On the Town

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 21, 2007

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01.12.07

First, Susan Farias noticed the woman's striking good looks.

"That girl was so pretty, and she wore no makeup. You would never have known she was a movie star," Farias said of actor Kelly Preston, who bought jewelry and household items at the Sunshine City Antiques and Collectible Show benefit for All Children's Hospital.

Word soon spread throughout St. Petersburg's Coliseum that a celebrity was in the house.

Preston wrote checks for her purchases, and that is how merchants began connecting the name and face.

"Everybody was photocopying the checks. It was hilarious," Farias said. She and husband Rui were promoters for the show.

Preston and her husband, John Travolta, are Scientologists; the organization's international headquarters are in Clearwater.

Just in case you're wondering, the actress was dressed in khaki corduroy jeans, a burgundy pullover and sandals.

Crissy McWilliams, a volunteer with the All Children's Hospital Seminole-Largo Guild, helped Preston carry her packages to her Jaguar.

"It was a wonderful treat to have her at the event," McWilliams said.