| WALTONS DIGEST 36-99:
Hi everyone, Thanks to everyone who joined in the Waltons poll during this past fortnight. The winner this time was A Children's Carol. The final results were as follows:
There are six new episodes to vote for during this next fortnight. From there I'll take the top 2 winners from each week and you can vote for your all time favourite episode. It seems a long process, but the quiz can't cope with any more than 6 choices unfortunately. Anyway it does give many of you extra time to vote. I think this fortnight's choices will be the hardest of all to make, with such great episodes being nominated. By the way, I will be adding some more digests to the archives this week so if you have joined very recently, you might want to catch up. We're heading into the second week of our school holidays here in Victoria. It's been superb weather and very relaxing. Let's hope it continues into next week. This weekend we have the Grand Final of our Australian Rules Football too. Football madness takes over Melbourne during winter and I really don't like it. I'm thinking of other things I can do instead of staying in the house with Rod and Tim watching the footy on TV. James and I have been thinking that maybe a movie might be the best option. Anyway have a great week everyone. Maybe some of you will see the dreaded football on your TV screens, and think that you are looking at the city I come from. I certainly won't be one of those people with painted faces, jumping up and down screaming away. :-)) Till next week, goodnight everyone, Karen.
FROM KAREN: Thank you to all of you who took the time to give me a history lesson and wrote in response to the prohibition. I have found this all fascinating. I've never heard of such a thing being in any other country. Here's what you had to say about it. Dear Karen, In reply to your question about Moonshiners. Alcohol was banned in the United States by an Amendment to our Constitution called The Volstead Act. This was in the 20's and early 30's. Although it was repealed, moonshiners were still lawbreakers, as they made their own whisky, sold it, and paid no taxes on it!!! (The U.S. does not take kindly to people who do not pay their taxes!!!) There are still many parts of the country that are "dry". it is usually a municipal or county decision. Love your digest, even though I never send anything in to you!!! Kathy Hi, I am Joyce, and I live in the Blue Ridge Mtns. of Virginia, and work in the home town of Audrey Hamner (Erin). In regards to the question about moonshine, although alcohol is legal, moonshine is not legal, mainly because it is unregulated and untaxed. Nevertheless, it is still very common in Southwest Virginia. Every few months, the authorities find a still hidden in the back woods and destroy it, but the tradition lives on and Franklin County Virginia proudly calls itself the "Moonshine Capital of the World". The "recipe" has been handed down through the generations and it continues to be produced by the gallon and distributed in Mason jars. It is clear as water, thus the term "White Lightning" is often used. Many Virginians prefer it to "store bought" liquor. I have visited Schuyler and the Walton Museum, and have met most of the cast and the Hamner family members. Hope this answers the question about moonshine. I have enjoyed the digest since March, but this my first participation. By the way, my favorite episode is The Best Christmas. JRF Hi all, The town of Schuyler, VA is small, and I mean small! Today it looks nothing like the Rockfish on the show. I've heard people say that it was quite a thriving place when the soapstone plant was in business many many years ago. There is a building there that used to be a hotel and it is of good size. The Hamner house appears to be a former company house; one built by the company (soapstone factory), because there are others very similar to it nearby. Schuyler is in the mountains so streets are windy and curvy. Houses are built here and there along the road. Many of the homes are now rather run down, but they are left overs from another era. There are new homes going in also here and there. The Rockfish River is real....and it is down the hill from the town. It's a charming little place though! As for Prohibition in the States. I'm no historian, but if I can recall my American History, it went in to effect in the teens (of this century) and no alcohol was sold legally for quite a number of years. Schuyler being in the South, and having many devout Baptists among it's residents who did not believe in drinking, would have been dry I think (except for the moonshine!). Nancy Karen, I have an answer to your questions: First off your question on whether any parts of the U.S are still alcohol free and what caused prohibition? Yes there are parts of Tennessee and Kentucky as well as Pennsylvania where alcohol is not allowed. Ironically some of these places actually manufacture and bottle it but, do not allow it drunk by it's citizens. The reason for the ban was that the Government felt that many citizens were being corrupted by it and also the mob was getting out of hand with the illegal manufacture and selling of it. The Moral Right felt that families ought to get back to righteous activities like church etc. Unfortunately I believe prohibition caused many worse problems and cause folks to drink more. To answer your second question on what the name of the creek is? The answer came up on the Waltons web page recently. The answer is Rockfish Creek. Hope all this helps. Congratulations go out to Tim by the way on finishing school. Cally! 10yrs ago I was driving through rural western Oregon and I remember driving through a town that was "dry". There were signs posted before you entered stating the fact. I've never heard or seen anything like it since. Donna KAREN'S COMMENT: So thank you once again for all you historians who were able to tell me about moonshine and prohibition. Several of you mentioned "dry" towns or council areas, which did make me think that there is one council fairly close to us that does have a "dry" rule. The council was declared a dry area some time ago, possibly around the 1920's and subsequently no hotels have been built in that areas. I'm not sure about licensed restaurants though. Perhaps I'll have to do a little research. I think it is still declared a dry area, but today, with quick transport, it means very little. I also think that councils might declare certain areas and functions to be dry from time to time. I remember that following problems with drinking on New Years Eve, some holiday spots have banned drinking in the streets. Interesting though. I would have thought that Cally would be right in saying that it might make the problem worse.
