Just got off the phone with my Mom, she and Dad are on the way home from Africa. On the most recent leg of their flight, from Rawanda to somewhere, Ann Curry was in business class with them. There were only eight seats in business and Ann and her crew had six, so they were all chatting with my folks about their trip (safaria and gorilla trekking) and looking at my dads pics. My mom said Ann was so charming and sweet, she was actually the one to start the conversation. I asked what she was wearing. It was Black Converse (I think from my mom's description), black stretch pants and a long sleeve black shirt with turquoise stripes down the sleeve. My mom said she looked just as adorable as she does on tv.

So what famous interactions have you had and what was your impression? Looking for more than a brief autograph interaction.

Another one I had. I worked in tv a long time ago, was working in Gainesville, Fl as a producer for the weekend news. David Ogden Stiers (played Winchester on MASH) came to the station for a live interview for something, obviously publicity for something. Well, since it was the weekend it was just me, the anchor Doris and the crew there. Doris was so excited to meet him and everything. Mind you, this was a small station, we didn't have a green room or anything like that. When he got there Doris took him to the break room and was trying to make him feel comfortable. She was making him coffee and asked him "How do you like your coffee?" His reply? "Faster than this." Poor Doris was crushed!

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Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

When I was at Rudy's (THE local BBQ place), actually I was walking to get in the line at the backdoor where you pick up orders that were phoned in. I was fumbling with my keys and my list (to make sure I got everything I ordered) not really paying attention to stuff ahead of me. When I got to the door a gentleman, who had been a few steps ahead of me, opened the door and said "ma'am" and let me go in first. I thanked him and went in.

He took off his hat (cowboy type) and just stood in line behind me. It was George Strait. What a gentleman, he did not try to go to the front of the line. Everyone noticed him and a couple people nodded, but no one came up to him or bothered him for pics or autographs.

Same type of thing happened when my husband and I were at a Joe's Crab Shack - David Robinson (SA Spurs) and his son were about 3 tables from us and although everyone saw him, no one bothered them. This was about 5 years ago when David was MVP.

I love that about San Antonio! People respect other people's privacy and space.

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Mary

Neat thread ! Thanks op ! I can't think of anyone I have met really right now off the top of my head. but I will I guess in a few...keep them coming. thanks op !

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Live, Love, Laugh

We had the author Wally Lamb as a guest at our book club meeting last year! He even read passages from the book he's currently working on. He was very gracious - there were 12 of us book club members in one member's converted rec. room. He talked a lot about being an author, and answered all of our questions for over 2 hours. He even told us that Drew Barrymore's production company had recently bought the rights to the screenplay version of "She's Come Undone," but he wasn't sure she'd actually follow through and do the movie. Will Smith had been interested in "I Know This Much is True" but eventually passed on the project. It was neat to hear him talking about all these Hollywood people, and to seem as starstruck about them as we all were!

This was over 40 years ago when I was still single. A friend and I were going to a nice hotel that was sponsoring a singles dance. We got in elevator and were heading up to the ballroom on the top level. Just as we stepped into the elevator we were followed by Bob Hope, (I'm guessing at least a few of you know who that is), and he pushed the button for the floor below our stop. We were both standing there with our mouths open staring up at him and my friend, in one of her less than brilliant moments, said, "You're Bob Hope." The was a second or two of silence as he stared down at her and with perfect timing and in a deadpan voice said, "I didn't know that", and got off the elevator.

Not exactly a warm, friendly encounter, but we laughed for days at our reaction to him being in the elevator. Suave and sophisticated, we were not.

About 18 years ago I met Sylvester Stallone at the Foot Locker at the Omni in Charleston, SC. He was shopping and bought a pair of sneakers from me.

I also ran into the characters that played Phillip Spaulding and Harley (from Guiding Light) at the mall in NJ.

When I was a junior in HS I ran into Brooke Shields while she was attending Princeton University. I ditched school that day and was waiting for my bus (in Princeton) and she was waiting for the same bus with me. She was very friendly.

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My grandparents live in Carmel, CA so there is always some sort of celebrity or another in the grocery store... As a child, we did not have television and rarely went to movies and so I had no CLUE who these celebrities were that Grandma would point out during our two week visit with her each summer!

I did recognize Clint Eastwood (former mayor of Carmel) with his kids at the Cannery Row merry-go-round one time. Just saw him, didn't speak with him. Ha ha.

