An open letter to Marcia & Mandy, Joyce, Mike & Chrissie And to the many who knew and loved Bill McInnes!


Bill was a rather rambunctious child full of energy and so inquisative that he could drive you crazy! Imagine my surprise when he turned out to be one of my favorite relatives. Our relationship bloomed in the last couple of years on Facebook and Gmail. I loved his enthusiasm about vintage cars, Florida and his family.  Both parents, Bill and Betty were high on my list of very favorite relatives. Loved them so much and grew to love Bill the same. One of the last emails that I received he suggested that I come back home to Tarentum where I had people who loved me.


  So Mike let’s talk about you, the natural successor to these good guys. I remember coming home one year and dropping by your house. You must have been around 9 or 10. You stood across from the room from me and just stared at me and stared!    I thought maybe you didn’t like me. I remembered that gaze and finally some time later, I figured it out….you were me. You reacted the same way that I would have if I saw a guy from Hollywood in my living room. In fact I did the same thing when Don Taylor (he was Elizabeth Taylor’s groom in Father of the Bride) who was from Freeport came back to visit and dropped by the library to see the librarian. He was with his wife, Phyllis Avery a blonde and beautiful young lady who went on to co-star with Ray Milland in his TV series. Somehow I found out about it and was hiding among the books staring at them!!!
   So Mike, as the heir apparent to Uncle Bill and Cousin Bill you are now my favorite relative because you are them and because you get me……we could spend many hours talking old movies, etc.
    I cannot be there on Tuesday to properly say goodbye to Bill but trust me my heart will be there. For he was definitely a jolly good fellow!
  RIP dear Bill, you will be missed.   You are already missed!
  Give my regards to the Prince & the Princess!

Just watched the tribute to Fenn on “Glee”.   I wanted to wait.  Started crying at the first word and didn’t stop until the very end.  What wonderful performances by each and every one, not a false moment from anyone.   True raw emotion and love for Corey & Fenn.   I loved him and certainly didn’t know him.  Part of the magic of TV, movies, etc., is that we can love and enjoy anyone or thing and do not have to make apologies for our feelings.  There was some controversy about Corey’s place in the Emmy award memorials.  They don’t get it, do they?   This was a reminder, a gentle tip…take care of yourselves,  do not waste your lives on drugs,  Enjoy the luxury of making it and encourage others to take care of themselves.  It can be a wonderful life!

I always liked Chandler Massey (Will Horton, DOOL) who didn’t?   Always seemed like a really sweet young man!  When his groundbreaking storyline with Freddie Smith, (Jackson Sonny Kiriakis) started to unfold, I didn’t think he could handle it.  The sound you hear is me eating my words!  He has done a magnificent job and has an emmy to prove it.  Chandler gracefully thanked his perfect counterpart  Smith and said he couldn’t have done it without him.  He is going to be sorely missed  An interesting thing Chandler speaks Chinese Mandarin and so do I!  I studied at the Army Language School in Monterey, CA  five days a week, 6 hours per day for 11 months.  So young Mr Massey, ni hau ma and the very best of luck!~

