Event CHronicles
This page highlights the key milestones of our community’s journey - from present-day achievements all the way back to its founding in 2016.
Leadership: Kristina Preitakaitė-Prahm assumed the role of Community President. Diplomacy: Community members participated in a meeting with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, Congressman Mark Amodei, and representatives of the Lithuanian community in Nevada – Astra Michels, Honorary Consul of Lithuania, and Sue Lowden, Honorary Vice Consul. Leisure: The first community snowshoeing hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains was organized. Volunteerism: A meaningful tradition of contributing to feeding the homeless was established. Culture: Adults joined the “Vėtra” folk dance group and performed together at the Christmas celebration. The community also participated in the “Night of Nations” event at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) . Community: Celebrations included Užgavėnės with traditional wild boar stew, Easter festivities, a šašlykų (barbecue) gathering, and a harvest festival.
Representation: Lithuania was represented at the UNR events “Unity & Diversity” and “Night of All Nations.” Culture: The f olk dance group “Vėtra” represented Lithuania at the “Multicultural Night” event and taught the community traditional dances during the Christmas celebration. Traditions: Celebrations included Užgavėnės with the burning of Morė (built by the Nevada Lithuanian Youth Club), Easter festivities with egg rolling, and a community camping trip. Volunteerism: A park clean-up initiative was organized. Community: Mother’s Day celebration and a Lithuanian movie night.
Leadership: Ligita Narusevičienė became Community President. Culture: The youth folk dance group “Vėtra” was established, debuting at the “Multicultural Night” event and the Christmas celebration. Cinema: Vilija Fox organized the first, though not the last, Lithuanian film screening at the automobile museum’s theater. Celebrations: The year began with a lively Užgavėnės festival to chase away winter and ended with a Lithuanian music disco and a visit from Senelis Šaltis (Santa Claus).
Diplomacy: A Lithuanian consular mission from Los Angeles took place in Reno. Support: Rūta and Chris Swanson welcomed community members to the “Amber Shore Pictures” studio to handle consular mission documentation and offer professional passport photos. Creativity: Special Mother’s Day photo sessions were organized for community moms at “Amber Shore Pictures.” Community: Back together again for a camping trip.
Leadership (2020): Miglė Valuntė became Community President. Activity: Community skying weekend to commemorate Lithuanian Independence Day at the Heavenly ski resort. Pandemic: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, activities slowed down, but the sense of connection remained strong. Recovery (2021): A return to a more regular rhythm; children performed a talent show during the Christmas celebration.
Sports: Miglė and Remis Valuntai, together with Irena Jakaitienė, organized a ski weekend at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Music: Performances by Andrius Kaniava and a Christmas celebration with Augis Dicevičius. Culture: We celebrated Atvelykis by making traditional verbos and welcomed a guest from Los Angeles Consul Darius Gaidžius. Community: A camping trip with a group hike.
Leadership: Laima Etchegoyhen assumed the role of the Community President. Culture: The Šiauliai Theatre visited with a program for the whole family. Community: Celebrations included Independence Day, Atvelykis (Easter festivities), a community camping trip, and a Christmas celebration.
Education: The community school became a center for Sunday gatherings. Culture: The short film “Ožkelė ir septyni ožiukai” ( “The Goat and the Seven Kids” ) was presented. Community: We celebrated Independence Day, Atvelykis (Easter festivities), the first community camping trip organized by Laima Etchegoyhen, a harvest festival, and a Christmas celebration.
Leadership: Sigitas Jakaitis became the first Community President. Education: An informal Saturday school began operating under the leadership of Irena Poškutė-Rodriguez. Connections: The first consular mission took place, along with a meeting with Consul Darius Gaidžius. Christmas: The first live music concert was held, featuring Romas Zableckas.
