January 2011

GoldToken's Monthly News

Hard to believe 2010 is past us! It's been a very busy year. I started counting the number of games and site improvements and found it would take up half this newsletter. So count yourselves lucky it is not being posted here.

For those interested, you will find oodles of reading material in GoldToken's News Archive: http://goldtoken.com/games/news

Exciting December news? In his own words, Mecir added "a whole truckload of new game variants" mid December:

Hit&Miss Salvo - A Salvo variant in which you get to shoot again if at least one of your shots hits something
Multi-Hit Salvo - A Salvo variant which allows you to shoot twice at each board
Team Salvo - a team-based Salvo for 4 players!
Giveaway Hypergammon - a giveaway version of the popular Hypergammon game
Large Dice Pipes - Dice Pipes played on a bigger board
Grabble Scatter - a variant of Grabble where some tiles are randomly scattered on the board when the game starts
Argentinian Checkers - a variant of Checkers played in Argentina, similar to Spanish Checkers
Straight Rummikub - a variant of American Rummikub where only runs may be formed, not groups - thanks go to TedEBear for the suggestion!
100-point Rummikub variants - all the Rummikub variants can now be played in a multi-round mode, where players collect points in each round and have to reach 100 points to win!

to the troglodyte graphic imagination of our own Neanderthal marcmandy,Caveman was also added this December along with variant Cromagnon Hold'um. Both games are betting card games played with an unique set of cards and based on certain very popular card games.

And yes, improvements are in the works to mandate betting so the game does not last forever and a day.

Thanks to everyone who gave their input. You are an intricate and insightful part of GoldToken. We couldn't do any of this without you or your input!

If you haven't seen them yet, firefly redesigned GoldToken's Salvo graphics. They are simply the best.

sis!

Really great news! Many of you missed Crossword Puzzles while Marc helped with new game graphics, but the game is back in business. If you love crosswords, this game is for you!

GoldToken's plans for 2011?

If you want to be in the know, keep watch on the Platinum Members DB where plans are often discussed with members prior to their being added and the Gold Members DB, where the newest updates are announced for testing on GoldToken's beta, http://beta.goldtoken.com./

We have been working through a few server troubles and recently updated our OS. Sadly, this was not the solution we were hoping for. Mecir is working on resolving the issue, and it will be corrected soon. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

It's been going around that the best gaming resolution for 2011 is: Treat your opponents civilly and warmly, while totally annihilating them in your games.

If you find who has been spreading this rumor, please give them a pat on the back for me!

Let's make 2011 the year to build ratings. Game on!

--Badger

In this month's newsletter, we have:

Birthdays & Special Announcements
Olympic News
Game Of The Month
Best Recipe Contest
Try A Free Name Icon
Testimonial Of The Month
Club Announcements
Tournament News

	Birthdays & Special Announcements

Birthday Wishes:

-- Happy Birthday to Wildaisy on January 1st! -

-- Happy Birthday to SIRI on January 2nd! - From The A Fun Club For All Club, The Backgammon Tournament Club, The Free Spirit Club and The 7th Heaven Club -

-- Happy Birthday to Leeeeeesa on January 3rd! -

-- Happy Birthday to Big Giant Head on January 3rd! -

-- Happy Birthday to GUINESS14 on January 4th! - From The Backgammon Tournament Club -

-- Happy Birthday to BrnIdGirl on January 5th! - From The Free Spirit Club and The Innocent Instigators Club -

-- Happy Birthday to China_Blue on January 5th! - From THE CLUB -

-- Happy Birthday to Callie on January 8th! - From The Backgammon Tournament Club and The A Fun Club For All Club -

-- Happy Birthday to Capricorn - From The Renegades Club and Lorraine of the Renegades on January 9th!

