The plaque honoring the 70 people who died in the Galaxy Airlines flight 203 crash near Meadowood Mall, has been stolen from Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Park. The two-foot-by-two-foot brass plaque was removed from a large rock to which it had been bolted. The Lockheed L-188 Electra 4-engine turboprop was returning to Minneapolis from a Super…

In January, Barack Obama was inaugurated for a second term as president of the United States. Also in January, cyclist Lance Armstrong confessed after years of denial that he had used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France again and again. March saw white smoke at the Vatican — and word of the election…

From a historic expulsion, training deaths, a school shooting to the approval of drone development, the year 2013 saw Northern Nevada in the spot-light several times. Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-Las Vegas, became the first legislator expelled in Nevada since statehood after a string of public incidents, bizarre behavior and arrests. Brooks was formally expelled from…

Barbara Jean Smith passed away peacefully, December 10, 2013, following a short illness. At 81, she was the eldest child born to Jack and Leola (Hufford) Olivera, February 14, 1932 in Rohnerville. I knew her best as Aunt Barbara. She is preceded in death by three of her siblings, Gary, Leora, and Margery, with Leona…

As I reflect back on the many Christmases of my lifetime, I recall several that were memorable. From new bicycles, to model airplanes and cars, to the last as a complete family in Klamath, there is something to be said about such reminiscences. Many Christmas gifts were truly a surprise as I had a hard…

A combination dance hall, casino and restaurant, “The Dog House” was named in honor of a wire-hair terrier, named ‘Poochy.’ It opened in June 1935 at 130 North Center in Reno and remained open until April 1944. During it’s time, “The Dog House” was one of the most patronized establishments in Reno. The club featured…

At least twice a year, my wife make’s her mother’s fudge. She believes it comes from the recipe listed on the back of ‘Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallow Crème’ since the 1950s. The earliest mention of marshmallow crème comes from the 1896 cookbook, ‘Fannie Farmer’s Boston School Cook Book.’ However, it doesn’t give a recipe for…

Jeanie is a former neighbor of mine from Klamath. My family moved into the house next to the Arnold’s in January 1965 and remained there until September 1967. She is a retired Professor from the University of Southern Nevada, living in rural Northern California. She also writes a cooking and gardening blog at gardenforestfield.com What…

In 1889 real estate developers formed the Samoa Land And Improvement Company, buying 270 acres on the peninsula opposite Eureka. After John Vance Mill & Lumber Company’s Eureka mill burned in 1892, the owners decided not to rebuild the mill in Eureka but to purchase cheaper land in West Eureka or Samoa. The north spit…

My wife will not allow me to shovel our driveway when it snows. She knows it only makes my back hurt worse than ever. She’s nice like that. So after four-inches fell, she came home from work and went straight to clearing the cement. It was dark before she finished. Concerned for her, as it…