Welcome to the Katona Bennett Personal News Page! Every year, we enjoy getting news-
letters from so many friends, yet we haven’t sent one ourselves since 12/02, mostly because so
much has happened. Rather than subjecting everyone to a long newsletter, we’ve decided
to send my new website address, and anytime you want to know what’s up with us, you
can check here. My good friend Mick, who helped me create this site, assures me that
he can teach me how to do this easily and frequently, so check back often for updates
both personally and professionally.

Our biggest news is that Garrett has opened his practice in Facial Plastic Surgery.
(www.drgarrettbennett.com). After completing his residency at NYU in Otolaryngology
/Head and Neck Surgery, he accepted a Fellowship at prestigious Rousso Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Birmingham, AL. The 3 of us lived there from 6/04 to 7/05, and we sublet our co-op here in Manhattan. It was a wonderful year all around. Brandy had a huge screened in porch to hang out in, (see Brandy’s page for her stories), we had a tennis court right outside our apartment, our complex had a pool, lake, fitness center, putting green, and club house with a baby grand piano – it was like living in a resort, but was very affordable. I was fortunate to do a good amount of concert work during the year, and workshops of several new musicals, so I kept my performance skills in shape. Garrett worked very long hours at the Rousso clinic, but he loved every minute of it. Dr. Rousso is not only an outstanding surgeon and excellent mentor, but he is also one of the kindest and most positive men we have ever had the privilege to know. He and his wife Nancy made us feel very welcome during our time in B’ham, and we look forward to a long personal and professional relationship with them. We took every opportunity to explore Birmingham – it is really a beautiful city. One of our favorite things to do was to go hiking at Oak Mountain State Park with Brandy, and then take her for a canoe ride. We made some incredibly good friends there, and we miss them dearly already. Birmingham will always be another home to us. By the time you read this, we had already been back for a visit, when Raissa performed at the FACES OF BROADWAY benefit on September 232rd.

I became a professional dog trainer this year, something I’ve been studying for a while, and taught primarily “puppy kindergarten” for the Birmingham Obedience Training Club. We did a lot of dog fostering for the Humane Society and Brandy was very patient and helpful. Most of the dogs we worked with needed some sort of socialization/behavioral training. We were able to return one dog to his family, and another, our good friends adopted! In addition, we facilitated the adoption of several other dogs. I continue to volunteer with the ASPCA here in NYC and to train dogs privately. I am a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), professional trainers who work exclusively with positive reinforcement.

Garrett and I became members of Unity Church so it was a big year of spiritual growth – such a loving peaceful ministry led by Rev. Jerry Bartholow and his wife, Jane. Jerry also happens to be an incredible golfer and he was kind enough to give us some lessons – we are both playing much better now! I studied Reiki with my friend Cindy Webb, who certified me as a Reiki Master. Jim Aycock, amazing composer/musician/friend and the musical director of Unity Lights, appeared this year with me in the FACES OF BROADWAY concert. (www.jimaycock.net)

As much as we love and miss our friends in Birmingham, we were happy to resume our life in NYC. Brandy just about knocked herself unconscious with her tail wagging, when she saw Aunt Sara, Uncles Roger and Sam for the first time in a year! We hit the ground running by opening Garrett’s practice, and with me booking a new musical, the first week I was home! (See my “latest news” page) Luckily, we took our time driving home from AL, stopping in SC to see my nephew Ryan, his 3 daughters and fiancée, Sally & Tom Bixby who hosted our wedding almost 8 years ago, and Jason & Christine Cox, who I worked with on the coastal cruise ships. Then Garrett drove 14 hours straight to get to his folks in NH. We met our new nephew, Liam, (born in Nov.) for the first time and got reacquainted with our adorable niece, Elayna. We spent the week relaxing and playing with Garrett’s family. On our way back home through CT, we caught up with my family in CT, visited my dear friends the Bales, and Rose Jeanne Young and the rest of the Gemme family, whom I’ve not seen for years. What wonderful reunions they all were. It’s been non-stop ever since! I love being in rehearsal full time, and I’m still teaching Pilates (for now, once a week). Teaching fitness classes is something I will always do, between acting jobs.

In January of 2003, little Goldie, the 16 year old Chihuahua we rescued in 2002, made her peaceful transition. We miss her very much, but are comforted to know that the last 11 months of her life were happy ones. She taught me a lot about animal communication, something I continue to work on. Brandy grieved her along with us, but has made it clear that she wants to be the only dog in our family from now on. She is good about the occasional foster situation, but is always happy to have us to herself when they leave.

Garrett applied to 20 Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship programs and was offered 19 interviews; therefore, much of the beginning of 2003 was spent traveling around the country. He was accepted at his top choice with Dr. Daniel Rousso of Birmingham, in June ’03 and he completed his residency training in Otolaryngology at NYU Medical Center, graduating in June ’04. Garrett authored several publications in the leading journals of Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology.

I spent Nov. ’03 through Jan. ‘04 in Little Rock, AR, appearing in Cinderella at The Rep. Brandy went with me, and Garrett came for 2 visits – at Thanksgiving, and a surprise visit for our Christmas Eve anniversary. One week after returning home in Jan., I was invited to sing with my friend, Gary Lindemann, at the estate of Cal Ripken, Jr. As much fun as this was for me, it was the thrill of a lifetime for Garrett, since we spent the night with Cal and his wife Kelly, just talking and hanging out till all hours of the morning. Cal signed several baseballs for us and our family. Lovely people, and the evening was a very successful benefit for Kelly’s work on behalf of Graves Disease. Not long after, I headed to Birmingham to pick out a place for us to live, and that brings us officially up to date!

Continue to check back here as I add more info, and my friend Mick adds photos, video and sound clips. Please drop us a note and tell us how you are! As always, God bless and keep you all.