Carson Valley Holiday Festivities

Gazebo Lighting. Minden Gazebo and tree lighting 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Live music and special visitor. Information, Roxanne Stangle. 782-2444.

Tree Bingo. Elks annual spaghetti feed and Christmas tree bingo is 5 p.m. Dec. 2 in the CVIC Hall.

Genoa Christmas. Christmas in Genoa is Dec. 2. Tree lighting 6 p.m., Santa visit and refreshments. Information, 782-8696.

German Christmas. German Christmas Marketplace is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3 on Esmeralda Ave., Minden. Information, Roxanne Stangle, 782-2444.

Santa Breakfast. Breakfast with Santa is 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 3 in the Genoa Community Center. Information, 782-8696.

Holiday Gala. Holiday Gala Gallery of Trees and Cookie Walk is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Information, 782-2555.

Lights Parade. 16th annual Parade of Lights is Dec. 3, Highway 395 from Gardnerville to Minden. Information, 782-8144.

Christmas Reception. East Fork Gallery Christmas reception is noon-5 p.m. Dec. 4 at the East Fork Gallery, Gardnerville. Information, 782-7629.

Angel Trees. Project Santa Claus Angel Trees are up around businesses in Carson Valley. Wrapped presents must be returned by Dec. 15.

A German Christmas in Minden NV

The Minden Park gazebo lit for the season last year.

The annual Minden Christmas festvities begin 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The German Marketplace is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2-3.

Born and raised in Carson Valley, Roxanne Stangle has been a part of the Town of Minden's Christmas activities from the start.

“It's something that's near and dear to my heart. It's a time for the community to come together, and you see people you haven't seen all year,” Stangle said. “I've taken pictures of little kids, and now those kids are young adults bringing their babies.”

Minden's gazebo lighting is 6 p.m. Dec. 2, and Minden's German Marketplace is 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2-3.

Beginning Friday night, downtown Minden will be lit up by more than 100,000 lights.

Santa will arrive at Minden Park at 6 p.m. to make the magic happen, and then fly off to his house for free pictures with kids young and old.

Prior to the lighting there will be horse-drawn sleigh rides through the streets of Minden by Borges Sleigh Rides.

Also on Friday is the Elks spaghetti feed and Christmas tree bingo at 5 p.m. in the CVIC Hall.

Although the craft fair on Friday and Saturday has been a Minden tradition for 21 years, it transformed into a German marketplace five years ago after Stangle and her business partners visited the country.

“In Germany, every town has an outdoor marketplace from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24,” Stangle said. “We thought, ‘this is so awesome' and decided to do one here.'”

Normally held inside C.O.D. Garage, this year's 21 vendors will all be outside on Esmeralda Avenue. Stangle said there will be plenty of outdoor heaters to keep shoppers warm.

German food such as pretzel bread sandwiches and bratwurst will be sold, and German spiced wine and beer will be available as well.

“German marketplaces have the coolest feel-good feeling to them with a sense of camaraderie and community. We're hoping to bring that to Minden,” Stangle said. “Our goal ultimately is to do it for 24 days like in Germany.”

Also on Saturday, All Hat No Cattle performs at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Montessori School's Cowboy Christmas performance, Carson Valley Middle School's choir and a karate demonstration. Rappin Rats will perform at 7 p.m. to conclude the festivities.

In the CVIC Hall, the Carson Valley Art Association will help children with Christmas crafts, and there will be a table for writing letters to Santa and the troops.

“Come down, meet your neighbors and socialize a bit while you shop,” Stangle said. “If you come once, then you're hooked on it.”

For more information on the Town of Minden events call Stangle at 782-2444, or the Town at 782-5976.

Be On The Lookout For Angel Trees!!!

For the 22nd year, Angel Trees have sprouted up all over Douglas County to sponsor a child for Christmas. The wrapped gifts should be returned to the Angel Tree location by Dec. 15.

Angel Tree Locations

Gardnerville

Topaz Lodge & Casino - 1979 Highway 395

Carson Valley Medical Center - 1107 Highway 395

R & T Cleaners - 1389 Lampe Drive

Scolari's Food & Drug - 1335 Highway 395

Raley's Supermarket - 1363 Highway 395

Sharkey's - 1440 Highway 395

Minden

Tumblewind - 1600 Esmeralda

Taylor-York Salon - 1662 Highway 395

Bently Biofuels Outpost - 1350 Buckeye Road

Pulse Gym - 885 Mahogany Drive

CV Computer -1402 Unit A Highway 395

Message From the Active 20-30 President ...

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fellow Active 20-30ians,

As we move into the holiday season, I'd like to take a moment and thank you each for your dedication to serving the children in your communities and the young professionals in your membership.

To share a few achievements... Turlock, Golden Empire, Napa, Scottsdale and all of the clubs who have recently held successful fundraising events - congrats! Congratulations to Brentwood on another successful trip to serve in El Salvador and thank you to members nationwide who joined them. Finally, a huge congratulations to Santa Rosa for being named Champions of Children (Wouldn't we all like to be called that?). We do have much to celebrate!

I hope you each enjoy your time with family and friends next week!

Trena

Judges Needed For Lighting Contest

We are just barely into November but it's time to start thinking about the annual Christmas lighting contest for our neighborhood. Each year since we started the contest in 2006, the decorations have increased and the creativity among our neighbors has grown as well. The winner is presented with a plaque honoring their efforts.

Since Christmas is for the children (of all ages), it has been our tradition to have children as our judges. The only requirement is that they have someone willing to drive them around the neighborhood on different nights to be able to view all the homes that are decorated. Our neighborhood is quite large and occasionally someone might not have their lights on every single night, which is why it usually takes a couple of nights to be able to see all the decorated homes.

Last year's winner was Lisa and Dave Prosser for their winter wonderland display at the corner of Pinto Circle and Arabian Lane. They will not be eligible to win this year due to the rule that winners can't be named two years in a row. Other homes that have either won or put a smile on the children's faces include the antique wagon at 700 Pinto Circle; the lights set to music at 997 Farrier Court; 189 Arabian Lane; 1988 Palomino Lane; 1898 Wiseman Lane; 1994 Mule Lane; 769 Pinto Circle; and 1977 Lacey Court.

In talking with the previous winners, one theme is consistent: they do it for the sheer joy of sharing their childhood memories and love of the season with their neighbors. A lot of people have said that it brings a smile to their face to drive by the decorations after a stressful day. What a wonderful feeling to know you have brightened someone's day.

The decision will need to be made by Dec. 12 to allow for notification to the winner and pictures to be taken. If you know any one who would like to be a judge this year, please have them contact me at the email address below or by phone at (775)400-1265.

If you've not had the opportunity to ride the V&T train out of Carson City, this might be the season to try it. They are offering a Polar Express run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, from Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas and adults can feel like a kid again as the magic of Christmas is brought to life by special characters from the book and a very special visitor. To purchase tickets ($34 for adults and $25 for children 3-12) or more information, visit their website at http://www.visitcarsoncity.com/attractions/vt_railroad_ride_polar_express.php, or call them directly at (800) 638-2321 for group rates.

Have a Ramblin good week.