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Hey gang today our very own Andy has a birthday and Pam was very explicit to me to "spare NO expense" in arrainging a party so that is EXACTLY what I did!! These Gals from a West Sussex Chess Club asked me to send their personalized birthday wishes Andy!!

https://www.chess.com/clubs/forum/view/who-2189?page=1&newCommentCount=1#first_new_comment I just read and understand MGleason 3 min ago#6 This is off-topic for the Cheating Forum. However, some mutes are done by staff, some are done by mods, and there's a bot that does some automated mutes. The bot catches a lot of spammers and abusive behaviour, but it also has some false positives, so if someone gets muted and they think it was incorrect, they should contact support. In fact, anyone who has been muted, unless they were told it was a very short mute for a specific reason, should contact support. We often use long mutes not because we want you to be muted for a long time but rather because we want you to have a conversation with support over appropriate behaviour before you get unmuted, so often we will mute someone for six months or a year but they can get unmuted within a day or two if they talk to support. We normally only actually want someone to be muted for a long time if the behaviour that led to the mute was very extreme or if we've tried to get shorter mutes to change your behaviour and it hasn't worked.

Not sure what kind of turn out we are going to get for this party, but actually I think the less the better here, because some of the gals, who will go unnamed lol, have a "unique" way of showing how they care!! However, I always say what I do, so I am going to press on with the party in spite of my doubts!!! This is as close as I could get a chess and Valentine theme together, believe me I really looked, lol. Went through the list of members and got one of these for each Gal in the group! Fellas you are on your own, lol. This one is for my little Jessica! I figured the majority of you ladies are too grown for Sponge Bob now, lol. Pam is a "spare no expenses" kind of Gal, so I set up two dinner options, one outside if the weather co-operates and one inside in the formal dinning hall! And what would Valentine's Day be without "Sweets for the Sweet!!" There is one gal here who especially loves her sweets so I made sure there were plenty to go around!! And of course OUR cake Pam, sugar free and all natural fruit filling! It's YUMMY, YUM, YUM!!! I'll be checking in if you folks need anything else, please enjoy yourselves!!!

Sweet Dreams of Chess andy!

Congratulations Simon and Jo on your newest addition! Babies bring much joy and happiness!

They say that when you keep a person in your heart you never really lose them, so when our dear friend and comrade passed away I know that he left a little bit of himself in each and everyone he touched here on Chess.com A dignified man who never had a bad word to say about anyone, he was the true definition of a "model member" of this site. When Pam asked me to start this thread I tried to use things that would always remind us of our dear friend and keep him forever with us in our hearts!!! Henk loved Bali and his chess of course, so here are some images of chess in Bali He was very devoted to his loving wife And of course his Avatar was two cheetas When I searched for "Angels playing chess" this is the image that came up. I am sure our deer friend is at peace now still enjoying the game that gave him so much joy! A very dear friend that will live on within our hearts forever!

