Winter Gabfest 2002 was a smashing success with 18 members in attendance! Jane Hewitt was sorely missed.... Not only is she the club secretary and photographer, but a great gal and a devoted EastEnders fan. Many "regular" Fanatics had other plans and were unable to make it. They were missed as well.

Dave Horne and Linda Fineman joined us from Raleigh. Dave is the President of the North Carolina EE Fan Club. Other members present included Shonni Dixon, Dee Brennan, Betty and Brenda Elliott, Glennie Sewell, Bill Ammons, John Fragale, Rebecca Morrison, Judy Purdee, Donna Bodie, Phyllis Metcalf, Brenda Muery, Lisa Ahlstedt, Jennifer Allen and myself.

Dave told us about this years PBS Festival plans. --- Rebecca and I will be joining EE fans from across the state manning the phones to raise funds allowing EastEnders to remain on UNC Public Television. The EastEnders marathon will be airing the evening of March 3rd. If you would like to volunteer, please contact me with your name, home address, phone and e-mail address; I will pass this information along to Dave.

Quiz Mistress Dee outdid herself with a fantastic Trivia Quiz! It was a duel to the death between Rebecca and me with two rounds of tie breakers. I won and received a tea towel direct from the UK and a cute brass tea tin.

Birthday cards for several cast members were signed. I shared my upcoming plans to visit the UK in August.

As we enjoyed our meals and scrumptious bakery cake, we watched the BBC Video "The Mitchells: Naked Truths." Jennifer, Glennie and I kicked up our heels along with Grant and Phil to the 70's tune "Kung Fu Fighting." (No bums were bared off screen.)

Jennifer announced plans for a new project.... We are asking all Fanatics to please send any personal EE/UK related photos you have to be included on a new scrapbook link at wnceastenders.com. We want YOU to be featured in the pictures, perhaps drinking a cuppa and reading the Walford Gazette or sitting in front of your PC perusing EastEnders sites. Send your favorite pictures to Jennifer via e-mail or snail mail.

Please make plans to join us in April on Saturday the 27th for the next get-together --- Spring Gabfest 2002. We'll see you then!

chEErs!
Melissa

Photos Follow.