[CougarGA7]

I think this year was a ton better than the last and 1938 was pretty darn good. Over the course of the year we have added a tremendous knowledge base and there is so much information each and every day it is almost impossible to absorb it all.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Thank you, Cougar, for this presentation. And thanks to everyone who contributed by posting daily diary entries, links to extended information, pictures, personal and family lore, arguments, counter-arguments, book recommendations, expert knowledge, and other stuff that escapes me right now. And thanks also to the quiet folk who just observe and absorb. I know you are there because the view-counter keeps ticking away.

Which reminds me. In case you are curious about such things, I went back over my posting history to see which threads generated the most interest, as measured by number of views. I have listed the top ten below. Keep in mind that the earlier threads have had more time to build their numbers than the more recent ones. So the Winter War may become more competitive over time.

10. Germans Rush Troops West to Meet French September 8 1,299 views

9. Britain Will Build 2 New Battleships February 16 1,357

8. Overeating is Listed as ‘Treason’ in Reich July 18 1,427

7. Russians Drive 40 Miles into Poland, Defense Weak September 18 1,453

6. Jack Benny Indicted January 11 1,536

5. ‘Flying Fortress’ Here With Record August 2 1,697

4. British Liner Athenia Torpedoed, Sunk September 4 1,838

3. Germans Try to Sweep Around Warsaw Defenders September 10 1,840

2. Huge, Fast Vessels Projected By Navy January 9 2,085

1. Take a guess. April 5 2,194 views

I will now present the Viewers’ Choice Awards for most popular movie reviews. Again, the earlier threads have an advantage. The envelopes, please -

10 Drums Along the Mohawk-November 4 432 views

9 Dodge City-April 8 453 views

8 The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes-September 2 498 views

7 Stagecoach-March 3 511 views

6 Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever-July 19 528 views

5 The Rains Came-September 9 579 views

4 Gone With the Wind-December 20 607 views

3 Goodbye, Mr. Chips-May 16 645 views

2 Gunga Din-January 27 765 views

1 The Wizard of Oz-August 18 885 views

And lest I forget – a big thank you to the JimRob and all the folks at Free Republic HQ who provide this ideal platform for indulging our interest. Happy New Year, one and all. And keep your seat belts buckled. 1940 will continue a bumpy ride.