Port city gets O'Donnell's attention
SAINT JOHN - The New Brunswick port city of Saint John could become a regular stop for R Family Vacations, says Rosie O'Donnell.
"Of course," she said Tuesday when asked if she will come back to the city.
"The scenery is beautiful. It reminds us of the upper Hudson Valley in New York and parts of Pennsylvania. It's gorgeous. I'm glad the fog went away for us."
O'Donnell, the American activist/actress/comedian, was aboard the Norwegian Dawn when it arrived in Saint John on Tuesday morning with 2,300 gay couples and their families.
The ship had been chartered by R Family Vacations, a company co-founded by O'Donnell's partner, Kelli Carpenter O'Donnell.
About 100 fans who had waited all morning to catch a glimpse of the TV talk-show personality got more than they had hoped.
When, in early afternoon, port security guards announced that O'Donnell would be leaving the ship, rainbow flags waved and chants of "Rosie, Rosie, Rosie" began as the crowd encouraged her to disembark.
The star came down the ship's gangway to a screaming throng so enthusiastic that security guards warned fans repeatedly to stay back.
O'Donnell told the guards, "It's OK."
She responded to the crowd by giving hugs and autographs and posing for photographs - she even held microphones for reporters who sometimes looked more like pack-horses as they struggled to balance cameras on their shoulders, as well as hold microphones.
"They make you hold it and take the pictures?" she asked incredulously as a reporter struggled to get into the crush.
The gregarious O'Donnell was gracious as she signed everything from books to caps.
"We love you," people told her over and over.
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Having her cruise line come here is bitter sweet...good for the Saint John economy but it comes at the cost of having Rosie here.