Hello! This is your Smurfy friend Peter Caparelli from MushroomVillage.com and you are reading the latest issue of the Smurfy News(TM) - my e-mail newsletter for Smurf fans! This issue was sent to 2,406 Smurfy friends on December 5, 2005. Welcome new subscribers! Please see the end of this newsletter to manage your subscription or forward the Smurfy News to a friend. Now let's get Smurfing! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com In this issue: 1) HOLIDAY SALE 2) 2006 SMURFS 3) RETIRED SMURFS 4) WHAT'S NEW? 5) SMURFY MAILBAG 6) SMURF TRILOGY 2008 7) GIVE-A-WAY WINNERS 8) FORUM CONTESTS 9) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1) HOLIDAY SALE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- We are offering a site-wide 10% Holiday Shopping discount through the New Year! Just start shopping, and click the red/green link in your cart view to turn on the discount!! Here's a link to the new and back-in-stock pieces that we are offering right now: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&sm=2&maxhits=20&keywords=new0505+newa+newc&bool= AOL Click Here! Read down for the full list. Remember, we offer many hundreds of other Smurfs too, please have a look or use the "Contact Us" link in the site header/footer to let us know what you are looking for! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2) 2006 SMURFS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Preorders for the new 2006 Halloween Smurfs continue to pour in! If you prefer to receive an e-mail notification when they are actually in-stock and shipping, we can do that to. To preorder, or get on the call-back list, please visit: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/preorder.html AOL Click Here! Here are the Schleich #'s, names and descriptions: 20541 Dracula Smurf - Wearing a black cape with red underside tied around the neck with a red bow. A black belt, cuffs and fangs complete the costume. 20542 Ghost Smurf - This smurf is wearing a sheet with a menacing look on his face, and dragging a ball and chain. 20543 Werewolf Smurf - Blue-furred Smurf wears torn shorts and has a long tail, sharp claws on his hands and feet, pointy ears and scary fangs! 20544 Mummy Smurf - A single blood-shot eye stares out from this Smurfs unraveling bandages as it reaches out from beyond the grave. 20545 Grim Reaper Smurf - This Smurf is wearing a dark costume with bones painted on it, and a black hooded cape. He is holding a scythe in his left hand. 20546 Frankenstein Smurf - This Smurf is sporting Frankenstein's high forhead, scars, torn clothing and bolts on his head! 20547 Witch Smurfette - Smurfette is wearing a black gown with pointy witches hat and is stirring a nasty-looking green brew in her cauldron. 20548 Pumpkinhead Smurf - This Smurf sports a Jack-o-Lantern for a head, and of course the ever-present Smurf hat is perched on top! I was told the new Schleich stock would ship in January, but I have seen a history of the Smurfs arriving a little later than usual. I double-checked with Schleich NA to find out when we can expect to see these and they said "We are normally within the month of our stated delivery dates WITH the exception of Smurfs which is what you are concerned about.  I would then say February to be safe and if we are early so much the better." They went on to assure me that MushroomVillage.com orders are filled before the brick-and-mortar store orders. They went on to say "I do this so I don’t have you guys hounding me!  I also understand you have the loyal long time fans and they deserve to be treated well." Now that's what I like to hear! Remember, MushroomVillage.com always ships the annual sets with a free glossy informational display card and Smurfy freebies! You won't get that anywhere else! The Preorder/Mailing List link again: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/preorder.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3) RETIRED SMURFS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- These Smurfs will be retired to make room in the range for the 2006 Halloween Smurfs: 20104 Pirate 20464 Swot (Studious Smurf) 20471 Carpenter 20474 Adventurer 20517 Hippie 20519 Hip-Hop Smurf 20520 Techno 20523 Show-Off Smurf We have some left for those needing them, but we can't get them any more when these are gone, so if you need them for your collection, the time to get them is now! Click here to view and buy: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&sm=2&maxhits=20&keywords=disc2006&bool=AND AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4) WHAT'S NEW? