Weekend Picks: Pride of place in The Big Empty

Oct. 26—I still struggle to answer the question, "Where are you from?"

Usually, "I grew up in San Diego," will suffice.

But then I mention where I went to school — Ole Miss — and the inquiring party will rightfully ask, "Why?" What ensues is a game I play with myself where I attempt to successfully explain my familiarity with D.C./Western Maryland, while also conveying that my roots are in various locations in Arkansas and the city of Memphis.

After two years in Wyoming, I'm often required to explain my affiliation with The Big Empty.

This region has undoubtedly influenced me, but I'll never be from Wyoming, just like I'll never be from San Diego.

I believe there are plenty of adults that can sympathize with this self-pity, more than we might like to acknowledge, actually.

The past several weeks, I've subconsciously ruminated over how an increase in "nomadic" lifestyles might be impacting our collective American culture. Already, I'm acquainted with people of a similar age as myself that, despite having been raised in one city/town, they haven't returned, nor found a new place to call home.

I think of my mother, who, no matter where she's lived over the years, still tells people that she's from West Memphis, Arkansas, where her father — my grandfather — lives to this day. My father has a similar answer, though there was a time where his family followed my paternal grandfather as he was traded to several different teams throughout his athletic career in the NFL.

I have friends who can call Maryland, California and Tennessee home, but sometimes I feel that I'm barred from doing the same — not So-Cal enough to be a San Diegan, not southern enough to represent Arkansas. I suspect I will always divert to the oasis of San Diego.

Some people remain faithful to their state, building a life after high school or their in-state university; others may have lived elsewhere for a time, but they, too, eventually returned home, possibly in pursuit of a family. This lifestyle is still the overwhelming majority, but what if that were to change?

Take it from someone trying to find their way, today's job market is tough. I'm lucky that the Wyoming Tribune Eagle took a chance and was patient in letting me grow, an opportunity that most people aren't afforded. Before the internet, I assume there was a time when someone would simply return from their college journalism training to a job at the local paper in their hometown, but that's no longer the case.

I'd be interested to see if anyone today can remain in their hometown and find a job that aligns with their desired career path. It appears that as we progress through the digital age, and as the internet shrinks the world, more people are called to a place far from the one they know.

What will happen when there are no more locals? When every city in the sum of outside influences?

I'm not talking about whether plastic bags will be banned, or whether pot will be legalized — I'm talking about what will happen to the culture. I'm talking about an inherent pride of place.

Pride of place can fade over time just as much as a lifelong accent can.

I'm not a fan of "good-old-boy" mentality, but it's unnerving to think of what happens to the identity of a state when the population doesn't protect its history like true, born-and-raised locals do. People might come to you and talk about their travels, maybe their recent trip to San Francisco, Anchorage, New Orleans or Denver, and tell you about the culture and the lifestyle of said city.

Ignore the bells and whistles, because what they're really talking about is the people they met. That's all a place is, really, the culmination of its people.

However, Cheyenne could always be better. We do need more youth to liven the city, and for some longtime locals to better represent the true values of our community and state. We need to care more for one another and, unlike how our culture is deterring us from doing, welcome people in so that they might put down their roots and become Wyomingites.

Obviously, I think about this from the perspective as a journalist who is covering a community that, two years ago, I had no knowledge of. Journalists used to be long-time residents of their community, familiar and trusted, but it's tough to establish that when we're flooding in from different regions.

Support the coffee shop, the local theater, the local athletic teams and events hosted downtown. Visit the bar around the corner, attend the local book signing or the film festival, and check in on the antique store you drive past on your way to work every day. The more love that floats around here, the more opportunity there will be.

That goes for the journalists at your local newspaper, as well, who hail from Springfield, Missouri; Kansas City; Sacramento; Chicago; Las Vegas, and, of course, San Diego.

The newer folks at the WTE might not be locals yet, but they're here, and they're looking to nurture that pride of place.

As long as we nurture it together, the future is bright.

You can start doing the same at local events this weekend.

First, off, The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast arrives at the Historic Atlas Theatre on Friday and Saturday, 7 and 10 p.m. Cast members will perform the off-beat musical in front of the screen, interacting with the audience and encouraging attendees to join the fun.

Halloween essentially arrives on Saturday, with a plethora of Trunk-or-Treat events coming to different locations and organizations throughout the city. There are also several fall markets and other Halloween attractions, like the "Nightmare on 17th Street" haunted house or Sunshine Plant Company's One Year Anniversary party, running from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. that day. Those 21-and-older can look forward to the various Halloween parties being thrown by local bars that night.

Some other events carry over into Sunday, as well, including Halloween at the Wyoming State Museum from noon-4 p.m. Laramie County Community College is hosting "Music that Goes Bump in the Night," a performance of Halloween tunes, in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium, as well as a trunk-or-treat event before the concert kicks off.

And Tuesday is Halloween night. Enjoy the happiest day of the year with friends, family and good horror movies.

Will Carpenter is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's Arts and Entertainment/Features Reporter. He can be reached by email at wcarpenter@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3135. Follow him on Twitter @will_carp_.