First Annual Sunset Beach Fan Club Gathering

I have three words to describe my experience on February 27, 1999 - amazing, surreal, and fun! My family flew out to California just for the event, and it was well worth the trip. We arrived at the Sportsman's Lodge a little before 2:30. While walking in the parking lot, we recognized a guy walking in the same direction we were. It turned out to be David Mattheissen (Leo)! We caught up to him and I inquired, "Excuse me, can we walk with you?" He replied, "Yeah, follow me," motioning us to come along. We walked through a small corridor when David turned around and said, "I'm David." We shook hands and I introduced myself. He was so polite! I asked if we could take a picture with him, and he agreed. Then David was led to an area by the pool. On the way, we passed Russell Curry (Tyus). We arrived at the pool, where Sam Behrens (Gregory) was talking to some of the hotel guests. My sister Tiffany and I soon took a picture with David before he had to go join the other cast members before the event. He went his way while we went upstairs to check in.

We walked into the two connecting rooms with our table assignments. I looked for my friend, Niki, and saw her at a table right next to ours. We talked a bit before the cast members were introduced. In attendance were Jason George (Michael), Shawn Batten (Sara), John Martin (Hank), Carol Potter (Joan), Cristi Ellen Harris (Emily), Gordon Thomson (A.J.), Kam Heskin (Caitlin), David Matthiessen (Leo), Sarah Buxton (Annie), Clive Robertson (Ben), Dominique Jennings (Virginia), Sherri Saum (Vanessa), Kathleen Noone (Bette), Priscilla Garita (Gabi), Timothy Adams (Casey), Krissy Carlson (Amy), Sam Behrens (Gregory), Randy Spelling (Sean), Lesley-Anne Down (Olivia), Russell Curry (Tyus), Nick Kiriazis (Antonio), Christina Chambers (Maria), Hank Cheyne (Ricardo), Dax Griffin (Tim), and Lisa Guerrero Coles (Francesca). They all took their seats at two long tables. In addition, there was a surprise guest, Nick Stabile (Mark)! He came in to talk a bit about his plans. For instance, he said that he's going to be on Dawson's Creek soon. Unfortunately, he had to leave before anyone could come up to meet him.

After the introduction of the cast, the question and answer session began. The audience had opportunities to ask them questions for a little while. During this time, it was announced that Lisa Guerrero Coles had to leave soon for her other job on CBS. I noticed that other people were going up to her to get autographed pictures. My mom convinced me to go up there as well. I crept over to the table and kneeled down in front of Cristi Ellen Harris. Out of sheer impulse, I looked at her and said, "I feel so dumb" (for going up there and squatting in front of them). Surprisingly, Cristi heard me and said with assurance, "Oh don't be!" That was the first hint that I received from her about her kindness. I continued to talk to her a little, thanking her for responding to my letter. She asked me my name, and said that she remembered it. I'm assuming that she remembered the name Heather, and not necessarily my letter. In any case, that's when I knew that Cristi was one of the sweetest actresses there. Soon after, I slid over to Lisa to get an autographed picture. I was kind of in the way of the microphone the coordinator was holding, so I felt like I had to hurry (even though I didn't need to). I told her my name, and she wrote out an autographed picture for me. She also made two more out - one for my mom, and one for Tiffany. I asked Lisa if I could take a picture of her, and she obliged. Then I walked quickly back to my seat smiling.

Finally, the time for meeting the actors began around 3:30. Tables were called up to get in line to meet everyone and to get autographs and pictures (which fortunately were supplied). Since our table wasn't called yet, we went to get our refreshments. Niki and I went outside to get drinks when we saw Dominique Jennings. I took a picture with her and then told her that she does a great job on Sunset Beach. She thanked me, and then I said that her character is one that I love to hate. Niki and I went back to our table to wait. Our time eventually came to get in the relatively long lines.

