Hi everyone,

I do hope you're all well and had a good fortnight. I received my Waltons International Fan Club magazine this week and it always makes for a great day when it comes. Naturally this one is no exception. As it was the last one for 2000...yes, a tiny bit late, but we always get it eventually and this one was well worth the wait :-)) it was a Christmas issue. The "Through John Boy's Window" focuses on The Spirit, which is a Christmas episode that I always tend to forget about, because the others all seem much more Christmassy somehow. But it is an episode that shouldn't be overlooked, as it's a lovely one.

One member has written about hearing Richard Thomas speak about his role in Tiny Alice last November. She mentions how very gracious he was to answer questions about his work, including The Waltons. I've heard of so many actors who seem to get quite annoyed when they are continually connected with a role they had near the beginning of their career, and would prefer to be known for their later works instead. How nice to hear of an actor who is still proud to be connected with the show that really made him a household name.

There's a great spread with photos of the Waltons specials too. I hadn't realised that the specials were screened on a different network to the regular series. How lucky we the viewers were. Next time the double spread will be a tribute to A Decade of the Waltons.

And finally for this week, I just wanted to tell you about an article on Mary McDonough. Seems our Mary has made her writing and directing debut with a short film called "For the love of May". It has been shown at some short film festivals and has been well received. Well done Mary. She has managed to gather some excellent actors for this one, including Patricia Neal, Michael Learned and Alison Arngrim...and in the picture I spotted another one I knew. Little Karle Warren who plays Lauren in Judging Amy, a show that I love. I'll tell you a little more about it next week.

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Just wanted to say thanks for the Digest! I should be asleep but wanted to check my e-mail before bed. I spent the evening catching up on old Digests and watching Easter on Waltons Mountain, taped a few weeks ago on TNN. So it was great to see your message!

Laura in Seattle

KAREN'S COMMENT: Glad to oblige Laura. :-)) Hope you enjoy this one too.

Hi Karen,

In answer to your question......what child in the Waltons would you like to talk to/be friends with, etc. I think I'd pick John-Boy first, and maybe Jason next. Both seem so kind and thoughtful. But really, any of the children would be fun to talk to. I recall in a number of episodes where you can feel the various childrens' desire to leave the mountain and see the big world beyond Waltons Mountain. I remember feeling that way as a child (teenager). Now when I'm in my 40s, there's nothing I'd like better than to go back to a small town and settle down to a slower pace of life.

Now I have a question. In many of the episodes, we have met some of the "unseen" people from the mountain. They were usually only mentioned in one episode, but they were people who, for one reason or another, lived outside of the mainstream of society. For example, the woman who's son was mute. Or the couple who owned the car that John-Boy bought, or the lady who Jason befriended. Her fiance had been killed right before their wedding. How many of you would like to talk to some of these people? I'd love to hear their stories of life away from the mainstream. I wonder what brought them to that place??

Enough for now....Nancy in VA

KAREN'S COMMENT: I found your comment about the children wanting to leave the mountain really interesting Nancy. I recall particularly in the first couple of seasons, that Mary Ellen had very itchy feet and wanted to see beyond the mountain, yet she settled down in the end and wanted to give back to the mountain people by learning to become a doctor to care for them.

The township of Waltons Mountain seems as though many people did settle there even though they didn't appear all the time. It's a good question. There were many people who sought refuge from the horrors of war there too.

G'day Karen,

It's been a while since I last wrote but I still enjoy reading the Digest each time it is issued. Life continues to be good to this Aussie living in North Carolina, USA. I enjoyed reading about which adult people would like to meet with if they had the chance to visit Walton's Mountain and I saw your comments on wanting to meet the Baldwin sisters.

I don't know whether anyone has raised this interesting piece of information before so I'll share it again. When we visited the Walton's Museum last year we were given the tour by Earl Hamner's Aunt (and I can't recall her name although she is mentioned in the front of The Homecoming book.) She told us that the Baldwin "sisters" were actually Mother and daughter in real life and there were pictures of them in the museum and once again I cannot recall their real surname (but I do know it wasn't Baldwin.) Well, that's my 10 cents worth for today.

Regards,

Dave

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for that Dave. A lot of our newer members wouldn't have known that.

Hello to you all from South Wales

I am Julia,aged 31. The Waltons is the only show that my whole family sat down to watch together. I have really vivid memories of it being on when I was about five years old. I have always watched the repeats, again and again, and have recorded a lot of them. I never saw my grandparents but Grandma and Grandpa were just as how I imagined them - just Welsh versions!!!

