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SQUASHVILLE SOCIAL CLUB
NEWSLETTER

August 30, 2002

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Charming Names Contest Results

The Results are In!

SSC will submit the following names to Fitz & Floyd: Malcolm & Madeline
............. & .............
Montgomery & Millicent

Congratulations and a BIG Thanks to the members who submitted the selected names:  JoAnn F., Todd & Kelli L., Karen, Mike B., Susan, Karen & Michael N., Emily,   Carol (Scooter), Krista K., Genia, Beka, Kathy Di, Scott & Gina R., Karlynn, Rae and Sherrill  (The names were very popular!)
We had 68 members enter names in the contest .... Quite a turnout! Thanks!


And a big thank you to our judges ... Gina, Christine & Olga! Great job!

 

Special Announcement!

Due to the wonderful talents of
Cathy Hauk ("Cat"), we are
pleased announce the
2002 Squashville Social Club Key Chain!

That's right!  The key chain, which measures about 1.5" x 2.25" is made of solid rosewood.  What a classy way to show-off your membership!  Key chains are just $9.00 for the first one ordered, $7.50 for each additional key chain in the same order.  And guess what?  It makes the perfect gift for a secret pal.  Send your check or money order, payable to our esteemed Treasurer "Joan Woodruff" to:  Joan Woodruff, 420 South Dara James Road, Des Plaines, IL  60016-2713.  Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

SSC Member Profile

Jean Ruksas
From Arizona

   Jean has collected CTs for about seven (very productive!) years. She has about 760 pieces in her collection, which grows daily.
    "You never know what's in tomorrow's mail," she said.
   "Acorn Built for Two" was the first piece in her collection. She got it as a gift from her daughter. "She started buying me a few mice from Charming Tails and After The Party," Jean recalls.
   Among her favorites, Jean counts the figurine "You're a Special Mum" because of its exquisite detail. She said one of her daughter's favorite pieces is "Can I Keep Him."
   She displays her CT treasures in three huge curio cabinets, grouped by theme: winter/Christmas, with big flowers, etc. She says, "The most whimsical is the 'with blue and white striped pillows' group. The winter ones have grown to six shelves, so they must be Dean's favorites. Before we acquired a new, larger pair of curios, my daughter insisted that I wasn't to buy any more 'winter'."
   Jean has yet to meat Dean, but has firsthand experience with his kind nature. "He did send a delightful card and note for my 80th birthday," she said.
   Meeting Scooter on-line ranks among her favorite CT moment.
   Jean has many other interests, when she's not busy with her huge CT collection!
   "I collect almost any mouse but Mickey. I also collect stamps and do some counted cross-stitch and am trying some quilting. I have a large collection of paperweights which sit in front of a very high (almost cat-proof) window and are the other half of my "e-name" pwmouse," she said.
   "I'm a widow with two daughters and two grandchildren and an unaffectionate tuxedo cat who rules the house. The cat does like to cuddle briefly at about 6 a.m. The collecting bug is hereditary - one of my daughters collects Wee Forest Folk, Pocket Dragons, and anything to do with Girl Scouts. The other isn't a collector, but loves to quilt and bake and garden."

Say "Hi" to Jean next time you catch her on the message board!

Just Discovered!

We are very pleased to announce the discovery of two previously unknown pieces of "Griffware" (that's giftware designed by Dean Griff but not part of the Charming Tails Line)!

A collector, who prefers to remain anonymous, contacted our Club President, Mike Brennan, with pictures of four pieces they had in their collection for several years.  After some research, Mike was able to verify with Dean that  he did, in fact, design the pieces for Silvestri.  However, none of them were ever produced!  What a discovery!  Four pieces that had been sitting on their shelf for years were suddenly determined to be PROTOTYPES!  And two of them were never even known before!

The first piece was called "Easter Airlines" (88/602), but, as Dean says, "That never flew!"  (Oh, Dean!) The exciting news is that this piece just might be part of the future Charming Tails line - re-sculpted and re-named, of course!

          

Next - there is "Skunk in Easter Basket" (88/601).  This piece was never made and never will be!  (Awhhh!)

          

Two other pieces this collector had turned out to be "Griffware" that we've seen before, but which they didn't know were prototypes!  There's "Skunk Sleeping in Flowers" (89/614) (left) and "Splash Down" (83/800) (right).

And Now .......
A    CONTEST!!!!!!!!

