Ask Rona

Ask Rona

Have a question or comment for Rona?

Want to share a senior story?

(For a personalized autographed photo of Rona, please mail a $25 check-donation to “The Rona Barrett Foundation.” Include “personalized language” with your name, to The Rona Barrett Foundation, P.O. Box 1559, Santa Ynez, CA 93460).

Read below to see comments from Rona’s fans and her responses:

My name is Davonne and for seventeen years, I’ve worked in the radio industry but the person who really has made a major influence in my life and I’ve always wanted to meet was you!ô I remember the first time watching your entertainment segment on WABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” in NYC (I’m from New Jersey) during the early days with David Hartman and I was absolutely blown away by your style, class, professionalism and elegance on how you reported the entertainment news from Hollywood.ô From the way your hair was beautifully coiffed, the make-up was flawless while the fashion ensemble was fabulous, you’ve truly set the standard on how entertainment news should be reported.ô Ms. Barrett, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my hero as well as inspiring me and if I ever get my own television news magazine, I would hire you as my mentor/executive producer!ô I really miss seeing you on television because that image of you on “GMA” has stayed with me for a long time to someday have my own television news magazine.

I just read on your website that you began your one-woman show, “Nothing But The Truth” at The Paley Center in Beverly Hills and was wondering if your show is coming to New York?ô If so, could you please post it on your website because I would really love to see your show and hopefully meet you!ô I wish you continued success and happiness on your one-woman show, The Rona Barrett Foundation and all of your future endeavors!!ô Have a fabulous day…You’re the best!!

~Davonne

Hi Rona,

I bought your dvd the week it was released and I am hoping there are more to come with the great legends of television and movies. I grew up in the 1970’s and would love to see more interviews that you did with television stars of the 1970’s.
Maybe you could do a dvd volume of tv stars and a volume of movie legends.
After watching your first dvd I realized what a great interviewer you were and
it brought back so many great childhood memories. Anyone who has’nt purchased
Rona’s first dvd volume should,it’s amazing and I really hope more are to come!
Your a legend Rona and so are your interviews!

xoxo Nicole

Dear Ms. Rona Barrett,
I admire what your doing for seniors,it’s such a wonderful thing your doing. I am writting to tell you growing up in the 70’s your magazines made my life so much fun. I looked forward to seeing which Charlie’s Angel would be on your next magazine cover. I loved your interview dvd “Nothing But The truth” and I really hope you bring more of your wonderful interviews to dvd. Nobody today compares to you, you were/are the best at what you do and your dedication to helping seniors just shows how great of a woman you are!

All The best,

Rina

Hi Ms. Rona,

I am so elated to find you website. I am a fan from way back when celebrities were celebrities. I used to love your magazines. My favorites were Rona Barrett “Gossip” and “Daytimers”. You sure were ahead of your time. I laugh now when I see shows like Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and Extra. You were doing this during the 70’s. Wow, those were the good ole days.

Do you still do any investigative reporting? I used to love your “blind items”. Sorry to hear about Mr. Trowbridge passing away, but I’m glad you’ve been able to find happiness again.

Just wanted you to know how I’ve appreciated you!

God Bless,

Karen Anderson

Hi Rona!

My name is Monte. I lived in SF 25 years ago. One time a man approached me and said he was smitten and wanted me to move to Ft Lauderdale with him. I gave it a try but became so bored and missed California very much. I spent the whole time sitting on his porch reading “Rona Barrett’s Hollywood”. Your publication meant so much to me! I returned to SF and a few years later met Jim in The East Bay. He is now the Art Director of a Time Warner Magazine. We’ve been together for 21 years now and as soon as California returns our Civil Rights we will be married.

Thanks for the great memories.

Sincerely,
Monte Hill

Dear Ms. Barrett,

I thought the video about you volunteering in Santa Barbara was wonderful. I also volunteer at Valle Verde in Santa Barbara and enjoy it so much. I used to watch you years ago when you were a gossip columnist. Funny how our careers completely change, isn’t it?

