Historical Society of Dayton Valley awards two for their help

Two familiar faces are recipients of the first-ever Gold Nugget Awards presented by the Historical Society of Dayton Valley.

State Archivist Guy Rocha and former state Rep. Joe Dini were presented with plaques in recognition of the help they have given the historical society over the years.

"We will be presenting this award to supporters," said member Laura Tennant. "We do have a members award, but this is something new to thank people. We wanted to recognize them for always being there."

The awards were presented at the society's Christmas party Saturday at the Dayton Valley Country Club.

•••

A pair of Nevada Appeal columnists, who shall remain unnamed, because we only have one pair, got the Thanksgiving bit in their Tuesday column all wrong.

The duo, somehow missed that Thanksgiving this year fell on the fourth Thursday, as it has done since 1941. Thanks to the many folks, some of them who said they'd been alive since before the date was set, for calling us on the error.

The columnists are blaming it on something they Googled. We're just setting the record straight.

Thanksgiving was first made a holiday by George Washington on Nov. 26, 1789, but it was a one-time thing. Several more times throughout history presidents declared a one-day holiday. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared that Thanksgiving was to be celebrated the last Thursday in November.

Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the holiday to be the fourth Thursday of the month in 1939 and Congress gave its stamp of approval in December 1941 making it a national holiday.

The change was made for two reasons. A national holiday meant all folks had the same day off and could celebrate together. Before that Thanksgiving Day celebrations varied by state with some celebrating the fourth Thursday and others the last Thursday. And to allow for another week of Christmas shopping.

• • •

Students in Carson High School's yearbook class are looking for yearbooks from the school that date back to 1950 or earlier. If you have one you'd like to share, call advisor Patt Quinn-Davis at 283-1782.