Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hometown Stories - the view from Wendy's World

Communication is an awesome thing and it never ceases to amaze me how some people take full advantage of it - and some dont. I got an e-mail a few days ago from a distant relative in California. The subject line had the word, Congratulations. I really expected some sort of joke or funny story. Instead, she announced that shed seen the story of my new job in the Gurdon Times online.

I have to admit, it gave me a moments pause. Shes thousands of miles removed from my world. We talk via e-mail only occasionally and I had no idea she still cared what goes on in Gurdon.

Hometowns are awesome. Im quickly becoming acclimated to my new home, though I dont take my acceptance here for granted. Its rather like the old saying about how long it takes to become an Arkansan if youve moved here from somewhere else. Just because a cat has kittens in the oven doesnt mean you call them biscuits.

The one thing that doesnt change from one small hometown to another is the fact that theres history. Thats not to say that all histories are the same, but merely to say that all small towns have histories that are vital to understanding the town. There are stories to tell that explain why certain things happen and why those things are important. The problem is that it takes forever to learn those stories - and Im nearing the end of my third week here.

So Id invite you all to share some stories with me. Drop in and tell me some history. Lets get together and talk Prescott. I may have already heard that particular story, but another awesome thing is that everybody has more than one.

The one burning question I do have is what should I call those fortunate enough to be natives of this town? Prescott-onians? Prescott-ites? I had this discussion with John Miller before he left and he didnt have an answer for me. If you have the answer, give me a call.

Meanwhile, Im anxiously awaiting the arrival of someone new in town so that Ill no longer be Prescotts latest arrival, and so that I can tell the biscuit story to someone whos more of a biscuit than me.