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Post by Brenda on Mar 28, 2017 17:39:46 GMT -5
This post is my description of the Waltons 45th Anniversary Weekend. My experiences were probably different from other people's, so I hope others will also post about their weekends. As most of you know, I am visually impaired. I do drive with a restricted drivers' license, which means I can't drive at night or in bad weather, and I am uncomfortable driving in unfamiliar places, so driving from my home in West Virginia to Charlottesville, VA (a four and a half hour drive down I-64) was out of the question for me. Fortunately for me, the Amtrak train that runs through my town also makes a stop in Charlottesville, so I left early Friday morning on the Amtrak Cardinal. I arrived in Charlottesville Friday afternoon and was met by forum member Kathy Lee and her husband who took me to the Doubletree Hotel where I was staying. My first Walton event was the concert in Schuyler on Friday night. Special thanks to ForeverWaltons and her husband for the ride to and from Schuyler that night. The concert was wonderful with a nice variety of music. Jon Walmsley and Judy Norton were two of the performers, and both of them were great. I took a few photos of different cast members as they were introduced, but they aren't very clear because I was sitting too far back. They are in my photo album. Special thanks to Kathy Lee and her husband for taking care of my transportation all day Saturday (including a wild goose chase looking for my ipad which ended up being safe at the bottom of my suitcase). Our first stop was the Rockfish Post Office on Rockfish River Road, just a few miles from Schuyler. The owner of the property there loves having visitors. He is very friendly and knows a lot about the history of the area. We took several photos there, then went on our way to Schuyler. The Waltons Mountain Museum was more crowded than I have ever seen it. Hundreds of people were in line waiting to see the cast and get autographs and photos. We decided we didn't want to fight the crowd, so we got in the car and returned to Charlottesville. We went to a pedestrian mall full of quaint shops. Kathy Lee took a lot of photos there. Hopefully she will share some with the forum. We ate lunch at an old fashioned drugstore/soda fountain. Then we decided to go back to Schuyler since we had tickets to have our photos taken with the pony cart. The museum was still very crowded, but I got in the long 'pony cart photo' line and waited. I did get to see forum member nedandres while I was waiting, and I regret that I didn't take a picture. Finally it was my turn. I got my picture taken with the pony cart and Eric Scott (and a hug from Eric Scott!). So it was worth the wait. Saturday night we dressed up and went to the banquet at the Doubletree. Kathy Lee went as Mary Ellen and cinlou was Rosie the Riveter. I met Tammi Bula (Marcia Woolery) and talked to her for a little while. I was thrilled because she is one cast member I had never met, and Marcia has always been one of my favorite characters. Cissy Wellman and Carolyn Grinnell sat at my table for dinner. Cissy was lots of fun, and Carolyn was so cute in her vintage dress and hat. Sunday morning there was a memorial service in Schuyler in honor of Earl Hamner. Special thanks to forum member Tami pabby6060 and her husband for taking me along with them. There was a service inside the museum. Mary McDonough spoke, and there was music from pianist Paul Cordall and country singer Jimmy Fortune. Outside a bench was dedicated in Earl's memory. His sister Audrey was there to remember and honor her brother. A dogwood tree was planted nearby, and balloons were released. We returned to Charlottesville. I really wanted to go to the Michael Learned show, but my train was scheduled to leave at 1:45, so Kathy Lee and her husband took me to the train station then went on to the 1:00 show. I actually could have gone to the show, because my train was delayed 2 hours, but I was finally on my way home by 4:00 PM. I will post a photo link in another post. I know that pabby6060 , Kathy Lee , and ForeverWaltons took lots of photos which I hope they will post as well.
