It’s fair to say that one of our county’s towns has received an unusually heavy amount of publicity over the past several years.

Of course I’m referring to Belhaven, a normally quiet little riverside community.

The hospital “situation” thrust the town front and center into a cauldron of often emotion-charged dynamics. This has resulted in an emergence of various strongly held opinions and perspectives. Some feel, however, that the “fat lady has sung,” that “Elvis has left the building.” Others believe that “it’s not over ’til it’s over,” and continue the good fight.

Whatever one’s personal opinion, all people of good will most certainly hope that whatever the best outcome for those affected by the hospital closing can be, will be. Financial considerations will greatly influence the ultimate resolution, of course, if it hasn’t already done so.

Agreeing to disagree agreeably in such a highly charged — political? — environment is no easy achievement. An understatement, for sure.

One might ask of those who don’t live in or in proximity of the town: How much do you really know of, about, Belhaven? How much, indeed.

In the late ’60s for a year or so I went there almost every Saturday to help with putting together the weekly newspaper, “The Beaufort Hyde News.”

I enjoyed being a part of that endeavor, and got to know many of the fine folks who lived in or near the town. I liked Belhaven. This is not to say I didn’t “know” the town for many, many years prior to that time. It’s just that I got to know it more “up close and personal.” Especially Mary Wood and Effie Rae.

The town of Belhaven wasn’t always Belhaven. First there was Jack’s Neck, back in the late 19th century. In 1891 the village became known as Belle Port. A nice name. Just two years later it changed — to Belhaven.

In 1916 the town had what may have been the first outdoor movie theater in the state. Imagine that.

Belhaven’s Fourth of July celebration may well be the oldest in the state. It’s a really big deal.

Being a major port on the Intracoastal Waterway connecting New York and Florida has served the town well since 1928.

Pantego Creek, beautiful though it is, like any body of water, sees its very trying times. Or, rather, the homes and businesses along its banks have encountered disastrous consequences during bad storms. Such is life along low-lying shores. It’s a matter of trade offs, is it not?

The people have been resilient, and in a partnership of commitment and renewed purpose have always seemed to recover. An example of that which some might rightly call the “indomitable grandeur of the human spirit.”

So. Will Belhaven and environs “weather” the hospital situation-challenge-obstacle?

Oh, yes. In time, things will come right.

In the meantime, friends, take the short, pleasant drive — from wherever you live — to this river town.

Enjoy a fine meal at one of its several remarkably good restaurants. Take a stroll through town. Walk down by the waterfront. Talk with some of the residents.

Tell ’em Bartow sent you.

You hear?