she is the new Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court. She is the first woman to have that distinction. Apparently, the job entails a lot of administrative responsibilities, including being head of the Judicial Nominating Commission and as chairman of the Board of Judicial Policy and Administration, which includes district and circuit court judges. Congratulations to Justice Kite on this new milestone in her career!
The public is able to sit the Wyoming Suprement Court room and watch the Supreme Court Justices in action! Just visit the official web site at http://www.courts.state.wy.us to obtain information about what cases are scheduled to be heard. You can also read about past opinions handed down by the Wyoming Supreme Court. Very educational!
So I could easily spend a day chatting with — and just plain ogling — the Meeteetse Chocolatier – but I want to know what you would ask him if you get the chance.
It’s difficult to believe my first season at Wyoming Chronicle is coming to an end –time really does fly when you’re having fun – but I am filming my last two episodes of the season at the end of this month. (I’ll be filming in Cody.) Chocolate visionary — because what else can you call a man who thought to make Coors truffles?? — Tim Kellogg will be one and Sheridan vet Dr. Ted Vlahos will be the other. I’m starting to prepare for both now.
So, if you had the chance to sit down with Tim or Ted, what would you ask them? And what would you like to ask me about chocolate truffles or the use of prostheses in animals? As nice as it would be to just sit down and chat with the guests we have on Wyoming Chronicle, all of us hosts do quite a bit of behind-the-scenes research. Although Mayans were drinking chocolate drinks 2000 years ago, it wasn’t until the 1840s that it was discovered how to make solid chocolate. And then in 1879 Swiss entrepreneur Henri Nestlé developed an exclusive recipe known as “milk chocolate” by combining the solid chocolate with a powder made of dehydrated milk and sugar? The French took Nestle’s invention and ran with it. Their experimentation led to the development of ganache, which is the center core of the modern truffle. Ganache was, and remains, an ultra-smooth combination of solid chocolate and cream that has a velvety, liquid-like texture. Chocolate truffles began to be made using this confection, and were often flavored with other ingredients such as dark or white chocolate, cocoa powder, or almonds or other chopped nuts. Or, in Kellogg’s case, Coors.
If you’re interested in doing some truffle research of your own, I highly recommend Paul Richardson’s book Indulgence, One man’s selfless search for the best chocolate in the world.
But agian, it’s my job to do the research, so if there’s anything you’re dying to know about truffles, or about Tim Kellogg, let me know.
–Dina Mishev
Other than me, that is. I’m even skipping out on a Christmas party — one that has much better food than I usually cook up for dinner — to watch it.
I’m just hoping I did justice to these two amazing musicians. Even if I couldn’t convince them to sing their cover of one of my favorite Prince songs.
If you’re inspired to share their music with others after tonight’s show, you can buy CDs on their website, http://www.anneandpetesibley.com/. For those in the Jackson area, their next concert is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 9 at the Teton County Library. I can’t remember if I asked Anne this in the interview or not, but the Teton County Library is actually where she was “discovered.” While working there, she often sang to kids. Of course adults heard her too and suggested she perform at the weekly Hootenanny at Snow King Center. And tonight her and husband Pete are on Wyoming Chronicle.
I am looking forward to my debut on Wyoming Chronicle this coming Friday night, Dec. 11 featuring an interview with Susie and Mick McMurry of Casper. We had a great time visting the McMurry household to tape the interview and they were very gracious hosts. Mick and Susie McMurry have an amazing and huge house in Casper. For the interview we chose the room I think they use as their own TV room (pretty appropriate I guess!) The McMurry’s were relaxed and both told me they enjoyed the experience. It was fun and interesting to watch the crew set up for the interview. Kyle Nicholoff and Virginia Moore from the Wyoming PBS staff participated as the camera crew, director, sound etc. Geoff O’Gara, our Wyoming Chronicle Executive Producer was there with us as well. This is the first time I have done any “on location” work for Wyoming PBS. (My other show, Wyoming Perspectives is all done live in the Wyoming PBS studio on the CWC campus). After we were finished with our interview, Mick and Susie took us out to one of their multiple garages to see Mick’s Corvette collection. This car collection is his one of his favorite hobbies. Susie told me that Mick has not received any speeding tickets (yet)! Anyway, hope our viewing audience enjoys our McMurry interview. Let’s hear what you think about the episode!