Good news about the Polling ability.
From the pen of Skinner to me:
"The polls will come back."
That's all I know. I had occasion to "talk" to him and while I had his attention I asked him to tell me if they would be re-instated, and if not to let us know so our mourning can begin.
The knowledge that they will come makes the waiting easier.
It also means, Mz Pip, that you are on the hook for collecting the entries for "Winter".
= new reply since forum marked as read
That is great news, my dear Mira!
The news DOES make the waiting much easier!
I am VERY happy this group can, shortly I hope, get back to normal with the contests.
If we don't have the polls at the end of the first week in February maybe Mz Pip will be off the hook til summer. She'll weigh in I'm sure.
I'm for quiet and patient waiting. I have gotten the assurance it's coming. That's more than we had yesterday.
I miss the contests.
some real anxiety. 
though I was pretty sure they would come back or he would of told you no. Since I can't code or even make head or tails of code I figured it would just take time. I'd rather they took the time and did it right and be sure to check and double check that it works without screwing up the whole site. Have you seen how people act when DU goes down? 