Light "Dawns" On Kevin!

I have to give more props to my Mimi, because of her I had one of my celebrity encounters. Back in 1987, Mimi & Papa took me on a vacation to the Catskills at the Brown Resort. Could it get any more gayer or Jewish. Ha Ha!

Every Saturday night, there was a “big time” performer entertaining the masses in the main showroom. This particular Saturday night was Tony Orlando. (Sorry he left Dawn at home.)

Even though at this young age, I already had vast knowledge of camp & kitsch. I was not familiar with Orlando & Dawn.

So the previous Friday night, Mimi, Papa, & I were in the hotel coffee shop when Tony Orlando & his people walked in at sat at a near by table. Mimi pointed to him and said she was “pretty sure” that it was Tony Orlando. So she reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. She then proceeded to coax me into going over to get an autograph. I was hesitant due to the fact Mimi was not 100% sure it was him. But finally I agreed. Plus, she bribed me with a hot fudge sundae.

So I walked over with pen & paper in hand and asked Mr. Orlando very naively if he was in fact Tony Orlando. He of course stated in a very humorous tone, “What do you think?”. I, of course, said with a little self doubt in my voice., “Yes, you are him?” He told me I was right and then he took the pen and paper from me and signed it.

I ran back to the table all excited because I just had my first face to face encounter with a celebrity. Then my Aunt Syliva, Uncle Mel & cousin Larry came into the coffee shop. I repeated the encounter to them and point to my new friend Tony Orlando. While doing so I inadvertently ripped the autograph in half.

So naturally, when my cousin Larry went over to ask for an autograph, I went with him and asked for another one. Mr. Orlando was very nice and gave me another autograph, but I had to promise not to rip it.

So in honor of my celebrity encounter, here is a clip of the talented Tony Orlando. As well as Dawn thrown in for good measure.