I have sent an e-mail to this address posted. I have also attached a copy of a letter I wrote to Meg Crofton. She is the one who took Lee Cockerell's place. I am pasting a copy of the letter here for you all to read if you like.
Blessings,
Winnie
*********************************************************
MEG CROFTON, President
WALT DISNEY WORLD
PO BOX 10000
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL 32830-1000
March 20, 2007
Dear Ms. Crofton,
Hello! My name is Winnie Crockrell. And I am a Disney Addict. My husband, Fred and I are annual pass holders and have been for many years. My love for Disney began many years ago, when I began collecting Winnie the Pooh. I was in High School in the late 70s and that is when I began to collect. Im sure you can tell by my name who my favorite character is
POOH!!
When WDW opened I was in junior high. And Ill never forget that first experience of seeing Main Street USA. It was on our first trip that my dad bought me a big Pooh bear. I still have it and cherish it to this day. My dad or Pop-a-dop as I affectionately called him, always tried to buy me something of Pooh for special events or holidays. They were hard to come by back in the day. But I was thrilled when I would acquire something new.
In August of 1983, a group of singles from my church went on a day trip to EPCOT. On this day, after dinner my husband, who had been very quiet the whole day, as he did not know any of us, stood next to me at the bridge just before China. The floats were being brought out for the show that evening. We struck up a conversation while standing there. We talked and talked, and eventually talked about relationships and the like. We both agreed we were over dating at the time, and just wanted someone nice to hang out with. And after bridge went up and we started walking again, as we got to Mexico and were walking up the steps, we both agreed it would be nice to get together, and at the same time we said, No strings attached. Hmmmmmm.
Well, I am happy to say we have been very happily attached since July 28th, 1984! We honeymooned at WDW as well. We spend our anniversaries at WDW. Many of our happiest and fun memories are because of our Disney moments and trips. Our dream is to renew our vows at WDW. But as it is a costly adventure, it will be a while. But we can dream!! We celebrate our silver anniversary in 2 years, so well see.
One of the things we became involved in was Pin-Trading. In April of 2001, on one of our many trips, we stumbled into this hobby. While at the World of Disney at DTD, my husband noticed 3 puzzle pin of Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. Thought they were cute and bought them for me. This was our beginning of not only pins and pin trading, but the making of new friendships that never would have begun were it not for these pieces of metal.
Within that first month of buying those pins, we began to hang out at the pin table at World of Disney. We watched and listened. I will admit, at first it was all about acquiring the Pooh pins. But then as we began to meet so many wonderful people, it really grew on us. Then we began to trade internationally with people we met from other countries while at WDW. And we also traded internationally with people online through websites such as dizpins and pinpics. The people who run these boards are to be commended for all they do to promote this hobby and Disney as well.
A few months after getting into this hobby, some friends we met through pin trading, introduced us to Scoop Sanderson, the Main Street Gazzette reported. Known to many of us as the Pin Ambassador for WDW. Ill never for get the first time I met him. Wide eyed and excited. It was contagious!! And boy did he love Disney pins. But what he loved even more were his pin pals he made because of Disney pins. Then the second time I met him, I was amazed that he remembered my name!! I was impressed. Both times I was at one of his pin talks that he held in a small corner at Expo Hall. But he always seemed to draw a crowd. His talks are always informative, as well as fun. I took many friends to his pin talks, and told many others about them. Especially if they were new to pin trading.
Ill never forget one pin pal that I invited to meet me at one of his talks. She was pretty new and knew nothing about Scoop. Well, while we were at his pin talk on this particular day, she was invited to be his assistant. After helping Scoop, he awarded her a Continuing the Tradition Pin. She had no idea what it was, so I explained it to her. She was then so happy and gave Scoop a big ol hug. Then Scoop turned around and awarded me one!! I was shocked and oh so very happy.
The a couple years ago I think, his talks just stopped. We in the pin world were saddened and dismayed. So we began to write letters to Mr. Lee Cockerell. Well, after much dreaming and hoping and lots of magic and pixie dust, Scoops talks began again at Expo Hall in the theatre. It was fabulous!! We all were so happy, and we had a fantastic venue. And Scoop was BACK!!
