Northern Alberta LEGO® Users Group

Our Origins Story North Alberta Lego Users Group

The First NALUG Meeting · April 10, 1999

How It All Began

Early this year, James Brown and I decided to try to have a small LEGO® get-together here in Edmonton. The result of a bit of arranging happened on Saturday, April 10. The agreed-upon meeting place was the Whyte Avenue Boston Pizza at 1:00 p.m. By about 1:15, seven of us had got together there.

As recorded by Chris Gray
Seven at Boston Pizza

Our smiling faces

Starting with James in the right foreground and going counter-clockwise: James Brown, Don Catton, John Koob, Raven, Colin Lang, Michel Magnan and Chris Gray.

After pizza we all headed downtown to the Bay. Conveniently, they had a clearance sale — including a bin of LEGO® — and it was their “scratch and win” day as well. Afterwards, most of us came back to my place to ogle my collection and start some trading.

The lady at the nearest checkout seemed to take seven adults all buying LEGO® in stride.

A Bit of Trading

Back at my place, the swapping began in earnest.

Don is getting some loot ready for me.
Don is getting some loot ready for me.
Notice the #375 castle box (not mine!) in this shot.
Notice the #375 castle box (not mine!) in this shot.
Serious Castle Fans

On to James’ and Raven’s

After trading, we headed off to James’ and Raven’s place. It ended up being just the three of us — but I was pleased, since I got to see the works of some serious castle fans. I’m now much more excited about working on my own, and much less reluctant to go buy more LEGO®. (Oops!)

James’ Castle

An overall tour — top layer removed, then the roofs back on.

An overall view with the top layer removed. From left to right: the large cliff tower, the stables, waterfall, main keep (towards the back) and the kitchens/dining area.
An overall view with the top layer removed. From left to right: the large cliff tower, the stables, waterfall, main keep (towards the back) and the kitchens/dining area.
With the roofs back on, the kitchen building with the keep behind it, this time showing the next higher floor.
With the roofs back on, the kitchen building with the keep behind it, this time showing the next higher floor.
From the other side we see the stable with its roof on, too.
From the other side we see the stable with its roof on, too.
A closeup of the top level of the keep, currently built in removable sections.
A closeup of the top level of the keep, currently built in removable sections.
A shot of the waterfall.
A shot of the waterfall.
The front corner, showing the entrance to the high front tower.
The front corner, showing the entrance to the high front tower.

Raven’s Castle

Complete with a stream, dungeons and tunnels beneath the enclosed ground.

Raven's castle has a stream going through one corner, with dungeons and tunnels under the enclosed ground.
Raven's castle has a stream going through one corner, with dungeons and tunnels under the enclosed ground.
A shot of the front, showing the gatehouse and tower.
A shot of the front, showing the gatehouse and tower.
A closeup of the tunnels, also showing some of the dungeons. The LEGO® power connector is for interior lighting!
A closeup of the tunnels, also showing some of the dungeons. The LEGO® power connector is for interior lighting!
The dining room in closeup.
The dining room in closeup.
A slightly wider view of the dining room.
A slightly wider view of the dining room.
The river, and another view of some of the dungeons. That's the old king in chains down there.
The river, and another view of some of the dungeons. That's the old king in chains down there.

Raven’s Skull Keep

Outside view.
Outside view.
Inside view — there are several levels in there!
Inside view — there are several levels in there!
Interested in joining?

From seven friends over pizza to over forty members — there’s always room for one more at the table.

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