Welcome to the January 2003 Smurfy News! - a free e-mail newsletter from www.MushroomVillage.com! This issue is sent to 2,457 voluntary opt-in members. Welcome to our new subscribers! IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER, THE *ONLY* WAY TO UNSUBSCRIBE IS TO CLICK THE LINK AT THE END OF THIS E-MAIL! Only *you* can subscribe or unsubscribe. I CANNOT add or delete anyone from this list, please do not ask me to! (Reminder: All members have added themselves to this list! We respect your privacy and use your e-mail address ONLY to send out this newsletter - we never sell, rent, share or distribute your e-mail address in any way with anyone!) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The new 2003 Smurfs have arrived and are shipping right now! We report on them below, including a few surprises! We also have lots of new pieces available this month, be sure to take a look at the new listings, some are all-new! Unfortunately, the record-breaking winter weather we had in New York this month kept me from making the Intl. Toy show in NYC, where I had planned to meet with Schleich reps. Thank you to all our members who submitted questions for Schleich, I intend to present these questions to Schleich via e-mail and will report the findings in a future issue. Finally, many of you wrote to me in confusion after I sent out an e-mail last month regarding verifying your Smurfy News subscription. This was sent by me, it was not a trick to get you to divulge your e-mail for spammers! Confirming your subscription will ensure that your newsletter is not blocked by ISP spam filters in the future. Some of you may have noticed that our # of subscribers has gone down for the first time ever. Apparently, more people canceled their subscriptions after I sent out the confirmation e-mail than signed up last month. I guess that's OK, I certainly don't want to send this newsletter to anyone not wishing to receive it! But, I also fear some of those cancellations were a result of confusion related to the confirmation e-mail. I am sorry I did not explain the confirmation e-mail in the newsletter first, and I hope any lost lambs find their way back! I will do another round of confirmations in the future, but I will warn first, so members are not confused. Well, let's get on with the news! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-= CONTENTS =-=-=-=-= 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP 2) 2003 SMURFS ARE HERE! 3) SMURF MAILBAG 4) SCCI PROMOS 5) MY SMURF ROOM 6) PINK TOOTHBRUSH 7) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY 8) CLOSING =============================================== -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1) NEW IN THE SMURF SHOP -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The first half of our 2003 Smurfs order has arrived at Mushroom Village, and shipped earlier this month! Sets were shipped in the order in which we received preorders. We are expecting the second half of our order on or about the same date we publish this newsletter, so if you preordered, expect them any day, if you do not have them already! Once we have a regular supply of the 2003 Smurfs, we will sell by the piece. Until then, we continue to offer them at our presell package - full sets only including world-wide shipping, handling and delivery insurance for $34.99! Please use this link to preorder your set at this special price: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-latest.html AOL Click Here! For details about the new Smurfs we were unaware of until we had them in hand, please see our update below! We have received the new 2003 Schleich minicatalogs, and we ship one free with *every* order. FREE STICKERS ARE BACK TOO!! Every order ships with TWO free stickers AND a 2003 minicatalog! We are using 10 styles of glossy stickers, and also the Panini stickers based on the cartoon series! We have also received new freebies which we ship with orders over $50. Our over-$50 freebies now include 3 kinds of die-cut rubber keychains, 3 kinds of embroidered iron-on patches, Mint in Package Smurf punching balloons, Smurfette Acrylic keychains, cotton Smurf tote bags and more! (We are always looking for small items we can use for freebies. If you know of a source for stickers or other items we can use for freebies, please let us know!) We have the following new and back-in-stock listings this month. Please note, we continue to provide marking and paint dot info on all new listings! We guarantee you will receive the marking indicated on the color variation shown in our catalog, in MINT condition, or we will buy it back - no questions asked! As always, we sell top-notch Smurfs only, not played-with leftovers as you find elsewhere online. Check these out! FIGURINES! 