lcfc party reports

1994: Big Apple Afternoon
Nancy Manos

I had known for months that July 9th was going to be a lot of fun, and I was really looking forward to meeting Leslie. My best friend, Sandy, and I had a big weekend planned in New York City, including theatre tickets and dinner reservations at Sardi's after the luncheon. What we hadn't planned on was emergency surgery on my leg that forced me to do the whole trip in a wheelchair, which gave parts of the luncheon at the Russian Tea Room a strong resemblance to an amusement park ride! After several waiters carried me up a long flight of stairs to the second floor, we signed in and got our table assignments.

At each place setting there was a packet consisting of photos, sheets of Alan and Monica's personalized stationery and a pad of note paper that said, "From the desk of Dr. Monica Quartermaine." We had a great time talking to the people at our table. It was a lot of fun to be able to discuss Monica and Alan, Bobbie, Lucy, and the Quartermaines without having to first explain who these people are and why we're so interested in them.

Before lunch was served, Krista and Kay introduced Leslie who welcomed us all to the luncheon and thanked us for caring enough about her work to belong to her fan club. After we ate, a raffle was held and many people went home with prizes like a GH script autographed by many of the stars, Leslie's script from "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," a script from the very first episode of "General Hospital" along with a videocassette of that show, a framed autographed picture of Leslie and a pair of Monica's earrings, just to name a few.

Leslie thanked everyone in the fan club for the quilt she received last Christmas. She presented four of the people there with a rose for their participation in the quilt. I was thrilled to be one of the four! Leslie then answered questions from the group, some serious and some silly. She had us all laughing when she told us that Freeway gets delusions of grandeur around Foster and barks ferociously at him when their paths cross. Seems like Freeway can't understand why these new dogs have invaded HIS studio!! And for those of you who have tried unsuccessfully to figure out the exact layout of the brownstone and the Q mansion, don't feel bad ... the people who live there can't do it either!

After the questions were all answered, there was time for everyone to speak to Leslie and get autographs and pictures, and Leslie enjoyed this as much as we did. When this was all done, it was time for another thrill ride DOWN that long flight of stairs to street level. When I was once again on solid ground, Leslie came down for a picture with Sandy and me. We both came away saying that Leslie has to be the most gracious star in the business, and we are both planning to be back next year.