The party was just like this fantastic photograph taken by Andy Parks, (Betty Garrett's younger son...), Festive, Fun, Bright and Beautiful! What more could one want? I took a picture of the Cake, which was a Very Very Big Round Deep Dark Chocolate one, as you can see...And as you can also see, it had a few other names on it because these dear friends had Birthdays right around mine, too.
And I wanted to include them and celebrate their Birthdays, too! David Galligan and Jacquie Scott were the first two names after mine. I just happened to get a sweet picture of the two of them sitting together during the early part of this gathering....
Jacquie Scott is a brilliant actress and I have mentioned her before...I've known Jacquie and her husband Gene since 1961...I met them within the first months after I moved to Los Angeles. Jacquie has probably acted on every major Television show for the last almost 45 odd years, plus she works in the theatre all the time. David Galligan is the Director and one of the founders of S.T.A.G.E., (Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event) the oldest AIDS Benefit in the world, for which Betty G. and I are Co-Chairs. David has Directed them all....ALL 22 years of them and he will be continuing to direct this years show in March, 2007, #23, again. The 'Maxine' on this cake is Maxine Stuart, the wonderful actress who I wrote about when I showed the first Mother/Daughter Series pictures...Maxine and her dear husband David Shaw couldn't come because David was not feeling well at all on the day of the party...they were missed, a lot, too!Here is the darling wonderful Glenn Washington who is a dear dear friend and a fine fellow, all around.
Glenn is one of the 'newer' friends in my life. I've only known him since 1983. He is a wizard on so very many levels...not the least of which is he so generously changed all those lights for me out on my deck, just to make it look as pretty as could be....When I first met Glenn he was very involved in the setting up of Media Rooms---a very popular thing here in Los Angeles. His passion now is Children's Theatre and running a Non-Profit Children's Theatre and all that goes with it.
You remember in one of my recent posts I alluded to my Avocation of Minister in The Universal Life Church, (no church at all, really), and I showed two photo's of two different weddings which were interestingly enough, two weeks apart from one another in the fall of 1991. One was Garret and Karen Parks Wedding, and the other one was Michael and Audrey Franks Wedding. Well, here they are.
Almost 15 years later, and still very happy and very much in love. And as I have reported before I met Michael's Dad, Danny Franks, before he met Michael's mother Ruth....and I was at Michael's Briss....Now how is that for continuity of friendship? And just below is another sweet photo of Michael Franks talking with Carol DeLuise. Her darling husband Dom was unable to come because of health issues....
I've known Carol since 1952 when she was just Carol Arthur, which she still is, (as well as being Mrs. DeLuise) because she too is a fabulous actress. Not only has she been in lots of films, she has also appeared on Broadway and she has done the S.T.A.G.E. Benefit two different years. It's one of the great things about 'show business'---these long wonderful friendships which often overlap into work as well as 'play'. Carol & I went to the same Drama school in New York City. The Feagin School of Drama & Radio! I was a few years ahead of her...In fact I think I had already graduated when I went back to help them out with something and that was when I met Carol.
And you may recall that I wrote about Classic Arts Showcase, the wonderful program that is funded by the Ledler Foundation. And I wrote about the extremely talented Jamie Rigler who puts that show together---he makes all the choices and edits it and has done so, since it went on the air 12 years ago.
Jamie also runs the Ledler Foundation and is one of the dearest most generous people on the planet! I was thrilled that he could be here for the party because he travels a great deal and is not always in Los Angeles for those times of play like my party. I love this picture and the fact that you can see the city which was behind me reflected in the window in the picture! And in fact, you can see my shadowy figure taking this picture! (lol)
I also loved this 'silhouette' type picture...I took it from inside the house looking out on my deck....I was actually in the hallway....
It was a beastly hot day by the way, but luckily there was a lovely breeze coming in from the ocean so it was extremely comfortable out on that deck....
To be continued....Part 2 will be forthcoming....
- had this to say:
It is simply wonderful to read about your party and your friends AND to see the pics! love that chocolate cake, mmmmhhhh
#9829;- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 2:45:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Goodness Naomi!.. this looks much like a "wild hollywood party"! hahaha... but I can hear in your writing just how great it all was for you!! Looking forward to even more pictures!! I'm happy your party was such a success!!! Birthdays should always be that way!
