Looney4Gin Gathers At Birdsong From 8 States, 2 Foreign Countries

INTERNET GAMING GROUP MEETS AT BIRDSONG - Case's Ladder Internet Gaming Group, Looney4Gin met for the first time in person at Birdsong Resort in Camden, TN. (Pictured Left to Right) Alan LeFrance "TaggyRed," Victoria, British Columbia; Maureen Carillo "ChevyGirl," Phoenix, AR; Ginnette Desranleau "Ginnette," Montreal, Canada; Elizabeth Buffington "Trugin," Seattle, WA; Skip Halsey "Trashman3," Huntingdon, TN; Kristi Halsey "TrashysWife," Huntingdon, TN; Maureen Campbell "MaureenUK," Manchester, UK; Roberta Foster "Rosemary33," Albany, LA; Jane Shurack "MadamDawg," Gainesville, GA; Patricia VonNostitz "KYmare," Louisville, KY; Natalie Wicks "wickedcpa," Baltimore, MA; Shana Stout, Chino, CA; Patricia Bishop "BamaKittie," Huntsville, AL; and Larry Bishop, "LaughinLarry," Huntsville, AL. For complete photo gallery of the event, visit www.BirdsongResort.com

- STORY -

Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground was the chosen site by an Internet Gaming League to meet - in person - for the first time, the week of September 11-16. The card-playing league group - Looney4Gin - is hosted on Cases Ladder at www.myleague.com. The group has played together for a good number of years in competitive gin and developed friendships from all over the world.

"Actual tournaments take place on www.Playsite.com down in Competitive Lobby 2," explained Patricia Bishop, Birmingham, AL, "It takes the combination of the two sites to make the ladder gaming possible." Bishop ("BamaKittie") is one of the Head Administrators for the Ladder, along with MaureenUK, and NCFun. Maureen Campbell, Manchester, England UK, says "We have well over 450 members, but most of the regulars are also tournament directors - hence the smaller collection we have gathered. We are the ones who have become close."

"Real social interactive playtime... that's what many people seek when they come to Birdsong. And this seems to be even more exaggerated with our online group," said Kristi Halsey, Marketing Director for Birdsong Resort and also Tournament Director with the Looney4Gin Ladder League. Halsey continued, "If you had asked me a few years back if I would ever be meeting anybody I had met through the Internet... I would have laughed. These folks are great though, we're all just real people looking for stress relief, entertainment, or whatever the excuse - its always a good one to play cards."

While in Tennessee the group spent two days out on the river equipped with pontoon boat and tubes. The experience was a first for many of the gin players. They visited the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Graceland, and made a day trip to experience Tunica, Mississippi's casinos. Outside of their outings, live tournament gin games were held until wee hours of the morning, and many, many hours just talking and taking advantage of the "live" time.

With such a diverse geographical collection, everybody took the opportunity to bring "swap meet" gifts. Each item was something denoting the area of the world they were from and included key chains, mugs, t-shirts and more. A collection of candy was shipped to the group from Judith "GoofyNewfie," from New Finland. Judith was unable to attend the event, and wanted to share something with her friends from her country. Pictured in the group photograph, all of the league members are wearing the "Looney4Gin Goes To Tennessee Survivor" T-shirts made by Skip and Kristi Halsey, Huntingdon, TN. The local couple own and operate a custom apparel business at www.TheFunkyBanana.com. Local area residents may inquire at 731-986-5388.

Tentative plans to make this an annual event has already been added as a topic for the next upcoming tournament directors meeting. Suggested destination for 2005: Phoenix, AR. Other possibilities will be explored.

Attending the event were: Alan LeFrance "TaggyRed," Victoria, British Columbia; Maureen Carillo "ChevyGirl," Phoenix, AR; Ginnette Desranleau "Ginnette," Montreal, Canada; Elizabeth Buffington "Trugin," Seattle, WA; Skip Halsey "Trashman3," Huntingdon, TN; Kristi Halsey "TrashysWife," Huntingdon, TN; Maureen Campbell "MaureenUK," Manchester, UK; Roberta Foster "Rosemary33," Albany, LA; Jane Shurack "MadamDawg," Gainesville, GA; Patricia VonNostitz "KYmare," Louisville, KY; Natalie Wicks "wickedcpa," Baltimore, MA; Shana Stout, Chino, CA; Patricia Bishop "BamaKittie," Huntsville, AL; and Larry Bishop, "LaughinLarry," Huntsville, AL. The group reflects a diverse selection of occupations including a medical professional, information systems specialist, college mathematics professor, marketing director, graphic artist, CPA, insurance agent, service supervisor, and a few retired.

To join the group for competitive gin tournaments, do the free sign-up at www.myleague.com/looney4gin, watch the schedule for tournaments and join them at www.Playsite.com in gin, then in Competitive Lobby 2. Visit www.BirdsongResort.com's photo gallery and look under special events for a complete photo collection of their visit. Call 731-584-7880 or 800-225-7469 to find out how your group can utilize Birdsong's new group meeting facilities.