Dick Vitale

Mr. Vitale was covering an IU basketball game during my sophomore or junior year of college and I was fortunate enough to be a member of the pep band at the time. Knowing he would be there, someone made Dick Vitale masks for all of us and we all had them at the game. He came over and joked with the band as a whole, but I didn't interact personally with him...still have my mask though.

Sean Hannity

This was another accidental meeting and I'm starting to think I'm rather political with all of these recent additions to my "Wall." At any rate, we caught word he was broadcasting from Radio Disney at Disney-MGM Studios (soon-to-be Disney Hollywood Studios). Again, Dad bought his book and we dropped by the station where he graciously signed and posed for pictures as well as chatting with us for a short while. He naturally assumed I was 12 and had little to say to me except, "Are you enjoying Disney World?" Of course, I was.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle

My first encounter with Mr. Quayle was during the 92 campaign trail, which again included a stop in my home town. My high school band was brought in to perform for the event with various patriotic tunes and such on hand. Several years later, I was walking along in Chicago and noticed he was doing a book signing in the Barnes and Noble and my Dad bought his book so he could sign it for him. During the conversation it came up that I had played in the band for the rally and he very kindly thanked me.

Former President Ronald Reagan

Again, not my pic, but I was really too young to hold a camera. He visited my hometown on his first presidential campaign and by accident, my family arrived at the rally not on time, but early enough to get some really great seats...or spot staked out. When he arrived, he even stopped to visit with us...or rather most of us, because being as young as I was, I apparently refused to talk or shake his hand. Dad then told me "This is going to be the next President of the United States," trying to coax me into greeting him, but the president responded with a smile, "She couldn't care less." I am now of course a big fan, but then, he was a stranger, and I had been taught not to speak to strangers.

Johnny Depp

No, this photo is not from my personal collection. And I cannot give many details regarding our "exchange." I can tell you that I waved and blew kisses and he smiled back. And it wasn't too far away from the Caribbean...a stone's throw, really...

Taylor Hicks, again

This particular meeting began with his southern accented "How are ya, darlin'?" I received a "Meet & Greet" for his Orlando show and got to spend about a minute and a half getting his autograph, bestowing gifts upon him and getting our picture taken together. He was very genuine and very kind, albeit a little tired. And he called me Darlin' a second time as he sent me on my way, saying "Enjoy the show, Darlin'!"

Bruce Willis

This was the 2nd time I was lucky enough to see Bruce Willis in concert. The first time was at the opening of Planet Hollywood in Indianapolis (now closed) among other stars like Cindy Crawford and Reggie Miller (and Wayne Gretsky, I think). I barely knew who Bruce was at the time, though. Recently (8/2/2007) he played out at Kennedy Space Center as part of a Netflix Live on Location Series and I went out to see him at that. I got much more than I expected when he appeared, not once, but twice BEFORE showtime. After so many photo opportunities, I was fortunate enough to snag a front row spot for the actual show and got even more pictures and video during the actual event (like the one to the left). Check out my myspace blog for more details on the event (including how I almost caught his harmonica, and got the opportunity to feel those famous biceps...)

Harry Connick, Jr.

This is another instance where the picture is not mine. I had the opportunity to see Harry Connick Jr. and his band in concert in Indianapolis several years back. We were not anticipating the opportunity to meet him, and didn't have our cameras, per the venue and ticket instructions, but had bought ourselves the usual concert tee and headed out of the venue. There was naturally a large line by the stage door, so we got in it and were lucky enough to meet him. He was much shorter than I would have expected, but just as lovely in person. I have a tendency to get a little starstruck and having not had time to prepare to meet him, all I could come up with when the moment arrived was "hello" and "thank you" after he cleverly signed my t-shirt. Still it was a moment.

Kirk Cameron

You're right, this is not my pic. The picture I took, I lost when my cell phone crashed. I had gone to EPCOT one evening to do some Christmas shopping, and Mr. Cameron was the celebrity narrator for the Candlelight Processional that evening. I had stopped momentarily to make a phone call and as I sat on the brick wall and started to get out my cell phone, he walked "on stage." I quickly, and hopefully discreetly, turned on the camera function on my phone and took a lovely snapshot of his back as he passed me. Unfortunately, I wasn't as discreet as I had hoped. Since my camera was set on full volume, it made a very loud shutter noise when he passed. I was the only one around apart from him and some Disney entertainment execs. Ah well, he didn't seem to mind. I'm sure he's used to it.

Taylor Hicks, Mardi Gras

This is Taylor Hicks performing at Universal Studios' Mardi Gras, soon after he was crowned American Idol, 2006. I didn't get to meet him this time around, but was right up front for the show, and got eye contact once or twice. :-) Great performer, if you ever have the chance to see him live.

Donnie Osmond

This picture was taken at an autograph signing in Lafayette, IN. Here, he is signing my copy of "What I Meant to Say" and then we exchanged autographs, which was amazing. I told him what I was doing for a living, at the time, and he thought it was cool and asked for my autograph, too. That was a trip!

President George "Dubya" Bush

I realize this pic is a bit fuzzy. We attended a rally during the president's 2004 campaign in Orlando. We were extremely far back from where he would be speaking, but he happened to enter the arena right in front of us. We were about 15 feet away. Couldn't believe it! There were still several folks in front of me, and being of shorter stature, this pic was taken with the camera in the air and fingers crossed that it would capture something. It did alright.

Regis Philbin

We were awfully lucky to be front and center for Mr. Philbin's entrance to the filming location. This was also during the filming of the 2003 Disney Christmas Parade. Additional appearances were made by Clay Aiken and the cast of various ABC television shows.

ABC Cast (Sara Rue)

Here is a group of ABC television stars, most notably, Sara Rue from Less Than Perfect. This is from the 2003 televised Disney Christmas parade. Also at the filming were American Idol Clay Aiken and longtime entertainer/talkshow host, Regis Philbin.