The latest WNC EastEnders Fanatics Gabfest was a smashing success. There were sixteen members in attendance --- a record for summertime meetings.

We welcomed Donna and Dan Manuel all the way from Alabama, as well as Faye and John Manuel who live just outside of Hickory. Originally from Wales, Cathy Taylor also stopped by to visit. And Jack Townsend joined us from Lenoir, NC. A warm welcome to you all!

Our video of the day was "EastEnders Revealed: Angie and Me," which featured my meeting with Anita Dobson in Miami a few months ago. We enjoyed a glimpse what our "Ange" had been up to in the years since she left the Square. We were also pleased to learn about Anita's private life. (Check out the link "EastEnders-Inspired Trips and Functions" at wnceastenders.com)

An added video bonus was Britain's "Top Ten TV Bastards." And you guessed it: "Dirty Den" was the number one villain! (My sincerest thanks to Carole White, President of Anita's UK fan club, for sending me the "Top Ten" video, as well as Jane Clear for transferring it to U.S. video format.)

After our meal we enjoyed a scrumptious bakery cake featuring Queen Victoria. (By far, one of the best-tasting bakery delicacies we have enjoyed to date. We all had the icing stains to prove it.)

Once again, Dee Brennan outdid herself with the pub quiz.... I won, but forfeited the lovely tea set prize to Judy Purdee, who barely managed to outsmart ShonniD in a dual to the death! (If you have never been to a "GabFest," it is well worth it just to hear some of the hilarious answers that some of our members come up with. I, for one, had never heard that Terry Raymond's nipple piercings had upset Pauline Fowler and Susan Rose.... Thank goodness Dee set Jennifer straight on this, and informed her that he was actually selling "naughty" magazines in the shop.) Thanks, again, Dee for a job well done!

Pictures were taken, e-mail addresses exchanged, and promises made all around to see each other again in October.... To those of you who were unable to make it this time, we look forward to seeing you this Fall.

Stay in touch, check out the website often for news and upcoming events, and always remember: EastEnders fans are the greatest bunch of folks you could ever hope to mEEt!

Fanatically yours,
Melissa

Photos Follow --- Courtesy of Jane, Judy, and Shonni.