I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and fur baby mom. I love baking and opened The Moose Roost Bakery and Coffee Shop last year. I have worn many hats over the years, from optician, teacher and professional clown to Living Historian.
I have served on the Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board for most of the thirteen years I have been in Hugo. I have been a member of the Colorado Farm Bureau’s State Women’s Leadership Committee for the last two years, serving District 3 which is comprised of Lincoln, Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Kiowa counties.
Last year I was appointed to the Historic Preservation Committee and in January, elected President of the Lincoln County Historical Society. I am currently working on getting the Hedlund House Museum open on a more regular basis, with rotating exhibits and school tours.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to Michael Gaskins, and we celebrate our 20th anniversary in July of this year. We have two children and four grandchildren. Our daughter Victoria and eldest grandson live in Hugo, while our son Benjamin and our daughter-in-love; Lynnaya live in Haysville Kansas with our two youngest grandsons and granddaughter. We are also the parents of two four-legged princesses that we rescued last year.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
In 2021, we opened The Moose Roost after doing considerable work on the interior of the building since we purchased it in 2007. Soon after opening, we were the recipients of a Main Street Open for Business grant, which enable us to have some much need work done on the exterior of the building, which included restoration of the Hugo National Bank sign. I love visiting with everyone who comes in, whether it is someone just passing through, or locals. Prior to coming to Hugo, I was blessed to work in the museum field for the Kansas Underground Salt Museum aka, Stratica and the Reno County Historical Society in Hutchinson, Kansas and Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas which is where I met my husband.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I enjoy eating at Oscars if we have a night out, but look forward to trying out Southside’s new menu.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I began coming to Hugo in the 1970s to visit my great grandmother, and moved here in 2010.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Our town is full of super interesting people. MayeGene Lee is definitely one of my favorite people. She is such a character, and so knowledgeable on the history of the area.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love Gene Wilder movies, my favorite being “The Producers”. For tv, we watch a lot of documentaries, and British television. I would have to say Doctor Who is my favorite, and Ted Lasso.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Trust in God’s timing. Also, Find something to laugh at every day.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I would have to say my own building. There is such a broad and rich history in the Hugo National Bank Building, now known as the Moose Roost. From a lumber yard to bank, to department stores, to newspaper office to storage facility to bakery…. But I love most just calling it “Home.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Val Kilmer. He has a deep love of history and performing as characters from the past. We have similar methods in creating our characters, and I would love for him to experience our little corner of the world, and it’s wonderful history. I feel that he could draw much inspiration for his artwork in our landscape. As to where… I think a progressive lunch would be in order. Perhaps Oscars for lunch, with the different tastes of dessert at Hipster and The Moose Roost, but I would definitely want to show him the RoundHouse and spend some time with Gillian Laycock at the Garage, to celebrate art together.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I absolutely love how our community is gathering together to revitalize and move into the future, while preserving and celebrating our rich past.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years, I would like to have the Moose Roost progressed to where I can hire young people to work for the Bakery, giving them an opportunity to learn a career in baking, and also so that I might be able to retire and be able to spend more time with my husband and grandchildren.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was given the opportunity to cast an episode of a History Channel documentary. I was not given screen credit, but I did the casting for the show, which was to be filmed at Old Cowtown Museum while I worked there.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Our local history. I mean, how many towns can boast that Teddy Roosevelt stopped his train to have breakfast with a bunch of cowboys next to their train tracks?!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My grandchildren. I want to be better for them, so that they might have a good example to live by
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Faith Family Community
