Club Pogo Member Memories: Meet Mermiths!

As we begin our celebration of our first 10 years of Club Pogo, we’re honored to feature ten of our most loyal and long-time players! We put a call out back in April for players to contact us if they were interested in being featured, and the response was overwhelming!

To kick off the first of these spotlights, we introduce you to Leslie!


First name:
Leslie

Screen name: Mermiths

Tell us a little bit about yourself:  I was made in Japan — a military brat — and from there the world has been my playground.  I’ve visited all 50 states and traveled through at least 30 countries.

I retired from news casting and teaching college courses in the Seattle area after 23 years in the biz.  Now, I chase wildlife such as moose, deer, elk, mountain lions and more around Colorado to take pictures for my photographic tour books.

I also am writing murder mysteries loosely based on stories I covered as a newscaster. I enjoy hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.  Cooking, gardening, reading, working out at the gym and hanging out with friends are ways I spend my time — OH –and of course, playing Pogo.

I’m happily married and have four dogs and a cat.

State, Province or Country? Colorado

Astrological sign? Scorpio

How long have you been playing on Club Pogo? Ten years in October

What was your first impression of Club Pogo?” Wow!  This is great!”

What was the first Club Pogo Badge you earned? Tumble Bees Honey Blossom

What is your favorite Club Pogo game? Boggle Bash or Canasta–both challenge me mentally.

What game do you find most for doing Club Pogo Challenges? Word Whomp Whackdown

What’s your favorite looking Club Pogo Badge? Panda Pai Gow Poker-Shooting Star Badge-Love that star!

Club Pogo has lots of features – Challenges, messaging, exclusive games, ad-free gaming… which is your favorite?  That’s a tough question!  I really enjoy the daily and weekly challenges because that forces me to try games other than my usual selections.  Messages are also an important part of Pogo as a way to meet new friends and connect with the long lasting friends.

Who’s your favorite Pogo character? The gopher group in Word Whomp.  A group of friends and I used to travel to Seaside Oregon where they have a terrific game arcade.  My favorite game was Gopher Whomp.  It was great to name the gophers after troublesome students–then whap the gophers on the head in lieu of wanting to whap the students-lol.  Playing Word Whomp reminds me of those fun times.

What goes on in your mind when you’re deciding how to dress your Mini?  Usually seasons or special occasions like Christmas.

Do you use Club Pogo Messages? And if so, have you ever sent a chain message? Yes.  I rarely pass on chain messages but I occasionally have sent them on when they are reporting a potential virus OR are immensely entertaining.

Do you have a favorite Club Pogo memory? If so, describe it… One of my very special friends on Pogo ordered my murder mystery book right after it was released.  Her comments the next time I was in a room with her were really wonderful.  Additionally, she sent a personal note congratulating me on being published.  This behavior is not unusual for the fabulous people who spend time on Pogo.

Have you made any long-term friends on Club Pogo? Yes!

Did you attempt to do the Quackadoodle Challenge before it was changed?  I attempt to complete all the challenges when they first are offered but I really don’t recall that one specifically.

Have you ever forgotten to do something important because you lost track of time on Club Pogo? How can I count the ways!

What makes you a unique Club Pogo fan?  I am a fantastic multi-tasker which drives my hubby nuts because I can play Pogo and watch a NCIS or baseball game and not miss a beat.  He is constantly asking, “Are you going to play games or watch the TV?” and I always answer, “I’m doing both!”

Do you ever eat while you play? If so, what’s a favorite “Club Pogo” food?  M & M’s

Do you read the Pogo News? If so, what do you like most about it? I really appreciate it when Pogo notifies us of “problems” and includes a work around or fix.

Popping balloons, swapping candy, or playing cards? Cards

Challenge Wednesday or Mini Thursday? Challenge Wednesday

Puzzle Games, Board Games, Word Games, Card Games or Solitaire? Word Games

Have you ever had a life changing moment on Club Pogo?  While I realize this is a serious question–my answer is humorous.  I was filling in one weekend doing radio news.  It was an extremely slow news day so I brought up Pogo on the computer and was playing Spooky Slots which has continual background noise.  I didn’t realize that the computer was hooked into the control board.   The audience got to listen to creaking doors and clanking chains as background to my newscast.  The board operator (in another room) was unable to let me know until AFTER the newscast.  Needless to say–I never played Pogo in the newsroom again.