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 4:02:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Good morning, Naomi. It sounds like a wonderful party and I will look forward to the rest of the story.
Meryl was absolutely fabulous in this part and her voice is much better than I ever knew. I didn't see "Postcards", but maybe I will rent it. Lily was great too. I( have been a fan of hers ever since Laugh In and I saw her here in Raleigh in the 70's, live at the "Frog and Nightgown" (a nightclub).- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 4:42:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh my, you are just so loved! Lucky woman! So happy your birthday was grand!
I'm babysitting my little granddaughter, she's two, got her watching blues clues and eating breakfast.
My youngest son's wife is due any day. Gonna be my first grandson. I am so looking forward to his birth!- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 6:03:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Thanks for sharing those photos again. I really love visiting your blog. You always have great stuff to show.
Happy Wednesday!- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 6:48:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Sorry there. I don't know what happened. I was not through with my post when it suddenly disappeared on screen. Well anyway, I was trying to say that you may have tons and tons of photo albums by now.
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 6:50:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Seems like a great time. It's nice enjoying your party virtually.
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 8:12:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
No doubt the party was a huge success.
And by sharing the photos and commentary with us...I almost feel like I was there.
Great photos, Naomi! Looking forward to Part II.- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 8:13:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Did you get someone to take pictures of YOU, the birthday girl as well? It looks like everyone enjoyed themselves. And what a view!
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 8:34:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi - I've been meaning to tell you. Your apartment is so warm because of all the pictures you have either on the walls or on furniture. I am a major picture hound (not that you could tell!) and really think they add to a home.
Terrific stories and shots as always!- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 9:41:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Here..here...would love to see a photo of the "birthday girl." What fascinating guests. I wish I could have been privy to all of the converstions. You are so blessed.
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 10:01:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
What fun! Love the pictures...the cake looked yummy :) Looking forward to hearing more :)
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 10:11:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What a nice time you must have had! Oh that cake looked wonderful. Now I'm craving chocolate cake! Well, at least I can live vicariously thru your cake. lol
~S :)- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 11:17:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi. That looks like such a wonderful party and that chocolate cake looks like it was heavenly! Just looking at it makes my mouth water. I lurve chocolate cake, well anything chocolate really!
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 1:06:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
What a wonderful party, you are truly lucky to have such wonderful friends!! Looking forward to reading and seeing more!
And to answer your question from my blog, the picture was taken at Rock City in Chattanooga, Tennessee.- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 1:39:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
What a wonderful party! That chocolate cake looked sooooooooo good. Wow! You have beautiful life long friends. You are a wonderful lady. I am looking forward to part 2. *^_^
(=':'=) meow hugs
(")_ (")Š from da Raggedy one- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 4:51:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi, I am so happy that you have had such a wonderful birthday and that your friends were all able to come celebrate with you. Happy Happy Happy Birthday! I have really enjoyed reading all of your birthday posts..
Stacie- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 4:56:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Thanks for the photos - it seems like such a fun party. I love reading your stories and getting a glimpse into your world!
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 5:59:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It's truly marvelous to read about your wonderful Birthday Party, Naomi. I see that your party was such a great success! I love so much the picture that reflected you in the window! Just amazing! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. And I am looking forward to more pictures! Ah! last but not least, the chocolate cake looks delicious!
- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 6:37:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh great pictures Naomi! What a wonderful party. The cake looks so inviting!! I'll bet it was just so yummy!
So nice of you to share all this excitement with us!! Looking forward to part II.- Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 8:19:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
The cake is gorgeous and you have tons of people in your party as well. It is really cool!
- Thursday, July 6, 2006 at 9:41:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Yes! I love Dom DeLuise!! God, we used to watch him on the Mike Douglas Show all the time:
"My name is Dominic-a da Great..."
Such great photos, Naomi! I'm loving them, and all the background you give about all these people. Fantastic.- Sunday, July 9, 2006 at 12:17:00 PM PDT
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