Wisconsin Dells - "the" place to be!

By Susan Ott (SSC Vice President)

It is interesting to note that I was given the assignment to cover all of the activities at the Dells a good month before the event. I was to go with my trusty digital camera, take a lot of notes, and come home to write an accurate descriptive article on the event. What you don't know is that I am by no means a writer and sure wished Erin or someone of her talents could have been given the job. But no, you're stuck with my version.

I am afraid I am not good at following instructions. I did take my 'trusty digital camera' but did not take 'good' batteries so the pictures are rather limited. I tried to take notes but kept getting excited and forgot to write things down, so many of the notes were taken by my mom, (Thanks, Mom!) and darn that Erin couldn't be there either. So, here is my version of the event.

Having been to many events I knew getting there early was important. It seems Karen from Wisconsin knew that too, as she was the beginning of the line, followed by my mom and myself. It was not long before many others fell in line.

At exactly nine o'clock the doors were opened and in we filed with tickets in hand. We were greeted by Wanda and Yvette and given our goodie bags, asked to fill out a name tag, and Leaf & Acorn members could get a ticket for the drawing.

There were plenty of tables set for us and we were told the more chairs you fill at your table the better off you will be (for those who have not been to an event yet - this is something you should remember). I picked what I thought was the choice table - near the food!, near the displays, relatively close to the auction table and hopefully, not too far from the ladies' room (lots of coffee). The presentation of the food was spectacular. Who could resist all those yummy treats, fruit, bagels, juice, etc. (still early - got a picture of that too).

Once everyone got settled at tables, Yvette and Wanda retold the course of events that led up to Dean NOT being able to be there - but they did soften the blow somewhat by saying that Dean had sent a box with instructions not to open it until he called at some point during the event.

Then the games began (you will notice at some point I lost track of the order of things). Those celebrating August birthdays got to wear lovely hats and spin the wheel (still able to take picture), though wheel suffered somewhat in transportation a gentle spin kept things rolling. A prototype pin was won by the person with a boat in their goodie bag.

Here is where the full table comes in to play, the more hands attempting to assemble the puzzle pieces the better. We did not have a 'full' table but we did manage to win this particular game and each of us got to spin the wheel and each also received puzzles. (At this point I am excited - I have FINALLY won something at a CT event.)  We then played Tic Tac Tails until it was down to two - the winners received a prototype pin (nope, no picture here). Then lots of Bingo games, followed by the 'telephone' game.

Yvette began a review of the new pieces that were on display including the new charity pins and "It's What's Inside that Counts."  At this point Dean calls and Yvette relays his instructions to Wanda who is opening the 'box.' The table captains were directed to pass out white envelopes to everyone at their tables but told NOT to open then until instructed.
The contents were a "Say Cheese!" print (picture was taken at home, since the batteries were fading quickly) and a smaller envelope that was not yet to be opened.  Twelve of us (yep, mine) only had a ladybug in a box instead of "SAY CHEESE" (when I saw this, with a crestfallen look on my face, lean towards my mom and say there's something wrong with my picture, think they'll give me a different one?) but before she could answer Yvette asked everyone with such a picture to line up. Wanda goes back to the box and brings out another package (very clever Dean) and is told to give the first six with small ladybugs the "SAY CHEESE" print and a key chain (said to myself - darn no key chain either). The two people with large ladybugs each won I think prototype plush items that won't be made. The four remaining with small ladybugs were each given a white envelope and holy cow! here is a list of the prints what were in them: Life is Rosy with You; Happy to be Friends; the X and O pin print; Enjoy Life's Voyage; Say Cheese (same as everyone got); I'm Glad You Fluttered Into My Life; Time for Fun; Friendship Guides the Way; and my FAVORITE American Pride!!!

By the way - these pictures were taken at home because I couldn't have focused if my life depended on it at this point! I was warned not to have these trimmed, but I did it anyway as I can't imagine ever parting with them.   We were then told to open the little envelope, which had a large label with "This is How Much I Love You" on it. If you were one of the people who did not have this picture but a ladybug instead you won a print of the four regional event pieces.

It gets a little fuzzy here, but I know more games were after that including word scrambles and the winners of the silent auction items were announced (not a great picture, but the original artwork was tremendous.) A few more games followed with a prize going to just about everyone there!

All in all, (and yes, I might be a little biased) it was a terrific, well-organized event that truly only lacked in that Dean could not be there. Fitz and Floyd know how to throw a party and I for one hope to attend many more!!!!!!

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Attention Button Artists!

It's also time for all you aspiring artists to get out your paints, watercolors or even your crayons - and design the Squashville Social Club's 2004 Club Button!  Button designs must fit within a 2" circle and include "Squashville Social Club" and "2004".  NOTE:  you can create a larger design, so long as it can LEGIBLE be reduced to fit within the 2" circle.  Designs are to be emailed to Rona Horn no later than Sunday, October 5, 2003.  If you are not able to scan & email your design, you can send it by snail-mail.  Just email Rona and she'll send you the address, but snail-mail submissions must be sent no later than Saturday, September 27th!

All submitted designs will then be posted (anonymously) for members to vote on.  All participants will get one button with their design and one button of the winning design.  The 2003 Buttons will only be available until December 31st, so if you haven't ordered yet - see the important information below!