Cordes Cousins present lecture Thursday

It's November already and those Cordes Cousins will be here on Nov. 11. They'll be talking about their Aunt Frieda Cordes Godecke and her Record-Courier column which they have compiled into their book, "Frieda's Files." The lecture starts at 7 p.m. and will feature stories about Aunt Frieda, the columns she wrote and just what goes into compiling and publishing a book. There will be autographed copies of the book available for purchase. 

We're all most fond of the cousins in the chicken outfits they wore for the Carson Valley Days Parade a couple of years ago and to serve at one of our melodramas. You don't suppose they'll show up in the chicken costumes on Thursday, do you? You'll just have to be at the lecture to find out. Admission is free to DCHS members, $3 for non-members.

This will be the last weekend for the Dangberg Home Ranch clothing exhibit. The exhibit will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and reservations are not required. Don't miss this opportunity to see how our grandparents and great-grandparents dressed.

We hope you made it over to the Genoa Courthouse Museum before they closed for the season. Now we want to encourage you to stop in at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville and visit the Main Street Bookstore. Our 2010 Christmas ornaments are the second in a series and feature the Courthouse Museum. These collector's items are only $8. DCHS members, remember you get a 10 percent discount just for being members.

While there, pick up your copy of the 2011 calendar that you helped make with your winning monthly photos. This is a limited edition calendar and once they are gone, there will be no more. The price is $10 for a piece of Douglas County memorabilia. 

Coming up quickly is the Nov. 19 deadline for applications to decorate a Christmas tree for the 14th annual Gallery of Trees. Anyone who wishes to enter can find applications at the Gardnerville museum or online at www.historicnevada.org. You can enter as an individual, a company, a school or a club or organization. Winners are voted on by the viewing public so this is a great opportunity for you or your group to be seen. Call 782-2555 for more information.

There is no news from the new melodrama crew. That must mean that they are in the midst of writing and rewriting and casting and preparing and getting things ready. We do know that the 2011 melodrama promises to be a raucous adventure involving some of the old and some new characters, along with singing talent. Stay tuned.

Information about the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555.

Remember, DCHS and its two museums in Gardnerville and Genoa don't receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help keep our doors open.

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