Maybe the national, state and local elections are over, but ...
you still need to VOTE!!

That's right -- it's time for the Squashville Social Club members to vote for this year's Charity Donation!  We've got some wonderful nominees this year and we are very excited to announce that, even though we were not able to have a fund raiser at Rosemont this year, the Charity Donation is $500!  Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the nominated charities.  Each charity name is also a link to their web site where you can find out more about who they are and what they do.  When you've made the difficult decision, email your vote to Joan Woodruff (feerlessfreddie@aol.com) - our Club Treasurer.  Deadline for voting is Midnight (Central Time) November 28th (that's the Sunday after Thanksgiving) - but why wait?  Get your vote in today!

American Cancer Society
A nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

North Shore Animal League
For 60 years, North Shore Animal League of America, located in Port Washington NY, has worked to make the world a safer, friendlier, healthier place for animals in need. Since 1944, the League has placed more than 800,000 lost or abandoned pets in loving homes. They have performed countless routine and extraordinary medical procedures. And they have taught tens of thousands of caring people to be good friends, companions and caretakers to the pets they've adopted through the League.  North Shore Animal League of America is the largest pet adoption agency in the world.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Foundation
Commonly known as "brittle bone" disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from little or no apparent cause.  A person with OI can break a rib while coughing or a leg by rolling over in their sleep.  The OI Foundation is located in Gaithersburg MD.

Southeastern Guide Dogs
Well known to all of us through Dean's support of SGD, this is an organization devoted to training guide dogs for the blind.  SGD spends up to 21 months on the raising and training of guide dogs, in addition to the demanding 26 day training they give to the blind recipients.  SGD, based in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, has graduated over 2,000 guide dog teams and maintains follow-up contact nationwide.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded as an evangelical organization dedicated to bringing people into a meaningful relationship with God through Christ. Its doctrinal basis is that of the Wesleyan-Armenian tradition. It is composed of persons who are united by the love of God and man, and who share the common purpose of the organization - to motivate all people to embrace the salvation provided to them in Christ.  The word "army" indicates that the organization is a fighting force, constantly at war with the powers of evil. Battles are effectively waged through an integrated ministry that gives attention to both body and spirit. It is a total ministry for the total person. The Army cooperates with churches of all denominations to meet the needs of the community.

Woodburn Christian Children's Home (WCCH)
The Woodburn Christian Children's Home, a ministry of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, is located in Woodburn Indiana and is broadly supported by the community.  Since 1972, this special home has provided a Christian family environment for children who are homeless or who have other special needs.  WCCH is supported entirely by voluntary contribution. They receive no federal, state or county support and are entirely dependent upon private contributors to operate on a cash basis.  The WCCH's cost of caring for a child is about half the average cost of similar child-care throughout their area. Children are evaluated on a needs basis. Family participation is on a sliding scale.

Remember - the deadline is the 28th - so get your votes to Joan right away!!

To order, just send your check or money order, payable to "Squashville Social Club," to Joan Woodruff, 420 South Dara James Road, Des Plaines, IL  60016-2713.
 

Here’s our next "Mystery Cruiser":

Mystery Cruiser #2 probably has the shortest distance to travel to get on the cruise ship at New Orleans.  If you were at the Spring Event in Jacksonville last year, you probably saw Cruiser #2 - it was her first meeting with Dean!  Because Cruiser #2 is retiring soon, this will be the first of many cruises and a chance to test out their "sea legs."  "Since I have never had time to go on a cruise, this seemed like the best opportunity too practice for more of the same."

Hint:  Cruiser #2 -- we 'salute' you and wish you well with your retirement in June.

Well, I hope you can figure out her identity!!  Be watching future newsletter for 8 more Mystery Cruisers!!

Upcoming Charming Tails Events - CORRECTION!

In the last newsletter, the Character Event at Colorado Stationers was listed as being on November 6th.  This was WRONG!  The event is being held on the 13th!  So you DIDN'T miss it yet!  Make sure to make the trip to either of the exciting Character Events!  It's a great time to meet up with fellow CT friends!

Check the "News in a Nutshell" archive for past issues!

Don't forget ... if you're ever looking for a past issue of "News in a Nutshell" - just click on the "ribbon" graphic that's towards the bottom of the CT Resource Page, right next to "Fun Stuff".  This is a permanent link and takes you to the Squashville Social Club Newsletter Archive!  All the past issues are there - for you to enjoy!
 

Squashville Social Club Sponsors!

Without the support of our sponsors, we would not be able to bring you the monthly contests.  Please show our sponsors how much we appreciate them by making your Charming Tails purchases from them.  And - to make it easy, we're adding a permanent list of all the wonderful stores that sponsor the Squashville Social Club.  This list will be here all the time - so anytime you're in the mood to do some "Tail shopping", just pick a sponsor and pick out the pieces you've "got to have"!!
 

Dreams & Rainbows
Gift Creations
DBC Collectibles

Precious Plates & Things
Collecto-Mania
J. Philip, Inc
 

Charming Shoppe
Sparkling Rose Collectibles
Piroska's Gift Shop
 

Well, gang - that's all our latest issue of the "News in a Nutshell" 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? Do you know of a good CT link that others should check out?  Or just let us know your  comments about the Newsletter!  Email Susan Jmsmott@aol.com your thoughts or to get your info in the next SSC Newsletter!

Charming Tails photos copyright by Fitz & Floyd, Inc.
Original artwork copyright by Dean Griff.
All other photos and artwork copyright Oak Leaf Publishing, Inc., 2007