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When we asked the community to nominate women making an impact through local businesses, the response was overwhelming. Over 200 comments poured in highlighting entrepreneurs across Carson Valley, from restaurants and boutiques to service providers and artisans.

While it would be impossible to feature everyone in a single issue, two of the nominated business owners shared a glimpse into their journeys, the challenges of starting a business, and what keeps them rooted in the valley.

Kylie and Shannon Wentz – CV Flyte

For Kylie and Shannon Wentz, the inspiration behind their business started with friendship and a shared love for the community they grew up in.

“Some of our very best memories were made in this community, surrounded by friends, family, and traditions that just feel like home,” they said.

After years of friendship that eventually turned into family ties, the pair began brainstorming ways to create something that would bring people together in the valley they love. What started as a fun late-night idea between best friends eventually became CV Flyte, complete with two mobile bar trailers designed for community events.

“Our heart behind everything we do is community. We want to create spaces where families gather, friends reconnect, and new memories are made — the kind you’ll talk about for years.”

As the first business of its kind in the Carson Valley, launching the concept came with some challenges. The pair worked closely with county commissioners and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to create a pathway for the business to operate locally.

Today, they say the most rewarding part has been the support they’ve received from the community.

“The community shows up. They’ve embraced us fully and included us in long-standing events as well as new ideas. We couldn’t be more thankful.”

Sheri Dunn – Nevada Silversmithing

For Sheri Dunn, owner of Nevada Silversmithing, inspiration came from family traditions and a deep appreciation for the landscapes of the West.

Dunn has been running her business in Carson Valley since 2018, but her connection to jewelry and stones goes back much further.

“My grandma was my inspiration,” she said. “She taught me so much about rockhounding and introduced me to southwestern jewelry.”

After taking a silversmithing class, Dunn quickly discovered she had found her passion. But learning the craft wasn’t easy.

“There was no one to ask questions about the silversmithing processes,” she said. “I had to do a lot of research, watch videos, read books, take another class, and go through a lot of trial and error.”

Her work today reflects her pride in Nevada heritage. A fifth-generation native Nevadan, Dunn uses only turquoise and stones mined or found within the state. Her husband cuts the stones she uses, while she designs and handcrafts each silver piece.

“My business is driven by my love for Nevada and the western lifestyle,” she said. “I want to show off our state.”

What keeps her rooted in Carson Valley, she says, is the people.

“The members of our community are kind, friendly, supportive, and hardworking. I’m incredibly proud to be part of it.”

A Community Full of Entrepreneurs

Dozens of additional businesses were nominated by community members, highlighting just how many women are building and running businesses throughout Carson Valley.

To visualize the response, we created a word cloud featuring many of the businesses mentioned in the nominations, giving a snapshot of the wide range of women-led ventures across the valley.

From local boutiques and restaurants to wellness providers, artisans, and service businesses, the nominations showed just how strong the entrepreneurial spirit is in this community.

And judging by the response, this likely won’t be the last time we highlight the women helping shape Carson Valley’s business landscape.

Wild horses are one of the most recognizable symbols of the American West. But in Nevada, home to the largest population of wild horses in the country, they are also at the center of a long-running debate about wildlife, land use, and how public lands should be managed.

The conversation has resurfaced again this month after federal officials announced plans to gather hundreds of wild horses in northeastern Nevada.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, a gather scheduled to begin near Wells will remove more than 1,000 horses from two herd areas where populations have grown far beyond what the landscape can support.

Officials estimate one area currently holds about 5,000 horses when the land is considered capable of supporting fewer than 800. Another herd area has roughly 1,800 horses where the recommended level is under 900.

Why the Roundups Happen

Wild horse populations can grow quickly. Without natural predators, herds can double in size roughly every four to five years, which can lead to competition for grass and water across already dry Western rangelands.

Federal managers say roundups are meant to prevent:

Captured horses are typically placed into adoption programs or long term holding facilities.

Are Wild Horses Native?

One reason the issue is so contentious is the animals themselves. The horses roaming the West today, often called mustangs, descend from horses brought to North America by Spanish explorers beginning in the 1500s. Over centuries, some escaped or were released and formed wild populations across the region. Biologists therefore often classify them as feral animals rather than a native species.

At the same time, Congress recognized wild horses in 1971 as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West,” giving them federal protection under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

The Ecological Debate

Some wildlife researchers argue large horse populations can compete with other species such as mule deer and elk for water and forage on Western rangelands. Others counter that horses have become part of the modern ecosystem and that livestock grazing has a far greater impact on land conditions.

Animal Welfare Concerns

Roundups are not without controversy. Some wild horse advocacy groups say helicopter gathers can lead to stress and injuries among horses, particularly for pregnant mares or newborn foals. Groups such as Wild Horse Education have also raised concerns that foals can sometimes become separated from their mothers during gathers, particularly during spring foaling season. Advocates argue that roundups should avoid periods when mares are pregnant or when very young foals are present. Federal officials with the Bureau of Land Management say gather operations are conducted under guidelines meant to reduce risk to animals and are necessary to prevent overpopulation, habitat degradation, and starvation within the herds.

The debate has played out for decades across Nevada, which is home to the largest wild horse population in the United States.

A Symbol That Divides Opinion

For many residents, seeing wild horses roaming open land is part of the identity of the West. For land managers and wildlife biologists, the challenge is balancing that cultural symbol with the realities of drought, limited forage, and the health of public lands.

In Nevada, where wild horses roam across millions of acres of public land, that debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Douglas County is continuing work on its Safe Streets for All Action Plan, an initiative aimed at reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries across the county.

The plan is supported by a grant from the United States Department of Transportation and will use community feedback and crash data to guide future road safety improvements for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.

Residents are invited to attend a public open house on March 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Douglas County Community & Senior Center to learn more about the project and share input.

A short public survey is also open through March 31 for those who would like to provide feedback online.

When completed later this year, the plan will help guide future safety improvements and position the county to pursue additional state and federal funding for road safety projects.

During the late 1800s, it was often more practical to move an entire building than to build a new one. The JT Basque building was moved by horse-drawn freight wagons from Virginia City to Gardnerville in 1896 to escape the declining mining economy, while The Pink House was famously pulled through the streets of Genoa by oxen in 1870 to reach a more central location.

This space will support local businesses and their story.

For years, St. Patrick’s Day meant a rubbery version of corned beef that I simply endured. That changed when I tried it at a friend’s house one year and discovered what it was supposed to taste like: juicy, tender, and full of flavor.

The secret was simple. Instead of boiling it, the brisket was baked slowly and braised in Guinness.

Corned beef is beef brisket cured in a salt brine with spices, which gives it its signature salty flavor and pink color. While traditionally served with cabbage and potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s also famous for the classic Reuben sandwich.

If you want a more flavorful and tender result than the traditional boiled version, this baked method is a great alternative.

Ingredients

1 four-pound corned beef brisket (with seasoning packet)
1 cup Guinness
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Submerge the corned beef in cold water for 15 minutes, then drain and pat dry.

Place the corned beef in a baking dish and add the Guinness to the pan.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard, and the seasoning packet that came with the corned beef. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the brisket.

Cover the pan and bake for 4 hours. Remove the cover for the final 30 minutes of cooking.

The internal temperature should reach 165°F.

Remove from the oven and allow the corned beef to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy and have a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day. Sláinte!

Recipe courtesy of Cynthia Ferris-Bennett of Sierra Chef in Genoa.

Until next time,

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