Hello everyone,

Well it is Sunday here today, Father's Day, and it has been an extremely tiring week. As many of you know, our children's school musical was held this week. Both Tim and James were performing in Fiddler on the Roof, and we have had many late nights in a row because of it, and no time to catch up on sleep during the day. Last night was the final performance, and it was extra late because of a cast party afterwards. It is nearly midday and James is still in bed. Poor Tim had to get up earlier to go to work, and of course he needed a lift to get there. Our teenagers don't get their driver's license until they are 18 here. So you can see that we are all walking around like zombies at the moment!

I'm very happy to say, however, that the production went extremely well and everyone was really pleased. Opening night had quite a few hiccups, but we also went again last night and it was brilliant. Not that I'm biased of course. :-))

As I mentioned, it is Father's Day here. I don't know if it is all around the world, but anyway, I would like to wish all the fathers on the list a really happy day.

Now, enough about the Kearney's and onto the Waltons. I received my newsletter from the Walton's Mountain Museum this week. There is a big article on Doris Hamner. It's interesting to see the many small things which really happened in the Hamner household, which were incorporated into the series. Things like the couple eloping, and clothing being handed down. Even boy's shirts being worn by the girls and vice versa. If the children complained apparently Doris would say: "They're clean, and you'll wear them!".

A few people have asked me again for the address of the fan club. I am in two different ones. The one connected with the Waltons Mountain Museum produces the Blue Ridge Chronicles newsletter. Ralph, who owns the official Waltons site, is the editor. The postal address is:

Blue Ridge Chronicles,

Walton's Mountain Museum,

PO Box 124,

Schuyler, VA, 22969.

No doubt queries can be made via the internet too. Their web site is <www.waltonmuseum.org> and the email address is <waltonmt@cstone.net>. This magazine seems to have longer articles about the Hamner family, cast members and what's going on at the museum.

The other magazine I get is called The Blue Ridge Chronicle. It has lots of articles, both big and small, about cast members of the Waltons and some about the Hamner family too. It is the journal of the Waltons International Fan Club. The address for this one is:

The Waltons International Fan Club,

Carolyn Grinnell,

PO Box 1055,

Kernersville, NC 27285.

There is another fan club, but I'm not a member and I'm not sure what their newsletter is like. If anyone out there is a member and would like to write and let us know the details, please do so.

I also found a very tiny picture of a very young Tony Becker this week. It was of him as William Thorpe in a show called The Oregan Trail. The details are below:

Television: Series: NBC

The Oregon Trail Western

First Telecast: September 21, 1977

Last Telecast: October 26,1977

The direct link to this page is <http://www.staroasis.com/Becker/becker.html>

I found it at a site called BOYS IN THE MEDIA 1907 TO PRESENT which is at <http://hurricane.net/~wizard/39.html>. It has some interesting names there. The information is usually fairly brief but interesting all the same. Have a look...you might find some other favourites. Does anyone remember this show? I doubt that it made it out here.

Don't forget the talking point for next week is "What is your favourite episode from season 3?". I don't think I have any responses yet, but below are a few more from season 2. Enjoy the mail this week and I'll talk to you all again next week. Until then,

Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Hi there Karen,

Don't know if this kind of message is allowed? I'm sorry this message has a very British flavour. I watched Channel 4 this morning and was pleased to see "The Long Night". However last week was the "the Recluse" which is surely from season 6...Jason actually says that John-Boy is in New York and Mary-Ellen is expecting a baby. Surely last week should have been "The Heartbreaker"....when Curt's sister comes to visit.

Are I'm going mad, or is it Channel 4 ? ( I was away for the two Sundays before last week 16th and the 9th and the video did not record).

If anyone who has a copy of Heartbreaker on tape would they be willing to copy it for me....of course I would send a blank tape. Ideally this needs to be someone who use PAL, so in the UK, ( or maybe Australia or NZ). I could possibly do a swap as I do have lots of episodes on tape but I have never, ever seen Heartbreaker.

Many thanks

Alison

KAREN'S COMMENT: You are perfectly welcome to put this on the mailing list Alison. There are a few people on the list from the UK, so perhaps someone can help you. The Heartbreaker is a great episode with Linda Purl in it. I have just added her to the guest stars page this week. She has done such a lot of diverse work.

In one of the episodes with Boone Walton they mentioned that he returned to visit them several times and then late one night in 1943? he was run over on a country road transporting moonshine.

