The Charleson Chatter - Fall 2000
"A Perfect Summer in New York ... and L A." by Chrissy Holler and Julie Moran

The day started with everyone arriving at the elegant Roosevelt Hotel. The lobby was illuminated by a grand chandelier making it seem like a dream! The room in which the luncheon was held was very beautiful. The tables were garnished with delicate spring flowers as our centerpieces. As we all took our seats, the room was in awe as Ms Charleson made her entrance in a striking blue silk pants suit, to the tune of "Having My Baby" by Paul Anka. The audience roared with laughter as it was obvious that Leslie was taken by surprise by the musical selection.

After our brunch we moved to the ever-popular Question and Answer session. Of course ... the attempt to get the dish on "Monica's Shocking News" was the hot topic. Questions ranged from..."Is she? ... to names of the baby ... to whom would the father be?" Leslie, being her personable self, had no reservations about answering any and all questions that were asked. Even, "Who is the love of Monica's life, Rick or Alan?" And her answer was..."It's EITHER... (laugh)." But she finally admitted what almost ALL of us would say ... It's Alan.

The raffle had a lot of fantastic items. Wardrobe, business cards, Nurse's Ball invitations ... Some of the best were pictures from years ago of Stuart and a couple of Leslie. And when I say years, I mean respectfully, 1960s. These were some priceless pictures! There were a number of things ... including scripts from past and present, including a couple that divulged whether Monica was pregnant or not, before it had aired. People were crowding around the winners to get the real scoop. It pays to come to luncheons!

There are no words but breathtaking to see Leslie every year in New York because Leslie has a chance to let people get to know her and she gets to know her fans. Its very personal for everyone included, especially us fans. This luncheon was by far one of the best. The East Coast Luncheons are always going to be great because its the perfect opportunity to see that Leslie Charleson is truly ... a Goddess!! Leslie's East Coast Luncheon is definitely the highlight of my summer and something I would never miss! For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to attend, start planning now! You won't be sorry ... it is definitely the opportunity of a lifetime!!

After helping with the New York Luncheon, we immediately accepted when we were approached with the opportunity to work at the LA Luncheon as well. Since I already had my plane tickets reserved, and Julie already lives out there, of course we said YES!

Chrissy arrived Thursday morning. After a few problems at the airport, we were off to start our weekend. Upon arriving at the apartment, we waited and watched GH. Since Monica wasn't on, we went ahead and headed off to the stores to shop for some last minute decorations for the brunch. All we knew was that the room was burgundy and the centerpieces (Q mugs designed by our very own SuzyQ!) were going to be teal and royal blue. We ventured all around Burbank and Glendale and finally found tinsel and confetti, hoping they matched.

Then Friday, we had to go back and buy more because they matched perfectly! We knew we had to be at the hotel for a walk-thru at five-thirty. So after our other errands were finished and the sightseeing time was concluded, we drove down to the hotel. We arrived at the luxurious Universal Hilton Hotel and walked in with the bags of decorations.. We met with Kay, Phyllis, Lori, and Jan. Robert, the hotel coordinator, was awesom!! He was such a great help!! He showed us into the room and we all started unpacking box after box of mugs. While we're up knee deep in packing peanuts and hundreds of mugs, Krista and Leslie show up seeing us throwing the peanuts at each other. It was truly a sight

We all took a look at the room and it was decided that the mugs were to be stacked in pyramids in the center of the table. The tinsel was going to be draped and spread in the cups and raining over the side and the red star confetti spread around them. Leslie took it upon herself to be in charge of the tinsel and confetti, She was like the tinsel and confetti fairy. So, she is credited with the centerpiece decorating,

Then the big day arrived ... Saturday, July 22nd. Bright and early, we were at the Universal Hilton. We walked in the room and it was breathtaking. The tables, the ambiance ... the staff was working so hard to make the room perfect .. and they did a wonderful job! We all took our posts and started setting up the raffle and merchandise tables. Clothes, scripts, pictures ... we had it all. Amber and her crew showed up and set up a table to promote and sell her poetry collection. The eager fans started arriving and anxiously waited to get to their seats and get the show started. Once everyone was settled and all our guests arrived, we started.

