Lucy Desi Days 1999


The Jamestown Experience

I had a marvelous time visiting Jamestown, New York, the beautiful birthplace of Lucille Ball. It was for the Lucy Desi Days celebration going on Memorial Day weekend. It was my first time to visit, and I can gladly say that it's a place I'd love to see again. It was a humbling experience to walk around the town where Lucille grew up. Jamestown is very beautiful and everything was so green. I felt like I was still in Tennessee.

Denise and Kameron went with me. Kameron was in my class two years ago, and she has turned into a major Lucy fanatic, just like me. Her mother calls her my clone. I'm so proud. *g*

Our plane flew into Buffalo, New York, where the next day we rented a car and drove to Jamestown. We picked up my friend, Eve Diana, at the airport and she had the fantastic voyage of riding in the car with me. Some silly comment was made about me taking pictures while driving, of every sign that said Jamestown or something. I'm just a tourist and I wanted the whole Lucy experience! We dropped Eve off at her hotel, after finally finding it. We met her later at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was great to see Eve in her new do - the same color hair as Lucy's. (last year was the bald look) What a great tribute. Eve, it looks great on you!

We had the pleasure of staying at the Holiday Inn, right in the middle of Jamestown. On their sign read, "Welcome Lucy Fans." Of course, we got our picture taken by that! After unpacking, we went downtown and saw the Lucy-Desi Museum. I thoroughly enjoyed that place. I took my video camera, so I could watch it over and over. You could see that much hard work was put into that museum. Ric Wyman has done a super job of being the new director. After spending about $50 in 15 minutes, I knew it was time to get out of there.

We watched the Opening Ceremonies where they did the proclamation for the summer, and saw the new Lucy stamp. Next we went on the Lucy Town Tours, which was on a trolley. Eve kept falling asleep, even though Kameron was sitting next to her. I have a funny snapshot of a dozing Eve on the tour. A lady named Michelle was our tour guide. We were able to go past all things related to Lucy. Seeing the house that she was born in was simply keen. Then we rode to Celeron, and saw her other house on Lucy Lane, where she lived with her grandparents, mother, and brother. I tried to get some grass out of the yard, but Denise wouldn't let me. :( So I had to opt for standing in front of the house, and getting my picture taken. We also went to the Fenton Museum where they have a Lucy room. I'm too embarrassed to say what happened in there! Me and my big mouth! We stopped by the cemetery and saw the graves of Lucy's father, grandfather, grandmother, and a few more of her relatives. For some reason, I got very emotional seeing Lucy's father grave. We also drove down to Chautauqua Lake, and saw the sign - Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The Lake was beautiful. Denise, Kameron, and I drove down there on Sunday, took pictures, and did some taping. I splashed my hand in the lake. The next best thing.

After the tour was over, they gave us a loaf of Limpa Rye Bread, made there in Jamestown, which was Lucy's favorite bread. She had this shipped to her in California. Then we were able to tour the Reg Lenna Civic Center, where they had many pictures and different awards of Lucy. A neat thing on the stairs, there was a cold spot, and it's rumored the place was haunted at one time. Once they started renovating, the strange occurences stopped. But I had to go stand on that cold spot. Creepy.

We did some more shopping at Cathy's Closet. I spent more money there. But it was all worth it to see and talk to Cathy, who is a very nice person. Later that night, we went to the Fan Reunion and sat with Glen, Mike E., Mike B., Eric, Eve, and Steve. John Schillner, from the Lucy list, was there, too. He is a very nice man. We played trivia and I won a t shirt. John asked the questions. Kameron and Eric also won at playing trivia. Michelle, the tour guide, provided entertainment. She sang a song from "Mame" to Kameron. It was a fun time chatting with everybody and eating those goldfish crackers. But when it came 11:00, I had to go to the room and watch Lucy. Kameron and I grabbed the red feathers and heart confetti that were on the table.

