Greetings to you all., The Welcome thread.

It is I, Gandalf the Grey. I welcome you.

:G rune:

Hello gentle hobbits, welcome to the party!

:frodo:

Gentle greetings to you!

Should you need a fine Shire beer, other liquid refreshment, a friend to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on, I'm your lass.

Dora Took, at your service! :D

Maura Labingi here (aka "Debbie/primmy") have flute will travel. Looking forward to upcoming events immensely. I usually costume as "Frodo" but plan to bring a Hobbit Lady ensemble as well. I thought I'd be "Eglantine Took", Pippin's mom, for the Party. Over the long weekend, hopefully I'll be doing a lot of dancing and singing and maybe some flute-playing too as both characters. I'd better brush up my toes and learn the Springle-ring before too long.

Merin sa haryalaye alasse!
(I wish that you shall possess joy!)

-Debbie/primmy/maura
:fireplace:

Greetings, Everyone!

Crystal Goodbody here - proprietor of the Golden Perch Inn at Stock, at your service! <bows low>

I will be taking off the days of September 25-28, 2008, to check out the amenities at the Green Dragon Inn at Bywater! And very much enjoying the company of you other gentlehobbits (and wizards and elves) for Bilbo's (and Frodo's) Long-Expected Party. I am honoured to be invited to such a memorable occasion!

I will bring several outfits for my alter ego, Master Samwise Gamgee, but hope I may have a suitable dress for Crystal as well.

Perhaps we could devote some time on the first evening to learning and practicing some traditional hobbit dances??

I am already excited! And looking forward to seeing my many hobbit (and wizard and elf) friends once more!

:rosiesam:

Your hobbit friend,

Crystal Goodbody
Innkeeper, Golden Perch Inn
Stock
The Eastfarthing

Greetings! :legolas:

*waves from across the water* How are you my friends? Has been too long yet The Gathering seems only like yesterday.

As fate would have it, just minutes after I booked for Gatecon Van Aug 2008, I find your invitation in my inbox! The event is just too delicious to refuse. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to do two transatlantic trips without going bankrupt lol

Morrigan
B)

:: Waves ::

Finally made my way onto the forums.

Welcome one and all :)

Morrigan! Good to see you once again!! I sat next to you our first night at The Gathering, in the restaurant. :tankard:

Looking forward to meeting up with you again.

Hello Crystal! :mushroom: Nice to meet you. :)

Greetings, All!

I read elsewhere that invitations have been sent out. Does that mean it's OK to advertise the website? I have been biting my tongue for weeks waiting for the
go-ahead.....

Jef

Hi Jef,

I guess your invitation ended up in the spam box too!

The invitations have been sent but we are waiting till August 22nd (now pushed back to the 29th because of the anti-spam interceptions) before making everything public to give a chance to the invitees to respond first.

Welcome to the message board Jef.

Frodan

Maggie is that you? Didn't recognise you there behind ur pseudonym. Ahh yes ...that first fateful night when I crashed your table! That was fun and very cosy with the number of us that ended up there. Most Hobbit-like. :sam:
Having travelled there alone, it blew me away how instantly I felt at home with you guys. Real life issues have meant I havent been able to keep in touch as much as I would like but things are more settled and I'll be about more. Look forward to seeing you again too. We will catch up over an ale or ten around the bonfire I am sure. :tankard:

Morri
B)

Dia duit!

I'm new to the Shire, (obviously,) and stumbled upon this fantastic site by chance. (It must be that fey blood everyone says we Tooks have that makes me so lucky.) I am absolutely thrilled to hear about the party, and like the Sackville Bagginses will probably show up whether I'm invited or not. :lol: Only joking, of course.

:tree: G'day all!

This is a lovely website and I'm so excited about the party.
Nice to see all the familiar names here too, makes it very much a gathering of
the fellowship!


Elda..

:letter: Greetings all, so glad you're finding our part of the shire. I'm already seeing many new friends which I met in Toronto and can't wait to see you again. Well, I must get back to tending to my work. Take care and safe journey.

Bilbo / Tim

:bb:

ELDA!! TIM!! *waves frantically* has been too long, my friends! Sorry I havent been about for a while (real life sucks sometimes!) but I'm back now! Knowing I have ALEP to look forward to sure takes the sting out of not being able to make DragonCon.

Cant wait to see you both again.

Morri B)

Hi Elda and other new folks,
Good to see you here! Looking forward to seeing you and other "GotF"-ers again
at ALEP!
-Debbie/primmy/maura
:fireplace:

Hello good folk of the Shire! I am so very thrilled to learn of the grand event planned for Bilbo's (and Frodo's also) birthday. :cake: I WILL be there. Looking forward to seeing some old friends and making new ones. :D

Meli

GREETINGS!!!!!

I am in dire need of an adventure. Thank you for such a lovely invitation. :lotr_gandalf: :bb: :frodo: and all


I live in Northern Ky. 1hour 30 minutes from Shaker Village and I travel that way at least once every other week. :tree:



My fellow MAC's and I gather for a moot every summer. :grouphug:

Hauntings!! Maybe there will be :ranger: 's a plenty!! Meli, are you out there!!!!

Making new friends with the same passion :cake: :D

GIL

GIL! You're here! Only One Year + to go!

~Maggie / Myrtle


:rosiesam:

Greetings!

What an honour to join such excellent and admirable hobbits, wizards and other free folk! I've chosen to use my common "forum name" just for consistency, but I do hope to join in the costuming and characterizations as well. I'm considering several characters, but Galadriel is the most likely, if I can find all I'll need. (Sort of the Tolkien equivalent of "Extreme Makeover" but it could be fun!)

The plans for the party look wonderful! And of course, a Tolkien event in my "back yard" (about 6 hours away) is a dream come true. Yes, the Gathering was wonderful and it will be good to renew acquaintances with those whom I've met there and at the ORC moots. And of course, to meet new friends as well!

If you need help with anything, just ask. I am so looking forward to this!

RFO

Howdy there Gil. Knew I'd find you here. Isn't it great having a scruffy yet drop-dead handsome ranger swishing his sword to and fro?? :aragorn: Woo! Hoo! I think I'm in heaven! :wub:

Nice to meet you RFO. LOL about the extreme make over. I will bring a hobbit costume, as I sort of fit that "type" the best, being short with brown curly hair. Think I'll also pack some ranger duds into my bags in case I feel the need to go "out into the wild" with The Dunedain. :aakiss:

I'm hopeless, aren't I Myrtle and Gilestel?

Oh what fun! I love seeing familiar names from other lists popping up :D


-Dora Took

OH MYRTLE, DON'T REMIND ME!!!! :hourglass:

I love the clickables to the left; good job to whomever designed them.

WHERE ARE YOU MAC's(MIDDLE-AGED CRAZY)???? :gollum: come out precious.


MELI, how many days are you staying and when will you arrive? This one requires some planning.

I know I am only 5'3 but I refuse to dress as a hobbit :frodo: for all 3 days. A shieldmaiden from Rohan is a good possibility. :sword:

Hello to all and I can't wait to meet new people with the same passion.

The Middle-Earth Drinking Song :tankard: should be performed at the Green Dragon :green dragon:

GIL

Greatings all,
It's been a hard week or so in my little part of the shire (Kentucky) but I have seen many folk signing up for our party. I'm making my list of RSVPs and checking it twice just like another bearded friend. hehe
And yes, my friends, this will be a night and weekend to remember!!

Bilbo :book:

Yes it should, Gil and I want to be singing it this time with the motley crew of MAC and any others who may want to join in. There's a link to the video in the Green Dragon forum.
Not sure exactly when I'll be arriving for the festivities, Gil, but I'll let you know when I get everything worked out.


Meli

:sword:

Does anyone have the lyrics to the Middle-Earth Drinking Song?

:G rune:

Greetings everyone!

I am Saystine / Kristi Founder of the Tolkien Forever Fellowship Group in Los Angeles, California. I am so excited to know I will be among such admirable
Hobbits, elves, rangers, etc., I hope there is room for one Saruman's Daughter,
or as my group calls me, Sarumanella! :D

I also have a "Ella"rond and a Diva hobbit. I can't wait to meet you all.
I'd also like to says special thanks to the organizers for putting together such
a great event!

see you next year!

Kristi :Palantir:

Greetings to all -
What a wonderful year of anticipation we're going to have!! I can't wait to have another great party with you all again - and in the Shire! At last. At least, the Shire on this side of the Pond.

Sometimes I'm an elf. Sometimes my hobbit persona comes out. And sometimes I'm Deormunde of Rohan.

So happy.

Alassea Half-Elven

Hey Kristi! Yay, my fellow left-coasters are signing in! This is going to be such great fun!
I can hardly wait to see it all happen: in Kentucky state, at the Green Dragon!
We'll join up there, with old friends and new for a song and a pint and a tale or two!
And yes, many kudos to the three conspirators who have been planning this
for over a year now: Bilbo, Frodo and Gandalf!
Huzzah!
-Debbie/primmy/maura
:fireplace:

Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo!

It will be wonderful to see all of you next year.

Not sure which one you're after, so here's the song from FoTR:

"Hey, Ho, to the bottle I go,
To heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow,
But there still be many miles to go.
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
And the stream that falls from hill to plane.
Better than rain or rippling brook,
There's a mug of beer inside this Took."

And this is the one from RotK:

"You can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown
(But you'll never find a beer so brown)
As the one we drink in our home town.
(As the one we drink in our home town.)
You can drink your fancy ales,
You can drink 'em by the flagon,
But the only brew for the brave and true,
Comes from the Green Dragon."

