Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 10, 1994 TAG: 9405100115
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
One son, Robert, was graduating from Shenandoah University. Another son, Michael, had been invited to have lunch with his favorite soap opera star at the New River Valley Mall.
"I had to make a decision," Alice Moody said. She decided to bring Michael to the mall to meet Morgan Englund, who plays Dylan Lewis on "Guiding Light."
Michael Moody, 18, has Down syndrome and attends a special class at Glenvar High School.
"I felt that in Michael's life, this is more important," Alice Moody said. "This is Mike's opportunity, he doesn't have that many."
So Robert's dad, two brothers and a niece went to Winchester for graduation, while Alice and a friend brought Michael to the mall.
Michael Moody was one of a dozen winners who lunched with Englund at Charley's before he signed autographs and answered questions about his show, which airs at 3 p.m. daily on WDBJ-7.
As noon approached and Englund was late - because of a plane delay - a crowd of 100 or so began to gather and jockey for the best position to get his attention for a photograph or a comment. One thing became obvious: Englund's appeal was not limited to the younger female set.
Fans ranged from teen-aged boys and girls to senior citizens. Older men stopped and watched, grinning up at the stage from a polite distance as Englund answered questions about his future with Bridget, the biological mother of his stepmother's child.
And it was two older women - not the cool teens who swore NOT to mob him - who rushed to hug and steal a kiss from Englund before he could take the stage.
Er, make that Dylan. The fans insisted radio personalities leading the question and answer call him that name, not Morgan. That's how they saw him, even though he was miles away from mythical Springfield, U.S.A.
Kim Moore, 16, has watched "Guiding Light" for years.
"When I ride the bus, I only get to see 15 minutes of it, but when my mom picks me up, I get to see the majority," Moore said as she clutched a Soap Opera Weekly magazine she hoped Englund would sign.
"Ohmygod!" she said, when her name was picked from a fishbowl of entries vying for the lunch date. She'd entered 20 times.
Then there was the greater problem of what to say to Englund.
Moody alternately fought for his new buddy's attention and waved to his mom. He shook his head in apparent disbelief.
Moore sat quietly, worrying what to order for lunch and wondering if Englund would hear her soft voice should she decide to speak up.
"Well, everybody ready for a shot of tequila?" Englund joked, trying to set his guests at ease.
Danielle Martin, 19, of Radford, seemed to be in her element. She had entered the contest 60 times, alternating her name, her mom's and her aunt's.
"It's an awesome show. I don't see why it's not No. 1. I want to take over the role of Bridget," she gushed.
Yvonne Hernandez jumped at the chance to speak to Englund during the question and answer period.
Armed with a camera, she asked Englund if she could have her picture taken with him so she would have proof for her co-workers.
Request granted, Hernandez bolted to the stage, grinning widely and shaking just a bit.
Fans got no real inside scoop on what to expect on the show in coming months. But Englund, the son of actress Cloris Leachman, revealed that he will likely leave the show at year's end to pursue a career in Los Angeles.
But, Englund hopes, not before he and Bridget advance beyond a quick smooch and an embarrassed "I'm sorry!"
by CNB