Brava Madame Harper

So sorry to see that Valerie Harper was voted off of DWTS but she really gave it all that she could.  But that’s Valerie Harper.  I have known her for over 40 years, she’s not my best friend but I will always love her.  I met when she was in the chorus in “Wildcat” with Lucille Ball at the Alvin and I was the usher in the mezzanine.  We would all go the Roxy Bowling Alley on Thursday night after the show and bowl all night and then go to breakfast in the AM. Since the Alvin was one of two theaters that employed male ushers and most of us were actors to be, we were included.  Cut and dissolve…the night that Valerie won her first Emmy for the Mary Tyler Moore Show,  Lucy presented the award to her and as they left the stage, I ran back and greeted them.  The star, the chorus girl and the usher reunited once again.  Cut and dissolve once again, Valarie’s husband at the time  Dick Schaal opened in a play at the Westwood Playhouse and the after party was at Hugh Hefner’s palatial home.  Zina Bethune was my date and once we arrived there,  Zina and I would each do our thing.  She would be pushing her ballet company and I would trying to get some gossip for Rona.   At the end of the pool there was this  big hill and people would go in there and didn’t come out.  Well inquiring minds want to know so I ambled over there and it was a huge Jacuzzi filled with the most beautiful women and handsome men, stark naked.  What’s a boy to do.  A butler came over and showed me the lockers where you could put your clothes and he gave me a towel to wrap around moi.  I saw Max Baer, (all of him) Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies   I gingerly made my way into the water and sat down as the butler passed around glasses of champagne which certainly loosened me up.  The gentleman on my right passed around a joint and I took a few puffs. I must tell you it was all very innocent.  I noticed that people would go over to my left and disappear into the water and not come back.   Of course I grew curiouser and curiouser and took the plunge.  It was a tunnel, I turned on my back and began to push myself through.  It was a little scary what if I couldn’t get out!  but I pushed myself out where there was some light.  Turns out that came flying out poolside and jumped in the air bareass naked! .  Zina saw me and yelled, Hi Dick!   What are you doing?

A quick Harper memory…several years ago, I was invited to see her as Tallulah Bankhead in “Looped” a new play at the Pasadena Playhouse.  Now I love her but as Tallulah????  She was magnicent, proving once again that versatility is her middle name!. Plus she also did a one woman show as Golda Meier!

 Her appearance on DWTS was awe inspiring and has given new hope for thousands of people!   Brava Madame Harper!

TINSELTOWN BOUTIQUE BUBBLES WITH SOAP OPERA MEMORABILIA

Associated Press
November 5, 1990

If Marilyn Monroe were still alive, she'd be watching DAYS OF OUR LIVES At least that's the contention of the owner of a Hollywood soap opera memorabilia shop.

Dick McInnes, proprietor of the "Bubble Boutique," stocks soap essentials, including paperbacks on the lives of daytime TV personalities, autographed photos, star pins, and a life- size cutout of Monroe wearing a DAYS OF OUR LIVES button.

"I want this place to be sort of a hangout," said McInnes, who opened the boutique on Hollywood Boulevard nine months ago and serves coffee next to a television tuned in to one of six hourlong soaps.

Most boutique items, which include T-shirts, posters and coffee cups with soap opera logos, range from $10 to $20.

Fans can also find soap opera trading cards, which list the actor's height, hair and eye color and such personal information as SANTA BARBARA star Robin Mattson's allergy to bee stings.

Not all of the items in the Bubble Boutique have a price tag.

For instance, an old photo of the GENERAL HOSPITAL cast featuring star-crossed lovers Luke and Laura won't ever be on sale, McInnes said.

"My eventual dream is to make a soap opera museum," he said.

McInnes said he's also working on a memorial bulletin board for Patch, the recently murdered DAYS OF OUR LIVES character, portrayed by Stephen Nichols. The board will feature several photos and say R.I.P.

Soap opera stars are known to make occasional visits to the store to give autographs, he said.  Mcdonald Carey was one of the first to sign his autobiography.

BETTY JANE BOUCHAT McINNES

When I was a tender lad, I worshipped my Uncle Bill.  Who didn’t???  Football player at THS, brown hair, brown eyes, so good looking and loaded with charm.  And what a wonderful guy!  He was a Prince and when he met his Princess, Betty Jane Bouchat, it was like a fairytale come true. She was beautiful and so sweet.   They moved into an apartment  near First Ward School and we were all welcome there.   Then they bought a terrific home in Natrona Heights and were still welcome there. Uncle Bill passed away in 1981 and whenever I came home to Penna., I would go up and visit with her.   We had a wonderful time talking about the good old days.  As I left one time, she pressed $20.00 in my hand and when I protested, she said “No, I want you to have this”.  I felt just like that little boy again.  Betty passed at age 87 last week and she has been treated royally by her loving children, Marcia and Bill Jr. and grandchildren Mandy, Michael & Christine….she deserved it…after all she was a Princess….

