Patch Readers Share Their Stories Of Memorable Celebrity Encounters

CONNECTICUT — Last week, Patch published a story entitled "Meeting Your Idol: A Good Idea Or Not?" We asked readers to share their recollections of meeting their favorite celebrities, and several did just that.

Robin Doiron of Enfield told of meeting Tommy Shaw, one of the two guitarists in Styx, at what she considered to be the lowest point in her life.

"After my husband passed away in Aug. 2017 and after watching "Sing For The Day" with Tommy Shaw and the Cleveland Youth Orchestra on AXSTV, I had bought the CD and a Styx concert at the Center For the Performing Arts in Stamford, with a meet n greet with the band. They weren't allowing the band to sign anything, but in leaving at the end of the night from the parking garage, their bus was parked outside of the venue. When I asked the driver if Tommy was on the bus, he said no, but I could park and wait. Because of two songs, Man In The Wilderness and Crystal Ball, making me cry because I felt lost, didn't know how to go on, live on without my husband and really wanted to get this CD signed, I did. In standing next to the bus talking to the driver, here comes Tommy Shaw with security from around the corner. I got my CD signed, a conversation, a hug and two pictures. Styx is my band and this just made my night. Have been a diehard fan ever since - and a bus stalker!"

Ray Embury of Broad Brook recalled not only meeting Mr. Hockey, but later playing a game on the same ice with him.

"I am originally from Detroit and grew up naturally a Red Wings and Tigers fan. During my early years, my idol was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, and later on when in high school and college, Dick McAuliffe, the second baseman for the 1968 World Series champions. I have been a member of Tallwood Country Club in Hebron for almost 48 years and our pro there, John Nowobilski, used to run a tournament in honor of his father called the Harry Nowobilski Celebrity. He ran an auction the night before the tournament to see who you were playing with. I was so fortunate to wind up in the foursome with Mr. Howe. Immediately he said, "call me Gord" and we were off and running, talking about everything from hockey to growing up in Canada to the city of Detroit. I’m sure I talked and asked his ear off. When we got done with golf and after dinner, he sat on a picnic table and talked to about 15 of us for another couple hours. The best part was Dick McAuliffe, Otto Graham and Bill Lee sat with us too. An experience I thought could never be duplicated, until moving to Enfield in 1986 and finding out about the best youth hockey organization in the state, the Enfield Hockey Association. I immediately got my two sons involved. The Whalers had formed an alumni team, I was the organizer for the game against several coaches from the EHA and I somehow "made" the team (wink wink). Once again a dream comes true when the one and only Gordie Howe walks through the door and I get to be on the same ice and play my favorite sport with Gordie Howe. Talk about the thrill a 40-year-old man can have? Try playing not only golf but the guy you used to watch with your dad at the old Olympia in Detroit, playing with other Red Wing legends."

Feel free to share your celebrity encounters - good, bad or indifferent - by emailing tim.jensen@patch.com.