Summer's here

Summer is finally here. From all the activities Douglas County Historical Society has going on, you'd think summer started a month ago.

Tomorrow starts our summer swap meets. You can still reserve your space today for only $10. If you can't do it today, be there before 8 a.m. and you can get a booth for only $20. Reservation forms are online at www.historicnevada.org or at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The swap meet opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Show up early to get the best deals.

The June photo contest is still open. The theme of the contest is your idea of what best represents Douglas County in the month of June. Snap a photo of your choice and enter it before Monday, June 30, at 4 p.m. You may enter in person or by e-mail to in2my2cats@yahoo.com. Entry blanks are available at the Gardnerville museum or online. The winning and runner-up photos will be featured in our 2009 DCHS calendar.

Your first chance to buy a copy of that 2009 DCHS calendar is coming up. We will be pre-selling the calendar at the Douglas County Historical Society's Art and Wine Festival from 4 - 8 p.m. July 19. You will be able to reserve as many copies as you would like for delivery in plenty of time for Christmas 2008 giving. The calendar will feature all our winners and will truly highlight what's so special about Douglas County.

After you order your calendars, come enjoy the art which will be available for sale, the wine tasting and the food. Lira's Market will be doing the wine pouring and food will be provided by the Carson Valley Lions Club and the Western Nevada Cattlewomen. Artists, it is not too late to make arrangements to show your art. Call 782-2555 for information on how you can join in the fun.

Tickets are now available for the Saturday, Aug. 2, Taste of the Towns. This event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and costs only $25 per person. Tickets are available at the Gardnerville museum or by phone at 782-2555 and we do accept credit cards. Tickets are limited, so get yours early.

This year's Taste of the Towns is an updated and expanded version of our annual Taste of Gardnerville with more restaurants, more shops and more music. Mike Maloney's All Hat and No Cattle will be playing in the Gardnerville museum parking lot all evening. Dancing will be encouraged and desserts and beverages will be available.

To help us in this fundraising event, we have partnered with the Douglas-Alpine Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. When you buy your ticket, you will be helping us as Thrivent will contribute 50 cents on each dollar we make up to $1,100. Thrivent is a fraternal organization that uses its funds to contribute to the local communities in any way possible. So come join the fun and help support your local museums.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. Remember, DCHS and its two museums do not receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

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