I love you Aunt Betty…..always have and  always will.

 

First of all kudos to GH, SoapNet for their extraordinary coverage of the 50^th Anniversary of GH.  Unfortunately I didn’t get the 1^st ten or so and didn’t know they were repeating the whole thing, the Liz Taylor stuff ( was doing extra work on that day and was praying I might be in one of the scenes) but seeing all those wonderful actors and actresses was a trip, hate calling ladies actors…they ain’t!  Jackie Zeman was particularly radiant, Stuart Damon was unbelievably handsome, Denise Alexander, one of the most talented women in the business, Loanne Bishop so sweet and pretty, Philip Tanzini so young and funny, Anna Lee & David Lewis, Gail Brown & Peter Hansen outstanding performers doing outstanding work  Norma Connelly & Rachel Ames, superb actresses always,   Shel Kepler, a bit dizzy but always entertaining, John Stamos already showing his  star potential ….let’s face it they were the best!!  John Beradino and Emily McLaughlin proving that real friendship between a man and a woman could be just as entertaining as romance and watching the Luke and Laura…easily the most romantic, fun and adventuresome duo in soap history….I was just as taken as I was when it was happening and by the way they still have it…..

Remembering those “Thrilling Days of Yesteryear” when Easter was one of the most fun holidays…large coconut eggs dipped in milk chocolate from Joe Clark’s (the best) putting hard boiled eggs into the vinegar and dye mixture, our brand new Easter duds complete with hats.  What special memories! 

Cut and dissolve….Hollywood, CA….I had read about the Easter Sunrise Service at the famed Hollywood Bowl all of my life, well I produced and directed 3 of those services in the 70’s.   What a thrill to stand on that stage and take in the vastness of the Hollywood Bowl…one such service I worked with Bee Beyer a wonderful very Christian woman (I also produced her syndicated TV talk show).  She knew a lot of those avid Christians who wore lots of diamonds and cowboy duds and came to rehearsals in limousines.  But I must tell you though, they were absolutely wonderful and were fun to work with.   My opening number was not one but two Black choral groups (60 each) making their entrance from the top of the Bowl, coming down the steps singing the Hallelujah Chorus interspersed with dancing harem girls…to say the least it was an eye opene r…thank you, Mr. DeMille! Macdonald Carey, radio, television,  soaps (Days of Our Lives) and movie star was a PR client of mine and I asked him to read the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning.  Being an ever vigilant PR man, I went into the audience so I could get a great photo of Mac onstage.   Beautiful moment, Mac in his best theatrical reading standing on the stage and he finished the prayer, raised his arms and 100 white pigeons took off from the stage to the back of the Bowl.  As I stood there taking pic after pic, as they zoomed over my head…some of those little darlings decided it was “ka ka do do” time and I was soon covered with white spots all over me and the camera.  I swear as they flew over I heard one pigeon coo….I told him no pictures….

It’s my Uncle Bill’s birthday…he’s gone now…passed away many years ago much too soon but his persona has stayed with me and will for many years to come.  He was athletic, warm and very handsome. Try to imagine a boy who was the perfect son, brother, uncle and friend all rolled into one….legend has it that he was mischievous too.  Seems that one day, Bill, age 15 and his best friend,  Gail Massart asked my Mom if they could take me for a walk in my baby carriage.  She was busy in the kitchen that had a window that looked out on Fentzel Alley which ran up to 10^th Avenue so she agreed.  It was a bit steep.  She was doing the dishes when she looked up and saw me in my carriage barreling down the alley.  Not to worry, pal, Gail was standing at the end of the alley to catch me.   I was about 3 and I thought this was great fun.  Needless to say,  my Mom didn’t agree but for years we laughed about “the trip”. 

