Issue 22/23 The
Land Down Under - I
always wondered about that strange and vast continent It was then I learned I had a brother in Sydney & suddenly a trip to Australia became a real possibly. After almost two years of letters, photographs and phone calls, I decided it was time to meet Seppo & his family and learn what their life was like so far from mine in Southern California. At the airport, I recognized Seppo immediately from his photos and, after tears and hugs all around, I began to feel instantly at home. The New Year's Eve fireworks over the harbor that first night was a dazzling introduction to an exciting city. Waking up the next morning at Seppo's home in Sydney's western suburbs, I thought for moment I was in the Amazon jungle. No one had told me that the bush around the city itself is filled with flocks of tropical birds! ... Seppo took us for walks to see the cockatoos & galahs and to examine the Aboriginal carvings in his neighborhood. And his annual New Year's Day party showed me the wide range of personalities, education and ethnic backgrounds which make the Australian people so unique. All treated us as guests of honor and wanted to know what we thought of their country. My good friend, Glenn Ware tried so hard to ensure we had a good time. ...He need not have worried. From the Jenolan Caves to "Carmen" at the Sydney Opera House, from the pristine beaches north of the city to the majesty of the Blue Mountains, from walks in forests of ancient fems to the panoramic views of Centrepoint Tower -- Australia cannot fail to enchant. I was constantly struck by how vital and outdoors-oriented people were. It seems to me that Australians know they have a beautiful and unspoiled country and they are determined to appreciate it by spending as much time outside as possible! As a devoted hiker, I felt very comfortable with that outlook and even a little jealous of all the natural wonders Australians have so close to hand. Our two weeks in Sydney and environs were just enough to spark our desire to return. There is so much more I would like to see and do with Seppo, his family, Glenn and all our new Australian friends. Ever since our return, we have been planning a trip in 2000 for the Olympic Games. Knowing Australians, I'm sure that it will be a very exciting time and I really hope to be there to see it. I would like to say "thank you" and "good on ya" to all my family, friends and fans in Australia. My little granddaughter, Lena (four years old), now says "Gi'day" like a native and we all talk fondly of our time with you. ...We shall return! All
my love,
June 6, 1999 G'Day... For
a long time, I had been thinking that it MAY happen -- one day,
I was to meet Marta, my sister, lots of people have sisters, and I was going to meet mine! And then she came, waving ..yes she had recognised us… As soon as we had exchanged the first words, hugs, everything clicked into place, on the way home from the airport we just didn't stop talking. And the City of Sydney,. put it's best show on for us later that evening -- New Year's Fireworks. My dream was finally true, I had my sister with me, I could hardly believe it - and there was more: a full family set as a bonus - and what a great bunch they all turned out be! What a way to start the New Year! "Only in Sydney", I reckon. Just as well I came here thirty years ago!
Artwork Courtesy Frantz Kantor. Issue 24 Hi everyone... Let me tell you I loved the last Alpha Control, it was presented so beautifully. The pictures, the stories and the wonderful letter from my brother was so heartwarming to read. My family and I constantly think about Australia and the very special time we had there. I've recently returned from Boston, Massachusetts where I 'appeared' at a huge convention at the Bayside Expo Center with Mark, Billy, Angela and Jonathan. There was a huge amount of people there and we all had a wonderful time. At the moment, Halloween is fast approaching us here in the US, and I'll be appearing at the "Chiller" convention on the 29th October with Mark, June and Steve Catalano (Guy Williams' son). Halloween is such a fun time here. My granddaughter Lena, is looking forward to Halloween, she plans to dress up as a black cat! She just celebrated her 5th birthday, and at her school, she will be presenting a birthday dream project. She has decided will talk about her recent trip to Oz. ...Oh, she is so cute. I am enjoying motherhood all over again, it's just wonderful. At the age five, she wants to please all the time and she is so loving. My daughter Lora (Lena's mother) has just been accepted into a film and television make-up course in Prague. She is so happy now, she's found her niche and it's what she really wants to do...... Just think how far we have to travel to visit her! My husband and I are still hoping to come to Australia during the Olympics in 2000. Speaking of 2000, I hope that all of you celebrate the coming new year well! All
my love, Issue 25 Hi everyone... Thank you to all at LISA for the last Alpha Control magazine, there is so much information to read! We all read it and I know my brother Seppo in Australia loves it. I have just stepped off a plane from Virginia where I attended a weekend convention with Mark Goddard, (let me tell you girls, he looks wonderful). Met quite a lot of people and we all had a wonderful time. Always a joy to catch up with Mark; he makes me laugh so much. We both performed a short play called 'Sure Thing'- it's so adorable, having the premise of Groundhog Day where you strive to get a meeting/relationship finally right after many miss - tries. It was a lot of fun performing it in front of the fans. As I told you in my last letter I'm enjoying 'motherhood' all over again with my granddaughter, Lena - she's beautiful, now five and a half years old. She'll be six in October. This is her first year in Kindergarten and along with other projects; she will take a lot of my attention. So after a lot of discussion with my husband Kevin, unfortunately, we won't be coming to Sydney this year, as I would have liked. I would have liked especially to be at the Sydney Olympics - what an occasion you are going to have! It will be Australia's finest moment. Nevertheless, we will try to get to Australia soon, so I can meet you all. There are some murmurs about Lost In Space at the moment - I'm having a lunch meeting with Kevin Burns from 20th Century Fox next week, which should be very interesting. ...Bob May rang me and left an intriguing message yesterday, I'll call him tomorrow, ...but I'm already wondering. That's
all for the moment, I hope all is well!
Issue 26/27 Hi
everyone ...
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A
Personal Letter from Marta's Brother Seppo 
