Sen. Ted Stevens was there. Rumor had it Arnold was there.

But for the most part, lesser known, but no less achieved, former and current stars mingled at the Founders Reception Sunday at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art just prior to the start of the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The "Tippy Tops" -- Special Olympics code for high-profile celebrities who require more security -- proved more elusive. Malcolm of Malcolm in the Middle was not in the middle, beginning nor end. Sabrina the Teenage Witch couldn't be located for an interview.

That left the likes of pro hockey veteran Bryan Watson, who was volunteering at the special Olympics with National Hockey League Hall-of-Famer Ted Lindsay.

In his 17 years with the NHL, Watson, now 58, won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens. He also held the world record for spending the most minutes in the penalty box.

"We're not the Tippy Tops, we're the 'tippy toes,"' said Bryan Watson. "Between me and Ted Lindsay we have 4,500 minutes (in penalties); we can look after ourselves."

No one was giving Mr. Outrageous any trouble either. Wrestler Al Burke, who uses the moniker, could have scared off any would-be heckler with his 240-pound frame, his partially shaved, ponytailed head and his Fu Manchu mustache.

"Wrestlers, we need a distinctive look," Mr. Outrageous confided during a break in the action.

But neither of these guys were out to intimidate anyone. Just the contrary, both were long-time Special Olympics volunteers who say they've gained invaluable experience working with athletes with retardation.

Having celebrities at the Special Olympics also helps broaden the message of what the games are about, a games spokeswoman said. Stars also get involved, handing out medals, working with athletes and running clinics.

Mr. Outrageous said he hauls around about 30 pounds worth of his wrestling championship belts just in case an athlete wants to try one on.

"Although I've been a champion for many years, I do not wear the belt at these events," said Mr. Outrageous. "They wear it."

Ivette Fernandez wasn't shy about wearing her accessories. This year's Miss Alaska USA wasn't a Tippy Top, but she noticed people treated her differently when she put on her silver tiara and sash.

"But when I take it off, I'm just a regular plain Jane," she said.

That's not to say there weren't some big names or faces at the Founders Reception, or that there won't be at the Anchorage events in general. The Pointer Sisters are scheduled to be here. So is Nadia Comaneci, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and, somewhere, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

For some reason there were also a bevy of beauty queens. Besides Ms. Fernandez, there's Miss Universe Lara Dutta and Jillian Parry, Miss Teen USA.

"I think this is the biggest event Anchorage has ever handled," said Stevens, the only Tippy Top available for a press interview Sunday.

Stevens said the event, if it runs smoothly, could be an indication Anchorage can handle even bigger events, including possibly the regular Winter Olympics -- something that's been sought twice before in vain.

"We can demonstrate we can handle anything that comes along if we try," Stevens said.