Christmas sights, shopping at Gardnerville museum

Christmas is one week away. Have you gotten into the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville to see the Christmas tress and gingerbread houses yet? In just a little over a week, they will be gone. Don't miss this special part of our Douglas County holiday tradition.

The winning Christmas tree will be announced soon, so bring quarters to vote for the trees you like best. The tree that gets the most dollars in votes will be the winner. Unlike most elections, in this one you can vote as many times as you like. 

While you're at the museum, stop in the Main Street Bookstore to pick up any last minute presents you might need. The bookstore has historic tree ornaments, books and gifts for just about anyone on your list. We recommend a Douglas County Historical Society membership for a special gift. Being a member saves money all year long while supporting our museums.

Got tickets to the 2011 melodrama yet? We sold a lot at the Holiday Gala. Once they are sold out, you'll have to wait at least a whole year for another chance. "Rolling Down to Gardnerville" will be performed Feb. 4-6. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday night dinner shows are $25 per person, or $20 with a Douglas County Historical Society membership. Tickets for the Sunday matinee are $15, or $10 with a DCHS membership. Hope to see you there.

Parents, are your kids interested in acting? Do they love being in plays? Do they enjoy history? If so, enroll them in Young Chautauqua. Parents with students in grades four through 12 are invited to an informational meeting, 7 p.m. Jan. 11, at the Gardnerville museum. This is a great chance to see what Young Chautauqua is all about and how your child can participate and grow.

Each student will research a character from history and then present themselves as that character. The program encourages individual research and preparation for presenting their character to the community. Budding actors can hone their talents, performing as they have learned their character would behave. This is a great opportunity for any student to test his or her creativity.

The group meets every other week for eleven sessions, starting Jan. 18, and then performs in character under the tent at Mormon Station State Historic Park on June 15 and 16.  There is no charge for this program. Young Chautauqua is funded in part by AVID. For information, call Grace Bower at 782-2555.

Information about the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or 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 keep our doors open.

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