-- Happy Birthday to The TT on January 11th! -

-- Happy Birthday to GOPACKGO on January 11th! - From THE CLUB -

-- Happy Birthday to Blackhawks Fan on January 13th! - From THE CLUB -

-- Happy Birthday to ArkAngel on January 14th! - From The Backgammon Tournament Club and The Play With The Best Club -

-- Happy Birthday to Rostom on January 15th! -

-- Happy Birthday to adopt 3 on January 17th! - From THE CLUB, The A Fun Club For All Club, The Backgammon Tournament Club, The Home Place Club and The Play With The Best Club -

-- Happy Birthday to gravyrun on January 17th! - From The 7th Heaven Club, The Backgammon Tournament Club and The A Fun Club For All Club -

-- Happy Birthday to HeartOnFire on January 18th! -

-- Happy Birthday to Loretta on January 18th! -

-- Happy Birthday to maggiefrommd on January 18th! -

-- Happy Birthday to MandyB on January 20th! - From The 7th Heaven Club -

-- Happy Birthday to monkeytyper on January 20th! - From The Home Place Club -

-- Happy Birthday to Dbledee on January 23rd! From The Backgammon Tournament Club -

-- Happy Birthday to jerseygirl on January 23rd! - From monkeytyper -

-- Happy Birthday to spellbound on January 24th! - From The 7th Heaven Club -

-- Happy Birthday to squirrel on January 25th! - From monkeytyper -

-- Happy Birthday to kittyrambo on January 26th! - From The Home Place Club, THE CLUB and The Play With The Best Club -

-- Happy Birthday toHEATHER on January 31st! - From The A Fun Club For All Club, The Free Spirit Club, The Backgammon Tournament Club, The 7th Heaven Club The Renegades Club and Lorraine of the Renegades -

Anniversary & Other Wishes:

--Happy Wedding Anniversary goes out to Chuckc33 and Lori on January 5th! Many special wishes sent to you both! -

--Happy Wedding Anniversary goes out to furryfeet and his wife celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on January 22nd! Many special wishes sent to you both! -

* If you would like to announce any birthdays, anniversaries or other special events coming up for next month, please send GoldToken Support a message before the 25th of this month, so we can give them a shout out in next month's newsletter! (Please keep all announcements upcoming and not belated. Announcements submitted after the newsletter is published, can not be put in after the fact, we're sorry!)

Photozone Competition

A big

goes to GoldToken's FixitDave for managing our Photozone competition. This past year has seen more than just winners, but many runners up and oodles of spectacular images.

If you enjoy photography, be sure to post an entry! I can attest, it is great fun and there is a definite learning curve by doing so.

Mary aka

Game Of The Month

January's game of the month is Grabble! Join us in a fun Double Elimination Tournament by signing up today for The January 2011 Game Of The Month - Grabble Tournament

Grabble was a long time coming to GoldToken. Not only difficult to code, but every care had to be taken to keep it original and unique. A game by any other name wouldn't be Grabble. A name created and decided upon entirely by GoldToken players. Since it's induction here, a number of variants have been added, and our word list greatly expanded. Whether or not you care for word games, please join us in this months match for some very wordy play and puns in every corner.

GoldToken's Game of the Month is intended to reintroduce and remind players of some of the special games we have on GoldToken. In doing so, we are running a Game of the Month - Double Elimination Tournament open for everyone with a 5 Golderos prize to the winner.

A special Thank you

GoldToken would like to extend a special

to Carol91859 for her continued support of adopting players. Every year this generous soul donates memberships, so that others can continue to play here.

Olympic News
Brought to you by: GoldToken's Olympic Presidents

The Olympics are off to an awesome start. Most of the games are still in the first round, but some players have moved on. The final set of the games is set to begin the first week of January.

The players were eager to find out what the mystery games were and were thrilled to find such games as Senet, Hit & Miss Salvo, Large Dice Pipes, Giveaway Backgammon, & Caveman.

If you would like to follow the games check out the tournaments below. The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 1 A Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 1 B Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 2A Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 2 B Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 2C Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 3A Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 3B Tournament, The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 4A Tournament, and The 2010 Olympic Tournament Group 4B Tournament.

