Guiding Light Stars Reunite For Charity

Guiding Light went off the air in September 2009, but 15 years later, its cast is still getting together to mix and mingle with fans to benefit some very important causes. The 20th Annual Daytime Stars & Strikes Bowling Event for the Autism Society, held on October 14 at Frames Bowling at Port Authority in New York City, was co-hosted by Elizabeth Keifer (ex-Blake Thorpe Marler) and Michael O’Leary (ex-Rick Bauer) and drew Springfield alumni like Grant Aleksander (ex-Phillip Spaulding) and Robert Newman (ex-Joshua Lewis). Funds raised — nearly $40,000 at press time — were designated not only for the Autism Society, but for the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund. The scholarship was created in loving memory of Jerry verDorn, who played Ross Marler from 1979-2005 and passed away in 2022. The actor hosted the Daytime Stars & Strikes Bowling Event for 18 years and the scholarship that bears his name is awarded to theaters with students on the autism spectrum to attend their camps and productions, tuition-free. To donate to this very worth cause, click here.

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Co-hosts Liz Keifer and Michael O'Leary were ready to take the lanes by storm. O'Leary was a GL fixture from 1983-91 and 1995-2009, while Keifer assumed the role of Holly Norris and Roger Thorpe's daughter in 1992.

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"The Four Musketeers" reunite! O'Leary was thrilled to see his longtime scene partners (from l.) Beth Chamberlin (ex-Beth Raines Spaulding), Grant Aleksander (ex-Phillip Spaulding) and Krista Tesreau (ex-Melinda Sue Lewis).

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Aleksander and Robert Newman (ex-Joshua Lewis) were both dashing in black. Newman played romantic hero Josh from 1981-84, 1986-91 and 1993-09) and more recently, he earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for the role of Ashland Locke on Young and Restless. Aleksander, meanwhile, was first cast as Phillip in 1982, left in 1984, and returned from 1986-91, 1996-2004 and again in 2009.

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Vernell Jackson placed the winning bid to appear on the Soap Opera Digest website alongside Newman. Thank you for your loyalty and generosity, Vernell!

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Sonia Satra, who played the role of Lucy Cooper Spaulding from 1993-97, caught up with Kurt Robin McKinney, who portrayed Matt Reardon from 1994-2000 and recurred from 2005-09. After wrapping her GL run, Satra went on to appear on One Life to Live as Barbara Graham, while McKinney played Ned Ashton on General Hospital before Wally Kurth assumed the role.

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Keifer played host to Justin Klosky (ex-Joey Lupo from 2003-04) and Tesreau, the original Mindy, whose first GL stint lasted from 1983-89. After Kimberley Simms, Ann Hamilton and Barbara Crampton had runs as Mindy, Tesreau returned in 2002, 2004 and 2009. She also played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life To Live from 1994-96.

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McKinney also posed alongside Chamberlin, who began playing Beth Raines (a role originated by Days of Our Lives's Judi Evans, Bonnie Lockhart Kiriakis) in 1989. Chamberlin exited alongside Aleksander in 1991, when their characters wed and left Springfield together. She returned and played Beth from 1997-2009.

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Here's Mart Hulswit, who played Ed Bauer from 1969-81, with Elvera Roussel, who portrayed Ed's niece, Hope Bauer, from 1979-83. Hope was the mother of Alan-Michael Spaulding, via her doomed relationship with Alan Spaulding.

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Klosky showed off his fine bowling form.

Guiding Light

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