Historical society hosts ghosts and 'chickens'

You still have time to take in tonight's Haunted Gardnerville Ghost Walk, drumming up some of Gardnerville's more famous residents. Saturday, Oct. 23, will highlight the 14th annual Douglas County Historical Society Cemetery Tour at the historic Mottsville Cemetery, the oldest in Nevada and Sunday, Oct. 24, we will present the Haunted Genoa Ghost Walk. This fun event will be over before you can say Ghost Walk. Call 782-2555 for information and tickets.

Those Cordes Cousins will be here soon. Thursday, Nov. 11, is the next lecture and they will be featured speaking about their book, "Frieda's Files." Their cousin, Frieda Cordes Godecke, wrote a column for our own Record-Courier recalling the valley history and telling great tales. Our favorite cousins have compiled these columns into a book so everyone can read about Carson Valley.

Plan to come out to the museum to see the cousins and hear their tales of our valley, Cousin Frieda and the challenges of compiling and publishing this book. The lecture starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free for DCHS members and only $3 for non-members. The cousins will have books for sale so you can stock up for Christmas giving.

And speaking of Christmas, we are already gearing up for the annual Christmas Gala. DCHS is now accepting applications for their 14th annual Gallery of Trees. All local individuals, school, organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate in this community event. The Gallery of Trees is held in conjunction with the annual gingerbread house decorating contest, transforming the museum into a veritable winter wonderland. Applications are due on or before Nov. 19, and are available at the Gardnerville museum or at www.historicnevada.org. Contact the museum for more details at 782-2555.

The Christmas Gala is Dec. 4. In addition to the Gallery of Trees, you will be able to see all the gingerbread houses, purchase cookies at the Cookie Walk and have pictures with Santa taken with the kids, grandkids or whoever you choose. The event will start at 10 a.m. and the Cookie Walk will be the first to sell out. It is such a treat to buy those Christmas cookies rather than bake them.

Information about the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or 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 keep our doors open.

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