Hi Everyone, I agree TOTALLY with Delores that GW would have been the best choice as a husband for Erin. I have always felt that GW shouldn't have been killed. There is so much more that they could have done with his character. He would have been a patient and loving husband for Erin, and a husband who cared about the Walton family. I could see GW working with John and Ben at the mill and having children with Erin. Also, being an only child, he would most probably have enjoyed being part of a large family as the Waltons. I think they missed the boat by killing GW's character. Paul was impatient and selfish. Being part of a large family got on his nerves and I don't feel he considered Erin's feelings as much as he should have. My second choice for Erin would be Chad... but he trails by comparison to GW. Goodnight everyone, Silvia KAREN'S COMMENT: I sometimes think that Erin's character came across as being a bit too selfish too though, but I can't think of an example off hand. You're right though, I think that GW would have fit into the Walton family very well.
GW would have been the best for Erin. Since they had no problems together, the scriptwriters decided to kill GW off. The creek was Rockfish Creek which was the site of a battle in 1862 which Porter Simms found out about in the Boondoggle and it nearly brought disgrace on the Baldwin Sisters. Donald KAREN'S COMMENT: Thankyou Donald and those others of you who mentioned the creek being Rockfish Creek. Just ask any question about The Waltons on this list, and you're sure to find someone who knows the answer. :-)
Karen: Here is something about The Waltons I don't think anyone ever touched on. In season one, Olivia's hair is red but as the series progressed it was dirty blond. I am assuming the actress got tired of dying her hair red. On another note, is there any news on a potential new movie reunion? Marc KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes, you're right about her hair colour, but I don't know if it was just a natural greying or lightening, rather than Michael Learned dying it in the first place. I received a magazine with a Waltons feature in it today, and it said that she left the series when she was 39. I was quite surprised to find out her age, as I would have thought she was older. Anyway the point is that if she was only 39 when she finished, the hair colour may have been a natural thing.
This is the second 1982 special called Mother's Day on Waltons Mountain. Charlie was born prematurely and yes, he did live, but we think by the time 1993 came around, the writers forgot he existed! Sad but true. Hi All, I'm Marni from Texas, I just joined this loop. I only "discovered" The Waltons as an adult and I LOVE it. The characters are wonderful role models, I especially like Olivia. (my youngest is named Olivia too) She is a great mother, wife, friend, and involved with her community and church-a real powerful Proverbs 31 woman. Now a word of criticism-in the later movie specials it seems like that the time line is really whacked out. Has anyone noticed this too? The above just an example. Also John-Curtis really never got older then what, maybe 10 in 20 or so years? Another thing I like about the show is the actual history that it portrays-as a homeschooling mom I would love a unit study on The Waltons, what a fascinating and involved study it would be. Gardening, woodworking, music, creative writing, home ec., ect. Wow! I may have to write my own...lol. Marni KAREN'S COMMENT: Olivia has become quite a popular name over here. The same with both Elizabeth and Erin, but unfortunately I only know of one Mary Ellen! Such a pretty name. Actually Marni, a unit on The Waltons would be fascinating. It takes in so many different events in history as well as lots of social history. Start writing!
Hi to you all out there, It's great to know that so many people love this series as much as I do. I'm in the UK and am very relieved that the series has returned after a short break- I was worried that it might have been taken off air, & it is better for it not to be part of the 4T$ schedule even though I always thought it right for it to be on a Sunday at lunchtime. We have reached 1942 & the last episode was, I think, called The Tailspin, where Jim Bob finds that due to his failing eyesight he won't be able to realise his dreams of becoming a pilot. I especially loved his conversation with Corabeth where she tells him of her own dreams & not to give up on his. I have so many favourite episodes that i can't possibly choose-though the one with John-Boy witnessing the Hindenburg disaster has always stayed with me, as has The Sermon, the episode where the Jewish family stay on he mountain & they hold the Bar Mitzvah at the Walton, the Pony Cart, The Quilting, the one where Mary Ellen falls in love with the young singer-there are so many, especially form the first 3 or so series when the whole family is together. finally, 2 questions-& then I must get on with some work!! First, are any of the UK fans in any UK based Waltons appreciation Society & if so, how can I join, & second- why & where the opening credits changed from the originals with the family meeting John when he drives back with the new wireless, to the one retained for the rest of the series, the kind of screen printed style. Anyway, keep on wallowing in a true classic, Kester KAREN'S COMMENT: I've always wondered about the opening credit changes too Kester. Such a big change from that first season too. I know that we have some members of the fan club you mention so perhaps we may have an answer next week.
Hi everybody I'd like to nominate another favourite episode even though it isn't on the list-it's one from either series 1 or 2 with Ned Beatty playing a neighbour of the Waltons who has been getting John-Boy to write romantic letters to a girl he has fallen for. She turns up on the mountains with this fantasy of what he is like, only to be disillusioned. She has her own problems-she loves movies, but uses them as an escape form reality. Eventually she changes her mind & there is a wonderful scene at the end where she borrows the bike that Olivia has acquired (another wonderful part of the episode unless I'm getting them confused) 7 cycles after Beatty's character to tell him she does love him after all. It's a truly great episode-with so much warmth & great playing, especially form the girl. there are also mentions of some of the classic films of the period &, if I'm not wrong, Grandpa performing The Carioca from Flying Down to Rio. There is also a lovely scene with Olivia, revelling in the independence the treat of a bicycle is giving her, cycles down a country road singing. I seem to remember there is a sister episode later where the couple adopt a child & this also is an incredibly moving episode-very emotional! Anyway, my query is this, that in the Daily telegraph in the UK a week or so ago there was a small item saying that the instead of a TV special this year the Waltons would be releasing a record, apparently a collection of songs-does anyone know more about this? It might be worth checking the Daily Telegraph's website to confirm. Anyway, Goodnight everybody, Kester KAREN'S COMMENT: The Bicycle is a terrific episode. I love John's acceptance of what Liv wants to do and doesn't mind if she rides the bike. About the record, I can confirm that this is true and the Waltons LP will be re-released later this year.
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