Museums gear up for spring events

Spring is here, or at least it is trying to be here. The weather is gorgeous and daffodils are starting to bloom all over the valley. But the true test of spring is to look out into your flower beds and notice all the new, healthy weeds sprouting up. Yep, that's spring in Northern Nevada.

Speaking of spring and March, have you taken your March photo yet for the photo contest? Now is the time to find that one shot that means spring in our beautiful valley. Spring bulbs, budding trees, whatever it is that speaks to you of spring, please take a picture of it and enter it into our March photo contest. You only have about 10 days left to enter your winning photo.

Spring always seems like such a short season. Maybe that's because we are always looking toward summer and all the events we have planned. We will have Chautauquans in the park again and the swap meets will be back. We'll have all kinds of events for you to participate in and enjoy. But first, let's have spring.

The reception recognizing this year's Women in History is Saturday, March 28. The special ladies to be celebrated have been chosen from those names you submitted for consideration. This year's honorees are a very special group of women who have dedicated their time to making a difference in our valley. The reception is from 2-4 p.m. and admission is free.

April 4 is the next Student-Senior Day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The program will feature the newly renovated Washoe Room with tours of the exhibits and stories by Lynda Shoshone, program coordinator for the Washoe Language Program.

May 2 is the opening day for the Genoa Court House Museum. Student-Senior day will be held in Genoa as we celebrate Snowshoe Thompson Day. Don Thompson will be there to tell Snowshoe stories and we will raise the Norwegian flag and sing the Norwegian National Anthem in Norwegian. This is a truly fun day and a chance to be on hand for the season opening of our Genoa museum.

This year's Great Barns of Carson Valley historic barn tour on May 23 will include the self-guided barn tour and admission to both the Genoa and Gardnerville museums. In addition you will attend an old fashioned ice cream social at the Gardnerville museum. Tickets will be $25 per person and will be available soon. Call 782-2555 for information.

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. Remember, DCHS and its two museums 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.