Dear Gentle Being, 1 January 2003

Welcome to the latest update, for events occurring at the SF Discussion Group.

On Sunday, 22 September 2002 we gathered at FoF, 488 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY to celebrate the birthday of Frodo & Bilbo Baggins & to kick off the reading of The Lord of the Rings. The Long Awaited Party began at 2:00 PM. There was lots be Hobbit Food! J [The Readings continue on Sundays at 1400 & are ghreat fun. We shall be removing to the Wombat's Warren due to chill beginning on 5 JAN 03. There is still room for a few more hobbits, etc.]

On Wednesday, 6 November Allen Steele joined us for a reading and chat. A pleasant evening was had by all.

On Saturday, 23 November 2002 Jennifer Dunne joined us for a for a nosh & a signing. It was a delightful afternoon.

Wednesday, 18 DEC at Xgates Cinema 18 at 0001 & again at 1030 a number of us went to see the first showing of TTT. The film was outstanding. Unfortunately, PJ got lost in M-E. It wasn't Tolkien. L

On Wednesday, 8 January 2003 Dr. Michael N. Stanton, Professor Emeritus of English at UVM, & author of Hobbits, Elves & Wizards, will join us for a topical discussion of The Lord of the Rings, the films & Tolkien. We shall meet for dinner at 4:51 PM at FoF for dinner followed by a signing & discussion at 7:00 PM . In case of snow, he will be coming down from Burlington, we will give it a go on Wednesday, 15 January 2003. That is our "snow date."

On Wednesday, 12 February 2003 we will welcome Walter H. Hunt. If TOR cooperates, he will have copies of his new novel. I very much enjoyed the first in the series. Looking forward to this one. We shall meet for dinner at 4:51 PM at FoF for dinner followed by a signing, reading, etc., at 7:00 PM.

For signings at the Flights of Fantasy Bookstore, 488 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY: check http://www.lastsfa.org/lastsfa_calendar.html

Please drop by the LASTSFA web site: http://www.lastsfa.org . It has been recently renovated and has lots of good stuff on it, including a number of neat links & a calendar. Please join LASTSFA and help support our efforts to bring in speakers. Your financial support helps make these speakers possible. Talk to us! Send us money! Don't just sit there! Make it happen! Full Membership - $10; Student - $5; Family - $25 LASTSFA, P.O. Box 2085, Albany, NY 12220-0085, USA.


Drop by the ALBACON web site. http://www.albacon.org . You can see some pictures taken at ALBACON 97, 98, 99, Y2K, 01 & 02. Get a look at the great happenings that went on. SF cons are not a spectator sport. Participate in one of the best cons running. Have you joined ALBACON 03? If not, why not? You can go to our web site http://www.albacon.org and register there. DO IT TODAY!!! ALBACON 03 can't succeed without your involvement. ALBACON 03 registration is currently only $30 thru 23 MAR 03. Such a deal! Get a friend to come with you! If you are going to a con, bring the ALBACON 03 registration form with you and get someone to join.

Are you a gamer? Well, join us and help with the gaming portion of ALBACON. fcs@klink.net You can join ALBACON 03 for a reduced rate if all you wish to do is game.

Nota Bene: In order to save some costs I need your help. If you are getting this via snail mail, please let me know if you have an eddress. I will send updates to you via the net. On the other hand if you don't wish to receive this at all, please let me know.

Looking forward to seeing you at the meetings.

Ciao & teggeddizzi! May the Ghreat Wombat smile on you!

Yours sincerely,

jan howard finder

164 Williamsburg Court

Albany, NY 12203-5506, USA

+1-518-456-5242

wombat@sff.net

PS: When the Information Superhighway slows to a crawl or stops, you are experiencing "BYTELOCK!" I coined BYTELOCK on 17 July 1997. Please use BYTELOCK but DO cite the source. I would like to get into the dictionary.

ALBACON 03, 10-12 October 2003, Schenectady, NY, USA; committee@albacon.org The SF Con!

PS: If you are interested, you can find a summary of my travels in Australia up thru its end on 4 FEB 2000 at http://www.lastsfa.org/finder/wombats_wanderings.html

PPS: Let's Do It Again! Melbourne in '10! http://www.australia2010.org