Hi everyone,

Well, computer wise, its been a disastrous week for us here. Last Sunday our hard drive crashed, and after consulting with the repair people, we were told that it was terminal! We had a new hard drive put in and are now busy trying to reinstall the programs that we have lost. Needless to say, though, we did lose a lot of things, because the old hard drive is simply not accessible. Unfortunately that has included the entire email list.

The list I have now started with is one that I backed up on floppy in April. I will be putting a note on my site, and also on the forum about the crash, but I would ask that you do have patience while I am trying to restore the information. Could I ask that if you are receiving this, but you have asked for your name to be taken off the list, that you write me a POLITE letter (be understanding please) and just let me know?

I think I might leave it at that for today, but if you hear of anyone not receiving their digest, please ask them to contact me.

Until next week, Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

The replies that were made on the Forum-I am sure you heard that some of my posts were erased-were that John Boy's graduation from college was never mentioned, although it was said that Boatright considers him an Alum. Perhaps for some reason his graduation from college wasn't seen on the Waltons---

Since my friends daughter graduated this afternoon from Rhodes in Memphis college graduations play an important part in my day today.

I had heard that Judy Norton-Taylor lives somewhere in Canada. I don't know exactly where.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm not sure about the places, because I really don't know a huge lot about Canada, however...in the Blue Ridge Chronicle back in 1997, an article on Judy Norton mentioned several theatre productions by herself and her husband, and these were based in Edmonton. Perhaps she lives somewhere around there.

I was watching A Decade of The Waltons on video today...I highly recommend that all you Walton fans get it. It is such a delight and brings together a lot of the old shows. I enjoy it every time I watch it.

Cindy

KAREN'S COMMENT: I rewatched that video just after we had the news that Ellen Corby had died. It really is wonderful.

Hi Karen and other Waltons Digest members:

I feel as if I am a newer member of your digest, but am not sure. I don't get a chance to write as often as I would like since my 2 year old daughter keeps me busy. My name is Wendy. Her name is Heidi. I am a stay-at-home mom after working for about 24 years either part-time or full-time. I always liked working at something during summers off from college, and later on worked 10 years as a programmer/analyst. I also have worked as a System Administrator for an Aerospace company in California where I live.

I am enjoying one of the best times of my life. Being a little bit older than the average first-time mother and having had some work success, I now enjoy my new life of Barney, Teletubbies, and Bear in the Big Blue House.

Heidi seems to love the Waltons music. Do you have any information on the composer/writer of it? I specifically mean the opening Waltons theme. I have loved the Waltons for many years. They have the type of values that I would like to instill in my little girl. I also loved the early episodes when the children were much younger. I liked seeing John-Boy and Jennie experiencing first-time love, and I have also enjoyed the experience of watching the various characters as they age. I feel as if I have grown up with the children on the cast. I always look forward to the special movies that have been made in more recent years.

Wendy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Welcome Wendy. If you have a look at the <www.the-waltons.com> site, I think you'll find some information on the composer there. Also have a look at the Internet Movie Database site for other things he's done.

Hi Karen and All,

As requested I am sending in my introduction.

I have been a Waltons fan since the '70's but being in England I only got to see the shows once a week. Now that I am in Canada, I watch them 3 times a day, what makes you think I'm addicted?

My Uncle Dave was and still is the "spitting image" of Richard Thomas and because my Uncle and I are very close I bet you can guess who my favourite character is on the show? *-)

I have been trying to wrack my brains thinking of my favourite episode but one doesn't come to mind yet, I guess I like them all!

I am amazed though at all the episodes I still haven't seen. Most of the ones I watch on TNN and CTS now are completely new to me. *-)

Anyway, I'll sign off for now, take care everyone.

Jayne

PS: I married a Canadian and that's why I'm here and not in England anymore. *-)

KAREN'S COMMENT: From once a week, to 3 times a day! Guess where I'm coming to live? :-)

Hi Karen,

I am a true lover of the Waltons but am a new member so here is my life so far! I was born around 45 miles from Atlanta Georgia out in the country on a five acre farm. My mother had to work as a nurse in Atlanta so my Grandparents raised me. I went to a private school when in the 7th grade and the Nuns were very strict, we didn't have an honor system, but if anything happened everyone knew so nobody tried anything. Very close knit group of girls.

Anyway I married in 1966 and moved up here to Boston where I have been every since. I have two grown children (daughter is 32 and son is 29), 3 grandkids, and 2 cats. I just lost my husband last December so this is a period of adjustment.

I started watching the Waltons when they started the show, I was brought up just like they were, except I was an only child and they were many. My Grandparents were the exact copies of the Waltons Grandparents, even called each other the same names (Old Man and Old Woman!) We had the little store at the corner like Ike and Cora Beth did. So many things about them remind me of what my childhood had been like. I mss all of them very much. The South of today is not like what I was brought up in.

Sorry this is so long, I have wanted to write for awhile and stay so busy I just had to stop and write this.

Regards

Pat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Good to hear from you Pat. I believe that the show was very successful because it appealed to country people of America. How wonderful to have had grandparents like that.

Hi Everyone

I hope your all having a great week. I was wondering if you could explain how Mary Ellen had two new children in the Waltons Thanksgiving special that dealt with the Kennedy assassination. Did her and Jonesy adopt. I can't seem to remember how this took place.

Thanks

Linda

KAREN'S COMMENT: This is one of the Waltons mysteries Linda. It's really not explained anywhere at all. We viewers just have to accept that they have two children now. :-)

Hello Karen

I am one of your newest members and I love it! It is nice to hear from people that also love the Waltons. I am from Ohio and enjoy watching the show with my family. I have always loved it. I have two sisters and one brother, but they are 11, 14, and 15 years older than I am and I always thought how wonderful it would have been to grow up in a household full of family. Now that I am a mother I really appreciate the loving messages that the show sends out. There are not a lot of new shows that I wouldn't even consider letting my kids watch. It is nice to see a show that encourages good morals and kindness. We are planning to go to Schuyler in the next few months to see the museum and look around the town. I am sure the mountains are going to be just wonderful. I am really excited about it. I received a brochure from Nelson County and October 16, 17 they are having a Waltons Mountain Country Store Crafters Fair. October 23,24 the Waltons Cast Reunion is taking place at the Waltons Mountain Museum Earl Hamner, Jr., and the Hamner family will be there. I am going to try to go. It should be beautiful that time of year. In September, any Grandparent who visits the museum will be given a gift. Sounds like something fun for Grandma and Grandpa. Well, I'll sign off for now. Thank you for the digest it is great.

Julie

KAREN'S COMMENT: Julie, how lucky it was that you and several others actually wrote to this digest. Since you were newish, I didn't have you on the list, but was able to re-add you easily and you haven't missed anything. The Crafters Fair sounds like fun too. Enjoy your visit.

Dear Fans,

Does anyone know if the real "John Boy" graduated from college, and which one? I wonder if the Hamner family has to keep much of the family history private so they can avoid celebrity. A published family history might be as interesting as the Walton story!!

Edwin

KAREN'S COMMENT: Good question Edwin. I don't know!