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40 Comments

  • Wow Leslie, your life lesson is funny b/c i did that too, but it was at church during easter service, i forgot my ipod was still playing when i turned on the sound, church heard thriller as jesus walked by lol

    • Marion – that is TOO Funny!

    • Marion…Thanks SO MUCH for the chuckle! It really made my day! And I thought I was the ONLY one who manages to do something as humorous (and mortifying!) as what you described…LOL Take Care & Happy Gaming! ‘Just’

    • wow, i been coming to pogo since 2001, thats more than ten years lolol

  • i remember playing pogo before the minis and before they had payed membership it really has grown in leaps and bound in over 10 years
    aussiejo13

  • I don’t remember ever playing in the same rooms as you, but we agree on a lot of the games! Before they had Club Pogo, I was hooked… then, with Club Pogo – I love it!

  • I have also played pogo since before they had memberships, I love pogo but wish it was a little cheaper, Happy pogoing for another 10 years <3

  • I also played pogo too, before it became , a paying membership, and had many friends, and used to meet in Showbiz slots The Green Mile room. every night, and boy we had some great fun. there was about 12 of us..
    2 of which I still meet with occasionally.. but it’s not the same anymore..:-(

  • hi,my wife and i have been with u guys for a long time..now my problem (onecajunbob) is i like playing many games and monopoly world edition is one giving me trouble…it slows up then at the end want give any points..please get this fixed..

  • 1st game i played using a computer was spooky slots. son found pogo games on excite.com. spooky was a regular feature then, not just seasonal like now. will get 10 th reward later in year. seen alot of changes, some good some bad, but come back for more.

  • M y grandson was on leave from the Navy, later saw me playing solitaire somewhere. AND he said;
    grandma let me show you some fun. That was in October 2002, when pogo was still in the oven!
    Been the only games i played Then Pogo was born and we are where we are today. Still love it
    love the fast games card word. Jungle Gin WAS my favorite, but Squelchies was faster. There
    are some i hate, and hate when they show up but for the most part i like the all, except for
    those look for items in the dark (thats what i call them) click all over and cant find nothing.
    but HAPPY ANNIVERSARY POGO (AND YOU BETTER GIVE ME CREDIT FOR THIS WEEKS “LETTERS FROM NOWHERE
    did it 3 times got it but not the credit.

    Bogus Special July 2, 2013 12:20PM

  • Just curious does anyone know what the quackadoodle challenge is and the difference on how it was changed?

    • I dont remember exactly what the challenge was but it was in QuickQuack and consisted of shooting an unheard amount of ducks or something like that. That was before my time on Pogo or about the time i became a member, but can remember people talking about it.

    • I think the original Quackadoodle challenge required getting 100,000 tickets in Quick Quack (that’s tickets, not tokens). The challenge was originally a weekly challenge, but it turned out to be so time consuming that Pogo extended the time. I spent all my free time for 4 days doing the challenge and finished it just in time for Pogo to extend the challenge, lol. Needless to say, I haven’t played much Quick Quack since. Now the Quackadoodle challenge is to get 10 jackpot spins.

    • The original Quackadoodle badge was to get 100 jackpot spins.

      • Figured if someone had done that challenge, they would remember!!!! lol

    • it was the one you had to get to 50,000. I had no trouble with it except dislike the game, in fact I did it for 4 accounts in the week. But, many many I guess complained it was too hard they couldn’t do it, so Pogo gave another week to get it done, which personally I thought was totally unfair to those of us that actually did it. Yes it took A LOT of time, but it WAS doable. SherryE58

    • Just like the other player wrote it WAS get 100 jackpot spins.
      They changed it to-get 10 jackpot spins lol.

      They-Pogo did keep extending the time period to get that badge lol.
      Some just gave up but of course us badge HOunds had it done in the same
      day lol. ; 0

  • I have become a member since November 7, 2002. I have really enjoyed POGO since becoming a member. I have really enjoyed several games, especially Pinochle and same day Pay Day free cell. I have received windows badge 1887 times. I am paralyzed being paraplegic, and Pogo has been very excellent for past time for me.

  • I have played pogo for many years and also wish it was cheaper but all in all It is worth every cent I have spent. All the games are not meant for everyone but we all find one that we like the best and play and play it. I have not got all the badges and probably won’t because of the games it takes to get them. Thank you

  • Wow Leslie, congrats on being published. My favorite author is Diana Mott Davidson and I believe she’s from Colorado also. I would love to read your stories. And congrats on your many years with Pogo.

