Carson Valley Lions looking for student speakers

The Carson Valley Lions Club has announced the topic for their annual Student Speakers Contest. The 2021-22 contest asks students to consider, “Should community service be a graduation requirement?”

The Lions’ Student Speakers Contest is a “75-year tradition which provides an opportunity for competitive speaking among students on a subject of vital interest to the contestants, as well as the American people as a whole.”

Open to all grade 9-12 high school-age students who reside in Douglas County, the contest encourages self-expression and independent thinking, and participants have an opportunity to earn scholarships for their efforts.

As this is purely a speaking presentation, no audio or visual aids, props, or costumes are permitted. Notecards may be used at the club-level competition, but presentations must be memorized beyond that level. Additional information and guidelines can be found on the Lions of District 46 Student Speakers webpage at e-district.org/sites/46ss/page-9.php.

Submissions are due by Jan. 6, and the local, club-level speaking competition will take place later that month. The club-level winner goes on to compete at zone in mid-February. Zone winners advance to regionals in March, and district level finals follow in April.

Questions about the speaking competition can be directed to Student Speaker chairperson and CVLC Secretary Gareth Craner at 775-782-7975.

The Lions Club has been active since 1953 and focuses on issues related to vision, hunger relief, diabetes, youth, and the environment. The club provides financial assistance to those in need of eye exams, surgeries, or glasses, and supports a number of local programs including Austin’s House, Back-to-School shopping, Meals on Wheels, and Project Santa Claus. The Lions was recognized as the 2018/2019 Service Club of the Year by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Lions are selling See’s candy for the holidays. To purchase, visit the Frontier parking lot at 1520 Church St., in Minden from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Chocolates are $25.50 per pound.

The club is actively recruiting for volunteers interested in serving their local community as a Lion. Regular meetings are held the first and third Thursdays of each month at Round Table Pizza, 961 Topsy Lane. Social hour and a no-host dinner begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a general meeting at 6 p.m. Anyone age 18 and older is welcome to attend.

Log onto e-clubhouse.org/sites/carsonvalleynv/index.php for information about the CVLC.

Dementia Friendly Douglas County community meeting

More than 50,000 Nevadans currently live with dementia, and that number is projected to increase to 65,000 by 2025.

Douglas County Social Services has taken a proactive approach to this estimate through collaboration with the statewide Dementia Friendly Nevada initiative. The group’s mission aims “to develop and promote communities that are respectful, educated, supportive, and inclusive of persons living with dementia and their care partners.”

In support of that effort, Dementia Friendly Nevada-Douglas County is hosting an informational session for anyone interested in learning more about this community group and how to get involved. A meeting is scheduled via Zoom teleconference on Tuesday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. All are welcome.

To access the meeting, go to https://bit.ly/dementiadouglas . The meeting ID is 849 7862 4965. Alternately, participants can call in at (346) 248-7799.

More information about Dementia Friendly Nevada-Douglas County can be found online at https://dementiafriendlynevada.org/communities/douglas/.

Lunar eclipse a visual treat

Last week’s cloudy weather posed a concern, because it had the potential to impact visibility of the partial lunar eclipse. When I stepped outside just after 1 a.m. on Friday morning however, that worry melted away as I looked up to see the moon perfectly framed between passing clouds and all aglow in a hue of beautiful muted-sienna. A sliver of white remained unobscured along the moon’s edge, and the whole spectacle made an impressive contrast against the midnight sky.

Instead of impeding this special sight, the clouds enhanced it, adding a lovely level of dimension and perspective. They also offered some brilliant cloud-gazing opportunities, as evidenced by the image I captured of a duck nestled among a backdrop of stars.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day of reflection, gratitude, and unexpected delight.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.