Autograph Please, Thank you!
By Susan Marie Davniero

My autograph book turns the pages on each chapter of my life. My collection of autographs grew from childhood Soupy Sales signed postcard to pre-teenage hanging out at Bar Harbor Massapequa Shopping Center asking Nelson “Rocky” Rockefeller for autograph, as he did a radio remote interview on the campaign trails for Vice President. 

I dance as a swinging young adult single at the disco meeting teen idol Jay Black backstage asking for autograph after I stole a kiss. I gamble with 21 on vacation at Las Vegas casino taking home Dean Martin's souvenir autograph, after he spoke to me in the audience from the MGM stage. 

As a budding feminist I meet Ms. Magazine feminist icon Ms. Gloria Steinem giving autographs after being the key note speaker at Nassau College. I was a sport after marrying Bob, Mets fan, attending baseball game at Shea with him. Bob catches a foul ball and I catch autographs from Mets star players Gary Carter and Darryl Strawberry. 

My autograph book is name dropping from Soupy Sales to Rockafellers’ campaign trails, from Jay Black at the disco to Dean Martin at the casino, and Ms. Steinem cause to Carter and the Straw. The Autographs boast of a rooster of celebrity names from “Who’s Who” – to which I say “Autograph, please? Thank you!” and that was all they wrote