Photo contest winner announced

We have a November winner for our monthly photo contest. Our winner is Kathleen Belles of Gardnerville. Kathleen perfectly captured those cloudy skies we so often enjoy in late fall. This photo will represent November 2009 in our calendar. Congratulations, Kathleen.

It seems that all of our winners so far have been from Gardnerville. What do we need to do to get all of you who live in Minden and up at the Lake to enter this contest? Our 2009 calendar will not be complete without at least one or two photos taken at the Lake. Please get out those dusty old film cameras or the spiffy new digital you got last Christmas and send us photos. The December contest is under way right now.

Photos should be representative of the month taken and of Douglas County. This is our calendar and the photos need to be of our county.

The Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville is filled with great things to see for Christmas. Gingerbread houses are on display in the main gallery. You have until tomorrow to visit the exhibit and attend the reception from 1- 3 p.m.

While you are there, be sure to visit all the galleries on the main floor and see all 12 of the Christmas trees. Bring lots of quarters to vote for your favorites. Folded dollar bills also work well and count as four votes. You can vote for your choice as often as you like.

The Gardnerville museum has been beautifully decorated for Christmas, but nowhere as beautifully as the Main Street Bookstore. Come in and enjoy the decorations. They have Christmas cards, gift ideas and they are selling See's Candies, already wrapped, for last-minute presents. Douglas County Historical Society members get a 10 percent discount and everyone is exempt from paying sales tax.

And there are all the excellent exhibits you have come to expect from our museums. The animal room remains the favorite among the kids while we adults can't make up our minds which one we like best. Take a tour of Main Street, USA, downstairs. As you look through the windows of the shops and businesses, you will be transported back in time when we all lived in small town America.

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the melodrama are going well. The play has been completely cast and rehearsals should start any time now. Since we all need to practice our hissing and booing, I have found the ideal method. I have acquired a third cat and the original two are giving me hourly demonstrations of true hissing and genuine displeasure. No, I will not change my e-mail address to reflect this acquisition.

Although the Women in History presentation isn't for several months, nominations for candidates will begin January 7. For now, start thinking about those women you know who have contributed greatly to our community, to Douglas County and to maintaining our history. Anyone can nominate someone and any woman who has contributed to Douglas County can be represented. Your nominee need not be living. When you visit the museum, look for the Women in History exhibits on the main floor and in the galleries.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. And if you have the time, the museum is always looking for interested volunteers.

-- Contact Ellen Caywood at in2my2cats@yahoo.com or at 790-1565.