Pau-Wa-Lu hosts winter concerts

Looking to get into the holiday spirit? Get your jingle on at three upcoming winter concerts taking place in the Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School cafetorium.

All performances are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. First up is tonight’s performance by the PWL Middle School band. On Dec. 7, the Douglas High School choir sings holiday carols, and the DHS band plays festive favorites on Dec. 14.

These events are free and open to the community. Find more information online at pwl.dcsd.net/ and/or dhs.dcsd.net/

Wreaths Across America honors veterans

Wreaths Across America, an annual day of recognition and remembrance, takes place Dec. 16 this year. The 2023 theme is “Serve and Succeed,” which encourages and emphasizes the many different ways people can serve their communities and their country.

Wreath-laying events will be held at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 4,000 other participating locations throughout the US, at sea, and abroad. WAA’s mission is Remember, Honor, and Teach (Remember our fallen US veterans, Honor those who serve, and Teach children the value of freedom). Visit wreathacrossamerica.org to learn more about the organization’s history and programs.

Local event organizers at Eastside Memorial Park in Minden and Garden Cemetery in Gardnerville are both hosting ceremonies at 9 a.m., and the community is invited to attend the event at either location. Wreaths will be placed at every military veteran’s gravesite and each individual’s name will be read aloud.

Eastside Memorial Park’s ceremony takes place at 1600 Buckeye Road in Minden, and 438 wreaths will be placed. Those looking to volunteer may do so the day of the event. To sponsor a wreath at Eastside Memorial Park, click the magnifying glass icon at the top of the WAA webpage and enter the code “NVESMP.”

The ceremony at Garden Cemetery, where 218 wreaths will be placed at 1536 Douglas Ave. in Gardnerville and is hosted by Main Street Gardnerville. Those interested in volunteering at the event can send an email to info@mainstreetgardnerville.org. To sponsor a wreath, click the magnifying glass icon at the top of the WAA webpage and enter the code “NVGCAD.”

Reach for Joy offers holiday meals

Reach for Joy’s annual Christmas meal giveaway takes place Dec. 16 at High Sierra Fellowship, 1250 Gilman Ave. in Gardnerville.

Anyone experiencing food insecurity is welcome to stop by the event, with free meal bags available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10-11:30 a.m. Dinners include a ham, fresh rolls and fruit, mac and cheese, boxed mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, and pie or cookies.

Reach for Joy’s food distribution events are held periodically throughout the year and are made possible through the support of local businesses, private donors, and many volunteers.

Questions about the event can be directed to High Sierra Fellowship at 775-782-7486. More information about Reach for Joy can be found online at facebook.com/ReachforJoyDouglasCounty/

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.