Hi everyone,

School has started back again this week, and it has been sooooo cold! It certainly is very wintry. This term 3 goes through now until just when the Olympic Games are starting. Some schools, like James's, is actually closing a few days early so that people heading up to Sydney for the opening ceremony, have time to travel up there. I'm really looking forward to the Olympics starting. We're not going, but I'm hoping for some good TV coverage of the gymnastics. Foxtel has been very good with their programming of the gymnastics to date, and since Australia ranked 5th (our best result ever) at the last World Championships, we might get some decent footage. Problem is that the gymnastics events are on at the same time the swimming events are on, and Channel 7 gives priority to that.

Please keep your Waltons news coming in each week, as there's not much Walton stuff to report from over here. It is off again at the moment.

Have a great week, and keep enjoying your summer.

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Dear Karen,

On the episode called John's Crossroad...I like the part at the end when John walked out and they showed that he left his hat behind. Immediately after that, the poor man who had been so berated by the tyrannical boss garnered up enough courage to get up and open that window, which was a no-no according to the boss. It just goes to show what an impact our own actions and personalities can make on other people be it for good or evil. I always felt like John gave that man some of his courage that day.

Thanks for listening.

Karen

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes it did seem like some of John's oomph rubbed off a bit.

Hi Karen!

I loved this week's issue -- so many interesting comments from people about the couples, which really made me think about things I'd forgotten from the different shows. Great lesson in how people really should get along today. If they did maybe this world would be in much better shape with relations between those who are always at war over something. It seems as though they like to fight just for the sake of fighting after a while and have forgotten the original reason. I still like John and Olivia best, though, of all the couples. I feel as though they set an excellent example for all to follow and even Grandma and Grandpa, and Ike and Corabeth learned from them, as well as their children, how to have good and happy relationships.

The episode The Romance is a great example. It ought to be used in premarital counseling classes. However, like you, Karen, I'd have told the creep to get lost, too. I'm a senior citizen now, but was widowed at age 38 (thanks to cancer) and reared my children alone because I never knew anyone else I'd want in my life or to complicate theirs. As adults they've thanked me for that decision, too.

Back to Marabelle and the old houses we've loved: My father inherited the house in rural NW Connecticut to which he and my mother retired after his mother died when she was in her 90s. My grandfather had it built in the early years of the 1900s. I loved that house so much. We lived there during the depression with my grandparents until Dad found a full time job in Washington, DC, and we moved to the Maryland suburbs, which were like a country town in those days. (Now those suburbs are wall to wall huge buildings and really part of the big city.) I spent full summers and school vacations in Connecticut all my life and during WWII my dad bought a house across the road for us to live there while he was away. The last years of my parents' lives (they also died at an advanced age -- mother a year ago at age 92) I took early retirement from my job and lived there for five years caring for them. One of my brothers inherited that lovely old home and immediately sold it, which was so very sad. I've not been back and hope I never have to see that home again. My best friend there tells me I'd not know it because the woman who bought it has completely changed its looks and character by tearing off the back porch and putting on a modern addition that goes 3 stories high. I think that is as bad as losing a loved home to storm and/or fire, maybe worse. Death is one thing, and then it is gone with all the fond memories kept. Amputation and inappropriate ugly alterations which completely change the character of a lovely old home are too sad to contemplate. Even my friend says she can't bear to look at it now.

I hope someday I get the  time to go haunt a video rental shop and hunt for some of the movies people write about with Waltons cast members playing other parts. I'm making a list as they are mentioned. It is great that they share their finds with all of us. Thanks to all.

Best greeting to everyone!

"C J"

P. S. Have your ever tallied how many countries, and states, you hear from, Karen? That would be interesting to know.

KAREN'S COMMENT: I have a real soft spot for old homes, and old things in general, especially pieces or things which have been in the family. My Mum has been a great one for selling family things, or having them redesigned. She received a diamond ring from her Grandmother, and promptly went out and had it reset to suit her taste and the fashion of the time. It's never quite the same I don't think, but still it was hers to change if she chose to. However I'd prefer to have it in the original condition, rather than change it.

As far as the countries go...let me know if I forget one but I think we have: Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, heaps of people from the USA, Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands. Actually, just looking through the list, I'm surprised at how many Great Britain people there are. As for the states of the USA...I have no idea at all!!!!

