Hi everyone,

Yes, both me and the digest are still around. Many of you have written to say that it's been a while since they heard anything, but please remember that January is holiday time for us over here, and so the digest may not come out as often as usual. I do appreciate the concern of those who have written though. Being in contact only through email, it's hard to know whether things may have happened that you have no way of knowing about. But I can assure you that we are all fine over here, just enjoying the sun (finally) and relaxing.

Recently our Herald Sun daily newspaper published a page of tiny photos listing those well known people who died during 1999, and I'm glad to say that Ellen Corby was included in this list, which also included people like John F. Kennedy Junior. Nice to see her recognised in this way.

I received my Waltons Museum newsletter during the past week too. As always it's very interesting. It has a main article on Jeb Rosebrook, who wrote the episodes "The Conflict", "The Courtship", "The System" and "The Moonshiner". What a great man. He mentions in the article that the storyline for "The Conflict" was based on a man he had met who told him the story of his family being forced off their land when a major road was being built. Of course "The System" is another favorite episode among Waltons watchers too.

Great to see more introductions with this issue. Please keep them coming in so we are all introduced to each other. :-)

Talk to you soon, although not necessarily next week.

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Yes, David did indeed seem to find his character quickly. I guess it takes some time for actors/actresses to develop their characters. After watching The Homecoming for the umpteenth time. I think he actually played himself! JimBob seemed to be the same no matter how old he was!

Also, on the ET special, Earl did mention that they have an excellent script. All they need to do is convince CBS to film it!

Anyone know anything about the upcoming October 2000 reunion?

Cindy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Perhaps that's a sign of good direction too Cindy...letting a child actor be very natural, without expecting them to be too cute.

Hi,

We just got our copy of the Walton Christmas CD this past week. My granddaughter and I are very impressed with it. A job well done and so glad that everyone got together and put it out.

Re: New Millennium
We feel that the Walton children of all ages and grandchildren would have gotten together and written or made a tape recording (to include the ideas of the youngest grandchildren) and put together things for a Time Capsule.

Oh forgot to add that you might wish to put in the name of the Walton CD for those who do not know it.... Christmas, Together Again

Carole

KAREN'S COMMENT: You've inadvertently suggested another talking point Carole. What would the Walton family have placed in a time capsule? Glad you found the CD.

Hello Karen, and everybody on the Digest!

You asked in Digest 1-2000 ----"What do you think the Walton family would have done to mark the new millenium?"

My answer is that probably they would have got the year right! (And I won't say any more on that).

With the latest Digest being 1-2000, it is a good opportunity to thank you, Karen, for bringing such a lot of great Walton folk together worldwide. What will you be writing about in Digest 1-2100 I wonder?

Although I've been occasionally contributing to the Digests for a few years now, I have never actually said anything in a personal way about myself. However, after a lot of thought, I have at last done this on my website (with a few pictures too), so, for anyone who would not be too bored with all that, may I invite you to go along to
http://www.bbctv-ap/freeserve.co.uk/home.htm.

From here in the UK may I wish you all the very best in life, with the hope that the "Walton spirit" will eventually encompass the whole world. And a very special thanks to Earl Hamner who started it all.

Arthur

KAREN'S COMMENT: What wonderful thoughts and comments to start the new year Arthur. We also hope that in addition to getting the year right, that they would do some family research and find out what happened to those "missing" Waltons...Charlie and John Curtis! :-))

Watching the Waltons has inspired me to order an old-time radio. I ordered a replica of a 1930s Crosley from the Vermont Country Store for Christmas. I love it. In case anyone is interested Amazon sells a lot of radio audio cassettes. My Crosley has a cassette player on its side. I just ordered 3 old-time radio shows from Amazon. I am looking forward to having my children hear the old shows form the radio. Although I can access vintage radio programs from my Real Player on the computer, it looses it's effect when being played on such a modern piece of technology. I thought that I would provide you with this information in case anyone else on the list is
interested in returning to the era of the Waltons!

Maire

KAREN'S COMMENT: What a fantastic idea. We have a weekly show on radio called Remember When and they play a lot of music and some of the old series from the past. Fabulous stuff.