Makes about 1.5 liters For the Butternut Squash Infused Vodka 3 - 4pounds butternut squash 1liter good quality vodka (or enough to cover squash) For the 5-Spice Syrup 1cup white sugar 1cup packed light brown sugar 5whole star anise 1cinnamon stick, broken into smaller pieces 1tablespoon fennel seeds 1tablespoon black peppercorns 1teaspoon whole cloves 1cup water Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise, then clean out seeds and guts. Discard skin, seeds and guts. Cut the squash up into 1.5-inch chunks. Spread out in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until just tender (test by inserting the tip of a knife), 20 – 30 minutes. Do not overcook here. The squash should be tender, but not falling apart. Let the squash cool to room temperature, then transfer to a large mason jar. Add vodka to the jar until it covers the squash by 1 inch (I used between 750 ml and 1 L). Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark spot. Give the jar a gentle shake every few days. Start tasting the vodka after 1 week. The finished infusion should taste very strongly of butternut squash. I was pleased with the flavor after 2 weeks; however, this can vary based on taste. Once you are satisfied with the butternut squash flavor, pour the mixture through a medium-mesh basket strainer into a clean bowl or jar. Discard the solids. Strain again through a fine-mesh strainer into another clean bowl or jar. Set aside while you prepare the 5-Spice Syrup. In small saucepan, combine sugars, spices and water. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the mixture comes to a boil, drop the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool completely, then strain out all of the spices. Discard spices. Pour syrup into the infused vodka, stirring to combine. Cover and let rest for 1 more day before serving.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America and those who came Home. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate – we can not consecrate – we can not hallow, this ground – The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here. Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won.... As I look back upon the long, tortuous trail from those grim days of Bataan and Corregidor, when an entire world lived in fear, when democracy was on the defensive everywhere, when modern civilization trembled in the balance, I thank a merciful God that he has given us the faith, the courage and the power from which to mold victory. We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we won in war. I see you standing among them allStanding so strong ,proud and tallThe world looks at you, but does not seeEverything you sacrifice to keep us freeI'm here to say, to let you knowThat you are loved, even if it doesn't showYou fight for our hopes,dreams,and libertyYou fight for our freedom...... A hero to beWe want you to know, your never aloneFor we are waiting, for you to come homeBut the hardest thing for a person to beIs you.. A SOLDIER, fightingTo keep us free What It Means To Be A Veteran By Valerie SticklesGrade 7, Captain Nathan Hale Middle School, Coventry2005 Winner A man boarding a boat,Waving to his wife,He may never see her again,This may end his life. He feels the boat take off,He's headed on his way.His daughter starts to cry,"Why did Daddy go away?" His family is getting smaller,Now they look like ants.As they disappear,He gets one last glance. What is lying ahead for him?Will he live to tall the tale?As he approaches the dock,He hears a soldier wail. War is horrible, it is death,Man killing his own brother,Is that what we're on Earth for?Just to kill one another? This many is a veteran,He made it through it all.Although he lost an arm,He still stands strong and tall. He made it through the terror,Thinking he would die.He made it through the killing,And the late nights when he would cry. He made it through the missingHis wife and family so,He made it through not being ableTo see his daughter grow. He sacrificed his lifeTo protect the USA,He put himself in dangerEvery single day. Let's remember those who have served us in the past and those who are serving now. Each, through their sacrifice, protecting the Freedom we enjoy. They all deserve our respect and thanks. Those who never came home deserve our remembrance. Thank You Veterans for your service to our country. You answered the call. We Salute You. LEST WE fORGET If you can read, thank a teacher. If you are Free, thank a Vet. They are Hero's.

Mint Sauce on Veggies:

Wishing the very best!

pam, my thoughts and prayers are with you, God Bless. "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller

The HAT RACK

hmm ..Who is the Real Cheese? Is this Geoff, the Real Cheese?? Or is Geoff a Blue Cheese, a bit smelly but has nice blue shoes? ________________________________________________________________ or may be I have blue shoes..lol

Gentle, fragile and beautiful as a butterfly, yet strong as an eternal flame. The spirit remains, intact with our memories which never perish. A life to cherish a beyond to new height and peace, the final gift which eventually comes to us all who deserve. Where there is love, there is life both in the known and the unknown.

Enjoy your special day, for you are a special lady.

Happy Birthday pam! (Thur. Jan.16,)

For those who didnt get that, this is THE HOTTEST New Years Eve Party thread around!! Pam ordered a "Carnival" atmosphere, "Rio de Janeiro" style, and Pam is going to get one!!! I'll be putting up more and more things as the guests arive, so stay tuned and let's try and not turn Pam's Carnival into a Zoo please, lol.

SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS VINNIE THAT ARE COMING TO THE BIRTHDAY!!!! SOME PARTY HATS! PARTY FOOD! SOME BIRTHDAY CAKE! And a protein cake