-Debbie/primmy/maura
(who for some reason now feels very thirsty)

:tankard:

How about this one, too?

The Cat and the Moon

I have the words of the Middle Earth Drinking Song, written by my friend (who just so happens to make fantastic drawings of Middle earth folk) Sam, who also plays guitar.


Middle Earth Drinking Song

Lift your glasses high, my friends, and celebrate this hour.
That fiery eyeball in the sky has fallen from its tower.
A little hobbit from the Shire and his companions true
kicked alot of ugly butts and made the ring un-do.

Treebeard said "Good morning" and it took a long, long time.
Pippin and the Merry one got sores on their behinds.
Then they went to Isengard and pestered Sauruman.
They got his skivvies in a bunch and flooded his front lawn.

Sauruman boo-hoo, ruined his penthouse view,
twisted knots in all his drawers and chapped his ol' wazoo.

When Saint Peter comes and takes my weary sould from me,
I want to go to Hobbiton to spend eternity.
A'living there with hobbits, we will eat six times a day.
After just a hundred years, who knows how much I'll weigh?

The hobbits learned to fight, Gandalf turned to white.
Faramir got Eowyn and fought her every night.

:boromir:

:lotr_gandalf: Thank you all for the many lyrics. You will see why I wanted them, in time.

:G rune:

I also have the chords that go with the song, if you're interested. Just let me know!
:tankard: :beer:

Meli

GREETINGS AGAIN!!!


ANOTHER WEEK CLOSER :cart:

:lotr_gandalf: Dear old friend; THE MIDDLE- AGED DRINKING SONG , lyrics by samling, must be performed by the LADY MACS(MIDDLE AGED CRAZY). at THE GREEN DRAGON or any other fine establishment of the ale. :tankard: :D

SO LIFT YOUR GLASSES HIGH MY FRIEND AND CELEBRATE THIS HOUR!!!!! :grouphug:

GIL

OOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!



HAPPY UP COMING BIRTHDAY!!! :lotr_gandalf:


NOW ROSIE NEEDS A SAM :rosiesam: ANY MALE SAMWISE GAMGEES OUT THERE!!!!






GIL

Hello everyone,

I am quite amazed to see :shelob: here but anyway...

Thank you very much for telling me about Alep :) I will try and do my best to come and visit you in 2008. Hope everyone is fine over the waters ... Do come and stop by when you're in Alqualonde! P.S.: Cologne isn't the same, I know :cavetroll:

Thank you for your birthday wishes. It is well that I chose Gandalf for a character to portray, for the more birthdays I have, perhaps the more I shall become like him, at least in appearance.
Also, I shall look forward to hearing the Middle-Earth drinking song performed proper by the Lady Macs when we are gathered at the Green Dragon.

Also ~ Welcome to our new members. Take comfort in this forum, for you are among friends.

:G rune:

Greetings Olwe! Nice to meet you. Any friend of Tolkien's is a friend of mine!

Hope the week's been good to you Gil. :D

Happy happy birthday Gandalf! :cake: Did you make any fireworks go off??
(take that however you'd like) :rolleyes:


Meli

Greetings friends! Thank you so much for the kind invitation. I had thought about going across the pond to Oxonmoot next year but KY is much closer and cheaper! :D I have registered and paid my deposit. I look forward to seeing some of you next week at Dragoncon.

You can say that again!! Closer and cheaper are very good things. :D
Greetings saelind!

But Oxonmoot is so nice :) ...

Oxonmoot sounds wonderful from the various reports I've read and it's going to be 4 days next year. But, unless I win the lottery, my budget won't stretch quite that far unfortunately. I'll get to it another year. ALEP is five hours drive and very affordable overall.

I've heard such things, Olwe, but I must scrimp and save and be able to take time off from work, which is very difficult to do.

Perhaps THAT dream will some true some day, as well!! :D

Yes, I've heard Oxonmoot is marvellous, but despite doing artwork
for Oxonmoot publications, and despite having had my work included
in their art show each year for many years, I've still not managed
to get across the pond to it. I know it will happen some day, but
in the mean time, it's nice to have something closer to home....

Here's hoping ALEP will become a regular event!

Jef

Amen to that, brother!

Are you bring some artwork to the party?? :)

I have been 'across the pond' and visited Tolkien's old stomping grounds. Very quaint place, and everything seemed to be covered in ivy. Do go if you get the chance.
As for having something closer to home, we waited and waited for a Tolkien-only event that was not conceived by the-company's-name-that-must-not-be-spoken, but in the end, and much like PJ did with the LOTR movies; we had to do it ourselves.

:G rune:

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to stop in and say Hi! to all and to my fellow MAC's! I'm so excited about coming to the Party - practically in my back yard :P

I'm glad everyone enjoyed the Drinking Song! It was such a hoot to do and get on the net. :lol: I would be happy to bring my guitar and have the MAC's lead everyone in singing it. I'd love to bring my whistle and join in on some of the party music, too.

I wanted to add a line to Meli's posting -


Middle Earth Drinking Song

Lift your glasses high, my friends, and celebrate this hour.
That fiery eyeball in the sky has fallen from its tower.
A little hobbit from the Shire and his companions true
kicked alot of ugly butts and made the ring un-do.

Made the ring undo, melted Gollum, too
kicked alot of ugly butts and made the ring un-do.

Treebeard said "Good morning" and it took a long, long time.
Pippin and the Merry one got sores on their behinds.
Then they went to Isengard and pestered Sauruman.
They got his skivvies in a bunch and flooded his front lawn.

Sauruman boo-hoo, ruined his penthouse view,
twisted knots in all his drawers and chapped his ol' wazoo.

When Saint Peter comes and takes my weary sould from me,
I want to go to Hobbiton to spend eternity.
A'living there with hobbits, we will eat six times a day.
After just a hundred years, who knows how much I'll weigh?

The hobbits learned to fight, Gandalf turned to white.
Faramir got Eowyn and fought her every night.

Good night!

nun

Well, I've posted several times in other topics, so I guess I better introduce myself. I'm Rohtireth, also of the aforementioned Tolkien Forever Fellowship Group in California. There are several folk of my Fellowship here, so the left-coast contingent grows larger bit-by-bit.

I will bring a couple costumes (Elf maid, Ranger, & a not-yet-to-be-revealed new costume), and will dress according to which one of my egos is in charge for that day!

I can't believe we have to wait a whole year for this! On the other hand, I won't have any excuses for not having my new costume finished...

Rohtireth (or Roh)
:bill:

Howdy there, Roh and Nun!! :D

Thanks for filling in the missing lines, nun. I'm a bitt scatter-brained now..er, well, most of the time.

I hope to have a choice of outfits also, Roh, but we'll see what happens by Sept. 08. I have great hopes and little/no talent.

Hello, I am new here and so excited about the long expected party. I have been thinking about the costumes I will need and the friends I will see there it is a dream come true. So, I make a low curtsy to all who are in this fine company.

How wonderful to see you here, dear awelyn!! Yes, this is the pre-lude to a dream come true. All I really need to add to the marvelous weekend events and folks gathered therein will be to have a ranger or two nearby. And I've heard that is a possibility. :wub:

Well, I know of at least one Ranger who will be coming. However,
I'm not of the taller Numenorean stock...being somewhere between
the Lord Aragorn and a hobbit...in height anyway. And wandering in the
woods (to say nothing of the well-known meagre pay afforded
visual artists) has thinned me down over the long years....

Nevertheless, I have been asked to render a few elvish lays
at the bonfire, and if not shouted off the stage out of hand, will
endeavor to live up to the high and courtly standards set by my
forefathers and the firstborn peoples.

Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta (May your ways be green and golden)

Jef

:unsure: WHAT!!!!!! :unsure:


ALL CANNOT BE RANGERS AND ELVES :D SOME OF US WISH WE COULD AND SOME THAT ARE PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE :unsure:

:lotr_gandalf: ENJOY YOUR DAY!! :cake:


SAMWISE I KNOW YOUR OUT THERE!!!!!!! :rosiesam:

WELCOME TO ALL AND HAVE A WONDERFUL LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!!! :blink:


GIL

Thank you Melianndoriath, It is great to be here. Anytime I can be with a group of people and talk about Tolkien or LOTR then I am happy. You sound like a lively group. To those of you that have worn LOTR costumes please tell me what you use to attach Hobbit or Elf ears to your own ears. I have attached hair to my own feet and used the wrong glue. I was very embarrassed when I could not get the hair off. It was a very painful learning experience. :lol: So, any advice would be helpful. Have a great weekend.

I look forward to hearing your musical talents around the bonfire, Jef. Rangers are something I'm very fond of, like Harley Davidsons and Tolkien!

The more I think about it, Gil, the more hobbit-ish I am. Short with curly brown hair sorta fits that "profile", but I believe that I have an elvish spirit. (Do elves like heavy metal?)

I remember that episode with the furry feet, awelyn. Hate to admit it, but I laughed long. Don't try that again. I'll see if I can find some bear-claw slippers.

I HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE DAY OFF !


I hope there will be :MPfireworks: at The Long Expected Party :tree:

Meli, I don't believe elves know what heavy metal is, at least not like the :pippin: :sam: :merry: :frodo: hobbits at the :green dragon: :tankard:
Elves are way too serious, no sense of humor , geee I wish I could be one !!!!!!!!!! :galadriel:

I can see it now :Palantir: A HOBBIT BAR WENCH!!!!!!!!!

