Wreaths Across America pays tribute to veterans

National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday. Local event organizers at Garden Cemetery in Gardnerville and Eastside Memorial Park in Minden will honor the military veterans laid to rest at each location by placing a wreath at their gravesite and saying their name aloud. Both ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., and the community is invited to attend.

It is a day of recognition and remembrance, with annual wreath-laying events held at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 3,400 other locations throughout the US, at sea, and abroad. The mission is Remember, Honor, and Teach (Remember our fallen US veterans, Honor those who serve, and Teach children the value of freedom). Visit wreathacrossamerica.org to learn more about the organization’s history and other programs.

Hosted by Main Street Gardnerville, the ceremony at Garden Cemetery takes place at 1536 Douglas Ave. in Gardnerville. More than 200 wreaths will be placed, and those interested in volunteering to help lay wreaths are asked to send an email to info@mainstreetgardnerville.org. To sponsor a wreath, select “Specific Cemetery” beneath the red “Sponsor Wreaths” tab on the WAA homepage, and enter the code “NVGCAD.”

Eastside Memorial Park’s ceremony takes place at 1600 Buckeye Road in Minden, and more than 400 wreaths will be placed. To sponsor a wreath there, select “Specific Cemetery” beneath the red “Sponsor Wreaths” tab on the WAA homepage, and enter the code “NVESMP.”

Reach for Joy offers holiday meal pickup

Reach for Joy’s annual Christmas meal giveaway takes place Dec. 17 at High Sierra Fellowship, 1250 Gilman Ave. in Gardnerville.

Anyone experiencing food insecurity is welcome to stop by the event on Saturday, with meals available on a first-come, first-served basis from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dinners include a turkey or ham, bread/rolls, canned vegetables, fresh fruit, and a pie.

Team Leader Kara Miller said Reach for Joy distributed more than 1,400 meals during their summertime picnic outreach in August, their biggest event to date. The support of local businesses, private donors, and many volunteers make these food distribution events possible.

Questions about the event can be directed to High Sierra Fellowship at 775-782-7486. More information about Reach for Joy can be found online at facebook.com/ReachforJoyDouglasCounty/.

December brings Geminids meteor shower

Last week’s full Cold Moon was breathtaking. The glow cast upon the snow-covered mountains was a spectacle, and the moon’s passing in front of Mars made for a memorable skywatching night.

I’m grateful for last weekend’s wintry, blustery weather and the much-needed moisture it brought, but I hope the skies clear enough to catch the Geminids meteor shower this week. The annual event peaked last night into early this morning, but meteors should still be visible across the night sky over the next few days.

Though these meteors appear to originate for the Gemini constellation, they can be seen anywhere across the sky. The waning moon rises about 20 minutes to 11 p.m. tonight, so bundle up and head out before then to avoid competing light from the moon and try your luck at spotting a meteor. If you’re lucky enough to see one, remember to make a wish.

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