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here's a list of new and back-in-stock pieces that we have to offer: Candy Topper (Jack-in-the-box) 20001 Papa (Birthday Smurf-a-Gram) Markings: Germany 20002 Normal Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20003 Astro's Helmet 20035 Soccer (red/yellow) Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20036 Glider Smurf Markings: CE, Portugal, no paint dot 20037 Doctor (Get Well Smurf-a-Gram) Markings: Germany 20038 Singer (Fix & Foxi) Markings: Stickman logo, no paint dot 20050 Pointing Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20052 Cleaner Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20077 Naughty (small mold) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20078 Beer (orange) Markings: West Germany, red paint dot 20078 Beer (orange) Markings: CE, Germany, black paint dot 20092 Conductor Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20097 Injured (light brown) Markings: Bully, West Germany, no paint dot 20098 Ballerina (Birthday Smurf-a-Gram) Markings: Germany 20122 Cowboy (Birthday Smurf-a-Gram) Markings: Germany 20126 Smurfette Rollerskating Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20128 Amour ( thinner yellow bow) Markings: Portugal, no paint dot 20174 Papa with Book (book gray, lines inside) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20174 Papa with Book (book cream, math inside) Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20175 Clockwork Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20176 Good Luck (brown) Markings: Portugal, no paint dot 20177 Thanksgiving Smurf (lighter, glazed colors) Markings: Portugal, red paint dot 20178 Tracker Markings: Honk Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20178 Tracker Markings: CE hotstamp, no paint dot 20179 White Baby with Rattle Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20180 Papa with Pizza Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20182 Smurfette with comb & mirror Markings: West Germany, red paint dot 20183 Aerobic Smurfette (light purple leg warmers) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint 20186 Smurfette Baseball Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20187 Handy Plumber (red brown box) Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20189 Smurf With Dustpan Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20189 Smurf With Dustpan Markings: Applause, Hong Kong, no paint dot 20190 Smurfette With Ice Cream (version 1) Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20192 Smurfette with Baby (regular blue baby) Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20194 Smurfette Jogger (pink) Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20194 Smurfette Jogger (purple) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20202 Pink Baby with Rattle (powder blue) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20203 Blue Baby with Rattle (turquoise pj's) Markings: Hong Kong, Wallace Berrie, no paint dot 20204 Smurfette with Flute Markings: None, mustard paint dot 20204 Smurfette with Flute Markings: None, red paint dot 20205 Baby with Teddy Markings: CE, West Germany, no paint dot 20205 Baby with Teddy Markings: West Germany, red paint dot 20212 Little Angel (red mouth) Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20213 Little Devil (pink) Markings: China, CE, no paint dot 20213 Little Devil (pink) Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20213 Little Devil (pink) Schleich promo keychain Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20220 Orange Surprise Bag Markings: West Germany, no paint dot 20225 Accordion (no black lines) Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20227 Table Tennis (green) Markings: Germany, no paint dot 20227 Table Tennis (green) Markings: CE, Germany, white paint dot 20228 Fitness Markings: West Germany, black paint dot 20229 Master Builder Markings: West Germany, black paint dot 20229 Master Builder Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20231 Hula (Straw Hair) Markings: West Germany, black paint dot 20232 Gargamel (finger up) Markings: Bully, no paint dot 20401 Snappy (storm cloud painted and outlined in PVC) Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20401 Snappy (storm cloud painted only) Markings: CE, Applause, China, no paint dot 20401 Snappy (storm cloud painted and outlined in PVC) Markings: West Germany, black paint dot 20402 Slouchy (coarse PVC) Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20402 Slouchy Markings: Applause, CE, China, no paint dot 20403 Nat Markings: Applause, CE, China, no paint dot 20404 Sassette (red-brown hair) Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20408 Nanny Markings: Applause, CE, China, no paint dot 20408 Nanny Markings: CE, West Germany, black paint dot 20421 Smurfette w/ flower Markings: CE, Germany, black paint dot 20451 New Singer Markings: CE, Germany, black paint dot 20456 Sportsman Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20458 Newsman (Blue Smurf) Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20459 Nameplate Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20460 Golf Markings: CE, Germany, no paint dot 20462 Caretaker Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20463 Smurf with Sandwich Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20468 Climber Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20470 Aircraft Captain Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20474 Adventurer Markings: CE, China, blue paint dot 20475 Safari Markings: CE, China, blue paint dot 20497 Smurfette in Bunny suit Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20497 Smurfette in Bunny suit Markings: CE, China, no paint dot 20497 Smurfette in Bunny suit Markings: Portugal, no paint dot 20498 Johan (flesh PVC) Markings: Bully, no paint dot 20505 George Washington