The party at my house was a great success (if I do say so myself!) It was
wonderful to meet several people from the FML, some of whom traveled a
considerable distance on the sunny but chilly Sunday.
 
Bob and Linda from MI were the first eager guests to arrive.  Thank you for
the wonderful cherry/blueberry pie!  I had to fight off my husband and
daughter to claim the leftover piece.
 
Sukie and Steve were in town from New Jersey for other reasons, and Sukie
brought copies of all the letters from various state authorities on
compendium compliance.
 
Barb and Roy came from Pittsburg, with cute little ferret hats (my daughter
made us buy 4), 2 of their kids, Pepper and Bumper, and songs to sing.
Barb regalled us with her version of "The Ferret on the Flying Trapeze" and
others in her very nice singing voice.  Of course, then Joy and I had to
sing our versions of "Bonnie" and "Yesterday".
 
Missy and Jamie from southern Ohio probably drove the furthest, but their
trip was well worth while since they added the charming young (and
appropriately named) Tinker to their Pietinkieville gang.
 
Jean was unable to come, but Phoenix of course showed up, and wowed everyone
with his gentle ways and very soft new coat.
 
Bev and Charlie came from the corner of the state, taking pictures with
their cool digital video camera, and showing poor naked Cocoa Puff to her
sponsors Sukie and Steve.  Some pix are posted on Bev's web page at
<http://www2.suite224.net/~ncfs1997/party.htm>.  (I have to wait for old
fashioned photo processing and then scan ours in!)
 
Rebecca and friends from the Akron based Ohio Ferrets and Friends
Association brought a gift for Phoenix, a cozy sleep hammock and a couple
fun balls.
 
Ron from Cleveland was amazed by all the ferret people and allowed Richard
to drag him out to the studio to ooh and aah over Richard's art work.
 
Tofa, an Oberlin College student from CaCa land, was gaga over the ferrets.
She would love to have one, but both parents and her state frown on them.
 
Laurie brought the dead ferret BV to show off. She looked wonderful! Email
her ([log in to unmask]) or me privately for details.
 
I think that's everyone!
 
We never got to the bonfire and marshmallows. It was kinda breezy and chilly
outside, and much more fun just to stay inside playing with all the ferrets!
 
I want to thank everyone for coming, for the wonderful conversations, for
playing with the ferrets, and for the yummy goodies we had to eat!
 
Linda Iroff
North Coast Ferret Shelter West
"The Raisin Retreat"
http://www.oberlin.edu/~liroff/ncfs.html
[Posted in FML issue 2271]