I worked at the Grand Canyon Lodges -- Maswick Cafeteria one summer and one time, we had Butch Patrick AKA Eddie Munster come through. Would have never known except that the cashier called me over and told me that he signed his credit card stub... Butch Patrick. We probably had other *cheap* celebrities (LOL) but I'd have not recognized them. Too shy... Waited until he left then I bussed his table. He left me a tip which was extremely rare; being that it was a cafeteria. Hah.

That is actually a problem... I don't recognize people! Even ones that I know. I think to myself, "I know you from somewhere???... but can't quite figure out where???"

Ted Neeley (Jesus) and the late Carl Anderson (Judas) of the movie Jesus Chirst Superstar movie and tour fame. Extremely nice people. We miss you Carl!!!

I worked at Lens Crafters and Lawence Taylor, NY Gaint football player, came in. I helped him and had no idea who he was. All I knew is that he was a tall, large man dressed really nice and not wearing any socks in Jan. in NY. I did notice his Superbowl ring, but still had no clue.

Lesley Ann Waren was in Indianapolis for the Heartland Film Festival a few years ago. I met her at Ossip, which is a "hip" optical shop. She was there getting her glasses fixed. She started the conversation. We sat and talked for quite a while. She was a doll and incredibly funny.

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I have a dear friend who is a "dresser" for a local theatre. She has met many, many stars. She is no longer impressed with famous people at all.

Her 2 favorite famous people she has met....Sally Struthers and Donny Osmond (he was here during Mother's Day and bought flowers for all the female stage hands)

Her least favorite of ALL...believe it or not....Kenny Rogers!

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OH!! my DH just reminded me of my other one! Tony George, the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway....I worked full service custom furniture store. He used to come in all the time. BIGGEST jerk I have ever met, bar none.

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Nutella,....
proving some of the best things in life come in a jar.

Stevie Wonder @ the Dallas airport when I was young. He invited my cousin (also named Stevie) and I to come sit w/ him while waiting for our plane.

Senator Diane Watson (Calif) went on a trip to Austria w/ us (when I was in Jr. High)

when Vanessa Williams won Miss America, she did a USO tour. I got to meet her (and again, when I was little) sit on her lap while she talked to my mom.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

When I was in high school I worked at a local grocery store. Warren Moon (former QB for the Houston Oilers) wife used to shop in our store all the time. She was a very sweet lady, and always bought a TON of groceries. Anyway a couple of years later I was working at Red Lobster as a waitress. Apparently Warren Moon and his family came in for dinner and in the kitchen people were talking about it and weren't sure if it was him. I said is his wife with him, I've met her before. I went out and sure enough it was them. That's about it for mine.

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Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt, and
Dance like you do when nobody's watching.

MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

My DD met Miley Cyrus with backstage passes. Does that count?

Selena

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God is not Santa Claus

Farah Fath that played Mimi on Days and now Gigi on One Life to Live came to several softball games this past summer that my son played on. She was dating one of his team mates.

I met Donny Osmond on an elevator in Vegas at the hotel I was at. He was doing a concert there. He just nodded and said hi. Nice guy

I bumped into Patrick Duffy (Dallas and Step by Step) at a ballet in LA when I was about 11...going down the stairs. I apologized and he just smiled. So, not a real meeting but close right?

I met numerous people in politics when I was young. My grandpa was "into" politics and had some money so the always had parties with them there....BORING when you are 8 LOL Can't recall many of them

I've met a few actors that I know I've seen in movies as a small role but just don't know their names. Many of them also do stage work and I used to go to lots of little shows in LA and you often got to chat with the cast. Chatted but never got their names because I forgot my program!

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Doug Wilson from trading spaces was at the home and garden show in Fort Wayne a few years back...my friend and I got his autograph and a picture

Sir Mix A Lot (Baby Got Back) played at pierres about 6 years ago in Fort Wayne and the same friend and I got his autograph and picture.

I missed meeting Dolly Parton...my neighbors son was her manager and they were visiting them one rainy day...that's the reason we stayed away...the rain. It was a suprise visit because they didn't even know ds and Dolly would be stopping by...this was in Huntington when I was a kid. We were kicking ourselves the next day because it made the front page of the paper...my dad wouldn't let that one go!

The artist that draws the batman comic sat next to us on a plane once...I don't know his name. He was very nice though. It was my sister and my first time on a plane.

Thats all I can remember.

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When I was in Jr. High School (mid-70's) we were on a field trip in Minneapolis, and Dick Van Dyke joined us in an elevator!

We tried to act so cool, like it was an everyday thing (to be in an elevator! let alone with a star!) I think we were trying to look so mature.