Best,
Linda Allan

Dear Rona,

You and your RB Foundation keep popping into my awareness, so I thought I’d give you a shout.

Perhaps you remember me from the staff of your magazines at Laufer Co. during the seventies and early eighties. It appears we’ve both gone on to other pursuits. I went back to grad school in the nineties and now have my MA and Ph.D. in BodyMind Therapy. I’m in private practice in Tarzana, specializing in somatic trauma therapy. There are some terrific seniors among my clients, a wonderful source of wisdom and humor.

It’s lovely to see you are involved in bringing health and beauty into the lives of so many. Bravo. I wish you all the best.

Blessings,

Diane Dalbey, Ph.D.

R.B: Good for you Diane Dalbey a PH.d in body mind therapy! I f you can why don’t you tell us a positive story or two about a senior in your practice ? We’d love to share those stories about their humor and wisdom. I congratulate you onô graduating to a new level and wish you continued success in your future.

Dear Miss Rona,

Thank you for doing this work! Although I was never interested in the doings of Hollywood, I am now a fan of your “new” work. I have heard enough horror stories of greedy offspring taking advantage of their parents by taking over their finances and shutting them up in homes and then never visiting them. It makes me want to scream!ô And for some reason, the sons or daughters who try to prevent such disasters have been legally crippled. What is wrong with this picture?! It is so frustrating! It is so refreshing for a “star” to champion a cause without seeming contrite.

Best wishes,
Andrea Carvey

Dear Rona Barrett,

I hope you get a chance to read this. I share your passion in taking care of seniors as I work at a low income, non-profit program here in Minnesota called SEMCAC. We provide seniors with a nutritional meal for a minimal donation. If they can pay, they pay. No diner is turned away as long as they are a senior citizen or disabled adult. I have held many positions over the years, but serving seniors is by far the best. I love my job and have such a passion to make their lives as comfortable as I can. I love that you have a foundation and I would love to get more information about it.
Thank you for your time,
Marcia Khan

Dear Rona,

I am not in the habit of writing to famous people, in fact you are the first. I am writing today because I caught a glimpse of you on television promoting senior care and services. I am the director of a senior center in Wisconsin and continually in awe of the people I spend most of my time and energy with.ô Their life experiences have taught them so much and it is a shame our society does not place a higher value on its seniors.

The word “senior” should invoke a sense of pride and accomplishment. Unfortunately, many consider it a negative label to be avoided. In my opinion, a word should not define you, you should define the word. We are working very hard to redefine what it means to be a ãseniorã.

It is especially difficult during these hard economic times to secure the funds necessary to provide services that support healthy aging. With enthusiasm, creativity and local support we have made many improvements in the way senior center services are provided to our citizens. We will move forward with the realization that our elders are one of our greatest treasures!

I am so happy someone of your stature has championed this cause. Please keep all of us updated on what we can do to increase the value placed on seniors in our communities.

Connie Steinhoff

R.B: Connie, One of the first things that came to my mind was when we were young, we couldn’t wait to become a “senior” in high school or a “senior” in college, but when weô became aô ”senior” in age, we wanted to bury the word!ô I remember back in the 70’s, when big businesses thought they could make more money by eliminating the “senior” executives and hiring “junior” ones in their place.ô Though the “junior” executives did well, they didn’t have the experience of the “seniors”.ô What these companies never shared, was how they then went on to hire these “seniors” as consultants and ended up paying them more in the long run for their wealth of knowledge!ô ô When theyô share their life’s experiences, for whatever reason, it begins to change one’s attitude about the word “senior”.ô Thus showing us that “senior” really is a great word!

Dear Rona,

I am 54 years old and getting ready to visit my mom who is in a skilled care facility following a hip fracture. Her situation is complicated by the fact that she suffered brain damage back in her mid-forties. My dad has been her caregiver for close to 30 years since she was left with limited functioning ability and a short-term memory. Their financial situation is not great – my dad has limited income and himself is 80 years old.

