Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebs.

We have seen my sister Nancy with a horse, an M&M mascot and even a stone carving in effort to get exposure here in Friendly Encounters.  She is almost shameless.  I applaud her effort and reward her by running the photos.  She has taken it one step further however.  Now she has involved her friends.
On a trip to Saugatuck (MI), Nancy and her friends saw this lime green guy outside of Hoopdee Scootee, a store for "unique gifts, clothing and collectibles".  I could not get any info on what exactly the lime green guy is, but oddly it isn't even the strangest part of the picture.
Look above him.  There are a pair of legs hanging out of the second floor window.  What is up with that?
This picture baffles and amuses me at the same time.  Nancy wins again, because I just had to run this picture.  She has yet to meet a human celebrity, yet she has made multiple appearances in Friendly Encounters.  She's lucky I love her like a sister.

Nancy Blais, MaryAnn, Vicki and a lime green man in Saugatuck, MI-July 2010.

Happy Birthday Nancy

Today is my eldest sister Nancy's birthday.  I could write a lot of words and still not say enough about her.  Therefore I am going to keep it short, simple and heartfelt.
Happy birthday Nancy!  I love you and couldn't ask for a better sister or friend.

Nancy, Jean and me in Mokena, IL-December 2009.

Photos of Love From Sister Nancy

My sisters are a blast.  They usually treat me very well, but sometimes they do like to taunt me.  Such was the case a couple months ago, when Jean sent me a picture of herself and a Coke truck.
Recently, my other sister Nancy got into the act and sent me a picture from her weekend in Sandwich (IL) at the Sandwich Fair.  My sisters know me well.

Nancy wasn't done however.  At Homecoming for Western Illinois University (the alma mater of her husband Dave), Nancy took it one step further.  If only she took it the next logical step and drove that big boy right to my home!

Nancy Blais and my love in Macomb, IL-September 2010.

Happy Days with My Sister and Erin Moran

Last year, I crammed a lot into a 4 day road trip. It was exhausting, but fun and productive.
I helped my sister Nancy move my niece Laura to New York for school. On the way, I stopped at the world headquarters of Global Traveler magazine in Yardley (PA). A few of us went to a Phillies game (Phils lost). The next day, I attended the Ultimate Collectibles Show in Oaks (PA).
At the show, we ran into Erin Moran, who we grew up watching grow up on tv's Happy Days. Moran is always in a good mood at these shows. I think she likes meeting the other celebrities as much as the attendees do.
Moran knows all about Johngy's Beat from the first time I met her a couple years back. This time, she did a promo for us, which can be found in the "Testimonials" column on the right side.
It was just one more reason why the trip was excellent. Even my sister got a bit of a kick out of meeting Moran (and a few others), while attending her first such convention.
Sadly, as I was writing this, I heard of the death of Tom Bosley, Erin's tv dad.  The guest book for Bosley can be found here at Legacy.com.

Erin Moran, Nancy Blais and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.

Happy Birthday Nancy

Today is my sister Nancy's birthday. Therefore, Nancy gets her own post, with none of my jokes poking her.
She might freak out that I am not peppering this piece with jokes. I have a habit of doing that. Nancy always takes it in good humor and sometimes even gives it back to me even better. She's a good sport.
She's also a great sister. Nancy has helped me through some rough times and has also laughed with me through good times. Either way, I know she's always there.
I love you, Nanc...always know I love you.

Nancy Blais and me in Matteson, IL-Winter early 90's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series about my friends meeting celebrities.

My sister Nancy has had some memorable appearances in Friendly Encounters. She has been pictured with the red M&M, a Central Park horse and a Japanese rock icon. On a recent trip to Las Vegas (NV) with her friend Diane, Nancy once again scored an unusual celebrity for a picture.
The picture below highlights two of my very favorite things in life...Coke and Las Vegas. Oh I'm just kidding. Of course I meant the color green as well.
Okay, seriously, I love my sister dearly and I am happy that she is always thinking of me. Who else would pose with a Coca-Cola Bear just to make my day?
I do have two questions though. Where is Nancy's right hand and why does the bear look so happy?

The Coca-Cola Bear and Nancy Blais in Las Vegas, NV-Winter 2009.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

When we last saw my sister Nancy, she was pictured with a horse she befriended in NY. Today, she is back with a less animated "friend". Nancy and Dave went to the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford (IL). When she saw the Japanese Icons, she jumped at the photo opportunity, hoping it would land her in Friendly Encounters.
Okay, I know the rockhead isn't really a "friendly encounter". Still, there really aren't any rules here and if there were, I would be the one making them anyway. So here she is, my sister with her friend the Rock (no not Dwayne Johnson).

Nancy and the Japanese Icon at the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL-Summer 2009.

Happy Birthday to Nancy

Today is a very special day. My sister Nancy is celebrating her birthday. It would be impolite for me to state her age, but I will say she has something in common with Hawaii.
I joke about Nancy a lot and she takes it well (and gives plenty back). The truth be known though, I love her dearly. I am lucky enough to have 2 great sisters.
I had a nice chance to bond with Nancy and my niece Laura last summer, when we drove Laura to Brooklyn (NY). Laura was starting a new stage in her life and I was glad to be there to help. Aside from an excruciating headache on the last day, it was a great time.
We drove in a very-overstuffed minivan. Fortunately, I had fountain Cokes and Billy Joel cd's to comfort me. After moving all of Laura's stuff into her new digs, we got to wander around a bit. We saw a lot of stuff, but the real fun was hanging around with them, even though they drove me crazy on occasion (oh I am sure I drove them loopy a few times, too).
One of our adventures was a carriage ride through Central Park. Nancy was especially fond of our horse. He was a good horse (although he was no Mr. Ed).
Anyway, I wanted to take this time and space to wish a very happy birthday to Nancy. I love you, sis!

Nancy and her carriage horse in New York, NY-August 2008.

RIP:Jean Blais

This past Saturday, Jean Blais left this world. Mrs. B. (mother of Dave Blais) was truly full of life and love.
She was my sister Nancy's mother-in-law, but I think she looked at Nancy as more of a daughter (and Nancy looked at her as a second mom). The mutual love and affection was so evident every time they were together.
After a 2 year battle, she passed away too young. I'd say there will be a little less spirit in our lives, but her spirit will live on. You could not have known her and not felt her spirit. Mrs. B. freely also welcomed me into her life. She knew no separation...everyone was just family and she loved us all.

We love you, too, Jean.

Jean Blais (seated middle row, dark sweater) and the rest of us in Fox River Grove, IL-December 2006

Big Red

When my sisters and I went to Las Vegas in 2006, they met the world famous Red M&M. Okay, yes I know the Red M&M isn't really a famous celeb, but Nancy still believes. Who am I to burst her bubble? Besides, if the totally underrated Purple M&M was there, I would have scored a picture with it!

Nancy, Jean and the Red M&M in Las Vegas, NV-January 2006.