The following is a SOAPBOX presentation by Allan....
Hey Everybody,
Boy, things have really been changing here in out little corner of Mayberry!!
I'm not big on change but because of it I think it's time to remind everyone
what WBMUTBB is all about:
We all know what Mayberry's about but do we realize why it is that we all
visit there everyday? I know that the characters are great but more than
that, they're friends. We "know" these people and it's just a joy to visit
them every chance we get to watch them as they work their way through getting
locked in a cell because the door "clangs shut" or any of the other wonderful
situations they face. Things always work out in a wonderful way leaving a
smile on our faces.
Mayberry is an escape from the day-to-day trials we all face. A short trip
to a place where every body cares about one another and where we can forget,
for a while, the fact that "real life" isn't as much like that as we'd like.
I started WBMUTBB back in 1990, along with several other good folks, and
since then I've tried to make it as much like a "corner of Mayberry" as
possible. I wanted this place to be somewhere folks could go and forget
about the outside world and relax by reading about Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt
Bee, and the rest of our Mayberry family.
To try and make that happen I've required everyone who wanted to join to tell
us a little about themselves so we could get to know them just a little bit.
After all, in Mayberry everyone knew everybody else and how can we have a
community without having at least some idea about our neighboors?
I've also had a couple of rules here and I try to enforce them.
Of course Rule #1 is...you guessed it...Obey all rules.
Rule #2 is this: Talk about the things you like about Mayberry..not things
you don't like.
I know some folks forget this second rule sometimes and they don't really
understand WHY I think Rule #2 is important so let me just give you an
example. Let's say I were to say, "Boy, I really hate Barney. I mean, look
how stupid he is and poor Andy has to put up with him." If I said that
(and meant it) what are the first things that happen to you?
First you'd feel like, "Man, that guys a jerk!" Then you'd get aggravated at
this guy talking about your Favorite character (and friend), Barney Fife.
Even if Barney's not your very favorite character, you'd likely be upset
about this guy talking about your neighbor.
I've never heard anyone say anything like that about Barn but I have about
other characters and folks forget that just because they don't like a
particular character doesn't mean that character isn't someone elses
favorite. You see, if I talk about your favorite character saying negative
things about 'em it takes your fun away.
I think that's enough about Rule #2 and I hope you all understand the rule.
It's not to take away from your fun but to encourage you all to tell us about
what's fun to you and share your good feelings with others.
We have something special here. It's something you don't find often on the
internet. No "flames", no "fighting", no "foul language." We have a place
that children and adults can come and enjoy themselves. Always remember that
we have SEVERAL young folks here in "our little corner of Mayberry" and we
need to nurture them by the things we say and do as examples of how things
SHOULD be.
Mayberry is a wonderful place and I'm just glad to be a part of this little
corner of it.
Your Friend and neighbor,
Allan Newsome
"Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board?" Chapter -Internet
of "The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club
http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/