Hi there Karen,

After reading this I decided to buy myself a copy. I've bought CDs from CDWorld before ( I'm British and like you I have to purchase some things from the US as they are simply not available over here).However I can't find this listed. I've tried Walton Christmas, Christmas Walton, I've
tried using Waltons, the Waltons and using Waltons rather than Walton in the titles. Also tried Follow that Star and Jerry Salley but nothing sensible emerges. So how did you track it down ?

Also is there an Australian store which may sell overseas that may sell Beyond the Prairie we haven't got that here and I love the real Little House stories.

Thanks for your help
Alison

KAREN'S COMMENT: A few people couldn't track the CD down through CD World.
Here's what you should do:

Do a search for "walton's" and "search everything". The search also needs to be in "title" not artist. There seems to be one there. If it all fails, try http://www.amazon.com. They're good too.

Unfortunately, the Little House movie isn't available for sale over here either, only for rent/hire.

Hi Karen et all:

I taped the Little House movie last night and just got done watching it. I thought that Meredith made a lovely Laura, in fact I loved all the actors that were used, especially Almanzo. I thought that our John-Boy made a very believable Pa. I'm curious - does he actually know how to play
the fiddle? There didn't seem to be any editing when he was playing. I wish that it might have been longer, maybe a three or four hour movie - things really moved along quickly. I don't know if the "Ma" that I am so familiar with would have ever argued with Charles that viciously, especially in front of the children. I was also a bit surprised when Laura suggested to Almanzo that they go somewhere else for the "first time" and it turned out to be outdoors in a field - in the daytime, no less.

Victorian morals were still very much in vogue at that time and sex was strictly a lights out/closed door affair. I also can't imagine the elder Laura ever discussing her wedding night with anyone (hence - was this part of the "true story" or fictional license?) Picky, picky - I know. Anyway, overall I loved the movie and am going to watch it again as soon as I finish here.

One little thing off the subject, Karen: I watched a show on the Discovery Channel about the ten deadliest snakes in the world and I thought that they said all of them could be found in Australia. Do you ever run into any problems like this? We had a five-foot copperhead underneath our
house one time, but that was my only experience.

Cheers to all,
Maggy

KAREN'S COMMENT: I do agree with your comments on the movie Maggy. I really enjoyed it too. Yes I think I've heard that we have all 10 of the deadliest snakes here (lucky us!) but I've seen very few around I'm pleased to say. When Tim was little and we lived out on a farm, he nearly ran over a snake while riding his bike across the back grass. He was riding, yelled out
"snake" and kept riding, fortunately not over it. That's about it though. Sometimes they come up from the creek into yards but we live a bit too far up for that. We're lucky enough to have some very poisonous spiders too, but I haven't seen them around either.

Hi to all,

And to Mary from Minnesota; I agree with you about the Waltons theme. I may not have the time or interest to watch each episode for the sixth time, but I turn on the VCR long enough to watch the "intro" and listen to the theme. Then after I recognize which show it is , I can either enjoy the
rest, or turn VCR off and maybe watch another episode tomorrow!

Good night from Alabama
Ed.

KAREN'S COMMENT: It's nice to be familiar enough with the show to be able
to do that I think.

I have watched all the Walton series and the specials. I would love to know how Ben and Cindy's daughter Virginia died. Also, there is no mention of Charlie. What happened to him?

Carol

KAREN'S COMMENT: We're not sure how Virginia died, and Charlie just seemed to be forgotten.

Hi Karen,

It's me again. With your help, I was able to locate and order the Walton's Christmas CD.....I'm so
excited. I have a question though. Do you know if this is a re-release of the Walton's Christmas album that was originally released in 1974? I had the music channel on my TV the other day, and Christmas music was playing. I heard Earl Hamner's voice narrating a story, and then Will Geer recited what I believe to be 'Grandpa's Christmas Wish', which was from the 1974 album according to the Walton's Memorabilia. I am hoping that the new CD will be a re-release of this
fabulous rendition, or at least include it in the new CD. Do you have any idea if this is so? If not, do you know of any way that I can obtain a copy of the 1974 Christmas album.

Once again, any help will be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks so much and have a great week.