Hi Karen and all,

To CJ.....I was interested in your question about July 4th celebrations, and the fact that there isn't one in any Waltons episode. My husband was telling me this week (I think he'd read an article in the paper) that many of the southern States in the US did not celebrate July 4th for many, many years after the end of the Civil War. There was a great deal of bitterness in many of the states, and many people did not want to celebrate as if they were part of the United States. They still wished to consider themselves part of the Confederate States, therefore, the July 4 holiday did not mean anything to them. I'd love to hear more about this. I know in Virginia, July 4th was not celebrated for a time after the Civil War.

To Gwen, you can continue to purchase episodes through Columbia House. If you call them up, you can get a list of all the episodes that they sell of the Waltons. I know they've added some since I first started buying from them. I also know they do not own them all. You can also buy some episodes from the Museum. I know they have The Children's Carol, and some of the other movies.

And to Sharon, I laughed at your comments about "The Romance". Nope, I would not tell my husband either. He'd get upset and it wouldn't be worth it. I don't view it as deceiving my husband, but rather shielding him from hurtful information which has NO bearing on our relationship.

And to Jennifer in Vermont. Welcome. I enjoyed your post.

Have a good week everyone,

Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting piece of history there Nancy. Maybe the 4th of July wasn't celebrated very much during the Depression either then, which perhaps was why it was not written about much in The Waltons. A timely article that's for sure.

Unfortunately there still doesn't seem to be a lot of videos for sale. I also wish there was more. Does someone have an up to date list of the ones sold by Columbia House? Maybe we can publish it here.

Karen and All, When Olivia went to the Dew Drop and she ordered an orange squeeze, an orange squeeze is a soda/pop. It is sort of like the orange crush of these days. I just think Olivia didn't want to be seen in a road house.

By the Way, at the Walton's museum, in the Ike Godsey's Store display and gift shop they have an old soda/pop cooler just like in the store on the show. My husband laughed when I got excited about it, but I was so thrilled to be there that I couldn't contain myself. That was the place in the museum where I realized I was actually there, that my dream had finally come true.

Gwen asked if there was a place that she could get more Walton's episodes -- Gwen, have you tried Ebay and Amazon.com? I know both those places have some you can buy. Also, if you contact the Waltons Mountain Museum, they have alot for sale.

Night all, ----Jennifer

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thinking back a few weeks ago, we were talking about Australianisms and how language differs to the USA....we call orange "soda" orange lemonade. Don't ask me why...it seems a bit silly since lemonade is a bit lemony and orange lemonade is orangey! Most fizzy drinks here are known generically as lemonade, unless it is know by the brand name such a Sprite or Fanta (orange lemonade if you don't have Fanta over there!). Perhaps that's what an orange squash is too.

Greetings all.

Everyone knows studios will use from time to time the same sets for different movies or TV series. Well, I'm convinced after studying the home of Sam Jones on Mayberry R.F.D., it is the same one used for the Waltons. The back porch door is in the same position, the barn is located in the same spot and it looks like the curving driveway is about the same also. So, change the colors of the house and barn, bring in some trees (which is not a hard thing for Hollywood to do) to beautify the yard and...presto! We have the set for The Waltons. Any takers on this idea? That's all for now.

Dave

KAREN'S COMMENT: Since I didn't watch this show I really can't comment. Any ideas?

Hi everyone,

Tonight I was watching my tape of the episode "The Fox". In it, John Boy walks briskly into the kitchen reciting a wonderful poem to his grandmother and his mother. Does anyone know what the name of the poem is, and who the author is?? I'd love to know.

Thanks,

Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Any helpers for Nancy too?

In the last digest, someone mentioned they thought it was odd that the Waltons were never seen celebrating the Fourth of July (Independence Day in America). Actually, it probably was not that odd. Although I'm sure there are exceptions, the South in general has not paid much homage to the July 4.

This is especially true in rural communities like the one I grew up in. The first Fourth I ever truly "celebrated" was the bicentennial celebration in 1976. And even then they only had a few fireworks -- and I mean "few." Otherwise, we were usually in the middle of a busy tobacco season, and spent the day at work, unless it fell on Sunday. Come to think of it, I'm not certain, but I believe July 4, 1976, fell on a Sunday. And if that's the case, it's probably the only reason I celebrated the Fourth in that historic year.