Where are you crazy MAC'S?????

Nunke, will you be riding :bill: ?


:grouphug:

GIL

Yes, hobbits can be bar wenches, especially at the :green dragon: :tankard: .

I like the shieldmaidens of Rohan, so that may be a possibility for me. Maybe that way I can use my :sword: a bit.

There's just not telling what I'll come up with. :Palantir: Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Meli

No worries: I'm sure there will be plenty of hobbits! :MPfireworks: Although I've often wondered about Elf-Hobbit mixes (oooo, those hairy feet!)...... who said it's just Men that Elves like? :D

Awelyn: as to sticking on ears... the common adhesives that are the easiest to find are Spirit Gum and Liquid Latex. I prefer Liquid Latex of the two. The more professional people who use adhesives for attaching various things to their body often prefer things like Skin Tight, Telesis or Prosaide (the Prosaide requires a remover, not sure about the Skin Tight. spirit Gum can require a remover if you have sensitive skin and have slathered the stuff on, Liquid Latex doesn't - to me, they feel less than removing a bandaid - except if you catch hair in them!). the first two you can find at local costume shops and sometimes this time of year at party shops, the more professional adhesives you need to order through the web.

-Dora Took (at your service!)

:green_door:

The product I use to attach my ears is something called Rigid Collodion, sold in costume stores as a scarring liquid. It actually is a medical adhesive and is supposed to be hypoallergenic. For the foot hair, if you use your real feet it would work too, but if you have prosthetic feet it won't work. The only thing that works for me in that case is spirit gum, but not the cheap kind, which is diluted. Get a bigger quantity of the better quality stuff. The one I get is darker colored.

:frodo:

and test whatever product you're going to use to make certain that you're not allergic to it and slather it all over your feet first, only to pay the price later! :rolleyes:

:beer:

Thank you Dora Took and Frodo and Rosie Cotton. Very good advice and now I just have to make a choice I do have very sensitive skin. Thank you Rosie I will test the product this time. You would think the older I get that I would have more wisdom. :D Frodo did you go to Dragon Con and if so what did they think of your party? :smaug: I am so excited about it. I go to the website everyday and just drool.
Awelyn

Suilad one and all!

I'm new here; I know Frodo from the costuming lists and probably some others as well, and Undomiel told me about ALEP--I will do my absolute best to be there! :)

I am Luthiél Farafaeliell of Greenwood the Great... :legolas: Home of Ennor's most famous Archer. :) Is there room in the house for the Queen of that Land? *g*

:bill: I'm off on patrol now, and look forward to visiting with you all up until and at the Great Party. What a wonderful thing you're all doing! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist! I sing and play the guitar and harp; I'm pretty good with a bow and sword myself, and of course I'm REALLY good at uttering prolix, mysterious Elven prognostications that get figured out right about the time they come true. Sort of like my friend Galadriel (and her grand-daughter!). lol!

Blessings,
Luthiél

(mundanely, Sharon from Virginia... *g*)

Welcome Luthiél Farafaeliell of Greenwood the Great!
Welcome Awelyn!!

(Posted Image)


I'm certain the Grey One can make good use of your mad Elfing skills Luthiél, but I will leave this for him to answer.

Thank you for the warm welcome Rosie. :)

:lotr_gandalf: I have been away and thus fallen behind in my duties, so I bid all our new friends a fond welcome.

As for what kind of glue to use, Bilbo is a good one to ask on that. He introduced me to a new silicon-based glue this last weekend, and it was splendid! Much better than spirit-gum, and it cleaned up quickly ~ very important for a cranky old wizard like myself.

Thank you for telling us of your talents. As the party evolves, we might find uses for them, for we will indeed need help in certain areas at certain times.

:pipe: You know, even though it's still in the upper 80's outdoors, it feels cool in contrast to the past couple of days. I think I will step out and have a fill of my pipe and reflect on this past weekend.

:G rune:

Hey, Luthiel!! Good to see you. glad to hear you're coming. :D

-Dora Took (Judy)
:tree:

Mae Govannan Fine fair folks of Middle Earth,
I have just found the forum today and have paid my registration fee. Its so wonderful to have something else to look forward to as I sit at work with the Post Dragoncon blues. Plus soooooo excited to have a good reason to rekindle the Middle Earth Costuming bug. YAY!

Have a question for our informed hosts.For those of use that are not at all morning people :tankard: but are quite sensitive to the spirity activity :ghost: where might you suggest we take up room and board??

Can't wait to see you all!!
Neume the wand waving sometime Purple Haired Sheild Elf of Rohan,Lothlorien and Hogwarts
:faramireowyn:

Neume, greetings I am new here too. I have registered also. See you there.
Awelyn

yay! Neume's all set, too. :D

Probably the best thing on the lodging is to talk to the Shaker Village folks - you have to contact them to reserve spot anyway - and ask them which building they suggest that has no 'Activity'. Stay out of the Tannery. They'll know best which ones are 'Quiet'.

-Dora Took :tree:

Oh dear... I very nearly decided to stay there! Something makes me quite glad to have changed my mind.


And mae govannen, Neume!


~ Arwen

I don't think any of the.. Residents are difficult in any way, or the Village wouldn't let people stay in the building.

-Dora Took :tree:

No, I wouldn't think so, either. Yet, peaceful or not, one might not want to meet them unexpectedly, especially in the dark.

;)

~ Arwen

Horray! Nueme's here! Glad to see ya girlfriend. Next September will be full of Tolkien goodness with Dragoncon and ALEP! I was looking at the East Family Wash House for the Mid-TN Ringers.

No, I wouldn't think so, either. Yet, peaceful or not, one might not want to meet them unexpectedly, especially in the dark.

;)

~ Arwen

Well, this is an adventure is it not? Take heart good hobbits! In all my long years and many visits there, I have never heard of any harm coming to anyone from the 'extra guests' at Shaker Village. For myself, I would like to meet a ghost, for I do not fear them, nor do the Elves, I understand.
I like to think of the Ghosts as an added attraction we included at no additional cost, ha.

:G rune:

p.s. Welcome to all of our new ghosts, er, guests.

Maybe some of us more adventurous Hobbits can take a late night ghost walk to the cemetary - as long as it's permissible and we can honestly swear that we are up to great good.

Mischief Managed. I mean averted. :P


:galadriel: SV spook :moon:

I see once again that I am surprised by the nature (and courage) of hobbits. I think that is a grand idea. :ghost: One night perhaps we can have our own 'ghost hunters' walk or watch in a likely area.

:nazgul: Bilbo himself has done something along these lines, but that is for him to tell.

:G rune:

Post DragonCon greetings to all the new members! Glad to have you all on board!
Oooo... I would be interested in a "Ghost Walk" one evening; that would be so very unusual and exciting!
I can just see us hobbits walking quietly along in our warm woolen cloaks, breath frosting in the night air, carrying safe-lanterns...! (Shivery fun AND a good photo-op setting!)
Also, here's my two-silver-pennies' worth on the subject of adhesives:
I use "Telesis 5" adhesive, which works on both skin and on latex appliances. A pro told me this is the stuff used in the "Planet of the Apes" film to glue on all that ape hair: once on it will stay all day. It holds up through perspiration, and I can even comb the hair on my latex rubber feet if I stick it on with Telesis 5. (You need Telesis remover to get it off.) I've been using it for several years now, and have had no allergic reaction so far (I am very allergic to spirit gum.) However, I agree that each individual needs to test his or her own skin's reaction to any adhesive. Although Telesis is very expensive, one small bottle will last a long time. Suggestion: if there is a professional theatrical supply house in your area, perhaps they could let you apply a test swab to your skin before you buy any?
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

Yes,I am here with pointy ears and bells on. I just can't wait and wish it wasn't so far off. I am missing all my Middle Earth (and Hogwarts) pals.

Surprisingly enough I like the idea of a ghost walk and would like to take pictures and such. Just as long as they don't follow me back to bed at night. I know Saelind would not appreciate me keeping her up all night looking about for other unexpected guests.

Dora,yeppers,that is the plan to talk to the folks there. I'm facinated by them but they have made me physically ill in the past and I'm there to have fun! lol...

Thanks for the warm welcome. It will be nice to see dear familiar faces as well as making new friends!
Neume :eowyn:

well, thank you for the information Maura labingi but I am a very thrifty Hobbit if I come across a dragon's treasure I will consider telesis 5:) Oh things are getting exciting aren't they and I can't wait to meet you all.
Awelyn

Ooooo - a ghost walk - sounds spooky but fun nonetheless - just so long as I don't have to go by myself!!!

Alassea, I will volunteer to be a companion on this adventure. I feel like it would be intriguing and fun.
:eowyn: Neume

I would go, if there were some brave men, elves, wizards or hobbits to come along and make me feel safe..........
:aragorn: :legolas: :gimli: :whitegandalf: SV spook :pippin: :merry: :sam: :frodo:

Hello to you all...

Many of you know me as Gandalf the WHITE ( I guess my icon didn't make it over to this site)

I never did get an invitation, but JP was nice enough to make sure I knew about this at DragonCon...thanks Gandalf! And as it turns out I WILL be joining in the fun and fellowship! I'll be doing my registration just as soon as I get a response from our host on a question I have.

I have been reading LOTR since I was a Jr in high school (and as some of you may have guessed that was quite awhile ago!!) :lol: I read them every year whether I need to or not. My office is a LOTR treasure trove.

