Hi everyone,

We seem to have had a lot of new members this week, so welcome to you all. Please feel free to write and introduce yourselves to us sometime. It's always nice to hear from our newer members.

Life for me here has suddenly become particularly busy again, and I don't seem to be getting a lot of time for using the internet, which is why some of you may not have received very quick replies from me.

It's also suddenly become much more "springy" here too which is lovely. We've had a bit of sunshine and the spring flowers and blossoms have started to come out. It always reminds me of "The Easter Story" from the first season, where the younger children are waiting for their flowers to bloom. It seems to make you feel alive again after the cold, dark and damp winter months, which sometimes seem never ending.

I caught a very recent movie with Richard Thomas last night on Foxtel. It was made in 1997 and called "Flood: A River's Rampage". I enjoyed it. Lots of tension as the town tried to save themselves from the flood waters by making levees. Actually I thought Richard Thomas looked quite different. I don't know if it was just the makeup or something, but his face looked older and he looked like he had put on a bit of weight too.

Oh well, onto your letters now. Remember that the next week's talking point is: What is your favourite episode from season 2? I've had a couple of replies in already, which I've held over until next week.

You might want to refresh your memories by going back to the episode guides on either my page <http://www.oocities.org/TelevisionCity/2792/walton1.htm> or Ralph's <http://www.the-waltons.com>.

Until next week, goodnight everyone,

Karen.

What a tough - but great - discussion question. Honestly, I think it would be easier to pick my least favorite episode rather than my favorite episode from Season 1. So many of the episodes were special because they helped us understand the character of the family as a whole, its individual members and the many neighbors who shared their lives. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd begin my list with The Hunt, The Typewriter, The Star, The Legend, The Reunion, The Fire, The Love Story, The Scholar and The Easter Story. All of these - and others, too, but especially these episodes - conveyed that sense of caring and compassion and zest for life that endeared the Waltons to so many people for many years to come. At the same time, these episodes managed to point out the unforgiving nature of life itself, while making the point that it's a person's character that determines whether we suck lemons or drink lemonade.

That said, you asked for a favorite episode - as in only one. I honestly can't name one, but I will narrow it to two. Although all of the above episodes were superb, I would say that The Love Story and The Easter Story rank ever so slightly higher. To this day, The Love Story remains my all-time favorite story of first love. I enjoyed the way the story built the relationship between John-Boy and Jenny Pendleton from shyness to familiarity and the simplicity with which their love just happened. In particular, I remember the epilogue ended with a phrase describing Jenny's memory "as sad and sweet as the cry of a night bird." Very appropriate for a first love.

The Easter Story was remarkable because it really explored the notions of faith, mercy and hope. I loved the story because Olivia's polio challenged the very core of the family's value system and, ultimately, strengthened their beliefs and perseverance. There's nothing like a crisis to bring people together - as long as they have the underlying beliefs that will sustain and allow them to tap into new sources of strength.

Karen, I've said more than enough here, but I thought it was a great topic and look forward to reading what others had to say. I can't wait until we dissect Season 2. Thanks for creating this great forum of communication.

- Jim

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for your views Jim. Are you going to nominate a favorite from season 2? It is a hard question to decide. I'm not sure what my least favorite from season 1 would have been.

Hi everyone,

Finally we can enjoy a hot summer in the Netherlands too after several weeks of rain. It is not as hot as in some other parts of the world (sometimes over 110F) but a maximum temperature of 90F is enough for us. And we're not having vacation because we collect those days for our trip to Schuyler in October. Hope to see many of you all there.

I have received some 'new' Waltons episodes of seasons 7-9 that I never saw from a great new friend from the US. I never saw any of those episodes so it's a refreshment to watch episodes like 'The Homefront', 'The Day of Infamy' and 'The Diploma'. I like the 'war episodes' in particular because it's great to see how the Americans looked at the war from their point of view. I have seen and read a lot about WWII in our history books and on television every year but most of the things I have heard is taken from the European point of view.

Seeing how American (and Canadian) boys leave their homes and families to fight in distant countries is very touching. Our country was occupied by the Germans during the war and our parents and grandparents have told many stories about it. Thanks, High Point!

There's also a new thing my husband added to our Waltons page. After we consulted both Karen and Ralph we decided to add a page where all Waltons fans can send their poetry to. Many of you have spend a lot of time in writing poems for the contest of some months ago. But only one poem won and it's a great one!

On this new page on our Waltons site you can fill in and submit your name and poem and it will be added to the page soon afterwards. So check your poetry books again and send me your favorite ones, so everyone else can enjoy it..!!

The URL for our page is: <http://www.oocities.org/TelevisionCity/3436/>

Take good care everyone and have a great vacation,

Marca.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for letting us know about your new addition to your site Marca. I hope everyone will visit and think about contributing. It's fun to see your work on the Net. How exciting for you to be heading to Schuyler for you vacation! I'll bet you can hardly wait.

I do remember John Boys being frustrated over his mothers being sick in the Easter Story that he screams at grandma. The episode Kym Karath played in the Brady Bunch was on October 20,1972, as Peter Bradys first girl friend Kerry Hathaway. It was based on the story of Roxanne.

I had wondered if any one else had heard anything more about another Waltons Reunion being shown this year around Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter time in 1999? The subject was even mentioned-Elizabeth and Drew would finally get married. Do you know anything about these plans?

Donald and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: I would love to know something definite...perhaps some others can tell us.