Whenever I would come home, Bill always the first to drop by to see me.  Each time, I promised myself I would call him as soon as I arrived but he always beat me to it.  He made me feel so special.   He had the great fortune to marry the girl of his dreams, Betty Jane Bouchet and had two wonderful children, Bill Jr and Marcia. 

Uncle  Bill…thanks  for all that you did for all of us and for being such an inspiration…you were truly one of the good guys!

OK let’s talk about the soaps….Y&R first

Sick about Steve Burton leaving GH…..yeah, I know probably time.   But it was so good to see him seemingly happy for the first time in years.   At last he was smiling!!! Alas he goes to Y&R and what do the brains there do…they have him coming back from the dead (how original!) and he gets in a car accident!...Bravo writers!!...just remember Steve, what they did to Genie Francis on Y&R….made her character so stupid that she mucked up her nuptials to Jack, etc, etc.   She did some wonderful work when she went undercover but it was too late…they bring  Tristan Rogers over and write him so badly that he’s gone…they  don’t seem to know what to do with stars.   Doug Davidson has been doing the best work of his career and I sincerely hope he gets that damn Emmy soon….Melody Thomas whom I personally and professionally adore is  saddled with that ass Victor once again.   Does she ever learn…his evil persona  is becoming so BORING….wasting Jess Walton is ridiculous…and does anyone in Genoa City see that there is a major blizzard going on ...does anyone have any cold weather coats, hats & scarves?…Katherine (poor dear can’t afford a chauffeur), Phyllis, Lauren, Avery, all driving in a major blizzard (the affects showing the raging blizzard outside of everyone’s windows were spectacular)  having Kate Linder wear that maid’s uniform would be funny if it wasn’t so idiotic..  they have made Fenn the most terrible villain…I almost expect  him to grow a mustache so he can twist it, Lauren is finally getting to do some emoting and of course, she does it well….the troubled youth, Jamie is excellent and it is well written…so having watched it since day  1, I will always stick by them but sometimes it’s difficult.  I think that most daytime actors do an incredible job and work very hard….but don’t get me wrong, I love soap operas!

Finally found a solution for those so important news interruptions on our soaps…screw ABC, CBS & NBC who actually think that soap audiences do indeed care about those things….car chases, funerals, etc.   They belong in the news slots where they have an audience.   Big moment on B&B the other day and it was interrupted...they used to rerun it early In the AM but now they do nothing.  So I now tape all the soaps except B&B on SoapNet later in the day and watch them at night.   Because B&B is a half hour show, they won’t show B&B which is plain stupid. And SoapNet is really going all out to celebrate GH’s upcoming 50^th Anniversary.  Check it out!!

February 19 was the birthday of my favorite aunt, Helen Elizabeth McInnes Moore.   It is also the birthdate of my cousin Bill McInnes.  (something I didn’t know until last year)    Helen was one of those very special ladies that  made an indelible impression on all that knew her.  A favorite story….Helen lived in a three bedroom apartment  above a store on 6^th Avenue overlooking the train station with  her Dad and his new wife, also named Helen (they became known as Big Helen and Little Helen).  You could look out the windows and watch the trains stop and pick up passengers.   One morning, Little Helen left for work, boarded the train and sat by a window.  She lit up a cigarette (no one knew that she smoked) and began to read the newspaper.  As she puffed on it, the train backed up and Grandpap and Big Helen could see her!  When she came home they told what they saw and all had a good laugh! 

Every year on my birthday, she would take me to a movie and then over to New Kensington to Milano’s for Italian food.  Now on my birthday I either go out or stay at home and make spaghetti and watch an old movie in her honor….she became very  ill a couple of years ago and had to be placed in a rest home.  When I was home, I visited her with her devoted husband, Joe Moore who was truly one of the good guys.  He went to see her every day.   When I went into her room she seemed very remote and  I hugged her and said…Next to my mother, you are the most important woman in my life…she looked up and gave me the biggest smile!!

