I’ve lived in Fayette County for 22 years now, and have gotten to know a lot of people. I’ve made friends, made friends with friends of friends, and have known some people long enough to have seen their children be born and finish school.
During that time, the definition of “friends” has grown to include the Facebook variety. And today around Fayette County, there’s a Facebook page for darn near everything. These online community groups are sources of news, resources, humor and the occasional gossip.
Life in the PTC Bubble is a moderated page where more than 16,000 people post referrals, advice, shout-outs, reviews and much more. You can get recommendations for everything from doctors to nail salons, find out who’s got cupcakes on sale and be among the first to know that the sheep figurines on the Arbor Terrace lawn just had “babies.”
Another page, Think Beyond the Bubble, describes itself as being the place to go “to release the stress of everyday life in Peachtree City” with, as one member put it, “just the right amount of sarcasm.” But it’s not all about complaining, and does not permit foul language. The Real Life in the Bubble page is a smaller group that lists activities and events but allows neither moaning nor marketing.
The most emotional messages occur on the PTC Lost and Found Pet Listings page. Photos of adorable dogs and cats who are “LOST!” “FOUND!” and thankfully “REUNITED!” pop up daily. Someone even lost a pig once. It’s frustrating to see how many people fail to put microchips or tags on their pets, but more often than not, there’s a happy ending. And when it’s bad news, the outpouring of sympathy is immediate and heartfelt, among people who often have never met.
People wanting to fill or offer jobs have a great local resource on the PTC Job Seekers page. At a time when some employers don’t even acknowledge applications or interviews, it’s a much more direct way to network. And you get the feeling you could even list some of your Facebook friends as references!
The PTC Small & Home Business Info group showcases the nearby entrepreneurs who offer a wide range of services and products, and notes larger community events where some of these folks can be found.
Community Facebook pages represent the county as a whole, too. The Fayette County GA Community Discussion group runs the geographic gamut for events, consumer troubleshooting, county news and charity benefits. The City of Fayetteville hosts its own page, as does Tyrone. Looking for live music in Fayetteville? There’s a page for that, too.
Yard sale fans can find a plethora of personal purging on Fayetteville GA Yard Sales, PTC Yard Sales, the PTC Unfashionable Flea Market (“for items of a more practical nature”) and the Fayette: Buy, Sell, Trade page.
Like, Love, Haha, Wow, Sad, Angry – life online reflects life around town, with friends you’ve known for years and “friends” it might take years to know.
Jill Howard Church has lived in Fayette County since 1994. Reach her at jillptcblog@aol.com
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