Gardnerville resident wins December photo contest

What an outstanding winning photo we have for the December photo contest. Winner Kathy Port of Gardnerville submitted this photo called "Nevada Glory" which captured our judges' hearts. Thank-you, Kathy, for such a beautiful entry. This photo along with the December 2009 calendar page is now on display at the main desk at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

That means that the January photo contest is now in full swing. Entries need to be received by 4 p.m. Jan. 31. January is known for such phenomena as snowstorms and pogonip. If you can't take a photo now, submit one you have taken in a January past.

As usual, there is more going on at the Douglas County Historical Society than the photo contests. We have Student Day speakers ready for 2008. February will feature another presentation of Grace Dangberg's "Portrait of a Pioneer Woman" staring Bill Lemons and Kaye Hughes. Performances will be 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 2.

The lecture series is also set for 2008. February will feature our own Bob Ellison speaking on Genoa pioneer Warren Wasson and his role in Nevada history and the Paiute Wars. Bob is a local historian and author. He and his wife Marian have been instrumental in lining up our lecture series speakers since the series began. They have some great speakers lined up in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the rehearsals for the "Whistlestop III" melodrama are coming along and tickets are selling rapidly. Nowhere else in Northern Nevada can you get a lasagna dinner, homemade peach cobbler and the opportunity to hiss, boo and sigh for your favorite characters. If you've never seen a melodrama, you are in for a real treat. If you're an old hand at melodrama, grab a ticket and join your hisses with ours. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights, January 25 and 26, and a Sunday hot dog matinee on Jan. 27.

Starting this week, you can also nominate the woman of your choice for National Women in History Month. DCHS will honor six Douglas County women at a reception on Sunday, March 2. You may nominate any woman that you feel has made a significant historical contribution to the quality to life in Douglas County. Nominated women, living or deceased, must live or have lived in Douglas County. Nomination packets may be picked up at the Gardnerville Museum or by calling Marlena Hellwinkel at 782-2010.

We have two gentlemen who are interested in teaching classes at the Gardnerville Museum. Mr. Ralph Chizek would like to teach a Saturday morning art class using natural materials. And Mr. Ken Gardner, author of "Sleepin' in the Bunkhouse," would like to teach techniques in cowboy poetry writing. If you are interested in taking either class, please call 782-2555 and let us know.

There is one final item for those who buy groceries at Scolari's. If you do, you can elect to identify DCHS as your friendship partner and a percentage of your purchases will be paid to the society. This is free to you and provides DCHS with needed funds to keep your museums open and available to you, our supporters.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. And if you have the time, the museum is always looking for interested volunteers.

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