Local author considered for Reader’s Digest

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Updated: February 6, 2012 8:00AM

Diane Maciejewski, of Elmwood Park, was one of the 150-word life stories being considered for publication in an upcoming issue of Reader’s Digest magazine. Maciejewski’s story is currently available for viewing at facebook.com/ReadersDigest. Locals can show support by voting for Maciejewski’s story or any others they like at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.

Her story:

“Beatlemaniac”

By Diane Maciejewski

I clung to the top of the chain-link fence, eyeing the police near the private plane a hundred feet away. When The Beatles arrived to board, I’d leap the fence, run onto the field and touch … touch Paul McCartney. Their limo skidded onto the airfield. I flicked back my ironed hair and wiped damp palms onto faded bell-bottoms. Four doors popped open; four mop-tops popped out. “Go!” I told myself, but my shoes caught in the fence. I could only stare as Paul tossed a cigarette pack into the limo before scuttling with the others onto the plane. An officer retrieved the pack, sauntered past a hundred grasping hands, and placed it into mine! Screaming teenagers ripped me from the fence; my wire-rimmed spectacles flew. I clutched the pack, but it was ripped from my fist leaving only the fliptop. Treasured, it remains in my memory box even today.

This is all part of the Reader’s Digest continual effort to enrich and simplify Americans’ lives. This particular project “Your Life … The Reader’s Digest Version” celebrates the launch of the new book, “Life … The Reader’s Digest Version,” which is also the first of a new series, by creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people’s personal stories to be widely read and for the opportunity of one story to be published in Reader’s Digest to its more than 30 million readers, plus be the recipient of a major cash award. Several runner-up stories will also receive attention and cash prizes. Stories will be voted on by consumers and winners will ultimately be selected by Reader’s Digest editors. Americans can vote for and submit 150-word stories about lessons, simple advice, funny moments and other life stories at facebook.com/ReadersDigest.