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The Surprise Visit (2022): What is the True Story Behind the Film?

As ‘The Surprise Visit’ unfolds, Annabelle and Casey grapple with their drug addiction, realizing the need for a fresh start as they anticipate becoming parents. Faced with financial challenges, the couple decides to overcome their substance abuse, driven by a desperate desire to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their unborn child. In a twist of fate, Casey discovers that Mrs. Dixon, his father’s employer, will be out of town for the weekend.

Faced with financial struggles and a desire for a fresh start, Casey proposes a risky plan to Annabelle—to commit a robbery as their final act of desperation. They intend to secure enough resources to embark on a new life for their unborn child, steering away from the challenges of their current circumstances. Directed by Nick Lyon, the story of the 2022 movie explores the lengths people go to when pushed to the brink and delves into the moral and ethical complexities surrounding their choices.

The Surprise Visit is Inspired by Real Events

The writers of ‘The Surprise Visit,’ Nathan Cowles, Andrew Fein, and Serah Henesey, drew inspiration from a true story connected to Serah Henesey’s husband, Nathan Cowles’ family homestead, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tale reportedly revolves around the previous owner, also named Mrs. Dixon, who, after being widowed, left her property to visit her sister for the weekend. During her absence, the housekeeper, Eric Roberts, unknowingly shared the information with her drug-addicted son and his girlfriend about the vacant house.

Learning of their pregnancy, the couple attempted to rob the residence. However, the unexpected arrival of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter and son-in-law on the same night led to their apprehension, mirroring the film’s theme of desperate actions with unexpected consequences. ‘The Surprise Visit’ masterfully captures the raw and unforgiving realities of addiction, providing an unfiltered glimpse into the tumultuous lives of individuals ensnared in the clutches of substance abuse and economic hardship.

With a keen eye for authenticity, the film explores the complex relationship between addiction and poverty, exposing the vulnerabilities that drive individuals to make desperate and often misguided decisions. Annabelle and Casey’s journey becomes a reflection point for the societal challenges surrounding substance abuse, shedding light on the relentless cycle of struggle and the profound consequences it inflicts upon those entangled in its grip. Drug addiction in the country remains a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across the nation.

The country grapples with a multifaceted crisis involving a range of substances, from opioids and stimulants to marijuana and alcohol. Contributing factors to the epidemic include the widespread availability of prescription painkillers, socioeconomic disparities, mental health challenges, and a lack of comprehensive addiction treatment resources. One of how the problem of addiction manifests itself is through a rise in criminal activities, and the movie has been able to bring this conversation to the forefront.

The film draws a significant dose of reality from its carefully chosen shooting locations. Much of the filming took place in a secluded area on the outskirts of Virginia, providing the actors and the creative team with an immersive environment. This isolation mirrored the experiences of the characters in the movie, creating not only a captivating cinematographic journey that enhances the horror elements but also an authenticity that resonates with the script and the overall backdrop of the film. The deliberate selection of these locations contributes to the film’s ability to evoke a genuine sense of despair and desperation.

Director Nick Lyon and actor Serah Henesey acknowledge the deliberate Hollywoodization of the true story that served as the inspiration for their film’s universe. While certain elements, such as character names, have been altered, and fictionalized events have been introduced in the latter part of the narrative, the makers proclaim that the movie successfully maintains a sense of believability. Despite these creative liberties, the film remains an entertaining watch, blending reality and fiction to craft a film that entertains the audience.

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‘The Surprise Visit’ Embellishes a True-Life Scary Story

By Eva Trieger

SOLANA BEACH, California — While some surprises are good and welcome, others, not so much.  In this horror/thriller based on a real story, The Surprise Visit  relates the story of an unplanned visit gone horribly awry. The story has factual historic roots, but co-producer, and actress, Serah Henessey told me that she and husband, Nathan Cowles, “Hollywoodized” it.  I was very happy to hear that as the film disturbed me very much and I was relieved to know that it was embellished and not a precise re-enactment.

Henessey has a fascinating and varied history in the entertainment business. She was born in Sydney, Australia, and trained in ballet until the age of 16. She also lived in Turkey where she expanded her repertoire by acting in a sitcom for four years that outperformed “Friends” in America!  This dancer/actor/ producer also does her own stunts and indulges in kick-boxing!

In a delightful phone interview, I became acquainted with Serah. She shared that her first theatrical role was in The Epic of Gilgamesh . Since that time she has done film and theater.  Her theater experiences are especially interesting, spanning virtually all genres, from action, sitcom, drama, horror, and comedy.