I have a answer for Maggie about if anybody has seen on any of the Waltons shows where the grandkids have shouted at their grandparents. Last week I seen where grandma & grandpa moved out of the house because they got into a argument with John & Olivia. John Boy went over to where they were staying & tried to talk Grandpa into coming back & they got into it. John Boy shouted at his Grandpa & told him he was as stubborn as his Daddy. Also i would like to know if any of The Waltons fans that write to this digest have ever seen or met any of the Waltons in person.

Sincerely Sandy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Having thought about it Sandy, I think John Boy also shouted at Grandpa when he (JB) sold his land to the developer. They certainly didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things.

I noticed on the program IT on Lifetime TV last Saturday Richard Thomas was one of the people who had guest appearances. Dont know what part he played, however. Did any one else see the movie?

Donald and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: I don't know this program...can you fill me in?

Hi,

Is there an episode of The Waltons mentioning or showing Ben graduating from high school? There was one on John Boy, Jason, Mary Ellen, Erin, and Jim Bob, but I don't recall seeing any on Ben or any mention made of it. Did I miss something? I'm assuming that he's the fifth child, so it should have been after "The Career Girl" episode with Erin.

Pat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Without checking I can't be sure, but in my trivia quiz on my site, you'll find the list of siblings, in order, as Earl Hamner told us. You might be interested in Robin's letter below though, as I think it throws a spanner in the works again. :-)

Good evening Karen,

If I'm repeating old news here, feel free to ignore this letter. We have had discussions in the past as to the age order of the Walton's children. Tonight, in the episode "The Nurse", Mary Ellen is getting ready to graduate and take her nursing school entrance exams. Early in the show, the men in the family are out in the mill putting the finishing touches on a trunk for her, and John Boy says to Daddy, "three down, four to go!" Ben speaks up and says, "And I'm next!" This would put him in front of Erin in age. Have there been any other comments before that put this question to rest?

Back to the show,

Robin

KAREN'S COMMENT: It may be that the writers had a little slip up and kept Ben there a year too long.

Good evening,

I haven't written lately, but tonight I think I spotted a goof. In tonight's episode, "The Estrangement", the Walton cousins, Vera and Wade, separate. Wade gets in trouble with the law for running moonshine. While Wade is sitting in jail, John tells John Boy to go up on the mountain, find Boone, and tell him to get his nephew, (referring to Wade), out of jail. Maybe I'm wrong here, but wasn't Wade Boone's grandson? At least I thought so, back in the two part episode about when Martha Corrine and the rest of them get put off the mountain. I guess it may have been difficult for the various writers to keep track of all the family relationships.

Until next time, goodnight, everybody.

Robin

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well as you all know, I am Waltons starved here, so I really don't remember. Any comments anyone?

Dear Karen,

Just saw another Walton sighting - in an episode of "Mission Impossible" which Channel 4 in the UK is currently repeating, was our beloved Sheriff Ep Bridges, or more correctly, actor John Crawford playing some official in an improbable foreign country. The "Mission Impossible" I'd really like to see again is the one in which Will Geer appeared as a villainous Doctor in a small American town. Perhaps it will be shown shortly though it may come as a surprise since, unfortunately, the Radio Times, which lists TV programs gives no episode info, just vague things like "another episode from the classic series"....

Arthur D

www.surflink.co.uk/users/arthurdungate/index.htm

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well done Arthur. If they are airing the episodes in order, maybe you can track down a guide on the internet which might tell you which season to watch for Will Geer in.

Dear Karen,

Just a brief request for some help. Do you or any of the Digest readers know of the name of the group/s that Jon Walmsley has played in ? I went into my local record shop and they looked at me very strange !!!

Thanks Mark.

KAREN'S COMMENT: I can't remember this either (I seem to be saying this a lot today!!!) but I do know that you'll find it in the 1997 archives of the digest. Alternatively someone might let you know.

Hello, everyone! My name is Geri Ann, and I'm brand-new to this list! I'm thrilled to find this group; I watched "The Waltons" from the time "The Homecoming" first aired in 1971! I'm only a couple weeks younger than Mary McDonough, so I feel like she and I grew up together in a way!

My favorite of the children is Elizabeth; I identify the most with her. She has a personality very much like mine, and seeing her with John makes me think of my father and myself. In fact, John Walton reminds me so much of my late father (in personality - Ralph Waite and my dad don't look alike at all) that I feel like Earl Hamner was spying on my family and taking notes! When people say that John Walton is the kind of father everyone wishes they had, I say, "I *did* have a father just like him!" And Grandma Walton reminds me very much of my mom, who is still with me. Lots of times I'll see Grandma say or do something, and I'll say to my mom, "Look, Mom, that's you!"

My favorite episode from the first season would have to be "The Love Story." I adored Jenny, and I wish she and John-Boy could have gotten married later in life! She fit right in with the family right from the start. I have to confess, I don't care much for the city girl that John-Boy married in the reunion movies. She seems so uppity and insecure, almost bratty, and she obviously never felt comfortable with John-Boy's family, not like Jenny.

My favorite of the sons is Ben. Although I love them all!

I hope to contribute lots, and I know I'll have fun on this list!

Geri Ann in Phoenix, Arizona

KAREN'S COMMENT: Welcome Geri Ann. It would have been nice to have Jenny and John Boy marry. I'd love to know what Sian ended up doing with her life.