South Bend Tribune

They're 'Claytastic' fans
By Crissanka Christadoss

It's a Monday and a table at Lula's Cafe in South Bend is scattered with Clay Aiken stickers, Clay Aiken pins, Clay Aiken pictures, Clay Aiken books, Clay Aiken ... cookbooks?

The women who have gathered suffer from Obsessive Claypulsive Disorder, which, of course, afflicts those obsessed with 2003 "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken.

"He's the moon and the stars," said Jeanoma Babcock, of Michigan City.

Marlou Hall, of Elkhart, has pins and license plate frames that say "I'd Rather Be at a Clay Aiken Concert."

Babcock and Hall are two members of the Mishawaka Clay Aiken Meetup Group.

The members started the group through Meetup.com, a site where special interest groups can form in communities all over the world. Gerry Fults, the local group's organizer, said all the members of the group met through other online clubs as well.

"(The Internet) brings us together," she said. "It's really bizarre."

Gerry Fults wears a Clay Aiken T-shirt she made. Tribune Photo/CRISSANKA CHRISTADOSS

The group had its first meeting in October and has been gaining more members and keeping their disorder active ever since.

Many of the members have been Aiken fans since the auditions for the 2003 "American Idol," a hit talent contest on the Fox television network.

Babcock remembers the chance meeting.

Her husband was flipping through the channels on TV one day when she suddenly told him to stop when she heard a voice. It was Clay Aiken's voice that she heard and what she and others have been hooked to ever since.

This isn't a club that just gets together to talk about their favorite singer, but they also develop fundraiser ideas for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. The foundation created by Clay Aiken advocates the integration of children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, into the environment of those without.

Clay Aiken has a degree in special education and is passionate about helping children and education.

Chris Belanger, 24, is one of the younger members of the group, which she joined with her mother, Cinda. The Penn High School and Indiana University South Bend graduate said her mother begged her to stop doing homework one day to watch "American Idol." She was impressed with how he used his fame.

"I was moved that he cared enough to use his celebrity to start a foundation to address issues of inclusion," Belanger said.

For one fundraiser, the group gift-wrapped presents to raise money for the foundation. They also presented people who gave monetary donations items they have made.

One of their items is a Clay Aiken cookbook. Their latest cookbook compilation is titled "Aiken to Cook" and it includes recipes that are "Clay Safe" (the recipes include ingredients Clay Aiken isn't allergic to).

On his birthday, Nov. 30, the group sent a small gift to each child in every hospital in Raleigh, N.C., Clay Aiken's hometown.

Aiken transcends their everyday lives as their friends and family are well aware of their obsession.

Michelle Ranschaert of South Bend said everyone at her workplace knows, too.

"I am the laughing stock of the office," Ranschaert said.

Members of the Clay Aiken Meetup group have different musical tastes as well.

Liz D'Haese of Elkhart has been to Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top concerts and interacted with the crowd. She has found Clay Aiken fans to be the friendliest and most outgoing.

Gerry Fults and Jeanoma Babcock discuss everything Clay Aiken at the monthly Clay Aiken Meetup Group meeting. Tribune Photo/CRISSANKA CHRISTADOSS

Fults said she has met fans from all walks of life. Once she even received birthday greetings from a Clay fan from Thailand.

The online Clay Aiken community is significant and there is also a growing male fan base. Female fans of the singer are Claymates and male fans call themselves Clay Dawgs.

The Mishawaka Clay Aiken Meetup Group's appreciation for Clay Aiken and everything related has cemented many friendships and a commitment to a relevant cause.

Belanger understands why she and the rest of the group are captivated.

"I came for the voice. I stayed for the man."

Club to meet Monday
The Mishawaka Clay Aiken Meetup Group meets every third Monday at Lula's Cafe, 1631 Edison Road, South Bend. The next meeting is 7 p.m. Monday.

For more information, contact Gerry Fults at fultsndfan2002@yahoo.com

To find special interest groups in your area, visit the site: www.meetup.com

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