June is for flags, food, fathers and summer fun

This year Flag Day coincides with Carson Valley Days. Members of Minden-Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670 will march in the parade on Saturday carrying a large American flag. Afterward, the public is invited to attend a special celebration at 1276 Pit Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Starting at 2 p.m., local scout groups will present the history of Flag Day, followed by a barbecue for a small fee.

Flag Day is a holiday near and dear to the Elks organization. It originated with them in 1904 and has been celebrated each year since then. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national holiday in 1919, but it wasn't recognized as such until President Harry S. Truman, who was himself an Elk, signed the National Flag Day Bill in 1949.

Also, don't miss the Elks' scrumptious pancake breakfast at the lodge on Pit Road, Sunday, June 22 from 8:30-11 a.m. You'll enjoy a choice of pancakes or eggs/omelets, sausage, juice and coffee, all just $5.50 for adults and $3 for children.

Summer specials in the Ranchos

Pony Espresso is featuring their delicious soft-serve ice cream along with a nice variety of other tempting treats.

The ice cream comes in vanilla, although owner Judy Blanchard says that other flavors can be blended in to create custom desserts. Several tasty toppings are available for the soft-serve and milkshakes can be ordered as well.

Other desserts include fresh cakes and puff pastry, which can be ordered a la mode. As always, any of their specialty coffee drinks can be ordered iced or blended.

Pony Espresso is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Silver Strike Lanes bowling alley hosts Ladies' Night every Wednesday inside the Silver Strike Lounge. Draft beer, cosmopolitans, bay breeze and sea breeze cocktails are only $1 for the ladies, starting at 7 p.m.

There is karaoke in the lounge on Friday nights and live bands are featured every Saturday night starting at 9 p.m. Tomorrow night, June 14, the Trey Stone Band returns to rock the house with their own variety of rock and roll, rhythm and blues. There is no cover charge.

Father's Day

This Sunday is Father's Day, annually celebrated on the third Sunday of June. I came across this "Letter between a son and dad," recently and thought I'd pass it along. It seems especially timely given the close proximity of high school graduation and Father's Day this year.

The Letter:

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,

Your $on

The Reply:

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can NOt ever study eNOugh.

Love,

Dad

Be sure to hug a dad this Father's Day.

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