Hi everyone,

It's another wet day here today, Sunday afternoon. It's been a really busy week because we've had the school musical running each night this week. We're all a bit tired today after having a VERY late night last night, so this will be a very short message I think. For those of you who are interested, the musical was My Fair Lady, and was a huge success. The staff at the college and the cast all did a fantastic job. The best yet we thought, but naturally we were a little -:)) biased. James played Professor Higgins, and Tim was the barkeeper who kept throwing Alfred P. Doolittle and his friends out.

I might keep the survey of the best episode up, until a bit later this week, so if you still haven't voted, visit my site and choose one that's there. Later this week, I'll change it and add a few more of the nominated favorites. I think The Best Christmas was leading there at the moment. It does seem to be one that's often mentioned.

Well goodnight for now,

Karen.

Hi Karen,

I would join many list "The Scholar" as a favorite episode. But, did you notice that in the last scene Verdie sits in a seat in the middle of the bus. Fine with me, but I doubt that it would have been fine with Virginians in the 1930s.

Did Virginia not require African Americans to sit in the back of the bus? If they didn't, hurray for them!

A 73 year old male who loves the Waltons.

Don

KAREN'S COMMENT: It's actually a very interesting point you make Don. I have seen other things set in the south even up to the 1950's and 60's and they usually have very definite segregation of the African Americans and the whites. What about school too? Do we every see African Americans at the Waltons Mountain School? Maybe someone else could comment.

Hi Karen,

Just wanted to let everybody know that I've expanded my Walton's page again. Along with a table listing The Animals on the Mountain, I've also included a listing called The Family, The Friends, and The Neighbors. The Family list includes information from the ancestors of Roam and Rebecca Lee to the children of The Waltons. The Friends list include characters that frequently appeared on the show, including Ike, the Baldwin sisters, and many others.

The Neighbors list include characters that appeared only once or very infrequently on the show, including Seth and Red Turner, Granny Ketchum, and others. I would appreciate if people would let me know of any mistakes I may have made or additional information I need to include on the lists. I will be updating the lists as Arthur Dungate and I develop the synopses on each episode. I hope this information will be valuable to our group. Please go to my web page at www.galesburg.net/~atkins/waltons.html.

Bill

KAREN'S COMMENT: Keep up the good work.

You and Brenda have brought up an interesting point. If Beyond the Prairie is contracted with CBS even though it does feature Richard Thomas, that might be a reason why they are not too willing to show it. Little House on the Prairie was an NBC show which ended several CBS highly touted shows like Sons and Daughters and others. So if CBS has long memories they may be in no hurry to show it!

Thanks for the quick post about Fannie Tatum and Jenny perhaps being related. I don t know it is probably a coincidence like Fred and Steve Allen and Mary Beth and Eileen McDonough but it is still a possibility- maybe aunt and niece?

I have just voted in the favorite episode poll, however I am only the 8th person to vote up to now. I probably need to check back later on in the week to find out what is really the favorite-BTW my favorite is ahead in voting now-it was shown initially two days before the girl who gave me Erin the cat was born-12/09/1976-so you can figure it out from there. After the other digest members have had a chance to vote I wonder if the results will change probably...

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: When I checked a couple of days ago, about 20 odd votes were in. To get a more accurate count I would urge more of you to vote, however, it's just a bit of fun anyway. I had thought that Eileen and Mary Beth were sisters? What about Michael McDonough who also appeared? Perhaps we should post on the forum and ask Mary for confirmation. She might also know about Sheila Allen and Sian, although I suspect that one is coincidence.

Hi Karen,

I'm trying to decide which episode is my favorite. It's EITHER The Pony Cart or Grandma Comes Home. The Pony Cart makes me cry buckets, and I truly believe that she represents what families are (or should be) all about. Her character was very similar to family members of mine. BUT, Grandma Comes Home just fills me with joy and epitomizes what the show is all

about.

If you twisted one arm behind my back and forced me to choose one,......I guess it would be.....(ouch!)....Grandma Comes Home. (whew.)

Larissa

KAREN'S COMMENT: I haven't voted but my choice would be Grandma Comes Home too. I can't imagine a more honest and touching episode...although I probably can if I think again! Just think, more choices next week.

Hi Karen:

Thank you as always for this wonderful digest. This show is like a part of my family and I still enjoy it. My favorite Waltons' moment, I think, is the scene when Mary Ellen is trying to teach GW how to dance in the 2-hour episode when Olivia has polio. It was so scenic, so real, and so rewarding knowing Mary Ellen would soon be returning to her warm, loving household.

I also like, in particular, when Elizabeth in season one is consoled over the death of her raccoon by the boy from the CCC. And the scene when John allows Jason to go to college to study music, or when Ben returns home after in brief stay in Norfolk are so touching. Although my childhood was no picnic, I try to raise my children with the same care and nurturing.

Keep up the good work!

Marc

KAREN'S COMMENT: You've chosen some lovely moments from the show. I love the one about John letting Jason go to study music too. John Boy gets so excited about suddenly knowing that he has to write about his wonderful father. Definitely a fabulous and touching Waltons moment.

Hi Karen,

The Smithsonian's Resident Associate Program, in Washington DC will be having a Waltons reunion on December 2. The time listed is 6:30pm. The cost is $20 for RAP members and $25 for nonmembers. The phone number to register for the event is (202) 357-3030. I wanted to let as many Waltons fans know about this as soon could . The Actors who are expected to attend are Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, Judy Norton, Mary McDonough, and Kami Cotler. Earl Hamner will be there as well and there will be a book signing after the program.

Hope to see as many Waltons fans as can make it,

Barbara

KAREN'S COMMENT: It sounds fantastic. I hope some of you will be able to go. Isn't that the week or weekend of the cruise too?

Hi. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying the list. I have been watching the Waltons nearly everyday since last fall and only now are they repeats (to me that is.) I did watch a bit of Waltons as a child but the only thing I could vaguely remember was when Elizabeth fell on the wood pile and it was thought she'd never walk again. When I finally saw that episode, I was surprised that it was actually resolved in one episode. Since it was the only part I remembered, I'd thought it was a main plot line of the show. Everything seems to pretty much make sense to me, except for one thing. I was wondering exactly where the Waltons home was in relation to places like Ike's store, Rockfish, Charlottesville, Boatright University, The Dew Drop Inn, etc.

In a show the other day, Ike gave directions to Rockfish to a lady and said it's down that road about 6 miles. (I think). The road he pointed to appeared to be the same road the Waltons walk from their home. So where is Ike's store? Is Waltons Mountain referring to the whole general area, including Ike's store and of course, the Waltons and Baldwin ladies, etc., or does it refer only to the actual Mountains.

I understand that they live in Jefferson county, which is fictitious. What county is Charlottesville in? I get the impression that it's a distance from the Waltons, but I didn't think it was that far.

That's all I can think of right now. I'd really appreciate having all this cleared up for me.

Thanks. Dana.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Fascinating. I always think of Waltons Mountain with the general store at the crossroads, the Walton house a little further down one of the roads, and the church and school near the store. Don't know why. I'm not sure about the rest. We need a map. :-))