The final GUIDING LIGHT fan club luncheon was held last weekend in New York City. To coincide, a number of other fan and charities events took place which offered many opportunities to mingle with the stars. Charlie Funk has submitted a write-up of his experiences along with some of his photos from the weekend. If any other GL fans want to share, please post your links, videos or pictures in the comments. You can read Charlie's fan report after the jump.
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Although GUIDING LIGHT has come to an end, the annual fan club luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 10, was anything but somber. The atmosphere was upbeat and fun. Held once again at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, I arrived with feelings of sadness and anxiety. The fifth floor lobby was filled with a sea of 400 people buying pictures, merchandise and raffle tickets. Robert Newman (Josh) and David Andrew Macdonald (Edmund) arrived early to greet their fans because each of them had to leave for matinee showings of their plays. Robert is appearing in "Sessions" and David is in "Mama Mia."
Once the luncheon started, Mindi Schulman, fan club co-president, took the stage and announced the raffle winners. I won a package that included the wedding invitation for Alan and Doris. It also included a photo album with pictures of the bride, groom and guests. After lunch, it was time to meet the actors. Everyone hurried to get in the line of their favorite. All the actors were happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs and were very gracious. Except for a few actors, the majority of the cast was there. Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and John Driscoll (Coop) flew in from Los Angeles for the weekend. Old favorites like Jennifer Roswell (Eleni) and Fiona Hutchinson (Jenna) also attended. The luncheon ended but, again, it was anything but sad. GUIDING LIGHT may have been canceled, but no one can cancel the friendships or memories we've made over the years.
The 6th Annual Stars and Strikes bowling event benefiting the American Cancer Society was held on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Leisure Time Bowl in New York City. 32 of our favorite daytime actors from AMC, ATWT, GL and OLTL were in attendance. Free pizza was served, raffle winners took home memorabilia items and an auction was held. I was the proud winner of having my picture taken with actors of my choice in Soap Opera Weekly. It should appear in two or three weeks. This event is one of the best ones because you get to mingle with your favorites as well as bowl side by side with them. Everyone had a great time. The fans got pictures and autographs, the actors had fun and over $12,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society.
Is this the only picture you are going to share with us?
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear about the GL vets.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great picture of Jordan Clarke. I haven't seen him look so good in ages. He looks 10 years younger in than pic, like he lost a lot weight and toned up. Good for him!
Many blessing to all of the GL cast and crew.
I was in NY for this big weekend. I didn't have a ticket for the GL event but did attend Crystal Chappell's Fan Luncheon. Crystal was non stop in signing and speaking with every fan in attendance. Orlagh Cassidy and Jessica Leccia also attended and was wonderful, as always, to everyone.
ReplyDeleteFor me the highlight of the weekend was not a planned event per se.
I was part of group of forty women who were part of a pre GL celebration at Brother Jimmy's in Midtown Manhattan.
As we gathered to drink and enjoy our appetizers, who surprises us? Jessica Leccia.
Brian Malloy, Jessica's husband, had arranged for Jess to drop by, for a few minutes, as they were on their way to Bradley Cole's concert in Manhattan. Well a few minutes turned into almost an hour as Jessica and Brian talked, hugged and took pictures with everyone. Jess felt like an old friend, so much, that no one even asked for an autograph. I have been to fan events, met many soap stars but Jessica showing up unannounced,with all her warmth, will always be a standout for me.
Incidently, Brother Jimmy's had the best ribs I had ever tasted. The night was pure WIN
Thanks to those for sharing. The beauty of living in this age of wonderful technology is that those that couldn't make the events for one reason or another, can share in these wonderful events through the pictures and the recounting of their stories.
ReplyDeleteAnd Newhope....Jessica has such a wonderful soul...it just shines through.
I attended the events last weekend as well. This was my fourth consecutive year in attendance and I agree, it wasn't as sad or as somber as I might have expected. I attended Beth Chamberlin's FC Luncheon at BECCO on Friday afternoon benefiting the Humane Society and her son's pre school. It was there that I got into a fierce bidding war for "Alan's" silk robe. In the end I won it...I think it went for the highest of auction items!
ReplyDeleteOn Friday night I helped sell odds and ends props at the Bradley Cole Event for the American Red Cross. I was selling items such as newspapers, wedding invitations and jewelry, as well as a few clothing items.
It was my pleasure on Saturday to work the line for Ron Raines, Tina Sloan and Marj Dusay. The three of them are as entertaining as you can get. I have worked Ron's line the past three years, and I want to give a shout out to all who came up to me to say hello during the event. I greatly appreciated your introducing yourselves to me as you came through the line!
We have posted photos from the line on Ron Raines Online. If anyone has others to share, please feel free to email them to me and I will add them.
On Sunday I participated in Daytime Stars and Strikes, and bowled with Mick Hazen from ATWT. I admit, I do not know anything about the show, but Mick is a nice young man! Very down to Earth, polite and not at all stuck on himself. I was very impressed with this young man.
It was a wonderful weekend, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to be a part of it.
I was able to attend both the GL and Crystal Chappell luncheons over the weekend and had a great time at both!
ReplyDeleteYou can read my comments and find a link to over 200 GL photos and 400 from Crystal's event here.
http://www.ccandfriends.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=1473
All the stars were so generous and so gracious to meet!