Lights come on in Ruhenstroth

Have you noticed the Christmas light displays going up throughout the area? There seems to be more than last year. Maybe the great weather we've been having has inspired people to get the decorations up earlier or perhaps they are getting ready for Ruhenstroth's third Christmas lighting contest. The winners will be announced in the Dec. 19 column so the judging will be done on Dec. 14 and 15. This will allow time for pictures and announcements so we can make the publication deadline. 

Jim and Christine Beard at 1994 Mule Lane have been the winners for the past two years. Cherylee and Pat Hawks at 706 Mustang Lane tied with the Beards in 2006. It has been suggested that we implement a rule that the previous year's winner be excluded from winning to allow others an opportunity to win. This means that the Beards will not be eligible this year but can be included in the judging next year.

I'm looking for children who want to be judges. If your child would like to be a judge, please call or e-mail me no later than Dec. 12. Howie Althouse has agreed to make the plaque for the winner. Let's show Gardnerville our Ruhenstroth Christmas spirit.

Have you ever seen Christmas lights that are synchronized to music? We have a local family that does this. The Kremer family at 1176 Chaparral Court (Stephanie Way to S. Santa Barbara, then left to Chaparral) turns their yard into a dancing musical display each year. They ask that visitors bring a nonperishable food item that will be donated to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet. In 2006, they collected 1,140 pounds of food and $120 in donations for this valuable community resource. Be sure to include them on your tour of the lighting displays throughout the Valley. If you are interested in doing this yourself, Wayne has lots of information to help you on his Web site at www.nevadachristmas.com.

As you send out your holiday cards this year, why not address a few extra to our military members and their families? The American Red Cross and Pitney-Bowes have partnered once again to review, collect and distribute cards to service members, veterans and their families across the United States and overseas. Last year they distributed more than 600,000 cards and they are hoping to reach a million cards this year. They ask that the cards not be addressed to a specific person but rather a general message of support and then signed without including personal contact information or letters. You can mail them to Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD, 20791-5456. The cards should be postmarked by Dec. 10 so the staff can get them distributed in time. If you are sending more than one card, they can all go in one bulk envelope.

Reminder: Open burning closes Dec. 14. Check the local fire station for further information.

n Reach Gail Davis at RuhenstrothRamblings@yahoo.com or call 265-1947.