Holiday events coming to museum

October is almost over so Saturday is the last day to enter the Douglas County Historical Society's October photo contest. Send in your best photo for October now and start looking for that perfect November shot next week.

The next Student-Senior Day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center is Nov. 7. Seniors 65 and older and students accompanied by an adult are admitted free into the museum. Our exhibit committee never sits still and new and improved exhibits appear almost weekly.

When was the last time you walked into the main gallery and turned around to look up at the logging wagon up in the loft? The exhibit committee turned a wagon just sitting there into a really great exhibit. You can now imagine the size of that wagon and the job it did hauling logs.

The next in the lecture series is 7 p.m. Nov. 12 with Michael Makley speaking about John Mackay, the Bonanza King. Makley has written several books, the latest is "John Mackay: Silver King in the Gilded Age," published by the University of Nevada Press. As you know, the UNR stadium is named after Mackay as are other places around our area. Come hear the history of this interesting gold rush character.

This lecture is open to the public. Entry is free to all Douglas County Historical Society members, and $3 for non-members. Our Main Street Bookstore will be open for you to visit both before and after the lecture.

The annual Christmas Gala is Dec. 5 with the Cookie Walk, the Festival of Trees, a gingerbread house contest and photos with Santa. Because it's Student-Senior Day, admission to all is free.

Santa will be in his sleigh on the front porch for photos with your kids, grandkids, dog or whomever you want. Last year's photo with 95-year-old Ingrid Johnson was the hit of the day.

Have the kids' photo taken, then tour the museum while our elves develop and print your picture. Stop by the elf photo shop and pick up your finished and mounted photos before you leave. Photos are $5 each.

If you plan to get cookies, do show up early as the Cookie Walk always sells out.  All you have to do is purchase the size can you want and then load it up with wonderful home baked cookies. 

For any questions, contact the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Remember, DCHS and its two museums in Gardnerville and Genoa don't receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

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