20012 Mechanic (dark wrench) [Markings: Hong Kong, stickman logo, no paint dot] 20057 Thirsty (orange straw) [Markings: West Germany, no paint dot] 20119 Smurferman (white base) [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 20126 Roller-skate [Markings: Sri Lanka, black paint dot] 20147 Cow Girl [Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot] 20417 Bodybuilder (gold shorts) [Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot] 20459 Nameplate [Markings: CE, Germany] RAWS! 20001 Papa (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany] 20037 Doctor (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany] 20212 Little Angel (raw) [Markings: CE, West Germany, no paint dot] 20215 Baby with Car (raw) [Markings: CE, Germany] GOLDCORDS! 51901 Smurf with Tree [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 51902 Smurf with gift [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 51903 Papa with toy sack [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 51904 Smurf with toy sack [Markings: CE, Portugal, no paint dot] 51905 caroling [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] 51909 Smurfette caroling [Markings: CE, China, no paint dot] MAXI-KINDERS! 1995 Maxi Kinder (Greedy with House) [Markings: Ferrero] 1995 Maxi Kinder (Miller with Windmill) [Markings: Ferrero] 1995 Maxi Kinder (Farmer with Tractor) [Markings: Ferrero] 1995 Maxi Kinder (Lazy in Hammock) [Markings: Ferrero] A SMURF-A-GRAM! 20069 Jungle (Smurf-a-Gram) [Markings: none] A PROMO! 20082 Shy (Ina) [Markings: West Germany, Ina] STAMP PADS! 54401 Postman (stamp pad) [Markings: none] 54402 Gymnast (stamp pad) [Markings: none] 54403 Indian (stamp pad) [Markings: none] 54404 Telephone (stamp pad) [Markings: none] MUSIC BOXES! 20117 Cornucopia (music box) [Markings: Bully, West Germany] 20038 Singer (music box) [Markings: none] AND MORE! Large Smurf bags are back! Panini Stickers are back! To check out all the new and updated listings for this month, please use this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=id&maxhits=20&keywords=new0203 AOL Click Here! Remember, we only list items that are new or back in stock this month. We have *hundreds* of other items in stock all the time, visit the Smurf Shop and check it out!!! Also, keep in mind we have stocked up on Kinder Smurfs as our friends at Kinder Magic USA has gone out of business, and sold their Smurf inventory to us. We believe Smurf Kinders are the neatest Smurf figurals after the PVC's. The Maxi-Kinder play sets are fun and fascinating to assemble, and simply adorable! We have also sold many Smurf curtains, but have many left! Customers report plans to use the fabric in pillows and clothing! If you are handy with a sewing machine, these are great to play around with - all mint in unopened packages, no used bed linens here...to find these and other items at out site, use the search box in the upper right-hand corner of any page to search "curtains," "Kinder," or whatever strikes your fancy! Oh, one last thing. If you like to pay by PayPal, they now offer an option to buy insurance when you use them to pay for anything online. Of course, we offer free delivery insurance on all orders, and will accept returns for any reason, but I figured I'd point out this new insurance option just the same. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2) 2003 SMURFS ARE HERE! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is a recap of the new 2003 pieces. We have noted a few new details regarding the new 2003 Smurfs, now that they have arrived in the U.S. All the pieces are marked "Schleich Germany" with an "S" in a circle (Schleich's logo). The "Germany" is because Schleich is in Germany, it is not where the figurine was made. They also have "CE" on them, being a product of the European Community. These figurines (and all new figurines) are molded and painted in China. The Country marking is "Made in China." They all say "(C) 2002 Peyo" and there is a blue paint dot. Schleich from the softener that was banned in October 2000 by the European Union officials to a new and accepted softener and added this paint dot to mark those pieces made with the new softener. (A paint dot has not represented the country they are painted in for some time now, although I have not been able to find out when this practice stopped.) All have bracelet-style stickers around them with barcodes. Schleich is now doing this with all pieces to help sellers with inventory control. Many collectors feel