Minden Mill offers series of historical presentations from the Olympics and Donner Pass to fruitcake

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Local historians David and Gayle Woodruff have a full holiday season of free historical presentations for the public at the Minden Mill.

David said the “You’ll Never Escape the Fruitcake” programs are filling up and he suggests making reservations soon if you would like to join he and Gayle for a bit of fun “Whimsical Holiday History.”

The upcoming schedule at the Minden Mill:

November 17 - Going for the Gold Lake Tahoe and the Olympics at 1 p.m. Alex Cushing and the State of California brought the 1960 Winter Olympics to the Lake Tahoe area. Walt Disney brought the Olympics to the world. From hosting the first Olympics that truly utilized modern technology, to creating a world-class Olympic training facility deep in the Sierra Nevada forest, the Lake Tahoe region has played an important role in America’s success in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Due to limited seating, reservations are required for this free program. Make reservations for Going for the Gold at the Minden Mill Distillery

November 24 - Daring and Dangerous Donner Summit at 1 p.m. Using rare and seldom seen photographs, local historian and authors David & Gayle Woodruff recount the interesting and often amusing tales that have helped shape one of America’s most favorite and well-used mountain traffic corridors. From the brave men and women who toiled round the clock for three days to rescue 226 passengers and crew from a snow-bound train to the enthusiastic citizens of the highway “Snow Shoveling Bee,” the improbable stories are legion. Due to limited seating, reservations are required for this free program. Get tickets for the Daring and Dangerous Donner Summit at the Minden Mill Distillery

December 1 - You’ll Never Escape the Fruitcake at 1 p.m. Join local historians David & Gayle Woodruff, as they take a humorous look at the history of some of our favorite holiday traditions, including the much-maligned and seldom praised Fruitcake - and celebrate a few special recollections and anecdotes of Christmas Past. Get a reservation here to spend the holidays with the Woodruffs.