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In response to Pat's question, Elly began wearing her hair in a bun in January of 1996 (http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=What+Did+You+Do+That+For&Submit=Search) after she changed her mind midway through a haircut
(http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=changed+my+mind&Submit=Search)

She had a big 80s perm earlier -- see http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexkeywords.php?q=new+hair+style&Submit=Search and http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexkeywords.php?q=Bride+of+Frankenstein&Submit=Search, but issues with her hair and self-confidence in her appearance ran from the start (http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=A+Smart+Man+Asks+No+Questions&Submit=Search), through the middle (http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=And+They+Wonder+Why+Kids+Are+So+Insecure%21+&Submit=Search) and almost right to the end (http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=I+Was+Going+To+Have+It+Done+In+Sausage+Curls&Submit=Search)

At least Elly never did this to her hair: http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=is+that+you+in+there&Submit=Search
(another view)
http://catalog.fborfw.com/indexpanel.php?q=Let%27s+Not+Discuss+What+It+Cost&Submit=Search

Oh dear!

Holly, Cambridge, UK

Congratulations to Holly, who was the first to give us an answer to the burning question of when Elly started wearing her hair in a bun! She will be receiving a limited edition FBorFW print in the mail as her prize. Read on for additional information and insights found by other readers.

Just by quick look back I'd say around 1992 Elly started wearing a bun??? In '89 she had a long ponytail. It wasn't the traditional one on top, but at the neck. 1-26-96 it went on top.

Bobbi, USA

Regarding Elly and her hair in a bun... and using only the FBoFW website (since I'm at work)...

It looks like Elly was wearing her hair down around 1991, when April was born. Then there was a loose ponytail in 1992, when Gord wrecked her car. But the bun was there in 1993.

Since the online search by date only goes back to 2003, I can't really find an exact date. Someone with the books and a bit more time probably will though. I was just hoping for the print, so I wanted to get in early!

Jim I, Bloomington, IL, USA

The answer to Pat H's Elly's hair in a bun question is January 26, 1996. That is the first appearance of the modern Elly bun. If you search the Comic Strip Catalog for "hair cut", you can get most of the story about how Elly got her hair cut to be put in a bun and everyone's reaction to it.

Paul S, Oro Valley, AZ, USA

In the strip that ran on January 17, 1996, Liz said that Elly had the same look she had had in the 1960s. This begins an arc in which Elly decides to change her look. In the middle of getting her hair cut (1/25/1996 strip), she has second thoughts, and stops the hairdresser, who had cut the front part of Elly's hair, but not the back. In the very next strip, Elly then comes home with her hair up in a bun and long bangs--the look she had through the end of the strip's rung. The strips in question appear in Love Just Screws Everything Up

Katje B, Albany, NY, USA

Here's the goods on Elly's hair. Check out the punchlines "You're Married" and "Nice Teeth". "Nice Teeth" Shows Elly and John meeting at University. She wore her hair up and carefully arranged. "You're Married" is shows Elly and John at a New Year's Eve Party in 1979 and also a conversation (it's a coloured Sunday Strip in 2002) where John wants her to keep wearing it down or tied back and she has decided it's better up. John unloads his feelings on Gordon. Also look up "Library" showing Elly wearing her hair tied back on the job to look more professional. Its also worth checking out "hairstyles" "haircut" etc. but those first two punchlines give the most definitive answers. Elly put her hair up when she had the time and wanted to look her best.

Amy D, Vienna, VA, USA

Now that I have to view the strip on-line, "The Inquirer" newspaper colors the daily strips as well as the Sunday strip. My adult son, who is bi-racial, commented, "Is Lawrence supposed to be bi-racial?" After all these years, I took another look at him: black curly-ish hair, dark eyes, and darker complexion than Michael. So, the question is: is Lawrence bi-racial?

Marie T, Ambler, PA, USA

Lawrence is half Brazilian. Connie met Lawrence's father while working at a medical mission in Brazil; he was a doctor working with her team.

I always admire Elly for being as selfless as she is, but in this particular case I find myself confused on something. I can understand driving to Montreal to return Phil's pipe -the mail is just so impersonal for something like this, assuming the pipe would arrive intact at all- but why does she need to be gone for a full week? What would she be doing in Montreal that would take up so much time?

J.T., OH, USA

Just received my plush Farley doll on Wednesday, and he is absolutely FABULOUS! My family doesn't read the strip but when I showed them Farley from my 2009 calendar they couldn't help but see the plush looks exactly like Farley. He has been worth the wait! So glad to know profits are going to support the Farley Foundation!

Shirley B, PA, USA

I just received my Farley and am so excited. He is just darling and was worth the wait. I also ordered a Ned at the same time. I think he'll go in the window of my truck. I wonder how many folks will recognize him. I'm grateful that he came with shorts.

Patsy W, VT, USA

I have been reading the comments on people who have received their Farley animal. I was informed my Farley was shipped on Dec. 31st and I should have it soon. As it is now January 13th, I am starting to wonder!

Janet R, Reading, PA, USA

Hi Janet - thanks for your comment regarding your Farley doll - you should have him any day now. 15 business days is standard to most North American addresses because Farley's coming from Northern Ontario and crossing the border to reach you. He originally departed our area through the very small Corbeil post office, which was bombarded with Farleys at the beginning of the year - please give us an extra day or two, to factor in the backlog with which we assaulted our amazing local postal staff. If he hasn't arrived by the end of next week please send email to customerservice@entercomcanada.com and we'll look into it further.