The 10th meeting of the Western North Carolina EastEnders Fanatics was held on Saturday, July 8th at 1 p.m. in Asheville. Regular members, including Jennifer Allen, Bill Ammons, Dee Brennan, Barry and Martha Covington, Betty Elliott, Jane Hewitt, Anne Jones, Patti Lambert, Phyllis Metcalf, Rebecca Morrison, Brenda Muery, Melissa Munnell, Judy Purdee, Noell Teasley, and Vikki Whiston, met at Damon's and spent the afternoon discussing EastEnders, sharing EE paraphernalia, watching "EastEnders: The Early Years," and vying for the title of "EastEnders Trivia King/Queen." (The winner was, once again, Martha "EE Trivia Queen" Covington!) First time attendees included Michael and Leisa Barnette of Asheville, Mary Duke Barnwell and Peter Hayden from the NC coast, and Michelle Whitney, who drove all the way in from South Carolina!

In addition to regular GabFest fun, Melissa Munnell brought lots of delicious confections direct from England for everyone to sample. Cadbury candies, chips and biscuits, chocolate-covered cookies, and rich mini pies were enjoyed by all. And, Jane Hewitt generously provided beautiful porcelain thimbles featuring the EastEnders logo and Queen Vic for each and every fan! Jennifer Allen favored everybody with an EastEnders magnet as well.

After lunch was served, there was yet another surprise: The WNC EastEnders Fanatics presented Jennifer Allen with a wonderful plaque. Signed by all, it commemorated her final GabFest as acting President and Founder of the WNC Fanatics. She also received a lovely Queen Victoria teapot.

A HALF-SHEET bakery cake featuring the river Thames was provided for dessert. (This was momentous, as it was the first time there was need of a bigger cake!) Summer GabFest 2000 ended at 4 p.m.

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A SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS from Jennifer Allen,
Founder and President of the WNC EastEnders Fanatics:
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Summer GabFest 2000 was my last "hoo-rah" as acting President of the WNC EastEnders Fanatics.... It was a rousing success, thanks to the participation and dedication of the members, who are just such GOOD FUN! To all the WNC EastEnders Fanatics: Thank you so very much.

Many thanks to Judy Hirsch and her wonderful EastEnders Newsletter for helping me get out WNC GabFest information to EastEnders fans everywhere!

Thanks and gratitude to Dave Horne, President of the North Carolina EastEnders Fan Club, for e-mailing fans across the state with WNC GabFest schedules and WNC activities.

Without the two of you, Judy and Dave, there never would have been a WNC fan club.

Thanks to Jane Hewitt, who has done a remarkable job over the last several months organizing the WNC membership information, and who has been our "In-House Photographer-Extraordinaire" since she first began attending WNC affairs in April of 1999. --- I love you, Jane!

Thank you, Melissa Munnell. I am so pleased and excited that you agreed to be the new WNC EastEnders Fanatics President! I know that your enthusiasm and love for EastEnders will nurture the WNC Fanatics well into triple-digit attendance! As always, you rule, Mo!

And finally, I send my deepest gratitude to each and every EASTENDERS FAN who has reached out via e-mail, snail-mail, and telephone calls over the last two years.... It has truly been my privilege and pleasure to know you and share your excitement over finding "somebody else who watches EastEnders!" Gosh, weren't we all amazed to know there were more of us out there?! And aren't we glad there are?!

"...Time, Gents!"

With Love and Appreciation,
Jennifer Allen
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Photos follow.
(Melissa Munnell now assumes the roll as President of the WNC EastEnders Fanatics.)