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Post by nedandres on Mar 28, 2017 22:30:31 GMT -5
Thanks, Brenda, for sharing your experiences during the Walton weekend. I, too, enjoyed spending some time with you. You are so sweet. I am glad that we have a picture together from October. As I told you, I did not decide to attend until early in the week, so I was blessed to be able to do as much as I was able. It was wonderful to see Tammi Bula (we talked about our Christian faith together), Rachel Longaker (who I had written to during the original run when we were both kids, she wrote me back all those years ago!), Cissy Wellman (what a hoot!), Michael McGreevey, Tom Bower and his wife Ursula, and to see all the rest again. Leslie Winston is such a neat person (we talked about our families, and she gave me two hugs), one of my favorites, also Mary McDonough. David and Erin Doremus are also very special, and it is always a treat to see Michael Learned again. She was the first cast member that I met back in 1993! And she introduced me to her husband. I was happy to see her one-woman show. She is very good on the stage, regardless of what she is appearing in. Had my picture taken with the cast minus Michael Learned, who had gone to bed early (she wasn't feeling well after signing autographs and taking pictures all day!) and also with Kami and Rachel with the pony cart.
I may have more to share later. It is late and I must get to bed. Had fog and the threat of freezing rain when I drove home to PA on Sunday night. It was so nice to see all of you.
Love, Ned
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 1, 2017 7:27:46 GMT -5
We had so much fun at the reunion weekend. It was a very, very busy weekend! My husband and I left home Tuesday evening. We stayed in Culpeper, Virginia for the night. The next day we stopped at a few antique stores (my husband was very patient and stopped at so many places), country stores (Wyatt's Store in the town of White Hall is a favorite of ours), and different wineries (there are so many)!as we made our way to Charlottlesville. Wednesday night we checked into the hotel and said hello to the cast members and fans who were already there. After we were settled in our room we went and visited with forum member Marge L and her husband Tom in the lounge on the ninth floor. We were chatting away when in comes Michael McGreevey and his wife. We sat together and had a great time catching up on news. Then in walks Kami Cotler and her mother Barbara. They sat with us also and we really enjoyed talking with everyone. It was a great way to end the day! Thank you to Marge and Tom for inviting us up to the lounge!
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 1, 2017 7:47:09 GMT -5
Thursday we went to the little town of Lovingston which was mentioned on The Waltons. A cute little town and lots of historic buildings.
Then we drove to the Rockfish Post Office. It was nice and quiet there so we were able to get some great pictures. Such a nice little post office.
Then we drove into Schuyler. It was very quiet there also. I was able to tour the Hamner house without any crowds! I sat at Earl's desk and looked out the window for the longest time just imagining what he saw and thought about as he looked out that window. I sat at the kitchen table and imagined all the suppers in that cozy room.
I was able to get some great pictures of the Baptist Church. Then I went into the museum. Not many people were there visiting. But there were many people at the museum who were very busy setting up chairs, cutting out tickets, etc. for the reunion weekend.
After visiting the museum, my husband and I drove into Scottsville. The Dew Drop Inn is no longer there but Scottlesville is a nice little town with a few restaurants, shops, and antique stores. The town also has one of the last reminding rafts in America for taking cars across the river. It is a large wooden raft that you drive your car into and then you are taken across the river. So fun!
Then we we went back to Charlottlesville and went to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. It is a lovely street that no longer has car traffic. Instead there are shops, restaurants, sidewalk entertainers, vendors, etc. A great place to visit! There is a men's and boy's shop that is just like the shop John Boy went to to get his college clothes! It still looks like it did for the 1930s. There is also the Timberlake Drugstore which has a soda fountain cafe in the back. There is also an article in the store where Earl Hamner describes going into the store when he was ten years old for a chocolate milkshake. Also, the woman who works at the counter has been working there since 1962! That is 55 years! Imagine that!
Then it was back to the hotel and bed.
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 1, 2017 9:17:02 GMT -5
Friday we had breakfast in the hotel restaurant with other Walton fans. The hotel had a very nice buffet breakfast.
Then all the cast members went to Monticello for an early morning tour. It was a cold morning but still a nice day. A large group of fans went to Monticello shortly after them. It was a fun trip and all the more fun because we were all together with friends.
After our tour we all went to Mickie Tavern for a colonial lunch. Love that place! Very beautiful and a great place to visit.
Then it was a quick trip to the train station to get Brenda and back to the hotel to relax a little and get ready for the evening concert.
The concert was very nice. Everyone really enjoyed it! Music was great! Many people dressed in period clothes for the event and it was so fun to see what everyone was wearing. It was a lovely warm night and the museum doors were open. Michael Learned and other cast members were giving out slices of applesauce cake in the kitchen room. The cake was dark, moist, and delicious! Joh sang and so did Judy. Both were great.