Markings: Hong Kong, no paint dot 20517 Hippie Smurf Markings: CE, China, no paint dot Applause Roll-a-Long (Skateboard) Markings: Applause Applause Roll-a-Long (Car Driver) Markings: Applause 40213 Chain Gang Markings: Figure: Portugal, no paint dot Applause Roll-a-Long (Scooter) Markings: Applause Applause Roll-a-Long (Smurfette in Car) Markings: Applause 40505 Ice Hockey With Net (Old Box) Markings: Figure: none, green paint dot 40510 Ring Gymnast (White String, Old Box) Markings: Figure: CE, West Germany, no paint dot Candy Topper (Magician) Candy Topper (Papa under Mushroom) Candy Topper (Tourist) Candy Topper (Sled) Candy Topper (Christmas Tree) Candy Topper (Tricycle) Candy Topper (Smurf Gift) Red Pointing Mini-pendant Yellow Pointing Mini-pendant Green Torchrunner Mini-pendant I.M.P.S. 30th Anniversary Panini Smurf Sticker Album (English) To view and buy these items, please click this link: http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=a-6296&category=instock&sm=2&maxhits=20&keywords=new0505+newa+newc&bool= AOL Click Here! To view and preorder the new 2006 Halloween Smurf set, click here: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/preorder.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- PLEASE VISIT OUR OTHER SITES! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- If you have appreciated the quality service you receive from www.MushroomVillage.com, please consider visiting my other sites: www.MegaGlass.com - Offers a complete line of decorative glass novelties for design/decor, floral arrangements, arts/crafts, aquariums, mosaics, landscaping. www.LandOfMarbles.com - Marbles make great gifts - nostalgic for Grandma & Grandpa, & kids love 'em too! We offer everyday playing marbles, high-end collectibles & contemporary art glass marbles. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 5) SMURFY MAILBAG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I want to share as much mail as I can (I know members enjoy reading it) so I will skip my replies and cram in that much more mail! Read on... "I Love collecting Smurfs. In fact I ran out of display space and had a wall display unit built and it is now almost filled. - LaVon P. Keener, Lincolnton, North Carolina" "I started to collect Smurfs for my son when he was little. They were used as inexpensive rewards. As the collection grew so did my interest. As my husband and I traveled, we were always on the lookout for different Smurfs to bring home. Now that my son is grown, I have taken over ownership of the collection. Joan Geigle, Wallingford, Connecticut" "I was just having a Smurfy conversation with a co-worker today about whether humans had actually landed on the moon. I asked him if he thought that many people could keep quiet on that kind of conspiracy or if they just "staged" a moon landing...even for the astronauts, just like that smurfs episode. We had a good chuckle remembering the smurfs episode where Astrosmurf "landed" on an alien planet. -Sharon Williams, Northville, Michigan" "I was a member of SCCI (Smurf Collectors Club Intl.) and really enjoy your continuation of the club. I started collecting at age 8, at age 30 I do not buy too many new smurfs but LOVE to read the newsletter and still have a HUGE collection. Thanks for everything. -Bobbi-Lynn Marshall, Niagara Falls, New York" "When I get married, (if that is) I marry my current boyfriend (who I call Smurfie) we will put Bride and Groom Smurfs on are wedding cake. -Anna B. T. West, Norwich Vermont" "I really enjoy MushroomVillage.com and getting the Smurfy News newsletter. It has gotten me back into the Smurf collecting mode. I started many years ago as a child with my father. We got a couple from Germany and it just grew. We then went and visited Suzanne Lipschitz of the SCCI and saw her collection and really got more into it. When I moved out and got married it slowed down, but now my father and I are still collecting Smurfs every once in a while. Actually, friends of ours just went to Germany and brought back many of the new smurfs you have listed. It was so exciting, like being a kid again. My son is starting to get into it now. He loves to look at my collection with me and watches the Smurfs on Boomerang. Thank you for getting me back into the Smurf of things!!! - Karen Pebler, Clifton Park, NY" "We have a Smurf light that I gave to Papa Smurf (my husband) for Christmas. I bid and win things and save them for a gift. Now if I could only get him to put the thing together - it is a whole bunch of pieces of glass with smurfs on them. It will look so cool in our Smurf room. Mama Smurf (Patricia Putnam, Stoddard, New Hampshire)" "I have enjoyed Smurfs for so many years, I also have a Smurf tattoo, like Rachel and Carrie!! -Sue Marczinke, Altoona, Wisconsin" "I'm carrying on my son's collection. When he got involved in an activity like Indian Guides - I got him an Indian; magic lessons - the magician smurf; skating classes - guess what? The skating smurf. He didn't "collect" them all, just the ones that meant something with his life. He's gone now and I had to decide what to do with his 32 smurfs. Couldn't give them up so I have at least one of the whole family (except for the green