DANGBERG RANCH NEWS — The 2014 speaker series begins with two distinct presenters at the
Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.
First, on Saturday May 17, author Michael J. Makley will discuss the research and writing of his book, Saving Lake Tahoe: An Environmental History of a National Treasure. He has written five books on western history, including The Infamous King of the Comstock and A Short History of Lake Tahoe,
In Saving Lake Tahoe, Makley considers the lake’s history from the Washoe Indians who managed its resources for thousands of years to the relatively brief Euro-American history since the mid-nineteenth century. His presentation will discuss aspects of this history, considering the interaction through the years between various human activities, and the impact of each on the region’s ecosystems.
Than, on Saturday, May 31, Samantha Szesciorka relates what happened on her “Nevada Discovery Ride”—a 452-mile solo equestrian journey across Nevada she accomplished in the summer of 2013 to encourage wild horse adoption.
From the Utah border to Reno she battled wild weather, wild terrain and wild animals. Her presentation is an entertaining and educational look at the challenges of the trail and the hidden beauty of Nevada. An avid equestrian with nearly twenty years of experience, Samantha is an associate member of the Long Riders’ Guild and the Assistant Curator at the Wilbur D. May Museum in Reno.
Both of these free, hour-long, outdoor presentation begin at 10 am. Seating will be available, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for greater comfort. The park is located at 1450 Highway 88, about ¾ mile south of the Carson Valley Swim Center. The full schedule for the Ferris Family Speaker Series and other park events is at dangberghomeranch.org.
Other speakers in series are Holly-Walton Buchanan, author of Land of the Buckaroo: Historic Ranches of Western Nevada on June 28; Dick Davies talking about the history of boxing in Nevada on July 12; and a group of local artisans demonstrating techniques and equipment for fiber arts on July 26.
Former Nevada state treasurer Patty Cafferata and her daughter Elisa will talk about Patty’s mother Barbara Vucanovich on August 2; Kim Copel will present a Chautauqua of stagecoach driver Charlie Parkhurst on August 23; Dr. Anita Watson will portray Virginia City pioneer Mary McNair Mathews in a Chautauqua on September 6; historian Ronald James discusses his book on Virginia City on September 27; and Patty Cafferata returns on October 11 for a discussion of her book on Christmas in Nevada.