Marybeth

KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting question Marybeth. I had originally thought that the CD was to be a redo of the 1974 one but it's not and the Christmas wish isn't on it. I've seen the album on Ebay auctions http://www.ebay.com then search for Waltons.

HI! Just a line to say, I love your web site...AND I never sign guest books or E questions...BUT..I do have a question. I LOVE the Waltons and always have.

Why doesn't Emily or Mamie ever speak about their mother?

Michelle

KAREN'S COMMENT: When I read this I thought we really don't hear much about the Baldwin mother. Any ideas? What do we know?

INTRODUCTIONS:

Hi, I think it's time that I introduce myself. My name is Kathy I'm 31, married and have a 7month baby girl. We currently live in Grand Rapids, MI. I have been a fan of The Waltons for as long as I remember. I can still remember my younger sister and I sitting on the floor every Thursday night about 8pm in eager anticipation for this week's episode of The Waltons. It is a dire shame that
kids today don't have the same family-like show that is wholesome and heartwarming. Too much violence on today.

Kathy

Let me introduce myself

Carole (58 as of 12/29) of Rockville MD. Grew up in D C and made many trips with my parents via car to visit my Aunt Hazel in Lynchburg VA.... What lovely country that is, and such wonderfully friendly people.

Started watching The Waltons from the day it started through to its ending with my husband and our new little family. I was an only child and my Mom was from a larger family in rural area near Richmond VA and Daddy was from a large one in Dubois Nebraska. My parents both came from small towns and so, in many ways, I felt like I was watching how their families might have been.

I now enjoy the repeats with my granddaughter, Evelyn age 10 1/2 who we are having to raise. She has inherited some genes from me and is very chemically allergic to our "modern" world. I have been homebound now since the middle 1980's ( 90% of the time)....

Good family shows can often be hard to find and I know that The Waltons is always a safe show for Evelyn to watch even when I cannot be there with her in the TV room. To find the Webring on Waltons was just the greatest gift I got during the month of Dec 1999...When I felt a tad stressed out from holiday decorating and baking, I headed here to relax.

May 2000 take you all down Paths to Good Health, Fortune and Much Happiness.
Carole

I teach English to high schoolers (mainly grades 9 and 12). I am married with 2 children (ages 11 and 17). While in high school I worked at the public library, and would return home just as the Walton's theme would start playing. More than anything I wanted a home like the Walton's-----filled with warmth, love, and family.

Though we had the family (I have 4 brothers and a sister) the other aspects were sadly lacking. When I went away to college, many evenings the sounds of the Walton's theme would be heard throughout the dorms. It was in college that I found that family could mean being surrounded by friends who loved you and wished you well. Now that I am an adult and hear the theme of the Walton's, I close my eyes and can feel the love and support from all my college pals. The Waltons gave us something to strive for: even when times are bad, we can work hard and overcome
adversity; never give up; family (wherever you find them) is a must for survival; this program gave us tools for survival in a world that can be cruel. Thank you Earl Hamner----and thank you, Karen, for giving us a web site so filled with good thoughts and good humor.

Debbie

Hi Karen, I'm one of your newest digest readers -- only found out about them for the last 6 of 1999. I spent a long time yesterday reading the 53 on the web site from 1997. You put so much thought and care into them and we all should be in awe of your dedication and time spent doing it. I hope the ones from 1998 and 1999 will show up eventually. Should be lots of interesting reading to come! I am probably your oldest digest reader -- a 67 yr. old retired lady, but I don't feel THAT old, even though I remember those days of 1930s & 1940s well. Have you any other older digest readers? I first enjoyed The Waltons with my youngest daughter back in the 70s -- she was the only one still living at home, but I remember that one son & his wife also watched it at grad school.

Since retiring I discovered Waltons reruns and I still watch them while I have my lunch, if I'm home. I started taping them for a young teen who has no cable where she lives. She had heart surgery twice in one year and needed something to keep her interested and quiet in bed while she recovered. Now she is "hooked", she says, and I take her more tapes each time I see her.
(She has recovered fully.) Originally I had taped all the Christy shows for her, but there were so few of them. (It was her favorite show at the time.)

