Daniel writes:
> Mitch, everything you're doing looks really
> good. Whether we get permission for
> Pooh or not I think this is going really well
> and will turn into a fun way to
> spend some time this fall and winter.
> The examples of foot cusion stamps are
> really neat. They're cheap, its ordinary stuff
> you need to make 'em -- mom or
> dad probably wouldn't mind picking up the items.
> I like it.
> Let me know what help you would like -- putting the pages up,
> linking or whatever -- just let me know.

Dan,
Thanks for your encouragement. (The same to everybody else who responded.)
In light of all the controversy we have discovered to exist with the Pooh
images, I think we should probably start planning on getting by without them.
It's a shame, because Pooh has that magical British charm that pairs nicely
with the Dartmoorian roots of letterboxing.

There have already been offers for assistance in creating our own artwork
within the group, and some feedback regarding characters (I agree with the
suggestion that our narrative needs a boy AND A GIRL in the letterbox search
party).

As far as content, I think the most important graphics we will require are:

1) A picture of our yet-to-be-named search party reviewing a clue map (similar
in spirit to the picture that is currently on the Kids Corner page)

2) A nice map with clickable features around which we can base our cyber-
search.

3) A picture depicting the discovery of the letterbox.

4) Optionally, a picture of the search party actually in the act of looking
for the box.

Let's hope for more great input from the group to help flesh out the identity
of our characters.

I think it was Tom Cooch who pointed out that the 'online letterbox search' is
not the same as the 'cyber-boxing' issue we all got up in arms about some time
ago. This would be nothing more than a practical, 'learn-by-example' lesson
for kids who want to know what letterboxing is, and how its done. We're not
suggesting that we should all start creating online adventures, instead of
hiding real boxes. This project could be a fun, interesting, self-contained
activity that kids can learn from. The cyber-box issue had to do with a
suggestion that we start a precedent for planting letterboxes in the real
world in which the disappointed discoverer finds no rubber stamp, but only an
internet address from which to print the stamp image. That idea went over
like a cast iron dirigible filled with concrete.

I'm glad you liked the adhesive foam pad stamp idea. It works well for the
youngest letterboxers. The biggest hassle is peeling the plastic 'skin' off
the pads. The foam that I saw in the craft store is really nice, but it's hard
to come by. I noticed that it comes from a company called "All American
Graphics" in Santa Monica, CA. I'll do some research and see if I can learn
more about them.
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