Your story on NBC touched me. We SO need to improve what we are doing for seniors in this country. The costs for just a fair amount of care – not even really good care – are much too high. My parents have paid for their house but the house and their limited income will be spent quickly as they increasingly need more care.

I love your idea for a special seniors housing facility and wish you well. Please consider expanding your efforts out to New York too. My parents live in western New York and as I know you understand, the need is great in every state.

Many blessings sent your way,
Cynthia Stramaglia

Miss Barrett:

Your autobiography literally changed my life. It confirmed to an unlovely Brooklyn girl that it was (as she had suspected) possible to strongly, vividly, passionately THINK what you wanted–although ãsheã discovered a bit of surgical help didnãt hurt!

Iãm well read, glam, worldly…but when people ask me what books were particularly important for me I ALWAYS tell them that it was your book. The fact that you could will yourself like clay into what you wanted to be inspired me to do the same.ô I guarantee you that EVERYONE walks away knowing they need to reevaluate any knee-jerk notions they might have had about you or your importance.

I am so excited that you are back and…evidently…ETERNALLY FRESH! YOU ROCK!

Thank you for existing at a moment in time when a Canarsie girl really needed to read what you had to say.

Lorrie Marlow

Dear “Miss Rona”,

Heartfelt thanks for making a difference in the lives of seniors, many of who are disabled. These low-income individuals have no one to speak for them and effective advocacy is imperative.

When I last e-mailed you I was expressing profound sadness upon the death of Van Johnson. I knew June Allyson very well and am still in shock at how Hollywood has turned its back on a significant number of golden-era celebrities. As you know, Junie lived in Ojai and constantly supported the golden era, MGM, and celebrity friends like James Stewart, Judy Garland and Van. She started the June Allyson Foundation and frequently gave lectures about how to effectively advocate for seniors and the golden era of Hollywood.

My story is concise and succinct. I am 63 years young and happen to be a disabled and low-income individual. I live in a government-subsidized community called Spencer Village in Manchester, Connecticut. The government does not take budgeting responsibly and my community is running in “the red”. The government continues to borrow and is getting all of us into additional fiscal debt. Government puts little to no money into maintenance of subsidized communities, and they are not being adequately taken care of. In the end it will cost the taxpayers even more money to re-build or update these communities. Government just does not take care of what it has.

Disabled people and seniors require their own proximity and space but are sadly not given it. They need your lavender and Junie’s pink roses. Please keep up your great work and again, heartfelt thanks.

My complimentary closing is in Junie’s own words…

“Happy Thoughts”,
Len Bourret

Dear Ms. Rona,

I have had much success in many areas of community work for all ages. For example, I have producedô free events for the children within our local community in order to give back. I am a strong member within our Rotary Club and the local Chambers. However, as my mother agesô and my brother’s health continues to worsen, I am looking for new areas to direct my energies. I wish to help those who have no one to advocate for them, fill out paperwork, or guide through the myriad of services and programs. Many times these people are left to their own abilities and are not aware of the services that may be available to them. It is my passion is to serve them.

I do not know much about what you do, but in reading what I have found and the one little bit I saw on the TV it seems I need to get some direction and focus from what you are doing. I want to bring these services to where I live in the Sacramento area of northern California. When I was trying to find what is availableô here for my mom and brother I was misdirected, mishandled and lost. The programs seem to be obscure to the general public and I canãt image anyone with an illness or of age trying to work their way through the bureaucratic mess to find out what is there!

Please tell me your thoughts and where this may be able to go as a focus within our region. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,
Tami Paraker

Dear Ms. Barrett,

I am very interested in providing housing for the elderly that is pleasant and similar to a home atmosphere.ô I would be interested in learning more about your new combination assisted living and day services project. Is there a way I could follow your progress? I would eventually like to open a small boarding home for the elderly and am looking for ideas.

