Merry Christmas! Yeah we said it!

Oh no.  Did you hear that????  They said 'Merry Christmas'!

What you didn't realize was that yesterday I said Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish friends. In exactly two weeks I'll wish you a Happy New Year and I might even throw in a Happy Kwannza from  the 26th to the 1st!  I'm a rebel!

But seriously, I love wishing people a Merry Christmas it's the birthday of someone I hold very dear.  8 years ago, when we started The GameBoard, I had to make a really hard decision....do I say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

When opening a store the list of things to accomplish, the decisions to make is long and arduous. You have important thoughts like which bank do I go with? What company to hire for the h-vac system? What size hard drive on my computer? How many employees will we need?  What games to fill the shelves? BUT.....do we ever wonder what to say on that December Holiday?

I never realized what an important decision this would be.  I made my decision and then I offered the options to all my employees.  Whatever they felt comfortable with and if their choice was to say Merry Christmas, I would stand behind that greeting.  I head to this holiday every year with excitement and awe at how many of our customers "thank" us for saying Merry Christmas and avoiding the "Happy Holiday" back up!

Try it......It's refreshing.....I promise that nobody here will complain, Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Love, Lynn

Happy Holidays!!

Can you believe it?!?!?  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!   (we are closed!) 

Happy Turkey Day everyone!  Gobble up the food, Gobble up the love, Gobble up the fun!
This Fall season has flown out the door, we have closed up the patio for the year and it is now piled with snow!  Heidi worked hard all October and got the lights up before the first snow fell.  She has created a beautiful light show in our yard and we are excited to be turning it on Friday!

All day folks have been stopping in and picking up the last minute entertainment for their family gathering!  Concept and Snake Oil were rented, Timeline was purchased, people were looking for dominoes (don't forget to give us a few days on some games because we don't always have these in stock), the Shop Small Saturday bags are packed with goodies and we are almost ready for Friday!

Hopefully Kevin and Amado will get to help you on Friday and Saturday! Saturday make sure you shop at the local retailers and help celebrate loyalty to those who support your community!  Stop in and rent a game for the holidays, there is still time tonight to get a good new option for Thanksgiving!

If you are traveling--drive safely and return back to us soon!

But most of all have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!

Love, Lynn

We rocked the Summer!

It's been a while since we last chatted....the summer weather has been keeping me off the computer and closely aligned with being outside!  Now that school has been back for a month and the dust has settled.  It's time to reconnect and fill you in on what we have been up to!

Last you heard from us we were up for an award for the Best Community Outreach Program.  We are pleased to announce that we totally WON!!!!  :-)  This was awarded to us right after school started back and I have been waiting for our plaque to arrive but I didn't want to wait any longer.  When it arrives I will post a photo of the team and our cool award!!

The temperature has been swiftly descending and the tree leaves are beginning to change color...take a few moments to look at the last of the summer green, it will be gone way too fast this season.  Apples are arriving along with pumpkins and we have brought out all our cool new Halloween themed games.

This coming Monday Oct 6 is our official 8 year Anniversary, we are inviting everyone to a  big neighborhood party at our little place on the corner; deep in the northeast side of Sheboygan,  Saturday Oct 4, from Noon - 4 pm.  We are providing Brats and Anniversary cake, please bring a dish to share and join us for food, a gamer garage sale and neighborhood celebration as we dive headlong into our 9th year in this amazing community!

Come rent a demo, buy some of the used games we started with or check out the yummy offerings Saturday is coming and we want you to CELEBRATE with US!!!

See you at the corner,
Love, Lynn

Hoping for the Best Community Outreach Program Award!

#thegameboard we just sent in our nomination for Best Community Outreach Programming. I had 150 words to state what we have accomplished.....This is just a portion of what we have done in 8 years, no wonder I'm tired!

The GameBoard, 1832 N 8th st, Sheboygan WI

We'd like to describe community outreach things we have done in the past 8 years like.......Hundreds of  school fieldtrips, Parkinson's workshops, Dementia Care family programming, senior memory assistance & social play, non-verbal and verbal programming for handicap clients, church events, speech therapy & reading assistance, business workshops for stress reduction & collaboration, Dementia Care Network membership, Alzheimer's partnership- walking as a store, donating & a resource to partners/caregivers/customers, facilitating a passport program for 10 nonprofit/profit organizations to excel tourism, birthday parties, library partner for the summer reading program & year round events,  renting demos to individuals, weddings, picnics, schools,  Aging and Disability brain health workshops, speed dating for business networking, game convention sales, Salvation Army game events, fundraisers, donating to education, presenting and workshops at caregiver conferences, playshops for the Cancer Community, headlining in the newspaper for Brain Health Programs.... we could go on but we ran out of space....

