Special Convention Guests who have given definite or tentative acceptance of our invitations:

West Coast and Southern Guests

Frank Buxton - author; host-producer (TV - Discovery)
Ivan Cury - Bobby Benson; Portia Faces Life
Bob Gibson - News anchor ABC, NBC Radio and WCBS....announcer CBS-TV
Dick Heatherton - announcer, DJ (New York, Hartford)
Johnny Holliday - Former Number One top 40 DJ in America in 1965
David Lucas - (composer; producer) local radio in Buffalo
Chuck McCann - Comedian, actor in movies and TV (Boston Legal and others)
Gloria McMillan - Our Miss Brooks

New East Coast Guests

Bill Britten - clown, host of kids TV (Time for Fun)
Gloria Clyne Greenberg - first female page (NBC)
Irwin Hasen - comic artist (Dondi; The Goldbergs
Martin Pasko - comic writer
Ed Rambeau - singer, composer
Jerry Robinson - comic artist (Batman; created the Joker), author

Returnees

Arthur Anderson - Let's Pretend, Mercury Theater
Cliff Carpenter - County Seat, Terry and the Pirates
Christina Britton Conroy - Barbara Britton's daughter: Voice Over and Radio, and Theatre Actress. Also Music Psychotherapist
Larry Conroy - Count of Monte Cristo; Voiceover Coach
Joe Franklin - Joe Franklin Show in New York
Michael C. Gwynne - Actor in movies, TV and radio since 1960
Russell Horton - in many CBS Radio Mystery Theater programs
Will Hutchins - (TV) Blondie; Sugarfoot
Elaine Hyman - The Lone Ranger
Louise O'Brien - Rusty Draper; Curt Massey; TV: Mitch Miller, Arthur Godfrey Corinne Orr - Theater Five; (TV) Voices for Speed Racer; Trixie and Spritle
Bill Owen - (Announcer for ABC)
Bobby Ramsen - Let's Pretend, Dick Tracy (also TV and movie actor; comedian)
Lynne Rogers - The Guiding Light
Jean Rouverol - One Man's Family
leslie Shreve - Actress, activist, television, movies, voiceovers
Jay Stern - director (Quicksilver Radio Theater)
Craig Wichman - Founder of Quicksilver Radio Theater

Technical Staff

Bart Curtis - Sound Effects
Mike Mandel - Music
Bill Siudmak - Audio Engineer

SCHEDULE

The following events are tentatively scheduled. Time will be announced at convention. Any are subject to change.

Wednesday Evening

Dealers tables and possibly sound equipment set up at night.
Complimentary Wine and cheese from 6 pm to 10 pm. It was suggested we have a donation box to help with the expenses.

Thursday

Dealers Rooms 9 am - 5:30 pm

9:00 - 9:45 - Film: "Aren't We Devils?" (about Ralph Edwards, "Truth or Consequences" and "This is Your Life") (Gregg Oppenheimer)
10:00 - 10:45 - OTR Jeopardy (Fred Berney)
11:00 - 12:00 - Radio Game and quiz shows(Leah Biel)
12:15 - 1:15 OTR Historians Panel (Derek Tague with Frank Buxton and Bill Owen)
1:30 - 3:00 - Author's Panel with Dick Heatherton, Dave Siegel; Johnny Holliday, Arthur Anderson, Lynne Rogers, Jim Manago; hosted by Mel Simons
3:15 - 4:15 - Radio Was There (Radio Coverage of JFK Assassination) (Ken Stockinger)
4:30 - 5:30 - 80th Anniversary tribute to The Shadow by A Tollin
5:30 - 8:00 - Cocktails and Dinner; raffle
8:00 - 8:30 - Re-creation: Those Were the Days Radio Players present The Adventures of Sam Spade, "The Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail Caper;" directed by Randy Larson (Michael C. Gwynne, Dick Heatherton, Karen Lockwood, Rick Johnston, Jim Ferneborg, Debbra Piening, Robert Maher, Art DiVittis, Lindsay Curcio)
8:45 - 9:15 - Re-creation: Forecast, "To Tim at 20;" directed by Arthur Anderson
9:30 - 10:00 - Re-Creation; Original Script by Amanda Osborne, "One Afternoon in Section 37" (Ebbets Field, 1939);" directed by Jay Stern (Christina Conroy, Larry Conroy, Will Hutchins, Bobb Lynes, Corinne Orr, Bill Owen, Lynne Rogers, leslie Shreve, Kevin Scullin, Ken Stockinger, Barbara Watkins, Craig Wichman)

