Community briefs

The 34th annual Virginia & Truckee Railroad Symposium will be held at the Nevada State Railroad Museum on Thursday through Oct. 23.

Prominent railroad historians will make presentations on a variety of topics. Larry Meeker's Friday presentation is on the Carson & Colorado Railroad's Hawthorne Route and the Sierra Valleys Railroad. Steve Van Denburgh will discuss Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge. There will be a look at V&T photography as well as a shop tour and discussion of restoration techniques and issues.

There will also be a program detailing the V&T's history in Hollywood movies.

Registration is limited to 200 participants, and the cost is $45.

Call Peter Barton at 687-8288. Registration information is at nrsm-friends.org.

Daughters of Norway meet for speech

The Daughters of Norway Queen Maud Lodge No. 42 will meet in Carson City at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, on the corner of Saliman Road and Highway 50 East.

They will celebrate their fourth anniversary with a potluck and will honor all past presidents.

The speaker will be John W. Hylin, the former Norwegian consul for the state of Hawaii, on celebrations going on in Norway for its 100 years as an independent nation.

The group presents programs to preserve Norwegian heritage; maintain knowledge of the history, culture and language of Norway; and build a support system and friendship within the group.

Women are invited to join the lodge who are of Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic heritage or who are married or have been married to a Scandanavian.

For information, call 883-1710.

Cemetery tours will give history of families

The Douglas County Historical Society will present its 10th cemetery tour from 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday at the Garden Cemetery in Gardnerville.

Costumed living-history guides will lead tours and relate their own personal or family history.

After the guided tour, participants may explore the cemetery. Bring a flashlight, dress warmly (hat, coat, gloves), and wear warm walking shoes.

Hot cider and cookies will be served compliments of the Douglas County Historical Society.

Proceeds will benefit the operations of the Genoa Courthouse Museum in Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

Admission is $5. For information, call 782-2893 or 782-2555.

Bethlehem Lutheran celebrates Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest will be celebrated by Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School from 4-6 p.m. Sunday in Luther Hall with food, fun games and music for families.

The Ross Price Band will play; there will be lots of brats, hot dogs and goodies; and game booth tickets will be sold for 25 cents.

Tickets will be sold at the door for the meal and are $6 adults, $3 children 5-10 years and free 5 and under.

Proceeds will be matched by Thrivent Financial to benefit the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School Member Assistance Fund, to be used at times of family emergencies.

For information, call 883-7982.