Susan Anderson's new book, humor and heart
by Elysia Conner
Susan Anderson caught a fish in the river while vacationing in Wyoming, and that’s when the Pennsylvania native knew it was the place for her. The peaceful, outdoor beauty and activities first attracted her to Wyoming. “But the community is what kept me here,” she said.
Feeling an instant connection with the community, she continued her journalism career as the news director and host of “Report to Wyoming” at KTWO Television and later as the Casper Journal editor for five years.
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Anderson’s second book about the state, “Wyoming is Wild… and the Kids are Barbarians,” is a compilation of favorites from her popular weekly column in the Casper Journal.
Upon starting the column in 2000, the writer had mixed feelings about writing about her own life. It’s not that it’s more noteworthy. “It’s just the stories that happen to everybody,” Anderson said. That’s what has made it a hit.
Celebrating Halloween in fresh snow is a Casper tradition, for instance. Writing down the funny and touching moments of raising her youngest child, Anna Bohren, has helped her remember the little things she otherwise may not have.
Like the time she found naked Barbie dolls arranged in the guest bathroom during a party with paper cups on their heads n a beauty parlor, she learned. Four years brought more laughs and changes, and Barbie was long gone as sixth grade brought better, or at least, bigger, interests.
“Ready for his close-up,” about Anna at 7 dressing up their proud, masculine miniature dachshund, Skippy, in a dress won an award from the National Newspaper Association in 2002.
Anna, and Susan’s husband, Dale Bohren, appear frequently in the columns. Others include heart-touching local stories like that of Bruce Lamberson who survived a bomb blast and left his wheelchair for the ski slopes.
Anderson’s love for Wyoming and its people inspired her award winning book, “Living in Wyoming: Settling for More,” featuring photographs by Zbigniew Bzdak in 1990.
Now retired, Anderson has the chance to do even more of what she loves n writing n and she plans to never stop.
“I intend to be publishing the newsletter in the old folks’ home,” she joked.
Anderson plans to begin a mystery novel, probably involving an investigative reporter, next year. A children’s book about a familiar dachshund with powers, “Skippy to the Rescue,” also is in the works.
“Wyoming is Wild… and the Kids are Barbarians” by Susan Anderson
Author signings
Friday, Saturday and Sunday., Nov. 27, 28, 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sadler’s Hallmark at Eastridge Mall
Sat. Dec. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m., at Ralph's Bookstore at Hilltop Shopping Center
The book is available from all local booksellers or by sending $19.95 to 1228 S. Ash, Casper, WY 82601 or go to wyomingiswild@yahoo.com.