Hi everyone,

Here we are into winter now, but the weather still is very mild in Melbourne. This weekend is a long weekend for us in Victoria, when we celebrate the Queen's Birthday. A bit silly really, as it's not her birthday anyway! This weekend also marks the opening of the snow season up on the mountains of Victoria, but there's no snow!!! They do expect some fairly soon, and they have snow making machines, but at this stage things aren't looking too good.

Well personally I'm a bit light on for Waltons related news this week as I really haven't even had time to be on the Internet much lately. Ralph and I haven't forgotten the poetry contest either. Thank you to those of you who entered. I have sent my favourites off to Ralph, and I believe he will then be sending them onto Earl Hamner to make the final choice, so things are underway.

Seeing things get a bit slow over the summertime, I was thinking that we could really do with a talking point. If anyone can suggest a topic that we could discuss or write our comments on, your suggestions would be more than welcome. Perhaps we could compile a list and devote part of each digest to that week's talking point. Last year I asked you about your favourite guest actor of The Waltons. Perhaps we could start with that as we didn't get a lot of responses then. Maybe you could mention who it is, the episode they appeared in, a bit about them and some of the other things they have done.

Perhaps that could be next week's talking point. Let me know what you think.

Well over to you now,

Goodnight everyone, Karen.

Hi everyone from Niagara Falls NY :)

I just wanted to say, did anyone else recently see the episode, "The Journey"? It was so good, but I couldn't stop crying! The episode featured an old woman who was originally from Scotland. John boy takes her to the ocean on her wedding anniversary. The dynamics of how he gave up his date that night, and how he spent is saved $2.35 and took her out to dinner where she once ate with her late husband just got to me so much. I don't have any children myself, and my husband will be the only person in my life when I am older. I could just see myself 30 years from now, needing the kindness of someone like John boy. I was so touched by the program it was wonderful. The shows that highlight special relationships between the young and the old are always amongst my favorites. Won't forget that episode!

Best wishes to all you Walton Fans!

Susan

KAREN'S COMMENT: Isn't that a wonderful episode Susan. It would have to rank amongst one of my favourites. Did you know that Earl Hamner played the part of Maggie's husband in that flashback dance sequence? Also the photographs Maggie showed John Boy are actually Earl's real family photos.

Karen,

A Richard Thomas sighting here in Connecticut, USA...Richard began a run in a Edward Albee play called "Tiny Alice" at the Hartford Stage Company in Hartford, Connecticut....

You can see a small write up along with a photo of Richard in the role at:
http://www.viewzone.com/hartfordstage/season.html

This is the fourth time Richard has appeared at the Hartford Stage. He last performed HAMLET there.

John Wiehn, Connecticut....

KAREN'S COMMENT: Have a look at this site. Sure enough there is Richard as Hamlet...you'd never recognise him. He really is a very diverse actor.

Dear Karen

I am new at receiving your digest and really love all the exciting and interesting information. I have been searching for Walton things and I do have the game, a TV guide, and 1 Whitman book. I was wondering if any of your readers might have any of the other children's books to sell?

I also want to comment on the talents of Richard Thomas. I believe he has a natural ability in making the characters come to life. It seems that anyone that he might play is full of energy and he puts his all into it. A very talented man. I do like him on Promise Land, and hope he has a bigger part next season.

Thank you

Vicki Keener

KAREN'S COMMENT: Ebay auctions is a great place to look for Waltons memorabilia too Vicki. The URL is: <http://pages.ebay.com/aw/index.html>. I agree with what you say about Richard Thomas. I'm looking forward to seeing him on either The Promised Land (which we don't have yet) or Touched By an Angel.

Dear Karen:

I read a comment in the last digest about the availability of The Waltons through Columbia House. I have been receiving The Waltons since 1995 through Columbia House and as much as I love them -- and applaud Columbia House for making them available -- I must point out that they do not have the complete series. I am missing several episodes, from the first season on. I did not realize this until I would occasionally catch the re-runs on the Family Channel and would see episodes I did not recognize. I called Columbia House and asked them about some particular episodes -- The Conflict, The Bicycle and so on. I was told those episodes were not in the Columbia House Library.

And when the tapes arrive, beware that they are not in order. However, this is a rather picayune complaint. The episodes that are available are uncut and run at the correct speed!

I would like to have The Conflict on tape, however, as Martha Corinne is one of my most favorite Waltons characters, especially as portrayed by the great Beulah Bondi.

Jeff Carrier

Portland, OR

KAREN'S COMMENT: Wouldn't it be great to have that episode? Hopefully you might get it via cable. I must say I'm a bit confused as to why Columbia House only has certain episodes. How many do they actually have and which seasons do they go up to, does anybody know? I am speaking currently, trying to do a deal with someone here in Melbourne who is able to get some Waltons episodes from over there. I'm wondering if he is getting his from Columbia House? When I asked them they said they couldn't/wouldn't send them overseas. This person tells me though that the tapes he can get are usually 2 episodes, sometimes more on each tape. Here's hoping anyway.

Dear Karen,

Thanks for the note about the International Fan Club, I'll have to be patient for just a little bit longer !!

A request if I may to any U.K. members on the mailing list. I have all the episodes from the start of Season 3 on VHS tape format, up to the present screening of The Cloudburst in Season 5.but I would love to have the first two Seasons 1 and 2 on tape also. The problem is the tape format here in the U.K. is different to yourself and the U.S. Any member who has these first two seasons on VHS format, I would like to get in contact with to sort out the cost of obtaining copies from them i.e. postage etc. Fingers crossed and thanks again.

Mark from rainy Liverpool (U.K)

KAREN'S COMMENT: I hope someone over there can help you too Mark. Isn't it frustrating not to have access to them all. I thought we in Australia had the same VHS system as you do? As you can see from my comments above, I'm also trying to build up my collection of early episodes.