Theft of ‘Rockette’ dismays town residents

Rockette, a life-size scarecrow and the newest addition to the Black Mountain Beautification Committee’s fall display, has been removed from her post of welcoming people to Black Mountain.

Her friend Rocky joined the fall display in 2014. His addition to Town Square was so appreciated and photographed by locals and visitors that Rockette decided to join him this year.

With her arm raised in a wave to all who passed, Rockette took up residence at the entrance to Town Square on Sept. 22.

Sometime between the night before and the morning after, she was removed involuntarily from her post.

All that remained of her time at Town Square was one of her green boots and a basket of gourds she had collected.

Each year the Black Mountain Beautification Committee decorates the town for fall. Committee members Joyce Ackerman and Mary Werner lovingly created Rocky and Rockette to reflect the spirit of Black Mountain as “The Little Town That Rocks.”

“In the grand scheme of life, this is not a big thing,” Joyce Black-Woerz, co-chair of the Beautification Committee, said. “But it is stealing joy from the community and visitors.”

When reported to the Black Mountain Police Department, members of the force expressed dismay, as they too had enjoyed the whimsy of Rockette welcoming folks to town.

Despite the theft of Rockette, members of the committee continued their fall decorations at Town Square and other parts of town on Saturday, Sept. 26.

They take the theft of Rockette personally and ask the communities help in locating Rockette and bringing her back to her home at Town Square.