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Post by larryparks68west on Dec 17, 2013 20:05:50 GMT
We are pleased to roll out our new message forum. For some time we have needed a site where we could be free of unwelcome language and topics. Hopefully, this will be the answer to this need.
Please take time to try out all of the features this site offers us. Select the buttons above the message box to see what you can do with font styles, size and colors. Post something, even if it's only a Merry Christmas to all Westsiders! Once you make that first post, it should be easy to come back and "talk" with us.
Just to get things rolling, why not post your favorite Christmas memory in the topic box already started?
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Post by gdowner on Dec 18, 2013 16:21:10 GMT
Great news! Linda and I believe this is the way to further West Side communication "in the bond."
My favorite Christmas memories are the ones I spent working for "Toys for Tots." I was in the Marine Reserve 1966, 67, 68, 69, 70. We all worked together to make this campaign a success. It was really easy duty for a drill weekend during November and December at the 4th Street Navy/Marine Corps reserve Center. Got a little chilly some years when we were out collecting. This was one of the few worthwhile things I did in my misspent youth so I will always remember this effort with my fellow Marines for less fortunate children. Still participate in Toys for Tots by making a contribution every year.
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Post by Jane Brackett McArver on Dec 18, 2013 16:46:12 GMT
Yea! I did it! Looking forward to a fresh new start-over with our brand new forum. Thanks, Mike Luckey and Larry Parks for all of your hard work!
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Post by charliemccaskill on Dec 31, 2013 17:26:38 GMT
done the same thing for 3 years, at charlotte center, i think about 67,68...till i transferred to baltimore, md reserve center. they didn't participate the same way. i would take a 5 ton truck home, over sat sunday...drive all day, pick up toys in several neighborhoods...got boocoo's looks in a combat veh! how'd you like to go get your paper, and see a combat vehicle sitting in your neighbor's driveway? the spill..."i need TOYS"...and would just be overwhelmed! parents too would be overwhelmed! you made more friends, and respect...plus adoration from the olive drab green utilities you wore. i know a few who drove in dress blues..but to me, a tad too show-offy.
and if one went to a dist center, for family pickup...then you KNOW why all this effort was worth it!
and, the ones i kept up with, over 30 years...still remember what the U.S.M.C. was to THEM!
Santa who?
charlie
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Post by Grady Whitaker 66 H on Jan 4, 2014 18:55:35 GMT
Hay man, I made it. Thanks you Larry and Sonny for your help. I have to remember I went to Harding and things like this can be bad.
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Post by karenclinewallaceW67 on Feb 20, 2014 19:43:36 GMT
I think it would be a good idea if we could change our user name to our first, maiden and last name and school/yr just like Larry did! Not sure why I did not do that in the beginning.If we did, mine would be KarenClineWallaceW67.
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Post by karenclinewallaceW67 on Feb 20, 2014 19:47:22 GMT
And you too can do it...at the top of the forum, click Profile and Personal and make the change.
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Homie
Harding-West 60's
Posts: 19 
User Name (Recognizable to others): Steve Howie West '64
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Post by Homie on Apr 12, 2014 21:21:26 GMT
Any explanation for this statement? Does it mean it's going away?
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Post by larryparks68west on Apr 14, 2014 14:37:54 GMT
Homie,
When the original message board was launched 10 years ago, it became a huge success. Many people saw an opportunity to share memories of growing up on the west side of Charlotte. Others seized the opportunity to reconnect with friends they hadn’t heard from in decades. For a number of years the board flourished and was enjoyed by countless Westsiders.
As time moved along, a very few decided to use the board in ways it was not originally intended. Topics shifted from upbeat memories to racism, political attacks and personal attacks on classmates who did not share the posting person’s viewpoints.
Emails to the message board’s moderator expressing displeasure in this trend became more frequent. Warnings to the offending few went unheeded, resulting in “bans” from our board.
The bans brought criticism from an additional few who feel that anything and everything should be allowed, no matter who is offended. Clearly, it’s a darned if you do, darned if you don’t situation.
Given that Facebook has become the prime medium for connecting with friends, our board has suffered a loss of usage to it also.
Our reunion committee met two weeks ago. This topic was discussed at length. The majority agreed that the time has come to take this off our plate. Beginning March 31, the Harding West reunion committee no longer monitors either the old message board or the new ProBoards forum. The old message board is paid up into December of this year. The committee voted to discontinue renewing with Bravenet.com. Therefore, the old site will cease to exist near the end of this year. It has been re-opened for now and can be used as before. No bans are in place on either site now.
The ProBoards forum is a free site for which the committee paid nothing. We will not be closing it down. As long as the hosting entity allows it to remain available, it can be used. Additionally, the new ProBoards forum has been opened to anyone who wishes to post on it. No need for passwords. Just go there and use the forum like the old one.
It is regrettable that things have turned out this way. Our apologies to Joe Fiorello, whose vision was for something much nicer than what the Bravenet site degenerated into.
In summary, both sites are open to everyone now without oversight. Enjoy them to the extent possible. We truly hope that those who post on the sites will use good taste and consider the others who use them.
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Post by Rita (Schott) Brindle W65 on Apr 18, 2014 14:39:36 GMT
I posted this on the old message board and decided to post it here too. Hope you all will join me in enjoying our new message board!!
The best way to keep the message board (no matter which one) going is to use it and use it for what it was intended for. (Which is exactly what most folks do.) If negative posts pop up sometimes, just ignore them. The best way to stop something like that is to NOT respond and then there is no way it will become a negative conversation or an argument. I, for one, will not ackowledge negativity or vulgarity on the boards in any way. I have decided it just doesn't deserve any of my time!!!!
Hugs to you all!!
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Post by Ronnie Williamson on Apr 24, 2014 11:47:07 GMT
I posted to the old message board about the problems and how others being blocked also resulted in me and others with similar IP addresses being blocked as a result of this action. It happenebd to me more than once and one time for more than a year. I would like to see us start using the board more. It's a site we all know and have in common. Let's give it a try.
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