these stickers should be left intact, other collectors remove them because they interfere with display. Some collectors buy two sets, one to display, and one to save. Here is a second look at the new pieces: 20517 Hippie Smurf - This Smurf is standing with his left fist on his hip, and he's giving a "thumbs-up" with his right hand. The stringed instrument does seem to be a guitar. He is bare-chested, with only a leather vest. He is wearing green bell-bottom pants with red peace sign hand-painted onto his gold belt buckle. He has a yellow polka-dotted pink bandana tied around his forehead and is wearing a gold hoop earring in his right ear. He has a rose tattooed on his left arm. White shoes. 20518 New Basketball Smurf - Guarding the ball he is dribbling with his right hand by holding out his left hand. White sneakers and socks with gray laces. The laces are drawn in great detail, including open loops. Watch for painters to get lazy and start painting simpler laces on this one. They do that sometimes, and some consider that a paint variation. The sneakers have red circles on the side you cannot see in the catalog pic. His red shorts have white stripes down the sides, his red top has a white number "7" on the front. The white features are outlined in black, and the shirt's seams are also in black. 20519 Hip Hop Smurf - This Smurf is standing with a radio held up on his right shoulder. He is wearing gray shoes, baggy blue jeans, a red T-shirt with a pink collared, button-down shirt (unbuttoned and untucked of course) over it and a pair of yellow sunglasses. The black, gray and red radio has speakers at each end, and a cassette deck and CD player in the middle. The back of his shirt reads "HIP HOP" in blue letters. 20520 New Techno - Wearing loose-fitting, baggy-to-the-floor red pants with a silver belt buckle on his brown belt. Bare-chested with a fur vest. He is wearing a necklace of nails or spikes. 20521 Cyber Smurf - This Smurf is in his own world! He is standing and playing a virtual reality video game. He is wearing long yellow pants and an orange sweat shirt. At his feet is a gray, purple and yellow console which reads "Virtual Race" in black letters. There is a small red race car on each end of the game unit. A black wire lead up to the game control and he sees and hears the game play through a pair of pink goggles and black/black earphones which are also connected by a black wire to the game console. 20522 Workaholic Smurf - This Smurf is sitting on an inflatable tube but still won't take a break from his laptop! The yellow tube has brown rope on it, and a platform for his drink. He is sipping his drink through a straw as he works. He is wearing only a pink, green and yellow bathing suit. A green and purple cell phone is tucked into the rope of his tube on the back that you can't see in the catalog. His computer monitor has a line graph on it, and it says "LAPTOP" on the cover in green letters. 20523 Show Off Smurf - This Smurf has his right hand on his belt and an orange/silver can in his left hand that says "LIMO" on it. He is wearing dark blue jeans with light blue patches. He is wearing a black belt with a silver buckle. He is wearing a yellow T-shirt under a leather vest. He is wearing a studded bracelet on his right wrist, and has a silver earring in his right ear. 20524 Trendy Smurfette - This Smurfette is standing and waving with her right hand. She is wearing burgundy shoes with black heels. Her artificially faded jeans are bell-bottomed, low-riders, showing her belly button. Her belly button is painted metallic gold! We had not noticed this in the catalog, and guess it is supposed to be a belly piercing! She is wearing a shirt or jacket with scalloped edging that matches her shoes. She is wearing a necklace with a pendant at the center. The faded effect on her jeans is particularly well done, and seems to be airbrushed. As many of you know, Peyo was very particular about the image presented by his beloved Smurfs. He insisted they be all-natural, creatures of the woods - and was not a big fan of things that tied them to the human world. What would he think of these computers, cell phones, video games, piercings, trendy clothing, etc.? What do YOU think of the new Smurfs? When you get your set, please let us know what you think. Who is your favorite and why? Who do you like the least, and why? We will report our member feedback in an upcoming issue. To view and purchase the new 2003 Smurfs, please visit: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-latest.html AOL click here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3) SMURF MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "All my friends ask me, "Why smurfs?" I just say, "Why not?" They're cute, friendly, and don't shoot anybody like so many of today's cartoon figures. -Kristi Schluttenhofer, Saint Paul MN" "I LOOOVE Smurfs!! I'm trying to get my 6-year-old niece into them too. I've read Smurfy books and have shown her my small Smurf figurine collection. I hope we can bring The Smurfs back for another generation. The cartoons they show these days stink! They have no real educational value. -Ileana Winter, Corvallis OR" Pete's Reply: Many people feel that "They don't make them like they used to." I have heard rumors for years about bringing the Smurfs back for another generation. Can it happen? Maybe! Member Cathy Layton in Southampton, England writes www.darkhorizons.com (news section for January 27th) reported as follows: "The Smurfs: Filmscope reports that New Line Cinema have apparently committed to a movie based on the classic cartoon." All the info I have at the moment! Does anyone know what "Filmscope" is? I have found this report elsewhere on the net, but apparently all got their info from the Dark Horizons website. If any members learn of new developments related to this project, please let me know right away, so the details can be reported in an upcoming Smurfy News!! ----- "GREAT newsletter!! I love it as it is very informative and collecting Smurfs is not very common in my country. Keep up the good job. -'smurfy1608' Singapore" Pete's Reply: I have several members in Singapore, you are not alone!! Thanks for writing! ----- "Hello, I have browsed through the ID-list and found the smurf #20038 Singer (Fix & Foxi) with the price tag $400. Is this correct? I have one of these (in mint condition) and if it's worth $400 it's pretty cool :-) Regards, Michael Berglund, Sweden" Pete's Reply: Yes indeed! If I had one to sell, I do not expect it would be available for very long. Fix & Foxi is a highly sought after figurine! If you wish to sell it, please contact me, or feel free to visit the free buy/sell/trade bulletin board at www.MushroomVillage.com and post an advertisement! ----- "We have had Baby Smurf since he has come out. He is 19 years old now. His name is Rodbie. He has own bed & clothes. He even roots for the Bruins to win which is his favorite NHL team. We take him into you site all the time. He even gets the Smurfy News. If it wasn't for smurfs where would our dreams be? Our little guy has brought a lot of happiness to us, especially when I have had a lot of bad times. He and my husband make me laugh! Thank you for the Smurfs, We have a whole gang of the them. -nanasplanet, somewhere out there" Pete's Reply: Your letter made me laugh! I know other members will understand :) Thank you for sharing with us! ----- "I love the Smurfy News and your website! I have been a smurf collectors since about 1979. I have over 200 figurines and various other sets and houses in my collection. Keep up the good work! -Susan Gueldenzopf, Denver Colorado" "I have been getting your news letter for over a year now. Keep up the good work. I get a lot of info from you. I am still working on my Smurf room. When I went to take pictures I found out my camera did not work. As soon as I get pictures I will send them to you. -Linda Lucito, Pollock Pines California" Pete's Reply: Thanks for sharing about your collections, I know other members find it interesting. Funny how a "Smurf Room" never seems to be "finished," huh? I have been working on my own, you'll find a report below. I know many of our members have devoted a room (or more!) of their home to displaying their Smurfabilia, and many have shared pictures on our bulletin boards. I look forward to seeing yours, and I plan to post pics of mine on the site - as soon as it's done! ----- "My favorite part of your site is the bulletin boards. I haven't joined in yet, but I love reading other smurf collector's comments, questions and answers to each other. It's the best way to get all-around info on this amazing collectible. -Zack Makrydakis, Ontario Canada" Pete's Reply: Why thank you Zack, for providing me with yet another opportunity to plug the boards! I must agree, the Smurfy Bulletin Boards are a Must-See stop on the Internet for serious Smurfers! This is THE PLACE Smurf collectors the world-over run to to report news, share their enthusiasm and knowledge, pick up tips and tricks - you name it! If it's Smurfy, this is where to post it and discuss it! I know many, many more people read the board every day than actually post, but please feel free to accept my invitation to join in! We'd love to hear about your