Michael McGreevey's visit to John and Olivia's BnB

[flossieskid]

   I was recently thinking, "I wonder why no one has ever commented on my post about Michael McGreevey, star of
the Walton episode, "The Braggart" and his visit as a guest speaker at John and Olivia's BnB during the first weekend of Nov. '21?" So I went back and checked my threads and realized, that due to my FIRST attempt being totally erased after spending a LOT of time on it - I left the new one in my notes and never put it ON The Forum. DUH!! So here it is:  
I hope it was worth the wait.  

   Sadly, this past Thanksgiving I was very sick with a horrible cold and could not drive to my best friend, Ollie's, to
enjoy her amazing cooking at her home in Laguna Beach, one of my favorite places on earth!  So, I thought I would
enjoy a night of binge watching some shows I taped including Mike in his starring role on "The Braggart" and also "The Waltons' Homecoming" (the first one) having never seen either show.  But, my dumb TIVO didn't tape it!

   When I had spoken to Mike in late Oct. asking him about the documentary he made about Earl, he told me that he was going back to be the guest speaker for the first weekend in Nov. at John & Olivia's BnB. So, within the next few days,
after Thanksgiving, I called Mike to ask him about his trip and he shared all the festivities and wonderful experiences
he and his lovely wife, Debbie, shared during that special time.

   They arrived on Friday and met the owner, Carole Johnson and saw a group of Walton fans in the lobby who, once
they heard Mike was going to be there the entire weekend and show his documentary: "Earl Hamner, Storyteller"
they decided to check in.  Mike was very surprised and pleased.  He assumed so was Carole Johnson!

   He and Debbie stayed in the "Grandparents' room".  He told me the other rooms were:  John and Olivia's, John
Boy's, the Brothers' room and the Girls' rooms. So, after dinner they showed "The Braggart" and the documentary.
Mike said everyone thoroughly enjoyed both programs and asked him a lot of questions about his episode.  Since
he was NOT a sympathetic character in that, he told people that if he encountered Walton fans in his travels, they
would not be very nice to him. As he told me, "You know how loyal and wonderfully protective the fans can be."
He said he would always remind them he was just playing a part and he and Richard Thomas off set were good friends.

   The next day, Mike and Debbie decided to go to The Walton's Museum, which I think he said is behind the BnB.
Mike had autographed a baseball and donated it to the museum, so he and Debbie wanted to walk over and seek
that out and look around the entire museum since it was his first visit there.  Then, an amazing thing happened:
just as Mike had the baseball in his hand, a tour group entered, led by a volunteer docent, who, as she entered,
was saying there is a signed baseball from the star of that episode, "The Braggart" and then - she saw Mike - gulped
and with total incredulity thrilled the group by saying, "....and that star, Michael McGreevey, is actually HOLDING that baseball at this very moment!" Needless to say, every person in the tour group was beyond excited to see Mike - in the flesh. Mike said, it was a very unexpected, but wonderful surprise for everyone. If you wrote a TV scene about this
unique encounter, no one would believe it!

    Saturday night, Carole was going to have a BBQ for everyone staying at the BnB and, of course, Mike and Debbie.
Mike did share that, although Carole's heart was in it, she really didn't know how to BBQ so, of course, being a 
resident of California (where we can even BBQ in Dec.!) and the father of 3, Mike stepped in and offered to be the
Chef for the evening. Carole Johnson was very grateful, as I am sure were the stomachs of all the dinner guests!  
Mike said he doesn't like it when actors "charge" for their autograph.  So, Mike was happy to sign a photo for each
guest and they seemed very grateful to have a momento of an exciting weekend. They were all still very inquisitive, 
so he answered more questions about his time on the show, making the documentary on Earl and Mike's experiences
as a child actor. 

     Mike began his career very early, around 10, and starred in quite a few Disney movies. That is where he
met fellow child actor, Kurt Russell, and they have been, truly, best friends for over 60 years. Wouldn't we all
love to have such a treasured friend of decades? I didn't know that once my Mom and Mike were on the same
episode of  "Wagon Train".  TIVO taped that one for me and while I watching it, I saw this young boy of maybe 10
or 12 and I recognized him as one Michael McGreevey!  He and my Mom didn't have any scenes together, but it
was so great to see that history.  It really is amazing because Mike and my brother, Denis have been best friends
since they were both about that age.  They even went to the same high school and Mike's Mom, Nota, was one
of my Mom's best friends, which I think I have mentioned before.  Their phone calls were epic! 
 