Recently Henessey has been seen in Saw franchise films, directed by Darren Bousman. These immersive films were done in downtown Los Angeles and were interactive. Audiences and actors fed off each other, creating a “mind-blowing” experience. Henessey has performed in Saw II through Spiral.

The actress told me that she loves doing period pieces and especially enjoys roles that require her to step back into the 17th-century era. She is a devotee of Shakespearean works and also loves performing plays from this time

The Surprise Visit is the embellishment of a break-in that went awry on Henessey’s husband’s family’s homestead. A previous owner, Mrs.Dixon, recently widowed, had decided to visit a sister for the weekend. Her groundskeeper (Erc Roberts) somehow shared this information with his son, a drug addict. The son and his girlfriend, who recently discovered they were pregnant, figured that they would rob the home in the absence of the owner to get some capital. They did not anticipate the surprise visit of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter and son-in-law.

The film depicts the desperation of the young couple of addicts and the fear and desperation of Mrs. Dixon’s daughter. All of the characters are sympathetic and the viewer experiences the fear, desperation, and will to survive on the part of each character.  While Juliet has grown up with means, a loving family, and privilege, she also just lost her father and watched the murder of her husband. The young addicts have no material goods, but a future and a baby on the way. The groundskeeper loves his son, Casey, but cannot condone his actions. The emotional roller coaster is inescapable.

One very interesting thing to note is that this film was made during the pandemic and Serah Henessey told me that they did not want to expose countless people to the virus, so the cast and crew were working overtime. As she observed the first day on the set as a producer, not as an actor, she felt great pride and gratitude to everyone who gave their all. Henessey cried, kvelling and humbled by the efforts of everyone.  She saw the blood, sweat, and tears they put into their efforts and she knew a “joyful kind of exhaustion.” The film is definitely worth seeing and encourages viewer to consider his own moral compass and guideposts.

Click here for the trailer: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGllMLLkDDtDppxGZjgdjPGPlzp?projector=1

The film will be available after January 14, 2022.

* Eva Trieger is a Solana Beach-based freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted via [email protected]

The Surprise Visit Ending Explained: What Happens With Annabelle?

I n Nick Lyon’s film “The Surprise Visit,” two young heroin addicts, played by Regan Ferrier and Serah Henesey, find themselves in a difficult predicament following the failure of a robbery. The narrative follows as the heist takes an unexpected turn, putting the players in a difficult situation where they must decide whether to surrender or […]

Read the full post on The Surprise Visit Ending Explained: What Happens With Annabelle?

Tricia Hawn in True Story Robbery Thriller 'The Surprise Visit' Trailer

by Alex Billington January 10, 2022 Source: YouTube

"We have to do this now!" Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for The Surprise Visit , a "based on a true story" robbery thriller from filmmaker Nick Lyon. This is arriving on VOD in a few weeks if anyone is curious. A robbery goes wrong, leaving two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision: to give up, or to do the unthinkable and kill. "The film is an American tragedy. I chose to tell The Surprise Visit in a gritty and realistic style that was complemented by deep and intense performances from the talented cast. Beyond the film's thriller veneer, it [also] delivers incredibly dramatic performances, that to this day still send chills through me," the director states. Starring Eric Roberts , Tricia Hawn , Rob Riordan , Jacqi Vene , and Serah Henesey . This looks pretty bad, and the shoddy performances seen here aren't helping much either.

Here's the official trailer (+ new poster) for Nick Lyon's The Surprise Visit , direct from YouTube :

When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom’s valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the "easy peasy" robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter’s husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision; to abandon ship, or do the unthinkable. The Surprise Visit is directed by American indie filmmaker Nick Lyon , director of many films including Fallen Angels , Rise of the Zombies , Bullet , Hercules Reborn , Isle of the Dead , The Boy the Dog and the Clown , and The Rebels of PT-218 . The screenplay is by Stephen Meier, from a story by Serah Henesey and Nathan Cowles. Vertical opens The Surprise Visit in select US theaters + on VOD starting January 14th, 2022 . Who's interested?

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I guess the first bad choice they made is making this film...

shiboleth on Jan 10, 2022

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The Surprise Visit (2022)

Though The Surprise Visit is hoping it can bank some interest on the fact that it’s “Based on a true story”, the fact that there’s no history attached to such a statement leaves Nick Lyon’s occasional thriller in the company of many other genre flicks that advertise similar sentiments in their best bid to add intrigue to an otherwise standard narrative.

