Hi everyone,

I'll keep my message fairly short this week as we have a very busy weekend ahead and also there are a lot of messages. I haven't mentioned it for a while, but I know we all appreciate the efforts of those of you who write to the digest, even if it's only once every so often. It makes reading the digest varied and really interesting each week to have so many different contributors. If you haven't written :-( or haven't written for a while, why not try to do so in the next few weeks before the new year. :-)

Talk to all again next week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

<<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.>>

Didn't Denver Pyle appear on an episode as a cousin of the ladies? If so, perhaps this is Cousin Jerry.

Geri Ann

KAREN'S COMMENT: They had so many cousins! I don't think that he played Cousin Jerry though.

Karen,

Congratulations to Joanne in England on the birth of her son Isaac. I also have great news to share. I am the proud new Aunt of Callum Paul who came in this world howling on Halloween and on his Mom's Birthday. This is a first child for my Sister Laura and her Husband Scott. This is also the first Grandchild for my Parents. This bundle of joy could not have come at a better time as my Dad has been battling Cancer of the spine for some time. Unfortunately his Cancer is showing early signs of spreading to his Kidneys. So this Holiday Season will be an extra special time of year for us. A time to get together, reminisce, hug, cry, laugh and generally stay close together. I now am ever more grateful to the Waltons as they are an outlet for me but, also a way to get through trying times as I always think that the Waltons got through a lot more than I have had ever had to in my life. If they can do it so can I! Happy Holidays everyone!

Sincerely, Cally

(A devoted Fan in Canada)

KAREN'S COMMENT: I agree with you about the holiday season Cally. It does give us a chance to be with those we love and care about and we really need to appreciate them while we can.

Karen,

Is it true that they are making a new Waltons Special? Elizabeth and Drew's wedding, I have not seen or heard of this can anyone confirm it and will the "real" John-Boy be in it? I for one hated when Richard Thomas left the series and they brought in the "fake" John-Boy, he didn't fit the role at all. any info would be appreciated.....Thanks, Jude

KAREN'S COMMENT: A new special was commissioned a long time ago and I believe the script has been done, but that's it at this stage.

HI and it's me again. I am just wandering about the episode of where Mary Ellen finds Curt again somewhere? Can someone from the group tell me what happened because I don't think I ever saw that show!!!

Thanks Keith

KAREN'S COMMENT: Keith if you go to the episode guide on www.the-waltons.com, then go to the extended episode guide, have a look at season 9. The episodes you are after are The Whirlwind and The Tempest.

Hi Karen

In response to the "company" houses that Nancy in VA mentioned, in the book "Spencer's Mountain" it mentions that Zebulon gave each of his sons his choice of land when they reached 21. "...and when Clay came down from the mountain to a company house and a job in the quarry he brought with him his mother and father. Only he of all the boys held onto his share of the mountain." It seems that the soapstone factory was sold all the other 'Spencer' land.

And speaking of Earl Hamner's books, I have his "Fifty Roads to Town".

Thanks, Barbara

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thank you for the information about the company houses. Did you enjoy his Fifty Roads to Town?

Glad to say that the CD is here. Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but will probably do so shortly.

Yes the episode in which James is interested is indeed the Best Christmas initially shown on December 9,1976. the video is available from Columbia House.

I am so glad Sharon won a Walton Mouse pad. BTW Elm Mott is a little hick town just north of Waco-the town that became infamous for Koresh and the Branch Davidians.

I just looked hurriedly through the Walton Character list and there is nobody named Jerry. Maybe it was just mentioned in passing somewhere.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: You might be right about Cousin Jerry just being mentioned in passing...kind of like Corabeth's brother and also Olivia's. We never see them but they are mentioned.

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

Have fun, Karen.>>

My aren't they lucky in USA! Here in the UK we get *nothing* like this......Interesting though that the order of the episodes to be shown is completely erratic!

Arthur

KAREN'S COMMENT: It's not fair is it? Here in Australia we're still going with our first 4 seasons each weekday morning at 6 am. I'd just about fall over if they even showed a 2 hour episode together!

Good Evening Karen:

I have tried at my end to find a store or distributor that has the "Walton's Christmas". Would you of a place up in the Toronto Ontario (Canada) we one might purchase the CD. Hope that everyone will enjoy their Thanksgiving this coming weekend.

Brenda

KAREN'S COMMENT: If any Canadian on the list knows of where Brenda might be able to buy her CD could you please let me know. Why don't you try Amazon <www.amazon.com> or CDWorld <www.cdworld.com>. They might have it available.

Hello, everyone! I'm so glad I found this group of Waltons devotees.

A while back, someone mentioned wondering whether any other show, besides "Star Trek," had such devoted followers after so many years off the air. One show I can think of is "The Andy Griffith Show." I belong to the online chapter of "The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club," or TAGSRWC for short. They have a digest similar to this one, and at last count we had over 1400 members of the online fan club. They also have a weekend festival in Mt. Airy, North Carolina (Andy Griffith's real hometown and the basis of the fictional Mayberry) called Mayberry Days, where former cast members meet fans and everyone has a really good time. Here's a link if you're interested in checking it out:

http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/index.htm

In the e-mail digest, we often discuss the many similarities between The Waltons and The Andy Griffith Show (or TAGS). Two examples are that Ellen Corby appeared on both show, and both shows had resident old lady moonshiners (the Mendelbright sisters in TAGS in an episode titled "Alcohol and Old Lace"). I believe many of the off-camera talent contributed to both shows, as well. The most important similarities, though, come from the excellent storytelling in both series, and the genuine concern for our fellow human beings that shines through both series. I love them both!

Happy holidays!

--Teresa

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for this Teresa. I actually think that if we looked we would find a lot of shows have similar lists like we do. I know that Little House on the Prairie has one and I'm sure others do too.

Hi! I've been trying to get info on joining The Waltons fan club. The email for the president on the website keeps being returned to me. Anyone know how I can join?

Thanks! Rachael

KAREN'S COMMENT: Which fan club did you want? You might need to try phoning or writing to the address listed. Try going to fan clubs from my main page:

THE WALTONS: THE UNOFFICIAL HOME PAGE:

http://www.oocities.org/TelevisionCity/2792/walton1.htm

or try Fan Clubs on <www.the-waltons.com>

These sites both have the same information.