WHEN HARRY IN NO HURRY FOR COAST’S RACING CROWD

HARRY Connick Jr was at the height of his fame when he performed at Conrad Jupiters for an Indy Ball in 1997.

He had shot to stardom on the back of the soundtrack from the film When Harry Met Sally, for which he sang the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra et al from the great American songbook.

However, for this concert he decided to play only from his latest album which was dedicated to the funk and blues of his home town of New Orleans.

We loved it but the punters were not happy because being an older crowd they were looking forward to hearing all those hits from yesteryear.

Anyway, we finished our photos and decided to sit at the bar in the Garden Cafe and grab coffee and cake. We had just ordered when Harry walked in and sat beside us.

There was a bit of a double take on our part but said how much we enjoyed the gig.

He turned very, very slowly, looked at us and nodded, but his eyes were somewhere else.

He then very, very slowly, got up and headed for the casino.

Maybe he had a heart condition and couldn’t rush anywhere.

WE HAVE a soft spot for teachers because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t read and write so good.

Today we are heaping as much praise as possible upon Ruth Stevens, who this year celebrates 30 years as a teacher at TSS Junior School. In essence, she has been pulling double duty during those years as the wife of the honourable member for Mermaid Beach, Ray Stevens MP.

During Ray’s life in politics, Ruth effortlessly and gracefully performed the many duties associated with being mayoress for the Albert Shire and for Ray’s term as the first mayor of the amalgamated Gold Coast City Council in 1994.