Now just recently, we have heard that his talks were again cancelled due to the theatre area being used/rented for
AAA and/or DVC. Both of these are invaluable assets for WDW. And Im sure they were in need of another venue. And the theatre area is quite nice. My question is, Is there no way it can continue to be shared with Scoop for his pin talks, even if for just one day a week? Or better yet, is there no other venue where his talks can continue more often. One day is better than none, but more days would give more pin collectors, more opportunity to see and experience all Scoop has to offer informatively as well as entertainment value.
I mainly ask this, as it appears to my husband and I as well as many other pin collectors, that our hobby is being given a back seat as of recent years. And in many ways. Pin events and the like have gone down, while pin prices have gone up. This is not a cheap hobby as Im sure you can realize. But also, so many of us are not in this hobby simply to collect the pins. It is primarily because of the friendships that have started because of it. The pin events we have experienced as well as Pin Trading Nights, have not only brought us pins we have been wanting add to our collections, but greater still, added people into our lives that would have remained strangers otherwise. And also, I have met some fantastic CMs. The interaction between guests and CMs have grown significantly because of pins. Its amazing! And just another reason to not let pins and its effects die or dwindle. This is a huge plus for Disney in so many ways.
As for the Pin Trading Night at the Contemporary, I say thank you. For many years it was on the fourth floor of the contemporary. And as much fun as it was, it so needed to be changed. Oh and by the way, this was started by some guests who had a love for pin trading, and wanted to share it with other guests. It was taken over my Disney only a few years ago. Anyway, it was lacking as it had grown so big, there was never enough tables and the lighting was not good at all. Then last year it stopped altogether. Boy was that tough on many who had grown so accustomed to being there on Friday night. So two months ago it was brought back as a once a month event with Steven Miller and his gang. Great venue, lots of tables and even better great lighting. We could actually see what we were trading. LOL!!
If I could improve it, I would have activities for the attendees to get involved in. They have a nice area for kids that is great. Also I would perhaps not every month, but every once in a while, throw out a surprise pin for the night, that has something to do with pin-trading. Maybe even have a create a pin contest for attendees. And then have the winners pin created and sold at one of the Pin Trading Nights at Contemporary. Now THAT would be awesome!!
Long and short of it. I LOVE this pin hobby! I love WDW! I love my Pin Pals! I would love to have more than one Pin Trading Night. And mostly, I want to have Scoops Pin Talks return. To some its no big deal. But to the greater majority as I think you will see, it is a big deal.
On a more personal note. I know his alias Halland. He is such a wonderful friend. He even took the time to come and bring his wife to my 20th wedding anniversary party that I had in Orlando. I know he loves this hobby. And has the utmost respect and love for all the people he has met and become friends with while doing his job. He too loves all things Disney. It is so evident in all says and does, not only while on stage but off as well.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this. And I wish you the best on your new job. And hey who knows, maybe well see you in the parks! You never know! I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Cockerell on one of our anniversary trips. He even invited us to his office to visit. What a treat to have the same experience with you. Take care and God Bless!!
Sincerely,
Winnie Crockrell
Bring Scoop Back - Bring Scoop Back! 
My neice (8) had a HORRIBLE crying fit in March when I found out from GR that the pintalk was cancelled. It was sooooo bad, the CM made some calls to find out exactly where Scoop was right at that moment. She told us to walk down Main Street and he was near Casey's Corner. We went, and there he was!!! He took a long time talking to her and told her "It's okay to cry if you don't see me, I cry when I can't see myself too!" He walked her back up to Expo Hall and went in and got all of his pin stuff, traded with her, gave her the Tink pins, and took pics with her. I think it would be a shame for Disney to loose him. He really made the trip for my neice------she wanted to see him more than Mickey!!! I know I will be sending them a letter!!
). He also said they had a lot of feedback from people on this issue. Of course he said they appreciated my feedback, would take my concerns into considerations, blah, blah, blah.
