Visiting Alpine County's museum

"Wow, I wouldn't think that such a sparsely-populated county as yours would have such a spacious and fascinating museum!"

"We love seeing how the old Markleeville jail and the old Webster schoolhouse are beautifully preserved up here on the hill."

These positive comments, along with a typical kid's quote, "I like to get candy from the jar in the old store display," keep Alpine County Museum Director Dick Edwards enthused about his "retirement career."

After graduating from Cal Poly (California State Polytechnic University) in the '50s, Edwards began and completed his 36-year career with California State Parks as an interpretive and exhibit specialist. Six months after retiring, he signed on as Director of the Alpine County Museum and now is embarking upon his tenth year here.

Edwards says, "I love talking to the public and interpreting the history of Alpine County. Working here gives me the opportunity to continue with my previous specialties, but in a more relaxed mode."

He and museum assistant Ellen Martin work four days each, from Memorial Day weekend to Halloween weekend, when the museum closes for the winter season. During summer and autumn, doors open Thursday to Monday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local resident-volunteers Carole Morgan, Lois Kaiser and Irving Krauss give day to day assistance, along with Tahoe volunteer Barbara Sparkman.

Upon walking into the museum, you immediately time-travel into centuries past. Washoe artifacts, pioneer trappings and mining gear reflect our heritage. The sole contemporary note is the museum's store, chock-full of fascinating items for sale.

Coal bins, tongs, bellows, horseshoes and more; all of the tools used by blacksmiths, soon will be displayed in the yet-to-be-built shed slated for construction behind the old wooden jail. The 15 by 25 feet structure will be built by Steve Martin in rough-sawn walls, corrugated iron roof, with a dirt floor. Tools from his ranch were donated by Alpine County resident Hubert Bruns and volunteers from the Blacksmiths Guild will provide a slice of life from another era, as they practice their trade in the shed next summer. Edwards' hope is that in the future, Alpiners might bring their horses to the museum to have them shod by blacksmiths.

Funding for this project came from a grant awarded by the California State Parks. Other projects continuing this summer at the historical complex include completing installation of the stamp mill and painting the carriage shed. Edwards says, "Volunteer help will be greatly appreciated."

As I waited to interview Edwards on the porch, I noticed that the exteriors of the museum and the schoolhouse have been freshened up with new coats of paint. I also enjoyed taking in the view. Of course, many of you know that if I face west, I'm looking at my own place, but there are 360-degree spectacular views of mountain and town from the top of School Street, where the historical complex is located.

Alpine County Historical Society is collaborating with Edwards for plans for an outdoor gathering, Alpine County Historical Society President Gary Coyan envisions an entertaining and educational afternoon at Silver Mountain on Saturday, Aug. 19. Hot dogs will be barbecued, and historical society members will supply accompanying food for this old fashioned picnic. Local authors, Karen and Rick Dustman, will lead the assembled group on an historical tour of Silver Mountain.

Going out on a limb

Hearing screaming yesterday, I first thought that coyotes were staging a gathering. Then I recognized the rarely-heard sounds of night Ð cougar calls Ð but this was morning. The screams continued, and since I was home alone, I called the sheriff's office. Detective Ed Braz came up, looked around in the area, and determined that nothing was amiss, telling me to call if I saw a wildcat. After he left, I kept hearing screaming alternated with hissing. When Ruggero came home with groceries, he unloaded them in our next-door restaurant, only to return to the house to tell me, "There's a wildcat lying on our lawn under the shade of the pines." From our deck we watched him stretch out peacefully, but we kept hearing screaming in the distance. Braz returned, along with Detective Spencer Case. As they carefully approached the cat on the grass, he gracefully rose up, glared at them and purposefully strode back into the woods. Then they discovered that the screaming was emanating from another wildcat, draped over a branch, high in our pine tree above the spot where his rival had been lurking. I'd been witnessing the sounds and sights of a turf war.

Last night Ruggero turned on a large sprinkler on the lawn to deter the return of the "lounger," and this morning the "acrobat" was no longer in the tree.

n Gina Gigli is a Markleeville resident. Reach her at ginagigli@gbis.com