Eagle star of photo contest

Once again, thanks to all of you who went out of your way to drop off or e-mail a photo for the February contest. Our winner is Almita Bey-Carrion of Gardnerville. Almita snapped this eagle, best characterizing the month. Thank you, Almita. Your photo is beautiful.

There are two runners-up, Candace Stewart and Kathleen Belles, both of Gardnerville. Stop by the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville and see the calendar page for February 2009 at the front desk. We hadn't originally planned on runners-up in the contests, but having more than one photo per calendar page is turning out to be a lot more fun.

Now that February is over, the March contest has begun. What says March in Douglas County to you? Wave clouds over the Sierra? Crocuses peaking their heads out of the soil? Whatever it is, photograph it and either take it to the museum or e-mail it to the address below. The deadline is Monday, March 31.

Thanks to all who came to support our oral history presentation on Student Day. While the purpose of Student Day is to get students of all ages into the museum, we are finding that our programs are not so much for young students, but for older students and adults. So, for all adults who would prefer not to drive at night to the lecture series, plan on joining us for the Student Day presentations on the first Saturday of each month.

This is particularly true of Student Day on Saturday, April 5, with cowboy poet Ken Gardner. This is the month to make sure you adults get to the museum for Student Day. Ken is a talented and humorous poet who will make your visit worth while. He will also talk about his book, "Sleepin' in the Bunkhouse, Rhymes from Ranch and Range," which is available in the Main Street Bookstore.

Next Thursday, March 13, is the continuing Douglas County Historical Society's Lecture Series. This month we are featuring Marilyn Newton speaking about her book, "Alkali Angels: Recording Nevada's Historic Graveyards." The lecture starts at 7 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the Gardnerville museum. Admission is free.

Marilyn's book is also featured in our Mainstreet Book Store. Stop by and take a look at the incredible photos she has taken showing the beauty of our state. The book store will be open both before and after the lecture for all to enjoy. You might want to pick up a copy of Marilyn's book for your own library.

The April lecture series features a panel consisting of Guy Rocha and Carol and Martin Griffith discussing, "The Search for Stafford Hall: How Nevada History is Built." Guy Rocha and the Griffiths are noted Nevada historians, so the evening will be informative. The lecture will be on Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room. The book store will be open both before and after the lecture.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please 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. And if you have the time, the museum is always looking for interested volunteers.

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