In general, I think the South is paying more attention to the Fourth now-days than previous. Certainly, I teach my children that it's an important day, and we always celebrate it with fireworks and good food. This year, our church held a really patriotic service on the Sunday prior to the Fourth, and it was good enough to raise goose bumps on my arms. In general, I think the Northern States, or at least New England and other northeastern states, pay more attention to Independence Day because so much of it was fought on their soil. We had a few Revolutionary War battles in the South, but the Northeast was constantly in the thick of the fight.

Jim

KAREN'S COMMENT: Again, another very interesting comment about The Waltons and their lack of July 4th celebrations. Thanks Jim.

Hi Karen and all digest readers,

I wrote to the digest a while back, telling you that my husband had booked tickets for us to see the play 'ART' starring Richard Thomas, Patrick Duffy and Paul Freeman in London. You asked me to write back to let you know how it went and what the play was about. So here it is:

12th July 2000

We arrived in London's Leicester Square at the Wyndhams Theatre with plenty of spare time before the play was due to begin. After having some refreshment at a local bar, we decided to walk to the rear stage door entrance, just on the off-chance that we might get to see Richard Thomas (RT) as he entered the building in readiness for the afternoon matinee performance. We had only waited for about 5 minutes when, to my amazement he casually walked alone towards the stage door. My husband said "there he is", at which moment I instantly knew, on my first glimpse of him, that it was indeed Richard Thomas himself. I remember being surprised that he was not as tall as I had previously expected. He stands at around 5 feet, 4 inches. My husband walked over to RT and asked him if he could sign an autograph for me. RT was very friendly and obliging. We hadn't really been prepared to meet him at all, with no camera and no autograph book. However, my husband found a card promoting our hometown web site and RT signed on the back of that. He asked me the correct spelling of my name (Marion) and wrote on the card 'For Marion - Richard Thomas'. We gave him a promotion card for our web site, www.rushden-northants.co.uk and asked him to visit sometime. I don't know if he ever will, but if he does and signs our guest book.....well, I'll let you know.

We left him to go and prepare for the matinee performance that we were about to watch. We had seats at the centre of the very front row of the theatre and so had an excellent view of the cast who were on the stage just a couple of feet away from us.

The play was brilliantly executed by the actors, with a superb performance (despite my bias) from RT. The play centres around a group of three friends. One of the friends, (Serge- played by Patrick Duffy) purchases a white painting with white diagonal lines on it (Blank) for a vast sum of money. In purchasing this 'work of art', Serge believes his social status will be enhanced as an introduction into art collectors circles. However, his friend 'Marc' (played by Paul Freeman of Falcon Crest fame) thinks his actions, as well as the painting are absurd. 'Yvan', (played by RT) believes that the painting is of interesting value but also thinks it absurd that Serge has spent so much money on it. The play goes on to explore the values of each others friendship within the group of friends. The group has a row over the whole affair and RT does a fine performance where he (Yvan) is so upset that he cries. The tears, seemed to be real, such is the amount of feeling that RT put into his! role. Patrick Duffy was also very good, as was Paul Freeman. We purchased a brochure from the theatre, about the play. Inside the brochure was a picture of RT. After the play had ended we decided to return to the stage entrance door again. There were several other theatre-goers waiting for RT also. When RT appeared through the door we took our turn and asked him again to sign his autograph for us, this time on the photograph inside the brochure. This he willingly did and we were able to converse with him a little more about the performance. We said how much we had enjoyed the performance.

After a while RT left to go into an adjacent restaurant for some well earned refreshment before the evening performance of the play. That was the last we saw of him.

I never, for one moment would have believed that I would meet RT twice on the same day! It is a dream come true for me and I shall never forget the meeting that day. The cast ends their term on Sunday 16th July 2000.

Best Regards,

Marion (England)

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thankyou Marion, for writing this report for us, and also for scanning the photo for me. RT looks just great in the pic. How lucky you were to run into him twice! I hadn't realised he was quite that short either. Only 5' 4". That's only a little taller than me and I'm fairly short. The TV must distort height a bit because he hadn't seemed to be that height compared to the other actors.