Pete Gray, One-Armed Baseball Player

Pete Gray lost his arm in a childhood accident. He didn't lose his interest in Baseball, and learned to catch and hit with the one arm he had left. He was quite exceptional in the minor leagues, and in 1945 the St. Louis Browns purchased his contract, making him the only one-armed player in the major leagues. His big league career ended on V-J Day, when the players who were serving in the War returned home. I remember watching a TV movie about him when I was a kid, and was surprised when I found out he was still alive and still lived in his hometown of Nanticoke, PA. He even wrote a note on the return envelope thanking me for the picture.

Billy Rogell, Detroit Tigers Shortstop

Bill Rogell, at the time of his death at age 98 in 2003, was one of the last living links to Baseball in the 1920's. His career began in 1925 and ended in 1940. He was on the Pennant Winning Detroit Tigers in 1935. The Tigers won a trip to the World Series in 1934 as well, but lost. During game 4 of the series, Rogell was throwing the ball to first base to make a triple play, and hit Dizzy Dean square on the head! He later remarked that if he knew Dean's head was there, he would have threw the ball harder! He threw out the first pitch at the final game in Tiger Stadium, nearly 70 years after playing his first game there.

When i wrote to him I asked what he thought of Baseball today. He wrote back that "There are too many big league clubs. The good players are spread out too much..." He stated that he only watched Little League games.

John Hurt "The Elephant Man"

British actor John Hurt has been giving memorable performances in films for over 45 years. My favorite of his many roles I have seen, however, is that of John Merrick, The Elephant Man. Hurt's skill as an actor is flawless in this role, and is a beautiful tribute to the sad case of Merrick. I think the real David Merrick would have appreciated Hurt's portrayal of him.

Russell Means, American Indian Activist and Actor

Russell Means has been called the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. He has been active in drawing attention to the plight of America's native peoples for decades, and has made a few memorable film appearances along the way. He was one of the activists who occupied Alcatraz for 19 months, and was involved in several other prominant takeovers, including the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973. He gave a wonderful performance in "Last of the Mohicans" as Chingachgook.

Kurt Waldheim, U.N. Secretary-General

Dr. Kurt Waldheim served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1972-1982. During this time and afterwards, he worked to find peaceful solutions to International issues. His career was tarnished by claims that he had committed war crimes during his service in WWII, but he always denied this. Even his superior stated that Waldheim had mainly been "confined to a desk." In addition to signing the picture, he also included his signed business card.

Wade Mainer

Wade Mainer first recorded music in 1936 when he was 29 years old. Today he is still living at age 102, and still performs occasionally. He picks the banjo in an old-time style and performs songs that if you close your eyes you'll think you're back in the hills of North Carolina 100 years ago. His wife Julia, who was known in the 30's as "Hillbilly Lilly" is 90 and has been accompanying him for decades.

The picture on the top shows him in the 1930's (he's at the bottom) when he was in his brother's band "J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers." The one on the bottom shows him and his wife when they were performing at "Uncle Dave Macon Days" in Tennessee in 2002 when he was 95 years old.

James Stewart, Had a Wonderful Life

Jimmy Stewart was one of the most successful and respected actors in Hollywood. He was a natural at playing the "Little man" - the regular "Joe" who despite things being stacked against him, comes out ahead in the end. "It's a Wonderful Life" is one of his best known films.

When his wife passed away in the 1990's, Jimmy became very depressed. He did not come out in public much after that, and stopped answering fan mail. His hometown of Indiana, PA opened The Jimmy Stewart Museum in the late 1990's. My dad went out there for the day and ended up helping out with some of the festivities. He took my drawing out there with him. Jimmy declined the invitation to attend due to his health, but his two daughters were there. My dad spent some time talking to them, and told them how much he and I both loved their dad's films. He gave the drawing to them to take home with them, and they told him they'd have their dad sign it for me. Sure enough, a few weeks later it came back with his autograph. I can't thank his daughters enough for their kindness, knowing that he was not in good health at the time.