Thank you,
Cindy Kelleher

R.B: Cindy, My first suggestion is to contactô and/or visit someone in your area thatô is already running an assisted living business out of their home.ô Ask them what it is that they don’t like about their business and secondly, what they feel is missing from their home business.ô ô This could be very useful information in setting up your ownô business.ô I would also suggest going on line to see if there are organizations or associationsô that run theseô these type of elderly care homesô that you could join and learn even more about.

Hi Ms. Barrett,

I saw you on the NBC evening news and just wanted to say good for you and the things you are doing for seniors. I am not the type to send fan mail, in fact this is the first one I have ever sent. I have an 83 year old mom that I am taking care of and I see the need for the work that you are doing. Glad to see you making a come back. Enjoy every minute of it.

I don’t know if you have the time, but would you send an autographed photo? I remember you very well from the 70’s, we used to watch you in the mornings before school. This was the big thing for us back in those days…LOL…If you can great, if you do not have time I understand.

Thank you again. You looked great back then and I was shocked at how young you still look.

Keep it up.
Paul Murphy

Hi Rona,

I am a 66 year old senior and have been a manicurist for over 26 years. I was also a registered nurse in the good old days where Florence Nightingale was our leader. I have many physical issues that I am dealing with, but have still been able to work in a convalescent home for a year now.ô I do the patients’ nails and they love it. We women, and sometimes men, know what it can mean to have nice nails. I plan on retiring soon and want to give back to all seniors. Right now I am trying to make some money so I can help them out. I would like to discuss this with you since I don’t know how to do it. Please help me, I want to give back.

Anonymous

R.B: Dear Anonymous, One of the best things you can give to someone is your time!ô Become one ofô Rona’s Warriors and brighten someone’s day withô a visit to your local nursing homeô and keep those nails shiny!

Dear Ms. Barrett,

I have never been so moved to seek out a website just to be able to say ” thank you for being you”. I saw the story on NBC Nightly News and wanted to thank you for being a voice and an advocate for these seniors who might not have anyone else to turn to. I applaud you. Bless you for caring for these most vulnerable of human beings. My heart breaks to think of any Senior who is alone without any family to visit or care for them. Keep bringing the light to those who need this love. Thank you Ms. Barrett.

Sincere Regards-
Chantal Moore

Ms Rona,

I know you maybe embarrassed by this and I mean NO ill will to others.
You paved the way for entertainment news, you! I must say you were ahead of your time, gentle and did not have to put a bunny suit on to prove anything to anyone.

Always my favorite and I have thought of you from time to time.
To all, this is the lady who came first , and knew how far to go. To your poise, manners and caring nature.

Sincerely,
Pam

Ms. Barrett

I happened to find your website from a new article about your One Woman Show.

It has been a few years since you popped into my memory….ô But all good memories
you made.

I have to say I had always enjoyed your style in covering Hollywood, without
all the added no underwear stories today’s so called Gossip Reporters are doing.

Thanks,
Bill Sanderson
Palm Springs, CA.

Dear Ms. Barrett,

My name is Davonne Whaley and for seventeen years, I’ve worked in the radio industry but the person who really has made a major influence in my life and I’ve always wanted to meet was you!ô I remember the first time watching your entertainment segment on WABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” in NYC (I’m from New Jersey) during the early days with David Hartman and I was absolutely blown away by your style, class, professionalism and elegance on how you reported the entertainment news from Hollywood.ô From the way your hair was beautifully coiffed, the make-up was flawless while the fashion ensemble was fabulous, you’ve truly set the standard on how entertainment news should be reported.ô Ms. Barrett, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my hero as well as inspiring me and if I ever get my own television news magazine, I would hire you as my mentor/executive producer!ô I really miss seeing you on television because that image of you on “GMA” has stayed with me for a long time to someday have my own television news magazine.

Most Sincerely,
Davonne Whaley

Hi Rona – Absolutely delighted to read the article about your show and your program to help the elderly.ô Since I just turned 73, I can certainly understand the need for this kind of aid.

About 16 years ago I decided to try my hand at some freelance writing and selected a favorite classic star, Maureen O’Hara , as my topic.ô The article was published but my research on Maureen O’Hara proved to be so fascinating. it became an ongoing project that evolved into a website and a friendship with Ms. O’Hara.

