The Western North Carolina EastEnders Fanatics met for an eighth time on Saturday, January 15th at 1 p.m. They gathered in the private room at Damon's on Tunnel Road in Asheville. Jennifer Allen, Ray and Donna Bodie, Dee Brennan, Jane Hewitt, Anne Jones, Melissa Munnell, Judy Purdee, and Glennie Sewell, all regular members, were proud and pleased to welcome several visitors to Winter GabFest 2000! They included Martha Covington, John Fragale, Susan Hayden, Janice X, Rebecca Morrison, Brenda Muery, and Noell Teasley. Also present were Denny and Dee Rahn. Denny, who owns and operates Design House International, Inc., was kind enough to drive down from Pennsylvania.... The WNC fans were awfully glad he did, as he came bearing gifts, promotional items, and lots and lots of fabulous EastEnders wares for purchase! He also favored the group with a few stories about Wendy Richards and Ross Kemp, both personal friends and associates.

After collecting dues, making announcements, and presenting the WNC group with three new additions to the "library," the EastEnders Trivia Quiz was taken. Our winner was Martha Covington of Kannapolis, North Carolina! Martha was presented with a lovely silver English tea tin.

Once lunch was served, an episode of BBC America's "EastEnders, the Early Years" was viewed. And, as always, a bakery cake featuring the river Thames was provided for dessert. The meeting ended at 4 p.m.

Photos follow.