The film centres itself around junkies and expecting parents Casey (Rob Riordan) and Annabelle (Jacqi Vene) who, upon learning of their impending parenthood, decide to give up their drug habits and make a play for the straight and narrow. It all sounds so reasonable, but this duo don’t exactly seem like the types to execute such a cookie cutter plan without resorting to some type of crime – especially Casey – so we are unsurprised when he hatches a plan to rob a neighbouring home in order to make a quick buck.

The neighbouring home being both occupied by residents who knew Casey as a young boy, as well as being the employ of his father (Eric Roberts) means there’s some emotional stakes tied to Casey’s decision, but, sadly, The Surprise Visit not adhering to any type of nuance or subtlety means we ultimately have little care for what happens to either party. Casey is just a terrible person, and no amount of emphasis on his drug habit is going to convince us otherwise. Annabelle is the most shrill of characters, and though she’s clearly heavily under the influence of both Casey and whatever substance she favours, there’s no emotional connection or understanding of her for us to care. And the victims here – Juliette (Serah Henesy) and Daniel (Johnny Santiago) – have little development that the only reason we muster any investment in them is that they simply aren’t Casey and Annabelle.

Ultimately, it’s only Roberts’ Hugh that we stand behind. The idea that he would have to choose between his son – and, by extension, his grandson – and the household that has treated him so kindly over the years is one that screenwriter Stephen Meier and story artists Henesy and Nathan Cowles don’t utilise to its full potential. Setting The Surprise Visit in the realms of the home invasion thriller makes sense, but even then it fails to deliver on any thrills or elaborate set-pieces, with so much of the brief 86 minute running time devoted to Casey and Annabelle bickering about how they navigate the situation they’ve found themselves in.

Whilst the film may have its share of unsavoury ingredients, director Lyons at least deserves props for working within such limited budget restraints and for wrapping the story up in a manner that I suspect most studio projects wouldn’t have opted for. Had some of the acting been more fine-tuned and a little more development been afforded to the characters, The Surprise Visit could have done enough to earn itself a welcome reception, but, as it stands, this is a houseguest best turned away.

The Surprise Visit is now screening in select theatres across the United States. An Australian release is yet to be determined.

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Badly written, especially the end

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Is The Surprise Visit a true story? The movie’s connection to true crime

• by Kate Marin
•  – on Nov 27, 2023
•  in Film

The Surprise Visit  tells the story of a desperate couple who break into a mansion intending to make away with as much as they can. Aware that the owner has left town, they do not expect any resistance. However, the couple, young drug addicts, are unaware of a visit by the owner’s relatives.

The Surprise Visit  is based on a true break-in attempt on the home of the co-writer’s husband

The Surprise Visit  is loosely based on a true crime. Serah Henesey, one of the film’s writers, based the narrative on a break-in attempt at her husband’s family’s home. However, the movie’s creators embellished the story to make it more entertaining. 

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In Theaters and Digital

The surprise visit - movie review.

Sometimes there just isn’t an easy way out of a really bad situation.

Go ahead and get those happy thoughts out of your head.  The Surprise Visit is not based on a happy occasion.  Not at all.  This is a film full of many twists and violent turns as a routine robbery goes tits up and someone is murdered.  The fallout is drastic and unexpected, making this film a bit more interesting than the usual home invasion thriller.

Starring Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts, Dopestick ’s Tricia Hawn, Rob Riordan, Jacqi Vene and Serah Henesey , director Nick Lyon ’s intense, gritty and suspenseful thriller begins when two strung-out drug addicts find out that they are going to be having a baby.  Uh oh.  

That’s not the SURPRISE at the center of this jewel heist, though. 

Annabelle ( Jaqui Vene ) and Casey ( Rob Riordan ) are trapped in their own personal hell of drug addiction.  They are currently living in a busted up Winnebego under a bridge somewhere near Middleton, Virginia and are struggling to pay their phone bill.  Money has never been much of a concern for them as long as there are drugs to be consumed, it seems.  Somehow, they make it work.  

But, with the sudden revelation that Annabelle is pregnant, they are both going to have to change their ways.  Can Casey do it?

