Hi everyone,

Well there's certainly been a lot of mail arriving in my email box this week...thanks to all of you who sent things.

Not much has been happening this week so far...just very routine things and I do seem to have been kept pretty busy all the same. The weather hasn't been too bad and we still have a few autumn leaves still hanging on the trees, which makes it look really pretty. I love autumn, especially in our mountain areas. Our family has two favorite holiday places. One is Marysville and is about an hour and a half drive away from our home. It is a tiny holiday village which is nestled into the base of the mountains. One of the mountains has excellent cross country skiing. The other place we like to go to is Bright and it is absolutely beautiful in the autumn...crisp and cold, but with beautiful autumn leaves on the trees. It is spectacular country. Bright is about 400 miles from Melbourne so we don't get there often, but if you are ever over here, it is well worth a visit. Using Bright as a base during winter, you can then go to several mountains for downhill skiing. Absolutely superb. One of Victoria's best spots I think!

That's probably enough of my ramblings so now it's over to you.

Karen.

From mtorri:

Waltons Pets: The foal's name was "Pepper".

Mary McDonough on Entertainment Tonight: Now that you remind me, I do remember Mary giving a commentary from the from of the "home" occupied by the Walton family during the series. She also did one when the Walton Museum had its grand opening. At that time a good many of the original cast was on hand. Mary also had her baby daughter, who was being held by Michael Learned.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well done with the foal's name. I didn't know that! Perhaps Mary was the "Waltons" reporter for the show.

From Brenda:

I just received my Walton Digest #14. I enjoy reading each one and always look forward to receiving the next one. A few comments...

To Shirley: Thanks for the info about a new Walton's special. That's exciting!

To Lee: I agree that THE WALTONS could not have taken place in California for the same reasons you mentioned. Although they filmed the show in California, it would have been nice if they could have shown some scenery from the Blue Ridge Mountains occasionally. If any of you watch ROAD TO AVONLEA, you know that the setting for it is supposed to be Prince Edward Island. It is filmed in Ontario, but they do show some scenes of Prince Edward Island to add some authenticity to the series.

Regarding Mary Ellen's shorts in 'The Dust Bowl Cousins', I think it was intentional that they were so short. Remember, she was hiding in the shed. She wanted to impress her cousin, maybe show him that she was grown up and independent, and she did that by doing things her mother would obviously disapprove of: smoking a cigarette and wearing short shorts.

To Laura in Washington: Your favorite characters are the same as mine-Grandpa and Jason!

From Laura:

I have an answer for Lee, who was wondering about Mary McDonough's stint on Entertainment Tonight. Yes, she was a reporter off and on for the program. I happen to have the report she did for the then-upcoming Walton's Thanksgiving special on tape. I heard a blurb for it in a commercial so stuck a tape in and watched ET, which I don't normally do. The cameras follow her as she goes to the set of the special and talks to some of the actors. We also watch her, Kami, and Judy have their '60's make-up and hair done for the show. Later, Mary and the cameras pay a visit to the home of Ellen Corby, accompanied by Jon Walmsley, whom Mary identifies as Ellen Corby's favorite. Mary is pregnant at this time, and she shows Ellen a sonogram of the baby. That's probably more than you wanted to know, Lee, but, oh well.

I've been meaning to share this with others for some time, so will do it now: I always thought it odd that "Olivia" was chosen for the name of a lead character. It certainly is not a very southern name. Anyway, I was reading an article not too long ago about Patricia Neal, who played the mother in "The Homecoming." The producers wanted the mother's name to be "Mary," but Neal insisted it be "Olivia" to honor one of her children who died of an illness in England when she was young (around six, I think). Neal thought the name was a way of keeping her child's memory alive. The article was in "People Magazine" and was about famous persons who had suffered the loss of a child.

Also wanted to ask this: Did anyone else notice that when Mary Ellen's Jonsey, (in my least favorite episode, "The Whirlwind"--be careful with that one or you'll trip in a plot hole) first came to the mountain, he was a student studying geology? Somehow, later, he winds up as a vet. Hmmm.

And for Marie: The name of Elizabeth and Clarence's pig was Jaybez, or something like that. And Chance had a calf that was born while the soldiers from Camp Lee were doing maneuvers at Drucilla's pond. They named it "Dynamite." And this is so minor I can't believe it's in my head, but Jim-Bob once had a little duck that he named Jim-Bob, Jr. It's sort of embarrassing to know these things. Hoping you'll understand...

KAREN'S COMMENT: An interesting little piece about the name Olivia. I hadn't realized that it wasn't a common Southern name. Perhaps that's why the eldest daughter was Mary Ellen... she was to be called after her mother. Don't worry Laura...now that you mention it I also remember that Jim Bob called his duck after himself!

