Ed Sullivan, Ann-Margret and Danny Kaye

Channel 9, CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C.

Ed Sullivan was booked as a guest on our local TV talk show called Cadence. I worked in the production department. Everyone was so excited about our famous guest. Lee Shephard, the host of Cadence, and I greeted Mr. Sullivan and escorted him to the studio. Just as we were getting on the elevator, someone called Lee aside and told him we had to stall. The elevator doors closed and we asked our guest if he liked ice cream. Oh yes, of course, he said. I got off at the cafeteria and bought a little cardboard cup of ice cream. It came with a flat wooden spoon. I returned to the elevator and gave it to Ed Sullivan. Up we went. There was still a delay. Back to the cafeteria. Another cup of ice cream. Catch the elevator before the doors close. Here we go again. We rode up and down in the elevator for quite some time. Lee made small talk with Ed Sullivan while I fed him ice cream. He never questioned what was going on, but chatted quietly, smiled (in his own way) and ate ice cream. What I remember most is how tall he was, what a long face he had, and how very patient and kind he was...and how absolutely amazed I felt to find myself riding in an elevator with Ed Sullivan, watching him lick ice cream off of a flat wooden spoon.

That same year, Ann-Margret was booked as a guest on Cadence. Long story short. She ripped her pantyhose. I gave her mine - a brand new pair that cost a fortune. In those days, even the cheap pantyhose were expensive. She smiled and thanked me, then off she went to her next appearance. I remember thinking how gorgeous she was. Nice, too. And she was wearing my pantyhose!

What a year that was for me. We were invited to have breakfast with Danny Kaye at his hotel dining room. I believe it was the Shoreham Hotel. There were eight of us at a round table. He regaled us with humorous anecdotes. He also dished on a few well-known people in Hollywood. He told us that Katherine Hepburn ran on the beach every day...and ate a pound of chocolate candy. Now that's impressive! He was charming and funny. And his eyes actually twinkled...just like in the movies.

"Leaving for Christmas" update. Sent two more chapters to my editor. Working on Chapter 16. Acted out a future scene. (I love to do that.) Look for excerpts one of these days.