Our Towns: It's a sweep in Young Authors Contest

Charlotte.com

February 24, 2008

The theme this week involves 'big' and 'small' in Waxhaw.

First, let's celebrate the big news.

Waxhaw Elementary School has all the state winners from Union County for the N.C. Reading Association's Young Authors Contest.

This is a big deal, and here are the details:

Mrs. Wansley's first-grade class took home three of the four winners with Joel Simpson, Jenna Sweezy and Brayden Van Milligan receiving top honors. I also am told that 'Alexandra Myers made fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Bittner smile by winning at state level.'

In addition to the state winners, eight other Waxhaw elementary young authors were recognized at the county level for the Young Author's Contest. They are, by grade:

** First grade: Sean Carton.

** Second grade: Amanda Lynip and Ashley Corn.

** Third grade: Adrian Johnson and Josie Thompson

** Fourth grade: Katherine Davidson, Savannah Brewer and Grace Barlow.

These students will be honored at a reception in the spring and given a chance to read their entry to a live audience. I know I didn't get to do that in first grade, or the fifth (or the 12th for that matter).

This level of achievement doesn't just happen.

Teachers, parents and the Waxhaw Elementary PTA all deserve credit for making a concerted effort to enrich the library with books, inaugurate a 'graduated reader' series to help young students progress at a level appropriate for them, and encourage writing in the school.

I think the N.C. Reading Association also deserves credit for creating a forum that encourages written expression from the beginning of school. Their Web site, www.ncreading.org, tells of their programs and goals. Among the goals: 'Support reading/writing instruction across the state.' The whole school community at Waxhaw Elementary has benefited.

Before I learned of the 'Big News,' I was mulling a column about the pleasures of Waxhaw as a small town; one that typifies the idea that bigger isn't always better. A perfect example awaits theater fans next weekend.

'Discretion' by Rock Hill playwright Terry Roueche will be presented as a concert reading by the Storefront Theatre at the Museum of the Waxhaws at 8 p.m. Saturday and again at 2 p.m. next Sunday.

The cast includes Waxhaw actress Barbara Pratt and Mineral Springs-based actor Michael Harding. I offer our readers the following comments from Storefront Theatre founder Judy Simpson Cook:

'Briefly, `Discretion' is the story of a married couple whose relationship is threatened by the friendship that develops between the wife and a younger male co-worker. He is clearly very interested in her. She's clearly flattered and enjoys his company. The husband wants to keep the marriage intact. And how tolerant is he willing to be to ensure it? The play is very subtle. Lots of subtext and talking around things. I describe it as having mature content because it is adult subject matter -- faithfulness (or lack of it) in marriage. Children would not hear bad language or witness inappropriate behavior but they would be bored out of their ever-lovin' minds. It's a sophisticated play and people will talk about it and think about it.'

The setting is intimate, the actors professional, and there's a lot to be said for something that will cause people to talk and think. The price is $10 and reservations are suggested. Call 704-243-7283, or contact mail@thestorefronttheatre.com.

By way of contrast, three weeks ago, we went to 'The Greatest Show on Earth' at Bobcats Arena. Cast of hundreds, jugglers, clowns, elephants, horses, dogs, lions and tigers. It was fun, but we didn't have cause to think, and the only thing we talked about was how much it cost to park (more than a ticket to 'Discretion').

Bigger isn't necessarily better.

Finally, a 'that's so Waxhaw' story.

Valentine's evening, Your-Man-in-Waxhaw floated this offer to his bride of 40 years: 'We could go out if you'd like. I'm sure we could get a table if we went at 5:30.'

My brain must have been dulled by the smell of elephants. We arrived without a reservation at a packed Rippingtons. A big-time restaurant would have said 'So sorry,' or maybe 'Are you kidding?' but in Waxhaw, the hostess said, 'Let me see if someone would like to share a table.'

David and Rachel Clark and their son Phillips graciously said 'Sure,' and we were seated, Irish pub style.

I love this town. OUR TOWNS

Drop me a line

If you have something to share about Waxhaw, e-mail: John Anderson at: janderson@charlotteobserver.com.

I welcome photos (make sure everyone is clearly identified left to right). Mail to 132. S. Main St., Monroe, NC 28112 or e-mail them as a JPEG file. Be sure to

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