Hopefully you have read about 2-3 programs you never knew we had....give us a call to get an event at your location!
Love, Lynn

What makes it "evil"?

After years of being a person who plays games...I find that sometimes I have to defend my game playing by stating that I believe in Christ, too.
Why is that necessary?

It makes me feel frustrated...
It makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong....
It makes me feel evil.....

A drawing, a game, a product doesn't become evil or demand you to be evil.  Sometimes the person interpreting the game makes it bad.  Now I hate conflict, it makes my stomach turn.  But today I had a Dad....a well meaning man, who loves his son and wants what's best for him come to the store.  This Dad was wondering if his son stole some cards from us.  His son had no money as far as he knew, but yesterday, his son came home with a bunch of cards, apparently given to him by a friend.   After being confronted by his Mom he was told to hand them over.  What he did next was wrong, he found them and took them back.

Now he could have spoken up and showed the benefits of the game.  He could have calmly discussed the concerns.  But as I told his Dad the game is a great learning game.  So why was he hiding it? Then it came out.  Well the Dad told me 'we don't allow that kind of game in our house' ....it's evil....as he pointed to a drawing of a horned monster.

Now it takes all my patience to have these chats with parents. I always start out with 'I understand, I am Catholic'....But why do I need to justify my position?  I followed this with, 'this games teaches math, strategy and resource management'.  His Dad said "well then why would he want it? He's bad at math"  UGH!!   I gently told him maybe his son realized math is not as bad as he thought.  It's a great learning tool and an amazing game.

We shook hands when he left and I hope he will go home and think about this game differently.  I did tell him there is far worse things for your son to be into.....  So now here I am in the back room, writing this and praying that this child be given the chance to seek out things that are good for him.  Even if it scares his folks, it's not like it's drugs, or alcohol.  But "Evil"?  I think not.

Love, Lynn

Be a hero in the strife......

      A quote from A PSALM OF LIFE

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of Life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!"

At the age of 31 in 1838 Henry Longfellow wrote this with the intent of being paid $5.00, he never received that payment and later a collection of poems including this one was sold for .75 cents a copy. Time is fleeting....our hearts......like muffled drums, are beating funeral marches to the grave.

A good poem like a good book or even better a good game draws you in. The story grabs you and tosses you about, makes your mind open to new possibilities. I love when the artwork of a new board game pulls me in, the smell of a freshly opened box, the feel of fine linen cards, the density of the tiles and all the while time is fleeting. But this day, I don't mind taking the time to admire a new creation, engage a new player and be absorbed into a new adventure. 

 My sister lost her fight with cancer 14 years ago, I assumed by now I would have had my funeral march to the grave, but instead I am alive on the world's broad field of battle. I am in the bivouac of life, traveling through....I have chosen to live my life as a hero....will you join me, brother? Come and take up arms, march by my side, cradle me if I fall and never give up the fight?

All my love, Lynn  

Dreams can come true

For over 7 years I have watched many joyous faces walk through the doors of my tiny, little, cozy store.

Friends meeting each other, acquaintances rekindling a friendship, folks who thought "they" were the only ones who liked to "play", sweet children who didn't know there was more to 'play' and grandparents who thought games weren't for them. They all have come and they continue to bring friends.  We grew this from nothing.

But we have sad news.

Post by The GameBoard, LLC.

We have outgrown this cozy little corner of our world! Our friends spill out into the parking lot and garden when it is warmer.  In the cold they huddle by the wall and talk, then head back in for another game. They stand at shelves, gather around cafe tables and sit on the floor.

We want, we beg, we hope and we pray daily for a bigger space.  I found a place I think we can grow with, it's not too far and it gives us wonderful opportunities for expansion. There is only one thing standing in our way.  We own the building that houses the current store front....we need to sell it and move!  Can you help? Spread the word....share this blog....help us find a buyer for our really cute corner of the world.  SO we can expand your gaming community!