I could go on rambling for ages but I would just like to add that the character I would most like to meet would be Grandpa. Will Geer was amazing in portraying Zeb. I would love to go for a long nature walk with him and have him "spin some yarns" along the way!!!

I am hopefully emigrating to Victoria, BC in a few months - Nicole, I noticed your posting - I would love you to get in touch with me!!! I recently returned from six months in Victoria and have now returned to pay off my bank loan before I can return!! I miss the scenery so much.

Goodnight everyone!!

Julia

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes Grandpa would always have had something to say about everything. It's nice to have a Welsh Waltons fan.

As for the children of Walton's Mountain, I'd have to say John Boy. I also like to write so we would have some things in common. I'd also like to get to know Jason, since I also have a musical side. As Mary Ellen got older I really liked her. I could be a big sister to Elizbeth. I like Erin, but I just can't connect with her. I like Ben's business sense and as for Jim Bob, he's another one I just can't connect with.

Lisa

KAREN'S COMMENT: Perhaps it depends on how old you were when you saw the series too. For myself, I think I would probably love to talk to Jason most of all. I loved his sensitive, musical side and I think he would be great fun.

Hi Again Karen,

For all the US people out there, I have a question. Did Ralph Waite (John Walton Sr.) run at some point for US Congress? Just a bit of trivia!! :o))

Oh, Karen, one more thing, Thing show AUSTRALIA TODAY, was here in Victoria, Canada over the weekend, did you see it?

~Nicole, Victoria, BC, Canada

KAREN'S COMMENT: I don't think I've heard of Australia Today! What did they show?

I think of all the children on the set MaryEllen would be my favorite. I always liked how she wanted more for herself and stood up for what she believed in. And of course we know that sometimes what we think we want as a child doesn't always end up how our life will be. Since she married and ended up on the mountain anyway.

On the episode The Heritage Grandpa and John Boy are in the hot springs and he tells the man his name is Zebulon Tyler Walton.

Donna

KAREN'S COMMENT: Good spotting Donna. It is obviously a family name then, from both Zeb and Martha Corinne.

I think Elizabeth would be my pick for the Walton child I'd want to visit. She's only about 1yr older than I am so we could have been playmates. What fun that would have been for an only child!!!!!! :)

Donna

KAREN'S COMMENT: You'd have been able to play with Aimee Godsey too then. It would be fascinating to find out more about her past, and also what it was like to live with Ike and Corabeth. :-)

Hi everybody! I have a Walton's sighting. I was watching the movie "8 Seconds" (about the life of rodeo star Lane Frost) and who do I see but CoraBeth! She plays Kellie Kyle's' mother. I have watched that movie 100 times but this weekend is the first time I have noticed her in it!

BTW it is an excellent movie and I highly recommend it to everyone (but have a box or two of tissues handy). Also, I do remember it being mentioned that Tyler was Grandpa's middle name (as well as my son's name) in one episode.

Cheryl in PA

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well spotted Cheryl. It's not a movie that I have seen.

Among the children though...who would you most like to be friends with?

That is a hard one because there are so many qualities in each kid that I like. Hmmm....I think JimBob would be fun because he liked to tinker and explore. He could show me around the mountain, fix my car, etc.

Cindy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Now that's a good point. I would love to have a "handy" husband like Jim Bob. He could be very sensitive too and showed his sensitive side many times during the show. Here's another talking point...what is your favourite James Robert episode?

Hi Karen and fans,

This is not exactly an answer to your question Karen but I would enjoy meeting other characters not yet introduced by the show.

I would love to spend more "time" around the mountain either goin' coon hunting with Yancy Tucker's pals or going WAY BACK into the hollers again with Mary Ellen on her county nursing rounds. From my visits (1960's and '70's) with grandparents in Smyth County VA, I have seen some mighty unusual characters in those mountains. By the way, those California mountain scenes can't compare with the real Blue Ridge.

Vote me out if you must 'cause I don't watch The Waltons anymore! I just enjoy the memories and the present day fans.

Edwin

KAREN'S COMMENT: Now Edwin, I don't think you'd have me as a companion when you head out with Yancy, however I think I'd like to join you on Mary Ellen's nursing rounds. She really met some interesting characters. Martha Corinne seemed to know of many interesting characters too.

