Pandemic cancels events

Due to a reemergence of the COVID-19 virus in the area, Pine Haven has made the decision to postpone their Coach Mirich Poker Tournament, the annual Veterans Day celebration and Bingo until at least December.

Later discussions determined that the community center may, in fact, remain closed into the new year depending on the situation.

Ordinance Committee Chair Chris Bingham, who was part of the deciding conversation, comments, “There are enough cases popping up – we don’t want to contribute to it. We’ll see how things are going in a couple of weeks.”

Moorcroft, however, chose to go ahead with the Veterans Dinner at the senior center on Wednesday and will proceed with the Harvest Feastival this Saturday at the MTC gymnasium at 3 p.m., sponsored by the Moorcroft Area Chamber of Commerce.

However, social distancing, maintaining clean hands and optional masks are recommended for a safe and fun occasion.

This year, youngsters will be entertained with their own festival on South Big Horn Avenue in front of the Moorcroft Dentistry office from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Local entities take pandemic precautions

As the virus becomes more prevalent in Crook County, representatives of local public organizations were asked how they are dealing with the situation.

The Moorcroft Public Library’s after school and story time programs have resumed with social distancing and/or masks in the best interest of the attendees. Librarian Heather Reynolds shares the current protocol:

“We ask that if people are sick, they do not come in. If they feel comfortable wearing a mask, they may do so, [though] we do not require it; we do have hand sanitizer around the building and we use [disinfectant] wipes on each computer keyboard, chair and table after persons use it.”

Pine Haven has been setting out only enough guest chairs in the council chamber to manage social distancing for the council meeting and have been offering optional masks and sanitizer since the start.

The clerk’s office also offers window service at the front of the building for those who choose not to enter.

The Moorcroft council members have consistently practiced safe distancing throughout the year, but guest seating is still set in rows, leaving social distancing to the individual’s discretion.

The clerk’s office offers optional masks and sanitizer to all who come for the monthly meetings or just to pay a bill.

The Moorcroft Senior Center continues to offer optional masks and sanitizer as soon as guests enter the door and leaves the practice social distancing to the individual and has not, at this time cancelled any planned events, according to site manager Mary Jocelyn.