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Post by Heather on Oct 2, 2012 15:45:23 GMT -5
Hi all, I got back yesterday evening and could hardly wait to get on here and say hi and share my experience.
THANKS to Carolyn and Vicky for doing such a PHENOMENAL job! You ladies are fabulous!
I arrived Friday afternoon after driving since Thursday morning. It was exhausting but the scenery was beautiful - the rolling Texas Hill Country, then the mountains of New Mexico and the deserts of Arizona. It was weird - it was like you just tell geographically when you had crossed from one state into another. California, of course, is beautiful. I know what the expression "The Hills of Hollywood" means now for sure. 
After meeting my wonderful roomies foreverwaltons and her husband, I settled in and read "Ike Godsey of Walton's Mountain". It was a great read. Later, at the Fan Club Dinner it was so fun to mingle with other Walnuts and visit with the cast. I didn't do many photos and autographs but I did pose with Tom Bower (Curt) and THE MAN Earl Hamner. Both were so warm! I will post the pics in this thread when I'm able. I asked Jon Walmsley (Jason) for an autograph for a friend and asked him for a hug. Well, I was expecting your standard "stranger hug" but no - he stood up and opened his arms wide and gave me such a warm, wonderful embrace. I will never forget that. It was like hugging my brother. In fact, it was more like being with family than meeting celebrities.
Carolyn had a special guest seated at each table. Mine was Tony Becker (Drew). We were so blessed to have him. He was unbelievably candid and open. His wife Tiffany was incredible too. There was a little shyness at first, but all I had to do was ask him how they met and we were fast friends. Of course the program was wonderful and some tears were shed. A truly fine night.
The studio tour was fabulous the next morning. Earl rode on our bus. Everybody was so jolly - we all hummed the Waltons theme as we rolled through Hollywood. Seeing the Waltons house (I'm told the original burned down - this was the one used in the Reunion movies) was surreal. In the main part of the studio we visited the area where many houses from many many TV series and movies stood. My favorite was Curt and Mary Ellen's home, but we also saw Daisy's. We saw the church/school also, which was incredibly cool. The building that had the most emotional impact for me was the building that served as the hospital (also Boatwright and the courthouse on Dukes of Hazzard). I had just recently seen "The Long Night" so in my mind's eye I could see Grandpa sitting on that bench looking at Grandma's window. I could feel him there.
The Fundraiser Saturday night was wonderful - a great, well put-together program. I would hazard to say that almost everyone who was ever on The Waltons who is still living with very few exceptions was there. Of course there were more tears. And laughs. Richard appeared via video, introduced by his son Rich. He was warm and geniune. MAN I wish he could have come.
My roomies and I were able to attend the VIP after party. There were tons of people and it was pretty chaotic but it was very nice to mingle with so many of the cast. Tony approached me several times, which was so endearing. I was able to meet Rich and - OMGosh - he is so incredibly gorgeous! He has his daddy's nose and mouth but is taller and darker complected. I expected a quick hello but he gave me (another) wonderful hug and engaged me in conversation. I'm pretty proud that I was capable of speaking. ;D He has an energy that just radiates and is so incredibly forthcoming and polite. I was, however, way too starstruck to talk to Judy Norton (Mary Ellen). She was radiant and gorgeous. I was pretty wowed by her. Lee Purcell (The Wing Walker) was there and she looked so pretty. Turns out she and Judy are close friends - that was neat to learn.
I am also so ashamed to admit - yes, I flirted with the Reverend Buchanan LOL. I smiled at him at the after party but didn't quite recognize him. He came up to me and said hi and I said, "I know you - you're the cute preacher." LOL and he said, "Haaank-" and I said, "Buchanan! How could I mistake those beautiful brown eyes?" He smiled and said, "Yours aren't so bad either." At that point a lady walked up and stuck out her hand and said, "I'm his wife." LOL. Oops. Lord forgive me. 
Everybody was friendly and nice, but my favorite all-around had to be Tony and his wife. When we said goodbye Saturday night, my heart hurt a little. But he said we'll see each other again and I hope we do.
I was so blessed and proud to be a part of this fabulous, unforgettable weekend. Aside from trinkets and souvenirs and the photos to be posted later, I walked away with memories that I will always have. And friends I hope to always have as well. My heart is full of Walton warmth.
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Post by vintagekym on Oct 2, 2012 16:48:03 GMT -5
Dew thanks so much for telling your story, I have goosebumps on my arms reading it. OH to have been there must have been so magical.
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Post by vintagekym on Oct 2, 2012 16:58:51 GMT -5
LOL just finished reading where ya met Reverend Buchanan.
And Dew your last few words, "My heart is full of Walton Warmth" needs to be a quote on a Tee Shirt!!
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Post by grtgzu on Oct 2, 2012 18:36:34 GMT -5
What a WONDERFUL story!!! Made me feel like I was actually there too!!!
Good on ya DewWoman!!!
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Post by daniela on Oct 2, 2012 23:34:54 GMT -5
Dew, what can I say....I loved your story! I thought about all of you all weekend, and I was always wondering what you all were doing, and it was so nice to hear from you! I'm so happy that all of you had such a great time!
Did anyone take a photo of all the forum members with Brenda? If anyone did, please share it with us!
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Post by carol on Oct 2, 2012 23:52:26 GMT -5
Did they do a tribute or something for the cast members who are no longer with us?
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Post by Tracey on Oct 3, 2012 0:34:21 GMT -5
That's so cool Dew.
@ Carol- They did the tribute of the cast members who are no longer with us on Friday night but I don't know about Saturday night which I did not attend.
Tracey
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Post by Tracey on Oct 3, 2012 0:43:57 GMT -5
Dew:
I didn't even know who is the young guy and when you mentioned is Richard Jr. my mouth just dropped. He sure does looks like his daddy. Dagmar and Manfred took the pictures at Ebell Theatre.
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Post by Ryan James on Oct 3, 2012 4:20:00 GMT -5
"How could I mistake those beautiful brown eyes?" He smiled and said, "Yours aren't so bad either." At that point a lady walked up and stuck out her hand and said, "I'm his wife." LOL. Oops. Lord forgive me."LOL! Oh how I wish I could have seen that in-person! ;D Would have been a riot! Sounds like you had just as much fun as I did! Definitely a memorable weekend for sure! RYAN-J 
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Post by JeriJet on Oct 3, 2012 7:40:02 GMT -5
Thanks very much, Dew, for such a wonderful report !! You did a great job describing your experiences. I felt like I was there !!
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Post by ForeverWaltons on Oct 3, 2012 9:00:29 GMT -5
Yes, they also did a in memory of video on Saturday night of ones no longer with us. It was very moving......the only one that I noticed that they left off was Lucille Benson. She played Tillie Shanks in the episode, "The Fledgling" about when John Boy wanted to buy the printing press.
Friday night's in memory was very moving also.....It is always so bittersweet to see the ones who have passed on. But as long as we remember them, they will live on!
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Post by carol on Oct 3, 2012 11:41:24 GMT -5
I'm sure they were all there in spirit.
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Post by marylou01 on Oct 4, 2012 17:01:36 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience, I'm so glad you had a great time! Thanks to all who have posted stories & pics for everyone to enjoy |
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Post by Honeybee on Oct 5, 2012 0:11:32 GMT -5
Dew, what a wonderful time you had. Thanks for sharing the wonderful memories to us.
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Post by flyaway on Oct 5, 2012 15:54:01 GMT -5
What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. Someday I hope to meet all the cast, before it's to late
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