The Blue Sage Center for the Arts and the Paonia Historic Society will be celebrating local history during January and February with a series of events entitled, "This is Where We Live." The series will begin on Friday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. with a story-telling event by Paonia natives at the Blue Sage and a gallery exhibit opening.

This first story-telling event will focus on how individuals made a living in the valley, through ranching, coal mining, fruit growing and trading, and will include story-

tellers from the Bruce, Sutliff, Berg, Hardings and Sanders families.

The event will highlight how North Fork Valley lifestyles of 50 or more years ago are similar to the lifestyles that new residents to the area are pursuing. "It's like the new residents are getting back to what was just given to us," said Paonia native Betty Mueller, when a discussion of the present-day push for self-sufficiency and sustainable farming arose at a lunch meeting about the event.

All six storytellers at the lunch meeting shared how their families needed to be involved in a variety of activities to make ends meet, and were able to meet their needs with local resources. The story-telling event will be moderated by Paonia Historical Society President, Judy Livingston, and open with a reading by local writer and historian, Eric Goold. Audience members will have an opportunity to present questions to the residents as well.

The gallery exhibit will feature items from the Paonia History Museum, as well as works by local artists representing the "This is Where We Live" historical theme, and will collect additional stories and information by inviting visitors to record their thoughts on certain images or artifacts. "I think most visitors to this valley instantly recognize that they have come across a very special place," said Blue Sage director, Annette Pretorius. "It is exciting to be exploring where we live, and why it is so special, in interactive ways with the community."

On Friday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. there will be a second storytelling event which will focus on the town's social life, including stories about the churches, women's clubs, arts organizations and dance halls. In February, the series will include a social dance and historical fashion show.

The story-telling dates have changed as originally published to accommodate funeral services for a local resident.

For more information on the series, contact the Blue Sage at 527-7243.

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