Friendly Encounters: Frank Wroblewski Meets Bill Wennington

This is a regular series about my friends who have met celebrities.

My dad got me my first autograph (Billy Williams).  My dad was with me when I got my first in-person autograph (Mike Wegener).  Over the years, he has notified me of various autograph opportunities.
Lately though, Big Frank is getting in on the action.  He started by getting autographs on the ads for the player appearance.  Then he graduated to getting cards signed (he would ask me for the cards well ahead of time).
On Christmas, he proudly handed me the photo below.  He went to an appearance by Bill Wennington, former Bulls champion and got his picture taken with Bill and his ring (my dad pointed that out).
Maybe my dad thinks that his grandson (my nephew) Contributor Extraordinaire Matt Parker was having too much fun and wanted in on the action.  More likely, he is trying to help me and trying to fill time.  Whatever it is, I applaud my dad for getting out and doing something.
Back in his day, Big Frank was a pretty good basketball player.  He might even be able to take me one-on-one now.  Hmmm Matt and me verses Bill and Big Frank?  Why do I think Matt and I would be on the losing side?
I look forward to my dad's next Friendly Encounter.  With my dad, you just never know who he might meet.

Bill Wennington and my dad in Griffith, IN-December 2012.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

Today is a very special Friendly Encounters.  It features one of my classmates through 8 years at Sacred Heart school.  Back then, she was Mary Jovanovich.  Now she is Mary Brazzale, mother of two teenagers.
Mary was Class President in 8th grade and voted "Most Athletic" by our class.  She was well-liked by all and was funny, friendly, smart and everything you'd want in a classmate friend.
We went to different high schools, but I would see her around the neighborhood occasionally.  Unfortunately after high school, I lost track of most of my Sacred Heart classmates, including Mary.
A few months back, several of us reconnected on Facebook.  It was great to see Mary and her family. 
Mary and her family are big Hawks fans (her husband got to hold the Stanley Cup!).  At one of the games last season, Mary ran into Bill Wennington (who won some titles with the Chicago Bulls a few years back).  Mary was gracious enough to share the photo here.
I appreciate Mary sharing her photo here.  I can't believe so much time passed, but I am happy to see that Mary is doing well.

Mary Jovanovich Brazzale and Bill Wennington in Chicago, IL-May 2010.