At least that is the hope as he goes out in search of another chance or, depending on your viewpoint of his situation, another sucker to squeeze.  This hope is captured elegantly in the sweeping cinematography from Nate Haban.  Don’t worry, though.  When it is time for the film to go dark and desperate, Haban’s lens is there to ratchet up the tension.  This is edge of your seat entertainment, after all, as attempts to get ahold of some jewelry goes sideways.  

Based on a true story, The Surprise Visit takes a bit of a turn when Juliette ( Serah Henesy ), the rich woman’s daughter, takes her husband along with her to surprise her mother with a visit at the ranch the same weekend Casey plans to rob it.  

Except, as we have learned, Juliette’s mother isn’t there . . . which means the house that Casey and Annabelle want to rob WILL be inhabited.  I think you can see where this home invasion thriller is headed.  Blood will be had and, as accidental as it is, there will be stark consequences raining down in response to the events happening.  They will be swift and they will be final.  

But what will it mean for Casey and the life he had at the opening of the movie?  

Stephen Meier ’s adaptation, based on a story by Nathan Cowles and Serah Henesy , is both shocking and starkly realized due to the talent assembled.  Full of solid performances from the cast, The Surprise Visit is definitely a shocker, keeping us on our toes.  White the film doesn’t do anything new with the sub-genre, it definitely delivers when it comes to SHOCK and AWE as a chase through the woods ends rather unexpectedly and twists the sharp-edged truth like a knife into our own guts.

The Surprise Visit premieres in theaters and on demand January 14 from Vertical Entertainment .

MPAA Rating: unrated. Runtime: 86 mins Director : Nick Lyon Writer: Stephen Meier Cast: Eric Roberts; Jacqi Vene; Serah Henesey Genre : Thriller Tagline: Based on a True Story. Memorable Movie Quote: Distributor: Vertical Entertainment Official Site: Release Date: January 14, 2022 DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: Synopsis : When a young couple makes a surprise visit to Mom, they get an even bigger surprise themselves from an old family friend who plans to steal Mom’s valuable jewelry while she is out of town. But when the“easy peasy” robbery goes wrong, resulting in the accidental death of the daughter’s husband, it forces the two young drug addicts to make a difficult decision; to abandon ship, or do the unthinkable.

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The Surprise Visit

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Home > The Surprise Visit Ending Explained

The Surprise Visit Ending Explained

• UPDATED: November 23, 2023

Table of Contents

“The Surprise Visit,” a suspense thriller directed by Nick Lyon, opens with a scene of a terrified woman in pajamas fleeing through the woods, setting the tone for a film that explores themes of desperation, class difference, and the consequences of actions taken in extremis. The story revolves around Annabelle and Casey, a couple expecting a child, struggling with meth addiction and financial hardship. In a bid to alleviate their financial woes, Casey overhears his boss, Mrs. Dixon, mentioning she will be away for the weekend. Seeing an opportunity, Casey plans to rob her house, knowing she possesses valuable jewelry.

However, the plot takes a turn when Mrs. Dixon’s daughter, Juliette, and her husband, Daniel, decide to make a surprise visit to the Dixon residence, coinciding with Casey’s planned robbery. The situation escalates when Casey kills Daniel, forcing Juliette to attempt an escape to avoid a similar fate. This twist propels the film into its final act, a chase through the woods, as Juliette tries to flee her pursuers​​.

The film’s narrative attempts to blend elements of a home invasion thriller with a critique of social issues, particularly income inequality and the circumstances that drive people to desperate acts. However, the portrayal of the central characters as drug addicts seems to undermine the intended message about poverty and income inequality in America, inadvertently reinforcing negative stereotypes about the poor​​.

Despite its aspirations to delve into deeper themes, “The Surprise Visit” ultimately falls short in its execution. Critics have noted that the film, while presenting a somewhat interesting twist on the home invasion genre, fails to fully engage with its characters, leading to a lack of emotional depth. The ending, in particular, has been critiqued for its ambiguity and the seemingly random and rash decision made by Annabelle, which is followed by an upbeat celebration. This conclusion leaves the audience uncertain about how to feel towards the characters, particularly Annabelle, and reflects a disjointed narrative approach​​.

Overall, “The Surprise Visit” aims to be a gripping thriller that touches upon issues of desperation and social inequality but struggles to balance its thematic ambitions with effective storytelling. The film’s portrayal of its characters and their motivations, coupled with a plot that treads familiar territory, results in a movie that is more suited to a casual viewing rather than a profound cinematic experience​​​​.

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The Surprise Visit (2022)

8-year-old brought to tears by surprise visit from best friend who moved away

Molly Wallis captured her son's reunion in a viral Instagram video.

