Museum's holiday gala a success

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the Holiday Gala at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center on Saturday. Even though the weather was cold, cloudy and a bit snowy, we all had a wonderful time. The weather didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits. Everyone enjoyed the museum's offerings.

Santa was there having his photo taken with the kids. The little kids love him. The bigger kids are embarrassed. But the 2-year-olds are just not sure this bearded guy can be trusted. What fun we had with all the kids, big and little.

The cookie walk sold out early as usual. People were waiting in the parking lot for the doors to open in the morning and the cookies were gone around noon.

Everyone enjoyed the trees and the gingerbread houses. If you haven't seen them or haven't voted for your favorites, please do so soon. There are more gingerbread houses than ever before and some of them are truly works of art.

You can also vote for the tree or trees you like. There are traditional ones and some very creative and different ones. Each one has something wonderful to see. Come enjoy and vote for your choices. Winners in both the gingerbread house category and the Christmas tree category will be announced soon.

With all that was going on last Saturday, you certainly had your pick of things to photograph for the December photo contest. There were also great photo ops during Monday's snow storm. Print up your favorite or e-mail it to the address below. We are looking for that one photo that really says December in Douglas County. Deadline is Dec. 31.

The Gardnerville museum's Main Street Bookstore is offering a 20 percent discount on most merchandise during December. Pick up a copy of the 2010 calendar which features all your winning photos taken over the past year. Calendars are full color and only $10 per copy, $9 for DCHS members.

Tickets are now on sale for our drawing for the Alice Cardelli Swett painting of "Wild Bunch," a band of mustangs in our Nevada desert. The painting was donated to Douglas County Historical Society by the family of Marge Bay and has been appraised at $1,500. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Come in and see this magnificent painting and purchase your tickets soon.

For questions, contact the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Remember, DCHS and its two museums in Gardnerville and Genoa don't receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

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