Hi Gang,
Whoa, you turn around and it's spring again. The celebration of Lassie's 50^th last fall was great.  My TV mom, June Lockhart and I got together in New York to mark the celebration with Lassie.  By now, some of you may have seen the new DVD set. It has shows from all 50 years ‚ Jeffís Collie, the Timmy years, the ranger and some special extras.  It's packed full of memories. Click on the link on my Autographed Photos page to purchase a copy. 

This year started off with a bang.  I was invited to Washington, DC for the Forest Service's Centennial Celebration.  I was always proud of my work with Smokey Bear.  Lassie and I had a great time.  The picture on this page was taken of us there.  I even got to visit my original Timmy outfit at the Smithsonian!  Make sure you check out my new RECOLLECTIONS page to see me at the Smithsonian.The Delta Queen Steamboat Line invited me back for another '50s-themed riverboat cruise of the glorious South in February.  And the good news is I'll be back again in late February-early March of '06.  The cruise is a blast from the past.  We've seen The Platters, the Crickets, the Shirelles.  

Next year, we steamboat with Bill Haley's Comets and big screen legend, John Saxon.  And your historian for the '50s?  None other than my wife, Laurie Jacobson .  Come join us if you can. In March, I worked my favorite annual event, Celebrity Chef for Canine Companions for Independence, on whose board I proudly serve.  I make an award-winning curried shrimp puff.  Bet that's something you didn't know about me!  Anyway, a fantastic organization and a great event.  I ended the month as a guest at the Seattle Kennel Club. I met a lot of nice people and some great dogs. They sure know how to treat you right in the great Northwest! I took some time off in April when my mother-in-law came to visit from St. Louis.  Carol and Laurie went on a tour of the coast and we all met up in Los Angeles to celebrate Laurie's birthday with family. Always have to make time for family!  I'll go down to LA again for Father's Day to be with my dad, my brother William, sister Fran and their families. Many of you ask about William and Fran from the old days when they appeared in the magazines or wrote you letters.  I do pass on your greetings to them. 

I promise to take a photo of the three of us on Father's Day for the website.  Oh, and April ended on a great note: the TVLAND Lassie Marathon!  Wow, I got a huge response from so many of you who enjoyed seeing it again.  Thanks to all who wrote in.  When you leave your name, e-mail and city, state in my GUESTBOOK, I'll let you know about local or TV appearances. Speaking of family, I just visited with Wendy Cox Hagen‚ my niece on "The New Lassie"  We finally met her husband, Shiloh and revisited with their adorable baby, Elijah.  See how they've grown on the RECOLLECTIONS page. In between, I went to the Brimfield Antiques Show in MA. where I "lived" for 4 days at the booth of my friend Gary Sohmers.  I'm sure you've seen Gary on Antiques Roadshow - the cool guy with a gray ponytail always sporting a Hawaiian shirt.  He's great.  Go check him out: www.allcollectors.com   I also appeared at a near-by fundraiser for the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, New Hampshire; I dropped in at the Danville International Children's Film Festival to see my old pal Stan Livingston, appeared in a British documentary on the 50 greatest animal stars of all time and squeezed in a great 3 days at the Long Beach Grand Prix with my 19-year-old daughter, Katie. Both she and my son Ryan, 21, are great kids.  This month is easy, then I gear up for more travel, first to Tombstone, AZ. My old friend Flip Mark lives in Phoenix and plans on driving out to see me. 

I'll also visit Chicago twice, Ohio, Nevada, Virginia, New Jersey and maybe even Panama!  I'll keep you posted on that one.  Always check my APPEARANCES page for the latest news on how to find me. Sometimes, I have to check it myself! Laurie and I continue to work on my autobiography.  Boy, have you heard that one before, right?  I never knew what I was getting into. But I promise you next year is THE year.  Here's one last call to anyone who has a story or memory to share. I've gotten some great ones from fans.  And everyone who has signed my GUESTBOOK will have an opportunity to buy it first!  Thanks for being so patient.While you're waiting for my book, I've got a great one for you. 

My friend, Karen Pfeiffer has put together an incredible book: THE LEGACY OF LASSIE -- An Unauthorized Information and Price Guide on Lassie Collectibles.  When I played Timmy, we were on the air in 120 countries.  I could swear Karen has something from each and every one: puzzles, trading cards, board games, jewelry.  USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, the United Kingdom, Czechoslovakia!  It's just incredible.  If you go to Amazon.com, it's $50 or $60 -- and worth it, but Karen sells it herself for about $22 at: www.colliehaven.tv   Check it out.  Oh, and I wrote the forward for it. And I tried something new. 

There's an audio treat on my RECOLLECTIONS page.  So have a look AND a listen.  And have a great summer.

Best always,

Jon