Hi everyone,

Here we are gearing up again for Thanksgiving this week in the USA. It's good to know that there will be more Waltons specials presented on Thanksgiving this year. Hopefully there'll be a variety of shows on.

I received my Blue Ridge Chronicle this week. Some of you may have received it well before me, since many of you are from the USA. Lots on Ellen Corby this time, with some lovely pictures of her, including a young Ellen Corby in I Remember Mama, and another in her last appearance as Esther Walton in A Walton Easter. There's a piece on The Love Story with another nice photo, this time of John Boy and Jenny. An article on Michael Learned, and one from yours truly round out this newsletter. Sorry no pic of me...I sent one but I guess there was a problem with space.

The Smithsonian Institution honoring The Waltons on December 2nd is also mentioned. Stars appearing then are Richard Thomas, Michael Learned, Judy Norton, Mary McDonough, Kami Cotler and Earl Hamner. Patricia Neal of the "other Olivia" is also appearing. Sounds like a fantastic night. I'd be interested to hear of any people attending it.

Well that's about it for this week. Just before I go though, thankyou to all who sent emails asking about Tim during the week. I'm happy to say that he has started on his medication and the pain has gone away. He has to decrease the dosage before we see the doctor again. He does think surgery will be necessary eventually, and the Crohn's disease will always be in his body, but Tim has been very positive and is looking after himself really well. Now I guess it's just wait and see how things go, but I'm pleased that he's going so well at the moment. We see the doctor again in another 2 weeks.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day whether you spend it with your families, your friends or simply with The Waltons.

Until next week, goodnight everyone.

Karen.

Hi everyone. My name is Karen and I live in Florida. I am a lifelong Waltons fan and a regular on the Waltons Forum for the past 2-3 months.

This is my first post here. I read that Sheila is asking if anyone is going on the cruise. My family and I are. I posted a letter to Kami a few weeks back about her Elizabeth and Drew getting married in the new special and she said she doesn't know the script. I will try to ask her again on the cruise if she has any more information. We are very excited about going as we are big Waltons fans and we don't go on hardly any airplane rides. This is my daughter's first plane ride. We have never been on a cruise ship before and this is my husband and daughter's first time out of the United States. I will do my best to post the details of the cruise after we get back. We are looking forward to a splendid time.

Goodnight everybody, Karen

KAREN'S COMMENT: It sounds like it will be a great weekend, and no doubt you'll get all of the Waltons gossip there. I'm looking forward to hearing from all who are going when you get back.

Hi Karen,

I'm sure you have gotten several responses already but just in case, Mary Ellen's Wedding Vows are from the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Ruth is talking to her mother-in-law Naomi when Naomi is planning to go home and Ruth wants to go with her.

Also I really hope everything works out okay for your family.

Leigh Ann :)

KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes, thanks for the reply Leigh Ann. I've sent the responses through to Keith and he's already sent a reply thanking us.

Hi all,

The two identical houses in Schuyler, VA were no doubt "company" houses. There was a soapstone factory in Schuyler for years, and I believe that many of the houses in the area were built for the plant employees. For those of you who have driven through the area, there are a number of houses that are identical (to each other, not to the Hamner house). I think in the book "Spencer's Mountain" there is mention of the fact that the Spencer family lives in a company house, and I think this was the case in real life for the Hamner family too.

Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: That's a possibility. I know that there are towns here in Australia which all have fairly similar houses because they're company houses, usually for mining.

Hi all,

My favourite Baldwin episode is the one where John Boy writes the story of Miss Emily's lost love. We in the audience are wondering how this author could put his story "first" and not think about Thomas Wolfe's "You Can't Go Home Again" (1940). But in the end he finds a way to read a very truthful story to Miss Emily while making her the survivor instead of just the old maid. So this is also one of John Boy's best episodes.

I don't remember the names of episodes or in which season they occur, but this one is special because by now we have had a chance to really understand and love Miss Emily and her memories.

The sisters are also special because can I see a lot of my own two widowed aunts in the two Baldwins. My aunts lived together for over 20 years and they always called each other "sister". However they would not be naive in thinking "the recipe" was a harmless tonic, even while Papa was alive!

Goodnight from Alabama,

Ed

KAREN'S COMMENT: The episode you mention was terrific Ed, and showed John Boy's sensitivity so well in the way that he changed his ending so that the ladies wouldn't be hurt. I was watching an episode the other day, The Calling, which featured nuns staying with the Baldwin's and there was such a funny scene when Miss Emily called Miss Mamie "sister" in the way she does, as the nun looked up quite startled. They then, of course, had to explain in a very confused way, that they called each other "sister", because they are sisters, don't you know. But then of course the real "sister" (nun) was also "Sister"!

