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| Lexi sharing mountain stories |
February 19 an overflow crowd of High Vista residents
gathered at the elegant home of two gracious hosts, Mary and Nigel Strickland
for a “Potluck and Potlatch”. Salads and sides, casseroles and a Boston crème
pie – Yum!
Those in attendance included:
Al Cutter and Joyce Davis, Terri and Doug Harris, Ken and
Claudia Scarber, John and Lexi Kiefer, Gerry and Mara Pasternack, Otis and Gina
Philbrick, Randy Robins and Susan Marlan, Kathy and Ron Segall, Sharon and Mike
Willen and our hosts.
For the uninitiated, a potlatch is a custom of our Native
American tribes in which members achieve status in the community not by
amassing wealth, but by distributing it to others. Our version of the ritual
was to exchange “items of value” in both material and non-material forms – and
we all came away richer for the experience. Here are some items that were
exchanged as we chatted and laughed and moved around the large circle of
friends in the Stricklands’ spacious great room:
- stories (about Asheville in the old days – Thanks Lexi!)
- information (on where to volunteer, changes coming up to NC
prescription law, a fabulous Wildlife Week held annually)
- good ideas (hiring a van to go to the Wildlife Week as a group
next year, creating an opt-out e-mail list for “HV Community Connections”,
using the HV Community Facebook page as a hub for ride sharing, and a
consensus of enthusiasm to continue meeting for pleasure during the
growing season – quite distinct from any community garden “work” meetings.)
- items no longer being used by the owner that still have useful
life: (pewter pocket angels, plants, a guidebook to indoor plants, a
wide-brimmed straw gardening hat, a lovely wool sweater, a picture frame,
a simmering pot, crossword puzzle lap pillow, a big-button phone for
senior citizens
Just
as at all our Community Connections gatherings, two things were perfectly
clear: The amazing wealth of diverse individuals we are lucky enough to call
“neighbor” and the power of communing with one another on a regular basis. I was
happy to meet the personalities behind new faces in the circle. I was sorry for
those who wanted to attend, but signed up after the maximum number set by our
hosts had been reached. Have no fear; there will be room for everyone March 25, as the program focuses on growing our community from the ground up - Don't miss it - OUR FIRST GARDEN PLANNING MEETING FOR 2012.