I thought it was wonderful in the Burn Out part 2 that Reverend Fordwick scolded Jim Bob for taking the ribbons from the girls at recess and told him that the relationship between men and women is based on respect. Bravo!

Tricia certainly got some good information about Sian Barbara Allen. I often thought she (Jenny) should have been the one who married John Boy although Daisy was pretty also.

What was the day that the Dew Drop Inn reopened and Mary Ellen found out that Curt might still be alive? (clue- it was shown on one of the billboards posted outside the Dew Drop)

A-October 4,1945

What was the date of the scheduled Baldwin reunion which was the same date that the episode was first shown, different year of course?

A. The date of the Baldwins reunion when John Boy returned from New York was June 4,1946. This episode was shown on June 4,1981!

Donald F Nelson

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes I always thought Jenny would have made a good Walton too. :-)

Hi Karen and Fellow Walton Fans,

I have been away on vacation and missed adding to the last two "Talking Points". What does WIFC stand for? Is it a club relating to the Waltons? I would love to subscribe to the Blue Ridge Chronicle!

Also, where can I get a list of episode titles for the Waltons? I recognized many of the episodes that the Digest members discussed, but would not have known the titles if they hadn't been mentioned.

Karen, I am really enjoying the Waltons Digest. Thank you so much!

Best to everyone, Silvia from California

KAREN'S COMMENT: As you might already have guessed Silvia, WIFC stands for Waltons International Fan Club. The details for subscribing are in my letter at the top. As for the episode titles, there are 3 sites which have these. You can find mine at: <http://www.oocities.org/TelevisionCity/2792/walton3.htm>.

You can also follow the links from my site to Ralph's Waltons site <www.the-waltons.com>.

Finally there are also some on Arthur's site, A Waltons Miscellany, which is at <http://www.surflink.co.uk/users/arthurdungate/wltnp1.htm>. There, I think that's all of them!

Hi, Karen and all Waltons Fans!!

I just wanted to chime in with my thoughts on my favorite episode from the Second Season. This is a tough choice, because so many of this season's episodes contain great moments and performances. Among them:

• Grandma getting all bent out of shape about her competitors' quilts at the county fair in "The Prize." She's convinced that at least one of the competitive entries has been in show before.
• Also, "The Air Mail Man" and its depiction of Olivia's curiosity about what it's like to fly. It was wonderful to see her get the chance to fly as a break from her everyday routine.
• "The Ghost Story," which I have only recently seen for the first time (THANKS to TNN) had some amazing direction and camera work in it. The camera coming through the kitchen window to the supper scene was one that amazed me as out of the ordinary for The Waltons.
• But, I suppose I would pick "The Gift" as my favorite. The performance by Ron Howard, the bond between Seth and Jason, and Jason's absolute anguish over the impending loss of his friend is almost too much to bear. It remains, no matter how many times one sees it, a heart-wrenching and truly touching episode.

Talk to you soon.

Claire, New Hampshire

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually I've never been all that keen on "The Air Mail Man" but I do love "The Prize".

Hi Karen

I hope that all is well with you. LET TALK THE WALTONS ....I GUESS THAT MY FAV. SHOW FROM THE SECOND SEASON IS THE Ghost STORY. Until it was on TNN I never saw it before. I loved the part at the end when Earl Hammer was talking about how a mother's love is so strong that they can be there for you even when they've died. WHAT TEAR JERKER......I have a question that maybe SOMEONE out there can answer. Does anyone remember what episode it was that the Baldwin ladies came over to the Waltons and ask John and Olivia if they could take Jason home with them ( I THINK THEY WANTED TO Adopt HIM). I was looking at my WALTON SHOW list today and we are already in season 5. It won't be long before they'll be done with all the shows. Then there won't be anything good on TV.

DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW WALTONS MOVIE ON THIS SEASON? I HOPE SO.

WELL GOOD NIGHT FORM THOMASTON MAINE......NANCY

KAREN'S COMMENT: You've asked a terrific question Nancy. I remember this part about Jason so clearly, but can't remember which episode either. I think it's wonderful when they say so innocently that John and Olivia have so many others that they wouldn't miss just one would they. It's so funny, and Olivia gets so angry about it too.

I really enjoy all the Waltons. I have to say my favorite is when every goes up on the mountain and says good-bye to grandpa. I am so glad they didn't replace him.

Regards Karen, Pa.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Welcome Karen. Yes it's a lovely moment when they pay tribute to Grandpa. I agree...they couldn't possibly replace him.