The wings of time go flying by,
Very swiftly now I fear.
Memories are put away,
For yet another year.
- Ruby McFarland (2007)
I could relate all the great things the Historical Society of Dayton Valley did this year, but I wouldn't have the space in this column. Instead I'd like to tell you about the people and how it wouldn't have happened without them. This year we got up a head of steam that quite frankly made me wonder if I was up to it.
Our Historical Society Board started out the new year with a new president, Linda Adams, who pushed us right along. The rest of the board, Laura Tennant, Grace Ricci, Mabel Masterman, Linda Clements, Del Minor and I had a time keeping up with her. We persevered and caught up with her enthusiasm about mid-February. It was easy to see that the Society was taking a new direction.
One of my dreams was to have a docent program with people who could take over the museum and give out the best information available about Dayton and the Comstock.
The group of people who stepped up turned out to be not only the best docents in the area, but folks I consider good friends. They all showed me how much they really wanted to learn the history.
The first bunch of people who came to my lectures, Pat Neylan, Gail Chulick, Lynn Erickson, Sheila Hodach, Barbara Madison and Donna McElroy showed their skills at the Oodles of Noodles.
As time went by, more names were added to the roster. Vicki Kinney, Marty Lewis, Diane and Tom Parcells, Gary McElroy, Bob Wallace and Sue Ramey joined forces as docents at a Halloween event that made us all proud. How many new friends can a person have?
Can't forget people who just want to volunteer their time to do the hard work.
Ron Rowe certainly is doing a grand job of repainting all the wood on the outside of the old school house. Dagmar Webber and her volunteers make sure there are plenty of refreshments for our events. Her husband Morgan Webber is our photographer and recorder of events and is exceptional with his presentations.
I can't forget our youngest docent-in-training, Monica Stephenson. She is an asset to the museum. All of the people who help the museum need a pat on the back. Hope you're ready for New Year's events. Thank you all.
The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. The Web site is daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.
• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton historical society and a docent at the museum