Amber Miller - Journal - Dr. Quinn 10th Anniversary Reunion Week Report

If you would like to the full event coverage with other official photos, check out the Official Dr. Quinn Web Site.

This is my report from from the second Reunion Weekend, and just like Star Week and the First Reunion Weekend, memories were made to last a lifetime! It was wonderful seeing so many friends again and meeting new people, as well as putting faces to names of those who had been only faceless e-mail addresses or screen names up to that point. There was such a connection among us all, and an instant rapport that we all shared, no matter what country or state we call home. Add to that the openness and welcome from the cast and crew at the main event dinner, plus visiting with several cast members after the main events, and you have a fantastic week!

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Arrival | Reunion Dinner

Arrival

After meeting with a good friend of mine, Brandy, in Chicago and traveling the second leg of our journey together, we arrived around 2pm Friday afternoon (LA time) and picked up the rental car, a Kia something or other that had NO pickup whatsovever. With gas prices being what they are, I was happy with a 3-cylinder. After sitting in traffic for about 90 minutes, we finally made it to the hotel and checked in. You should see the pictures of this room. Loud colors and horrible design—at least to Brandy and me—but it was a very nice room, and despite the decor, the stay for 2 days and nights was enjoyable. We called a background actor from Dr. Quinn, Lee, from the freeway and chatted for about fifteen minutes while we sat in bumber to bumper traffic. After a reprimand for talking on the phone while driving, I said goodbye and drove the rest of the way to our hotel. Upon arrival, we called again to set a time for dinner, then unpacked a few things and got ready.

There had been a dinner with Joe Lando (Sully) Wednesday night, but I wasn't notified about it enough in advance to set my flight for Wed. arrival. The DQ Times fanclub meal at the Hamburger Hamlet was relocated to the hotel because the local Hamburger Hamlet was closed due to fianancial loss and minor health code restrictions. Susan Luks (Jane Seymour's art director) and Debra (Jane Seymour's assistant) came to the hotel and brought some of Jane's household collection items from Saks for 50% off to members. A very nice bonus for everyone in attendance.

The night we arrived, there was the member's welcome dinner, but Brandy and I had dinner with Lee & Bob Smith and Jeff Johnson (an extra on Dr. Quinn) instead. We did run into a group of DQ Times members in the lobby of the hotel as they waited to go into the reserved room, so we connected with several and met some new ones. Even finally met Judy, who runs Joe Lando's site, and several other fans who have corresponded with me over the years through the web sites I run.

But enough about that. At dinner, we had so much fun that night, talking about reunions and stories and the show and so many different topics. Our waitress had to come back four times before we were ready to place our order. Bless her heart. After the fourth time, we made our selections and jumped right back into chatting again. Dinner passed without a quiet moment, and we had no trouble finding something to discuss or share. Afterward, we headed back to Lee & Bob's to visit longer. They regaled us with tons of stories, and we flipped through pictures of their son's wedding at the P-Ranch (filming site of Dr. Quinn) earlier in April, then chatted with Jeff about his experiences with the set. We had a lot of fun catching up and reliving old times. We finally left around 1:30am. Brandy and I had been up for almost 24 hours by then. *yawn*

The next day, we slept in and met our friend, Harriet and her newly adopted daughter, Sarah, at a restaurant near Venice Beach. A friend of hers also joined us with her husband and two children. Sarah is so adorable and we had a lot of fun together. We walked to Marina del Rey and had some ice cream, then headed back to the hotel to get ready for the cast/crew reunion dinner.

Reunion Dinner

Barely half of the cast came that were expected, and many of them had given their regret beforehand. They were definitely missed, but life sometimes gets in the way. Those who did come were very gracious and excited to see the members who attended, not to mention reuniting with each other. The setup was in a different building than two years ago, and we had a full field with a wrap-around deck on both entrances to the main building. A colorful array of azaleas, roses and a wide assortment of other flowers surrounded the outside deck, with oak, birch and pine trees forming a privacy border around the field. Random climbing vine plants were scattered on the deck and white Christmas lights had been strung throughout the plants and along the walls inside the main room. We congregated on the main deck, and the cast mingled with everyone while posing for pictures. Everyone chatted and snapped photos for about an hour. I reunited with many of the cast and some of the fans/members, posing for pictures and engaging in several conversations with more people than I can count.

