Main Street Gardnerville Program Director Jen Nalder ties a pink ribbon to a light pole for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Celebrating the Republic
Editor:
I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Douglas County Official Swearing-In Ceremony Jan. 2 at the Community & Senior Center, hosted by Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer Amy Burgans. Clerk Burgans provided brief instructions to the officials about to be sworn in and invited each to the stage.
Douglas County District Court Judge Nathan Tod Young was introduced and delivered a heartfelt speech to the audience and officials. Judge Young repeatedly emphasized the line from the Pledge of Allegiance: “…Liberty and Justice for all.” He spoke about how, even though we may not always agree with the decisions made by our representatives, America remains a republic. Judge Young urged the newly sworn officials to be mindful of their duty to represent their constituents faithfully and to uphold their oaths of office.
As a retired veteran who dedicates my time to teaching the Constitution to elected officials across the country, I found Judge Young’s speech profoundly moving. The only other judge I have ever heard articulate the essence of our republic so well was former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Thank you, Judge Young, for reminding us of the significance of a republic—what it is, why it exists, and how it functions.
After the ceremony, I was proud to personally thank Judge Young for his inspiring remarks. I also enjoyed reconnecting with several others I hadn’t seen in a while. The positive energy with which people are entering this new year of 2025 was truly invigorating.
Shawn Meehan
Minden
Minding Main Street
Editor:
The beginning of a new year finds many of us reaching for pen and paper. It’s that time, after much reflection, to transcribe the important personal goals and vision that we have chosen to pursue throughout the new year. At this important time, one wonders what is going through the brilliantly creative and smart mind of Main Street Gardnerville’s Program Director Jen Tune.
Tune was hired in 2021. Looking at a vague Mission Statement highlighting design, organization, promotion, and district vitality to develop a unique identity for Main Street Gardnerville, Tune set to work. Her early formative years at DHS centered on Art, Graphic Design, Dance, and Music. This proved vital as she embarked on her new career. She has utilized all these disciplines in her entry into the Intersection of art, culture, and local business. Creativity has been her trademark as she and her Team have pursued Projects and Events such as the monthly Wine Walk, the very successful Wind Down Wednesday, the Fall Festival, Candi Cane Main, the Candlelight Labyrinth Walk, the Farmers Market, Paint Pink Fun Run, Cookie and Cocoa Crawl, and Dia De Los Muertos. After three years Tune says, “One of my joys is to find opportunities to celebrate Art and Cultural Celebrations in everyday life.”
As we turn the page to a new year, we look forward to seeing what Jen Tune has in mind. How refreshing it is to see someone with creativity and smarts make a difference. You can see her witty and incisive Videos supporting Main Street businesses on FB. We are thankful to her here in DC and wish her all the Best in 2025. And....as they say, “Keep It Going.”
Joe Hooven
Minden