If you forget the names of the episodes Ed, I can highly recommend going to the excellent longer synopses on the <www.the-waltons.com> site, which Arthur and Bill are doing.

I had decided to order the CD through Amazon and I have not heard from them about any delay and I haven't received my credit card statement yet so I don't know if it was yet charged. But since the 12th of November is already past and the 16th is almost here I will stick with them. If when the CD arrives and I like it I may also order the audio cassette for someone else from the Musuem.

I will be watching the Waltons all day Thanksgiving with the exception of a visit to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner at noon. I haven't been going to anyone's house for Thanksgiving That is reserved for CHRISTMAS.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: Enjoy all the episodes Donald and have a wonderful day.

Dear Karen I just wanted to let everyone know I have given birth to a baby boy. I had him on September 15th weighing 7 lbs 10.5 ozs. His name is Isaac Joseph. Could you let everyone know. It was a traumatic birth and i was quite ill but it was all worth it. Those who know me through the digest know we tried for a long time for him so he is a total joy. ( but hard work!). I would be so grateful if you could put this in the next digest. bye for now.

Joanne

KAREN'S COMMENT: I promised Joanne I would pass on her fantastic news this week. Congratulations on another little Walton fan arriving.

Karen I have watched the Waltons all my life My favourite is one of the first Christmas shows where the tree falls on their church. I'd like know where I can order the video.

James

KAREN'S COMMENT: I think this is The Best Christmas James, but I don't think it's available on video, except maybe through the Columbia club.

I am a fan of the Waltons having grown up in the 70's. Every Thursday night, my place in front of the television was set in stone! I probably still have a crush on John-Boy. I am thinking of going along on the Waltons Cruise to take place December 3rd of this year. I understand several of the cast members have confirmed attending. Do you have some insight into this cruise that might be helpful??

Debbie

KAREN'S COMMENT: Have a look for the information on <www.the-waltons.com>.

Hello Karen and everybody,

I have read the current topic of one's favourite Walton episode with interest. Now that Bill Atkins has done another of his excellent synopses, I feel that my favourite would be the one he has just done - the last episode of Season 8 - A Decade of The Waltons. This is to me a very special programme, as it brings not only the actors to our screens but also the creator, Earl Hamner, and his family.

For some reason this has never been shown in the UK, why I just cannot understand. In case anyone would like to read Bill's latest synopsis you can find it at

http://bbctv- ap.freeserve.co.uk/season8.htm

and I have made a special page of the final interviews on this 1980 programme, illustrated with about 44 screenshots from the programme, at http://bbctv-ap.freeserve.co.uk/decade.htm

If you wish to, you can give me your "feedback" comments just by clicking on the e-mail address at the foot of these pages.

'bye for now!

Arthur

KAREN'S COMMENT: Congratulations both Arthur and Bill. I had a look at these during the week and you've done a FANTASTIC job with it. Well worth looking at everyone.

Hi Karen.

Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a Waltons mouse pad available. I just won one on e-bay for $ 8.99 (6.00 + 2.00 s/h). I won it from a company located in Elm Mott, Texas named Cre-Mark, Inc. I happened to come across it while on ebay the other week so I bid on it. Thank goodness no one bid against me (I love collecting Waltons anything but how high of a price would I have been willing to bid for a mouse pad ......? Hmm, if it's Waltons, I guess I would had gone as high as I had to...LOL !!!). The picture on the mouse pad is of the cast. I'll let you know more when I receive it in the mail (another Waltons item for everyone to add to their Christmas lists !!)

The other item that I won I'm pretty excited about (since I haven't been able to find them or afford the price they are up to on ebay once I do spot a set for sale) is a complete mint-condition set of the cigar band set. I won these for a total (including shipping) of $ 11.00. I won them from a man in the Netherlands. Sure hope they do not get lost on the way to me !!!

My favourite episode with the Baldwin sisters I believe was called "Spring Fever". This episode is about when Miss. Mamie thinks that she is dying since her rosebush is dying. Grandpa does everything he can think of to cheer her up. Then they all go on a picnic and Grandpa is fishing and hands Miss. Mamie the fishing pole and she catches a fish !!! This does the trick. (It's the episode where Jim-Bob and Ben were fighting over their girlfriends.) I always loved the way Grandpa seemed as though he was their protector and looked out for them. They really seemed to love him and miss him after he was gone.