The next day, we did more shopping and walking around the town, thinking to myself, "Lucy may have walked here." Our hotel was right next to the Hotel Jamestown, where Lucy and Desi stayed. That morning, we went to the Tom Watson breakfast. He is so interesting. I could have listened to him talk all day. A lady who helped Tom passed around Lucy's things so we could look at them close up. I had to touch all of them. I know she thought that Kameron and I were nuts, but, hey! it was Lucy's things! Eric and Eve were probably embarrassed by us. I got my picture taken holding Lucy's own toothbrush.

Later we went to the auction at the Lucille Ball Little Theater and there was a surprise visit by Lucy and Ethel. They were hilarious. I bid on many things, but Denise wouldn't let me go too far. I really wanted that henna, but she made me stop bidding! Finally I bid on a TV Guide, and went out of there somewhat happy. At least I had something. I also got to meet Mike N. and his family, which are some very nice people. Mike bid on some past auction brochures and won.

That night we went to an Evening With Rich Little. We were on the first row, and Mike and Glen sat by us. We saw a Here's Lucy episode with Rich Little in it, then he performed afterwards. After that, we walked across the street to the Rich Little Gala Reception. The food there was more than perfect. Oh, that chocolate you dip your strawberries in - YUM!!!!! We sat with Eve, Eric, Mike, Steve, and Glen. There were heart candles on each table, and Eric grabbed one off a table for me. Someone showed Glen, and to our suprise he pulled 3 out of his bag! Can't get anything over on him! :) A band was playing, and some man asked Eve to rumba with him. (We know what led to that for Lucy and Desi!) She did a great job. We'd been there quite a while, stuffing ourselves, so it was time to go. We also got our picture taken with Rich Little, thanks to Cathy's husband, Charlie. Kameron and I grabbed more heart confetti off the table for souvenirs.

Sunday we went to an outside church service downtown. I don't know the name of their church. After that was the Lucy and Ethel Breakfast. The breakfast was delicious. I met Danielle and her grandparents there who are from New York. Danielle is also an X Files fan. When everyone was finished eating, Lucy and Ethel did a show. It was GREAT! Rhonda Richards and Diane Vincent are so talented. At one time they were trying to spot movie stars in the audience. They called Glen - Nathan Lane, Mike B. - Peter Fonda, and Mike N - Richard Dreyfuss. Eve told them that I was Annette Funicello. Go figure. It was all too hilarious. Afterwards we got our pictures taken with them, and I took our local newspaper for Lucy to hold. So someday, it will be in our newspaper.

Denise, Kameron, and I hopped in our rental car and drove around town. We went by Lucy's birthplace again, and to her house on Lucy Lane. I jumped out of the car and ran down Lucy Lane. Yes, I was driving, but I did put the car in park. Then we went to the Lake, and I got some grass from there, as a souvenir. It was exciting to think of Lucy going there with Pauline, Marion, and probably Johnny. I could see them having a ball out there.

That evening after more sightseeing and spending money, we got to see some Here's Lucy episodes, then later Stone Pillow. Before the show started, we were all outside taking pictures, and I had my wonderful video camera taping everyone. I'm sure that Eve, Eric, Glen, Mike, Mike, Denise, and Kameron got tired of that camera, but I didn't want to miss a thing! Sorry ya'll. Later that night, Glen brought his cool Lucy jacket by, the one that someone made for him. It's very beautiful. Lucie Arnaz autographed it, and he said that he hasn't washed it since. I don't blame him.

That was the end of my Jamestown experience. It sure did go by in a flash, and I hated to leave and I hated saying bye to everyone. Everyone should go to Jamestown at least once in their lives and go on a Lucy pilgrimage. It was wonderful being around people who act just like I do, it's very comforting. After many rolls of film and a cassette tape later, we were off. People at home laughed at my pictures, but, hey, they mean something to me.

On our way back to the airport, (of course we got lost) we stopped by Niagara Falls. I kept thinking about the poor woman from "The Quiz Show" who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel!

Only 4 pictures turned out from scanning!

Lucille was born in this house in Jamestown.

Lucy's makeup case

Inside the Lucy-Desi Museum

Lucy's Backgammon Game

Go to The Lucy-Desi Museum" to find out more.

See a picture of us on Glen's Page.

**Many special thanks to Glen and Eve for their help!**

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© 1999 luvlucy@yahoo.com


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