A Georgia boy was brought to tears when he reunited with his best friend who had moved away last summer with his family.

Molly Wallis captured her son Liam's reunion with his friend Sage and after sharing it on Instagram in December, the video clip went viral, garnering over 68,000 likes.

MORE: 11-year-old breaks down in tears when surprised by his best friend

According to Wallis, Liam and Sage became fast friends when they were about two years old, a couple of years after Wallis and her family moved to their home near Savannah, Georgia.

"From there, they did not leave each other's side," the 37-year-old mom told "Good Morning America." "They like to play Legos and make swords out of the palm fronds and all kinds of stuff."

But last year, Sage and his family relocated from Georgia to Florida due to Sage's father's work and Wallis said her son was greatly affected by the big change.

"Liam was very heartbroken. It's his first best friend and his first move," Wallis said.

Although they had spoken on the phone a couple of times, it just wasn't the same. So when Sage and his family returned to Georgia for an unexpected visit two months ago, Wallis knew she had to bring her son to visit them straight away.

"I knew he was going to cry. I did," she said. "I knew I was going to cry too. Because every time they talk on the phone, Liam will get emotional … I think all of us were a mess."

MORE: 12-year-old's emotional reaction to puppy surprise has the internet tearing up

Both Liam's and Sage's reactions were not surprising to Wallis, who said the two openly share their feelings with each other, something she hopes they'll continue to do as they grow older.

"They are such boy boys so much of the time – Nerf guns and playing sword fights and everything that, a lot of guys think that you can't show both sides of 'I love you's' and that's the first thing Liam says to Sage whenever he talks to him," Wallis said. "I think Sage has always been kind of the same way. They're pretty open with hugs and I don't think it's ever been anything weird for them since they've known each other so long."

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The boys' reunion went off without a hitch and Wallis said they "picked up just right where they left off."

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Nyc construction worker delivers piercing message to biden following surprise trump visit.

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He came in like a wrecking ball.

A New York City construction worker delivered a piercing message to President Biden Thursday morning after his predecessor — and 2024 rival — Donald Trump made a surprise visit to a Manhattan work site.

The unidentified man in a hard hat and yellow reflective vest was being interviewed by a Newsmax reporter following the ex-president’s visit when he was asked: “What’s your message to Joe Biden?”

“F–k you,” the worker replied into the journalist’s microphone without any hesitation before turning and walking off.

He also said he wasn’t “at all” surprised to see so many Trump supporters in Manhattan as the Republican’s “hush money” trial entered its third day .

“It’s turning now,” the worker said in a thick New York accent. “It’s Trump’s turn again.”

A 12-second clip of the exchange was shared on X with the caption, “This union worker says what much of America is thinking right now.”

The construction worker’s strong feelings resonated with many users.

“If I was that guy’s boss, he would be getting a raise,” one quipped.

“Love this guy for saying what we are all thinking,” another replied.

“Dude is a f–king hero!” a third tweeted.

Trump, who hopes to take back the White House in the 2024 race against Biden, shook hands with workers and other supporters at the construction site on 48th Street and Park Avenue at around 6:30 a.m. ahead of his court appearance.

The crowd chanted “USA!” and cheered for the Republican despite the criminal charges he’s currently on trial for.

“It doesn’t change my mind on him,” Basil Persaud, a sheet metal worker from Hollis, Queens, told The Post.

Persaud, 48, said he felt that “they’re always trying to get [Trump].”

Workers at the site said they’re all union workers — and MAGA fans.

“Trump got a great reception. They say unions aren’t big for Trump — well they are,” said Darren Gould, a 58-year-old carpenter foreman from Wanaque, New Jersey.

“Maybe the top union brass aren’t but when you talk to the men on the construction site, they’re all about Trump.”

At least one worker, however, had a similar message for Trump as his colleague did for Biden.

The unnamed construction staffer told The Post, “Yeah, f–k Trump.”

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Prince William shares Princess Charlotte's favourite joke on surprise school visit

• prince william
• Thursday 25 April 2024 at 3:16pm

Prince William sharing Princess Charlotte's favourite joke to schoolchildren during a surprise visit in Sandwell

The Prince of Wales revealed Princess Charlotte's favourite joke to a 12-year-old boy during a surprise school visit in Sandwell.

Prince William surprised 12-year-old Freddie Hadley when he visited St Michael's Church of England High School in Rowley Regis on Thursday.

