Editor, The News:

My husband, Michael Sackin, and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Steubenville, Ohio, for the annual Dean Martin Festival.

This was our first time at the festivities. We had a wonderful time for three days and nights.

We met Deana Martin, Dean’s daughter, and had the opportunity to hear her sing. And we were entertained by other great talents also, like the Dean Martin impersonator, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, the talented Scgro Brothers comedy act, and Michele Anastasia, who we thought looked like and sang like Judy Garland.

My husband, Michael, has several Dean Martin roasts on videotape — he loves them. While we were in Steubenville, Dean’s hometown, we got the opportunity to attend a real roast, which Deana Martin hosted, and the roastee was none other than Vincent Pastore from “The Sopranos” TV show.

We enjoyed that very much, especially because we had special seats up front.

Michael and I are grateful to everyone involved in helping us to have this dream experience.

First and foremost, Sandra DelPrincipe, who submitted her letter to the Pay It Forward Program, unknown to us. Without her kindness, none of this would have been possible.

A panel of judges selected Sandy’s letter. It’s really something that they managed to select her letter from among many others that were submitted. That, in itself, is a miracle.

Dallas and Kris Hartman co-sponsored the program, and the $2,000 they donated made the trip possible.

News publisher Max Thomson and editorial page editor Mitchel Olszak directed wonderful coverage of our story. And we want to acknowledge reporter Debbie Wachter Morris, for her time and efforts in all of the interviews and photos. She did a great job.

We are so thrilled to have had this opportunity to make a wish come true.

Diana Sackin

New Castle