   Sunday, he and Debbie had a easy day where they toured the small town. But Mike definitely wanted to go
to the family cemetery where there are generations of Hamners buried.  After Earl's death, his wife, Jane and
his children Caroline and Scott knew that some of Earl's ashes HAD to go back home to the place that was so
much a part of who Earl was and where so much familial joy was shared. He was placed alongside so many of
his beloved family.  Mike said the plain headstone reads simply, "Earl Hamner, Storyteller." 

   Mike said the BnB was really incredible!  He said Carole has done a masterful job of creating the Walton
home to perfection - the kitchen, the living room - each room brought back so many memories for Mike. He
said it was a "bit strange" not to see that fourth wall gone and a camera and crew filming the scene in those
rooms. He said he was shocked when he looked up and there was no catwalk where they placed lighting. When
you are an actor, you just expect those things, as second nature, and it was very odd for Mike not to see them.
In fact, he said it was a bit unreal to see the BnB as an amazing, nearly identical Walton family home.
 

     As I think I have mentioned before, I have known Mike for over 60 years too and he is a wonderfully kind, funny,
talented actor, screenwriter, producer, husband, father and loyal friend. So I know how very much that trip
meant to him - to be able to speak about his Walton experience and, especially, to share his joy in making the
documentary on Earl. He told me he made a promise to Earl that the documentary would reflect his beginnings
in Virginia, the experiences that shaped his life and were reflected in the creation and presentation of The Waltons
and his love of his family. I definitely think Mike kept his promise. 



 

[Easton]

So, he swapped his cap, gum, and sling for an apron and a flipper and tongs. The guests must have been thrilled.

[Brenda]

I enjoyed reading your description of Michael McGreevey’s visit to Schuyler. I wish I could have been there that weekend. I was there with a group of friends for a weekend in September, and I promised to share photos with the forum, but I just haven’t done it yet. I will make an effort to write a post and share my photos soon, possibly today! Carole has done a masterful job of recreating the Waltons house we are all so familiar with. When I was staying there, I felt like I was one of the Waltons. All the rooms are beautiful, but the Grandparents’ Room is especially wonderful. I stayed in the boys’ room, but we were allowed to visit all the rooms. My Facebook profile image is a picture of me sitting in the rocking chair in that room with Grandma’s stained glass window in the background.



A few years ago at a Waltons Reunion, Michael McGreevey was one of the special guests, and I was seated at his table for the reunion dinner.  He was such a nice person, sharing with us his experiences in acting and answering our questions.  He was also interested in us and our lives, asking us each where we live, what we do for a living, etc.  When I told him I was a retired first grade teacher, he shared with me that his wife is also a teacher.

I have never been to the family cemetery. I’ve heard that the family wants to keep its location private so that it doesn’t become a tourist attraction, and I want to honor that. I’m glad Michael got to visit it, though, and pay his respects to Earl Hamner, the subject of that wonderful documentary he helped create.

The museum is actually across the street from the bed and breakfast. It is housed in the school building Earl and his siblings attended. Just down the road is the actual Hamner house where Earl lived when he was growing up. Carole Johnson owns that house, too, and visitors can tour the home and even rent the entire house for an overnight stay. It’s a good opportunity for families who want to visit Schuyler.  

Thanks for sharing, Tracey.  

[patriciaanne]

Oh Tracey, this WAS worth waiting for!!! I would have LOVED to have been there. Now I was lucky enough to meet Michael at the event Brenda mentioned. What a kind, warm, genuine person he is! I can't imagine anyone wanting to be mean to him for the character he played!

I think I shared this before, but when I met him, I told him that every time I see his episode (which is one of my favorites), I wish that this time he wouldn't break his arm and he would become a big league baseball player. He laughed and told me that when his son was young and watched the episode, he got so upset, thinking his dad had really broken his arm. His wife had to call Mike, who was not home, so he could explain to his son that he was ok.