When Christy episodes ran out I went to The Waltons. Another series she likes to watch when she is here is Avonlea on the Odyssey channel. Most cable companies don't have it, which is a shame because they have good, decent, older shows for family viewing. Even their movies are
without bad language, etc. It would be an excellent channel for old folks in nursing homes who enjoy The Waltons and wish there was a better selection of non offensive shows. The Waltons would fit on that channel if TNN ever gives it up -- it seems a bit strange to me that they even started running it. Definitely not their usual fare! However, it's still extremely popular -- yesterday when I was on the Waltons Web site to read the old digests I noticed their counter said I was visitor # 2,561,552.

I'll be watching Richard Thomas tonight -- thanks for alerting us to that. Thanks again!

"C J" -- (a son-in-law nicknamed me that when he couldn't figure out what to call me many years ago, and now they all call me that).

I wanted to introduce myself even though most Digest people may already know me--
I was born in New York City (Manhattan) at Sloane Hospital on February 19,1944.This hospital was later renamed the Sloane Kettering Cancer Institute. I lived in New York until July 5,1944 when I moved to Washington DC and stayed there until September 1,1946. That is a reason why the Carousel was one of my favorite Episodes as it took place in March or April of 1946 and a good portion of it took part in Washington, DC. I have lived in Dallas since September of 1946 and went to the University of Dallas (BA History 1966) and then North Texas State-a school that was renamed UNT 20 years later (MA History,1968) I have been in Market Research for over 20 years.

Erin the cat was rescued by the daughter of a friend of mine who was about to start her sophomore year at Tulane in New Orleans a block or two from the Chi Omega Sorority house. When my friends daughter found out that the cat I had had for 7-1/2 years{Ginger}had died the day after Thanksgiving 1996 of kidney failure she arranged through phone calls-she was visiting a friend on Long Island at the time- to have her delivered to me at Christmas of 1996. The girl who gave me Erin is named Elizabeth Erin Hale. She was born 2 days after The Best Christmas initially aired. She now is a kindergarten teacher in Memphis. Her dad looks a great deal like Doc Vance.

Donald

Hello Karen and everyone,

I'm Sue from Derbyshire in England. I'm 41, married to Steve, no children. I work as an administration assistant.

I remember The Waltons when it was first shown in the Seventies, and never get tired of watching the repeats. Although the family went through some hard times and often didn't have much money, they were always there for each other, and knew that being part of a large, loving, and secure family was worth more than money.

You people in the US are so lucky to be able to see the show so often, and to see the cast members appearing on TV shows as well. It's so nice to read about these things in the digest, otherwise members in other countries wouldn't get to hear this news.

On the question of the two John Boys I would have to say that Richard Thomas is my favourite. He really was a hard act to follow. Apart from John Boy my favourite Walton child is Jim Bob. David Harper matured into a fine actor, and had some excellent storylines in the later seasons. I get the feeling that David is a shy and sensitive person, like his Jim Bob character. He seems to be a very private person now that he has given up acting.

Karen, thankyou for your hard work in putting this digest together. I really do enjoy reading members comments, and finding out about the cast members current news. I really do appreciate it.
Best Wishes,
Sue

Hello Karen.

It's so great to see the introductions member of the digest are sending! I love seeing how diverse the group is ! My name is Sharon Marcheskie and I live in Royersford, PA (it's a small town approx. 25 miles north of Philadelphia). I have been married for 5 years (to Todd, the closet Walton's fan!). I have 2 children, Jason just turned 18 on Thanksgiving Day and Erin turned 13 on Dec. 21. My husband also has 2 children, Rachael is 15 and Ian is 12. I have worked for a land surveying / engineering company for 6+ years as the financial officer and was just named as President effective January 1st (boy, has life as I previously knew it about to change!!) . For those of you with a sweet tooth, Todd makes ice cream for a living (well actually, he's what is called a mixologist and makes the mix for the ice cream, popsicles, etc. to be made.) I have watched the Walton's since day one. I schedule everything around the Walton's so as not to miss a single episode (even if I've seen each one countless times!) People tend to roll their eyes at me when I talk about the show because they know how obsessed with the show I am but I've always figured that if this is my only vice in life, I'm probably one up on them!! Todd and I travel to the museum every October for our anniversary (he's such an understanding husband when it comes to the Walton's!!). As much as I'd like to attend one of the reunions, we like the solitude of just being with each other and exploring the entire Blue Ridge region. I have an extensive Walton's memorabilia collection and would like to donate parts of it to the museum someday (can't quite part with anything yet!).

