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If you missed the building contest in October, it's all good — here's your chance to get your bragging rights back!

With the winter holidays around the corner, the possibilities are endless! Just make something you think is the best representation of what you think of when you think "December." It could be a Snowman factory, a Snow Cone Villa, Santa Claus's House, or even something with Elves!

The island sky is the limit! Just build your idea and then post its coordinates here. Or submit pics of it to stagecoachisland@wellsfargo.com, and we will share all of your creativity and designs with the community!

What are you waiting for? Get building before your neighbor does! And check out the pics below for some ideas and inspiration....

*Cassie runs off to Builder's Paradise to pick up supplies*

 
 

We want to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day! We won't be open because we're all at home scarfing down mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and whatever other yummy things we can get our hands on. And we hope you'll be doing the same!

From all of us here on Stagecoach Island...HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

With all the craziness happening everywhere (not to mention the ups and downs in the economy), I've had to hold back on some major shopping sprees! I mean, here on the island I can't just go and buy every new item out there — I really have to think about saving up for that rainy island day.

Anyhow, I had a thought: Want to get together and chat about what's happening in the economy today? We can talk about anything! You guys tell me, and then we'll figure out ways to save and budget...all that good stuff!

It'll be like a little island forum where we can all learn how to stash our cash and save those §hells!

What do you guys think? Share your thoughts!

Thank you to all the islanders who made it out to the party! It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone and boarding down Snowboard Mountain (even though I didn't win...Brad555 did)!

We talked about all the yummy food that&'s on our minds for Thanksgiving and shared some of our favorite dish ideas for this year. Other than that, we chatted about recent movies like...

*takes a deep breath*

...yes, Twilight!  (I went to see the Thursday midnight showing...hopefully you guys will watch your wallet and get a better deal if you catch the afternoon matinee shows!) We also talked about Shag's new winter wonderland build and a whole bunch of other stuff!

If you missed the party, no worries — we'll be having another holiday get-together soon enough! Stay tuned to the Events site, and let us know if you want to host a holiday party! Just send the info, date, time, place and theme to support@stagecoachisland.com, and they'll get it posted!

In the meantime, don't forget to put in your Member Spotlight nominations! Remember, this month's theme is "Creativity," so nominate the person you think brings the most creativity to the island (link to member spotlight post)!

Let the holidays begin!

 
 

How many of you already know the history of Thanksgiving (aka "Harvest Day")? I remember when I was in 4th grade or something, and they made us draw the Mayflower and cut paper outlines of our hands to make turkeys. (Our palms were the bodies and our fingers were the feathers.) I know, don't laugh!

Anyhow, the point I'm getting at is that there are a lot of symbols around Thanksgiving. A big dinner in particular celebrates the relationship between the English colonists and the Native Americans. It's a long tradition that's trickled down to all of us.

As for the dishes we have for Turkey Day (goodies like mashed potatoes, apple cobbler, pumpkin pie, flan, and stuffing), they're probably myths — the Pilgrims and Native Americans weren't really eating them back in the day. Still, those classic foods are a big part of our history!

So this Thanksgiving, shell out your favorite foods, but don't forget to watch your wallet in the process...be a smart turkey and budget!

Oh, and be sure to share with everyone how you're planning to celebrate this season!

P.S. Don't forget about our event this Friday! See you then...

We want to celebrate and start the upcoming holidays off with a bang – we';re throwing a get-together party for all you islanders! Come join us for a day on the mountains!

Date:               Friday, November 21, 2008
Time:               4:00pm PT, 6:00pm CT, 7:00pm ET
Location:         Meet at Snowboard Mountain
Details:            Bring some competition and holiday flair!

If you have any suggestions for the event — or know of a cool place to throw the after party — let us know by commenting below. Also, if you've got a fun game, snacks (like Lexi135 and Doritos) or event in mind (Einin's Rummy) for the party — share and we'll add it to the events list!

 

See you there!

'Tis the season to be jolly...fa-la-la-la-la, well, I'll spare you my singing. You get the idea!

If you take some time and check out the island, there are a lot of places sparkling with holiday flair! Why? Simple, really. With the big holidays just around the corner, all the islanders are gearing up for some cheer and celebrations. Simgirl111 even made me a stocking for her place! You guys rock!