Best Recipe Contest

January's's winner is: Chocolate Caramel Bars

Submitted by Scrapbooking Maven

1 14 oz bag caramels
1 5 oz can evaporated milk
1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 6 oz package chocolate chips (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Melt caramels with 1/3 cup evapoated milk over low heat, stirring until smooth. Combine remaining evaporated milk , cake mix, and margarine ; mix well. Press halk of cake mixture onto bottom of 13 X 9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees foir 6 minutes. Sprinkle crust with chocolate chips and 1/4 cup walnuts.drizzle with caramel mixture. Top with spoonfus of remaining cake mixture ; press gently into maramel mixture. Bake at 350 degress for 18-20 minutes. Cool slightly then chill in refridgerator. Cut into bars.

GoldToken's *Scrapbooking Maven* will receive a "one time" access to the entire list of site icons, and can select any one that is not currently being used by another player, regardless of membership level (Silver and Wood members can keep the icon for 1 year!). Please send a big

to Scrapbooking Maven!

December's recipe contest is: "Hearty Soup". The winner will be given a "one time" access to the entire list of site icons, and can select any one that is not currently being used by another player, regardless of membership level (Guests, Wood and Silver members can keep the icon for 1 year!). Rules:

Entries must be posted by the recipe guardian/creator on the Cutting Board DB.
Recipe must be original and have never been posted on the Cutting Board DB before.
Deadline for all entries is midnight PST September 30th, 2010.

Winner will be chosen via a poll on the Cutting Board DB, and announced in the December 2010 newsletter.

Try A Free Name Icon
Brought to you by: CATCHER211

Since we had such a huge success back in September, we decided to run another icon special for the month of

January.

Players who have a

Silver or

Wood membership are welcome to try a free 3O day name icon adoption.

We have some new icons to check out on Name Icons. When you find one you like, post your request on Icon Mania.

Once an Icon is chosen, you will be able to keep it for *3O*days. We will not be able to change a request once it has been made, but you will be allowed to keep your icon for the full days even if you request it on January 25th!

and if you have any questions please contact GoldToken Support.

Testimonial Of The Month
Brought to you by: GoldToken Players

I would like to thank Pappa for helping me start playing games on GoldToken. I would also like to thank everyone for the wonderful games I have played. It has been a pleasure and great fun.

younicorn

I was introduced to this site by another member furryfeet I have enjoyed most of the games here. I especially enjoy cribbage and backgammon and grabble games. I really like playing against all my new found friends here at GoldTokeb. Especially my fiance LadyeFantasy who I met here on GoldToken. I am from Milwaukee, WI and moved down to Oklahoma City to be with her. I would recommend this site to anyone who wants to play games in a relaxed mode and to meet many new friends from around the world. THANK YOU......
WONRHAF

My sister recommended the site to me. I don't remember how long that was but I like the site and enjoy playing new games. My favorite game right now is Rummikub and American Rummikub. I like the polls most of the time. Sometimes there are too many news items at once.

L_Grey

Club Announcements:

Do you want to talk about your pets, owning a pet or some old friends?
Then The The Pet Lovers Club is the club for you!

Stealthfire

The Green Thumb Gardening Club

First wiki less game will start on the 21st.
Come join us for some dirt digging good time

PattyMac

Wanted

Do you have a special story, poem or testimonial you would like to share? How about some club news, announcements or any other special events? Then don't delay, send GoldToken Support your submissions today! We look forward to hearing from you!

(Please note: All submissions are added on a first come first serve basis.)

[ Main: GoldToken's Monthly Newsletter - Past Issues ]

--Badger

In this month's newsletter, we have:

Birthdays & Special Announcements
Photozone Competition
Olympic News
Game Of The Month
Best Recipe Contest
Testimonial Of The Month
Club Announcements
Tournament News

	Birthdays & Special Announcements