From Barb:

That was wonderful news from Shirley!! I hope the new special answers some of our questions. (Just where is John-Curtis anyway). Maybe with the popularity of the movies we could lobby for a new series centering on the newest generation of Waltons to live in the house(maybe Ben's family or Drew and Elizabeth because they work in the mill), and the other family members and townspeople could make guest appearances. We can only dream.

Lee brought up the clothes that were worn on the show. I find them very interesting. Even though the show takes place in the 30's and 40's you can really see the 70's influence. (John's overalls have bell bottoms) Corabeth's hair was great though, definite 40's style. And speaking of short-shorts, I was amazed at how short they were in the episode where Jim-Bob falls in love with the older woman whose husband is killed in the war. I think Elizabeth and Erin's dresses were short partly because of the 70's style and partly because they were supposed to be hand-me-downs. Until next time, Goodnight Everyone.

KAREN'S COMMENT: By the next special, Earl will have had a chance to read comments from the Waltons fans so maybe some of the gaps will be filled in. I found your comments on the clothing interesting. Weren't very short shorts in during the war years, although perhaps they were only seen in Hollywood? I seem to recall seeing some actresses of the time wearing them in pin up posters. Some of the clothes were dreadful. What about those overall things which Elizabeth wore during the first season? I've never seen anything like them! :-)

From Julie:

Hi again, Karen! Thought I would drop another line just to say that I do remember Mary McDonough on "Entertainment Tonight" a few years ago. I just remember her on one segment, when she visited Ellen Corby, with whom she has apparently remained close. It was good to see the two of them and hear about what they had been up to. I also remember a segment about the opening of the Walton's Museum, but that may have been part of the same story, I'm not sure.

I have also enjoyed some of the discussion of favorite characters. I love all of the adults, particularly Grandpa (but who doesn't love Grandpa!) As far as the kids go, my two favorites are Jason and Elizabeth. I admire the characters of John Boy and Mary Ellen for their head-strong personalities and their achievements, but I imagine that they might be a little hard to get along with. Ben is a little too hot-headed and not tolerant enough sometimes, although he has a strong sense of responsibility. Erin and Jim Bob I like just fine, but I just love the character of Jason because he is so sensitive and bright and caring, and Elizabeth because of her intelligence and her humor and even her insecurity.

It's good to hear that there will be another special! I do hope that it centers around Elizabeth's marriage; "A Walton's Easter" sure left it open for that. I think Kami is the strongest actor of all the kids, and it would be nice to get to see her really show her stuff.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Julie, I have just finished watching the episode "The Valediction" and it was interesting that, even though Grandpa had well and truly passed away, he wasn't forgotten. In many episodes, including this one, one of the family says "Grandpa used to say this....." and it's really nice the way that he was so fondly referred to. Actually I'm just wracking my brains to think whether he was mentioned in the most recent specials in this way?

I like Kami's acting to but I think Mary is the best actress of the children. I also like Jon Walmsley's though.

From Lee:

Greetings to Laura from another person from Washington and a substitute teacher to boot! I knew they cut episodes for commercials, that is why I would rather buy the episodes complete from Columbia house, but Subs, just dont make that kind of money, Ha. I don't have cable any more and when I did I only got maybe a quarter of the episodes taped. But it is better than a poke in the eye, as my Grandma used to say. Do you have the Changeling or the Ghost story? Someone on the list needs just those 2 to complete their collection.

When I did have cable I enjoyed the Snowy river show too, the last one I saw was when (I can't remember names) the Snowy river fellow and the redhead were going to get married. Did they?

To Marie the pig was Jabez, I just watched that episode the other day.

From Lori M:

Thanks so much for digest 14. I enjoy reading everyone's comments. So glad Shirley found out about the new special coming out. That's great news! I would think the producers might consider having Drew and Elizabeth get married. In my opinion, it would be perfect, after they kind of got together in the Easter special. Hopefully, I will have that tape soon!

My husband printed out the whole program of shows off of Ralph's web site and it is so nice to look at and keep track of the ones I have seen. Still waiting to see Mary Ellen's wedding though!

Right now "Founders Day" is on the Family Channel. This is another favorite of mine. Here is a question for the folks who have taped them all: How many video tapes does it take to have them all on tape? Just curious......

Does anyone know what Judy Norton is up to these days? Please let me know if you have any information

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually Lori, I'd like to see Jim Bob with a girlfriend too but so far he doesn't seem to have found anyone. It probably will be around Drew and Elizabeth.

About Judy Norton...there was a small piece about her in the latest newsletter from the International Waltons Fan Club. She has done a mini series called Lost Daughter. It has been seen in Germany and will be on in Quebec and possibly Canada and USA. Has anyone come across this? She also is involved in Dinner Theater. She and her husband write and direct these, seemingly in Edmonton and Winnipeg. She has also guested on Millenium recently. The last show of the season she says so it may have already aired there. Her son, Devon, was one on May 16 and she is married to Randy Apostle. Let me know if you see her appearances.