Tiffany, Niki, and I got in one of the two lines and waited to meet half of the actors. First we saw David Mattheissen again, and he remembered us from the parking lot. I must say that he was very nice and quite cute! He autographed his picture and took another picture with us. I asked him if he was leaving the show, and he confirmed it (unfortunately). I told him that it was nice meeting him, and that maybe we'll see him in the parking lot again. We then moved on to Krissy Carlson. I told her my name (as I did with every other actor) and she signed one of her pictures for me. I asked her if we could take a picture with her, and she agreed. I then commented on how I liked her pants because they were like mine. We both mumbled something about each others' shoes (sorry, my memory is a little cluttered) too. Right before I walked away, I heard Krissy say that I had good taste (to continue the topic of clothing). She is so nice; the opposite of her character! Next we reached Cristi. I don't think that she remembered me from a little while before (when I was kneeling). Anyway, Tiffany and I stood in front of her to get our autographed pictures. Cristi happily said that we are "so pretty!" and asked if we were sisters. We said yes, and she asked about our ages. She told me that I looked like I am 16 (I'm 18), and I replied in agreement. We then asked if we could take a picture with her, but we went to Randy Spelling first. It was too bad he was wearing sunglasses, but he looked good anyway! I introduced myself to him, and got an autographed picture. We also asked if we could get a picture with him, and he agreed. Tiffany and I walked behind the table and took two pictures with Randy. I commented on how I felt short (when I stood next to him), but Randy didn't say anything. Then we turned around and told Cristi we were ready to take a picture with her. She finished signing a picture and then blew her nose. I said (foolishly), "yeah, you keep your germ-filled Kleenex over there" (now there's good grammar for you). She said, not to worry, because she just had allergies. We took one picture, and then I suggested taking another one, but in a different position. I told Tiffany to switch places with me to make the picture different, which Cristi said was a good idea. We started to walk away, but I continued to talk to Cristi. I asked her about her age, but she told me that she's not allowed to tell anyone because she plays a teenager on TV. She did tell me that she is in her 20s though. Then I thanked her again for writing back to me; she said that her dad helps her out. She tells him what she wants in the letter, and he types it for her. Cristi also added two things - that she loves to read fan mail, and that the amount of fan mail the actors receive determines how big of a storyline they get. I told her that I would be sure to write to her again then. After this, we got back in line.

Right after, Tim Adams took a microphone and told everyone that they had to get back in their seats for the raffle. Of course, no one wanted to. We were finally convinced when he said that the actors would come to the tables (which should have been done to start with since it was more productive) and give autographs. The majority of the cast went to all the tables, but we still didn't get to meet everyone. Hank Cheyne came by, and we got his autograph and a picture with him. However, we seemed to be missing some of the other actors when they walked by. We decided to get up and catch them when they were near our table. This is when we stopped Priscilla Garita. We took a picture with her and I actually didn't feel short for once (she was a couple of inches taller than me)! I told her that I liked her hair, and she pulled on it and said that it's growing out. Then we ran into Shawn Batten . She asked Tiffany if she likes Sara and Casey, but also added innocently, "Say yes!" Of course my sister said yes, and I bluntly replied, "Wow, way to push her!" (ugh, I just had to make a comment). Then I quickly said that I wrote her a letter. I asked Shawn if she goes on the Internet, and she said that she has her own webpage. We also got autographs and pictures with Shawn. Tiffany and I met Cristina Chambers too. She seemed so girlish then because her voice was a little higher than on the show. I told Christina that I like Maria (although my words got mixed up, so I don't know if she understood me).

After that, I had to sit back down for the raffle to start. Out of the luck of the draw, the number on my ticket was called out! I was overcome with joy so I said out loud, "Woo hoo!" I walked up towards the "stage" (with lots of eyes on me, I might add) to get my prize. I had won a Sunset Beach T-shirt that was made for the cast and crew that participated in AIDSWalk last year! After that, I was in a really good mood; I didn't expect to win anything!

Sometime during the event, I was able to get pictures with Jason George, Dax Griffin, and Kam Heskin too. I also went up to Carol Potter and introduced myself. While she was signing a picture, I told her that I remember her from 90210. She didn't seem very excited about that (maybe she gets it too much), so I quickly added, but you do great on this show too! I hope that compensated for my initial comment.

When it was almost 5:30, we went up to Tim Adams. Niki wanted me to take a picture of them. When I looked through the lens, I complained that they were too tall (because I couldn't get them in the picture). Tim replied, "You're too short!" I smiled, and hoped he was joking around (since I didn't notice his expression). Tiffany and I also got his autograph and took a picture with him. I had wanted to meet Nick Kiriazis, but there was a really long line around him. I figured that we would go to him later, so we waited to talk to Cristi instead. However, Nick left! We still stayed near Cristi though. First we gave her a new Kleenex, which she appreciated and said was "so soft!" Then we gave her the rest of the package, and she was so thankful. We again took a couple of pictures with her. Tiffany even got a hug from her! Since Cristi was the last one to be led away, I impulsively asked, "Can I have a hug too?" I was happy because she actually gave me a hug! (Ok, so I get a little childish about that). Then she hugged Tiffany again! I hope I don't sound redundant, but I have to say that she is such a sweet person!

With the event at a close, even running past schedule, I felt a little disappointed. Not because I didn't have a good time, I just didn't want it to end! I walked away with a Sunset Beach keychain, frisbee, water bottle, and beach ball, autographed pictures, two rolls of SB packed film, and memories. This truly was an unforgettable afternoon! Thank you to everyone that was a part of it, and I hope to see you all next year!

Go to the pictures! (I apologize in advance for the time that it takes for the picture page to load. However, I think that it's well worth the wait!!!)