Something that I've been meaning to mention: On our first trip to the museum in 1995, I bought the Walton's Trivia Book (available through the museum for those of you who are unaware of it). It has 25,000 questions on Walton's episodes and for fun (do I need a life or what?) I like to read a
page and see how many I can get right (the answers are in the back so it's easy not to cheat). Some of the questions tend to stump even me, they can be pretty hard ! I hadn't seen the book mentioned here before and if you like trivia and the Walton's, this is the book for you!!

Well, enough for now. Keep those profiles coming as they seem to almost put a face to the name ! What a great group you have, Karen!!

Goodnight Everyone!!
Sharon

Hi Karen & Waltons List Members,

My name is Mary and I been receiving the digest since Spring '98. I haven't written in for quite some time but do enjoy reading all things Walton. I grew up in the spectacular Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, but have been living in Pennsylvania for the past ten years. I do social work here in affiliation with the local department of aging.

While the Waltons program was airing my family lived in a 100+ year old wood frame home deep in a rural part of the county and was not able to pick up the signal for the station that carried the Waltons.

I began watching the program in the Spring of 1998 and as all the episodes were brand new to me I couldn't wait to see how see things evolved from one episode to the other. As southern women are reticent to give their ages I will merely say that I am closest in age to Kami Cotler.

I moved my father from Virginia this summer so that I could look after him a bit. This is a good thing, yet, I feel kind of guilty for taking him away from that valley his forefathers settled in over two hundred years ago.

My favorite Waltons' characters are John-Boy and Grandpa. John-Boy because he's really the centerpiece of the story and Grandpa because I never knew my own grandfathers, but badly wanted to. Richard Thomas is my hands down fav as John-Boy, he really gave life to the role.

Maribell

Here is a copy of the interview in the Vancouver Province date January 3rd, 2000. It is kind of long but worth the read.

Mike

Good night, Hollywood

After success as Mary-Ellen Walton, Judy Norton resurrects TV career in Vancouver David Spaner, Staff Reporter The Province.

Judy Norton as Mary-Ellen in The Waltons.

Jon Murray -- The Province / Judy Norton of The Waltons fame now lives in Maple Ridge and teaches acting in Gastown.

Jon Murray -- The Province / Judy Norton works with Lynne Livingstone (left) and Chris Pearce at the Actors Working Academy.

Judy Norton has a mountain to climb in Vancouver. The actress, who spent her youth on Walton's Mountain, is now a single mother living in Maple Ridge and resurrecting her television career in the Vancouver area. 

Norton, who played Mary-Ellen on The Waltons, is developing a resume that reflects the current Vancouver television industry almost as thoroughly as her earlier incarnation reflected Los Angeles in the '60s.

Just step into one of those restaurants decorated with kitschy '60s TV stills and lunchpails on its walls and you're bound to see shows child-actor Norton had something to do with. 

For instance, she appeared on Felony Squad, The Fugitive and The Tammy Grimes Show. Norton took acting lessons from Jonathan Daly, who had a role on Petticoat Junction. She was the kid stuck in the elevator in the last scene of Alex Hailey's Hotel. When The Waltons started, it was up against The Flip Wilson Show and Mod Squad.

In Vancouver the past couple of years, she's been doctor, detective, mom, lawyer and alien on Cold Squad, Millennium, Cliffhangers, Mentors, Stargate, Beggars and Choosers and Weird Science.

"I really like the industry here," she says. "There's more of a sense of community. Because it is still growing, it's a wonderful time to be here."

If a Walton is going to move to the Lower Mainland, Maple Ridge seems as likely a place as any.

"I've never been a downtown city kind of person," says Norton. "Even in L.A. I always lived in the suburbs."

Even in the Vancouver area, the long arm of the Waltons TV series reaches Norton. "It will be with me forever," she says.

For instance, she recently attended The Waltonsteins, a Vancouver play that takes its name from The Waltons. It's about a Jewish family that settles in Canada after surviving the Holocaust. "I was very moved by it," she says.

