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Post by Brenda on Jul 10, 2023 11:42:04 GMT -5
Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons, was born July 10, 1923, so today would have been his 100th birthday. Over the weekend, his home county in Virginia had a celebration of his life and unveiled a larger than life size statue of him at the Nelson County Historical Society. A statue of singer/songwriter Jimmy Fortune, another Nelson County native, was also unveiled. Fortune was a longtime member of The Statler Brothers. I would have loved to be there for this special event, but I was not able to go. I’m thankful to the many people who were there and posted photos and videos. Kami Cotler and Michael McGreevey were there to represent the Walton cast members and to honor Earl’s life. Kami posted this on Facebook: “ Saturday's event honoring Earl Hamner, Jr. and Jimmy Fortune felt like a family reunion-- stories were told, songs sung and a few tears shed. The statues of Earl & Jimmy are "heroic," meaning larger-than-life, and I felt like a little girl again when I sat on the bench next to Uncle Earl's statue. Jimmy is a Nelson County native, and when his friends, Lydon & Peggy Cook, wanted to celebrate Jimmy with a statue, Jimmy declared that it was Earl Hamner who really deserved a statue. So the Cooks were generous enough to commission TWO statues, and now Earl sits with a book open, listening to a towering Jimmy Fortune play to him.
The statues sit in front of the Nelson County Historical Society, right on route 29. Their exhibits are a real treat, revealing the fascinating history of the county.”
 Here is an article about the event: Bronze Statues Unveiled To Honor Nelson Natives Earl Hamner, Jr & Jimmy Fortune |
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Post by Brenda on Jul 10, 2023 11:44:26 GMT -5
Another photo of Earl’s statue:  |
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Post by JessicaGirlSpy on Jul 10, 2023 12:42:45 GMT -5
I would love to see it in person. Other TV statues I would love to see would be the Mary Tyler Moore one and the Andy and Opie statue.
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Post by Easton on Jul 10, 2023 13:09:59 GMT -5
Wonderful detail on Earl's statue. Note how his jacket flares out at the bottom to lie flat on the seat of the bench.
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Post by Brenda on Jul 10, 2023 13:26:20 GMT -5
I would love to see it in person. Other TV statues I would love to see would be the Mary Tyler Moore one and the Andy and Opie statue. I’ve seen the Andy and Opie one. I probably have a picture somewhere. |
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Post by Brenda on Jul 10, 2023 13:42:54 GMT -5
Wonderful detail on Earl's statue. Note how his jacket flares out at the bottom to lie flat on the seat of the bench. The sculptor, Stan Watts, also created the “To Lift a Nation” monument in Frederick, Maryland, which depicts New York City firefighters raising the flag over the collapsed World Trade Center after 9-11.  |
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Post by nedandres on Jul 10, 2023 23:13:54 GMT -5
This statue is so nice and well-deserved, and it actually looks like Earl, something a lot of statues don't manage to do. I am so happy for Earl's family and Jimmy Fortune's, too. He is such a widely talented singer/songwriter, yet so down-to-earth and kind. I love it that he said he wouldn't have a statue if Earl didn't have one. Jimmy is a "real man."
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Post by Easton on Jul 11, 2023 11:04:37 GMT -5
This statue is so nice and well-deserved, and it actually looks like Earl, something a lot of statues don't manage to do. Do you mean like this one? This statue of a very famous lady was commissioned by (I believe) Palm Springs. There was quite a scandal over the statue causing to city to remove it and commission another. You know this lady and I would venture that everybody does. Can you guess who it is?
If you know about this atrocity, don't spoil it for the rest.  I'll post the answer along with the replacement statue in a few days.
Happy guessing!
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Post by nedandres on Jul 11, 2023 15:08:37 GMT -5
This statue is so nice and well-deserved, and it actually looks like Earl, something a lot of statues don't manage to do. Do you mean like this one? This statue of a very famous lady was commissioned by (I believe) Palm Springs. There was quite a scandal over the statue causing to city to remove it and commission another. You know this lady and I would venture that everybody does. Can you guess who it is? If you know about this atrocity, don't spoil it for the rest. I'll post the answer along with the replacement statue in a few days. Happy guessing! Haha, Easton. Yes, I know who that’s supposed to be. That’s what I meant. Atrocious!! |
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Post by JessicaGirlSpy on Jul 11, 2023 15:45:46 GMT -5
This statue is so nice and well-deserved, and it actually looks like Earl, something a lot of statues don't manage to do. Do you mean like this one? This statue of a very famous lady was commissioned by (I believe) Palm Springs. There was quite a scandal over the statue causing to city to remove it and commission another. You know this lady and I would venture that everybody does. Can you guess who it is?
If you know about this atrocity, don't spoil it for the rest. I'll post the answer along with the replacement statue in a few days.
Happy guessing!
I think it's Lucille Ball/Lucy Ricardo. But I think it looks closer to Fred Mertz! |
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Post by Johnny on Jul 11, 2023 20:32:24 GMT -5
Do you mean like this one? This statue of a very famous lady was commissioned by (I believe) Palm Springs. There was quite a scandal over the statue causing to city to remove it and commission another. You know this lady and I would venture that everybody does. Can you guess who it is? I think it's Lucille Ball/Lucy Ricardo. But I think it looks closer to Fred Mertz! I think you're right, it does look more like Fred Mertz than Lucy.  |
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Post by jul on Jul 12, 2023 12:10:38 GMT -5
This statue is so nice and well-deserved, and it actually looks like Earl, something a lot of statues don't manage to do. Do you mean like this one? This statue of a very famous lady was commissioned by (I believe) Palm Springs. There was quite a scandal over the statue causing to city to remove it and commission another. You know this lady and I would venture that everybody does. Can you guess who it is?
If you know about this atrocity, don't spoil it for the rest. I'll post the answer along with the replacement statue in a few days.
Happy guessing!
My guess is Eleanor Roosevelt wearing a Ronald Reagan wig. Am I close?😂 |
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Post by Easton on Jul 12, 2023 13:08:16 GMT -5
^ As close as Fred Mertz. |
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Livie's Friend
Reporter
Grandpa Zebulon Walton:Child, there are mysteries in this life that none of us can understand as yet
Posts: 219
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Post by Livie's Friend on Jul 13, 2023 5:27:12 GMT -5
"Atrocious" is the perfect adjective for this abomination!
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Post by Johnny on Jul 15, 2023 5:24:38 GMT -5
Wonderful likeness of Earl !! Is that a his & hers outhouse in the background? Another photo of Earl’s statue: |
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I'll post the answer along with the replacement statue in a few days.
