COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Three generations of one family made their reading debuts Oct. 17 at Live Lit, a community literary gathering hosted by poet Mark Leidner at Salmon Bend Art Studio.
Among the first-time readers were Alicia Mena, her daughter Katelyn Harrison and 8-year-old granddaughter Maria Farrell, marking the first time a grandmother, aunt and child participated in the same event. Maria is the daughter of Judge Brendan Farrell and Megan Farrell, née Mena, of Colusa.
For Leidner, the appeal of Live Lit is the unpredictability of what people choose to share.
“There’s no theme. It’s whatever you bring,” Leidner said. “You have no idea who’s going to read next or what they will say. It’s electrifying.”
Mena admitted she was nervous about reading publicly but found inspiration in a book that had belonged to her late mother. Inside was a handwritten message from a friend offering encouragement upon her mother’s retirement.
“I opened it up and it’s just my mom, and I’m the apple that falls close to the tree,” Mena said.
She selected a passage from Wilferd A. Peterson’s “The Art of Living,” reflecting on kindness, courage and finding happiness in everyday life.
Maria delighted listeners with a poem about gathering smiles to scatter throughout the world while collecting frowns and sending them to the bottom of the sea.
Harrison, a former Miss Colusa County, shared a more personal tribute. Nearly 11 years ago, her husband, Dylan, gave her a poem on their wedding day. She read his original work before sharing a response she had written, which her husband was hearing for the first time.
Other readers brought an equally varied collection of personal reflections, poetry and local history.
Rancher Matt Rose-Stark shared poems written before the birth of his daughter, while Charles Yerxa entertained listeners with historical accounts of Colusa’s early days, colorful celebrations and notable residents.
Retired Yuba College sociology professor and dean Ed Davis offered a glimpse of his forthcoming book, expected in 2027, based on more than 20 years of research. His presentation explored the importance of human relationships in an increasingly technological society and raised concerns about artificial intelligence.
His comments prompted Leidner to reflect on the purpose of Live Lit and the importance of maintaining personal connections.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just show up and listen and bond emotionally and share yourself,” Leidner said.
The afternoon concluded with Leidner reading his own humorous short story, “I’m Tom Hanks,” and inviting others to consider participating in future Live Lit gatherings, generally held in the spring and fall.