And the CRUISE winners are ...

As many of you know, there were TWO chances last year to win a FREE trip for two on the Charming Tails Cruise to Cozumel coming up on April 14 - 18, 2005.

First - from among all the Leaf & Acorn Club Member who entered at the Character Events held last year, one lucky winner has been drawn.  And the winner is ... Karen Piercy from Indiana!  Congratulations, Karen!!

Second - "You're the Ticket" was a limited edition of 4,000 and each piece was individually numbered at the top of the ticket around Mackenzie.  A number matching one of those numbers is being drawn.  If you own the piece that matches the number drawn - you WIN!!

Well - it's time to announce that winner, too!!

#1395 - this is the lucky number that was drawn just today!

If you have "You're the Ticket" number 1395 - then you have TWO WEEKS to contact Fitz & Floyd and claim your FUN-tastic prize!  If nobody claims the prize, a new number will be drawn.  Call Fitz & Floyd at 1-800-527-9550, extension 7795 (just ask for Wanda Dierolf) or send an email with your name and phone number to Fitz & Floyd!

And be sure to let us know when you've claimed your prize (email Susan Ott and she'll take it from there!) - and we'll feature a story all about you right here in the Squashville Social Club Newsletter!

And a BIG Congratulations to the two winners!!

The new buttons are now available! So get your order ready and send a check or money order, payable to "Squashville Social Club," to Joan Woodruff, 420 South Dara James Road, Des Plaines, IL  60016-2713.  Buttons are $6.00 for the first one ordered, $3.50 for each additional button in the same order.
 

More contest results - the Pig has a name!!

2004 saw the introduction of a new resident in Squashville - the PIG!  But, alas, he had no name!

So - at all of the Character Events held during the year, suggestions could be submitted - and MANY were!  Whew!  It took a LOT of work, but a name was finally selected!  So we now can call Pig ...

PURCIVAL!!

Congratulations to the winning "suggester" (if that's a word!) - Dawn Hoffman from Florida!  Dawn is the lucky winner of samples of all 7 pieces featuring Purcival that were introduced at the Character Events - and they'll all be signed by Dean himself!  A great prize - for a great name!  Congratulations, Dawn!
 

A BRAND NEW CONTEST!!
WITH AN EXTRA SPECIAL PRIZE!!

Embrace the New Year - and "Embrace Peace" as your prize!!

We're REALLY excited about kicking off the new year!  So we went out and got the VERY newest Charming Tails piece - just for this contest!

"Embrace Peace"

We're not sure (even yet!) exactly what the distribution of this piece will be, though there are three Dealers offering it so far.  But why wait?  Why buy it?  You can win it right here from the Squashville Social Club just by sending us a list of at least five Charming Tails pieces where a pair of characters are EMBRACING each other (or close to it).  You know - HUGGING each other!  SNUGGLED up together!  (close "snuggling" counts!)

So embrace the New Year.  Embrace the new Charming Tails piece.  Embrace your loved one - but FIRST send us your list!  Send it no later than midnight of Sunday, January 31st, to Susan Ott.  The winner will be randomly picked from all entries listing 5 or more pieces!!
 

2005 Leaf & Acorn Club Kits are coming soon!

We've checked with Fitz & Floyd -- keep an eye on the Fitz & Floyd web site (or your FAVORITE Squashville Social Club newsletter!) for all the information you need to order a kit, buy one from a Charming Tails Dealer or renew your membership!
 

Let's bring back "Random Acts of Kindness"!

Over the years, the Squashville Social Club has sponsored both the "Secret Pals" and the "Random Acts of Kindness" (RAK) program.  We even sponsor a chat board, hosted by the Bears 'N Buddies web site, where participants can send each other messages.

In the past, Nancy Roth served admirably as the administrator of both programs.  BUT - during the past couple of years, she has had to step away to handle other personal obligations.

This means we need a new coordinator for the "Random Acts of Kindness" program!  What's involved?  Not much, really.  The Program Coordinator 1) arranges announcement of each new session of the program; 2) sends out a short "survey" to those who want to participate; and 3) coordinates the answers into a master list that is sent to the participants.  That's it!  Not much work - a LOT of fun - and a great way to meet fellow Charming Tails collectors!!

If you would be interested in being the Coordinator for the RAK Program, please send an email to Mike Brennan.  Once a new Coordinator is chosen, we look forward to announcing the return of this popular - and FUN - program!
 

From Susan Ott, here’s two more "Mystery Cruisers":

MYSTERY CRUISER #5

Another anniversary couple!  (Note from Susan:  I'm still leaving my husband at home and taking my best friend -who will also be turning 50 in April!)  Mystery Cruiser No. 5 and spouse are celebrating their 21st anniversary shortly after the cruise!

Unlike Mystery Cruiser No. 4 and spouse, this is NOT #5's first cruise - more like the couple's 10th!!!  When you figure out who they are we'll have to find out all the places they've been on cruise ships.

No. 5 has something others would love to have - a room dedicated to Charming Tails!  Gosh, that's not much of hint since many collectors already have such a room.  So here's a hint - it's south of the Mason/Dixon line…

No. 5's first charming tail was LOVE MICE, a special present from their spouse.  (Isn't it funny, we can't remember what Christmas presents we bought yesterday, but we can all remember that first Charming Tail.)

Here are a few additional 'cruise' comments from No. 5:  "I'm rotten at geography so I can't tell you how far we will be traveling to New Orleans (Susan: I believe they are traveling the farthest so far of all the Mystery Cruisers).  We've met Dean many times - he's a 'sweetheart'. 

When asked how many people are in their group, No. 5 and spouse replied "There are two of us, although we will be meeting our 'Charming friends' in New Orleans.  (I think all of us feel that way!!)
 

MYSTERY CRUISER #6

Geez!  Yet another anniversary person - though this Mystery Cruiser No. 6 is not taking a spouse on the trip (I guess they will celebrate their 50th anniversary in another way) but a daughter.  Mystery Cruiser No. 6 must also collect (or used to collect) Precious Moments as that was the sponsor of the other cruise No. 6 has been on. No. 6 will be traveling 1,500 miles to New Orleans for this cruise.

No. 6 has met Dean on numerous occasions and has been collecting Charming Tails for quite some time (here's a hint - I saw No. 6 twice in 2004 myself!)

When asked why they are going on the cruise, the reply was to see all the lovely people again!  Another hint, the change in cruise dates did not fit into No. 6's work schedule so I am sure it will be a very taxing time!
 

Be watching future newsletters for 4 more Mystery Cruisers!
And check out the past three issues of News in a Nutshell for the past clues!!
 

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