On Saturday, all twenty girls and four counselors loaded onto the little white bus, with the loud chatter indicating the excitement to drive out of the large wooden gates and into the small town center of Mentone. To campers, Mentone remains a mystery since they only pass through it once at the beginning and once at the end of their summer on the mountain. At the single yellow blinking light the town burst from a seemingly antiquarian time period. The seasoned Hitching Post center houses many of the local specialized shops.At each creak under our steps the weathered wooden beams, walls, and walkways seemed to share the many secrets of the town. Each stained glass door to the shops rested wide open, warmly beckoning us to wonder at their collection of intricate, handmade art and antiques. We split into small groups and meandered around the Gourdie Shop, Mountain Reality, The Deli, The Wildflower Cafe, and several other log cabin shops. Another set of girls enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the vibrant Mentone Market, which serves as the town center. Rich stories, heartfelt laughs, and genuine smiles were shared between the girls and Mentonians as we were able to get a taste of the broader community that we live in each summer.
Below are several reflections from counselors and campers:
"Today was great walking in and out of storefronts meeting the people who call Mentone home. I read a quote in a newspaper that said "Don't come to Mentone hoping to make a fortune, but once you've made your fortune, Mentone is a pretty grand place to live." I thought that perspective was really interesting because it is totally dependent on what you consider fortune. The community here might just be the fortune you've been looking for your entire life." - JP
"One lady I talked to emphasized the closeness and smallness of the town of Mentone. Also being from a small town, I was able to easily relate to this lady that I had only know for a few minutes. My favorite part was when this lady told us that
the camper's mail each summer really help boost the economy of Mentone. This is my fifth year on the mountain and this thought would never have crossed my mind. It was an awesome feeling hearing a citizen say that I was a part of this community that I don't even live in for the majority of the year." - Haley"I loved catching the people who wouldn't necessarily come to the MERF house or sign up for an interview, but who very much color Mentone and help make it the community it is. It was fun watching the girls timidly approach a person, but then get totally wrapped up in the person's stories." - Rachel
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