Letters to the Editor

Good work on Candy Dance

Editor:

I've attended Genoa's Candy Dance as a consumer for over 40 years, and during that time I have watched it grow dramatically in popularity, attendance and number of participating vendors.

This year, for the first time, I was a participating vendor.

I offer "kudos" to the Town of Genoa and the Genoa Town Board for the manner by which they have managed the growth of the Candy Dance.

There were ample facilities to accommodate the masses; enough volunteers to direct and assist the attendees, and everyone with whom I had contact was pleasant and courteous.

It was almost as if the Genoa residents had a dress rehearsal for the weekend.

Genoa leaders have made some pretty good decisions over the past few years in order to enhance the growth and success of the Candy Dance, not the least of which is allowing Genoa residents to permit vendors to operate on their private properties.

My two partners and I, along with about 70 other merchants, set up our booth on Phil Stoll's property on Genoa Lane.

Mrs. Stoll tended to the needs of all of the vendors, provided 24-hour security, had restroom facilities on site, and was seen throughout the weekend greeting patrons, checking with her vendor clients, and even purchasing their wares.

She is a great emissary for your little community, and the park-like setting afforded by her property immensely contributed to the Candy Dance experience, which I believe will insure that patrons and vendors alike, will return en masse again next year.

We certainly will - same spot - on Phil Stoll's property.

Nice job, Genoa. Thank you.

Jim Darrough

Minden

Genoa needs to

fly a new flag

Editor:

The residents in Genoa should hold their heads down in shame.

Every year we visit the Candy Dance, which is one of the biggest events held every year in the town of Genoa.

This year while making our annual visit, I paused from looking at all the exhibits and craft booths at the intersection of the four-way stop in the middle of town.

I happened to look up at the flag pole that is located at the southeast corner of the intersection and much to my dismay, here is this ratty, torn up, filthy-dirty American flag just hanging there.

You would think that for such a pristine event as the Candy Dance, the town of Genoa could afford to hoist a clean, fresh American flag to honor the event.

Hopefully, someone on the town council will take some of the money earned from the Candy Dance and retire that poor flag and hoist up a new one.

It wouldn't hurt to even replace that scrawny pole too.

Tony Spotts

Carson Valley

Why wasn't owner arrested in raid?

Editor:

Can someone please tell me why no one is asking the hard questions, let alone answering them, as regards the recent I.C.E. raids of the Reno area McDonalds fast food outlets last week?

The Minden store was closed the next day, the Tahoe store was operating with three employees, when a staff of eight is the norm, last Saturday. I guess the other five were afraid to come in to work.

Evidently a lengthy investigation, based upon reports of illegal aliens working at the McDonalds stores (Please note I did not say illegal immigrants, because immigrants are legal. The illegal ones are aliens), over a five-month period, provided enough proof of illegal hiring, of illegal aliens, the government decided to raid the stores.

I can't recall the number arrested, I believe it was nine.

Why has the owner(s) of those stores not been arrested for breaking our federal laws? Is it because he or she is too well politically connected? Is it because he or she has friends in the right places?

I understand the Hispanic community called for a boycott of businesses on Monday to protest the enforcement of our nation's laws.

What unmitigated gall.

They want to come here illegally, but do not want us to enforce the laws that make this a better place than where they came from?

If you don't like the way we run our country and its laws, why did you come here in the first place?

Why don't you simply sneak back across the border and let us live our legal lives?

The issue of arresting the owners of the McDonald stores must be pursued. We might all boycott them, until the issue is resolved, completely.

Rick Campbell

Gardnerville

Obama has altered

this non-partisan

Editor:

Five years ago, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois gave a speech calling the war in Iraq "rash and dumb and that Saddam posed no imminent threat to the U.S."

His predictions proved true for many of us even though he was not then a member of Congress. This is proof that "experience" does not equate to good judgment, a trait I prefer. Until Sen. Obama became a candidate, I was, for 39 years a voting non-partisan.