 I am so blessed to have had the family and to have these warm memories!!

McINNES         GOODBYE DOLLY

My beloved cousin, Lydia “Dolly” Brown, 89 passed recently and she will be sorely missed.  One of the funniest ladies that I’ve ever known, she was my Mom’s best friend as well as her cousin and she was my pal.  Thelma and Dolly came out here together many times and Judy and I were able to take them everywhere & show them a great time, they loved CA and all the glamour.  I was able to introduce them to Jack Oakie, Christine Jorgenson, Fifi D’Orsay , Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, and as Louella used to say a host of others.  We traveled to Las Vegas where Phyllis Diller made fun of them in the audience, to  San Francisco which was a hysterical scene.  We drove up with Judy, Mom, Dolly and Lauren, did the usual tourist bits. On the  last night we took a cable car back to our motel.  It was chilly so I sat inside.  My ladies didn’t want to miss a moment of the cable car experience so they sat outside and kept asking very loudly Dickie (well that was what they used to call me) is this our stop..Dickie are we almost there, etc. 

 I kept trying to pretend that I wasn’t Dickie  but when we got off, I turned to the laughing passengers  and said, Say goodnight Dick.

 As the cable call continued down the hill,  all aboard took turns saying  Good night Dick!! We were laughing so hard listening to this that one of us peed ourpants…(Dolly).  It was a memory that we never forgot and always laughed about.  She was an independent soul and took good care of herself and made lots of friends in the retirement apartments where she lived.  6 months ago, she began to fade and it was decided that she should move to Wisconsin to live with her daughter Debi and her husband Max.  God bless them! That’s what they  do back home. they take care of  each other   

I called her several times in the last months and we laughed about the good old days and honey, those were the good old days.  I sometimes look up at the sky at night and hear Thelma and Dolly laughing!!!

Goodbye Dear Dolly…..thanks the memories!

Found this post from last January and wanted to share it again!

 

Hugh John McInnes    AKA  “Stuffy”

Hugh John “Stuffy” McInnes was born to Hugh & Alma McInnes on January 30, 1912 so we want to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birthday of our fabulous Pop. He married our equally fabulous Mom, Thelma and they raised four fabulous children, Dick, Kay, Judy & Terry. Pop worked at the West Penn Power Company in Springdale for most of his adult life alongside with his dad and his baby brother, Bill.

“Stuffy” was the nickname of a famous baseball player, John McInnis He gained his nickname as a youngster in the Boston suburbs when his spectacular playing brought shouts of “that’s the stuff, kid!” He even played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1925-26) as well as five other teams and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Pop worked different shifts…we had to be very quiet when he worked the midnight shift and when he worked daytime, dinner was served promptly at 5 PM. We didn’t have much money but we were always taken care of by our loving parents. I fondly remember the day he bought us our first TV set.  I was on the front porch of 621 Roup Street anxiously awaiting its delivery, jumping up and down as the delivery truck pulled up. It began my love affair with TV.

Stuffy was a funny man and he loved doing the NY Times crossword puzzle….I still can’t do it.  Pop was a sensitive man. The first time I saw him cry was when they announced the death of President Roosevelt. I was so touched by his tears that I went out on Fentzel Alley and wept for our president. They shared the same birthdate (Roosevelt was born in 1882). Every year on their birthday, relatives in Pittsburgh, the Naves would send Pop several cards with dimes in it for The March of Dimes just as people sent to FDR.

Whenever I’d come home, we had good times but when the day that I was leaving arrived,  he’d stay up in his bedroom because we’d both get very sentimental. You see, I didn’t leave Tarentum because I didn’t love my family, I just hated cold weather. I remember when I was 5 years old, they’d put us out on the alley to ride our sleds…five minutes l was back in the house….too cold!  If I could have talked him into moving out here I would have been the happiest guy in the world. My mother, on the other hand, loved to come out.  Judy, my sister the nurse, went home when Pop was really sick and took care of him for a couple of months at the end. That’s how we were raised. You take care of your family.

