Derek's a keen card player

Birds always flock around Barry

Herman & Barry uptight on a high note

By Cherie Wolfe, age 17

     Here I was at the Indiana State Fair, clutching my Instamatic 104 in one hand and my Herman program in the other. At last I was on my way to see my favorite group, Herman's Hermits.
     It wasn't until I tried to take a picture of The Hermits that I found out my trusty little Instamatic 104 had turned Benedict Arnold on me. I couldn't understand it! I checked my whole camera before I left the house, or did I? Oh no, my batteries were dead. That was the last thing I ever expected. Off I ran to buy some new batteries but was sidetracked before I could get anywhere.
     Barry Whitwam was standing right in front of me. I came to a screaming halt right at his feel and asked him for his autograph. He was very nice, besides the funny face he gave me. We talked for a few minutes and all the time he kept looking down at my camera. Poor Barry, looked so confused, here was this little girl who had asked him for his autograph with a camera in her hand and not taking pictures. He just couldn't figure me out. So then I explained to him that my batteries were dead which probably confused him more. Now why would a girl bring a camera with dead batteries? He must have thought I was some kind of nut.
     Well I was off and running only to be sidetracked again.
     The Hermits were running into their dressing room so I waited for them outside, along with about 50 screaming and pushing girls. I waited about ten minutes and finally they came out. Keith was the first to step out, then Peter, and all the rest followed. I never knew how cute they were, they all look so much better in person than their pictures.
     The performance was great. Before they left the stage, Peter introduced each of the Hermits. That was when I slipped out of my seat and ran to the front of the barricade to get a closer look at them when they ran by. I just stood there too shocked to move. Peter ran by first, then Barry, followed by Keith and Karl. Oops, Lek didn't make it, a girl grabbed him before he could get past.
     About that time I was pushed down and somebody with sharp shoes stepped on my ankle. By the time one of the security officers helped me up, Herman's Hermits were gone.
     It wasn't until I got on that bus that I remembered that I never did buy any new batteries. Just think, I was so close to the Hermits that I could have touched them by just reaching out my hand and I didn't get one picture. That's enough to make a person cry.