  • Yes Leslie (Mermiths) – It’s an incredible life you have lead so far. I love it that you said you were made in Japan! That’s cute. We’ve been to Colorado several times and I love it, but I’m from the mountains anyway. You live in beautiful surroundings. I’m a member of the Pogo forum book club. Perhaps you could Pogo mail me the titles of your books for me to research for our club. It would be great to read something that a Pogo member wrote. The name showing here is my screen name.

    Congratulations on being the first Club Pogo 10 Year Featured Player!

  • Congrads…. you are a beautiful young lady.. thanks for the laughs…
    GOD BLESS

  • I started playing in 1999 , later on i did become a paid member .A bunch us single folks met in a certain singles room , which of course is no longer on pogo .Which , by the way is where i and many others met there spouse .I miss the fun and many friends who have came and gone , but still in touch with some of them . We use to meet once in awhile for a get together , in a certain room , but seldom do anymore .Pogo really has came a long way since i first started way back . I have some favorite games i still play , but also like trying different ones .Most of all ? i have met so many very nice folk’s , that i shall never forget !

  • Way to go pretty lady. I enjoyed reading about you. It seems you have had a full life so far. I hope you enjoy your retirement. Congratulations on being the first Club Pogo 10 year player.

  • What do these comments (except for a very few) have to do with the Spotlight? Well done, Beautiful Lady…and kudos to you for being a ten-year player and being featured.

  • In 2001, I got a computer, as my son was in the US Air Force, and was flying over Iraq..I needed a computer to keep in touch with him..I also joined Pogo because I love to play games..including Cribbage. One fortunate evening, I played cribbage with a young lady who I soon learned was in the Canadian Air Force…she maintained their airplanes. We compared her job and my son’s also. This was in 2002 or 3.
    She and I have kept in touch..my hubby and I drove across the US in 2009..we met TJ, my friend, unseen, in Niagara Falls, Canada…had a great 3 day encounter..In 2010, she was transferred to western Canada. She visited us in Oregon, 2 years ago..She has recently been transferred, promoted, and, again is going back to the east coast. This past Sunday, TJ and her fiancee came for their last visit before going back east..they left today!! TY Pogo!!

  • Well done leslie, enjoyed your comments and you seem to be a great gal and have a well rounded life. Nice job being the first to be in the spotlight, nicely done, some funny stuff. WTG!

  • Hi from Colorado, native here. I would love to read your book and see your art, there’s nothing more fascinating than seeing moose during the mating season in Estes Park. Great spotlight as well :)

  • HI Leslie, Greetings from the Panhandle of Western Nebraska. I too would love to read your book. Can l you please provide the title of the book. Congrats on being featured while honoring Club Pogo.

  • Hi from Fl.I have been playing pogo for over 13 years now.That was before the club membership started.I have seen sao many changes in these years some for the good and some for the worse.I want to wish you all a Happy 10th Anniversary.

    • HOW CAN U PLAY FOR 13 YRS WHEN THEY HAVE ONLY BEEN AROUND FOR 10? SOMETHING I DON’T KNOW ABOUT?

      • Club has only been here for 10 yrs but free pogo started in Oct 1999.

      • yes we were playing in Pogo, ” da Famous ” AngelsHaven Slots Room ” in the late 90’s with all our Angels, and Our Queen DeeDee, a few years befor EA had purchased Pogo. There will Never Ever, Ever, Everrrr , be a More loving, tighter Family then The Angels. Still Love My Angels, and Oh yea, Spart too lol

        • Yes, the slots, bingo, Roulette and I think a form of Keno. Been playing since
          July 1999.

  • Nice feature Leslie! Great read! ; )

  • I have been a loyal Pogo player since before there was even a membership ,I am a kidney transplant patient who is now on dialysis and this is a great enjoyment for me .Recently a 1000th badge was offered I meet all the criteria and emailed my info by the due date as of this date I still have not received my badge and don’t know who to contact about this issue.I need help please!!!!!!!

  • What a wonderful life you are having Leslie, visiting more than 30 countries and all the states must have been a blast! Congrats on your book, I love thrillers, how can I get the book? God Bless and you go girl! Keep up the awesome work your doing too. You are an intriguing woman to say the least! I’m an Island hopper myself, Europe next for me maybe.

  • s ok and thats the thing 1`ll never forget on pogo hagd e 1

  • I do not find pogo expensive. I spend 8-10 hours a day playing games on pogo (mostly scrabble) and that costs me only about 11 cents a day. Pretty cheap entertainment.