A piece of personal trivia...the first boy I ever kissed became a major league baseball player for the same team that recruited Hobie Shanks. Too bad he didn't have John Walton negotiating for him.

[Emmy]

Apr 3, 2022 9:45:24 GMT -5 Brenda said:

I enjoyed reading your description of Michael McGreevey’s visit to Schuyler. I wish I could have been there that weekend. I was there with a group of friends for a weekend in September, and I promised to share photos with the forum, but I just haven’t done it yet. I will make an effort to write a post and share my photos soon, possibly today! Carole has done a masterful job of recreating the Waltons house we are all so familiar with. When I was staying there, I felt like I was one of the Waltons. All the rooms are beautiful, but the Grandparents’ Room is especially wonderful. I stayed in the boys’ room, but we were allowed to visit all the rooms. My Facebook profile image is a picture of me sitting in the rocking chair in that room with Grandma’s stained glass window in the background.



A few years ago at a Waltons Reunion, Michael McGreevey was one of the special guests, and I was seated at his table for the reunion dinner.  He was such a nice person, sharing with us his experiences in acting and answering our questions.  He was also interested in us and our lives, asking us each where we live, what we do for a living, etc.  When I told him I was a retired first grade teacher, he shared with me that his wife is also a teacher.

I have never been to the family cemetery. I’ve heard that the family wants to keep its location private so that it doesn’t become a tourist attraction, and I want to honor that. I’m glad Michael got to visit it, though, and pay his respects to Earl Hamner, the subject of that wonderful documentary he helped create.

The museum is actually across the street from the bed and breakfast. It is housed in the school building Earl and his siblings attended. Just down the road is the actual Hamner house where Earl lived when he was growing up. Carole Johnson owns that house, too, and visitors can tour the home and even rent the entire house for an overnight stay. It’s a good opportunity for families who want to visit Schuyler.  

Thanks for sharing, Tracey.  

Ahhh there's Miss Brenda my favorite school teacher who I never had as a school teacher. You really look like a Walton Miss Brenda in the photo.   Me and my mom are going to go to the Bed and Breakfast sometime before the year is out and I can't wait. 

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2022 9:45:24 GMT -5 Brenda said:

I enjoyed reading your description of Michael McGreevey’s visit to Schuyler. I wish I could have been there that weekend. I was there with a group of friends for a weekend in September, and I promised to share photos with the forum, but I just haven’t done it yet. I will make an effort to write a post and share my photos soon, possibly today! Carole has done a masterful job of recreating the Waltons house we are all so familiar with. When I was staying there, I felt like I was one of the Waltons. All the rooms are beautiful, but the Grandparents’ Room is especially wonderful. I stayed in the boys’ room, but we were allowed to visit all the rooms. My Facebook profile image is a picture of me sitting in the rocking chair in that room with Grandma’s stained glass window in the background.



A few years ago at a Waltons Reunion, Michael McGreevey was one of the special guests, and I was seated at his table for the reunion dinner.  He was such a nice person, sharing with us his experiences in acting and answering our questions.  He was also interested in us and our lives, asking us each where we live, what we do for a living, etc.  When I told him I was a retired first grade teacher, he shared with me that his wife is also a teacher.

I have never been to the family cemetery. I’ve heard that the family wants to keep its location private so that it doesn’t become a tourist attraction, and I want to honor that. I’m glad Michael got to visit it, though, and pay his respects to Earl Hamner, the subject of that wonderful documentary he helped create.

The museum is actually across the street from the bed and breakfast. It is housed in the school building Earl and his siblings attended. Just down the road is the actual Hamner house where Earl lived when he was growing up. Carole Johnson owns that house, too, and visitors can tour the home and even rent the entire house for an overnight stay. It’s a good opportunity for families who want to visit Schuyler.  

Thanks for sharing, Tracey.  

Brenda, as I mentioned in another post my wife and I will be going to the Bed and Breakfast on November 10-12. This will be our first time. We will be staying in the parents room. It is so nice to hear that they allow you to see the other room as I do plan on taking many photos and I will share them here once the vacation is complete. We will also be seeing the Hamner House, store, museum the church, the quarry gardens, and The Natural Bridge.