June 18, 2011 -- As we had done in 2009, several long-time contributors to, and supporters of, TAC (the magazine), along with other special guests gathered in New York City for a weekend of fun and an opportunity to make new friends, renew old friendships, and to remember the favorite and most important television show of our youth... the Adventures of Superman. Very special guests for the weekend were Stephanie Shayne Parkin, daughter of Robert "Inspector Henderson" Shayne and her niece, Miriam Miller. With the help of Gail McIntyre, Steve Brant, and especially Eddie Caro, the event progressed without a hitch.

The cornerstone of this event was a dinner held on Saturday night at the Oldcastle Restaurant on W. 54th street, but several guests arrived in the city as early as Thursday. There are, of course, many interesting sites to see in New York, but on Saturday afternoon, thanks to Steve Brant, we were able to gather at the Paley Center for a couple hours to watch Superman And The Mole Men, "Jimmy Olsen, Boy Editor," and "The Perils of Superman" in their auditorium on a large screen. Of particular note is the fact that the Paley Center's copy of "Jimmy Olsen, Boy Editor" is an ABC Network copy that includes an unusual opening: Tootsie Roll... America's favorite candy... and Kellogg's... the greatest name in cereals, presents... the Adventures of Superman.

Then as Eddie and I walked from the Paley Center to the restaurant, Eddie turned to me and said, how would you like if I could arrange for some of New York City's first responders to stop by the restaurant to greet the guests? Well, I thought that would be splendid, and it wasn't more than a half hour later three very impressive gentlemen pulled up to the curb in an equally impressive truck. As you can see, they were a special hit with the ladies.

Soon after we took our seats at the table, New York's own Joe Franklin was on hand to chat, tell a few jokes, and to let us know that he too is a fan of George Reeves. As orders were taken and continuing all through the evening, guests were treated to a video compilation of Superman scenes (provided by Dave Orbach) and a slideshow presentation featuring stills from all 104 episodes of Superman, all topped off with a phone conversation with Jack Larson in Los Angeles.

After everyone had finished desert, there was a special video highlighting Bob Shayne's best scenes as Inspector Henderson. Then it was time for Eddie and me to bring Stephanie center stage for our presentations:
   1) A large poster featuring likenesses of her and her father,
   2) A gold pendant replica of a NYPD Detective shield.

Eddie also provided each dinner guest with a postcard-sized replica of the Shayne and Neill posters. And a few lucky guests won door prizes... a copy of Gary Grossman's Superman: Serial to Cereal donated by Allan Asherman of DC Comics.

And when I asked Steph if she'd mind giving us a few remarks about her dad, we were delighted to here her say, "Try and stop me!" And it was, indeed, great fun to listen to her stories about growing up in the Shayne household, visiting the Superman set, and being at a few of the backyard barbeques at George's house.

Before leaving, everyone signed the poster for Stephanie and also one that Eddie prepared and sent to Noel.

(Continued below)

Because many of us stayed at the Hotel Novotel, the lobby there served as our "headquarters." Stephanie and Miriam met with many of us there on both Friday and Saturday nights. And it was then and in the morning hours at breakfast that stories from everyone were told, enjoyed, repeated, and remembered.

Each of us, I'm sure, has some special memory of that weekend. For me, it is memory of seeing the joy on the faces of all those who love George... and there is nothing to compare to being with others who share that joy. Later, in e-mail of phone messages, several admitted they were initially unsure of attending because of the distance and cost involved... but after it was all over, no one was sorry he/she had made the journey.

Guest List:
Stephanie Shayne
Miriam Miller
Eddie Caro
Lisa Copenhaver
Curt James
Richard Potter
Grace Potter
Don Rhoden
Anitra Rhoden
Brian McKernan
Bill Kane
Michael J. Hayde
Gail McIntyre
Danny McIntyre
Bill Schmeelk
Mark Rothberg
Steve Randisi
Mike Goldman
Jody McGhee
Joe Kruzynski
Alfred Walker
John Sheridan
Andrea Sheridan
Robert Harvey
Andrew J.Klyde
Nyaguthie Ngetha
Joe Beim
Bruce Dettman
Allan Asherman
Arlene Lo
Dave Orbach
Brad Shey
Bobby Ryan
Joan Ryan
Lou Antonicello
Gail Antonicello
Bruce Kanin
Steve Shapllo
Bill Casey
Matthew Weippert
Randall Sapadin
Jim Nolt

Lou (December 23, 2011)