People here in Park City have a unique sense of humor.  Maybe because it is a relatively small town and shared jokes spread quickly.  Or maybe because long, snowy winters are so much easier when you have a sense of humor.  Either way, it is a welcome and welcoming attitude.

Take, for example, the Barbara Party. If your name is Barbara, or Barbra, or Barbie, you get to go.  Everybody there is named Barbara.  Apparently the Barbara Party is quite an affair.  It is held each year on, when else, the feast of St. Barbara (give or take a day or two), which most of my friends in Europe know is December 4th, but is not such a big deal here.  Except here.

I just met my next door neighbor, whose name is Barbara and I was about to tell her about the Barbara Party, but it turns out she has been going for years and is hosting it in 2011.  I should have known.   The only downer in this concept is that I am not going to be here for the party.  But I am going to be in Santa Barbara, which I think will earn me some points.

There is also a Newcomers Club, which lots of people here belong to. Barbara, our neighbor, told us about it.  Now,  she is actually not a newcomer to Park City.  She has lived here for years and years, as have most of the other members.  But she insists it is not really about newcomers, and that even though we are new, they would welcome us.

I think I am gonna like this town.

By the way, if you want to come to the Barbara Party, you are welcome, too.  Contact Barbara Maben at 435 649 3778.  You just have to be named Barbara.