Connie

My trip to Newport actually started on Thursday morning. I drove to Philadelphia to take the Amtrak to BWI Airport to meet Jeana from Oregon. It was so exciting to see her again (our initial meeting was in Baltimore last June with Jo) and my heart was racing as her plane approached the gate. We must have hugged each other a million times from the gate to baggage claim. We didn’t get to sit together on the train back, but we were close enough to talk to each other. We stopped at McDonald’s for a late dinner, went to my house to load up my car with my luggage, my Cowsill stuff, t-shirts, hats, and other stuff for our weekend. We drove to the Best Western in Bridgewater, NJ and slept in anticipation of the weekend ahead of us.

Friday, September 22, 2000

We left Bridgewater at 7:30am heading toward the City by the Sea. We were supposed to pick Eileen up at the bus station at 11:30am; but with traffic we didn’t get there until 12:50pm. Happy to say Eileen took a later bus, which took her right to Middletown. The first person we met was Colleen, what a sweetie. We unloaded the car and settled in, but not for long. We left at 2:45pm for our trip to Logan Airport, which only took two hours (70 miles)!!! Debbie, Keira and Collin were such fun on the ride home. We all went to Benjamin’s where I finally got to meet Deb and Nan. They are the coolest friends!!! Of course Barry was there to greet his family and we partied with many other Cowsills and friends alike. Susan (Mrs. Richie) it was so great to see you again. You didn’t seem to be in as much pain as the last time I saw you. Hope you’re back flying the friendly skies very soon.

We left there and went to Yesterdays where more friends were gathered. The meeting of my lifetime took place – YES, I finally got to meet Jim Conway and his lovely wife Janet. And true to form I sobbed my eyes out. There were so many people to meet – Barb, Suzanne, Moss-E, Nashville Kat, I think this is what cowsill.com is all about – meeting internet friends and feeling like you’ve known them all your life. After big hugs and "see ya tomorrow" we headed back to HoJos for a few hours sleep.

Saturday, September 23, 2000

Breakfast was at the Newport Creamery where we were having such a good time taking pictures with milk moustaches and meeting new friends. Steph it was awesome to meet you!!!

Headed back to HoJos for the HH Gathering. Sorry I was a few minutes late, I was waiting for a few HHs to purchase Newport Creamery water bottles. What fun the HH Gathering was. Thank you Richie for joining us and for allowing us to help you rehearse. I can’t remember if I took pictures, but I’ll find out tonight when I get mine back. Eddie, super job leading the sing-a-long. I can’t remember when I first met Eddie and Nancy this weekend, all I remember was I didn’t want to let go when I hugged both of them. I WILL remember how much fun both of them are and how very kind and loving they are to each other and to me. Eddie, got your CD, but more about that on the proper day in my story. I think that at the end of the gathering Jo and I went to get grilled cheese sandwiches. Yeah, we did, I remember now. Damon helped us finish the fries and someone ate the other half of my sandwich. Spent some time with Jim and Janet in their room. Thanks so much for the Phillies jersey and the beautiful picture of Aaron. He is such a cutie!!! Everyone left so the "Suite Chicks" could ready themselves for the big concerts that were to take place later that evening.

THE CONCERTS – I don’t think there’s anything else to add. Y’all said it perfectly. But I must say that I felt 14 again seeing all The Cowsills on stage. And my heart was leaping with joy for Rich. Vagabond is awesome live, thanks Rich!!! What a beautiful scene - ALL SEVEN COWSILLS singing together!!! And when they sang "Covered Wagon" I was almost on the floor. Peter and Robby, well what can you say. They are two of the most talented musicians ever. There were some very special moments after the concerts that will remain in my heart forever.

Narragansett Café will never be the same. I wonder if they’ve ever had THAT big a crowd. Thank you Barry for arranging the gig and for sharing yourself once again with us. And to finally hear the Bombay scream live!!! You’ve teased me a few times in NOLA with that song – thanks for saving the scream for the larger group!!! And Uncle Bob – ya made me cry twice. Love ya!!!

Back at HoJos if you were awake and in the halls at 2:15am you saw Janer and I wondering towards the lobby for our pizza delivery. She in Pooh pjs and I in my cow print flannels. There had to be about 8 of us hanging out and enjoying "Checkers" pizza.

Sunday, September 24, 2000

Breakfast at HoJos and then off to the TORI site. The Meet and Greet was so much fun. I enjoyed watching everything that was going on. But my highlight there was meeting Bill for the first time ever. What a gentle, sweet man!!!

We stayed at the TORI site and went to the concert area to gets good seats. We found that Salia had gotten there before us and saved us seats in the second row. Later on we moved to the front. Thanks Salia, what a sweetie. I’m SO glad you made the trip, it would not have been the same without you.

The shows on Sunday were awesome. Did "Train" rock the house or what???? What a treat to hear it live!!! And to hear that unmatchable bass line in "Hair" by the original bassist, how damn cool was that????? But "Some Good Years" will be my highlight from Sunday. For two reasons – Richie’s dream coming true and the love I felt in the audience, which came from the stage. Suzanne, Barb and I were crying and holding hands through that one. Even "Mouth" was crying. Love ya sweetheart!!!!