Friday Morning and Afternoon

Dealers Rooms: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

9:00 - 10:00 - Poetry and Broadcasting with author, Frazier Russell
10:15 - 11:15 - Voyage of the Scarlet Queen (Jack French)
11:30 - 12:45 - Researching OTR's "The Shadow" (Martin Grams)
1:15 - 2:15 - Announcing Styles of the 1920's (Michael Biel)
2:45 - 4:15 - "Funnies Friday: OTR and the Comics" (8th annual "Funny Friday" Comedy panel), hosted by Maggie Thompson and James Gauthier, with guests Irwin Hasen, Jerry Robinson, Martin Pasko
4:45 - 5:30 - Re-creation: The Gotham Radio Players present The First Nighter Program, "The Care and Feeding of Mr. Dobbs;" directed by Steven M. Lewis

Friday Evening

5:30 - 7:45 - Cocktails and Dinner, raffle
8:15 - 9:00 - Re-creation: Fibber McGee and Molly; directed by Gary Yoggy (Will Hutchins, Arthur Anderson, Johnny Holliday, Elaine Hyman, Russell Horton)
9:15 - 10:00 - Re-creation: Columbia Workshop, "Dress Rehearsal;" directed by Edgar Russell, III (Arthur Anderson, Cliff Carpenter, Bob Gibson, Michael C. Gwynne, Russell Horton, Lynne Rogers, leslie Shreve)

Saturday Morning and Afternoon

Dealers Rooms: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9:00 - 9:45 - "Restoring the 1929-1930 WGY Pallophotophone Recordings" Chris Hunter, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Schenectady Museum and Russ DeMuth, GE Global Research Center
10:00 - 11:00 - More Children in Radio and Television; G Downes hosting; so far with Dick Heatherton, Elaine Hyman, Ivan Cury
11:15 - 12:00 - Original presentation by the Dave Warren Players (Blondie)
12:15 - 1:15 - Radio Covers the death of FDR (Gary Yoggy)
1:30 - 2:30 - The Joe Franklin Show with special Guest Gloria Clyne, Bill Britten, Louise O'Brien
3:00 - 4:30 - Singers, musicians and Big Bands, 14th annual (hosted by Stu Weiss and Brian Gari); guests include David Lucas, Dick Heatherton, Ed Rambeau
4:45 - 5:15 - Re-creation: "The Screen Guild Show" 1/8/39; directed by Gregg Oppenheimer (Chuck McCann, Ivan Cury, Gloria McMillan, leslie Shreve, Michael C Gwynne)

Saturday Evening

5:30 - 8:30 - Cocktails and Dinner, raffle, awards
9:30 - 9:45 - The Shadow: Death in a Darkened Room (Michael C. Gwynne, Gloria McMillan, Chuck McCann, Bobby Ramsen, Bobb Lynes)
9:45 - 10:15 - Re-creation: The Great Gildersleeve; directed by Gregg Oppenheimer (Chuck McCann, Gloria McMillan, Will Hutchins, Cliff Carpenter, leslie Shreve, Russell Horton, Elaine Hyman, Michael C. Gwynne, Ivan Cury, Ron Cocking)
9:30 - 10:15 - Re-creation: Superman; directed by Anthony Tollin (Michael C. Gwynne, Chuck McCann, Will Hutchins, Bobby Ramsen, Ivan Cury, Arthur Anderson, Martin Pasko, Maggie Thompson

Sunday Morning

7:00 - 9:30 - Breakfast in the restaurant
9:30 - 11:00 - Informal Panel

Getting There

By Air: Fly to Newark Airport. Free shuttle bus from Newark Airport to the Ramada Plaza; follow the signs to ground transportation.

