SO, I NEVER jumped on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” bandwagon , but I have become a fan of “Fifty Shades of Brady.” How could I resist? It was written by 2009 Manchester Memorial High School graduate Rachel Hedge and won her the opportunity to play flag football with Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and a bunch of other celebrities of field and film. It was all part of a Mix 104.1 radio contest that asked listeners to submit short romantic stories similar to the “Fifty Shades of Grey” series, but with a football twist.

Let's just say the story is set in the showers after a game and features Brady and Gronkowski. Throw in some football terminology that also works well as romantic novel innuendo and you've got an idea of Hedge's winning story.

Hedge got to meet the stars of her story while playing in a flag football game to benefit the nonprofit Best Buddies organization at Harvard Stadium in June.

Hedge wrote in an email to The Scene that was star-struck when she first met Brady, “Gronk” and the other celebrities at the event. But after a while she almost forgot they were all rich and famous.

“They were on the field doing a great thing for the Best Buddies charity, and it was a great reminder that they are just normal people who happen to live a less-than-normal life,” she said.

The highlights of the event, Hedge said, were catching a pass from Brady, chatting with actor Michael Chiklis and eating a meal grilled outdoors by Food Network star Guy Fieri at the postgame VIP party.

“I am not exaggerating when I say it was the best food I have ever tasted,” she said.

Hedge is not new to the pages of the New Hampshire Union Leader. In addition to being a standout softball pitcher at Memorial High, she was also a Francis Wayland Parker Scholar of the Month. Now a senior at Assumption College, she's continuing to make her hometown proud, having earned her school's 2012 Spring Assumption Premier Student-Athlete Award with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

You can find the audio recording of Hedge's “Fifty Shades of Brady” story by Googling, “50 Shades of Brady Winner.”

More celebrity encounters

I don't like most reality shows, but I love the ones about cooking. So I'm a little jealous of Ping PR's Monica Bardier Holt, who recently had a sweet experience meeting the stars of “Cake Boss” during a family vacation to the New York City area last week.

Bardier Holt and her 12-year-old daughter, Casey Bardier, of Concord, are huge fans of the popular TLC reality show, which features members of the Valastro family and their antics running Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, N.J.

After meeting some of the Valastros, the New Hampshire mom-and-daughter duo took a fondant decorating class at the bakery and made a cake for Casey's older sister, Maddie Bardier, who celebrated her 16th birthday Thursday.

Fisher Cats: Back to school

I'd like to give a shout-out to the Fisher Cats organization, which is planning to provide school supplies to thousands of Manchester students whose families are struggling financially.

On Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the team and its Fisher Cats Foundation will open the doors of Northeast Delta Dental Stadium to present Manchester Goes Back to School 2012. Elementary and junior high school students in need are encouraged to attend. The event also will feature fun activities, such as bounce houses and face painting.

Most of the supplies have already been donated by members of Manchester Christian Church, but the Fisher Cats are looking for additional financial donations as well as volunteers to help distribute the supplies or refreshments.

To become involved in Manchester Goes Back to School 2012, contact Jenna Raizes, Fisher Cats Director of Marketing & Public Affairs, at 641-2005, ext. 177, or jraizes@nhfishercats.com.

Can you say 'gyro?'

The Gyro Spot, featuring a menu of rotisserie meats and other Greek delicacies, is scheduled to hold its grand opening tomorrow. Mayor Ted Gatsas, a proud Greek himself, should be on hand at the 1073 Elm St. restaurant (next to Republic) for the 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

I'd like to thank the owners of Gyro Spot for saving this French/Scotch-Irish gal from embarrassment when I order their premier menu item. They kindly put the proper pronunciation (yee-row) on their website, www.thegyrospot.com.

NH365.org event of the week

I can't wait to see how my talented friend Aimee Robidoux looks in a nun's habit in “Meshuggah-Nuns!” this weekend. This play from the popular “Nunsense” series has the little sisters of Hoboken saving the day on a Faiths of All Nations cruise. The Majestic Theater production at the Manchester Community Music takes place this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., next Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and next Sunday at 2 p.m. Robidoux, a Caucasian, will be playing a role usually assigned to an African American actor. Yes, she is that good.

Visit www.NH365.org for more information about this and other local events.

Katie McQuaid's Scene in the City column appears Mondays in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Email her at kmcquaid@unionleader.com.