STAR VISITS NORTH BEND
The Fremont Tribute
by Dean Jacobs
May 22, 2006
People began setting up lawn chairs in the grass at North Bend’s City Park 45 minutes before the arrival of a famous hometown girl.
A buzz of excitement filled the air as Marg Helgenberger was scheduled to visit for the first time in nine years.
Fans and friends of all ages lined the street, and gathered together for various reasons to catch a glimpse of a movie and television star.
“It’s nice to have a street named after a local girl we know,” said Dennis Reznicek a former North Bend native now living in Louisville. “I don’t think she’ll remember me, but if she does, I’ll give her a big hug.”
As television cameras set up position, people mingled and wondered what she would be like, swapping comments about ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ the program Helgenberger stars in as Catherine Willows.
Arlea Lebahn came from Fremont.
“I just think she’s a fabulous actress, and even though I’m from Fremont, I still think of her as my hometown girl,” Lebahn said.
Aside from Mickey Mouse and Goofy, this would be the first live celebrity Hadley Oberg, 9, who was visiting with her mom from Fremont, has ever met.
“I want to ask her if the crimes on the show ever freak her out,” said Oberg, who also has plans to be a movie-star herself one day.
“I watched her grow up,” said Margaret Jensen of Fremont said of Helgenberger.
Jensen used to live across the street from the Helgenbergers and spent time with students on field trips.
“Now I watch her on TV,” Jensen said. “I always remember her as being full of fun and full of life.”
People remarked about how impressed they were that the star didn’t forget where she came from.
“It’s just neat she comes back to help the community,” said Connie Oberg of Fremont.
As a long white limo rolled onto 12th and Locust, the crowd began to applaud, the door opened, and the cameras rolled, as Helgenberger was welcomed home.
A street, Helgenberger Avenue, was named in honor of her family. She also visited her childhood home.
Helgenberger won an Emmy Award for her role as K.C. in the television drama ‘China Beach’ and has received two Emmy nominations for ‘CSI.’ She is married to actor Alan Rosenberg and they have a son, Hughie, 15.
*Special thanks to High304 for sharing this article with us.