Museum provides fun things to do all summer

Summer has truly arrived. So, what do you do with the visiting relatives? We can think of any number of things. First, the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Sunday. Bring everyone out to see the exhibits and check out the animal room, which is always the kids' favorite. There is a new exhibit showing pork slaughtering and sausage making in the changing room. This county was famous for its excellent sausage.

What's next? Head on up to Genoa and visit the Courthouse Museum, open daily including Sundays and is right in the center of town. Check out the great Pony Express exhibit and the courtroom upstairs. Then head across the street to Mormon Station State Historic Park, the first permanent non-Indian settlement in Nevada. Don't miss the shops and the great eateries. The park is also a great place for a picnic.

Remember, too, that the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park's guided tours are a great way to entertain guests. Tours are conducted Wednesday through Sundays at 10 a.m., with a second tour on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 783-9417, at dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov or by going to parks.nv.gov/hr.htm. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 13.

While you are out and about, take that great photo that reminds you of July right here in Douglas County and enter it into our July photo contest. We're accepting photos now through July 31. All we need is your winning photo that shows what July is like in our neighborhood. The winner will be announced in August and will win the July calendar page in the 2011 DCHS calendar.

The historical society lecture series continues 7 p.m. July 8 when Carolyn Fregulia talks about "Logging in the Sierra." She is a fifth-generation rancher in Amador country, a local historian and author of "Italians of the Gold Country" and "Logging in the Central Sierra." Logging was essential to the economy of Western Nevada and Ms. Fregulia's talk on logging in the Sierra will be most informative. Admission is $3 per person, free for DCHS members.

Also coming up is the Aug. 7 Taste of the Towns. Tickets are now on sale and going fast. This is the main event of the summer season. Parking is easy and free at the middle school behind the Gardnerville museum. The event starts at 5 p.m. with music in two locations for your entertainment and for dancing. Tickets are a real bargain this year with both DCHS and Thrivent Financial sponsoring their members to a discounted ticket of only $20 per person. If you're not a member of either group, tickets are still only $25. Call 782-2555 for more information.

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.