Wednesday, January 14, 2009

A Paul Newman Story ...

When we lost Paul Newman last September, we lost more than a great actor. We also lost a generous and compassionate humanitarian who donated in excess of $250 million to charity from the proceeds of his Newman's Own food products.

I recently received this humorous story about him in an e-mail note and want to share it with you.

A Michigan woman and her family were vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited.

One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.

She hopped in the car, drove to the center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor.

There was only one other patron in the store -- Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a doughnut and coffee.

The woman's heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes. The actor nodded graciously and the starstruck woman smiled demurely.

"Pull yourself together," She chided herself. "You're a happily married woman with three children, you're forty-five years old, not a teenager!"

The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman's direction.

When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change but her other hand was empty. Where's my ice cream cone? Did I leave it in the store?

Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk's hand or in a holder on the counter or something ... No ice cream cone was in sight!

With that, she happened to look over at Paul Newman. His face broke into his familiar warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman, "You put it in your purse."

Oh, how we are going to miss that sweet, lovable, generous, and kind man we knew as Paul Newman. But his amazing legacy will continue to enrich the lives of thousands of children for many years to come. May he rest in Peace.

14 comments:

Picket said...

Morning Janie...I loved Paul Newman...He was such a great actor & I always liked seeing him play in movies with his wife Joanne Woodward! I have always loved the actors from years gone by...Jimmy Stewart & Randolph Scott...these new actors just come & go it seems. Thanks for coming by girl...hope you are having a great week!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I love Paul Newman, Janie, and his genoristy is legendary. Too bad that other celebrities don't follow suit. Think how much better off the world would be!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Kitty Scraps said...

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story about a true gentleman and humanitarian. He will be sorely missed for more than his world famous baby blues.

Julie @ Sweet Chaos said...

What a great picture of him! He's so dignified. And he's still greatly missed. I agree, it would be interesting to see what would happen if more celebrities were like he was, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

Loved this story, and I just loved him !! He was a few years older than my parents, my Dad had the same color eyes.

He was truly a class act.

I just bought some of his doggie treats for our Puggle/Sydney :)

Have a great day Janie,

Kathy :)

ps Cute story, bet he saw that all the time !!! Have you ever run into someone famous ???

Beth at Aunties said...

Janie,

What a cute story about a caring and generous man. We have enjoyed his talents, humor, movies and some of his products. He and his beautiful wife were a living example to others.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!

Have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

HI Janie! What a really sweet and funny story! And I must say that this picture puts my favorite cow pics in second place!!!lol Why can't there be more celebs out there like this man??? Have a great day - Jeannette

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I could see how meeting Paul Newman could do that to a fan!:-) What beautiful blue eyes he had.

He was a wonderful humanitarian and I hope his charitable foundations remain strong.

Femin Susan said...

Hi...
How awesome! Thanks for sharing.........

Barb said...

Cute story sounds like something I would do.......Barb

bj said...

Well, Janie, I am squalling like a baby...I do miss him. He was, as you said, not only to-die-for-handsome and a great actor, he was a devoted husband and father and MORE than did his share to help others. I am positive he has an extra star in his crown....
Wonderful post...
And, thanks for coming over and leaving sweet words on my little laundry closet...I realize your home is beautiful and I appreciate that you have the sweetness to see mine as you do. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,
I love that story! Thanks for the smiles!

Paul Newman was one of my favorites!

Bo said...

Hi Janie...Paul Newman was a man among men...the fact he was married to Joanne Woodward for all of their years with no scandals puts him head & shoulders above so many others...This old earth is dimmer with his missing star but heaven is brighter because he is there... ;-) Bo

Jon said...

Janie,
Cool story...thanks for sharing it. He certainly was a generous humanitarian and role model many of today's generation of actors would do well to follow.

I wonder if the story I heard years ago about Joanne Woodward's student days at LSU are true? Probably not.

Jon at Mississippi Garden