Everything changed for me after I heard him speak and read his books. I am attracted to him as president for a variety of his positions, from health care, immigration and education, but most importantly the Iraq war. He wants a phased withdrawal to begin immediately based on the military priorities and troop safety.

There are those in this community who view that as un-patriotic. For you, I say you will have to live with yourself, if you can, upon the passage of time and reflection. You, constitutionally, can say what you wish but it has always seemed to me, from the first day my wife and I moved here many years ago, that most people are tolerant, forgiving, and project the ultimate western philosophy of live and let live - say what you think even if you disagree and let's just get along.

Rick Brown

Gardnerville

Thanks for help in reading program

Editor:

What a summer we had at the Douglas County Public Library. "Get a Clue @ Your Library" was a big hit with the children of Douglas County. We nearly doubled last year's participation, for a total of 907 readers. A frantic call to Linda Rigdon at the Carson Valley Swim Center resulted in the donation of enough swim passes for all the children involved in the reading program.

The generosity of the local business community has been incredible. Jimmy Mickler at Pizza Barn, John Dion at Cold Stone Creamery, and Kathy Boeche at Dairy Queen donated gift certificates for our mystery bags. The Friends of the Library bought summer reading prizes and prize books to give away.

Round Table Pizza donated personal pizzas to all finishers. David Walley's Resort Hot Springs and Spa donated a day pass for two to a lucky parent who motivated their child to complete the 25-day reading program.

Minden Fortnightly Club; Minden Montessori School and Care Center, Inc.; Piñon Hills Elementary School; Perma-Cal Industries, Inc.; Maxton; and the Douglas County Employees Association each donated funds to support the summer reading program.

A grant from the Library Services and Technology Act funded the Nature's Critters program with Julie Allen. The Nevada Arts Council provided funding for the Nevada Shakespeare Company's Interact Youth Workshop at the Minden library.

Community volunteers who gave of themselves were: Dennis Little, who shared his hobby of origami; Gretchen Caraway who helped prepare storytime crafts; teen volunteers Rebecca Bahrman and Caitlin George who kept the children's desk organized; and the parents who pitched in to help set up and clean up after the programs. Thank you.

A special thank you to Hank Paxson at Raley's for donating supplies to make the best ice cream in the world for Smokey Bear's birthday party. Thanks to Stacy Saucedo from the U.S. Forest Service Carson Ranger District and Rick Thielmann for portraying Smokey. Thanks to Sue Kruse and her kids, Laura and Nathan, for setting up and cleaning up. Thanks to all the parents for saving coffee can lids.

The Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department is thanked for the use of Lampe Park for summer storytimes, and the Town of Minden for the use of the CVIC Hall.

The Record-Courier did an outstanding job publicizing the library's special events. Thanks to Shannon Litz and Sarah Hall.

Thank you to the educators and school librarians who promoted the program with their students.

Congratulations to the 243 finishers of the "Get a Clue @ Your Library" program. What an accomplishment.

Thank you to all of these people and businesses for enriching the lives of Douglas County children. The library could not have run such a well received program without you.

Library Services Coordinator Carol Nageotte

Youth Services Librarian Kathy Echavarria

Minden

Thanks for

the boost

Editor:

The Tumbleweeds Gymnastics Booster Club would like to thank Silver Strike Lanes for our recent second annual bowling fundraiser. Held on Sept. 23, we had a terrific turnout and are very grateful to the Rick, his son Mitch and Greg for there great job in supporting our team gymnasts. Thanks to Silver Strike Lanes they made it possible for our team members to raise much needed funds for the upcoming competitve year.

These gymnasts work very hard to train for the season and without fundraising and support from the local businesses our athletes would not be able to participate in meets this season. The money raised is split between the team members (boys and girls) to pay for fees for the upcoming events.

Once again we are extremely grateful for Silver Strike Lanes support in helping these gymnasts to achieve their dreams in competive events.

Janelle Freeman

Gardenerville