Freddie wrote to William in October, inviting him to the school on World Mental Health Day. William replied, saying: "I’m here now, your letter worked."

Prince William shared Princess Charlotte’s favourite joke during a recording for the student radio.

He joined the Matrix Project which was set up to shine a spotlight on male mental health with an 'Am I Man Enough? campaign.

The school radio show has a segment on 'Dad jokes' and asked the Prince to contribute one.

Prince William said: "I'm kind of trying to channel Jack Whitehall, because most of his jokes are pretty dad-like."

The royal then told a knock-knock joke about 'Interrupting Cow', saying that it is Princess Charlotte's favourite, before adding it's "one I hear a lot at home at the moment".

William said “knock knock” and when the pupils said “who’s there” the royal replied “Interrupting cow” and as the group tried to say “interrupting cow who?” he made them laugh by saying “Mooo”.

The Prince of Wales surprised students at a school in Rowley Regis on Thursday, as ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship reports

Freddie posted his letter on X, formerly Twitter, on World Mental Health Day last October telling the royal about the brilliant work he and his friends were doing.

To his delight, William personally replied, writing: "Good afternoon Freddie, I'm so sorry Catherine and I can't be with you and the rest of the students at St Michael's today.

"Tackling mental health challenges and stigmas head on is so important, please keep up this important work. W."

But Freddie's letter clearly had a deeply moving effect on the prince, who asked his team to secretly arrange a visit to the school next time he was planning public engagements in the West Midlands.

Freddie said after the royal visit: “I really wanted to write the letter because I know Prince William is a massive advocate for male mental health. I thought if I wrote the letter to him he might recognise us, which he did on Twitter.”

“I completely thought it was the Lord Lieutenant who was coming today. Obviously, it was a great surprise so I understand why they didn’t tell me, but honestly it’s just been wonderful.

“I couldn’t get my head around it, I’m meeting Prince William the future king – it’s insane really. I’m just standing there and I see Prince William walking down the drive and I’m like, wow, all this work’s finally paid off.”

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'they are what keep me going': army dad makes surprise visit to kids’ schools.

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After seven months away from his family, a military dad returned to his home in Ohio to surprise his kids.

Jacob Turner kicked off the heartwarming reunion by surprising both his son and daughter at their respective schools.

Watch the sweet homecoming in the video above

"I was in BCT and AIT have been going through my training for like last six, seven months,” Turner told WHIO . “In about two weeks we'll be going to Texas and I'll be going there for about a year and then headed to Poland."

That separation is something military families know all too well.

"It's always difficult, obviously, for our students who may not have a parent in the home for various reasons,” principal Matthew Salyer told the station. "To be able to reunite them, after that is great."

"Being able to be home with my family means more than I can ever say,” Turner said. "They are what keep me going and what's going to keep me going through my whole Army career."

The family is expected to spend the next two weeks in Ohio, before moving out to Texas.

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President Nelson, in a surprise appearance, rededicates the historic Manti Utah Temple

President nelson and elder rasband reflect on pioneer heritage in sanpete valley and encourage a new beginning of temple worship, during manti utah temple rededication.

By Church News

MANTI, Utah — President  Russell M. Nelson  rededicated the  Manti Utah Temple  on Sunday, April 21, as “a house of peace, a house of comfort, and a house of personal revelation.”

The leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ participation in the rededication of the temple was a surprise to members in Sanpete County.

Originally dedicated 136 years ago in May 1888, the Manti Utah Temple is the Church’s third house of the Lord built in Utah.

To read the full story, visit TheChurchNews.com .

'Dave, Jerry Seinfeld just walked into your store': For Powers Comics owner, comedian's surprise visit was the thrill of a lifetime

ASHWAUBENON - Have you heard the one about the legendary comedian who walks into a local comic book store on a Saturday afternoon?

Turns out it’s Jerry Seinfeld, who was out and about in Green Bay ahead of his sold-out performance that night at The Weidner.

But here’s where it gets  really  good. The owner of the store? A massive “Seinfeld” fan — one of those guys who knows every episode of the sitcom backward and forward — who never saw it coming.

“It was totally out of the blue,” said David Powers, who has owned Powers Comics at 2180 S. Ridge Road for 17 years. “I actually liked that it was out of the blue. That he just showed up, just like a normal customer does. Just walk in.”

Although, he jokes a little later, “I was a little disappointed he didn’t have his puffy shirt on.”

