June 18 Kudos letters to the editor

Kids’ Fishing Derby 2025

Editor:

It has been an interesting year, leading up to the Kids’ Fishing Derby. It reminded me to be sure to document the details for next year. As always, the team (Committee and Board members), AKA “Red Shirts” were quick to rally by bringing up issues to the group, who would help brainstorm the best ideas to resolve them as they came along.

I am so proud of our “Red Shirts” always giving 110 percent. The reasons for volunteering are clear to them, they get it.

During the Derby, several “Red Shirts” came to me with praise of how well the volunteers worked together. I can take no credit for this, as I was simply the KFD President. I can, however, pass on the information and praise through this note.

Great job, accolades to every volunteer who chipped-in to help leading up to, during and after the 2025 Kid's Fishing Derby.

Along with the fantastic volunteers who helped during the derby on Saturday and Sunday, we had a stellar crew help with event set up, and especially with tear down and returning Willow Creek and the Pavilion, back to its “natural” state on Sunday afternoon.

I’d love to state the names of these folks, but there were so many, that I’d hate to leave someone out. you know who you are.

I’ve heard that we have some competition regarding our claim of being the largest free kids fishing derby in the U.S., however I'm willing to bet we are in fact the largest award winning free kids fishing derby in the U.S. as we were awarded the Non-Profit of the year 2024 by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Most people have no idea as to how supportive this community is. Not me. I have seen it and continue to see it with every Derby that I work on. We took around 1,200 kids fishing over a 2-day weekend. Thank you for your efforts on the 2025 event and I look forward to working with you in 2026 as just another “Red Shirt."

Stu Hill

Gardnerville

Thanks for supporting concert series

Editor:

May marked the end of another successful Concert Series for the Carson Valley Arts Council Concert. 2025 celebrates more than 18 years of the concert series beginning in 2007. Carson Valley Arts Council just celebrated our 20th anniversary.

The concert series would not happen without the support of our sponsors and volunteers. We want to thank all of our sponsors and supporters for their continued help in making the ARTS important in our community. Members of our Events Committee, Judy Larquier, Bill Magladry, Mary Ann Crosby, Doug O’dell and Jean Hay work during the year to identify outstanding performers in our multi-state region. CVAC volunteers make sure chairs are set up and taken down, they clean up the CVIC Hall for each performance, staff the bar, usher and hand out programs, and sell concert tickets and raffle tickets to support our youth arts education. Volunteers make things happen, so thank you.

Our 2024-25 sponsors included: Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Creative West, Carson Valley Inn, Douglas County, BDR Construction, Coffee on Main, Record Courier, Sierra View Dental Center, Carson Valley United Methodist Church, Douglas Democrats/DCDemocratic Women, Breaux Accounting Group, Double J Auto, Mort’s Auto Body, Custom Framing & Design, Art Gallery @ Prism, Gadzooks, Bike Habitat, Towns of Minden and Gardnerville, Carson Valley Visitor’s Authority and Chamber of Commerce, the Smallwood Foundation, Heritage Bank, Nevada State Bank, American Century Championship, Holiday Inn Express, Minden Rotary, Leavitt Meadows Pack, Station, Sharon Hoelscher Day, Anne Vondruska, and Karen and Brian Fitzgerald.

Because of our sponsors and concert audiences, the Carson Valley Arts Council was able to offer four free music assemblies at Douglas County Elementary and Middle schools this past year.

We are excited about next year’s concert series which begins on Oct. 10. Carson Valley Arts Council is now recruiting sponsors and advertisers for our 2025-26 season and other arts projects. Visit our website at https://www.cvartscouncil.com/sponsors/ for details or call our office at 775-782-8207 for more information.

Thank you, residents of Douglas County for supporting the arts.

Sharon Schlegel, Executive Director

Brian Fitzgerald, CVAC President

Sharon Hoelscher Day, Events Coordinator

They Fought for Us

Editor:

Twenty-two souls were lost today

   Twenty-two hearts were broken.

Twenty-two lives with tired eyes

   Twenty-two thoughts unspoken.

There was a time, in pride, then war

   There was a time for you.

But, please don’t despair or cry alone.

   Remember,

You’re loved by many, too.

Twenty-two souls once kept us safe

   Twenty-two hearts saved lives.

Americans love you, hold you, and pray for you

   So keep protecting us by not taking your life. 

Debbie Cutshaw

Gardnerville