By Bus: Bus service from Manhattan's Port Authority to Newark Airport: then take shuttle bus.

By Car: From NJ Turnpike, take Exit 14; take second right marked Frontage Road after toll booth. DO NOT TAKE FIRST RIGHT which is Rt. 1 & 9. Take second right directly under bridge marked Frontage Road. You must take one of the right - hand tolls and stay on the right.

From Garden State Parkway south of airport, take Exit 140 to Route 22E to Routes 1 & 9 North, local. Follow the sign marked Frontage Road.

From Garden State Partway North of airport: take Exit 142 to I-78 to Exit 58B (Frontage Road)

From Newark Airport, exit airport and follow route 1 & 9 North to Frontage Road.

Hotel Address (for MapQuest or GPS) is 160 Frontage Rd., Newark, NJ 07114 (973)-589-1000

By Train: Check your local train schedule

Cost

Reserve your spot as soon as possible. Prepaid tickets are held at the door. Take advantage of our package specials described below.

Thursday, October 21; Daytime only (9 am - 5 pm); $20 if paid in advance; $25.00 at the door

Thursday, October 21; Daytime and evening including buffet dinner (9 am - closing) $56.00; Discount of $5.00 for those over 60 and under 16.

Friday, October 22: Daytime only (9 am - 5:30 pm) $20.00 if paid in advance; $25.00 at the door.

Friday, October 22: Daytime and evening including buffet dinner (9 a.m. - closing) $68.00. Discount of $5.00 for those over 60 and under 16.

Saturday, October 23: Daytime only (9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) $20.00 if paid in advance; $25.00 at the door.

Saturday, October 23: Daytime and evening including buffet dinner (9 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.) $74.00. Discount of $5.00 for those over 60 and under 16.

Sunday, October 24: Morning including buffet breakfast and panel, 7:00 to 11:00 am: $25

Complimentary coffee, tea and muffins early Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings; complimentary hors d'oeuvres Friday and Saturday evenings. Hors d'oeuvres for dinner guests only.

Dealer's Tables are $65 for all tables (Details below.)

Hotel

Hotel: Rooms are $72 and up plus parking ($15 a day), no matter how many in a room, no matter how many nights. All rooms can be reserved on the web site (www.Ramada.com) OR USING THE 800 number (1-800 272-6232). Reservation should be placed by September 25th.  Rooms are limited. Rooms are limited. Other options below.

Ads

Ads may be placed in our program book. See below.

Registration

Advance dinner reservations must be made. Reservations are limited (Friday 300; Saturday 400). Make checks out to FOTR or Jay Hickerson; send to Jay Hickerson to address below.

Updated and Further Information

Registration

All meal reservations MUST be paid in advance. If you are coming for the day only, avoid the hassle of paying at the registration desk and save money. Preregistration for the day only is $20 if mailed in advance and $25 if paid at the door for each day. Remember, if you register at the door, you have to fill out a registration card. If you can't attend the dinner but wish to stay for the activities afterwards, the cost is $20 for each night.

The cocktail hour is for dinner guests only. If you come for the day only, but wish to stay for the cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres, add $10 to the cost.

PACKAGE PRICES: If you come for all 4 meals (Thursday through Sunday, cost is $203 ($193 for seniors). If you come for Thursday through Saturday, cost is $183 ($173 for seniors). If you come for Friday through Sunday, cost is $155 ($145 for seniors). Make reservations, pay early and avoid lines at the registration table. Tickets are not sent when you register. They are held at the door. If you want confirmation that money has been received, please send a SASE or e-mail address. It would be easier to send me your e-mail address anyway. I can send you updated information easier.

Rooms and Parking

Dates are Oct 21 - 24, 2010 at the Ramada Plaza (formerly Holiday Inn; same hotel) Newark, NJ. Go online to to get best rates. You will find 2 hotels in Newark with same address. They are the same. Just book the one with the lowest rate. The Ramada 800 number 800-272-6232. The number of the hotel is 973-589-1000. Cost of the rooms vary plus daily parking fee of $15, regardless of the number of days or number of people in the room. I went on line now (7/14) at and the AAA rate was $75.00. A deposit might be required (by credit card). The price will vary depending on when you reserve. The Internet reservation might be less as I mentioned. If you must cancel, you must do it by 6 pm of the day you are arriving. Rooms should be reserved by September 25th. If you reserve them after that, you will be taking a chance on availability.

