Waxhaw Watertower goes viral?

In recent weeks, some person or persons has taken on the persona of the Waxhaw water tower and created a Facebook page in which he/she/they can sound off on Waxhaw. To the delight of some and the consternation of others would not be an understatement.

For the purpose of this write-up, I will presume there are multiple proprietors of the page since it'd be easier to maintain anonymity in a small town if this were the case. And based on early accounts, they were claiming to be male and female at different points of time. They've built up a pretty sizable audience of 400+ people thus far, a number of whom are rather active commenters.

 It is worth noting that I was Facebook friends with Waxhaw Water Tower (WWT) for a week or so to make it easier to see their Waxhaw-related posts before I realized that this essentially gave them access to all my Facebook posts. After events of the last year in Waxhaw, letting some anonymous person(s) see pictures of my family was unacceptable so I unfriended them. WWT did have a public page though so I could still check for updates manually.

Within the last 24 hours, public access to WWT's posts appears to have been removed, so I can no longer access them. (UPDATE: Late this evening I now see a couple new posts of his, but all posts and conversations up to that point are still disappeared.) Therefore, everything below is my recollection of what I read, so all the details may not be 100% accurate. I find it strange that they'd lock it down when they clearly seem to be cultivating an audience, but what do I know about how a water tower would behave?

The first day consisted of a number of negative early posts about various aspects of town, ranging from the harmless to unusually and unnecessarily slanderous (accusing the proprietor of a local business of literally being in bed with the police because of some sort of sidewalk sale).

A mention of a vague embarrassing moment regarding the mayor would later prove fortuitous to the operators of the page given the mayor's recent DWI arrest.

This early negativity seemed to split Waxhaw (or at least the portion of Waxhaw active on Facebook) between those who were unhappy with all the complaining, but likely more upset about the gossipy posts by the anonymous proprietors and those just lapping it up. A number of criticisms followed, which seemed to have an effect since they soon thereafter began making some positive comments that continue to this day. Nothing terribly significant, but thrown little bones about how Maxwell's Tavern is good and Commissioner Joyce Blythe did a good job at the town's Memorial Day ceremony.

Another immediate response was for others to set up alternative positive-only Waxhaw Facebook pages such as 'What's Up Waxhaw.' I suspect the community banter will be lacking in this group since bad things about Waxhaw are to not be discussed here.

Later responses included:

* A Water tower adult beverage currently available at the Main Street Grill.

* A Waxhaw Water Tower II (WWTII) Facebook page has been created. I would've gone with Son of Waxhaw Watertower personally but to each his own. In this new Facebook page, they quickly outed REDACTED and some co-conspirators as the original WWT. But within 24 hrs, these posts were removed. Kowtowed into silence by the accused? Perhaps we'll never know.

Who knows what next week will bring? Perhaps the bigger question is whether this blogger will even still be active enough to comment on it. If the lateness of this post is any indicator, don't count on it.

UPDATE 6/21: I am told my recollection as to the business WWT slandered was incorrect so I have updated accordingly. I have also removed the name of the rumored WWT temporarily due to a legal threat. 

Obama looking to register Waxhaw voters

If there's any local Obama supporters left after the Supreme Court ruled Obamacare was a promise-breaking tax increase to end all tax increases, he's having a voter registration event on the 4th in Waxhaw.

It's at or begins at the Food Lion in Waxhaw. See here for the details.

And given the sheer number of emails I get exhorting me to donate to his campaign, I would be surprised if they weren't also collecting money, so if you haven't already coughed up your $3, perhaps the 4th would be a good time if you want him around for another four years.

That's assuming you haven't graciously offered up some of your wedding or graduation gifts in tribute already.

Gatsby Gala

The Museum of the Waxhaws has added another fundraising event to its social calendar -- the Gatsby Gala in Monroe.

The details:

Saturday, June 2, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm


THE HENRY HALL WILSON HOUSE, 1301 E. FRANKLIN ST. MONROE NC
   
1920's Themed Casino Night with Dancing and Live Music by Walter Phillips and Jan Ringeling. Heavy Hors D'oeuvres and Cash Bar with Raffle Prizes and Casino Games in An Authentic Upscale 1920's-Era Venue.

$75 per person
Access our online ticket sales via our website
www.museumofthewaxhaws.org
or call the museum at 704.843.1832
Wear your best "Roaring 20's" party attire!

At $75/person and $150/couple, a little rich for my blood, but since as far as I know, I have no Roaring 20's attire, it might be for the best.

But for those of you with extensive wardrobes and looking for something to do...
 

Saturday evening bingo fundraiser at Cureton

There's a bingo fundraiser for the Perez family Saturday evening at the Cureton Clubhouse in Waxhaw. In January 2012, Robert Perez was diagnosed with an inoperable Stage 4 Glioblastoma (brain cancer) and will soon lose his health insurance.

I cannot attend due to a previously scheduled engagements, but at $10 per 3 cards, I should be looking for someone to play three cards for me. In fact, all of Waxhaw should be playing three cards given that price and the cause.

For more info or to donate, his friends have set up a web page.

DrumStrong

I noticed on my way home from work that they're setting up for DrumStrong again. I'm not real familiar with this event, but it seems to draw a lot of people each year and they support various cancer initiatives.

I'm not sure if this falls within the jurisdiction of Waxhaw or not, but either way it's close enough.

It's not too late to register for those looking to participate. See their page for all the details.

For those that have attended in the past, what are the odds that Paper Jamz drums will be used in the 30-hour non-stop drum circle? Just wondering.

Spring Fest over

Another festival has come and gone. I didn't make it until Sunday, so our day was rain-shortened. The kids got to do most everything they came to do, my wife got to make her rounds through the artists and vendors, and I got my sno cone.

Is it just me or does it seem to rain every Sunday on Waxhaw festival weekends?

La Strada Pizza and Pasta Groupon

There's a Groupon up right now for La Strada Pizza and Pasta in Wesley Chapel. It expires in a little under 4.5 days, although it says a limited quantity is available so I guess it could end sooner.

It's essentially a $10-for-$20 deal. See here for all the gory details.

Of note, La Strada is supporting Siler Presbyterian's July Jamaica Mission Trip. A percentage of each bill on Sundays goes directly to support the mission trip if you mention Siler Presbyterian. While the Groupon is good into November, the mission trip is in July, giving you some idea as to when you'd need to dine there in order to provide support.

It's like killing two birds with one stone: getting a meal at a discount while supporting a good cause. But perhaps killing two birds with half a stone is the more accurate analogy.

Details of the the La Strada Groupon are here if the aptness of this last metaphor is what sold you.