Forum posters reveal real faces at The Duke

His real name is Bill, but to these scores of friends he goes by Chuck, although most never had laid eyes on him before Saturday night. He resides in Casa Grande, where he moved from Flagstaff, but in his fantasy world he still lives in Maricopa, which he left to move to Flagstaff.
Confused? Perhaps not if you’re a regular Forum poster.

Bill’s (or Chuck’s) “world” is the inmaricopa.com Forum, where locals – and evidently former locals – talk back and forth daily, sharing the news of the day and their many and varied – and sometimes zany and funny – opinions on it.

More than 75 Forum posters got to see the real faces behind the inmaricopa.com avatars on Saturday night at The Duke. This was the third, and largest, Forum gathering in the past two years.

True to the medium, the party was dreamt up and organized by poster “Miss Kerry”, with a little help from her friends. The event was similar to other unintended but delightful results of the Forum, which is organically developing connections among people of similar interests in Maricopa.

Forum participant Sinbad, for example, hosts Forum participant Risk and poker parties. We’ve also seen affinity groups ranging from Bible study to Harley riders to lady partiers to pick-up basketball form through the Forum.

Besides Bill (or Chuck), who can’t seem to leave the Maricopa nest, the event attracted a young couple who had been in town but two short weeks but who already had e-connected with others in the city. In a community as new and growing as Maricopa, it has become the prime way for new neighbors to meet and to relate.

Presented here are a few comments from and photos of your Maricopa neighbors, both actual and virtual, having fun and getting to know each other and their town. Feel free to join the group and the fun by signing on to the inmaricopa.com Forum.

THANK YOU!!! Miss Kerry for organizing this. I met new people who I know are now going to be called friends!!! – JustJodi

Sure was awesome meeting all the new people and seeing all the old faces again. Looking forward to the next gathering. -twostep23

It was so wonderful to hang out with old friends and meet some new ones too!! Forum members that I had been talking to for a LONG TIME I finally got to meet – which was so nice!!

Thanks to The Duke for providing us with a lovely place to have this gathering – the grounds are looking absolutely beautiful!! Food was good too.

Everyone needs to keep in touch now – don’t be strangers!! – Miss Kerry

Photos by Scott Bartle