I have wanted the Smurf Windmill since first seeing it on display at Ben Franklin in grade-school. At the time my brother and I thought of it as the "holy grail" of our smurf collections. We never seemed to save enough up (or would end up blowing it on a bunch of smurfs!) to get it, even collectively.
So, after almost thirty years, I finally win one on Ebay. I've been saving up for one...and got it at a pretty good price. However, upon opening it (can you say "kid at Christmas"?) this morning (I tore open the package), I smelled...to my horror...cigarette smoke! Now, this can be remedied, and I know the smell will eventually wear off (and I'll wipe it down)..however, I am missing the side porch railing (not the long back one, but the shorter one)...it's the short hand-rail one with the holes so the little pegs for the side rails go in.
Also, isn't it supposed to have a handle or key on the back for the gears to make the mill turn?
Anyway, if anyone has the short railing piece and not using it, I'd be happy to buy it from you! Also, is there supposed to be a "key" or something for the back knob to turn the gears? I've looked through all three of my books, but there's no photo of the back!
On the bright side, I'm more than thrilled to have one! I will be shooting a short flip camara film today and posting it later of my current Smurf display..I'll post a link this evening.
THIRTY YEARS WAITING! I know, many of you..or most..have probably not waited so long. But with kids, and a wife, a mortgage and two cars...my smurf collection, though much loved...grows slowly. I now reward myself after a great work week (and a certain level of sales made) by buying smurfs or smurf collectibles. It's a way to keep it growing and keep that magic of smurf collecting going!
Best to All,
Chris
Maureen 
. It makes you guys say the funniest things 
(sorry Maureen, please forgive 
)
. Just a touch of brain damage. 