Around 7:30, Pam announced that we were to all go inside (this was after she invited the entire cast down to the field off the deck to take a group picture). Inside, the members were set up at 6 tables just inside the door, with a hardwood dance floor separating them from the cast tables. As the members filled the tables, a few member guests moved to the other side of the room and took a table there.

The other 4 tables over there were for cast and guests, who numbered 13 (along with their guests). Eve Brennan (Sam Lindsey in an episode of Dr. Quinn) made another special appearance. Jane Seymour, Shawn Toovey (Brian Cooper), Frank Collison (Horace Bing), Helene Udy (Myra), Jessica Bowman (Colleen #2), Jennifer Youngs (Ingrid), Beth Sullivan (exec. producer and writer), Cheri Ingle (costume designer), Kathryn Ford (writer), Jeanne Davis (write), Toni Ellis (assoc. producer and writer), Chuck Bowman (director) and William Olvis (composer) comprised the cast and crew in attendance.

To kick off the evening, announcements were made from the microphone at the head of the dance floor, and the cast and crew were introduced, welcomed with applause from the members. Then, when the countries represented by the members were listed, Kathryn Ford led a standing ovation from the cast and crew for the members, thanking us for our dedication and support. That meant a lot to so many of us. Once the call to the buffet was made, each table proceeded through the line in an organized fashion. The cast felt separated from everyone, so they all took turns talking to us while we were in line for our food.

Dinner passed with good food and fun conversation, as well as the videographer and photographer making their rounds to have each person give a brief interview and take several rolls of film. I ended up not being at the table when the videographer was there, so I sought him after he was done and recorded my intro to be spliced together later.

After dinner, Jennifer Youngs and her husband gave a concert and Beth danced with Shawn. He declined at first but after persuasion from Beth, he agreed. About two years ago, Beth was in a serious accident and only given a 3% chance by the doctors of getting out of the hospital. With a shattered ankle, cracked ribs, ruptured discs in her back and multiple abrasions, she spent months in rehab and surgery. Today, she's a walking miracle, and you'd never know she'd endured all that she had so recently. A few others got out and danced, but not many.

Most were mingling at this time, and I headed over to chat with Beth for a bit. Chuck and his wife had already left, Jessica was gone, and Jane was gone, having left due to a business meeting the production company owners of her current feature film. Everyone else was mingling with the members, so I joined them.

Brandy, Harriet and I spent most of our time talking to everyone we could and snapping pictures as we thought about it. Since we had met almost everyone before, we renewed friendships and touched base with several from the last reunion and email relationships.

The highlight was reconnecting with Frank and Helene and Jennifer, plus getting to talk with Shawn and Danette a bit longer this time. I also was finally able to meet Cheri Ingle after our years of correspondence. She was ecstatic when she found out who I was, saying Jane talked about me all the time and she was happy to finally connect in person. That was a great conversation about costuming and her work on the clothing line plus the household collection, etc.

Beth gave me a big hug and thanked me for the work on the official DQ site plus said how great it was to see me again and mentioned how glad she was she could fly in from Australia. As usual, her mouth never stopped, so most of our pictures are of Beth with her mouth open or making odd faces due to talking all the time.

The remainder of the evening passed quickly and the evening came to a close around 11pm. Sad to part, but knowing all good things have to end sometime, we left in a flurry of hugs and farewells, memories made to last for years to come.

Sunday

We drove to Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino to see Jane's art show, and took pictures of the new paintings plus the rose garden at the Huntington, with roses in full bloom. Jane didn't attend either day due to exhaustion and her own schedule, but we spent time with Susan Luks and discussed the show plus the upcoming show in Tysons Corner, Virginia, which I'll be attending.

After that, we headed back and got a bite to eat, then checked into the Good Nite Inn for the remainder of the week. Nostalgia from previous visits to the area convinced us to change our reservations for the post-reunion time. Once we dumped our luggage and relaxed for about an hour, we went to a movie right near the P-Ranch and saw 13 Going on 30. Loved it! Engaging, humorous, heart-tugging and realistic, plus it ends with a romance/fairy tale come true. What more could you want?

