1985 I think the first famous person I ever met was Richard Harris. He came to my school when I was in 3rd grade and hand picked several children to perform in his adaptation of Julius Caesar. I was one of his children. My role was to wait upstage right until the girl with the flashlight gave me my cue to go onstage. While I was waiting, Sir. Harris exited in my wing, and every night, he kissed the top of my head. After he kissed me, the girl with the flashlight gave me my cue and I went onstage.
1988 Also while in grade school, on a typical vacation to Atlantic City, my sister and I had an experience of a lifetime. We were staying in one of the suites and were allowed private pool access during certain hours. These hours were also the same hours that the performers were allowed to use the pool. My sister and I played for hours in the pool with our favorite TV stars (we watched the reruns every morning), The Monkees, MickyDolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones. My sister rode the elevator with Davy Jones, for which I am eternally jealous!! It is also fair to saythat The Grass Roots were swimming with us too, however, I was really not interested in them, nor would they play with our beach ball the way Micky did!!
1991 When I was in middle school I used to usher at the Masonic Temple, a local venue for traveling Broadway Shows. I remember I would run out into the alley behind the backstage area to try to meet the actors. One year I caught up with Barry Williams, or Greg Brady. I didn't even have a piece of paper to ask for his autograph. He gave me a hug and I can still remember the smell of his black leather jacket.
1996 In college, we frequently would have guest performing artist and directors. My freshman year in college as a theatre student, I was assigned the job of props mistress. One of my jobs was to create real torches for the production under the direction of Paul Barry. Well one day, Mr. Barry met me in the scene shop area and instructed me on how to make proper torches for the stage. It didn't look complicated to me as they were only made out of coffee cans and a little bit of sand. I should have known to trust my instincts as the grand curtain went up on flames on opening night!!
1997 I have been very fortunate to grow up in the very creative, and small town of Scranton. Hometown to Pulitzer Prize winner playwright Jason Miller, it is small enough that it is not long before you meet him out somewhere. Always ready for a conversation, and never remembering me each time I would meet him out, Mr. Miller bought me several drinks on different occasions. A brilliant man with a great style of conversation. I am honored to have met him.
1998-2004 While working at an upscale summer camp, it is more than fair to say that I met my fair share of children of celebrities and their parents. I don't think it would be fair to list them, as they were children in my care. To me, they were no more or less important than any other child. My love and experiences with them will last a lifetime, designer name or not. So, I reserve these few lines for all of the children who will be something some day, famous or not. And to their parents, who entrusted me with their care.
2002 (I think..will confirm this) It was a sunny day at the Portland Sea Dogs game. I was there with about 40 of my campers. We sat in the nosebleed cheap seats, just below the luxury boxes. Ironically enough, as I was getting our girls settled, who were trying to socialize with the boys camp sat just a few rows away, they quickly became distracted by watching me speak to a very familiar gentleman, former President George Bush Sr. He asked me about all of the girls and where we were from. He joked about my responsibility with them. Then he offered to buy us all ice cream. He ushered over a couple of the ice cream sellers. We were thrilled to have such a treat from the former President and his wife. It was a wonderful experience as he sat with me for a bit in the cheap seats with the former President. As the sun beat down and he became hot, he went back into his luxury box and our girls went back to harassing the boys!
2008 A couple of years ago I became involved with an organization for children who stutter. At our summer camp, my partner arranged for his friend and supporter Jessie Martin to make an appearance at our camp. He sat in on my counselor meeting. We had great conversations about camp and said, "I will send my kids to your camp someday." after I told him of my goals to own a camp.
2009 At our camp/organization fundraising gala, I had the honor of meeting some of
our honored guests. I spoke to B.D. Wong about possibly coming to camp as one of our "counselors." John Slattery and I
had a nice conversation about the camp and was a very genuine person to speak with. On our way out of the building, my husband ran into Bill Withers standing near the door by himself, as I was looking around the room for the ladies room. We asked if we could have our picture taken with him. He was such a gentleman and said to Jon, "A piece of advice, as you get older, you must always wait for your wife." The flicker of the flash had no sooner finished, and his wife just arrived from the ladies room.
