lcfc party reports

2007 GH Fan Club Weekend: Kathy Warren

I went to LA for the first time in my life just for Leslie's event and it surpassed anything I could've hoped for. This past year has been the roughest one of my life and I almost didn't go right up until I was left off at the airport but I'm so glad I did.

I first attended Wally's Bingo (Photos) which Leslie was at along with Dylan Cash and it was FANTASTIC. I had such a great time. There was a female impersonater ball caller named Willum and he was a riot. I can't tell you how thrilling it was for me to see Leslie when she first got there. I just screamed when I saw her. She looked gorgeous and she's such a nice gracious lady. I'm sure I made a complete fool of myself with my gushing and asking that she pose for a picture with me but she never made me feel that way. She's also very funny. She was great at her turn at calling and she was so cute with Wally when they were auctioning off a GH jacket for charity.

Wally is awsome, too. He's so charming and made me feel so at ease talking to him. And the sundae bar was awsome.

The Q Brunch (Photos) was OUT OF THIS WORLD fantastic. I had a feeling Leslie had gotten certain people to go but what a thrill when I actually saw Chris Robinson and Denise Alexander "Rick and Lesley Webber" for myself upclose and personal. I was so happy to see Gail Ramsey "Susan Moore" and Rachel Ames "Audrey Hardy." I tell you I was in GH heaven. I was seeing stars of the REAL GH -- the people from the glory days. GH royalty and it was pure bliss. When Leslie and Stuart made their entrance I felt like I was going to faint. It was so thrilling.

I got very emotional during the dvd tribute to Alan and Monica and couldn't help but cry. And then when Stuart was making his speech and broke down crying saying "I love you guys" while Leslie put her arms around him I lost it again. They have both made such an impact on my life.

The room at the Sportsmans Lodge was so beautiful and exquisitely decorated with balloons everywhere and the bay windows. I loved the surprised of getting the Breast Cancer dvd narrated by Leslie and Peggy Fleming. The booklet detailing the 30 yr history of A&M and the sharpy with Leslie's autograph on it. The food served for the breakfast buffet was incredible. I especially enjoyed the croissants and the apple pasteries.

I have to say how nice and accomodating all the actors were. To save time some of the actors worked the line while we were waiting to go to the autograph table -- Leslie worked it and stayed until each and every last person had gotten every autograph and picture they wanted with her. The luncheon was scheduled to end at 1pm but it was 2:30 and she was still at it. God bless her.

I met Steve Bond "Jimmy Lee Holt" and John Reilly "Sean Donnelly" whom I had watched years before as Dan on As The World Turns and he couldn't have been nicer. My disposable camera broke when I went to to pose for a picture with him but he didn't complain and even tried to help me fix it. I joked that as the ex head of the WSB and superspy he should be able to fix a disposable camera. LOL He smelled awsome. I met John J York "Mac Scorpio" and again got to have my picture taken with Wally -- just LOVE him. Finally I made my way to the table and the first sitting there was Denise -- Stuart, unfortunately had to leave early for his grandson's first basketball game so I never got to meet him although I did tell him as he passed my table that Alan is alive and he repeated it back to me in a funny accent -- and I was just beside myself. The AMRL quad is my favorite storyline ever in ANY medium and to be in the same room with the four of them was such a thrill.

Denise couldn't have been more nice or sweet. I had her autograph a magazine I had from 1979 with a Rick/Lesley/Rick/Monica cover. She posed for a picture with me and then I told her I was hoping she would've sat with Chris, Leslie and Stuart because I wanted a picture with my "love quad." She then asked me to come to the back of the table where she was and yelled "Christopher!! Get over here!!" so I could have my picture taken with my Rick and Lesley. He joked that this was just like on the show LOL and I got a great picture with the two of them. I then met Rachel and told her I missed her and I missed John Baradino "Steve Hardy." I thanked her for coming and she said "Of course. I would do anything for Leslie."

Leslie is so loved by all her castmates. It's wonderful to see.

Next was Gail and I told her how she and the others were REAL General Hospital and how I would bring her and Chris and the others back and get rid of all the newbies. She and Chris said they wanted me to take over ABC and become EP and HW for GH. I wish. I had her pose with Chris as the two that "broke up my couple." When it was time to take the picture I had them say "affair." They laughed. Chris had an AWSOME sardonic humor that you would never know by watching Rick Webber. He's very funny. He teased Leslie quite a bit. They posed for a picture and looked gorgeous together. I love A&M but I have to say that Rick and Monica make quite the pair as well.

I was hoping to get to meet Nancy Lee Grahn "Alexis Davis" but found out she had to leave early. She looked incredible. My last autograph was from John Ingle "Edward" and he told me how he had been Chris's drama teacher back in school. He signed his autograph under Chris's and wrote "taught by John Ingle." It was hilarious. He's very nice.

I stayed the whole lunch and felt like I was floating on air. I can't thank Chrissy, Krista and most importantly Leslie enough for having thrown this brunch. It was one of the BEST days of my life and I'll never forget it. I hope she throws one again next year because I will definitely be attending again.

Leslie Charleson is simply the BEST!! I'm very proud to have been her fan going on 30 years.