Stuffy enjoyed his beer and when he’d come home from his favorite hangout, The Eagles…you could hear him coming up Fentzel Alley and every else could too, singing his heart out, St James Infirmary and laughing. One year Judy, Lauren and I came home and I brought my movie camera and when were at Kay’s on Christmas, I talked my dad into rendering his version of the Louis Armstrong classic. Even though there was no sound, Pop was once again smiling and singing his heart out. I didn’t need sound, the look on his face and watching him break into a hearty laugh was perfect!

This year I just might have a couple of beers and burst into St James Infirmary and hope that Stuffy, our dad is smiling down on us and maybe he’ll even sing a chorus with me. Won’t you join us??

“It was down in Old Joe’s bar room, on the corner of the square, Drinks were being served as usual,  And a goodly crowd was there,  When old Joe McGuinny, his eyes  bloodshot red, as he poured himself more whiskey, this is what he said. I went down to the St James Infirmary, I saw my baby there… " 

We loved you Pop & Mom..

                                    We will always love you!

 

 

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SINATRA AT THE SANDS

Once upon a time in the 60's, a friend of mine went away for a week and asked me to take care of his car and to use it.   Well New Year's Eve was coming up so what would U do??

I drove to Las Vegas with three lady friends, Dorothy, Rosemarie & Janay and since we thought we were driving through the desert at night, we figured it must be very hot so we dressed accordingly, shorts, tank tops, etc.

And of course it was freezing.  I ended up wearing Janay's turban on my head and her long black evening gloves to keep me warm.  Please no drag comments, it was really cold.   When we arrived in Vegas, we discovered that I had accidentally opened the vents in the car, letting tons of ice cold wind in.

However we were young and we were in Las Vegas for the first time.  And it was almost New Year's Eve.   That night we were walking around all the casinos and it was heaven.   I found a crown...that's right...a crown on the floor of one and immediately crowned myself...King Richard.   Where else would a king go...The Sands where Sinatra was holding court.  Frank (always called him Frank) was not only singing there, he was walking around the poker tables.   When he spotted me with the crown, he yelled across the room to the dealer.  "Hey Joe, see that guy in the crown, deal him in, he's a personal friend of mine."  I looked around to see the guy in the crown and it was mois.   Joe (always called him Joe) would show me a card and and asked if I like it.  No... how about that one?"  In other words, I was winning and so was everyone else.   The place was jumping!   Now in typical McInnes naivete, I was bidding a buck at a time while others were betting 10..20 bucks.   My pal Rosemarie, a feisty little Italian from Brooklyn made a bet just as they stopped the fun games and her dealer wouldn't give her the money she won.  Said, "Hey, he was giving it away.  Be happy with what you got".   She replied "I don't care what he was doing, I bet it, I won it and I want it!"  He wouldn't budge so Ro spots Frank with a gaggle of ladies at a table and she walks over to him.   You read right....saying "Frankie Machine (his name in Man with the Golden Arm) I wuz robbed ".   And told him her tale of woe.  He asked for her chips and gave her cash plus the $20.  Ro told him she didn't want his money, she wanted their money to which Frank replied, "Don't worry baby.  I'll take care of it".  We left Vegas with money in our pockets.

True story and one of my most memorable moments.   A tip of the hat to thee, Mr Sinatra.  By the way we made back to L A and had the heat on this time!