Love, Lynn

Fire and Ice!

In the midst of winter we are blessed with Fire and Ice!

Every year for the last 13 years a group of gamers has come together at the end of February to celebrate the love and joy of gaming.  Gaming in it's many forms dice, cards, boards, miniatures, pencils and paper are all gathered in to one big space for a short 3 days at the Fire and Ice Gaming Convention.  Folks from many states away make this their winter retreat.  It began in Sheboygan in 2001 but years ago found a new home in Manitowoc at the County Exposition center.

Vendors from 3 counties away gather to sell unique and interesting product to a vast sea of players. Players with one thing in mind the joy of the game, the thrill of the roll, the creation of a new character.  Let the gaming begin!  This coming Friday, Feb 21,  The GameBoard will be setting up it's space at Fire and Ice.  We have a large selection of games in our docket and we are excited to start playing with you!  See you at Fire and Ice!

But if you can't make it, we understand, drop in at the store where Tina will be entertaining the customers with her knowledge of the newest set of Magic!  Perhaps you will be lucky enough to get to visit Jace and see how he is growing! If you haven't tried the game Rampage yet we have an open copy for rent or sample the newest Fluxx board game!  YES, board game!

I really want to Thank all my customers for wiping their feet at the door.  With the new flooring and all the challenges of winter I feel like I am constantly harping on you as you enter.  BUT I appreciate the fact that everyone has been most accommodating!  Your spouses and moms would be proud of the length of time each person takes to get the excess snow off before walking in!

If you haven't gotten on our email list make sure you are signed up on our website on the Promotions page. We are sending out a once a month special and we don't want you to miss it!
Thanks for stopping, now it's your turn!
Love, Lynn

Brrr....it's cold outside!

I can hardly believe that January has come and gone and we are rolling quickly through February! SO much has been occurring for us at The GameBoard so let me back up and give you an end year update.  At the end of November we had new flooring installed and with all the snow and salt it was just in time. For 3 days the building was in an uproar, stuff was moved, stored and carpet was pulled. The end result of laminate wood tile was amazing and well worth the wait.

By then the Christmas holiday was in full swing, followed swiftly by New Year's!  We stumbled into January and spent half a day doing inventory, with Rachel, Becky and Kevin, we really clicked.

January and the weather has really been crazy!  So much cold and snow our numbers are skyrocketing for board game rentals.  Nobody wants to be outside so what better idea, a warm fire and a hot game!   The 2nd week of January we were invited to Lutheran High to participate in their Winterim program.  This was our 3rd or 4th year of being asked back, it is always fun and a great adventure!    Here is what their adviser and our good friend, Rick Zuener, had to say:

“Board games, education and leadership… how can games be connected to education and the principles of leadership?” This was the focus of our Leadership Games Winterim run by Richard Zeuner, extracurricular advisor to our LHS Games Club. Starting with the history of games and a wide variety of board games, students saw the difference between good ones and great ones. The kids who were in this one-week, all-day class learned how to play, teach and review some of the best games in the industry today.
Al Waller, the president of Out of the Box Publishing Inc., came to share the value of games in education and what running and leading a game company is like. His company is responsible for hits like Apples to Apples, 7 Ate 9, and Snake Oil. He also brought Word on the Street for the class to play. Instead of a table-top version, the class helped set up and play a giant fifty-foot version in the gym. Needless to say, the thirteen participants had a great time rushing to spell out words in the thirty second time-limit given for each category read.
Lynn Potyen, Owner of The GameBoard game store in Sheboygan, came on Friday to share with our class, Werewolves of Miller Hollow, a group dynamic game that pits people-reading skills against deception. Her expertise in business, drama, and gaming made the event one of the class’ favorites of the week. Not knowing if you could trust your best friend in the game heightened the tension and excitement during game-play. It reminded all of the participants that knowing the truth is a critical part of life and that blindly trusting people, even sometimes friends, can lead to dire consequences.

Every day began with a devotion and each session helped the participants to use their God-given talents to problem-solve, teach, learn, explore and enjoy the fun and fellowship board games provide, all while learning how to be better Christian leaders, one student at a time!

Next week is Valentine's Day already, there is still time to pick out a nice 2 player game. Plus we have a special 1/2 off on the Pink Hijinks by Looney Labs, just mention this blog! Value $10.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, Lynn