Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2015 08:06:19 -0400
From: Melissa Delbridge
Subject: Writers on the Chatlist
I strongly disagree with the suggestion that writers (and please note that I use the term without the dismissive and condescending quotation marks) not post their musings on the Chatlist.
As the title states, it’s a chatlist. Please note the use of the word “chat.” Members use the list for numerous purposes. For me, it is a way of catching up with what’s going on with my neighbors. This means enjoying what Sallie noticed blooming in her yard or hearing Ben’s story about what happened at Food Lion as much as knowing that Amy is looking for a new plumber or learning that Hank’s Chapel Church is barbecuing chicken. I even find the bickering amusing as long as it’s not too mean-spirited. It’s easy enough to scroll past what is not of interest to me.
Since moving to Pittsboro, I have found the Chatlist to be both helpful and fascinating. Because of it, I have returned a man’s lost dog; gotten great referrals for custom blinds; found a past issue of “National Geographic” for my mother; looked at stained glass with a keener eye; and noticed unusual birds migrating through the county. I do not see any of these as inappropriate uses of the list or as wastes of my time.
I do hope that the Chatham Chatlist always stays completely open as a public forum and clearinghouse. I would hate to see it deteriorate into an unimaginative and rule-bound list of want ads.
Thank you, Gene, for what you do and thank you to all of the seekers, finders, liberals, conservatives, artists, farmers, old hippies, writers, and complete whackadoodles who muse, rant, expostulate, advertise, and yes, chat around this virtual table.
I so love sharing my morning coffee with all of you.