Photo contest rules, 'Lucky Bill' lecture and Haunted Weekend information

When we at the Douglas County Historical Society first decided to write this column, my biggest concern was that we would run out of things to write about. Oh boy was I wrong! This is one of those weeks when we could use two columns.

First, thanks to all who entered the September Photo Contest. We will be announcing the results next week. So now is the time to start thinking about entering the October photo contest. The rules are the same as September; only the time frame is different.

-- This contest is open to all Douglas County residents.

-- Submissions will be accepted from Oct. 15-31 at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

-- There will be one winner, to be announced by Nov. 16.

-- Photos can be black and white or color, no smaller than 4x6 and no larger than 8x10. The photo needs to be printed, not on disk.

-- Photos must be original, not copies of previously published photographs.

-- Photos will be judged by the most illustrative of October in Douglas County, not the most professional.

-- You will need to give DCHS permission to use your photo for promotional purposes for the historical society and/or for the museums.

The winning October photo will be used in our upcoming 2009 DCHS Calendar as well as being published here in this column.

The DCHS Lecture Series continues at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 with Michael J. Makley, author of "The Hanging of Lucky Bill." Mr. Makley grew up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, not far from where Lucky Bill was murdered.

"Lucky" Bill Thorington lived in Carson Valley in the 1850s. He was known all over the territory not only as a gambler, but as a man who would help anyone in need. In the spring of 1858, vigilantes rode into Carson Valley and arrested a group of men they accused of murder and thievery. Lacking solid evidence, all were released except Bill. Lucky Bill was brought before a vigilante court in Genoa. The gallows were being built during the trial, before the verdict was in, and Lucky Bill was hanged.

Once again the lecture series will uncover Douglas County's remarkable characters and unusual history.

Haunted Weekend is Oct. 19-21 this year. Oct. 19 you can walk back in time and history as you meet the ghosts of Gardnerville's pioneers. Tours leave the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 5:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.

Oct. 20 features a tour of the Mottsville Cemetery, the oldest in the state. Tours depart every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person. Dress warmly and wear walking shoes; this tour is all outdoors. For directions to get to the Mottsville Cemetery, call 782-2555.

Oct. 21 is the Genoa Ghost Walk. Tours depart from the Genoa Court House Museum at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 782-2555 or the Genoa Court House Museum at 782-4325. Visit the Web site at www.historicnevada.org. And if you have the time, both museums are always looking for interested volunteers.

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