Saturdays tend to be busy at the store and this one was especially so. Powers and his wife, Kelly Powers, were both working, along with their two full-time employees. It was early afternoon when one of the regular customers David Powers was waiting on whispered to him.

“Dave, Jerry Seinfeld just walked into your store.”

“No, he didn’t,” Powers pooh-poohed, but when he looked across the store, there in a baseball cap and sunglasses was indeed Seinfeld.

Powers did what he does whenever a customer stops in. He walked over, thanked him for coming and asked if there was anything he could help him find. Seinfeld and the gentleman with him said they were just browsing.

Powers went back behind the counter to wait on another customer when it wasn’t long before the two men signaled for assistance. With David and Kelly Powers both busy with customers, one of the store’s employees went over with not a clue as to who he was about to wait on.

The employee, whose first name is also Jerry, was immediately starstruck and stumbling over his words. David Powers went over to help bail him out. “Jerry, meet Jerry,” he said and then asked how he could help him.

“This is my favorite part of the entire visit, because he did such a Seinfeld-ism. He said, ‘Well, I’m a comic looking for a comic,’ with that ... smirk that he has,” Powers said. “It was beautiful.”

He was in search of a Superman comic book from the 1960s

Seinfeld was looking for a Superman (he's a fan) comic from the 1960s. Powers knew right away which one when he described the cover, but he didn’t currently have it. Seinfeld spent about 20 minutes browsing. It was clear it wasn’t his first time in a comic book store, because he knew to flip through the back issues boxes that have some of the older stuff.

“The really neat part about to me is that Jerry Seinfeld is worth like a billion dollars. He could easily order any comic book he wants, even the most expensive one in the world, without a problem,” Powers said. “He could have ordered that on eBay. A lot of the true collectors don’t want to go do that. They want to go dig.”

More: She's from Green Bay. He's from the United Kingdom. On their wedding day, they went head over heels at Kwik Trip.

Other customers in the shop caught on to who he was but nobody bothered him, Powers said. His wife tried to convince him he should ask for a photo with him, but he couldn’t make himself do it.

“I said, ‘I’m not doing that. I’m not going to be that guy. I’m just going to let him shop and be a normal person.'"

But when Seinfeld was about to leave Kelly Powers asked on his behalf, telling him that her husband is the biggest “Seinfeld” fan she knows and how when she first met him, he and his roommate watched the show every night “over and over and over.”

She wasn’t exaggerating.

“His show is hands-down my favorite comedy of all time, by far. There’s nothing even close,” David Powers said.

Seinfeld’s response to the photo ask was a friendly, “Sure, of course. Why not?” Then he thanked David for having them and was on his way.

Powers Comics has hosted its share of celebrity athletes, writers and artists over the years. Before Saturday, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was probably its most famous guest, but Seinfeld eclipses them all.

“I don’t know if there’s many people that would top that for me if they walked in the door," he said. "Maybe Michael Jordan and Dave Grohl. I’d probably be like a teenage girl at a (Justin) Bieber concert if Dave Grohl walked in, honestly.”

More: Once the quiet kid at Preble High School into punk rock, comedian Kristin Lytie pops up all over the country making people laugh

The funny side note is Powers and his stepson, who is also a “Seinfeld” fan, had planned to celebrate their April birthdays together by going to his stand-up comedy show at The Weidner, but when Kelly Powers made plans for a birthday party, the only night it would work out for everybody to make it was April 20 — the same night as his show.

“When he came in the store it was like a stab in the heart,” Powers said. “Oh, he’s in my store and I’m not even going to see him tonight. It’s killing me.”

Whatever Powers may have missed out onstage, he more than made up for by meeting him in person.

"It was fantastic," he said.

A 'super, super polite' Seinfeld enjoyed breakfast at The Creamery Downtown

Pop-Tarts aren’t on the menu at The Creamery Downtown or you might have expected the writer, director and star of “Unfrosted,” the upcoming Netflix movie about the made-up origin of the toaster pastry, to go that route.

But Seinfeld, the creator of the “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" talk show, did have coffee while he enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on Saturday morning at the Green Bay restaurant at 114 Pine St.

Owner Scott Vann and manager Jim Jansen knew in advance he would be dining with them at 9 a.m. Someone from his team had called Wednesday to make a reservation for him and his guests.

“I think he appreciated his privacy,” Jansen said. “Obviously, we gave him a ton of respect as well. We wanted to give him his own space.”