After leaving the theatre, we headed to the P-Ranch and walked around until dusk. Neither Brandy or I had our cameras, so we simply enjoyed the peace and quiet and memories of the set, reliving many memorable scenes from the show. Back at the hotel, we popped in a DQ DVD that we brought—Bad Water—and watched on Brandy's DVD player, thanks to her husband who sent the wires and adapters for the TV. Falling asleep to Quinn is great medicine for a dream-filled sleep.

Monday

With tickets in hand, we left bright and early to appear in the guest audience on the Wayne Brady Show, and ended up meeting with Ashley (she runs the Dr. Quinn Insight web site) and Allison (her twin sister) and their mother, who also had tickets, so we all sat together. The show aired on Thursday, May 6th and was excellent. Leeza Gibbons, an actress from the UPN show, Sisters, Corbin Bernsen and his mother, and a performance by the Escovido Family made for a very entertaining show.

We had lunch at the Hamburger Hamlet on Hollywood Blvd. and paid a visit to Jane's Star on the Walk of Fame on our way to the restaurant. Afterward, we took pictures of the Hollywood Sign from the Galleria at the Kodak Theatre where the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and a host of other award shows are held, visited Mann's Chinese Theatre and parted ways with Ashley, Allison and their mother. Brandy went to get a t-shirt for her husband at the Harley Davidson store and we walked a few blocks to a memorabilia shop our friend, Jeff, recommended where we purchased some awesome Dr. Quinn and Jane photos. They weren't in stock so had to be shipped.

By the time we left, it was nearing 4pm, and we had promised Lee we'd return to visit. That evening, we chatted and flipped through photos, heard a lot of her stories, then had a photo session with all of Lee & Bob's props from their work on the show. We'll be creating a Prop Museum on the official DQ site with them to start and inviting others to send in their pictures too. We left Lee's around 11pm and headed back to the hotel after grabbing some munchies at Albertson's, the grocery store right next to the hotel. The year before, construction obstructed the view and made walking to the plazas difficult. Now, it's complete and looks beautiful with the aqueduct near the hotel and a complete sidewalk on both sides. Anyway, back in our room, we continued with other DQ eps—Crossing the Line and Sully's Choice.

Tuesday

We awoke at 8pm to the sound of pounding and drilling in the room behind us. After shaking the sleep from our eyes and bodies, we listened and tried to determine what they were doing. Finally, we realized some workers were gutting the room for remodeling. After both us of taking quick showers, where we were concerned they'd hammer through the wall and get a peep show, we gathered our things and left.

By mutual consent, we headed to Wear Me Out and spent time with Tami, then Steve, when Tami had to leave to get her triplets (who played Katie on the show) for a CCD party on the heels of their 1st Communion the previous Saturday, the reason they didn't make it to the dinner. They had dance class on Wednesday and family that came back Thursday, so we never had a chance to see the girls, only Tami and Steve. The girls made us promise to write though, so we'll be doing that very soon.

After leaving the store, we headed to Marie Callender's for a late lunch/early dinner, then headed to the Library at Parkway Calabasas to check email and clear out junk, see if anyone else posted about the reunion. Not much activity, and we headed back to the hotel around 6pm. Since it was still early, we walked to the Starbucks where I got a strawberry smoothie and Brandy got a frappuchino. We then walked up Agoura Rd. until dark and headed back. Spent the evening at the hotel watching more Dr. Quinn—Best Friends with Joe Lando's commentary. He has a very 'odd' sense of humor, but some of the behind-the-scenes details he provided entertained and amused us as we watched. We tried to watch The Princess Bride, but it had a hairline scratch (brand new DVD) and pixelated about halfway through. I hope I can return that for an exchange. Because we had a long day on Wednesday, we shut off everything and hit the hay around eleven.

