A&E BRIEFS

OUTDOOR ART SESSIONS

Artsts young and older, experienced or new are invited to join Mary Rutherford, folk artist and volunteer at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, for a community outdoor art session at the refuge this spring. Sessions are scheduled for Saturdays, May 7, 14 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Foxtail Lake pavilion, located about three miles along the Foxtail Auto Tour route. The sessions are free to the public, and you may attend more than one session.

Mary suggests bringing your own art supplies if you have them, and that all mediums are welcome. The refuge will have limited supplies for beginners wanting to experiment with water colors or colored pencils. Viewing scopes will be set up to bring the surrounding scenery up close to include in your artwork. Mary will be available to help guide your artistic creation and offer suggestions on techniques. Bring water, a snack and be prepared for spring weather conditions.

The refuge will provide display space for finished art projects at the annual Spring Wings Festival, set for May 20-21 at the Churchill county parks complex.

The Foxtail tour route begins across from the Stillwater Point parking area, about a 1/2 mile after entering the refuge on St Rt 116/Stillwater Road 17 miles east of Fallon.

Come out and learn more about your National Wildlife Refuge and all it has to offer while capturing the 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.

WNC ART SHOW

A show at WNC Fallon for Marie Nygren runs from April 18 through May. A reception for the artist was held at the college on Thursday.

Nygren is a landscape photographer. whjo belongs to several professional and informal photography clubs. Her work has been seen in the CC library, Outsider’s Studio, the CC fair, Nevada magazine, the Carson City Legislative Report, Shooting the West and the Carson City Symphony. Marie has contributed to many fundraisers and continues daily to photograph and share her passion.

LIBRARY PAINTINGS FEATURE NELSON

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

Nelson has begun painting in oils in addition to her watercolors.

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.

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.

TICKETS FOR THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Churchill County High School presents “The Sound of Music,” under the direction of Tom Fleming in May.

The cast of about 45 talented CCHS students and community members are preparing another evening of entertainment full of song, dance and drama.

The six performances of this Broadway musical are scheduled for May 5-7 and May 12-14 beginning at 7 p.m. All performances will be held in the Churchill County High School Theater.

Reserved seating tickets are on sale now, available on line at www.cchsperformingarts.weebly.com and www.showtix4u.com, or follow the links on the CCSD and CCHS website home pages. Tickets for opening night (May 5) are $10. Thereafter, tickets are $12, $15 and $20. Available seats will go on sale at 6 p.m. the night of each performance in the CCHS Theater Lobby.