The day on the peninsula was cool compared to the heat wave we’d been having in the city just a couple of days earlier. I was looking forward to the Olde Ellison Bay Days craft show for a couple of reasons: 1) The event had a new organizer so I hoped it might have a little more energy than in the past couple of years, and 2) there was a good chance Tony Shalhoub would show up and be so captivated by my wares he would buy a bunch of them, share them with all of his famous friends, and I would become the candle supplier to the stars.
Tony Shalhoub, a native of Green Bay, WI, was slated to be the Grand Marshal of the Olde Ellison Bay Days parade. He’s always been one of my favorite actors and I was greatly looking forward to seeing him, and perhaps having dinner and becoming close personal friends. When we heard the parade coming Husby took over watching my booth while I made my way up to the parade route.
OMG! There he is!
Of course he was in a red convertible as a proper movie star should be. I don’t know who that other guy in the car is, but I’m pretty sure he’s amazing.
Tony was so cute, giving the beauty queen wave as he passed his adoring fans.
Tony’s having a good time, but that guy next to him is more entertained by his phone. Who is that guy anyway?
After the Grand Marshal passed I rushed back to my booth to get ready for the possibility of Tony meandering among the artisans after his big parade ride. I waited and waited. There was a couple looking at my magnets, and after a while they came up to me. The woman said, “I was just wondering which magnet Tony will buy.” I looked at her, trying to register the familiarity of her reference. “I’m Lisa from Fond du Lac. We read your blog post this morning.” Husby and I chatted with Lisa and John from Fond du Lac for a while, and Lisa even took our picture. I’m the one who felt famous then!
Still no sign of Tony. Husby took a walk to the other end of the park and came back with the news that Tony was in the big tent signing autographs. With that I grabbed my camera and left Husby with the booth once again.
There was a very long line of people waiting to have Mr. Shalhoub sign their t-shirts and DVDs of Feed the Fish, which stars Tony and was filmed in Ellison Bay. I didn’t care much about getting an autograph, but I did want a picture or two. Unfortunately, sneaking pictures of him signing autographs wouldn’t allow me to have words. Oh well.
Tony was very smiley. He’s also much more handsome in real life than he is on TV and movies. I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true.
As I stood there snapping away the mom of a family getting autographs asked if I could take their picture with Tony. She handed me her phone and showed me where to push the button to take the picture. There they were, a happy little family, a smiley Tony Shalhoub, and I said one, two, three…and then I pushed a button I shouldn’t have and didn’t take the picture. Oh no, I said, I think I hit the wrong button. With that Tony walked over to me and took the camera/phone from me and pretended to take a picture of the family by themselves. I gave him a playful nudge (physical contact!) and told him to get back to his position. The mom showed me once again which button to push, I did, and the photo was taken.
So now Tony Shalhoub knows me as the dweeb who doesn’t know how to use a cell phone camera, and my life is better for it.
Auntie B's Wax 