A&E BRIEFS

ST. AUGUSTINE FUNDRAISER

Music, food, a silent auction and a tribute to our veterans are just some of the events on tap for the annual St Augustine’s Cultural Center fundraiser May 28-29 in historic Austin.

Housed in a former Catholic church built in 1866, St. Augustine’s will eventually become a cultural and arts center for the community of Austin and central Nevada. Fund raising events to achieve those goals include a silent auction, a sale of architectural salvage items from the recent restoration, and a fun raffle for prizes including a Taurus model 809 9MM pistol, Newmont Mining Corporation Gold Splatter and a Garden Treasures 35” Fire Pit.

Tours of the National Historic Register site and the silent auction open at 2 p.m. on Saturday, a free box dinner is served at 4 p.m., and at 5 p.m. there will be a special tribute to recognize Memorial Day and our veterans.

The public can also bring their worn out or damaged U.S. flags. They will be collected and turned over to the VFW for proper disposal.

There will be free entertainment from local favorite Whiskey & Wine and a chance to hear and play on the rare Henry Kilgen Organ, plus a presentation from Howard Bennett on the two-year restoration of this musical masterpiece.

Sunday at 9 a.m. there will be an Austin Cemetery Tour where visitors can – meet some of the more colorful residents: Johanna Shine Bradley Compton, Merchant & Rancher Samuel Crescenzo, much beloved Kee Lee, and more.

For more information on the St. Augustine’s Memorial Weekend Celebration call (775) 964-1100 beauty and solitude of the Lahontan Valley marsh and mountains.

Call to reserve a spot at one of these fun and creative sessions by calling 423-5128 ext 224.

FORT CHURCHILL

Junior Ranger

Calling all kids to Fort Churchill! Come and explore the rich history and natural wonders found in and around Fort Churchill State Historic Park. A variety of activities, crafts and short hikes will be part of the fun. Please bring plenty of water, sun protection and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Cameras, binoculars and insect repellant are also encouraged.

The event Saturday from 2-3:30 p.m. at the John C. Fremont Picnic Area at Fort Churchill. Fort Churchill is located eight miles south of the Highway 95A/Highway 50 intersection on Highway 95A.

Park entrance fees apply. $7 per vehicle, Nevada residents receive a $2 discount (cash or check only). There is no additional cost to participate in the program.

Campfire Program

Join the park interpreter around the campfire to learn about what makes Fort Churchill State Historic Park such a unique and special place, also on Saturday but from 8:30-9:15 p.m. at the Pony Bob Haslam Group Use Area at Fort Churchill. ark entrance fees apply. $7.00 per vehicle, Nevada residents receive a $2.00 discount (cash or check only). There is no additional cost to participate in the program.

FOOD BANK CONCERT

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada announces their annual fundraising concert for 2016,

Scheels presents the Food Bank of Northern Nevada “Together We Can Solve Hunger Concert” featuring the Eli “Paperboy” Reed with Beatles Flashback. The concert will take place on Saturday, June 11 at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch and tickets are on sale now at https://fbnn.org/get-involved/events/concert/.

This year’s show features Eli “Paperboy” Reed, a soul singer with gospel roots, who is releasing his third album on Friday, June 10. A sample of music can be found by clicking here: “Cut Ya Down.” Supporting act for the Together We Can Solve Hunger Concert is regional favorite Beatles Flashback, a premier Beatles tribute band. Concert attendees are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. for dinner, vintage inspired cocktails and retro carnival games. Music will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for the “Together We Can Solve Hunger Concert” are on sale now at fbnn.org or by clicking here. General admission seat tickets are $18, general admission lawn seats are $12 and lawn seats for children ten and under are $5.

Add a dinner and a drink for a special package price of only $13.

MUSEUM PROGRAM

“Birds, Birds and More Birds” is now on exhibit at Churchill County Museum’s “Spring Wings 2016” show until May 31.

Shorebirds, raptors and songbirds of Ron and Lynn Biggs’ carved Great Basin Wildfowl collection stand on display flanked by Pam and Greg Nelson’s photographs of birds in their natural habitat. Experience the world of the Great Blue Heron, Drake Mallard, Calliope Hummingbird, Long Eared Owl, Red Tailed Hawk and scores of other winged beauties.

Live Bird Ambassadors “Hawks, Honkers and Hoots” will present live birds on May 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free Visit our webpage, find us on Facebook. Churchill County Museum: 775-423-3677.

LIBRARY PAINTINGS FEATURE NELSON

The paintings of Michelle Nelson are on display at the Churchill County Library through May.

WNC ART SHOW

A show at WNC Fallon for Marie Nygren runs through May.

Nygren is a landscape photographer. who belongs to several professional and informal photography clubs.

V & T RAILROAD

The summer V&T season kicks off Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29, when round-trip steam trains begin full operation.

For the latest train updates or to purchase tickets visit www.vtrailway.com or call (877) 724-5007.

NOVEL SET IN NEVADA

People familiar with the works of Nevada author, Mary Jean Kelso, and other readers have a new book to enjoy.

“The Love He Left Behind” is set in the Northern Nevada area of Pyramid Lake, Wadsworth and locations along the Truckee and Carson Rivers.

Kelso’s imagination takes the reader into the lives of homesteaders, cowboys and outlaws. She weaves romance, suspense and mystery into a believable story line of Nevada’s Old West.

“It’s probably only natural that I love writing Westerns. My family history goes back to ancestors who settled in many states as cattle ranchers and homesteaders as well as a man who ran for President, William Jennings Bryan. The DNA runs true. He was a prolific writer and persistent (a trait essential for an author). He ran for President three times and was an avid Statesman,” Kelso said.
While much of her family’s roots are in Texas, Kelso chose Nevada as her idea of living in the West and writing about life here.

Kelso, is the author of 25 books for children, tweens, young adults and adults. She is published in many formats including e-books, hardbacks, paperbacks, audio and Braille editions. Her topics are as diverse as her market. She, primarily, writes fiction but has published, along with her daughter, Wendy Whiteman, a genealogy book on her ancestors including her second great grandfather (Gordon C. Jennings) who was killed defending the Alamo. A Visual History Record of Gordon Cartwright Jennings’ Family.

Kelso’s books are available on line, in stores and through her website http://maryjeankelsoauthor.wix.com/mjkel. Contact her at mjkel@aol.com or look for her at author signings throughout Northern Nevada.