The Waltons was a big part of 1970s television. Earlier this month, Norton was at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., for an evening honouring the series and there are Waltons' TV movies, CDs, a fan club, web sites, a museum and, most of all, friendships.

"We're really good friends," she says. "We didn't think it was unusual at the time but now I realize it was an unusually close cast."

The Waltons has been touching Norton since it went on the air in 1972.

"I'd feel real stupid. I'm watching myself on TV and I'm crying. I'd get really caught up in the story," she says. "We never made any money off the show . . . I got a residual just the other day -- for $2.19."

Norton was born in Santa Monica, the daughter of a Canadian father and English mother who had joined the 1950s rush to California.

The role of Mary-Ellen was a good fit for Norton, who had been acting since she was six.

"I was definitely a tomboy and I was definitely independent. She was more of a rebel than I am. I didn't like to get in trouble so I could play that out through her. I liked to think at the time that I was cooler than she was."

Her schoolmates didn't think the show was cool.

"Other kids would shout down the hall, 'How's John-Boy?'"

But Norton loved doing the show and it was a phenomenal success. One letter arrived simply addressed: Judy Norton, The Waltons, Hollywood, California.

It was a time when a large portion of TV viewers had lived through the 1930s and '40s. They welcomed The Waltons, an extended family in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains who, like them, survived the Depression and fought the war against fascism.

Norton didn't draw a lot of interest when the show went off the air in 1982.

"What was happening in television in the '80s was Dallas, Knots Landing. My agent said: 'No one wants to talk to you. You're too recognizable and you have the wrong image.'"

She started doing summer stock and regional theatre. In 1991, she was living in L.A., performing Move Over Mrs. Markham in Regina, when she fell for a Canadian writer-actor named Randy Apostle. They married and became artistic directors for theatres in Winnipeg and Edmonton but settled in the Vancouver area.

"It was a combination of the weather and the industry," she says. "I knew the industry was starting to take off here." 

They wrote and directed, commuting to the Prairie theatres, but the marriage broke up earlier this year. A son, Devin, was born in 1996. "If The Waltons comes on, a lot of times he says, 'That's boring,' and he turns it off."

Sometimes when Norton watches, the memories flood back. Grandma Walton, Ellen Corby, who died last year, was especially close to Norton.

"I always got the impression I reminded her of herself when she was young... my independence. I was pretty spunky."

Corby had a stroke that took her speech but they maintained a bond through the years. "It was more in the squeeze of a hand or the nod of a head."

Norton's close to other cast members, going for dinner with Richard (John-Boy Walton) Thomas when he shot Big and Hairy in Vancouver. "It's that best combination of a brother and a dear friend," she says.

She exchanges e-mail and phone calls with Mary (Erin Walton) McDonough and recently visited her in L.A. "We got our kids together and they were playing while she and I talked and caught up."

McDonough says the cast is extremely close.

"We're like brothers and sisters and our kids are like cousins," she says in a call from L.A. "Judy was older and she was cooler and I was a geek. One time I spent the night at her house and I thought that was the coolest thing. It was like a big sister taking you under her wing. I was 11 and she was 14," she says. "I love her dearly and I'm really glad I have her as a sister."

The Waltons cast meets at a variety of functions. When a Waltons' museum opened in 1992 in Schuyler, Va. -- hometown of the show's creator Earl Hamner Jr. -- thousands showed up.

"It was the first time I realized the ongoing popularity of the show," Norton says.

But Norton is focused on the future.

"Judy to me is really inspiring," says her friend Shelley Schell. "She's always looking for the next challenge, the next thing she wants to accomplish."

Besides the television work, Norton's involved in the formative stages of indie film productions in L.A. and Vancouver and teaches at the Actors Working Academy in Gastown.

"There's something about that 'where are you now?' thing that's like you've dropped off the end of the world, fallen off the mountain," she says. "I know Vancouver is by the water but I'm pretty sure we're still here."

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for sending me the article Mike. It certainly is well worth reading. Interesting about the residuals. I'm surprised they got any at all considering the time it was made. Vancouver seems to have a fairly healthy film and TV industry from what I hear.