Check out the Geeks for great savings!
Check out the Geeks for great savings!
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CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS 2001
The Friends of Old-time Radio held its 26th Annual Convention from October 25 - 28, 2001 at the Holiday Inn - North, Newark, New Jersey. Celebrities who received awards were: Russell Arms, Ben Cooper, Harold Johnson, Kevin O'Morrison. Other celebrities present were Arthur Anderson, George Ansbro, Margot Avery, Dick Beals, Cliff Carpenter, Mary Diveny, Harry Fleetwood, Art Gilmore, Bob Hastings, Pat Hosley, Will Hutchins, Ruth Last, Bill Owen, Ted Reid, Rosemary Rice, Lynne Rogers, Margot Stevenson, Gil Stratton, Jr., Beverly Washburn, Robert White. The guests socialized with fans, participated in panels and workshops and re-created 8 radio shows.The convention began Wednesday Evening with complementary Wine and Cheese and informal visiting and music, provided by Ed Clute and Jay Hickerson.
Thursday Morning the dealers opened at 9 am. There were three afternoon panels: Derek Tague and Barbara Schwarz talked about people mentioned on radio programs but never seen; Mitchell Weisberg went one on one with Will Hutchins; Tom Powers and friends did an episode of the Avenger; We then had cocktails and dinner. 73 fans attended during the day. 134 fans and guests attended in the evening. Arthur Anderson directed K E Bibeau's parody of Fu Manchu. Ed Clute then asked for requests and gave a great program. Finally Various guests performed on a Variety Show directed by Dave Zwengler.
Friday began at 9:00 with the opening of the dealers room. Sixty dealer tables were active during the convention. 214 people attended dinner with another 110 in the afternoon. Workshops and panels included the following: Gary Yoggy (Top ten mystery shows); Script Writing Workshop with John Gallagher, Arthur Anderson, David Zwengler; George Downes talked about mp3's and computers; Ben Cooper reminisced for an hour with Mitchell Weisberg; Stuart Hample talked about Fred Allen and his book about Fred's writings; Robert White accompanied by Joel Silberman sang and reminisced about his days as a child actor and singer; Gary Yoggy with Dave Zwengler discussed Pearl Harbor; "The Man Who Couldn't Make Music," a musical comedy, was presented by the Living Audio Repertory Company, a new ensemble group from New Jersey.
On Friday evening we had 3 re-creations: "Charlie Wild" with Kevin O'Morrison; "Chick Carter" with Dick Beals; and Red Ryder with Dick Beals as Red Ryder.
Saturday the panels and workshops included the following: "Vox Pop Goes to War" with Michael Henry; "Who Wants to Be An OTR Trivia champion, Part 2" with Mitch Weisberg; Kevin O'Morrison talked about his book "Dead File;" The Gotham Players re-created a Suspense play, "Heavens to Betsy" with Dick Beals; Then we had a Dragnet Panel with Derek Tague, Art Gilmore, Michael Hayde, Gil Stratton, Jr. and Dick Beals; Anthony Tollin talked about "50 years of the Golden Days of Radio" hosted by Frank Bresee who could not make it; The Singers/Musicians panel hosted by Stu Weiss and Michael Henry was a hit again; The panel consisted of Beverly Washburn, Russell Arms, Michael Townsend Wright and authors John Jackson and Lou Miano. It ended with a sing-a-long.
Saturday's events culminated with cocktails and buffet dinner for 248 people with another 156 coming for the day. After dinner Arthur Anderson directed Frontier Gentleman with Cliff Carpenter and Will Hutchins; Gary Yoggy then directed The Life of Riley with Rosemary Rice and Ted Reid; Michael Townsend Wright the gave another stirring performance. Ed Clute supplied the music for this and other re-creations. Bart Curtis with Bill Nadel supplied the sound effects.
Besides the awards mentioned earlier, the Allen Rockford Award was presented to Steve Lewis, Stu Weiss, Michael Henry and Derek Tague for their outstanding efforts in keeping radio and this convention alive. The Ray Stanich Award was given to Anthony Tollin for all the excellent writing he has done. A special Florence Williams award was given to Ruth Last. She has attended our convention for several years and have always been willing to help. Donations will be given to various organizations throughout the year.
Sunday morning found about 100 people having breakfast and listening to an entertaining and sometimes very hilarious panel consisting of Arthur Anderson, Ben Cooper, Art Gilmore, Kevin O'Morrison, Gil Stratton, Jr. It was hosted by Anthony Tollin.
I again want to thank all the guests who were very gracious in granting interviews and giving of their time to be with us.
--Jay Hickerson