Wednesday

We met Melissa, a fan who lived nearby and had visited the set during filming several times. Bright and early and right at the state park open times, we drove to Malibu Creek State Park for some hiking and picture-taking sessions, reveling in God's wondrous beauty and creation, preserving some of it on film, then headed to the P-Ranch again, this time armed with cameras. Thankfully, we were gone before the pounding behind us began, but the day was hot and dry and we were faced with rattlesnakes while walking around the paths at the set. Exploration was cut to a minimum and we left around 1pm. Had lunch at Island's right at the corner of Agoura Rd. and Kanan Rd., about 1-1/2 miles from the set. After that, Melissa took us to her dad's house where we had the opportunity to see and hold a real Oscar statue her uncle had won for cinematography in the 1960's. Her dad had a handful of photos they had taken during one of their set trips during filming, and now Melissa is on a mission to find all of her pictures for me. She and her twin sister are also doing a special college project on multiples and how to tell them apart, so they'll be photographing the triplets and sending us some photos. The adult twins they've contacted and are trying to include are Lindsay and Sydney Greenbush who played Carrie Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. Those ladies are in their 30's now. How time flies!

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel to change and say goodbye to Melissa. I called Jane's house about stopping by to drop off some things, so we headed there first on our way to meeting Harriet and Susan and Sarah for dinner at the Duke's of Malibu. They were staying at the Malibu Beach Inn, and Jane's house was on the way. Jane was heading out to DC and Maryland for the final 3 weeks of Wedding Crashers filming. The twin boys were running around and having fun. James was also there, and we spent time talking with him, and Debra, as well as Susan Luks, who gave me the latest art portfolio of all of Jane's prints, so I can update Jane's web site. We said our goodbyes and expressed how glad we were to see them all again and said we'd keep in touch, then drove back out and headed down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Harriet's hotel.

Malibu Beach Inn is not bad and has an awesome view of the beach which is right behind it. Brandy and I walked along the beach and took pictures while we waited for Susan to get ready. We had our 6:30 reservations, so we packed into Harriet's car and headed to dinner. Duke's of Malibu is also situated on the beach a little ways down PCH, and we had a window booth, so we enjoyed dinner with the waves crashing on the rocks right next to the window. Stunning! Afterward, we headed back to the hotel, and watched Newsies that night. That DVD worked great!

Thursday

Awakened again to the pounding behind us due to the renovations, we left around 10am and headed back to see Tami to say goodbye. We chatted with her for about an hour, promised to keep in touch and then grabbed lunch and went to Kanan Dume Beach, where we spent about 2 hours walking along the shoreline and taking pictures. Brandy took far more than I since she had the better camera. 12x optical zoom digital. Awesome photos! From there, we drove up Malibu Canyon Rd. which turns into Las Virgenes near the Good Nite Inn, where we were staying. From there, we turned onto Mulholland Hwy which led to the well-known Mulholland Dr. where we drove for a few miles. Since we were meeting Jana —she started work as Jane's driver during Quinn, then ended up handling her fan club and finally helping with merchandise for her web site—at 6pm for dinner, we turned around and went to The Agoura Deli to see her. It was great to finally meet her after years of emailing and talking on the phone as we worked together for Jane, and we spent the meal chatting about so many different topics, I lost count. After dinner, we headed back to the hotel (after getting some final munchies at the store) and settled in to watch the series finale of Friends. We packed as we watched some more Dr. Quinn then went to sleep around 1am.

Friday

Thankfully, the pounding didn't disturb us this morning, and we awoke around 10am, put the final touches on our packing, then checked out and hit the road. Returned the rental car and took the shuttle to the airport where we grabbed lunch and waited to board. Weather in Chicago caused air traffic delays, so we were told we might not board until 3:30pm instead of leaving at 2pm. They ended up boarding us around 2:15 and we left around 3pm, only an hour later than scheduled. Against the Gloves was the in-flight movie and we received a nice snack as we kept track of the time and whether we'd each make our connections in Chicago. We landed with just enough time to walk very fast to our respective gates and part ways. After a quick hug and sharing how great it was to spend time together, we headed in opposite directions with just enough time to get to the gate and immediately board. Brandy got home around midnight (11pm CST), but I didn't get home until around 2:30 since my brother was an hour late meeting me. My plane landed at 11:58pm but he didn't arrive until about 1:15am. At least he made it though and didn't forget about me. :)

After dumping my things and greeting my dog, who was excited to see me—I had been gone for almost two weeks total combined with a business seminar prior to the reuion events—I fell into bed and crashed until about 1pm Saturday. That's about all. Any questions? <grins>

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