Hi again Karen, (you can lump all my emails together if you want, LOL!) I didn't see the second part of your question until today! DUH!

"Among the children though...who would you most like to be friends with?"

I would probably most like to be friends with Elizabeth. Her and I have a lot in common, I'm also the youngest in my family. I, also as a child, had a fear of abandonment (The Burn Out episode) and her and I also love our dolls. Besides I've always wanted a younger sister! :o)

Goodnight everybody!

~Nicole, Victoria, BC, Canada.

KAREN'S COMMENT: I think Elizabeth would have been a perfect playmate for me as a child. Yes she loved her dolls and wanted to make clothes for them, but she was also very outdoorsy. I think she would have come up with some really exciting games to play too, with lots of imagination.

Hi Karen,

The child I would like to talk to is Jim Bob. He was just the cutest, sweetest little boy. He didn't seem to get too much attention until he started tinkering with radios, cars and planes.

I missed the adult one. I would have chosen Grandpa. He's pretty huggable. I'm glad you mentioned about fish and chips and what you call potato chips. We're doing a song in school that mentions fish and chips and one of the students wanted to know how you refer to potato chips. I was going to ask you. We have Lays. There's a plant down the street. If you're down wind you can smell them. Smells good if you're just passing through.

Barbara from Connecticut

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yep, Lays potato chips and other brands, are just called chips too. We're a strange lot over here, but we know what we mean!!!

Hi Karen!

The adults I would probably want to talk to most would be Grandpa, John, and Olivia. With Grandpa, I'd want to go on a long walk up the mountain and just sit and talk with him. He's so comfortable and easy-going, I'd probably feel right at home with him. With John, I'd want to sit out at the mill and just talk. He's such a warm loving father, I know that even not being his daughter I could tell him all my problems. With Olivia, I'd want to knit, or piece a quilt, and just chat about anything that's bothering me. I know she'd listen. Maybe I'd want to talk with Verdi or Miss Hunter as well. And that other teacher who was friend with Elizabeth and had a brain tumor or something, what was her name. She was very cool. The kids I'd want to talk to would be Jason, Erin, and Elizabeth. I'd want to talk with all of them, but those are my favorites. Jason is such a good listener, and such a sensitive person. And for some reason I find a really strong bond between myself and Erin and Elizabeth. Well, that's all my news about my faves, but going to Waltons Mountain and hanging out with the whole gang would be sooooooo awesome, I wouldn't believe it!

Goodnight everybody,

Robin

KAREN'S COMMENT: It certainly would be fun.

HI Karen and Walton Fans

I would love to talk with Olivia and Mary Ellen. They are both strong women. I would love to hear the stories they could tell. But Grandpa would be my favorite. Good night all.

Rona in Duncanville Texas

KAREN'S COMMENT: The Walton girls seem to come from a long line of very strong women don't they?

Hi Karen & everyone,

On Mother's Day, I went to Schuyler, VA (Walton's Mtn) to see Joe Conley aka Ike Godsey. I was fortunate to arrive when there was no line waiting to see "Ike" and was able to enjoy a nice long conversation with him. He is very friendly, personable, and ageless. He still looks very much like he did when he was on the Walton's. His wife Louise was with him and is very nice too. They both posed for pictures with me, and "Ike" autographed a special photo I brought with me.

I asked him the status of the next Walton's special. He said the script has been written and CBS has purchased it, but has not set a date to air it. He said they will not film the special until they have scheduled it, which sounds backwards, but he said that is the way CBS does it. An employee at the Walton's Mtn. Museum said the story line is about the fire at the General Store. Perhaps if we all write to CBS, we can help persuade them to schedule the special.

Joyce

Boones Mill, VA

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes, good idea Joyce. It does sound a bit backwards but I guess that's just showbiz. It sounds like Joe Conley is another of The Waltons very gracious actors. What a wonderful Mother's Day you had.

Hello Karen and All, If I was to be a friend to just one of the kids, I think it would be Jason. He is quiet, sensitive, and giving (although all the children are giving). He is the kind of person I try to make friends with in my life now. I am not a person to party and be loud, he is just the person I would be looking for as a friend.

Good Night All, -----Jennifer

P.S. The script I won auction on was The Seashore. It was meant to take place after Curt was drafted, and it was also supposed to be a two part episode.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Was it really supposed to be a two parter? I didn't know that. I have that one have too...the revised final copy.