Although she now resides in Ireland I cannot wait to call her tomorrow and tell her about your return to the public eye.ô They are in the process now of building a legacy center in her honor in Glengarriff, County Cork.ô She celebrates her 90th birthday on August 17th.

Again, it’s so good to see your name again.

June

Dear Rona,

We need you back. Since Barbara WhaWha is not doing her post Oscar show, there is a place for you. I know you still have lots of juice. Yes, I know you hate the Hollyweird scene, but if the money is right, this can help your philanthropic endeavors. The ãreel meã at home in sweats, no make-up, bad hair day type showãyou should do something such as this. It would take off!!

Best wishes,

Jacqueline G.

R.B.: Ye gads, Jacqueline! Without hair and make-up, are you nuts! Iãll scare the TV audience, destroy the Internet, and be accused of murder. . . but I love your idea!

Oh my God, I was talking to my daughter who never had the opportunity to know Ms. Barrett. She always hears me say, ãOh, no one tells it like Rona BarrettãÎã My daughter was questioning me about Ms. Rona Barrett and who she is, so we decided to look on the internet for her. Here she is, beautiful and still Rona Barrett. I love her and always have. I love to hear what she has to say and see who she interviewed. There has not yet been anyone that I know that could touch Ms. Rona Barrett, not even Oprah. Sorry, but it is the truth. I will buy the dvd for my daughter so she can finally meet Ms. Rona Barrett. Love her.

Linda M.

R.B.: I was talking to my granddaughter and ôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙôÙasked her if she ever heard of Bette Davis. ãWho?ã she said. ãI only know of Justin Bieber.ã

Iãve been a fan of ãMiss Ronaã my whole life. I would watch her when I was little, on GOOD MORNING AMERICA, and regularly caught her ã on whatever & wherever she was appearing.

Iãve not seen Ms. Barrett in quite awhile, Iãm so happy to have not only found her website, but to see a picture, that shows Miss Barrett still looking terrific!

Itãs so nice to see what sheãs now doing with her career (while Iãm not a senior citizen, my folks are getting up there), and I plan to pass this site on to both of them.

I just want to send her my best wishes, and thank her for giving me (and millions of others) so many years of gossip, and entertainment reporting, and wish her the best in this very worthwhile venture.

With much affection,

Ron P., NYC

R.B.: And same back to you, Ron.

Hi, Rona. Your magazine ãRona Barrettãs Hollywoodã wasnãt generally available here in Great Britain , but now and again it would appear on the news stands here. I always looked forward to reading it , as it nearly always featured something about one special entertainerãÎãÎãÎãÎ.. DEAN MARTIN.

With best regards, Graham.

R.B: Nice man, Mr. Martin. He disliked Frank Sinatra, always picking on me!

Rona,

Congratulations! ô The website is terrific.

I’ve wanted to tell you a story about your cute father for years, but never seemed like the right time. ô So, here goes: ô I was President of Valley Haven and took some prospective board members into the activities room. ô There was your tiny dad with sparkling eyes, saying, “Look at all these smiling people! ô And they’re smiling with their own teeth!” ô I cherish that memory.

Lelia Birrell

R.B.: He never knew he was funny!ô He used to come up with the oddest answers and everyone always laughed.ô He thought they were laughing at him, but I swore to him they were laughing “with” him!

One day he told my sister, who was calling long distance, that he had a girlfriend.ô She said, “What’s her name?”ô He said, “Can you hold on just a minute?”ô Several minutes went by and my sister not knowing what happened to my father starts screaming into the phone, “Dad, where are you?ô Daddy, are you there?”ô Apparently, he went into his room to find his wallet.ô He couldn’t remember the girlfriend’s name, but he remembered he had put her name in his wallet.ô When he came back to pick up the phone he could hear my sister yelling, “Daddy, where are you?”

“Her name’s Cheryl!”ô Cheryl had just become his overnight care giver!

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