I'm really looking forward to this...a weekend in the Shire. I haven't been able to visit since the Third age...and I do miss them!!

Gandalf the White

Greetings, Gandalf the White!

What a lovely suprise to see you here :: hugs ::

I am glad you can make it. I look forward to seeing you again.

Eowyn (( From DragonCon ))

Dear Gandalf the White! Its so good to see you hear and to know you will be there at what I think will be a very special and memorable gathering in the Shire. As a Shield Elf type this will be my first time adventuring to the Shire! ;)

Eowyn,will be nice to get in some actual visiting time with you!

Meliandoriath,I have bows,arrows and an extensive sword collection that I can bring if it makes you feel safe. :legolas: Just let me know. We shall have the Fellowship of the Mystery Walk.

Fondly,
Neume aka Tonks from Dragoncon

Neume, thanks. I can't wait to see you there too

Thanks, I am REALLY looking forward to this.

I guess it would be impolitic to mention that I really do share a birthday with Bilbo and Frodo...September 22nd. There are tankards in my future for that weekend!! :beer: I hope the ale at the Green Dragon is as good as I remember. Perhaps we can talk ol Butterbur to send over some of the ale from the Prancing Pony?

Peace. :pipe:

Greetings...my name is Melana and I live in Kentucky...I just want to say that I am so very happy that ALEP is happening so close to my back door... :)

I am making plans now to attend...if all goes well I will be there to make new friends and learn a lot more than I do right now about everything there is to know about whatever there is to know about...

Welcome aboard Melana! How lucky for you that the event is in your area! I hope lots more
Tolkien fans who don't normally have access to LOTR-specific events will decide to attend also!
-Maura
:fireplace:

Welcome, Melana!

Make yourself at home! Help yourself to a :tankard: if you wish :)

Greetings everyone
I saw this event on theonering.net and can't beleive it is actually fairly close to me. I am from Ohio and it would only be about a 4 hour trip for me. I belong to a group here in Ohio called the Ohio Ring Council and we have gathered each year for the last 5 to celebrate Bilbo and Frodo's birthday. I will take this info and share it at our party next week. I need to check if I can have these days off from work but other than that I believe I will be coming. As to a costume it will most likely be a hobbit lass. I have an unfinished Pippin costume that may be done by then though. I look forward to meeting everyone and having a wonderful time.! ~Kate :sam: :pippin:

Welcome to the Ohio clan of Hobbits!

Hope you can join us!

Gandalf the White

Howdy,

JP and Tim, I decided to mosey on over and say hello. I'm not sure I can attend as my big plans next year are Japan/Dcon, but you never know. :P I recognize a few folks(Howdy Neume and Gandalf the White!). Some of you might know me from "Arms of Middle Earth", but I'm not too familar with folks outside of the South. I look forward to meeting some new Hobbity faces.

~Fiver

Welcome to all new members, hope to see you all at our party in 12 months for a lot of fellowship and fun.

frodo vanish

Nice to meet you Fiver! I'm a southern gal from the deeep south. I've had a hard time finding many folk like me who share a love of all things Tolkien, at least in my area . It will be so very nice to be around folk of like mind.
:rolleyes:

Meli

: ALEP :

Thanks for the warm welcome and I think I may have myself a :tankard: ...

thank you very much...

This will be the 1st event that I have been to of its kind...Seems there isn't a lot around these parts for LOTR and JRRT fans...or maybe I am not looking in the right place..

I am not a member of any offical group..just one lone fan from the mountains of Kentucky who has been a fan for quite a while...

I was introduced to the books by my dad who tried to get me to read them when I was much much younger but I only read them for the first time when I was 20, 10 years ago...I am novice to say the least...but like I said in my introduction..I really hope to gain a lot more knowledge than I have now...

hope to see you all there...

Oh my goodness I don't think I will remember everyone. Meli I would go on a ghost walk with you and what happened to the brave shield maiden? You can't fool me you are hoping for a ranger. :lol:

Gandalf the white I have twin grandchildren a boy and a girl that share a birthday with Bilbo and Frodo too. Last year I dressed as a Hobbit on their birthday. :merry: Hello Melana Hi Fiver I am from Southeast Mo. does that count as South?

kat 99 Hi, I have a friend from Ohio coming to ALEP : ALEP : My drive is also about 4 hours from my town. Hello whiteladyeowyn I don't think I have met you.
Hello,Mara labingi. Hello Frodo. I am so excited about next year. I am bringing two costumes. A Hobbit lass and a Lady of Gondor. As the time gets closer my husband and I are going to make a dry run over the route so I won't get lost. Greetings to all and now a fond goodnight. Oh one more thing did you notice that there is a waterfall at the Shaker Village area?
Awelyn :bag end:

Awelyn, I do not think I said hi to you before, welcome welcome, have an :tankard:

And welcome to everyone else too. :)

(Posted Image)

:apple: :lembas: Mel, Kat, Melana, Neume, Gandalf W., Alassea, Undomiel !!! :bag end: :tankard:

And this may well be the only time you go to an event such as this, for we waited and waited for one, but it never came along, so we started it ourselves, just like PJ did the movies.
Also, you need not worry about being in or from a group. If you have read Tolkien and found it to your liking, then you are part of a growing family, and are welcome here.

:G rune:

Once again, hello and welcome to everyone who is new here.

Rosie what a nice welcome you made for the newcomers. white ladyeowyn hello and thank you don't mind if I do. Well today I sent off my registration money and now it feels so real. I had registered about 2 weeks ago. Yes ,it is really happening I am so happy. Oh I will raise a glass to you all in the green dragon. Well, maybe wine instead of ale :tankard: frodo vanish

Well, well! Our forum seems to have picked up a bit of a flutter. We are looking into it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

:G rune:

Thanks, Rosie! It is grand to be "with" my LOTR folks again - not that I know everyone - yet ...

Here are the missing posts from this thread:

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Frodo

:frodo:

Thanks to all for the Howdy's
Awelyn, we'll count it as the South ;)
Meli, whereabouts in the South are you located? and yes its been hard on those of us in the Southeast to find big Tolkien Communities/Events. Many of us meet up at Dragoncon and Chattacon.

~Fiver

Fiver , It's no piece of cake for those of us in the Northeast either.
It does warm my heart to find people who are still interested in Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings after all the movie interest has died down.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, cake! :cake:

Fiver!! I am so glad you are here. I really hope you guys can make it to the Gathering. I was sad after Dragoncon when I realized I didn't really get caght up with a lot of friends I wanted to get caught up with. I am hoping this event will be the kind where people can really get in quality time getting to know each other better.

And agreed,I know for me being near Nashville,there aren't that many get togethers or gatherings to enjoy. I know I am in dire need of some friendly,happy gatherings and real fellowship. I now offically, am looking at a lot of alone time on my hands . :( If there is a gathering before our big gatherings,please drop me a line. I do road trips.

Really hope to see you guys *twice* next Sept!
Neume

Thank you for all the lovely greetings! Nice to meet you all and I have the official word form the boss and I will be coming!! :) I am also trying to talk some of our other members into coming. I will be talking about all the neat things you have planned at our party this saturday. Can't wait to meet you all in person. ~Kate

:rosiesam:

So I'm rather new here; I was at the Gathering '06 but my only real distinction was being pretty much the only person there without a costume (a situation which I intend to remedy!) I found out about this from the White Tree Fund site, and I'm really looking forward to this, especially since it isn't too far away for me (Nashville)

I, too, wore no costume to The Gathering. I'd show you a photo of myself but it seems people don't take pictures of the un-costumed! Can't imagine why not. :lol:

Looking forward to seeing you at Bilbo's birthday party! :wine:

I'm so glad to see our new guests! Welcome to the Shire :bag end:

:G rune:

p.s. I wore no costume either ~ I came exactly as I always dress:

(Posted Image)

Welcome, Lewie. Glad to see you on this board, too!


~ Arwen.

[QUOTE=gandalf the grey,Sep 25 2007, 03:20 AM] I'm so glad to see our new guests! Welcome to the Shire :bag end:

:G rune:

p.s. I wore no costume either ~ I came exactly as I always dress:"

I too was convinced for quite a few years that our Gandalf *always* looked like this, until I was completely taken by suprise to find that this isn't entirely true. :P

Dewie,welcome to the group. I am also in Nashville,we would have loved to have had you at our Hobbit Birthday Celebration. If you would like to join us,I'll make sure you know when the meetings are. We are a small but enthusiastic group who are full of the Tolkien Love.

Rebecca/Neume/sailingwest(and even sometimes Tonks)
:faramireowyn:

Hello Lewie and welcome to this forum. Well, this is the count down, from this point on, it is a year today until I will see all manner of Shire folk and Middle Earth's races and meet old friends and make new so I raise my glass to the organizers of this and to dear Bilbo and Frodo who with out them there would be no party. :tankard: :tankard: I also raise a glass in honor of our esteemed Tolkien. : ALEP : :hobbit lass red: Awelyn

Amen to that, brother!

Are you bring some artwork to the party?? :)

Yes, I plan to bring along a number of my "wildlife silhouette" dragons, at the very least, and definitely some Tolkien prints. See www.JefMurray.com and click on the "Dragons & Whimsical Beasts" gallery button on the left to see the former....

Jef

Well, since my original intro was lost to computer goblins :goblin: , here is a new and somewhat revised one!

I am a member of the afore-mentioned Tolkien Forever group based in Southern California, and will be joining Saystine and Maura Labingi (amongst other notables!) on the adventure to Kentucky.

