They include Storytelling with Children and Storytelling and the Art of the Imagination. That fairy tales can help a child overcome his or her fears and frustrations, transforming the raw material of life into magic is one of Mellon's credos. Healing stories are needed and are an invaluable jumping off place for kindergarten teachers.

Thus, using the Grimm's fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin, Mellon showed how one can (metaphorically) spin straw into gold by relying on one's own inner resources. "A resourcefulness we didn't know we possessed appears: We are the gold and the impossible happens," Mellon says.

An opening gambit Mellon uses in her workshops is to ask each one of the group to name herself. "What is the spirit hovering around you? What is your courage?" she asks. This process of "digging into your core to name yourself" shows you how and what you think of yourself.

Mellon also challenged her listeners to write the next chapter of Rumpelstiltskin for themselves. What happens after the story ends brought forth a number of widely varying second chapters.

MUSTARD WALK: The fourth annual Mustard Walk will be Feb. 6, 11 a.m.­3 p.m., to celebrate Saratoga's orchard history. (Yes, it's Super Bowl Sunday, but the whole family can enjoy the orchard action before heading home to watch the game).

Local artists will display their work; some will be painting during the day. Ann and Rick Waltonsmith will provide donkey cart rides through the orchard as will Doug and Paula Jones. Bob Semichy will have a show of antique autos. Peggy and Chuck Schoppe are organizing a display of antique engines and tractors.

Lee Murray heads up entertainment, which will include Les Landin's Skillet Lickers, Lee Ann Welch and her fiddlers, the Russian strolling musicians. Paul Conrado will pour wine and Butter Paddle members will demonstrate mustard recipes, courtesy of Gene's Fine Foods.

Leah Novokovich and sons Matt and George will sell dried fruits, jams, jellies and chocolate covered apricots. Matt will be in the orchard to answer questions on orcharding. Bob Louden of the Historical Foundation will show a video and discuss Saratoga history.

Jean Hayes will bring miniature donkeys for petting. Docents for the orchard tours include Beth Wyman, Norm Koepernik, Willys Peck, Jean Barrick, Jill Hunter, Sandra Dodge, Susie Nagpal, Nancy Anderson, Pat Bailey and Phylis Ballingall. This year the Rotary Club co-sponsors the event with the city.

WOMEN AUTHORS: Three local authors will be the featured speakers at the AAUW Author's Luncheon on Jan. 27, 11 a.m., at the Toll House Hotel. The three are Lolly Winston, author of Good Grief; Lea Fredericks Frey, author of Dear Voices; and Betty Peck, author of Freeing Children's Creative Potential.

Winston's book tells the poignant story of how she coped with the death of a beloved spouse. It's told through both laughter and tears. Frey's book is an amalgam of letters saved from high-school friends from 1944 to 2003, and shows how the four bonded to encourage a fifth member who had been imprisoned for armed robbery.

The book is also a reflection of what was going on politically and socially in the country during that half century, as the letter writers come from different places both geographically and politically.

Longtime kindergarten teacher Peck offers a solution to the nearly lost art of developing young children's talents with her book. The omniscient presence of television and TV games threatens to jeopardize the imaginative process of children today, Peck feels.

The luncheon benefits the AAUW Education Foundation and costs $45. Joy Drury at 408.253.0164 is the contact.

MEETS WITH PREZ: Saratogan Don Wolfe had his 16 minutes of fame when he met with President George W. Bush recently to discuss the need for reform in class action lawsuits. Two other citizens and Bush's chief of staff were the only other people present in the Oval Office.

Wolfe is the president of Silicon Valley Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse--and a former mayor of Saratoga. When the meeting was over and photographs being taken, Bush said, "I want my picture taken with the mayor." Wolfe said he was "elated, edified and humbled" by the meeting.

AT INAUGURAL: Two St. Andrews School students, Mimi Chan and Fred Sherburne, attended the recent presidential inaugural in Washington, D.C. as part of the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. The two were chosen for exemplary classroom and leadership work.

Besides inaugural doings, Mimi and Fred studied lobbying, political platforms and the electoral college.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.