Cost for daytime guests is $1.00 a car UNLESS at least one person in the group buys food in the restaurant or bar; then there is no charge.

If you wish to stay at the Howard Johnson, which is also renovated and a half mile from the Holiday Inn, cost per night should be less. Call the Howard Johnson at 973-344-1500. It is now under new ownership so you may need your own transportation between hotels.

If you wish to stay next door at the Sheraton, call 1-800-325-3535.

Also try the Internet. Don't mention FOTR at first. Don't forget to try the Sheraton. Try to share rooms with someone. Mention AARP and/or AAA if appropriate. There may still be a parking fee if done this way.

Seating

Sit where you wish on Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, tables will be numbered and will be assigned in advance. Tables sit 10 people. If you wish to reserve a full or partial table, please let me know in advance with whom you would like to sit. Make sure the people with whom you wish to sit are coming. A few people gave me a long list of people to choose from. I can't do this. All those who register at the door or who have no preference will sit where there is room. Table reservations must be made in advance. We expect a larger attendance than usual.

Ads

Ads may be placed in our program book (8 1/2 by 11). This is our 35th year and we will again have an expanded program book with guest biographies and articles. Cost for ads are:

Full Page - 8 1/2 by 11 $100
Half Page - 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 or 4 by 11 $60
Quarter Page - 4 by 5 $40
Two full Pages - $160

Dealers at our convention may take a 35% discount on the ad. Help support our 35th annual convention. Deadline for ads is October 1st.

Wednesday

To all Wednesday overnight guests and committee; Come and join us for wine, beer and cheese in the Dresden Room from about 6 pm to about 10 pm. There also will be soft drinks and vegetable & cheese platters. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Dealers

Cost for dealers will be $65 a table. All details on a special sheet. Daytime registration fees for dealers will be eliminated. Dealers can arrive as early as 7 am Thursday morning to set up. Some dealers will be able to set up late Wednesday night. I will let you know as I get closer to the date.

Auctions

There will be 3 auctions, Thu - Sat dinners; Most will be autographed scripts performed each night. There will also be some one of a kind items including:

1. An old, battered, unused "National Broadcasting Company, Inc., Sunset and Vine" envelope (with the old "NBC Chimes" logo), plus a red "National Broadcasting Company, Inc." No. 1 pencil. Both are circa 1954-1957.

2. A CD recording of "The Aldrich Family" broadcast of 11/11/48, starring Ezra Stone as Henry Aldrich, plus Ezra Stone's signature on a 1960 check payable to (and endorsed by) Stone.

3.  A one-of-a-kind item: The original handwritten sheet music for a song called "I Love to Listen to My Radio" written by Jess Oppenheimer and Sam Perrin in 1939 when they were writers on "The Screen Guild Show." In the upper left corner in pencil is written "For Prof. Cary Grant." (Cary Grant appeared on the show in April of that year, but didn't perform this song).

SIX AUDIO CASSETTES from Arthur Anderson's hand-labeled personal collection:
Five of "Let's Pretend"
One of a 1999 "Shadow" recreation at AFTRA

SEVEN CDS of Quicksilver Radio Theater's studio productions: CHRISTMAS CAROL - FRANKENSTEIN - LINCOLN'S LAST DAY - SHAKESPEARE: Merchant of Venice & Julius Caesar SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Blue Carbuncle & The Speckled Band (In case, and inscribed to the winner by Craig Wichman & Jay Stern)

PROMOTIONAL 35mm CAMERA "Give-a-way" item used by Jeff David Inscribed with his name & caricature

FOR SATURDAY; we will auction a rare item from the estate of Jess Oppenheimer; a matted and framed, hand-inked, hand-painted 1976 "Baby Snooks and Daddy" cel created by Friz Freleng for a proposed Baby Snooks TV series. Other related correspondence and scripts will be included.