'Pioneer Lady' at museum during First Saturday

Here we are, almost at the end of July. The summer that took so long getting here is now practically over. But that doesn't mean the summer's events are over - not by a long shot.

Saturday, Aug. 4, is one of the biggest days of the summer for the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The day starts at 10 a.m. when the doors open for First Saturday. This is the one day each month when children get in free if accompanied by an adult. There are guided tours of the museum at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Several people will be dressed in costume to help everyone feel a part of the history of Douglas County.

Also on this special Saturday, there will be two performances of "Portrait of a Pioneer Lady," by Grace Dangberg and Beatrice Fettic Jones. This short, three-person play presents a look at the activities and domestic duties of a pioneer woman in Douglas County in the latter half of the 19th century. The performances will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. As I said, the play is short, only lasting about 30 minutes.

Stick around, we're not done yet. The evening gets even better. The Taste of Gardnerville begins at 5 p.m. when the local restaurants and shops on "Main Street" in downtown Gardnerville will open their doors for you to taste, browse, shop and in general enjoy their offerings. There will be Basque, Italian, Mexican, American and Caribbean style food, and shops from the latest trends to antiques and businesses from custom stained glass to full service flooring. There will be ample parking at the museum and music at several of the venues. Tickets for the Taste of Gardnerville are $20 per person and are available for purchase at both museums and Paradise Café on Highway 395. Proceeds benefit the Douglas County Historical Society and its two museums.

The gift shops in both the Genoa Court House Museum and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville are featuring a new (to us) artist, Ray Freeman, and his portrait of legendary Washoe basket weaver, Dat So La Lee. The original portrait entitled "Washo Treasure" is currently hanging at Artistic Viewpoints, across Highway 395 from Raley's. Mr. Freeman is a native Nevadan, born in Hawthorne, who was a graphic and forensic artist with the police department before turning his attention solely to professional art. Prints of this portrait as well as note cards featuring the portrait are available at both gift shops.

Dat So La Lee can't visit the Genoa Court House Museum, but Brenda Frank can. Brenda, known as Da-Ba-O, "White Woman" in Washoe, will be demonstrating the art of pine needle basket weaving on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. If you visit the museum before then, her baskets are the tiny ones in the jewelry case. There are Washoe basket exhibits at both museums for all who are interested in the art of basketry.

There is a surprise coming for all who enjoy the Genoa Candy Dance each year. Local historian Billie Jean Rightmire has loaned some interesting artifacts to the Genoa Court House Museum for display. I'll write more about it later, or you can plan a trip to the museum now and beat me to it.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center at 782-2555 or the Genoa Court House Museum at 782-4325. And, if you have the time, both museums are always looking for interested volunteers.

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