Got to spend time with David (All About the Waltons) and his lovely wife Nadine during the concert. Got to talk to many other people and cast members. So nice to say hi to everyone and to visit with everyone. So happy I got to go!
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 1, 2017 9:29:40 GMT -5
Saturday was breakfast in the hotel restaurant with everyone again and then time to drive to Schuyler with my husband and Brenda.
We stopped at the Rockfish Post Office first and took some pictures and talked with the man who owns the post office. Such a nice man and so proud of his little post office.
When we we go to Schuyler it was CROWDED!!! Never saw so many people in that little town. There was a long line outside that continued inside which were fans waiting for autographs. We decided not to stay as the wait was too long and it was a hot day.
We drove back to Chatlottlesville and went to the Pedestrian Mall. We had a great time walking around and looking at the different shops and restaurants. We took many pictures in front of the Men's and Boy's Shop (where I think Earl must have got his college suit) and the Timberlake Drug Store where Earl Hamner used to go to when he was a child. We found a framed article in the drug store where he talks about going to the drugstore and buying a chocolate milkshake. We had a bit of lunch and chocolate ice cream sodas in the drugstore. Delicious!
Then we drove back to Schuyler. The lines were much less so we stayed and go our Pony Cart pictures. Also got to speak with Lynn Coffey who writes books about the Applachian people. Love her! We had time to speak with many fans while we waited for our pictures. Ned was there and he is such a nice man and always a pleasure speaking with. Then we walked around the town and took some pictures. Then it was time to head back and get ready for the dinner event.
Dinner was lovely. So many great period outfits! Michael McGreevey and his wife sat at our table. He is a very nice man as is his wife. They are wonderful company and everyone at our table enjoyed hearing Michael tell stories about his time on the set of The Watltons and also his career with Disney and his experiences with Walt Fisney. So Lucky to have him at our table. The cast members gave speeches and were all so lovely and kind. David Harper was so funny when he spoke! He had everyone singing and laughing. Many cast members walked around the room and spoke to the fans throughout the evening even though I am sure they were tired after such a busy day.
Most people did not make it a late night as we were all so tired. And we had to get up early the next morning for the memorial event.
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 1, 2017 9:36:04 GMT -5
Sunday we had breakfast with everyone one last time. Many people had gone to the memorial event at Schuyler but we did not as we were rather tired. We said goodbye to our friends who were heading home, checked out of the hotel, dropped Brenda off at the train station, and then headed to the theatre.
The show with Michael Learned was very, very nice. She talked about everything from her childhood up to the present day. We learned so many things about her. Really enjoyed the show. She will be in a play called, "Driving Miss Daisy" in May in Gettsburg, Pa.
After the show was over we said our long goodbyes to all our dear friends. So sad to say good to everyone but so happy to have spent time with everyone. What a great weekend!
We got home before 10:00pm and went straight to bed. And....the next morning we got up and went to work! Yikes, were we ever tired all week!
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Post by nedandres on Apr 1, 2017 18:10:48 GMT -5
Hey Kathy Lee, so very nice to see you and Mark and Brenda and Forever Waltons and Cinlou and family. Sorry we didn't have more time together, but I was staying at another place for Saturday night. I was able to attend the memorial service. It was very nice, Mary McDonough was very articulate as always when she shared her memories about Earl, then afterwards there the bench unveiling and dogwood tree planting, the white balloons went up in the sky (well, some of them got stuck in the electrical wires by the museum, oops!) to remember Earl, and Jimmy Fortune sang "I'll Fly Away." Then we headed down the hill and waited for the cast to come out of the Hamner House (after eating brunch) to pose on the steps for pictures. Then I went to Schuyler Baptist Church for the service and headed to Charlottesville for Michael's show. She is always so funny and has a lot to say. Enjoyed it very much. Then I stopped to see my college Spanish professor and his wife, who live in Harrisonburg, VA, now. They treated me to dinner at IHOP. That was such a blessing; had not seen them for 23 years! WOW! Then home through the fog and rain to PA. Thanks to my wife, who giving me her blessing to go on such short notice, and thanks to Ray and all the organizers and volunteers. A fun time, for sure!
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