and orange surprise). With each one I collect I think "there's another to represent his life" (phone, Christmas, birthdays, etc). I'm so happy they were there, and, with each smurf, there's been a new friend to meet. Thanks to the Smurfing Kingdom. - Becky Holender, Dunedin, Florida" "I remember as a child watching the Smurfs on Saturday morning. I would set up my only smurf house I had and the 3 smurf figurines I owned. Those were such innocent and fun times as a child. As a child my family and I were going on a trip and we stopped through Calgary, Alberta Canada at a mall. I just had to pick up my first plush smurf, who hung with me just like a best friend. May sound a bit silly now, but back then it was everything. I did receive Smurfette to keep the other company. So there is a bit of childhood info on my Smurfy days back in the early 80's. Now still loving the little blue guys. I discovered only in the last few years, that they still make them. -Tamara Kammer, Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada" "Hi Pete, ever since I started collecting again last year my 3 kids keep pestering me to buy them more smurfs too. They've each got a small collection which they play with. They have a lot of fun playing with the 2005 McDonalds knights accessories in particular. It's a shame you guys don't get them in the States. Smurfy greetings from Germany. -"Tony McWilliams, Karben - Okarben Germany" "I have a collection of over 300 PVC Smurfs and tons of other various items...I love your website and newsletters because they help me to understand a lot of what I have and why it is the way it is. I watched the Smurfs as a child and kind of "fell" back into collecting them in my late teens and early 20's...it's a great hobby. I go to garage sales every Saturday in hopes of finding a Smurf item that I do not yet have! Thank you for all that you do...Have a Smurfy Day!!! Jen Atkinson (jennypennysmurf - Ebay), Georgetown Ontario Canada" "My friends & family refer to my car as the Smurfmobile. It's a little aqua Ford Festiva and almost as old as some of my Smurfs, but cute as a button. Just like all my Smurfs! -Valerie deBoer, Portland, Oregon" "It is great to know that there are more Smurfy mad folk out there, love the Smurfy News! -Lynsey Speirs, Paisley Scotland UK" "I really enjoyed reading my first Smurfy News newsletter. I am 34 and just recently found my childhood smurf collection in the basement under the stairs. What a joyous day that was! I have introduced the Smurfs to my nephews who tend to both want the only baby Smurf I have in my collection. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity to bring back the happy childhood memories of our beloved Smurfs. -Jennifer Newey, Downers Grove, Illinois" "Being a child of the 80s, The Smurfs were definitely a part of my life. I don't know what it is about those little blue creatures that first drew me in, but I just think they are Smurfalicious! :) A few summers ago, through college, I had the opportunity to spend the summer in Heidelberg, Germany. I remember one night a few weeks before the trip sitting at my computer and the thought struck me that I would probably be able to find lots of smurf figurines. I was soooo excited! And of course, while I was there, almost everyday after classes I would scour the shops for Smurfs. I found quite a few. I became known for this little quirk and when some travelmates came across a few candies in the shape and color of The Smurfs, they were sure to give them to me. I still have them today. I love every single Smurf I was able to find, but I think the one that means the most is the little German Smurf wearing lederhosen. That one simply reminds me of all the fun I had, and the life-changing events I experienced that summer. - Karma C. Salvato, Oak Park, California" "As always, a pleasure to read the Smurfy News! It's great to hear what other people have to say and also what they know. Keep up the good work Pete! Great Job! -Deidre Klemann (Bobbisbabe), Toronto Canada" THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS! SHARING IS CARING, WITHOUT ALL OF YOUR HELP, THERE WOULD BE NO MUSHROOMVILLAGE.COM!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 6) SMURF TRILOGY 2008 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here are some headlines from earlier this year; "Paramount Develops Smurfs," "The Smurfs Set For Big-screen Trilogy," "Hollywood Gets the Blues With Smurf Revival," "A Smurfin' Movie Deal," "Finally! The Smurfs Movie in the Works," "Smurfs Movie Announced." Yes, it's finally happened! Enough with the rumors! IMPS has confirmed that Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies have acquired the film rights to not one, but THREE Smurf movies in 2008, their 50th anniversary!! Click here to read IMPS' press release: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/smurfs-article053.html AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 7) GIVE-A-WAY WINNERS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Congratulations Betty Hartung of Akron Ohio, our first winner! Betty wrote; "I hope I Smurf Millennium Smurf, I have wanted him for a long time. Please make my day and Smurf me that Smurf!" You