Marco woman surprises grandmother with soap star visit

Connie Barbarita was beaming as star after star of Guiding Light shook her hand and came forth with hugs and kisses.

"I thought I was the celebrity," the 91-year-old said at "A Night of the Stars," part of the Southwest Florida SoapFest on June 17 at The Players Club & Spa in Lely Resort.

The grandmother of Andrea Reinders of Marco Island, Barbarita has watched the soap for 50 years.

Reinders had worked out a surprise plan with her mother, Rachel Allen of Boca Raton and her mother's sister, Jane Lill of Rochester, N.Y., to have Barbarita meet the stars.

"When I saw that Reva (Kim Zimmer of Guiding Light) was coming to Marco I called my Aunt Jane to surprise my grandmother as a birthday present," Reinders said. "She thought it was just going to be a girls weekend."

"When I found out, I was excited," Barbarita said. "I got really excited when Andrea and my daughter brought (Dr.) Rick Bauer over for me to meet."

Michael O'Leary, who plays Bauer on Guiding Light, gave her a big hug.

"He is one of my favorites, along with Reva, Tammy, Cassie and Lizzie," Barbarita said.

Stephanie Gatschet plays Tammy, Nicole Forrester plays Cassie and Marcy Rylan plays Lizzie in Guiding Light.

Barbarita started watching the show while living in Rochester, N.Y. She now lives in Hollywood

She admitted that some times the show gets slow, but then goes back into high gear.

"Sometimes there is a lull and then they perk it up," she said. "Then I can't wait to see what's next. That's the best part — when they leave you hanging on Friday."

Then she started to explain how Lizzie was pregnant and claimed it was Coop's baby, but at the wedding John, Reva's son, broke up the wedding, claiming it was his child and Reva is really sick in the hospital.

"I can't wait until Monday (June 19)," she said.

Three generations of the Barbarita family were at the event.

"At one time or another she had us all watching," Reinders said.

The evening remained exciting as Reinders won a dress worn by Lizzie in a silent auction, two tickets and air fare to the Prime Time Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Aug. 27 and to perform a scene with O'Leary that night.

In the silent auction Reinders was bidding for the dress against a star's sister.

"I don't remember her name, but the dress was extra small and she and I were the only people bidding," Reinders said.

"She said that since it was just the two of us we should try on the dress and see who it fit best. She told me it looked better on me, so she stopped bidding and I won the dress for $90.

Reinders is going with her aunt Jane to Los Angeles after winning the tickets and flight for two with a bid of $2,000.

"We have to pay for our lodging and a limo," Reinders said, "but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I plan on wearing the dress as I walk down the red carpet."

It was a night of surprises as Jeffrey Patterson used the event as a night out with his wife Cynthia.

"We have five kids and don't go out on a date often," Jeffrey Patterson said. "I thought I would make it a real treat."

Cynthia was hoping to meet Antonio Sabato Jr. of The Bold and the Beautiful, but he canceled at the last minute.

"I did get to meet Jordan Clark, who is really down home and Nicole (Forrester) is really sweet, Cynthia Patterson said.

Tom and Bonnie Draper of Marco Island enjoyed the night.

Bonnie Draper served as a host, finding housing for five stars, one of them being George Alvarez, Father Ray Santos on Guiding Light. It marked the sixth SoapFest for Alvarez.

"Bonnie takes good care of us and Pat does an outstanding job," Alvarez said.

Pat Berry has been the coordinator for every SoapFest.

"I love Marco Island," Alvarez said. "Everyone's been great and I am glad to be invited. This is not like other events we attend. This is more family conducive."

Following the event, the stars went to Cocomo's Grill where they made and served drinks for three charities.

Hospice of Marco, Eden-Florida and Ricky King Children's Fund are the recipients of all the events.

On June 18, people played golf with celebrities at the Eagle Creek Country Club and cruised with stars aboard the Marco Island Princess.

"The weekend met our expectations," Berry said. "Cocomo's has already asked to have the Bartender Bash again next year. Stock Development did a great job for us (at The Players Club & Spa).

Everyone enjoyed the Princes and the golf course."

In early accounting, $12,500 had been raised from the auction at the Players Club and the Princess. Donations had not been recorded for Cocomo's, nor were late ticket sales to complete what money was raised from tickets to all events.