LOL

A couple of years ago, we were living near Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. I was taking a morning walk with my youngest daughter when we saw a bunch of trailers set up for a film shoot. I saw a lady walking a dog coming from there, so I went over to ask her what was happening. She told me it was for the tv show "Supernatural" and that she was out walking one of the actor's dogs. I asked her if she was his personal assistant. She said that she was his girlfriend and that the dog belonged to Jared Padalecki. My parents were HUGE Gilmore Girls fans, so I asked her if I could get a picture of the dog for my parents. She told me that if I came back in the afternoon, I could meet Jared himself and get pictures with him. My kids and I went back in the afternoon, and after waiting for about a half an hour (they had gone to lunch in town somewhere), she brought him to us and we had our picture made with him and got to chat with him for a minute. He is so tall and has the whitest teeth of anyone I have ever met. I found out later that his girlfriend was also in movies...her name is Sandra McCoy. Anyway, we ended up getting to eat with the crew and the craft services lady gave my kids candy before we went home for the day.

When I was a teenager I met Glenn Frey and Don Henley in Golden Gate Park. They were at a fan event and rude. They kept telling me to just wait a minute and they would sign my record (yes I rode a dinosaur to the event). But they ignored me for the floozies in the crowd.

I met Carlos Santana when I was working Security at one of his concerts. He asked me if the river was good for fishing I said yes but if you want to go fishing I can take you to some good fishing spots.

I also met Mayor Alioto and other people when growing up in SF. I seem to remember some other things but they are faded from my memory.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Well... I went to school with the guy from the beer & dr pepper commercials (he is also the plumber I think on Hannah Montana). His name is Windell. He was a hoot back then.

I have also met Kevin Smith, and a lot of other comic book related people. Dh met John Cena and a ton of other wrestlers when he was in Iraq. David Letterman too.

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AKA: Airbornearmywife

Oops, forgot the "Martins"-Steve Martin and Martin Sheen. Met Steve Martin back in 77 or 78 after his show in the parking lot. Martin Sheen was here stumping for Al Gore. Weird Al Yankovich too!

Many years ago my gf and I went to Florida for a 2 week vacay. While we were on the plane we noticed lots of people 'bothering' the guy in the row behind us. We never looked to see who this person was. Till we got off the plane in Tampa, we were heading to the bathroom and I heard someone behind me say "look, he's a quaterback"....now I don't follow football but immediately I knew who it was. It was Bubby Brister, quaterback for the Eagles. My gf and I followed him into the bar, he gave us his autograph and then he sat there with us for about an hour, buying us drinks. He had nothing but $100 bills in his wallet. I still have the straws from his drinks too.

A couple of years ago dh and I flew to Lake Tahoe for a mini vacation, and we met John McCain at LAX. Very nice guy, he chatted with us for a while then had to run and catch his plane.

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
Crap might separate them,
But they always come back together.

Fifteen minute conversation w/ Phil Niekro at a bait shop. I had no idea who he was, but DH's grandfather was furious that I didn't get an autograph. I think Mr. Niekro enjoyed the anonymity. When we left, I wondered why anybody would have "Knuxie" on their license plate. Obviously, I don't follow baseball too closely!

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I want to keep ALL of my paycheck and eliminate the pyramid scheme known as Social Security (there is no lockbox ). Do you want the same thing? www.fairtax.org

I've met Jeff Gordon at the Oxford/Anniston airport, very nice to all of his fans that were there.

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Brenda

GO #24 JEFF GORDON

I helped Matt Kenseth find some plumbing repair parts one day a couple of years ago. His son and another guy were in the store I work. Not following Nascar very closely, I did not recognize him. Others in the store did know who he was though (DeWalt #17 racer).

He was very polite and appreciated my assistance. As they left the store his son pointed to some Nascar racing pennants, banners, etc. They just kind of chuckled and continued walking out the door.

It wasn't until they were gone that I learned just who he was. Matt bought land and built a home several years ago not far from here and visits in the off season. A good friend who takes him hunting has shown us pictures of their turkey hunting excursions.

It's very apparent that Matt enjoys the slow pace of life here, just to be able to relax. Our mutual friend says he quite often has to bring DeWalt items (caps, etc.) to autograph during his off time. Just goes to show, your work is never done...famous or not!

I have hung out on Bad Company's Tour bus for a couple hours after a concert. Got to talk and sing Beatles songs with Simon Kirk along with visiting with the manager and other band members. Nothing else... REALLY. They even drove me and my girlfriend to my car on their tour bus. They said it was "too cold" for us to walk.

The owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Ursay, stayed at the hotel I was working at back in 99. He was handing out $100 tips to everyone that brought him something to his room.
So I marched my butt up to his room. I knocked.......He answered. He was on his cell phone. I said. "Excuse me, I just wanted to meet you and say hello. Do you have any Colts items?" LOL yeah, I was brave.

He told me to hold on, kept the door open, still on the phone, went to a chair and came back giving me two Colts jackets.
I also served his daughter in the restaurant. She was jumping horses at the facility in Roscoe, IL.

They were so awesome!!! VERY good people!!! I mean, I would have slammed the door in my face.. lol


I met most of the Texans, they were staying at the Hilton I was staying at in Indianapolis. they all came in off of the bus with McDonalds Bags. I knew they would lose. The quarterback and I had a meeting of minds at the front desk when I told him I was completely impressed with the bling he had on his wrist, and I asked him if I could touch it. LOL

There's a lot more. I seem to be a magnet for stars. I seem to always see them or be in situations where one is at.. and I live in the freakin midwest! LOL!!! When I lived in So Cali, it was even worse..

ok, I have one , but not for me, my son. He flew on an airplane from Chicago to Norfolk, VA and shared a flight with Usher. My son said he had quite the entourage, and dressed nicely.

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Live, Love, Laugh

These are fun to read!
I have had a few encounters. A very long time ago, I worked @an espresso bar/sandwich shop. Sinbad the comedian came in w/ his family. They had us running all over the place for food/drinks/dessert, etc. The owner of the shop said his meal would be free if Sinbad would just pose for a few pics. Well, after waiting on them hand and foot for a very long time, he didn't even leave a TIP!!!!

A couple of years ago, when I was visiting Denmark, DH and I came down to our hotel lobby and noticed security everywhere, and a big crowd of ppl outside. We learned that Bill Clinton was staying in the same hotel and was getting ready to come down. DH and I parked it in the lobby (everyone else was outside) and waited. When security came and asked who we were, we stated that we were guests in the hotel and they left us alone. A few mins. later, Clinton came down the stairs and I kid you not, walked straight over to me and we chatted for a couple of seconds. DH said it was because of the low-cut blouse....I'm sure he was surprised to hear a southern accent in Co*******n!

Met Danny Bonaducci and his family in an elevator @ the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando.

Ryan Zimmerman (3rd baseman for the Nationals) graduated from the h.s. my kids attend. DS actually sat next to him at a hockey game and they chatted the whole time. Ryan bought a t-shirt and took my son in the locker room to meet all the guys and get it autographed. Then he gave the shirt to my son.

This past summer my oldest son got his Make-A-Wish trip. He chose to go meet Tim Wakefield and hang out w/ the Boston Red Sox for the day. We got to walk all over Fenway Park, around the entire field. Patrick got to go in the clubhouse where he met Curt Schilling, Big Papi, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, Mirabelli, Papelbon, etc. We got autographs from Manny Ramirez. Patrick got to use Timmons glove to play catch w/ Wakefield. We even chatted w/ Terry Francona for a while. Everyone was so nice!

I guess that's it for me.

Wow, you just don't seem the groopie type! I'm so jealous!

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Mary

When I was about 14-15 I went with my parents to bring my grandmother to the airport she was going to CA. This was back when you were able to walk your family member to the gate. I had this thing for guys with tattoos and long hair (still do lol ) as we were walking to where we had to go my dad noticed a two long haired guys standing by a wall, I wasn't paying attention until he kept telling me to look because he said he saw those same men on a poster in my bedroom, I thought he was kidding and told him to stop after we passed them, I turned around and noticed it was the 2 guys from great white. I was too shy and speechless to go up to them and say anything.

I also met well I should say literally walked into Kenny Chesney. He was doing an autograph signing at the sam goodys in mall and I went to go get my son the cd (he was 4 at the time and loved country music) , I had no idea who kenny was or what he looked like I just listened to the songs on the radio with my son but didnt pay attention to the artist. so as I was walking to go into the store this group of guys were also walking towards sam goodys goofing around having fun, I was too busy watching them and not paying attention myself and we ended up walking into each other, I had a coke from wendys but when we hit the lid popped off and I got soda all over my white shirt. I called him an idiot and said something to the guy like oh great now I have to wait in line with a wet t-shirt to meet some guy who probably is gonna think i came in with a wet shirt on purpose just to get an autograph. Boy was I embarassed when he took my hand and said "Come with me, I'm the idiot you are here for" I apologized so much after that and he just laughed gave me the cd and autographed it for my son.

