Despite the snow and slush, a full crowd gathered at the Mattapoisett Historical Society for Your Story, an open mic event with songs, poems and stories.

The second annual event was “better than ever, even in the bad weather,” said Historical Society President Jennifer McIntire.

Avery Perkins started off the performances, belting out songs and strumming her ukulele. Charlie Cann of Marion followed with a song by Burl Ives and a story from his childhood in Pennsylvania.

One night when Cann was 10 years old and living on the family farm surrounded by “rolling hills and deep meadows,” he heard an inhuman yell.

“You put the covers over your head. Nothing can harm you then,” joked Cann.

He finally got up the nerve to sneak outside where he found the source of the sound, a big red fox. The memory stayed with him as did Ives' song, “The Fox,” which he played for the crowd.

In addition to music, several performers read poems.

In “Appreciation,” Tom Shire of Marion reminded the audience that we are “Fortunate to live where we do/Fortunate to live when we do/Fortunate to live how we do.”

Ellen Flynn of Mattapoisett read “An Omen,” a poem inspired by a close encounter she had with an escaped convict. Elizabeth Sylvia, also of Mattapoisett, recited a piece on women's rights, voting and ladies named “Lois and Barbara [who's names] evoke canasta or sweet sherry.”

A few people shared personal stories, including McIntire, who spoke about visiting her wacky Great Aunt Mary who wore high-heeled red shoes, drove a black Falcon with red nylon seats and had a home affectionately called “Buttons and Bows.”

“To me, she always seemed very glamorous,” McIntire said.

After a closing song by Perkins, McIntire praised the variety of performances.

“There was a tremendous range,” she said. “It's a real community event.”