"Belle of the Ball"

    Squashville was abuzz with anticipation, as the town hurried to prepare for the biggest celebration in its history, the Tenth Anniversary Gala Ball.
    Each little critter got an invitation to the event, and none planned to miss out on all the fun. Rumor had it that Dean Griff himself would make an appearance, so many out-of-towners were coming in for the event.
   The Pumpkin Inn had no vacancies, so many visitors were planning to take advantage of the mild Squashville weather by Camping Out under the stars. Many even planned to Wish Upon a Star that they might have a moment to tell Dean how special he has been to all of them over the years.
    The Radishing Beauty Salon was busy in the days leading up to the Gala, with all the female residents of Squashville planning to dazzle at the Ball. Maxine got a new flower for her hair while Bunnie had her ears fluffed for the special occasion. Lydia got into the spirit with special wing polish, giving her a shine that wowed the crowded salon. "You're the Apple of My Eye," Lancelot told her when he met her downtown for some shopping later that afternoon. "You Couldn't Be Sweeter," Lydia told him, beaming.
     Chauncey was hurriedly preparing the decorations for the event, to be held in the downtown square. He was so proud to have been chosen to oversee the Gala, and he worked hard overseeing the preparations.
    Binkey and Mackenzie helped him set up the tables, each with soft linens and ornate floral arrangements to help celebrate the special occasion.  "Chauncey has really done a great job," Binkey noted as he stopped for a carrot break. "Want a Bite?" he asked Mackenzie. "No Thanks, I'm Stuffed," Mackenzie replied, admiring the outdoor extravaganza.
    As evening drew near, the Squashville Gang retreated to their homes to get ready for the Gala. Sidney spruced up with a new set of antennae, while next door Sebastian and Sabrina Squirrel put the finishing touches on their attire. "My Love For You Will Never Grow Old," said Sabrina, as she thought about their first meeting so long ago. They were so young then, and now 10 years later they were celebrating their anniversary along with the town's big Gala. 
   "I fell in love with you the first time I saw you," said Sebastian. "You Melted My Heart." But Sabrina remembered his cold feet before their wedding, and they shared a laugh at the silliness of their youth. "You Can't Run From Love," Sabrina reminded him. And she was right! They would be Together Forever.
    Finally, Stewart sounded the bell that announced Dean's arrival and the start of the Ball. Each critter came out of their home in awe of the downtown transformation. The Street Lights and Signs were all adorned with lovely ribbons and greenery. Even Reginald's Newsstand boasted a fresh coat of paint and a banner declaring it "Dean Griff Day" in Squashville.
    Reginald had worked long into the night to finish up his project and stood nearby, proudly waving as Maxine called out, "Picture Perfect" and snapped a photo with her camera. "You're a Sweet Friend," he replied.
    Crowds of critters gathered around Dean, clad in his spiffy royal blue shirt. "May I Have Your Autograph?" they inquired, and - as always - he was happy to oblige. "You're Berry Special," Bunnie told Dean with a blush. "You're Cute As A Button," Chauncey said. "You Make Me Proud," noted Mackenzie as Dean signed his autograph book.
    "What has been your favorite experience over the years," asked Reginald, in reporter mode. (After all, he was the editor of the Squashville Gazette!)
    Dean paused a moment before answering. With his familiar smile, he replied, "Ten Years of Making Friends."
    "Your Friendship is Golden!" roared the crowd.
    Autograph time over, Lydia and Lancelot ushered everyone to their seats. As the group settled in for the big event, a whisper made its way around the room. "Where is Belle?" the critters wondered. She was nowhere to be seen.
    Just at that moment, Belle arrived. "I'm So Sorry," she said breathlessly. "I didn't mean to be late!"
    But the crowd didn't hear her -- they were too enraptured by her appearance. Her feathers sparkled like the morning dew and her beak had just the faintest touch of pink polish. She looked amazingly beautiful.
    As the critters gathered around Belle to offer compliments about her beautiful attire, Maxine wondered how long the beautiful Belle had been part of Squashville. Quiet, unassuming and friendly, she had blended in with the group so perfectly that no one could quite recall when she made her first appearance there.
  
Can you recall? What was her first appearance? And how many times has Belle appeared in Squashville over the years? List the names of the pieces & year of introduction. The SSC member who comes up with the most pieces bearing the lovely Belle  (all verifiable of course!) will be declared the winner!  Note:  This includes both the "brown" and "blue" versions of Belle!
    The winner will receive a special Rosemont Goodie Package, compliments of Squashville Social Club!       To e-mail your entry to Erin (epbryan@lcc.net), just
click here.  Entries must be received no later than Midnight, Central Time, on Saturday, September 28th.
     Good luck, and have fun!!





Well, gang - that's all for this Premier Issue of the Squashville Social Club Newsletter!  We hope you enjoyed it - and look forward to bringing you our next issue.

But HEY!!  Have YOU got a CT scoop? Do YOU want to share a story? Or maybe your favorite CT Photo? Know of a good CT link that others should check out?  Or just let us know your  comments about the new Newsletter!  Email Erin epbryan@lcc.net your thoughts or to get your info in the next SSC Newsletter!

Charming Tails photos copyright by Fitz & Floyd, Inc.
Key chain photo copyright Universal Laser Systems, Inc.
All other photos and artwork copyright Oak Leaf Publishing, Inc.