Dorothy and I are pleased to announce that the NC-X mascot, Xavier, won the mascot competition at the NC District convention, Wings over the Smokies this past weekend. In case you missed hearing how we acquired Xavier, here is the story. At our August gathering, Bob and Robin Maher mentioned that there was going to be a mascot competition at Wings over the Smokies in September. They offered a potential mascot and agreed to bring him to our garage meeting the following Saturday. The mascot was chosen, named Xavier, and the rest is history. The competition required that we display the mascot in a 3’x3’ space and include a biography of the mascot. That evening, Dorothy was in a poetic mood and created a poem about Xavier. She sent it to Rick Yost who recognized that the poem could be turned into a song. Rick in turn put the poem to music, recorded it as he played his guitar, and sent it back to us. That kicked us into high gear. Bob and Robin Maher, Fred and Judy Haynes, Bob Hunter, Rick and Barbie Yost, Dorothy and I got together and decided to put together a little stage setting for Xavier in the Vegas theme with lights, glitter, a turntable, and computerized display of the song with words and sound. Some of you may have heard the song at our last gathering. Since Xavier was the winner of the competition, we convinced the District Directors to let us perform the song live at the closing ceremonies. We had a blast and hope we represented all of NC-X with dignity and pride, and of course, humility.
Click: a resume for Xavier, a brochure, a photo, and two YouTube videos (below) where you can hear the song and see it performed live. Enjoy! Xavier took back to Wake Forest at total of $814.48 all of which will be given to the O’Berry Center at the Gifts on Cycles holiday celebration the first Saturday in December.
We note that none of the money raised in this competition came from the NC-X treasury; it was all donated by attendees at Wings over the Smokies.
Xavier will reside with the NC District Staff as their mascot for 2012. NC-X in turn has acquired the NC District Staff mascot, K-Wally as our mascot for 2012. At the 2012 Wings over the Smokies we will get Xavier back and we will return K-Wally to the District where he will be given to next years’ winner of the mascot competition.
Thanks to all members of NC-X who directly contributed to this fun experience as well as to those who sent us encouraging notes as we travelled west. You will all meet K-Wally at our next gathering on Sunday, 2 October.
Bob (Goose) & Dorothy Richards
Directors, Wake Forest Wings (NC-X)
Xavier Music Video
Xavier song performed at closing ceremonies at 2011 Wings Over The Smokies