His server described him as just a normal guy, Jansen said, and while a couple of tables asked their servers if that’s who they thought it was, nobody came up to him. The Creamery has had celebrity guests before, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, so staff is well versed in making sure they can enjoy their time there uninterrupted, Jansen said.

Seinfeld felt comfortable enough to hang out for a while after his meal. Before he left, he came up to the bar to go grab a photo with Vann and Jansen, who had asked in advance.

“He was super, super polite and super friendly," Jansen said. “... It was really cool for us to showcase Green Bay and have him come in for breakfast.”

The Weidner always excited to work with Seinfeld, his touring staff

Seinfeld, who has been selling out The Weidner  since 2004, had not been back in Green Bay since 2018.

Unlike many touring acts that book shows through a promoter, he has his own touring staff that works directly with the venue to rent the hall, said Stephanie Maufort, program and event manager at The Weidner.

“They’re great people to work with. We’re always really excited. His tour manager said they would try to make it back to Green Bay a little sooner this time,” she said. “He hadn’t been here since before COVID, and he usually tries to make sure he has all new material before he hits the market again. But since we sold out so quickly, hopefully he’ll be back in another two or three years.”

Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or [email protected] . Follow her on X @KendraMeinert . 

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Former President Trump makes surprise campaign visit to Midtown construction site

MIDTOWN (WABC) -- Former President Donald Trump made a surprise stop at a Midtown construction site Thursday morning ahead of his trial in Lower Manhattan .

President Trump shook hands with hundreds of workers chanting "USA, USA!" and "We Want Trump!"

Many of the Teamsters Union members wore red Trump hats along with their construction gear, and the former president signed many of them as he mingled for about 20 minutes at the site East 48th Street and Park Avenue.

Trump said construction workers have always been part of his base.

"I've built a lot of buildings with the teamsters. They like me a lot. It's an amazing show of affection," Trump said.

He complimented the construction workers on their progress.

"Look at that building," Trump said, gazing up at a Midtown skyscraper under construction. "We've built a lot of great buildings in this city with these people. They've given me great support."

Trump then headed to criminal court in Lower Manhattan for another day of testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker.

"David has been very nice. He's a nice guy," Trump said.

President Trump lamented that he would not be able to travel to Washington, where the Supreme Court was hearing arguments over whether he should be immune from prosecution for actions he took during his time as president.

"We have a big case today. This judge isn't allowing me to go. We have a big case today in the Supreme Court on presidential immunity. The president has to have immunity. If you don't have immunity, you just have a ceremonial president," he said.

Trump was then drowned out by chants of "USA, USA, USA," ignoring further questions as he walked back to the crowd.

Later, he returned to reporters, using a microphone to speak over the chants.

Trump said crowds like the one Thursday morning make him believe he could win a historically Democratic state like New York.

"We are going to make a play for New York," Trump said. "We have a good chance of winning New York, in my opinion. We are going to give it a shot."

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Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk pays surprise visit to The Turf in Greenfield

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk made a surprise visit to The Turf in Greenfield this past weekend, according to The Turf's official Facebook page.

Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke told the Journal Sentinel that Hawk had originally planned to visit the under-development skate park on Monday, but his schedule changed and he came on Sunday instead.

"He was (there), along with some other great skaters," said Neitzke. "I got the impression that he wanted to see the bowls before the reconstruction started on the iconic bowls, and maybe a magazine article about The Turf was in the works."

On Sunday, Hawk visited the Clover Bowl at The Turf, a bowl he first skated in 1988. During his visit, Hawk left a set of Indy trucks in the bowl for a lucky finder. The mayor confirmed that someone had found them.

Work is underway to restore the historic skate park

The Turf, a legendary skate park in the 1980s and 1990s, is being restored . Neitzke has been one of the main supporters of the project.

In February, the city of Greenfield committed over $2 million to help fund the project .

Currently, work is being done to drain the bowls, which have filled with rainwater during recent storms.

The mayor confirmed that the draining process should be complete sometime this week.

"As for the site itself, drainage and excavation work should wrap up this week," Neitzke said. "Grindline, which is doing the bowl rehab and street course, hopes to begin very soon."

Neitzke said the city is asking for patience while the construction is happening and is politely requesting that there be no trespassing on the site.

Benefit concert set for June

A benefit concert for The Turf is scheduled to take place from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Konkel Park in Greenfield.

For more information on The Turf, visit the website here .

Contact Adrienne Davis at [email protected].   Follow her on X at   @AdriReportss .