In May, 2000 I was phoned by the Herald Press in CT about this site. Below is an image of the layout and the OCR text of the article.

Herald Press article

The star of television shows "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Too Close for Comfort" as well as the movie "Caddyshack" was a native of TerryvIlle.

By JASON MICHAEL GOULD
Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH - Comedian Ted Knight was never too close for comfort when he returned to visit his hometown of Terryville.

Born and raised in the central Connecticut community, Knight - whose real name was Ted Konopka - was proud of his upbringing according to an old friend, even after establishing a highly successful career in movies, music, and sitcoms.

Irene K. Mazanowski, now 80, who lived kitty-corner to the Konopkas' Allen Street home, said she rented a garage space from the future star's mother to park her 1928 Chevrolet coupe.

"I parked my car at his house, but we knew each other all of our lives. We were not well off by any means, but we were happy people. We all grew up together as first generation Americans. Ted was always a little different."

Mazanowski said as Knight was invited on popular talk shows like Merv Griffin, he would always mention his old town, friends, and parents.

"How can you forget a man who never forgot us," Mazanowski said. "We were just ordinary people and Ted was a star. Still Ted did not forget the old neighborhood even as he made it big. That is why people love him so much, because he was still one of us, just in Hollywood."

She recalled growing up with Knight, who she said was always entertaining anyone who would watch him.

"Ted was always doing skits in the yard and acting He would talk in a low booming voice and we did not know how to take that - we were just kids."

Mazanowski said as Knight shined as a new bright Hollywood star, the old neighborhood kids were thrilled he fulfilled his dreams.

"Watching Ted on the television made me feel young," she said. "He was a card and it was so fun seeing him. We were all so glad he made it. There was something special inside Ted. He was always a character."

On June 12, 1976, Terryville welcomed home Knight, after years in entertainment and serving in World War II. The town organized a testimonial dinner and parade in Knight's honor.

"We waved to him as he went by in the parade and he recognized us and waved back smiling. Ted had won an Emmy award that year and was at the peak of his career. Still he came back and that is why everyone came out to say hello to him," Mazanowski said. "He signed my 'Hi, Guys!' record 'Ted Konopka Knight.' Most entertainers do not sign their real name. He also wrote a little note on my album, but I cannot tell you," she giggled.

Mazanowski's grandson, William Jerome, was raised around incessant chatter and music of Knight, having lived with his grandmother for a short while.

"When I was a lid, Grandma always played Knight's comedy records, like 'Hi, Guys!,' and of course we watched 'Too Close For Comfort' so I always appreciated him," said Jerome, a 21-year-old senior at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jerome said years following Knight's 1986 death, information on the comedic actor was virtually nonexistent as media concentrated on new budding stars.

"I've sought out information on him on the Web a few times before to little avail. I wondered why there is no computer Web site dedicated specifically for him. I have always enjoyed him and was depressed not to find anything really on him."

So Jerome, easily one of Knight's youngest fans, did some creative thinking.

"Having begun my own Web site last year I decided to change this," Jerome said. "The main goal is to create a central source of information on the web about one of the funniest actors I've seen. Currently everything on the net is scattered about. I could not believe there was not a site dedicated to him to begin with, so I decided to start one."

Jerome's site: www.billjerome.com/tedknight has attracted attention of Knight fans from around the globe. Though the most frequent question on his site pertains to Knight's role in World War II.

"People write to me that Knight was the second most decorated of the war. I know he received numerous purple hearts, but I want to get actual war records on the site," Jerome said. "Although as more people tell me the same thing the more apt I am to believe it."

In addition, aside from being the most in depth Ted Knight site readily available, viewers can also download the "Hi Guys!" record.

"People who have not heard the record are really missing out," Jerome said.

Regina Murawski, of Terryville, chuckled when she was told there was a photo of her and Knight on the Internet.

"I am proud of William [Jerome]. "I think that is great," she said. "Ted was a wonderful, great guy in our eyes, who came back as much as possible. He never forgot his roots, heritage, ancestry and that is why we all loved him so much. Ted was with us to the end even as a famous man."

Jerome said he has yet to even finish Knight's Web site, as rare photos and stories of Knight are still bountiful within his family and Knight's.

"Helping me obtain material is my uncle, Jim Murawski, who knew Knight," Jerome said. "I also have to say that I loved Knight in 'Caddyshack.'"

"I think it is great that this boy [Jerome] is doing this," said Maude Linnell, Knight's first cousin.

"Sometimes Ted would stay at our house when he visited, but he would visit us and take us out to eat at The Corner House restaurant in Farmington. I think Ted ordered the leg of lamb," Linnell said.

"It is funny because we were talking about Ted last night - how good he was on the 'Mary Tyler Moore' show and what a great time we had with Ted. He was so good to my son who at the time was in Thailand for the Vietnam war."

Mazanowski ended with a description of who in her eyes, Ted really was.

"Ted was the exaggerated version of Ted Baxter [Mary Tyler Moore show]. Ted was good for pleasant laughs, memories, and happiness. When I think of Ted I think of the times he would use matches to thaw out the frozen key hole on my car so I could get in. Ted would say, 'If I don't see you and you need help, come and get me!'"