During the introductions, brunch was served. Delicate chicken and shrimp crapes with a fresh fruit salad. While Krista and Kay were welcoming us to the brunch, they were interrupted by John Ingle barging through the doors, in complete Edward mode. While complaining that everything was running so late and that it should be cancelled ... he fell for the last resort. "MONICA!!!" Leslie made her grand entrance in true Monica fashion retorting "Its My Party, Dammit!" A round of applause thundered the room. Leslie said her enormous thank-you's and introduced her "family". One by one, the Qs and friends entered the room. Amber, Billy, Stephen Kay (Reginald), Michael Saucedo (Juan), Tava Smiley (Chloe), Susan Brown (Gail), Jeffrey Byron (Dr. Boardman), and Anna Lee. Anna received a fantastic standing ovation as she entered.

As brunch was being finished, we had a question and answer session. The actors each had one question they were asked. Their answers were quite fitting. For instance ... Billy says its more fun to play A) drunk than sober ... we found out Stephen Kay is directing a movie with Sylvester Stallone ... Anna says only god knows why Lila puts up with Edward ... and Leslie hasn't started Monica's registry for maternity clothes just yet. After the questions were answered, the raffle was underway. The items ranged from Port Charles Herald's, to Nurses Ball invitations to a full 3-piece suit from Stuart's wardrobe! At the end of the raffle, special unaired episodes' scripts were drawn for as well as a studio tour with Leslie on that Monday. Everyone was so excited when they received their prizes.

Then it was moment that everyone in the room was waiting so patiently for. The actors and their escorts walked around and signed autographs and took pictures with the fans. I had Amber and Chrissy had Susan. You never know just how many people love these actors until you're right next to them. They all had their own stories and statements that they could give the actors in their moment with them.

The event went perfect! Everyone had a wonderful time ... the actors, the staff and especially the fans. Leslie promises us a good time ... and has never disappointed us. And this time was no different!

The next day ... The GH Luncheon ...

Sunday morning, we arrived at the Sportsman Lodge and helped set up the CLASSIEST table in the lot ... The Leslie Charleson Fan Club table. Once the fans were allowed in, we took our assigned seats. Since our table was in the back, itj ust reinforced the fact that Leslie would have the loudest cheering section! We were very calm, cool and collected making it very easy to disguise our plot to blow everyone away and make Leslie the star with the loudest fans. After the lunch and various raffles and auctions, the time finally came when they introduced the actors. The first actor was John Ingle, who introduced his lovely wife, escorted by his equally as lovely daughter-in-law. At that instant the room was filled with applause and standing ovations for both Leslie and Anna ... as well as overwhelming cheers from our group.

The rest of the actors were introduced and they had their fair share of applause, but nothing could compare to Leslie's. We made sure the only actor that was warranted the best, got the best. They had a superlatives award session and then came the question and answer session. They went in alphabetical order with the actors. When it came time to ask Leslie her question, a certain group of fans (US) went on for several minutes with a continuous cheering session and a combined, 'We Love You Leslie!!" John J. York asked Leslie her question of, "How do you like it when you're about to be asked a question and a bunch of people starting screaming for you?" Leslie just laughed. Then she was asked her question of "How do you feel about Monica's becoming pregnant?" Leslie was all for the idea and said that the fans are the ones who decide in the end and turned to Wendy Riche and said, "I don't know, Wendy?" They went to the different actors and asked them their respective questions. Tava commented about how she felt like she has a new family in the Quartermaine's. She mentioned how she was invited to the Quartermaine Brunch on Saturday ... and we started cheering for our successful brunch!"'

After the Q&A came the autograph session. The actors were seated at tables. Leslie and John Ingle shared a table. As soon as the tables were released, Leslie instantly had a line down the hallway. We had set up a table next to them selling pictures that the fans could buy last minute souvenirs for them to sign. Our little group, Me, Julie, Lesley, Dee, Jan, and Phyllis, all got a picture and our cameras because we wanted our turn. As Leslie's line moved along, we all huddled together. We stood back and admired the Goddess and then MOBBED her screaming "Ms. Charleson, Ms. Charleson!! Can we have your autograph?!?" We pushed pictures and napkins in front of her, begging for her to sign them. Leslie could only laugh ... hysterically. Her devoted fans ... Throughout the

duration of the signing time, we migrated through the line TWO more times, with the same thing, changing the dialogue to "MONICA!!!!!!" Then to the classy, "Monica, dahling..." Every time our "gaggle of groupies" came around ... it only made people stack up in line for more. At the end, we finally got Leslie to come out and take a picture with her gaggle.

The whole day was an experience. Leslie was very popular with the fans and it seemed a lot of people were very enthusiastic about the possibility of Monica's pregnancy!! Leslie greeted and talked with each person as much as possible. She got gifts and compliments ... It made everyone's dayjust to see Leslie's brilliant smile light up the room! It was definitely a weekend that these two fans will never forget!!