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

I met Madonna three times
first time was in saint tropez, in the day time i was playing with my sister on the beach suddenly she
ran into the sea. Screaming out Look look its her its madonna!!
The woman she meant was indeed Madonna standing on her yacht
Later that day in the afternoon we walked along the boulevard of saint tropez and my sister asked if i could make a picture of her standing next to the boat of Madonna.
I did and the moment i would take the picture madonna came out and went possing with my sister.
My sister collapsed after madonna left later that week we were sitting next to her in a restaurant where she ate the daily

Than i met her many many years later in Amsterdam i was changing the battery of my portable cd player when suddenly there was a rumour round me i looked up and there she was Madonna!
She walked just 20 cm away from me so i stood up and walked next to her she smiled and said nice weather bla bla i smiled and said yes indeed. we stood next to eachother to cross the street her security man checking the surroundings as a hawk. I went the other way she said nice meeting ya i could only smile.

Than i met her again a few years later in Arnhem sche was getting to her concert in the Gelredome
She got out of the car and serious i was locking my bike next to her car. She got out and she looked at me and i at her. She said strange i have the feeling we have met before again i smile and said well that is most likley so she wanted to know where and how so i told her the above she did remember slightly everything Amsterdam she remembered totaluy she even got my clothes right i wore that day.

She said well i have to work now nice meeting you...again and kissed me on my cheeks said bye girl maybe we'll meet again bye.

It was so nice of her to say that and that she remembered all the occasions i met her was incredible!
Madonna is truly a very nice wonder woman she realy realy is real!

I have met Jeff Saturday - My favorite Indianapolis Colt, Adam Vinatieri (indianapolis colts), Josh Betts (former Indianapolis Colt), Lilja Indianapolis Colts, and Gandy Indianapolis Colts, Forrest Lucas, Bob and Tom, Rupert etc, etc at the Miracle Ride last year in Indianapolis. They were all there to raise money for the sick children at Riley Hospital. These people are amazing with all that they do!

Curly Neal from the harlem globetrotters used to come into Albertsons in Longwood Florida where I used to work 14 years ago. He came in alot, he came thru my line 4 times, talked for like 5-10 minutes....(wish I knew more about basketball, to keep the conversion going) He gave me an autographed pic on one of the last times I saw him& one time he patted my pregnant belly & said "Good Luck"

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Mommy to Samantha ~ Charles ~ Derrick

I taught both of Steve McKinney's daughters (center for Houston Texans) . They are SUCH a nice family.

I went to college with Brett Favre and saw him all over campus all the time. This was before he was such a big shot football player. He was just a jock back then.

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Ü Ü

I just thought of a funny one that happened years ago when I was a teenager. My family was in a Sam's Club, and Chef Paul Prudhomme was there doing a book signing of his latest cookbook. My dad rushed us down the aisle he was on and said, "Look, Dom Delouise is here doing autographs".

Years ago, Vincent Price visited the college I went to. I was invited to his private reception.
Wanna take any stabs at how old I am? LOL

Many years ago I met Frankie Avalon in a local bar/dance club.

ALso, I grew up in the same VERY small town as Steve McNair (Baltimore Ravens quarterback, formerly with Tennessee Titans) so I know him - and have taken my son to his house to swim with his nephew and such. He has a great family.

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Mom to 3 - one with 2 legs and 2with 4!

I've had BBQ w/ Lt. Gov (of Montana) Bollinger, rode on a plane w/ Sen. Max Baucus (again Montana), have met Gov. Schweitzer (yep you guessed it--Montana), stood in line w/ Sen. Jon Tester at the local grocery store.

One of my best friends is married to a member of Tracy Lawrence's (country music singer), road crew. Of course, she and I--and most of our friends--knew Tracy growing up. She gets to meet a lot of people since they tour w/ Tracy on occasion.

When I worked as a daycare teacher, we had Ike Forte's kids (he played for Miami Dolphins).

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Years back when my DB worked in politics, he met Ed Asner.
I rode in an elevator about 100 years ago with Marty Allen but since I really didnt care for him. I was more upset than impressed.
I have also met and become friends with an Academy Award Winner and his wife.
He is not an actor or producer or anything like that.
He is down at the bottom of the list.
They are pretty private people so I won't mention his name here.
He has many pictures of himself with famous people.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!