I am bringing my Ranger costume :aragorn: , my requisite Elven dress :galadriel: , and a new costume that I am working on and WILL have finished by this wonderous : ALEP : !

As an avid horseperson :rider: , I am also planning a trip to the Kentucky Horse Park :cart: on the Wednesday before the festivities start, and invite any other horse lovers :bill: to join me.

'Til we meet in person,

Rohtireth
:bill:

[QUOTE=rohtireth,Sep 25 2007, 01:48 PM][QUOTE]
Well, since my original intro was lost to computer goblins :goblin: , here is a new and somewhat revised one!
[QUOTE]


Duh... :blink:

Apparently the goblin :goblin: was in my board control settings. I suddenly found that I need to have the 'default' display option in order to see all the posts.

Sheesh, as much as I live in front of a computer, I'm still amazed at the little basic stuff I don't know!

So anyhow, now you've all met me twice - that's once for each of my costumes :aragorn: :galadriel: . When I finish the third one, you'll get to meet me again :rider: !

Roh (still dazed and confused from our Tolkien Forever Hall of Fire & Baggins' Birthday Picnic weekend!)
:bill:

Mae Govannen Everyone!

Just registered and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm using my normal "forum name" so I don't get confused (and so those who do know me will recognise me). My normal hangout is The Fellowship of Middle-earth.

Everything sounds wonderful and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone next year! And having this within driving distance (of North Georgia) is a dream come true. I'm hoping to make new friends and, hopefully, see some old friends from ELF (in Orlando).

Ashlyn

Greetings everyone!

Where in North Georgia are you Ashlyn :map: ? I am living in Marietta, GA.

Right now it looks like the Birthday party is going to have both Gandalf the Grey :lotr_gandalf: AND Gandalf the White :whitegandalf: . I MAY have time/money to do another costume, but have already commited to doing a Dumbledore for DragonCon.

Really looking forward to seeing all my hobbit friends next year :pipe:.

Gandalf the White
:whitegandalf: :G rune:

Greeting and a warm welcome to you Ashlyn. I am glad you are here and I look forward to meeting you at : ALEP : .
Awelyn

I'm in Dahlonega :coin bag: , Gandalf.

Thank you, Awelyn, I'm planning on making many new friends and having loads of fun!

I'm in Dahlonega :coin bag: , Gandalf.

Thank you, Awelyn, I'm planning on making many new friends and having loads of fun!

Hi, everyone.

I "know" some of you from the old Decipher forum.

I would so dearly love to attend this party!!! It's fun reading about it. :)

Hey, Vison! :)

Welcome new members! Glad you joined the Forum, and I hope you will also be able to attend ALEP! Its our One Year Countdown Day! I'm pleased that fellow Georgians may be coming. I am a transplanted Southerner now living in So Cal, but my relatives still live there: my nephew goes to college in Dalonega and I've got relatives in Marietta also. It really is a small Middle Earth.
Here in Los Angeles we had a wonderful double-event weekend; "Tolkien_Forever" hosted the most elaborate "Hall of Fire" party we've ever had, and "TORn" hosted their annual Baggins' Birthday Picnic. I hope there will be photos to share soon. For "Hall of Fire" our group transformed a member's large terraced back yard into various locations in Middle Earth, and it was just incredibly magical!
Anyway, welcome, and come visit the Forum often.
-Debbie/primmy aka Maura
:fireplace:

Hello,I'm new here,I'm a very big Tolkien fun and I'm "friend" of Meli(am I Meli? :))... I also know a bit of Awelyn.... I hope it'll be fun here! B)
PS: What lovely smileys you have here! :green dragon: :smaug: :cart:

Hello vision and welcome. I hope you can come to as for me this is a dream come true.
Debbie you are so lucky I live in a small town and we have nothing Tolkien in my community. Everything so far I have done has been on line. That is why I am so excited about ALEP. Only 364 days to go :lol: .
Awelyn :green_door: :bag end: :hobbit lass:

Hello Tourin we must have posted at the same time. Welcome and did you read the information about ALEP?
Awelyn :grouphug:

Yes I did,it'll be geat,too bad I'm too young to come..... :( :( But you'll tell how cool it was next day!!! :)
And to advertise a bit(lol),why don't you try "our" forum at www.tolkien.co.uk,we are in need of some new "blood"!

I see Rosie is here too! She has a few posts(3 I think)in tolkien.co.uk. Hi Rosie... :)

Its true that most of the sci fi/fantasy type conventions and activities tend to be located in larger cities, but I bet there is a Renaissance Faire in your area. Over the years my group and I have attended various RenFaires (there are several here) costumed as Middle Earth characters, and the RenFaire people welcome us! They seem to enjoy a visit from some Hobbits, Elves, Rangers and Wizards and our garb kind of blends in with their medieval ambiance. (It would be polite, though, to contact the organizers first and ask if its OK; they've always said "Yes!" to me.) Also, a little research on the Internet can turn up some lists of sci-fi/fantasy/horror/anime conventions in your part of the country. (One region-specific list is called "Southern Fandom Resource Guide" http://www.scenic-city.com/sfrg/calendar.htm) Unless a convention is extremely specific, such as "Star Wars" only, most sci-fi/fantasy cons are very happy to see costumers representing LOTR characters attending. Anyway, I hope you can turn up some fellow Tolkien fans in your area so you can get together for some parties, costume events, etc., to tide you over until ALEP happens!
-D/p/M
:fireplace:

The past few years, I've wanted to attend The New York RenFaire but, as I am married to a man who will have none of this "nonsense" and a daughter who may or may not be interested...well, I am loathe and a bit afraid to travel alone. :map:

Never having been to one, I would also be afraid of committing some grievous error somehow, embarrass myself, and incur the wrath of yearly Faire-goers.

:wraith:

I can understand not wanting to travel alone, for sure. But I've gone to RenFaires as "Frodo" and other times as a hobbit lass, both alone and as part of a group, and its ALWAYS been more fun with a group! Don't know why; maybe people tend to notice a group more easily(?) But like I said, its a good idea to contact the organizers of the RenFaire you're wanting to go to ahead of time and just ask them first, "Is it OK if I show up as a hobbit?" I bet you that they say "Sure! And bring your hobbit/elf/wizard friends too!" Hey, its just a riot to have the Puritans come loom over you and pepper you with questions! Last year I was certain that I was going to get dragged off to the stocks! People seem to just love hobbits at RenFaires; at least that is my impression. I've gotten more spontaneous hugs from strangers at Faires than anywhere else. At the Corona Faire one year a handsome young soldier came over and embraced me (I was "Frodo" at the time) gave me a kiss and said, "May the hair on your toes never fall out!" So, I encourage "Rosie Cotton" to try going to a RenFaire this coming spring!
-Debbie/primmy/Maura
:fireplace:

Mae Govannen,

My friends over at COE sent me here! What a wonderful plan and I hope to be able to see you all next September!

Sindy

Welcome Sindy!

Please, pull up a chair, have a seat by the :fireplace: and have your fill of :tankard:

We :lotr_gandalf: :eowyn: :aragorn: :frodo: :galadriel: :whitegandalf: and more hope to see you there.

:rosie: Me too!


(Posted Image) TO : ALEP :

Welcome, welcome.

Here you have the advantage of having TWO wizards at your service...

:lotr_gandalf: AND :whitegandalf:

Hope you can join us next September!

Gandalf the White
:whitegandalf: :G rune:
:pipe:

Sindy so glad to see you here. :grouphug: I hope you can come. It would be great to see you in person. This group here is very welcoming and just a great bunch of people.

GREETINGS

(Posted Image)

Have a seat by the :fireplace: and enjoy our courtesy snacks :lembas: and name brand sodas! :tankard:

Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I'm looking forward to meeting you all next September. I usually post at COE. :cake:

Tis and honour and a pleasure to find myself in the company of such excellent magnificence. My heartfelt thanks to Mr. Bilbo Baggins, Esq, Mr. Frodo Baggins, and Mr. Gandalf for the delightful invitation.

I'm a member of Tolkien Forever, who kindly suffer my membership though I live in Arizona. I also frequent The Fellowship of Middle-earth, considering it my home away from home. Both places have blessed me with dear friends.

*waves wildly* Hi, Maura! Kristi! Ashlyn! Vison!

I've never visited Kentucky before, and look forward to the experience with great anticipation.

(((((Ladyhawk!)))))

I know you like :bill: so I think you'll like Kentucky!

((((((ASHLYN))))))) and may I say, your avatar is gorgeous! I've always wanted to visit KY. Opportunities come at the most unexpected times, when one is least looking. :bill:

Greetings, Mithholiel and Ladyhawk Baggins!

I post greetings on behalf of your hosts, Gandalf :lotr_gandalf: Frodo :frodo: and Mr. Bilbo Baggins himself.

I, Eowyn :eowyn: also welcome you.

Have a chair by the fire :fireplace: and rest your feet.

Thank you, kindly, Lady Eowyn. A place by the fire for weary feet sounds heavenly.

Hi Ladyhawk! *waves wildly back* Good to see you posting here, fellow "TFer"! Yes, this is a lovely group of
people and I think the year is not going to pass quickly enough to suit me! I can't wait for "ALEP!"
Its chilly this evening, again, so I think I'll draw up my chair next to the fire also, and have a little mulled wine while I warm my furry toes.
Mmm, that feels great!
-Debbie/primmy/maura
:fireplace: :tankard:

Have a tankard on me: :tankard:

I hope you like it here. :)

Mmmm warm cider or a spot of tea would do nicely. Better, hot chocolate! ;)

WELCOME ALL!!

