I forgot all about this! crosses fingers, toes, etc.
Susan
I almost missed this - I had seen it several times but never opened it - whew, that was close!!
Okay after a jab from Beth last night, I have decided to put in my $5. It didn’t help me last time, but ya can’t win if ya don’t play right? Indeed, my five bone raffle ticket doesn’t break my bank, but together we can make a stash.
Cheers all - hey, is there gonna be a chat Christmas Party? I’m bringin’ the fridge and the swizzle sticks! Alan, bring the pretzels.
Only four hours and 40 minutes before I find out that I did not win!
Keeping an eye out. . .how will the winner be notified? Will Ed McMahon appear at some lucky person (or Feline’s) door?
Ok…I can’t stand it any longer…Who won?
Now, now…give them time to email me! 
Susan
Sorry for the delay, I couldn’t get to a computer until now. And the winner is…
Amy Bissell!
Amy, you have the choice of a Brass D or a Brass E-flat. Please e-mail me and I’ll send it out promptly.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause. I’ll post the exact amount donated tomorrow.
Congrats, Amy!! I mean, damn, now I’m gonna hafta pay full price for a Copeland.
[bold] DOIN’ THE TYGGY TANGO! [/BOLD]
Yep. . .for anyone who didn’t know this Cat’s name, I am now the utterly delighted, absolutely thrilled, pickled tink owner of a brass Copeland!
Bloo, NO TEASIN’ ALLOWED!
WHOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Congrats!
I’m only just a little jealous, but happy for ya too! 
double post–ignore
[ This Message was edited by: Wandering_Whistler on 2002-12-17 23:01 ]
On 2002-12-17 22:14, tyghress wrote:
[bold] DOIN’ THE TYGGY TANGO! [/BOLD]Yep. . .for anyone who didn’t know this Cat’s name, I am now the utterly delighted, absolutely thrilled, pickled tink owner of a brass Copeland!
Bloo, NO TEASIN’ ALLOWED!
WHOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!
i guess there’s no chance then of re-revisting.
congratulations, tyghress!
- tom
Tyghress, congrats!
(OT)
I ventured reading your board Profile; You’re into tiger conservaton ? Can you tell us (or me) more ?
The generous person who donated the Copeland they had won asked me to pass on this message:
Hey Jim -
Could you post this message to the whistle thread like you did the last one? Thanks -
start quote
Thank you all for your support of this raffle. I am always amazed by the generosity and caring of the people in this community. You have all made a difference here and I am very grateful. May you all have a blessed holiday season and year to come.
And congratulations Amy!
end quote
Zubivka, I’d be delighted. . .
I met my first tigers personally in 1978 in Lafayette, IN, at a small zoo where I volunteered. As with most captive tigers, they were Bengal. I was touched deeply by the grace and power, and ineffable sadness I perceived in them.
We all choose our causes, and I personally am wrapped up in Siberian conservation, and support research and education through a number of venues. The easiest one to access is http://www.5tigers.org that provides a lot of wonderful information on all the subspecies of tigers.
My secondary intent, in educating about tigers, is dispelling the myths surrounding the white tigers that unfortunately are perpetuated through well meaning, but misguided people who are fascinated by the unusual coloration.
White tigers are ‘albinistic’ but not ‘albino’; they are ALL in captivity, ALL Bengal, and ALL descended from ONE white male who was bred back to his daughter(s). They are not ‘rare’, ‘endangered’, or worthy (IMHO) of the time and money spent to propagate recessive genes. That zoos fall over themselves to get and keep white tigers is due to the fact that they pull people (translate that as $$$) in to donate. Far too little of that money is spent in preserving the precious gene pool of feral tigers.
Wild Siberians are terribly endangered. They are still poached for body parts, particularly in China. The economics and politics of the of the region make it impossible to keep the few remaining Great Cats safe.
I wish I had answers, but I don’t. I only can pass the word, wear my cyber-stripes proudly, and hope that others pass the information and love along.
(and you should see my cubicle at work. . .I’m constantly being gifted with stuffed tigers, tiger calendars, pictures, postcards, knickknacks, and doohickey’s. . .and I love them all)
(stepping down from soapbox)