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With complete tongue and cheek I write this to those who are reading
Years ago people asked me how I got involved in working for people on the soap. I always said it would be in my book, well there are no takers so here I write to you my story.
As a child, the nickname of Maxelaa, was given to me by my parents. I grew up in the Bronx- NY many moons ago and was always fascinated with movie stars and show business. Not being particularly talented, and yes, I sing well only in the shower, I felt the only way I could participate in "Show Business" was to become a spectator.
In 1975 I met and married my true love Steve and moved to Yonkers, NY. Just about a year later, we produced (see even that was a show business moment) a wonderful son, Andrew. In 1984, we loaded up the truck and moved to Las Vegas NV, where we are currently reside.
My fascination with General Hospital began on April 1, 1963, day one of its broadcast. Grandma Rose was living with us at the time and I was home from school. This show became OUR show!! GH was the first soap opera on our ABC-channel 7 back in NYC. I fell in love with Angie and Eddie, Lucille and Jessie and of course the heart throb Phil Brewer. I looked up to Dr Hardy and believed he was my role model. What a wonderful show!!
This was the very first soap opera to capture my attention. However with no VCRs , soap magazines,or virtually any "inside" information about this show, I was anxious to know what was going to happen next on the show. The show aired just as school was released for the day. The school was too far away from our apartment for me to get home in time to see even the last 5 minutes of the show. So I relied on Grandma Rose to keep me updated..Through the years GH has been my #1 soap even though I have watched others. Today, I am only able to watch General Hospital and Port Charles. I don't have time for the others..but I make time for these two.
In 1979, I broke, shattered and fractured my left ankle. I really do not believe I would have made it through this ordeal if it hadn't been for LUKE AND LAURA. I had been a fan of Tony Geary's prior to his joining of GH. And when Tony joined General Hospital in 1978, one would have thought I had landed on the moon.
Through the years I have been fortunate to enjoy many of the characters on General Hospital and the actors who portray them. They make my day complete. Even though I am blessed with a family of my own, I look forward to spending every day with the characters of GH .
I have been privileged to meet most of the wonderful actors of the General Hospital cast. They have been nothing short of gracious. They were everything I imagined and more!!! I have gone to the GH FAN CLUB LUNCHEONS and its has been a very neat experience to meet the actors as well as the loyal fans of this show.
Through an extremely lucky situation, meeting an incredible mentor and friend by the name of, Jim Warren, I have gotten the opportunity to help answer fan mail for certain actors on the show. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to this man for making my dream come true. Again through this incredibly amazing man, I also became the president of the Maurice Benard Fan Club and The Jonathan and Richard Lee Jackson Fan club.
Imagine me, this housewife, who loves the soaps more than Prime Time TV or the movies, fortunate enough to get this position. Imagine me, finally feeling like I am a part of show business! I adore networking with people and get certain perks that are nothing short of magical!! There are many times I have to pinch myself to make sure this is really real!!
I have been to the Emmy awards in 1997 and again in 2000 (see my Emmy report and my visit with Anthony Geary under Max's memories). I have been a faithful supporter of the General Hospital weekend since 1990. I began a tradition of going to the Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1998. I believe I am truly blessed to have a wonderful life via the soaps and a magnificent life with my family.
Our son graduated from THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY,
in Washington, DC in 1998. Of course it was the same weekend as the Emmys in NYC. As
Andrew got his "Emmy," Steve and I sat in the audience with joyous tears in our
eyes..What a moment!!! Andrew graduated with the highest honors. A parents dream. Life is
good. He graduated from the University of Houston Law School in 2002,lives in Houston with
his lovely wife and is working for a prestigious law firm is currently waiting to become a
dad in February 2005. In our spare time, we volunteer and fundraise for the Interfaith
Hospitality Network the Homeless of Las Vegas.
Once again WELCOME. If you have any questions or concerns
please write me at Maxine Bennett
Thank you all for being a part of my life and
for hanging out on my corner...
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