Ladyhawk, you know what's best with hot chocolate?
Peppermint schnapps!! :wine:


(Posted Image)


:rosie:

Did you have to post a picture? It looks really delicious. Now you've done it. Where is that cocoa recipe...

By the way...

for those of you who are lactose intolerant, or just want to try a little something different on a cold winter's night, try some :apple: cider, warmed up and add some cinammon schapps :tankard: . It is wonderful and will warm you right down to your furry toes!

Enjoy!

Gandalf the White
:whitegandalf: :G rune:
:pipe:

:lotr_gandalf: Welcome all! I am glad you have found your way here. As for myself, I prefer a cup of tea (Earl Grey, if I can get it) after a nice evening smoke of Old Toby.

(Posted Image)

:G rune:

!! Never tried either of those before!! I can see I have some experimenting to do....
(makes note: peppermint schnapps for hot chocolate, and cinnamon schnapps for hot apple cider...)
Bring on the cold nights!
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace: :tankard:

I find it rather odd that I'm really not a fan of hot cocoa after I've been out doing something in the cold. I'm really not sure why, although it might have something to do with the thickness of hot cocoa, as opposed to cider.

I don't drink alcohol so I'll stick to plain hot cocoa, hot cider or chai.

Greetings!

Glad to have another TFer :grouphug: AND a horse :bill: lover on board!
We'll have to talk about the trip to the Kentucky Horse Park that I am planning for possibly the Wednesday before the festivities begin...

Rohtireth
:rider:

Oh my!! I've stayed away far too long from this thread!! Life's been keeping me a bit busy, but I'll put my head in the door more often in the future.

I live in LA, fiver- Lower Alabama, along the coast. Here's my town's website: Fairhope. Great place to live, but not many hobbits, elves, wizards or rangers. :angry:

Thanks for the link, Jef. I'm looking foward to seeing your work up close and personal.

Welcome Ashlyn and vison! :)

Tourin!!! It's so very good to see you here!! Don't you love these "smilies"??? There are swords :icon medieval: :sword: and rangers :aragorn: :ranger: and dragons :green dragon: :smaug: . If you weren't in Greece I'd drive over and kidnap you and take you to ALEP. I told you that I could be your chaperone on a field trip..but Roger needs to drive the school bus. :blink:

I am a renaissance faire junkie, maura. I am especially fond of full-contact jousting. I've seen some of the contestants knocked off their steeds on several occasions. I'm not talking about the staged "falls" that they take at some festivals, but the real thing, where the guy's heel of his boot is knocked off and the sound of him hitting the ground makes a loud thud. Woo! Hoo! I LOVE it!! Along with swordplay!

Hello there, Sindy! It's good to see you here! Sindy writes great stories about my favorite ranger. Check them out sindarinelvish ranger tales :aragorn:

Meli

Just now saw your post, Mith. Welcome!! It feels so good to have my two roomies here. :grouphug: What a great time we're going to have!!

Looking forward to seeing friends that I haven't "met" yet, hugging those that I know and making a few (or more) new friends.

: ALEP :

Hello all, just arrived. I know a couple of you (Ladyhawk, Ashlyn, Vision) from the Fellowship boards. I'm so excited about this thing, why's it got to be a year away!

Welcome AnnaEstel!! Any friend of Middle earth is a friend of mine!

: ALEP :


Love your paintings, Jef. I may need to add on to my house so that I can have more wall space.
:)


Meli

Welcome and greetings to you AnnaEstel. I know it is so hard the waiting. It will be great meeting all of you.
Awelyn :hobbit lass red: : ALEP :

Welcome, AnnaEstel, from one of the resident Eowyns :eowyn: on the board.

I also welcome you on behalf of your hosts, :lotr_gandalf: :bb: :frodo: (( That would be Gandalf the Grey, Mr Bilbo Baggins, and Mr Frodo Baggins )).

(((AnnaEstel))) So glad to see you made it!

((AnnaEstel)) WooHoo! Another FoME'r! B)

Greetings to all the newcomers! We're getting to be quite a large and jolly group! I'm hoping to see more TFers signing up; the "left coast" needs to be well-represented. Now that the weekend is here and my current project is winding down, and its getting quite chilly at night (thank goodness: free air conditioning!)I'm wanting to try some of the "experiments" I've read about here. I think I'll start with the cinnamon schapps in hot apple cider... Mmmm!
-Debbie/primmy :fireplace: :tankard:

Hi, everyone. A member sent me the link to this site and upcoming event. I have to say that the web site itself is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Kudos to its creator!

I don't know if I'll be able to attend next year, but I may be able to manage something.

Greetings, Mirkwoodworker!

Pull up a chair by the :fireplace: and rest your weary feet.

We earnestly hope you will be able to make it. :)

Hello Mirkwood worker. I hope you can manage to come to ALEP. It will be great besides the costumes of :lotr_gandalf: :whitegandalf: :aragorn: :legolas: :hobbit lass: :merry: There will be :bag end: . So I hope you can come. I also sent you a e-mail with myy e-mail address concerning the Survey.
Awelyn

Greetings Mirkwoodworker! It would be most wonderful to have you join us at ALEP next year! : ALEP :

But coming or not, please stick around and tell us more about yourself.



Meli

WELCOME AnnaEstel :aakiss:

WELCOME Ashlyn :hobbit lass red:

WELCOME Mirkwoodworker :tree:


Have a pint :tankard: and enjoy your stay here! :fireplace:

Greetings to all of our newcomers!

:whitegandalf: at your service.

I have already thrice blessed the ale here, so have a :tankard: find a seat by the :fireplace: and tell us about yourself.

Hope you can join us next year! : ALEP :

Gandalf the White
:whitegandalf: :G rune:
:pipe:

Newest to the the Shire,
Virtuelle hails from the wonderful FOF forum at Council of Elrond Fans over Forty forum.
I also hail as, Lady Arcola from Battle for Middle Earth 2 Heaven and help co Seraph (webmaster) for Stronghold Heaven and Stronghold 2 Heaven.
If you would like us to post about this at BFME2 Gandalf I would be happy to news it.

And where do you get info on registration? : ALEP : is looking fantastic. ;)

Registration info is on the main page: A Long Expected Party.org

specifically, here: REGISTRATION


WELCOME!!

:rosie:

Welcome Virtuelle! The more the merrier! I'm sure Gandalf will pop up (wizards arrive exactly when they mean to) and take you up on your kind offer to post news about "A Long Expected Party" at your BFME2 site.
Welcome to new members AnnaEstel, Elvellon Ringsband and Mirkwoodworker as well! We're growing
into quite a community of hobbits, elves, Rohirrim and Istari. Maybe you have a song or a tale or two
to share?
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace: :tankard:

:lotr_gandalf: YES, yes, by all means post word of our event anywhere you wish, Virtuelle, and welcome to you and all our new guests, although I am not certain I like the term 'guests', for you are no more a guest here than am I.
Indeed, we will all be living in the village and it will be our home for several days (some more days than others), so perhaps I should welcome you as a fellow villager, or just simply welcome you and leave it at that.

(Wizard often go off like this, like when poor Bilbo wished Gandalf a good morning, if you remember).

:G rune:

Virtuelle I am so glad to see you here. It is wonderful when friends from FOF drop in and doesn't it look great at the village. I do so hope you can come. Have a great day and I think I have welcomed the other newcomers if not Welcome brothers and sisters of Middle Earth.
Awelyn :pumpkin: : ALEP :

Awelyn, are you going by "Bramblerose" now? That's a cute name; very hobbity.
And it looks like we have a new member: MithLuin! Welcome, pull up a chair and
warm your toes.

-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

Not sure if I'm doing this correctly, but wanted to stop in to say "Hello" to everyone. Am currently making plans to attend the even next year and hope to be registered by the end of next month.

I am so excited by the opportunity to attend an event like this so close to home. And of course, to get to meet all of you.

Welcome MithLuin and Welcome Forestchild!

Glad to have you both here. I hope you find this place to your liking :)

Thank you for your greeting. I feel most welcome.

Trying to determine who to be when I come. Will be a hobbit at the actually party, but am still contemplating who I will be the rest of the time. The elves are fascinating, of course. But I am also intrigued by the people of Gondor, especially the Rangers.

Maura yes I am going by Bramblerose I really like it. I did not see Mithluin but hello and welcome anyway.Forestchild a warm welcome and greetings to you. I am excited as well about the party and I am so grateful it is close enough for me to drive. Welcome to all newcomers. Bramblerose aka Awelyn : ALEP : :hobbit lass red: :pumpkin:

Hello, all! Thanks for the welcome! I notoriously skip introduction threads and just dive right in - sorry! :o

I was at the Gathering of the Fellowship in Toronto, and enjoyed meeting many of you folk there. I'd *love* to come to this party next year, and hope I can! My regular hangout online is TORc. I'll have to decide to come before I worry about costumes, but most likely something generic. Maybe a Fëanorean outfit, even if I am only 5'3" ;).


Thanks for all the hard work that is being put into organizing this! :letter:

Greetings to all. :) I was blessed to be able to attend the last Gathering in Toronto, and am thrilled at the prospect of another, even more genuinely Tolkienesque event! Thank you Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo - it will be wonderful to gathering again.