 
 

So to kick off November and the start of December (and before we know it, it'll be 2009!), we've decided to throw a little seasonal party of our own! This Friday, join us for some snowboarding fun as we hit the slopes and grab some air! You can check out the "Events" tab for the most updated party info.

If you guys have any suggestions for the after-party, scribble them down below, and we'll get back at you with the info!

Oh yeah — don't forget to submit your nominations for the Member Spotlight! If you forgot the category, it's for the "Most Creative Islander." Don't hesitate...get your nominations in today! Woot!

If you're new to the island, or just haven't had a chance to see them yet, don't forget about the nightly island fireworks show right near the Welcome Center!

They're here to spark up the island every night at 8:00pm PT (island time) — so don't miss out and check 'em out with your fellow islanders tonight!

Will it be you? Last month it was Trev22, our famous newbie, with a close runner-up, Freckles!

For this next Member Spotlight, we want you to name an islander whom you think is the most creative...and be sure to tell us why! It could be a house they built or even their ideas to the community — anything! Send in your nominations, and we'll see who the NEXT island celebrity will be!

Looks like we made it through that storm without a scratch! *Whew!* Now if only the island skies would clear up and stay clear, that would nice!

Anyhow, we had a real treat this weekend — Adariene, at the request of our newbie Bloomberg, took islanders and newbies to her place for a little house party! We all had a blast hanging out and exploring her house (which is awesome by the way) in Olympic Valley.

There are some pretty neato designs in her place. My favorite was the fact that Adariene had a tree on the second floor that grew right through the center of her house! It reminded me a lot of Jack and the Beanstalk — very edgy decorations!

Want to see it? Here are some snapshots below — but no tree! I'm keeping that mystery alive! You'll have to go there and see it for yourself at 5S 34W.

 

If you've noticed the purple sky and windy fog starting to hover over the island, you're not the only one! Winter is around the corner, and once in a while even our sunny island will have to plow through a storm or two.

Hopefully we'll get our clear skies back soon! But in the meantime, enjoy the overcast and purplish skies — it makes for great day of island shopping or an indoor cup of hot cocoa!

 

We promised to tell you which islander gave us the anonymous tip and photos for the story about Shag's Haunted House. Well, we just found out and want to share it with all you islanders!

It was our very own...*drum roll please*...Nephewpez!

Congrats to a great story! And to all you other investigative reporters out there, feel free to send in your stories. We can't wait to hear and share them!

This month we have a surprise for you: There isn't just one new item for guys and gals — there are a total of four for gals and five for guys!

For November, the girls can buy a beautiful formal number, featuring a fancy train on the back of the dress. It's very sleek and perfect for a fashion show or dance! The lucky island guys can choose from limited edition, stylish logo tanks with sunglasses and glasses!

Don't hesitate! Many of the islanders are already swooping up the styles, so grab a set for yourself today!

 
 

A big "Woot!" to all the islanders who showed up to our Halloween kick-off this year — you guys rocked the party with a ton of creative Halloween flare and costumes!

Trev22, our newbie, even kicked it up a notch by coming dressed as Genie7 and vice versa — it was hilarious! Everyone showed up with a bit of Halloween spookiness and made sure the celebration was more than haunting. We toured some scary places, braved HaileyHorse's haunted house and checked out the '"Sticky Room."

Don't know what that is? You should go have a look!

Speaking of HaileyHorse, she and Shag were the winners of our island Scare-O-Thon building contest (way to go you two!), so be sure to stop by and see the fun stuff they threw together.

Also, we went ghost hunting and found some walking the streets too! At one point in Shag's house, islanders even started vanishing! Scary...just check out the pictures below!

Missed this one? No worries! We'll have another building contest and holiday party soon — after all, Christmas is right around the corner!

 
 
 

Thank you for all the islanders who joined in on the Halloween Scare-O-Thon building contest! We loved all the creativity everyone showed!

With so many amazing entries, it was a hard choice. In the end, we decided to highlight both Shag and Haileyhorse15 as winners because the creations they built were so different and inspired! You've seen Shag's haunted house on Cassie's blog, so here are some snapshots of Hailey's museum-style haunted house!

 
 

There are additional rooms (exhibits) and some stacked full of mummies! Go take a look at our winners' haunted houses:

Shag: 3s 30w
HaileyHorse15: 122S 142E

Congrats islanders!