It appears that the originals on what was then Alnet were me in Pembroke Ontario, Mark MacKenzie and Colin MacLean who were in BC and the Arctic. I think there was a measure of phone bill avoidance going on. Also, folkswere getting established away from the Maritimes. Mark showed in March 1996 and Colin a month later. JR joins in June 1996 and in September 1996, Artie J. Matheson enters the group with the following exact initial posting:

Down the stairs I come sailing,
To see my friend Wailing,
Rumor had it he was ailing,
And the bucket patrol had been pailing.

"Around the corner I did poke,
To see if Wank had awoke,
And like a feotus about to choke,
Screamed at me, "Get me a coke!

Hi, Al. Nani-o ue desu ka? What is up? I have to get back to studying. Talk to you soon.

Fritz and Darren join in November 1996, Gary in December 1996. In March 1997, there was as yet no hockey pool and not real Crows. Colin MacLean triggered the first idea...

"Is there any way the rest of us on "Alnet" can influence the consequences of this friendly rivalry: Habs supporters vs. Kanata Centurions woebegone followers?

"Al, put your mind to organizing a Stanley Cup playoff pool - given the absence of your newest fav team from the Springtime festivities, you'll have lots of time on your hands."

About the same time, Tree also was wondering what the e-amils were all about...

"What is this group, the Anglo-Scottish Friends of Al Association? (ASFAA?) Take a look at our names and our sexes, too. I particulary like Jon A.'s sex. Love Arthur"

About a month later the first playoof pool picks are coming in, new people are connecting on the Alnet in droves and Darren raises one of the most important topics ever discussed in a Alnet posting. On 2 April 1997 he wrote:

"Re: Beer Hi Guys; How are things up North? Weather here in Cincinnati has been quite nice, couple of 70 degree days of late. Was talking to a guy working a beer store who likes Canadian MicroBrewery beers, he would like some information I thought you might be able to provide. What brewery in Quebec caries the following brews: 1) Maudite, 2)La fin du Monde, 3)Blanche de Blanche? Also, what are a few of your favourites from Ontario? Got to get back to work, I'll try and write again soon. Later, Darren.

What an important question...

Two very interesting March and April 1997 postings were forwards from JR in which he and Darren and he and Rob are instigating their e-mail correspondences. One is titled "Re: Caw, Caw" while the other is "Re: Cawww, Cawww". Other than a post in September 1996 in which Tree described his return to schooling at UNB as follows:

"I am actually studying and paying attention in class and I hardly ever yell out "Stones! You're all a bunch of crows!" Well, hardly ever."

There are few references to crow-ness before 1997. Lots about NHL, drinking, moving back to the Martimes and "whose e-mail do you have?" In january 1997 references to Tree as Crowboy appear in "re: lines".

Even the Crow Bowl does not have its own first place in history as such. From a June 1997 posting the following is set out under the re: line "Lindsay MacIsaac Invitational Soccer match!!!"

"When: 17 August 1997, 11:00 a.m.

"Where: the Jubilee Elementary School Field, Between Watt and Jube, Walnut and I-can't-remember, Halifax, Nova Scotia

"Why: Because fat and grey it where it is at!

"What: The finest gathering of the mid-80's bar-flies of Halifax will gather again for another sweatfest, burning off another hangover, keeping down the McPig's breakfast. Stars of the day will be the Evil Smeglatron (who designed those shorts?), Gary "the Skinney Pappy" McIsaac and perhaps one or two of the stumble fucks if someone can find out where they are. Weekend celebrations include a steer barbeque at the house of whoever doesn't read this e-mail, "glory days" afternoon at the Lower Deck Saturday and frantic bout of mini-put or bowling on Sunday night. Free beverage with every Minglewood tour t-shirt worn. Want more information? Make it up! See you there mid-August. Alan McLeod, agent, Lindsay McIsaac Enterprises Inc.

On Tuesday the 12th of August 1997, I wrote:

"On Saturday we zoom to Halifax for the annual slaying of the calf and other festivities in preparation for the Lindsay MacIsaac bowl Sunday. Ellen asked:" will Lindsay actually be there...I mean, do Gary and AMarion actually want her to watch this stuff?" We will likely crash at JR's if only to watch his funny dog. Sunday night who knows? Bowling, a card party?"

A few weeks after the first game on 5 September 1997, Tree wrote:

"Hi, everybody. Please send me your detailed accounts of the 1st Annual Robey Food Soccer Championship. What were the teams and what was the final score? Too bad about Lady Di. I was more upset at her death than I thought I would be. Love Arthur"

By September 7 1997, Diana is dead, I am looking for jobs according to all the career postings and references to the 1998 game as "The Crow Cup game" are made.