January brings movie, play and painting

January is usually such a quiet month that we all have time to recover from the pace of the holidays. Well, not so this year. There seems to be even more going on, maybe because of our unusually good weather. 

First on our list at Douglas County Historical Society is the "Hotel Minden" melodrama. For those of you who have been to any of the past three melodramas, this will be nothing new. But if you have never had the pleasure, be sure to attend. This is where you get to cheer for the hero, sigh with the heroine and boo and hiss at the villain. This is where you are as much a part of the production as those on stage.

Hotel Minden, actually known as the Minden Inn, is a real place on EsmeraldaAvenue. From 1906 until around 1940, it was a getaway destination for some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Clark Gable. Mr. Gable and others from the cast of "The Misfits," which was partly shot in nearby Dayton and Stagecoach, actually stayed at the Minden Inn while filming.

Our story takes place about 1906 and features such glamorous 21st century stars as Bill Sweeney, Rebecca Dixon and the return of last year's sensation, Monique Haviland. World-famous actress Lily Langtree makes a cameo appearance following her spectacular showing at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City.

Ralph Chizek's watercolor painting class starts at 10 a.m. today. If you missed this class, plan to be there next week. The class continues until May 15.

The Feb. 7 Student-Senior Day features the movie, "Chicken Every Sunday," which was filmed in Carson Valley in the 1940s. If you love classic movies, this is a great one. Be here for either the 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. screening.

The lecture series continues Feb. 12 with Joe Curtis, retired assistant sheriff of Carson City, Virginia City fire chief and owner of the Mark Twain Bookstore and Museum in Virginia City who takes a pictorial look at Virginia City's past.

Don't forget about our Women in History project. Nominations are due by March 6. Nominating packets are available at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville or by calling 782-2555 or Helen Chappell, 782-2643.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Gardnerville museum at 782-2555. Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. Remember, DCHS and its two museums, the museum in Gardnerville and the Genoa Court House Museum, do not receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

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