A few of us missed the Sing-a-Long because of hunger. But I hear it was the best ever!!!!

Back to the Narragansett Café for another night of laughs and great music. Uncle Spunky and friends did not disappoint. I have to say that Uncle Bag was pretty awesome too.

Since this was the last time some of us would see each other, it was quite difficult to say goodbye. But knowing that we’d all see each other again helped somewhat. Kathy and Tracy as before saying goodbye to you two was so hard. I love you both very much. Cathi and Vicky, we’ll meet again soon, promise!!! I know I’m leaving some special people out of this story and I’m so sorry. I should have taken notes like Jack!! Next time I will. Stella, Liz, JoAnn, Gale, I wish I could remember all of you.

Hunger struck again and we’d headed to IHOP for our snack. Chocolate chip pancakes are just so tasty!!!

Monday, September 26, 2000

Barb was the first of the "Suite Chicks" to leave. Eddie and Nancy were kind enough to take her to Providence for her flight. More tears and hugs and promises to see each other again soon!! I think we’ll be heading to NOLA together!!! Eileen, Jeana and I tried to have breakfast at the Creamery, but they stop serving at 11:00am, so we headed over the IHOP. Eddie and Nancy were there, and they informed us that we just missed Lynne and Darlene. Drat!!! We spent some great time with Eddie and Nancy at their table and then they came to ours. Another difficult goodbye.

The remaining "Suite Chicks" headed to downtown Newport for some sightseeing and shopping. Received a phone call requesting our limo service so it was time to say goodbye to Eileen. Boy was that difficult. Thank God she’s only in Boston and we can meet again soon. Got to say goodbye and thanks to Barry and Rich one more time before Honda Express headed to Logan Airport. Ran into Bob at Logan, so another goodbye and thanks for everything took place. Then came the second hardest "see ya later" of the weekend. We stayed, as we promised, to see Debbie, Keira and Collin’s flight take off. Jeana got to hear "Cocaine Drain" on the way home from Logan. We had dinner at the Chinese Buffet, started packing and then off to dream land.

Tuesday, September 26, 2000

Had breakfast at the greatest little diner. Super food!!! Lots of sightseeing in Newport and shopping. It was raining, but we really didn’t care. Collected rocks from Brenton’s Beach and my "BSCR" was still there. Had to freshen it up, but it looks good. And Darlene, your "7iN" was still there. Jeana added her name to the wall also. This is where they had the blue toilet bowls. Not the entire toilet, mind you, just the inside. Had to take a picture. Got candles, shirts, fudge etc. AND….Eddie’s CD. Of course we stopped someone to take our picture with the CD outside of the "Music Box". Listened to it on the way home. Eddie – IT’S GREAT!!!! Thanks for telling us where to find it. We left Newport around 3:30pm, but not before we took the drive past Halidon Hall!!! We just kept that "we’re lost" look on our faces just in case someone came out of the house. Didn’t happen, so we were ok. Got home to Lansdale around 10:30pm.

Wednesday, September 27, 2000

Ok, reality time. Jeana has to go home. Bummer. Took the Amtrak back to BWI, had lunch with a very sweet retired couple who shared our table. Can’t remember how many goodbye hugs, but I know there were not enough. Watched Jeana’s plane take off in the Observation Deck. You can actually listen to the Tower and hear them say "TWA 559 clear for take-off". And that’s when the floodgate of tears opened. Amtraked back to Philly and home. Too tired to do the laundry, thank God I had clothes for work.

Jeana called at 1am to let me know she was home safe, then I was able to really sleep.

Thanks to everyone who made this weekend such a joy. Jo, the shirts were a big hit. I hope all the people I sent your way made it to you. They kept telling me how cool they were and I told them you designed it and I pointed them in your direction. LisaC – great idea to have hats. Vicky – the memory books were a super idea. Louise – thanks for the newspapers. If anyone needs the articles from Friday, e-mail me and we’ll work it out. I brought all the extra copies home with me so that hotel wouldn’t trash them. Eddie and Marilynn, thanks for leading the sing-a-long. Gary, thanks for being such a cool guy and for videotaping our magical weekend.

To all my HH friends, I’m so glad we all had the same taste in music 30+ years ago. I’ve been blessed knowing all of you and am so happy we got to share this weekend together. And even though I can’t remember all your names right now, know in my heart I love you all!!!

And finally, thanks to the Cowsills, Robby and Peter for the best damn music these ears have heard in a long time. The love I witnessed on that stage was breathtaking and it flowed into your audience. May your lives always be filled with that love and may it bring you to a place you can only imagine in your dreams.

Don’t know when I’ll see you all again, but know that you’ll always be in my heart. Barry, I’ll see ya round the bend in NOLA, my friend!!!

Much love,
Connie
BSCFR!!!