got it Betty! The Near Mint (paint rub on back ear...) 20932 Millennium Smurf is on his way to you! Congratulations to winner #2 - Andrea Lotker of Oakland California! Andrea won 20420 Scruple, her first choice! She wrote "Thanks again for a Smurferific newsletter! I can't wait to see the new bulletin board, it sounds awesome. How is your Smurf room coming along?" The room is actually (finally!) coming together. We embarked on a project that took nearly a year to document every marking and variation in my collection. I am up to 20506 out of 20548. And that's just the regular Smurfs! I didn't want to put them in their cases until this was done - the normal cases are deep, and once they are filled it's not easy to take Smurfs back out. We are super busy with Holiday sales now, but after the New Year we should finish up. My cases for Supers, promos, etc. are shallow, so the project can continue while they are put away. But it's coming together, thanks for asking! Re: the forum, read down for that... Congratulations Juli-Anna Dobson in Anchorage Alaska! You also won your first choice; 40214 Hobby Horse Super Smurf in his original old-style box! Juli-Anna wrote; "This is still the best site on the Internet for quality smurfs and all of the variations that a smurf collector could want. Thanks for the years of consistent product and information." Why THANK YOU Juli-Anna! There is no greater compliment for me than to hear from a member that I am doing a good job! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 8) FORUM CONTESTS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I have decided to discontinue the newsletter Give-a-Way so I can concentrate on making the newsletter short and sweet, and hopefully issue it more often. HOWEVER, I will still be holding lots of contests at the Shroom Room, our forum for Smurf collectors and fan! Starting this month (December 05), I will randomly select a post from that month made by a *registered* user. That user will be our winner, and will receive that month's prize! Every post is another chance to win - the more you post, the better your chances of winning! Please visit the forum now and register so you can get in the running for our December prize - this one's a humdinger! We will be awarding 3 rare pieces to one lucky winner - 20506 Abraham Lincoln Smurf, 20404 Sassette in the rare first-run colors *and* 20499 Pewit with BLACK shirt! This is an undocumented but legit MiniModels color variation from Argentina...just a minor rub on each, but these are hard to find in any condition. There is another contest going on right now in the "SmurFun" forum - hurry, it ends December 8th! Here is a link to the forum: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/shroomroom/ AOL Click Here! If you need to register for the forums, use this link: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/shroomroom/register.php AOL Click Here! If you are registered, but don't remember your password, use this link: http://www.mushroomvillage.com/shroomroom//login.php?do=lostpw AOL Click Here! =-=-=-=-=-= 9) CLOSING =-=-=-=-=-= Well, that's all folks! I wish you a Smurfy holiday season, and a very Smurfy New Year! Thank you all for a successful year 2005, and please keep reporting your news, stories, etc. so I can share it with the rest of the Smurfy gang. I'll issue the Smurfy News again when the 2006 Smurfs are in, if not before. Until next time...Smurf On!! -Pete www.MushroomVillage.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=- 'SMALL PRINT' =-=-=-=-=-=-=- The "Smurfy News" is NOT free! To continue your subscription you must introduce another to the joys of Smurfs and Smurf collecting - kids make great targets! Remember, you're on your honor! The Smurfy News is not spam. All recipients request, and then confirm their subscriptions. We never give, sell, share or distribute your subscription e-mail address in anyway, or use it for any reason other than to deliver the Smurfy News to you. www.MushroomVillage.com carries the full range of current production Smurf products by Schleich as well as much of their retired line and other "Smurfabilia." If you enjoy this newsletter, please help support us with a purchase - Smurfs make great gifts (especially for you!) SHARING IS CARING!! We collect and disseminate information the world over to keep Smurf collectors united and having a Smurfy good time! 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. The Smurf character is a registered trademark of Studio Peyo - License I.M.P.S. MushroomVillage.com is a collector resource and retail Smurf shop only; it is not affiliated with I.M.P.S. or Studio Peyo. For information on licensing the Smurfs name and/or character, contact I.M.P.S. at rue du Cerf 85, Genval 1332, Belgium The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MushroomVillage.com. MushroomVillage.com makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, about the truth or accuracy of the contents or information provided by the sponsors or by the writers. Use info contained herein at your own risk. (C) 2005 MushroomVillage.com All rights reserved. Please do not reprint or host our materials on your website without our explicit written permission.