LIZA AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL

Liza at the Hollywood Bowl

Almost didn’t make it to see Liza…again at the last moment decided go to the Bowl and see if I could get a ticket.   Ended up with a nice seat in the center.   They made an announcement that there was something wrong with the sound and that they were working on it.   A huge moan with many thinking she’s late.   Soon her voice comes over the stage sound….Hi…I am here…and there is really something wrong with the sound…but I am here and I will be out soon….big sighs of relief.   When she made her entrance and that girl knows how to make an entrance, she was greeted by thunderous applause.   She looked absolutely great and started to sing….her voice seemed a little weak but still it was Liza.  The most amazing thing happened…as she went on singing…her voice returned to normal and each song was better than the last one…she dedicated the evening to Marvin Hamlisch who had just passed away.  He had written many things for her and she mentioned him several times during the show.  By the time she sang Cabaret, New York, New York and Liza With a Z, the audience was all hers.  Nobody does it better!  After several curtain calls, the band left the stage and she followed them….turned back and slowly walked to center stage and sang I’ll Be Seeing You acapella The audience who always try to get a head start toward the parking lot stopped in their tracks, not a sound from anyone, turned to the stage, mesmerized until she finished the song and then really went crazy…as I said…nobody does it better!

‘Forever Marilyn’ statue lands in Palm Springs, Calif. - Chicago Sun-Times

‘Forever Marilyn’ statue lands in Palm Springs, Calif. - Chicago Sun-Times

Hard to imagine that Phyllis Diller has left us but leaving us with tons of  memories & laughs…that raucous, loud  and totally Diller laugh.   I’ve been to her house as a press member so many times and she was always a most gracious hostess.  When The Thalians honored her, I went out to her Brentwood home.   Phyllis had broken her wrist and yet she took the time to show me the wonderful  file cabinets of her life.  I truly believe that The Thalians Book that year was one of my finest achievements.  She left  me alone to go through the files and pick out the photos for the layout and after being dazzled by her “stuff”, I was leaving when I saw the most wonderful photo of her in the hallway which I asked her assistant  if I could take it with me.  It was the perfect  cover.   When I took the finished product back to her, she asked me to pick a favorite lithograph which she signed to me.  I still have it on my living room wall….it is one of my favorite possessions just as Phyllis was and always will be one of my favorite ladies!

RIP…dear Phyllis and thanks for the hours of joy that you gave us.

Sunday, August 5...50th Anniversary of Marilyn much too early demise.

I had almost given up on making it to the services. My good friend Larry

emailed me and was shocked that I wasn't going...services begin at noon and it is 11:15....showered quickly and ran down to my car...yes, ran...drove over Oxnard to the 405 Freeway also known as Nightmare Alley...incredible timing...NO traffic on the freeway made it to Westwood in 20 minutes....drove to Westwood Village Memorial Park.   I drove up to the gate expecting no parking...guard saw my handicapped sticker and directed me to a spot right in front of ceremony.  I know that MM was guiding me through this. I was actually 10 minutes early. I took pics by MM 's crypt, in front of an MGM logo with MM in the center replacing Leo the Lion and visited Natalie Wood, Merv Griffin, Bob Crane, Rodney Dangerfield all buried there. Merv's tombstone says No I will not be back in a few minutes   Farrah Fawcett is also buried there but only her name on the tombstone.      My good friends, Kathleen Hughes (MM replaced her in Two Tickets to Tomahawk) and her husband  Stanley Rubin who produced River of No Return spoke and I then decided to leave…very hot…I  looked at the car parked next to me and it was theirs.   Hadn’t seen them for a while so decided to wait until they came out.  There was a reception at the Presbyterian Church around the corner so when the Rubins didn’t come out,  I went over there and I was so glad I went….a big room filled with MM fans, all ages, sizes…all loved her.   Food was great, received yet another MM Tee shirt, notecards. Etc.   Greg Schreiner, Founder of Marilyn Remembered who produces this event every year…yes, every year….does such an outstanding job…the program is a masterpiece of MMemorobila in glorious Technicolor & B&W designed by Michelle[O1]  Justice & Rick Carl…all the staff is great.   Scott Fortner who also did the video tribute actually told late comers that he would bring out the souvenir book before we left and DID IT!  They sold it at the reception for a mere $10 if you wanted an extra copy.  I should have bought several!!!

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 [O1]k