Time for Elks spaghetti feed

It's time to tap into that holiday spirit - the annual lighting of the Minden gazebo and tree will take place on Friday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m.

Be sure and stop by the Minden-Douglas Elks' spaghetti feed at the CVIC Hall beforehand to fill your belly with some warm and hearty fare. No-host cocktails will start at 4 p.m. followed by spaghetti, garlic bread and salad at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids 10 and younger.

After you've had your fill you'll be just a few steps away from the breathtaking lighting of the gazebo. There you'll enjoy live music, a variety of refreshments and you may even catch a glimpse of a very special visitor wandering amongst the crowd.

It's bound to be chilly outside, so after the lighting ceremony you can duck back into the CVIC Hall for the Elks' Christmas tree bingo. Cards go on sale at 7 p.m. for 25 cents each, and there will be about 20 games played. This is a family event, so in addition to the Christmas tree gift certificates donated by the Carson Valley Garden and Ranch Center in Gardnerville, there will be special games and prizes for little ones as well.

The proceeds from the spaghetti feed and bingo go toward building food and gift baskets for Carson Valley seniors in need of a little extra holiday cheer. For more information, contact Dave Trueblood at 782-3416.

Here's to giving thanks

I recently came across an online article titled, "Thanksgiving Traditions: Nine Ideas for Families," by Susie Cortwright. The article suggests some unique ways for people to celebrate Thanksgiving, and inspired me to bring a few new ideas to my own family's gathering this year. Here are my favorites:

1. Set out a small booklet with "Five Things I Love About My Friends and Family" written across the top. Keep it out during the Thanksgiving celebration so guests may add their own thoughts and insights. Other themes might be "Five Wishes for My Family and Friends," or "Five Things I Am Grateful For." Even simpler: write the theme across a piece of cardstock every year, and after several years, combine them into a gratitude scrapbook.

2. Form a gratitude circle. Before sitting down for the Thanksgiving meal, have everyone join hands in a circle. Everyone gets a turn to share something they are grateful for. Or, if people are on the shy side, have everyone write down something they are thankful for on a piece of paper and share them before or after the meal.

3. Show your gratitude to an unsung hero. Gather your friends or family together and decide on a person or group in your community who could use a pat on the back. Cortwright suggests firefighters, police officers, volunteers or soldiers. Assemble a plate of goodies and either deliver it or pack it up for shipping as a family.

To read the rest of her ideas, log onto www.ezinearticles.com and type "Thanksgiving traditions for families" into the search box. I hope you find something that inspires you.

May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving.

-- Amy Roby can be reached at RanchosRoundup@hotmail.com.