Hello Laurel? This is Jay Leno. . .

That's what I heard when I answered my cell phone earlier today.  My embarrassing reply was "Are you kidding me?"  But c'mon, it's only been two days since April Fool's Day, and I have plenty of friends who would love to pull such a stunt, and who would probably be late in pulling it.   However, the voice sure sounded like the voice I hear so many times on those nights when insomnia is my companion in the late evening and, after all, I did send Jay a letter a couple of weeks ago.  

Bottom line, it WAS Jay!   Here's the story.   He was here in Tulsa last weekend to give a show at a casino. Ron M. was going, so we were talking about how much of a car enthusiast Leno is, and one of us commented that it would be fun if he came to Afton Station to see the collection.  Ron suggested I write him a letter and enclose some postcards and a brochure.  At first, I balked at the idea, but later decided that there was no harm in trying.

Jay called to say that he just got around to opening last week's fan mail, and he apologized (yes, apologized!) for not coming to Afton since he just found out about us today. Then we discussed Packards and Studebakers for a few moments (Who am I kidding?  He talked while I spent the time trying to recover from the shock).  He said that the next time he comes to Tulsa he promises he'll visit us.   Wow!  I'm surprised and delighted that he would make a phone call like that at a time in his life which is undoubtedly tumultuous because of all the rumors and whisperings about his future with The Tonight Show.  I'd think he would have more important things to think about.   But Jim Hinckley, my friend in Arizona who had an interview with Jay last year, tells me that he's a very friendly guy who truly enjoys talking about vintage cars.

So, that's my big news for the day.  By the way, I cross referenced the phone number and it was indeed from NBC Studios in Burbank, California.  (You never can be too careful, you know.) The picture above is Jay with one of his many Packards.  He was really a very nice guy!