I also loved the episode (can't remember the title) where they were trying to decide who, if anyone, they should leave the "recipe" to after they died. Seems they were in quite a pickle until they simply decided to just not go !!! (Isn't that just like them !?!) Well, that's all for now. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone (even if you do not celebrate it) and remember, only 36 more days till Christmas !!!

Goodnight everyone,

Sharon

KAREN'S COMMENT: You've been very lucky Sharon, especially with the cigar bands. I've seen them sell for much higher prices. I've bought a lot from Ebay and on the whole have had very few problems.

I recently purchased the Waltons Christmas CD. On it they mention a "Cousin Jerry". I think I've seen every Walton episode and special and don't remember this individual at all?

Can anyone tell me who he is a cousin to, and what episodes he has appeared in.

Thanks.

Pat

KAREN'S COMMENT: I don't recall a Cousin Jerry either. Any ideas?

EXTRA: So you can plan your taping on Thursday, Mike has sent the following complete programming of the Waltons Marathon. Thanks Mike. :-))

Have fun,

Karen

Thursday, November 25, 1999

It's an all-day Walton's Thanksgiving Marathon!!! Shows air as follows (all times Eastern/Pacific):

9 a.m. -- "The Ceremony" -- The Walton family shares its Baptist heritage with a seemingly unfriendly Jewish family that arrives mysteriously from Germany for a brief stay in a mountain cabin.

10 a.m. -- "The Prize" -- The county fair comes to Walton's Mountain, and Olivia must consider "what might have been" when one of her childhood suitors comes home a wealthy, successful politician ... and still with an eye for the girl who turned him down.

11 a.m. -- "The Gift" -- Jason learns how to deal with loss when his closest friend, Seth Turner, is diagnosed with leukemia.

12 p.m. -- "The Hero" -- Before she became ill, Grandma suggested that John-Boy publish the first commemorative Blue Ridge Chronicle to mark the day that the Jefferson County Doughboys returned from the war. Now he is determined to create a memorial to honor her.

1 p.m. -- "The Achievement" -- Six weeks and no word of John-Boy's novel to Hastings House in New York. His trip to New York becomes more than a search for a possibly lost novel, it becomes a turning point in his personal and professional life.

2 p.m. -- "The Baptism" -- John Walton's peace of mind is threatened when an internationally known evangelist comes to Walton's Mountain to preach and lead a baptismal service.

3 p.m. -- "The Thanksgiving Story" (Part 1 of 2) -- The anticipated joy of Thanksgiving turns to sorrow for the Walton family when John-Boy sustains a head injury that prevents him from taking his college scholarship examination.

4 p.m. -- "The Thanksgiving Story" (Part 2 of 2) -- The anticipated joy of Thanksgiving turns to sorrow for the Walton family when John-boy sustains a head injury that not only prevents him from taking his college entrance examination, but actually threatens to take his life.

5 p.m. -- "The Hunt" -- Unable to trigger to shoot a turkey on his first hunting trip, John-Boy proves his courage by saving his father's life.

6 p.m. -- "The Separation" -- Grandma and Grandpa Walton have a misunderstanding which erupts as a result of Grandpa doing a good deed to raise money for the family's electric bill.

7 p.m. -- A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion -- In this Walton's special set in the early '60s, John-Boy is in New York, trying to persuade his fiancee to marry him. Ben and Cindy's daughter has died, and Cindy is very lonely and wants to adopt. Erin now has three children and is separated from her husband. Ike and Corabeth become grandparents, and as if that isn't enough excitement, the Baldwin ladies get locked up for brewing The Recipe.

9 p.m. -- A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain -- Elizabeth is feeling sad because most of the family has made plans to be away on Thanksgiving. John-Boy is in New York suffering from writer's block. Jason is looking into further music study and also is in New York. Olivia is recuperating in the hospital. Sad and lost, everyone realizes they must do whatever it takes to get home for Thanksgiving.

11 p.m. -- "The Carnival" -- Concern over the friendship of the Walton children with four stranded carnival performers turns to respect and admiration after the family is invited to a command performance.

12 a.m. -- "The Gypsies" -- Despite dire predictions that a band of gypsies will steal from the Waltons, John-Boy invites them to live in the family home until they can fix their wagon and restore their baby's health.

1 a.m. -- "The Quilting" -- Mary Ellen stubbornly defies her grandmother when she rebels against a solemn mountain custom.

2 a.m. -- "The Genius" -- The Walton household is turned upside down when John-Boy brings home a teenage college student who possesses a monstrous intellect and a photographic memory.

Friday, November 26, 1999 -- No airing of The Waltons today.