A special "hello" to my fellow FoME-ers Ashlyn, Ladyhawk, vison, and AnnaEstel - it seems we may meet at last!

(Posted Image)

Welcome to : ALEP : Forestchild and Elvellon!!

I must thank you all for your warm greetings. While I have yet to meet any of you, I eagerly await next year and the opportunity to do so.

Welcome newcomers, its good to see more members arriving every week! Forestchild and Jennyp221, happy to have you with us; the more the merrier!
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

Greetings all! I'm so happy to be able to make this event. When I saw it was less than an hour and a half away from me (I'm in Nashville), I had to jump on it! As far as characters, well, as a 6 foot tall woman, I'm pretty much suited to elven lasses. I have two Arwen gowns (the Dream gown or nightgown she wore in the dream scene with Aragorn and the Blood Red or Dying gown). I'd love to be able to have a Galadriel Mirror gown done in time, but unless I get enough Christmas money to cover to cost of the beaded/embroidered fabric, I'm not so sure I'll have room in my budget (or I won't have room for anything else, one of the two). I've got a few more costumes planned to try, but I'm just not certain what I'll be able to have done in time. Regardless, I'm excited to be here and just can't wait to meet you all.

Love and Light,
Mel

Greetings Mel and Forestchild. It is so great to have new comers. :grouphug: : ALEP : :hobbit lass red: :pumpkin: :) Welcome

More newcomers! Welcome all! Mel, yes, elves are certainly welcome! If you like, please feel free to share pics of your costumes at our "Costume Thread". That's great that this event is drivable for several of the members; I wish I were close enough to drive but I'm not. I'll have to endure the possibility that I'll have to explain the furry rubber hobbit feet and latex pointy ears and glowing sword in my luggage to inspectors at airport security... again. ((((sigh)))) Oh well, we must suffer for our fun, sometimes, I guess!
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

I'm pretty sure that airport security has exchanged flyers on me at this point... I seem to get one of those notices that my baggage was checked every time I fly. Might have something to do with the chainmail... just maybe.

Chainmail could be a reason for concern... (Perhaps more so than latex feet and ears, though I am sure those get questioned as well)

In this age we live, it seems almost everything is a reason to be suspicious.

How wonderful to see new faces and some familiar ones. Greetings to you all!!! Hello virtuelle and MithLuin. I see that my favorite sites TORC and COE are represented.
I'm excited about meeting those of you whom I don't know yet. What a wonderful time it will be!!


Meli :grouphug:

:lotr_gandalf: Not unlike an age when hobbits, elves, dwarves and wizards lived in, and they were indeed dark times, and not all were to be trusted. Is Tolkien's world so very different from our own? We face many of the same hardships as they, only the places and names have changed, but evil is still evil, no matter what the age, but there is also much good in the world as well, as you will see when we all gather.

Welcome to all the newbies!

:G rune:

p.s. :moon: It is a grand night. There is a chill in the air, but the skies are clear and the stars are out. A good night to fill my pipe, I think. :pipe:

:lantern: p.s.s. It was a grand night for a smoke, only the sky was no longer clear ~ the wind high above had picked up and was coming from the south-east, and had brought with it ragged strips of clouds that laced the evening sky, illuminated from behind by a full autumn moon. Behind them were many stars against the dark heavens, like sparkling diamonds cast upon black velvet. Nearby, I noted a spider that has taken up residence in the corner of my kitchen window and was busy spinning his web and showed little concern that I was so close at hand watching him.

:G rune:

Greetings everyone! I finally registered this evening. There is so much going on in August and September 2008. I wish I could spread it around a bit! I will crash after this is all over, I'm sure. :galadriel:

Hey Friend! Its good to see you here. Does this mean I get to see you at Dragoncon and Alep next year??? :)

Indeed,know what ya mean. I've informed my office I will be gone for half of September next year.lol...

Rebecca Neume :faramireowyn:

Like Bilbo said when Gandalf showed up at his doorstep, Welcome! Welcome!

To all newly arrived hobbits, elves, men, and other citezens of Middle Earth I wish the very best.

I can't wait to see you all next year.
:frodo:

Must thank everyone for being so welcoming and helpful. Spent a good part of the day with my "sister" planning our party dresses. As anxious as we are to have The Party here, it's probably a good thing we have some time. There are just so many decisions to make...

BONNIE! :: hugs ::

So wonderful to see you here.

I am glad that you are going to come.

De-lurking briefly...

Hi. I'm the person with the camcorder. Don't mind me, I'll just be taking pictures...

p.s. Sign me up for the ghost walk... I'll bring the cameras... :)

OLOTIE!! YAY! I am so happy your coming. Dragoncon is always so busy,busy,it will be so nice to have some more laid back time to spend together. I really can't wait!

Yes,good idea,definatly bring the camcorder for our ghostie walk. SV spook That could be a really interesting video.

Love and hugs,
Neume

OMG

It's Olotie

:: tackles, hugs ::

I am so glad to see you here!

You know, you're one of the people I wanted to come the most :) And NOT just to take pictures, but so I could see you and talk to you and have fun with you!

SQUEEE

:lotr_gandalf: Well, well well! Friends arriving from all over, and it is a welcome sight, for you will be needed on this great adventure.

:galadriel: It is good to see the lady of the Golden Wood among us at last. Mae govannen & Le hannon for for your presence.

:pen & paper: And it is indeed good to see you have found your way here, Olotie. Now I shall rest easy tonight and tell the rangers to cease their watch for you. Your task shall be great, but we will speak more of this later. Welcome!

Indeed, welcome to all who have come. There may be an important announcement soon, but that is for Bilbo or Frodo to tell, I think.

:G rune:

p.s. Let me see, it is October the 29th. Today marks the first day I could see my breath outside, and the chill in the air makes these many robes feel good for a change. I think a nice cup of hot tea is in order tonight. I look forward to when we all can sip a cup of tea together. :teacup:

Thanks to everyone for the welcome and hugs!

Yes, Neume, I will be at DC and here next year. YEA!

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Hi Bonnie! :galadriel: Hi Olotié! :hobbit lass:

Welcome to the party! I will be happy to see you again.

Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo!

:frodo:

Hark and Well Met Fellow Tolkienites, and Greetings from the Mid-Farthings !!!
(SW Missouri)

I register as quickly as I could yesterday, it wasn't easy, I was to excited to sit still long enough to fill out the registration form!

Welcome Andrea!

I am very excited as well.

Did you make reservations at the Village already?

There are people looking to share rooms with other fans, in the roommate thread :)

Well arn't you sweet to think of that !

I am part of The Eowyn Challenge, there are several of us attending, so I already have roommates galore!

I'm also fairly foaming at the mouth to get to the fabric store and start some Hobbit attire plans....

hmmmm fabric store.....it's like a candy store for me.....

Welcome newbies, on this chilly Halloween day; the Village is growing and growing, which is
wonderful. I think I need a fire to warm my toes today, and a little tot of mulled wine too,
perhaps. Make yourselves comfortable, settle in, and enjoy your stay!
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace: :tankard:

Andrea , welcome and I live 146 miles south of St. Louis Mo. so I thought that was cool that we live in the same state. I have tried for months and possible years to find other fans in my area or even my state. I am looking forward to meeting you and your friends. So greeting fellow Missourian and Tolkien fan. :fireplace: : ALEP : :hobbit lass red:
Bramblerose

OH BRAMBLEROSE....Tolkien fans are few and far between here in the Mid-Farthings...mostly people just look at me like I have two heads if I slip and mention Tolien-ness in public....

I am just outside of Branson....how close are we?

Yay! Another Middle Earth traveler!

I too have undertaken Eowyn's Challenge as part of the Tolkien Forever group based in Southern California.

We started our journeys on July 7 (07/07/07). One of our members has already reached Rivendell, and is well on her way to Lothlorien (she's completed over 550 miles!). A couple others in our group have almost completed the first 10 days of the Walk to Rivendell (179 miles).

Entering my mileage each day into the EC database (as well as our own TF database) is a primary motivator for me to get away from my desk and walk several times each day.

So - welcome to another ME traveler - looking forward to meeting you on the trail!

Rohtireth
:rider:

I must confess, I have not visited the Shield page in a couple of years, shameful I know!

Modern life has really gotten in my way of late, making the urge to run to the Shire so much stronger!!!

Andrea Rayna, I think we are about four hours apart. I would have to ask my husband for sure . He always drives when we go to Branson. Well at least I have found one Missourian we admires Tolkien. :bag end: :green_door: : ALEP : or bust.

I would like to welcome all those who have recently arrived. I am still rather new myself, but have to say that it is very comforting here, :fireplace:

and I am anticipating next year in order to meet all you wonderful souls. :hobbit lass:

Yes, welcome all! As the holiday season fast approaches, I can't believe that this year has passed so quickly!! It truly feels like autumn now, even here on the left coast. Our horrible fires have been mostly dealt with, and the skys are no longer brown and choked with ash (much like Mordor). There is instead a clean briskness in the air that carries the promise of rain.
I'm so looking forward to ALEP: sitting around a warm fire, sipping ale, and sharing stories and songs with fellow Tolkien fans.
Until then, make yourselves comfortable here; check out the various Forum topics, and add your thoughts to the mix. Share photos, answer riddles, post your favoite recipes, or whatever suits your fancy!
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace: :tankard:

:lotr_gandalf: Welcome indeed. As the holiday season approaches things seem to get more and more hurried and busy. I now realize that September is a good time for a party, as it is just before things begin to get crazy, even though next year we will indeed be busy come September, just like Bilbo was in the book. But this is a good thing, and it is not often one gets the chance to hurry about in preparation for a Hobbit-party. I also look forward to meeting you all and setting down for a nice chat over food and drink (and of course, a fill of pipe weed).

