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Person of the Year – 2017
After returning to Wells he volunteered for the Wells Chamber/Trail 49 museum and is now the office manager for both. He welcomes visitors and gives a tour, explaining why the pioneers paused in Wells. He goes out of his way to keep a full stock of brochures and booklets helpful to visitors and he shops the internet to stock the small bookstore. Says Chamber president Yvonne Stuart: “Every town would be lucky to have a guy like Ron, always willing to help out. Anyone who calls the Chamber will find a pleasant warm voice answering the phone. Our Chamber/Museum would not be the same without Ron.” Efficiency and a cheerful attitude, assisting carload after carload of visitors, making a positive difference day in and day out — the award doesn’t come with tights and a cape, but it should. |
City of the Year – 2017Black Rock City — Smaller than Sparks, bigger than Carson City, it’s the tenth largest city in Nevada* for one week of the year, the week of Burning Man that ends on Labor Day Weekend. The Man is designed and built for the occasion as free-spirited people arrive from around the world in cars and RVs containing everything needful: there’s nothing to buy here but coffee and ice. Once settled, it is a dream made real: everyone fantastic, everything an astonishment. And then the Man burns and the city vanishes utterly for another year. Splendid! |
Hidden Treasure of the Year – 2017Tonopah Historic Mining Park and Central Nevada Museum — Hints of Tonopah’s rich history are plainly visible to anyone who drives through town on US 95, but visit the 100+ acre Tonopah Historic Mining Park on the hillside behind the Mizpah Hotel and those hints become facts. Visitors wander among three intact mines dating back to the early years of the 20th century. Walk the Burro Tunnel into the mountain to gaze down 500 feet into the workings. For nearly 50 years, the Nevada State Mining Championships have been held here on Memorial Day weekend as part of Jim Butler Days. Contests include double and single jack drilling, individual and team mucking, both women and men competing. There’s more to see at the Central Nevada Museum on the south (uphill) side of town: Outside, a pioneer village has been made of structures rescued from early 20th Century mining towns nearby; inside are document and photo.archives. |
Event of the Year – 2017
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Attraction of the Year – 2017
Heavenly Valley is an enormous year-around playground more than 9,000 feet above sea level. It’s accessible by gondola from just west of the Nevada-California state line at the south shore of Lake Tahoe. They send passengers floating rapidly upward, somewhere between heaven and earth to pop over the summit and down into the little valley. Large areas are devoted to learners, Lifts for experienced skiers climb the slopes east, west and south. and there’s an innertube slope with a half dozen lanes. Everyone is having fun. An immense Lodge serves food and drink to the multitudes into the night.
Hotel of the Year – 2017
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Restaurants of the Year – 2017
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