collection! ----- "I was just reading an article on Alanis Morissette in the October 31, 2002 issue of Rolling Stone magazine (U.S. version) - the Women In Rock issue - and she was asked the following question on page 94: 'Finally, what was the first record that you ever bought? Alanis: "The Smurfs All-Star Show" [laughs]. Can't you hear the influence?' Thought you'd find that amusing and you might like to share with the other members in your next newsletter. It's the last question in the interview. -Best regards, Frank Reifsnyder, Los Angeles California." Pete's Reply: And I'm sure it's the truth too! Thanks for sending in this funny tidbit! ----- "Is it just me or am I the only one that remembers the green Smurfs? I think they were called "ganats." Please, if anyone knows anything about them or has a picture of them, it would be greatly appreciated." Pete's Reply: The "Angry" hopped around and said "Ganap!" but they were purple (in the US cartoon, in Europe they were black.) A company called Empire made green PVC figurines called gnomes often confused with Smurfs, and there are also Astrosniks which are green, and sometimes confused with Smurfs. But there are no green Smurfs, I am sorry! But here's a report on Sniks from member Michelle Lupin in St. Louis, Missouri! 'I also collect Astrosniks. The Bully company began making Astrosnik toys in the 1970's. Astrosniks are green skinned aliens that come from a planet called Snikeria. The first Astrosniks made by Bully had black skin, red skin, and then pink skin. Then they began making the ones with green skin that are the most common. Their popularity never really soared in Europe like the Smurfs. Then in 1983, 1984, and 1985 McDonald's featured the Astrosniks as the premium in their Happy Meals. In 1983 there were 8 Sniks released as a St. Louis regional Happy Meal, in 1984 there were 6 Sniks released as a St. Louis regional Happy Meal, and in 1985 there were 11 Sniks released in an Oklahoma regional Happy Meal promotion. The Sniks favorite foods are, of course, McDonald's milkshakes and french fries. The Sniks from 1985 are the hardest ones to get and do not have a McDonald's "M" on them like the 1983 and 1984 ones do. The 1985 Sniks are the same figures that were also sold in toy stores in 1985. They came on cards and are marked Bully/Schaper (American Company that distributed them). This is when the Sniks enjoyed a modest popularity in the U.S. and a bunch of licensed merchandise starting showing up including story books, bubble bath, children's clothing, plush dolls, party supplies, etc. They were never extremely popular and these items are in great demand today when they are found. Bully continues to make Astrosniks and release new ones. Unfortunately, there are never any new mold variations. They are always paint color variations and variations in the base color of PVC.' ----- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4) SCCI PROMOS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I recently spoke to Suzanne Lipschitz, founder and President of the former Smurf Collectors Club Intl. (MushroomVillage.com assumed the SCCI's role of providing Smurfs and disseminating information to members when Suzanne closed the club.) I was calling to inform her of the sale of an SCCI promo through MushroomVillage.com so that she could update the registry. HOWEVER, SHE TOLD ME SHE HAS DECIDED NOT TO UPDATE THE REGISTRY ANY LONGER! She is unhappy with the increasing frequency of fakes being offered. The number of requests she receives to register fake pieces is on the rise. She stressed, as she always has, that the most important thing a collector can do to preserve the value of these pieces is to ensure the integrity of the certificate, and be sure it always stays with the piece if sold. Suzanne has always stressed this to her members, and it is as important as ever! Please be aware that the SCCI promos have been reproduced by gluing similar add-ons to the correct Smurf figurine. The Good Luck Smurf (holding elephant) is the rarest of all. Why is it that we regularly see them offered for sale now? BECAUSE THEY ARE FAKES! I HAVE BEEN OFFERED THESE FAKES AS A DEALER FOR "JUST" $75 EACH. No certificates of course. I offered to authenticate them with Suzanne and the seller said "No Thanks!" I wonder why? It is our opinion that these are junk, do not buy SCCI promos without ORIGINAL certificates! The SCCI certificates cannot be reproduced as they bear the unique raised seal of the SCCI. The raised seal is perhaps the best means of identifying a genuine piece. The pieces have been offered with photocopied certificates, but these cannot bear Suzanne's handwritten signature, or the raised SCCI seal. In the past, Suzanne has issued replacement certificates when the train of possession for a piece could be documented back to the last owner in the registry with the certificate. SHE IS NO LONGER WILLING TO DO THIS, AS THERE IS TOO MUCH FRAUD GOING ON! So if you have a certificate, you had better treat it like the treasure it is!! This is now the last line of defense against the fakers! MushroomVillage recommends storing SCCI certificates in an acid-free sheet protector, away from light, which will fade the ink over time. Do not allow books or other weight to sit atop the certificate as it may compress the raised seal. I keep my SCCI certificates in acid-free sheet protectors in a 3-ring binder which sits upright on a shelf so the pages do not compress together. I keep lots of other Paper Smurfabilia in binders full of sheet protectors, it is a nice way to keep these collectibles protected, organized and easily viewable. It includes paper wrappers from all sorts of Smurf products, newspaper and magazine clippings, cards, stickers, advertising, etc. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 5) MY SMURF ROOM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I'm sorry everyone if my yammering on about my Smurf room is boring to you, but I do get so many people asking how it's coming along!! Well, I figured I'd publish a brief "Where-I'm-At." A sharp-eyed member spotted a mint-in-package Smurf Ceiling fan for me, which I bid on and won at eBay for about $100! I'm very happy about that, but it seems my ceiling needs to be retrofitted to install it as there is no beam where I need one? I also acquired a case of original Smurf curtains mint in package last month, and the size is a bit off, but I have a seamstress using several packages to create curtains for the Smurf room, and also our Smurfy warehouse! I may also use the fabric to make pillows, or cover seating I may add. I found out I cannot place my desk in the center of the room with wires running under the carpet (I'm told that's illegal) so I've had to move a few acrylic display cases to another wall to make room for the desk I now plan to put against another wall. Unfortunately, the case was full of Supers, and that was a hassle to move while making sure the right figurines stayed with the right accessories! I'm thinking of installing a "Wi-Fi" (wireless) network, which will allow me to link our office and warehouse computers without wires. My next step is to lay down the "footprint" of my floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall shelving/display unit so that the room can be carpeted (Smurfy blue?). I have 6 acrylic display cases which are designed to slip seamlessly into the wall unit. These are for PVC's. The unit will also have ample shelving for storage of Smurf references and publications, my binders of paper Smurfabilia, and special collectibles - like my newly-wired motorized windmill! I acquired this windmill from a dealer in the Netherlands but the motor was burned out. I found a wizard of an electronics genius to open the casing of the motor and replace it's "guts" so it works! He also rigged it up to work with US electricity (it originally worked on European electricity.) I have a couple of manufacturers considering plans I've drawn up for new acrylic cases. One will have extra-high shelves for Smurf-a-Grams, and another will be deep enough to display Super Smurf boxes behind the assembled Super Smurfs. If all goes well, these special cases will also be made available to our members, but initial production costs are running high, I am not yet sure if this will happen. I have also bought a few pieces just to accent the room - some hard to find plushes like Gargamel, Azrael, Peewee and Angry Smurf will sit in a hammock, high up out of my cat's reach! Some of the porcelain pieces to sit about my desk, and of course, a Smurfy sign for the door with changeable messages! These will accent the thousands of PVC's making up the MushroomVillage collection. I addition to the PVC's, I have many, many more pieces of Smurfabilia from all categories - far too much to display at one time, even once the room is complete. I will have to cycle the collection in and out of display. Of course, I will post pics when I am done. Thanks to all for the tips, tricks, advice, leads, encouragement, well wishes, etc. It is all appreciated! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 6) PINK TOOTHBRUSH =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I regularly receive requests for Smurf videos and music. Unfortunately, I know of no legal supplier for these materials right now. (I do maintain a waiting list, so if you are interested in such materials, please reply to let me know what you are looking for, and I will contact you if it becomes available.) Without question, the most requested song of all time is "I'm a Pink Toothbrush, You're a Blue Toothbrush" from the Smurfing Sing Song album (PolyGram 1980). Many of you remember this song as a favorite from your childhood. This song was not a Smurf original, it was written by Max Bygraves and was very popular in the 50's. It was covered by the Smurfs for their album and was the first introduction to this song for many of our members. I thought some of you might remember and enjoy the lyrics to this song, which I have reprinted here: "I'm a Pink Toothbrush, you're a Blue Toothbrush" By Max Bygraves "You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush Have we met somewhere before? You're a pink toothbrush and I think toothbrush That we met by the bathroom door. Glad to meet toothbrush, such a sweet toothbrush How you thrill me through and through Don't be hard toothbrush on a soft toothbrush 'Cause I cant help loving you. Every time I hear you whistle...... it makes my nylon bristle....... You're a pink toothbrush, I'm a blue toothbrush Won't you marry me in haste? I'll be true toothbrush, just to you toothbrush When we both use the same toothpaste." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7) SMURFY NEWS GIVE-A-WAY =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Congratulations Jon Saxton of Middletown, Ohio! You won last month's Give-a-Way, a FREE 2003 Smurf set!! Jon tells us he is a new collector who finds the Mushroom Village site and newsletter to be a big help! We are glad you feel that way Jon, and hope you enjoy your new Smurfs!! This month's Give-a-Way is 40247 Jokey with Gift!! This hard-to-find Smurf a Gram sells for $75 Mint in Box!! This is a loose piece, and one of the clips holding the lid on his box has snapped off, but the piece displays just fine, you don't even notice the problem unless you handle it. Enter by completing this secret entry form for Smurfy News subscribers ONLY!! http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-contest.html AOL Click Here THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AND ANNOUNCED IN NEXT MONTH'S SMURFY NEWS!! =-=-=-=-=-= 8) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-= With the close of this newsletter I want to announce I have decided to start issuing this newsletter on a sporadic basis, meaning I am not going to kill myself to have a new issue for every month. That *will* remain my goal, but I find I occasionally let something else slide because of the looming deadline to publish the Smurfy News by month's end. So, from now on, the Smurfy News will be published *about* once per month. I think this flexibility will allow me to provide more and better things over the long haul - always my goal! I will close, as I have many times before, with thanks to all our loyal members. You guys are the real people behind the scenes, making MushroomVillage, our bulletin boards, and this newsletter the powerful collector tools they are. Keep those reports coming, I couldn't do it without you!! Smurf On!! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FORWARD, SEARCH, SUBSCRIBE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or associates. Thank you so much! You may search for Smurfabilia in our database, the largest resource of it's kind on the Internet! Please visit our ID Guide page: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-idguide.html AOL Click Here! To subscribe, unsubscribe, or edit your profile, please visit www.MushroomVillage.com and enter you e-mail address in the Smurfy News subscription form, or use the link at the very bottom of this e-mail. =-=-=-=-=-=-=- 'SMALL PRINT' =-=-=-=-=-=-=- The "Smurfy News" is a FREE e-mail newsletter published for your enjoyment every month by your friends at www.MushroomVillage.com, joining or leaving the list is voluntary, we do not spam and we never sell, rent, share or distribute your contact information in any way! MushroomVillage.com carries the full range of current production Smurf products by Schleich as well as much of the retired line and other Smurfabilia. If you enjoy this newsletter, please help support us with a purchase - Smurfs make great gifts! SHARING IS CARING!! Please submit information, news, articles, stories and anything Smurf-related to www.MushroomVillage.com - just hit reply now, or use the "Contact Us" link at the site. 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