:G rune:

Hi All *Waves*
My name is Linda Rosa and from Michigan :-)

I'm so happy about attending ALEP 2008 I was lucky enough to attend the last two Gathering of the Fellowships in Toronto and had such a wonderful time.

xo

Welcome, welcome Linda!

Howdy and Mae Govannen!

P.S. - Olotie, the only thing for me to look forward to this Winter
is the fact that I will be able to wear your fabulous Ravenclaw scarf.
Other than that, Winter is a real :cavetroll:


~Maggie Rose :rosie:

:lotr_gandalf: Ah, you must find the good in any season.

SV candle Winter is good for the lighting of many candles

:book: or the reading of a good book in front of the fireplace :fireplace:

and a nice hot cup of tea :teacup: is very good to warm the body and soul on a chilly day.

:bed: Also, I cannot imagine better weather for rolling up in a nice warm blanket and sleeping

:G rune:

Greetings, Gimlee, son of Gloin. :dwarf:

:G rune:

Oh,hey Meli... i have like ages to come here... You reminded me today:). Yep I LOVE these smileys:) :aragorn: :rider: :)

Good seeing you, always Tourin. Check out some of the other threads here. I'm sure that you'd like to check out some of the games. I really enjoy The Black Knight. (The warrior in me likes it when I let her out ) :icon medieval:

Don"t you think that Ranak should come by and see the marvelous smilies? He'd be in awe, I'm sure!

:o : ALEP :

Meli

Hello Tourin this is awelyn but I am also called Bramblerose here. good to see you here. You take care. It is very cold here Meli so I think I will go get some coffee. Where is Gimli? Bramblerose : ALEP : :fireplace: :hobbit lass red: :teacup:

Im sure he'd love them! Anyone would love them! :witchking: :tower: :beer: :) Hey Awelyn...

Welcome to all the new arrivals! I think its delightful that pods of people already know each other from belonging to other Internet Groups, or having met at earlier events, etc. Its kind of like a 6-degrees-of-separation-from-LOTR thing! But I hope every newcomer here feels both welcome and appreciated whether you already know anybody or not. Please feel free to introduce yourself and/or join in the various topics of discussion. Its hard to wedge in much free time to visit on the Internet with the holidays coming up and the shopping, wrapping, mailing, travelling and visiting that entails (in addition to working and other RL tasks) but I intend to drop in as often as I can.
-Debbie/primmy (aka Maura)
:fireplace:

I don't think I know anyone else, at least not yet, but I'm sure that will be resolved come next year. Then it will be a matter of when we can all get together after that...

:hobbit lass:

That's ok Pimpernel - all Tooks are family!!! We can all get to know each other online, and then have a grand 'reunion' at the party!!


-Dora Took :hobbit lass:

(Posted Image)

A big WELCOME to our newest members!!

Emma, MythFish, nomEmork, mishkoAndoey, Simarlian, Bonnie Lass, Gilraen, Gimlee, GolldSxSBB, Linda Rosa, and Minx!!!

Sorry if I have missed anyone!!

:rosiesam:

Merry Christmas Day greetings and welcome to all!
Have a wonderful holiday, full of good cheer and family, friends, and fun!
-Debbie.primmy
:christmas lass: :christmas lad: :christmas wizard:

Merry Christmas day greeting to you also Debbie. I hope you are having a good one. I feel an unrest brewing. Maybe it is a longing for Alep. :christmas lad: :christmas lass:

Wishing you all a very merry christmas!!

:christmas lad: :christmas wizard:

...and a Happy New Year!

:hourglass:

and we will enter a year a greatness that will be long remembered: the year of : ALEP :

(Posted Image)

TelmeWoipGroup and TKM!!!

Welcome to our Party, make yourself at home!! :tankard:

:rosie: :gift: :christmas lass:

Welcome to our new guests!

:pen & paper: Do post on this thread and tell us something of yourself. I want to feel as if I've known (or known of) everyone for some time before the party gets here.

:G rune:

Welcome new Forum members one and all !(Zinaku, you are the most recent!) We're so glad to have more fellow Tolkien fans join us here. Do feel free to check out our discussion threads and post a little about yourself, how you came to be a fan of the Professor's wonderful writings, your opinions, your thoughts about the upcoming "The Hobbit" film, your own Tolkien-inspired writings or art, your costumes, etc. Please share!
Also, check out the official "A Long-Expected Party" website (artfully and lovingly crafted by Gandalf the Grey) and its new additions! I hope that every Forum Member we meet here will want to register for ALEP, and when you do your "handle" will appear on the website's Attendee List (but only if you want your board name and your location displayed, its your choice.)
I look forward to when we can all party together in rollicking hobbity style in September 2008!
Brush up your toes, ALEP will be an event to remember!
...and...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (a few hours early)
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

Welcome new member Kukla! Come on in, pull up a chair, and warm your toes; its cold outside!
Please feel free to introduce yourself, and join in our various discussion threads. I hope you were
able to raise a glass and toast the Professor's birthday yesterday with like-minded fans, and will
find both new friends and old here at the ALEP Forum.
best wishes,
-Debbie/primmy
aka
Maura Labingi
:fireplace:

Greetings Friends!

I just wanted to add my excitement for the revelry to come in some 8 months! To introduce myself... I am Aibreán (sometimes called Aubri for short) -- a Shieldmaiden of the Éowyn Challenge. I am very much looking forward to your party, dear Frodo and Bilbo! :tankard:

Heartfelt thankyous in advance to all those involved in the planning of such a magnificent event!

Hoping the next months fly by... :lantern:
aubri

PS: Special felicitations to my Sisters of the Shield Gliowien and Saelind! :sword:

Greeting Lady Aubri and welcome. I to am so excited about ALEP see you there.
Bramblerose :hobbit lass red:

Thanks for the welcome, Bramblerose!! :teacup:

Greetings Lady Aibrean, and fellow shieldmaiden! :eowyn:

I am one of the helpers for the party, it is nice to see yet another Eowyn will be in our midst!

Thank you, Lady Éowyn! There will be several of us fellow Shieldmaidens attending, so we of course are eager to meet another kindred spirit!

So.. is this going to be something like Dragon*Con's pageant of Slave Leias (one year I think they had 50!)?? of course, more tastefully clothed. ;) :eowyn:

-dora took :hobbit lass: :sewing:

Oh no. We just call ourselves shieldmaidens. Some of us dress elvish, some dress hobbity, some of us dress Gondorian and some like the Rohirrim. It's an attitude not a fashion statement.

Absolutely - attitude is everything! :sword:

Hello All!

JeffBo here, newly registered and looking forward to ALEP in the fall. I'm a long time Tolkien follower and have had my share of magical there and back again journeys with like minded citizens of Middle Earth, but ALEP will be my first costumed affair. :outfit: I'll give it a go! Wouldn't want to miss such an excellent party, and that's sayin' something.

So I'll be there with bells on (so to speak) and I look forward to meeting all of you and joining in the fun and good fellowship!

~
Namárië,
JB

Hey, welcome Jeffbo!!! look forward to meeting you at ALEP, and in the meantime, join in the fun here on the board.

So.. if you're going to be there will bells on :bell: does that mean you're going to dance the springle-ring???? (I wonder how much that was influenced by Morris Dancing?!)

-Dora Took :hobbit lass: :sewing:

And Welcome to Sauron's Servant, glad to have you and your friend joining us! SS is a fellow member of "Tolkien_Forever", so now our dwelling (The Old Ministry Shop) is at max capacity. We will very likely think of it as "TF Headquarters" during our stay, Yay! All new members to ALEP, please feel free to introduce yourselves to this motley crewe of Hobbits, Elves, Rangers and Wizards, and make yourselves at home.
Greetings as well to new members Lady Aibrean and JeffBo! Pull up a chair and warm your toes; looking forward to meeting you.
-ML
aka
-Debbie/primmy
:fireplace:

LOL! Oh no, I'm not a Morris Man, nor much of a dancer. I was once drafted into a sword dance due to a shortage in the company, but all involved agreed to pretend it never happened. :P I can, however, pound on a table with reasonably good rhythm, and the fact that my mention of bells would raise your question tells me I'm coming to the right birthday party, what er a "springle ring" might be!

Welcome, Jeff, to the fun and excitement!

I hope you'll like it here.

Thank you, Debbie/primmy! This is a very cozy group! :fireplace:

Yes, thank you all very much for the warm and cozy welcomes!!!! A cheery band indeed. It will be a lot of fun to meet you all beneath the party tree! :tree:

I tried a Sword Dance once - an old friend was big into Morris Dancing, and she had a set of swords (for those who are clueless: a 'sword' is more of a very stiff metal yardstick on a wooden handle, and you dance 8 of them into patterns - no hitting anyone). We did pretty well, but it was a workshop rather than a performance.

The 'springlering' is something that was mentioned during the Birthday Party. apparently some younger hobbits had thought that Bilbo was done talking (having said all that was necessary) and they began a very vigorous dance on the tables that involved jumping and bells. Now that I thought about it, I wonder if it might have some connection to Morris Dancing!

anyway, Jeffbo, I'm quite sure you'll fit in fine!

-Dora Took :hobbit lass: :sewing: