Who: Margi Sammons, 20, of Liberty Township, a junior communications major at Wright State University who has a soft spot for Elmo, the red monster from Sesame Street.

Margi Sammons and part of her Elmo collection (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        On display: Nearly 300 Elmo items. A sampling: stuffed toys, figurines, puzzles, games, books, posters and a cookie jar. The fuzzy little fellow has even infiltrated Ms. Sammons' wardrobe in the form of T-shirts, shorts, bedroom slippers, a watch, necklace and earrings.

        Where: On shelving that takes up two whole walls of her bedroom in the home she shares with parents Marty and Martie Sammons, her twin sister, Mardi, their older sister, Marci and a Chihuahua named Dinky.

        Love at first sight: “I've been collecting Elmo for seven years,” Ms. Sammons says. “My first was a stuffed toy that's about 6 inches high. I thought it was cute, and bought it.

        “Needless to say,” she giggles, “I just kept buying more and more.”

        My buddy: “Elmo's just a really happy guy,” she reflects. “He always has a friendly look on his face. You just have to smile when you see him. There is something very welcoming about him.”

        Family affair: Ms. Sammons' family has also grown to love the scarlet beast.

        “Many times I'll walk by her bedroom,” reports Marci, “and a high pitched Tickle Me Elmo, Rock & Roll Elmo, Let's Pretend Elmo or one of their brothers will be randomly chattering away.

        “Sometimes they get set off in the middle of the night,” she laughs.

        Her No. 1: “My favorite is one I got in ninth grade,” Ms. Sammons says. “He's 3-feet-tall and made of an umbrella-like material. He was the biggest one I had ever seen and I begged my mom to get him for me for my birthday.”

        Aw, Mom! “She acted like she didn't get him,” Ms. Sammons adds. “But then she surprised me. When I woke up she had him hidden in a cabinet.

        “I used to take him everywhere,” she recalls. “He went on family trips and to gymnastic meets. So, he's not quite as red as when I got him.”

        Looking for love: Most of Ms. Sammons' Elmos are gifts from family and friends. She finds others in toy shops, gift stores, flea markets and on eBay.

        “I don't like to pay full price,” she admits. “But part of the fun is looking for them.”

       Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Cincinnati Enquirer; e-mail: marsolete@aol.com.

Reality check
Bombings lead TV networks to change schedules
Tragedy trumped movies' 'lessons'
College junior still tickled by Elmo
DAUGHERTY: Everyday
Photo exhibit gives career new focus
Third climb a charm
Are you just wild about all things Harry?
DEMALINE: Arts can help put events in perspective
Jarvi: Music a great healer
Starling group's talent can't be measured in age
American hop crop well-used by brewers
Lights, action, barbecue
Restaurants where every day's Oktoberfest
Get to it