3Moons Castle

We have only ever had one site refuse to take the Golden Screen Award. And that was this site, 3Moons Castle. It wasn't because Solitaire, the wonderful webmaster, didn't want it. Quite the opposite - she wanted to accept it very much. Her reasons were motivated by pure integrity. Simply, she felt that the award we had given was for a site that no longer existed.

You see, a month before we awarded 3Moons, Solitaire had made a very hard decision - to knock down the castle walls and barricade the iron gates - never to open them again. Due to circumstances beyond her control, the 3Moons that was, could be no longer. And so, the drawbridge had been withdrawn, and the flags lowered. 3Moons Castle was closed to the public.

We were devastated. Putting aside the fact that such an informative and educational site had disappeared from the Internet community, Solitaire herself had personally been so supportive of what we were doing here, and she, and her site, had been an inspiration to so many people, regardless of their background or interests. And so we were overjoyed to learn that she was rebuilding the castle, although with a different focus. The dragons and Wizard and Lady would all still be there, just the content would change.

Despite our insistence that she still accept the award, she turned it down. And we know it was with a heavy heart, because she told us so. She just felt that in all honesty she couldn't take an award for something that had ceased to exist. So we decided to wait.

Over the last couple of months, we have faithfully visited the castle, wandered it's passageways, admired the growing number of new works and words of wisdom contained inside and admired it's continual breathtaking beauty. We have watched the turrets grow to their previous height, and beyond, seen the high-ceilinged rooms re-open, letting in the fresh breeze of renewal and change and heard the dragons trumpet their welcome to a new age.

Like a phoenix from the ashes, 3Moons Castle has risen to become another tome of knowledge and information - from writing, to web design to running awards programs - it even includes the delightful continuing fictitious Saga of 3Moons Castle, which is attracting a growing fan club - and information about the creator and her vision. And we praise and honour both 3Moons Castle and Solitaire with pennants flying, armour shining and swords held high in salute.

And so, we feel that it is now time for Solitaire to accept the Golden Screen Award. We were only keeping it safe for her anyway. It is given to a webmaster who has created a realm on the Internet that has atmosphere, beauty, design brilliance, imagination and creativity, with wonderfully fascinating and informative content. Much like it's predecessor. And it is a site that we feel everyone on the Internet would benefit from. If you are serious about writing, web design, or giving awards, then this is the site you should visit. But it is the magic that this site has created that will truly touch you. You will learn much from what it contains, but you will learn even more from just being there and sharing time with it's creator.

As we have.

Rated: 20/20 for content, style and design.

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