Veteran 'DOOL' Viewers Flock to Duluth for Fan Fest

Several faithful followers of “The Days Of Our Lives” attending a cast book signing in Duluth Monday (Aug. 15) have been watching the daytime TV drama since its first episode on Nov. 8 in 1965. There were probably more in the crowd of about 1,000 fans at the Duluth Festival Center who could claim 45 years of devotion to the popular soap opera. At least two other fans attested to 44 years of viewing it.

Many purchased or brought copies of "Days Of Our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration In Photos" to be signed by the five cast members who came to Duluth: Bill and Susan Hayes, who play Doug and Julie Williams; Patrick Muldoon (“Austin Reed”), John Hogestyn (“John Black”), and Kate Mansi (“Abigail Devereaux”). The addition of the Hayes to the visit was a surprise. They all graciously autographed the collectible books, headshots, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia fans brought to the meet and greet and posed for photo after photo.

Jonesboro resident Cheryl Collins brought the “Days Of Our Lives” scrapbook that she started compiling when she was 15, about 30 years ago. “It’s not full yet, I’m still working on it,” she said. Michele Kellogg carried two “DOOL” calendars from 1985 and 1988 to be signed. She’s been a regular viewer for 32 years since 1977.

The Duluth visit was a sequel to a book signing tour stop in Suwanee in March where some fans had to be turned away due to the size of the crowd although the cast remained late.  The stop in Suwanee, which attracted an estimated 2,000 fans from all over the Southeast, was part of a 10-city tour that included New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Suwanee was the best attended stop on the tour.

Veteran viewer Mary Ann Lockaby traveled from Blairsville in the North Georgia Mountains to Duluth to meet the cast members. Lockaby saw the first “Days Of Our Lives” episode when the soap opera debuted in 1965. “I have watched it always,” she said. Her husband even bought her a portable TV to take to work so she wouldn’t miss it. Nowadays, she also watches it online.

Jackie Kite, another fan who saw the first episode of “DOOL,” came from Ashland, AL, to the book signing. “I liked it (the show) because of Tom and Alice Horton and their offspring,” she said. The Hortons were the show’s founding family.

Roberta Marshall of Buford celebrated her 70th birthday by coming to Duluth to see the “Days Of Our Lives” cast. “I started watching it (“DOOL”) when it started (in 1965),” Marshall said. She also expressed a fondness for the Hortons and their children, who have continued the soap opera family’s story.

Newnan resident Kay LeVaughn started tuning in the show while residing in Panama City, FL, when her daughter Tammy, now 47, was two years old. She held up a picture of her young daughter. “She looks like ‘Sami’ (Brady) played by the actress Alison Sweeney on the show,“ LeVaughn said.

Duluth native Pat Schramm was accompanied by her granddaughters Hailey Polson, 20, and Abbye Polson, 21, of Suwanee, who were introduced to “DOOL” at an early age while watching it with their grandmother. Schramm said she had begun watching the show in 1965 when she was pregnant with her daughter Tracy. “After watching it ("DOOL") every day, you feel like you’re part of it,” she said.

Margie Garner of Sugar Hill, who became a “DOOL” regular in 1966 also while pregnant with her daughter but living in another state, brought a 30-year tribute book from the show to be signed. “I had waited in line four hours and 20 minutes (in Suwanee), and I was five minutes away when they cut it off, and I didn’t get in.” She got her book signed this time. The book signing in Duluth was scheduled from 1-4 p.m. The cast arrived about 1:30 p.m. after stopping for lunch and stayed to nearly 6 p.m. to accommodate fans.

Marietta resident Janice Zivitz also claimed 44 years of continually watching “DOOL.” If she happened to be away from her TV at home when she used to live in Birmingham and it was time for the soap opera to come on, Zivitz would drop into Rich’s department store and watch it on the display TVs for sale. Her devotion continues today. “I tape it every day, I rarely miss it,” she said.