Monday, October 14, 2013

You're Invited!

   
     When I was growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the highlight of the year was the gathering for the annual family reunion. Relatives arrived from everywhere and we spent the weekend reminiscing, hugging, feasting, catching up on the news, getting acquainted with new babies that had been born or an in-law that had been added since we were all last together. There were tears for those we had loved and lost, and one of the uncles might have a bit too much of the "recipe" but in the end everybody went home, happy, proud and enriched for having shared a very special event.

      The Walton Family recently celebrated such an occasion. At the invitation of the great show business magazine ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY the actors gathered at Warner Brothers Ranch in Burbank, California. Richard Thomas flew out from New York. Ralph Waite came over from his home in the desert, and the others in the cast assembled from various towns up and down the California coast. There at the replica of the house made so famous on the television series, our host filmed not only a photographic essay for the magazine, but also a television film of the gathering.

      No, there was no "recipe" served. The intoxication came from just being together, still a close and loving family who worked together forty years ago and became a family with a family’s enduring ties.

      Read the story in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY when it hits the newsstands this coming Friday, October 18th, and also on that same day, dial up ABC’S Morning Show "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" to visit one more time with our family.



39 comments:

  1. Earl Hamner, you rock! We all love you and respect you. Big Bruno

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  2. this is very exciting, earl. can't wait to read about it and watch the film. never got a chance to see the house on the set when i lived in CA. ;) i hope you're well....

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  3. This is exciting, Earl. Can't wait to see it. - Debbie Richard

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  4. I will set my DVR. I do so love your books and The Waltons. We have moved from the country to a small mountain town. MY husband lost his job in 2009 and we just had to move. I am teaching and he is driving the local school bus and a custodian. It is different than when we had all our children on the farm. Your show meant so much to me and shaped my life in so many ways, Thank you Mr Hamner for sharing your memories and life with us. Also, I teach writing to elementary school children that struggle academically. Any ideas on how to motivate my little authors? They are 6th graders and it is very difficult to get them to write expressively.

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  5. Dear Mr. Hamner, So glad to hear your news, can't wait. My family and I have always been fans of all your works, love reading your blog, look forward to each one. Please take care, praying you are well.

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  6. Love love love you and your work. Thank you fir the wonderful memories. God Bless. Cant wait. You are a part of our holidays and always. ♡♥♡♥

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  7. Thank you so much Mr. Hamner! My life wouldn't be as great without the Walton family!

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  8. Also Mentor Earl, i just finished my first publishing venture. I wrote this in narrative as well as script in Final Draft. If I am blessed to have your time to take a peak. Your vocal speech pattern in my mind as I wrote...Fresh Zulus: Where Were You in MCMLXXXII? https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1132900
    Coming of age hip opera, set in the year 1982. Moby and his crew Real Rockers, thrive on the quest to bring the Zulu Nations, first wave break dancing movement, straight from the hood to the 84 Olympics. Not before the infiltration of organized crime, sex, and murder might change each their destiny.
    Genre: Teens Young Adult

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  9. Thank you Mr Hammer, for helping to keep the Walton family and history alive. I enjoy your writings, the messages and values portrayed in your works, many of which are surely lacking in today's society. Will be watching for you on GMA Friday. Be well and god bless.

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  10. I'm looking forward to anything about The Waltons. I guess I have to say that it is my all-time favorite show. Like many others, my family resembled yours in many ways. The love was surely there. From everything I've ever read or heard about you, you are such a gentleman. I love hearing your voice; I especially loved the reading during Jason's recital. What a work of art! Thanks so much for sharing your life with me and all the Walton fans. I'd like to see one more reunion show, but if not, may the reruns keep coming. May you remain in good health.

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  11. Been anxiously waiting for this issue

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  12. I love you, your stories, and the waltons. Even tho I had a horrible bordering on abusive childhood, I was able to watch and pretend each week that your family was my family. Thank you so very much for ALL that you've done. I'm also so grateful to your family and the
    wonderful people that portraid the waltons, its because of ALL of you that I had a happy place to escape too. God bless you All!!
    Moni Raiff
    urmysunshine94@yahoo.com

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  13. thank you so much for the show I loved an still love. It brings joy in my life an we need that at this day an time..Thank you earl for giving that to us . May god bless you an your family. tim g from baton rouge Louisiana.........

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  14. We cherish each and every blog entry. God Blessings on you!

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  15. Dear Earl,
    I am so happy to read this. I know you all must have had a reunion filled with joy and wonderful reminiscing. You really have been a family on and off the screen. I, like so many others, have loved you and the magic you wove for us.
    Bless you dear man, with love from Ruthie Miller

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  16. Will most certainly pick up a copy of the magazine on Friday.

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  17. Earl, I feel in my heart our God planned your life, and led you as you shared your life and love with each of us through your writing, and tales. May you be healthy, happy, and may we all bring you as much joy as you have brought to each of our hearts by keeping your spirit os love, friendship and family alive.

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  18. I can not wait until this Friday, the 18th! So much to look forward to! Thank you for your blog! Keep on posting!

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  19. Mr. Hamner,

    We met last April in Richmond at the Library of Virginia. I came up from Newport News.

    I'm looking forward to the October 18 issue of EW! I'd love to take the Warner Bros. Studios & Ranch tour in Burbank, if I ever get out West, even though I understand that the tour is expensive; I've heard that it's the best Hollywood studio tour. I'm amazed that the "Walton's" house facade is still on the Warner lot at the Ranch. I hope that you can still go to your office at WB.

    Wishing you & Mrs. Hamner health and joy, I remain your loyal (native) Virginian fan.

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  20. Mr. Hamner, Thank you for all the entertaining stories you have shared with us all. I love the "Walton's". I watch the specials that are one every year. I wish you health and happiness. Thank you for all the wonderful memories.

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  21. I will be buying Entertainment Weekly and watching GMA this Friday. Mr. Hamner I have been a fan of yours since the first airing of The Home Coming, when my children were little. I was captivated by your soothing voice then and still am.
    My daughter Tina wrote to you not long ago to tell you about our trip to Schuyler, actually our second trip, we actually went into the house and I sat where you sat, and pretended I was writiing, as you did. It began to rain really hard and we could hear it so plain and wonderful on the tin roof, I imagined you heard it just that way. It seemed a special treat to me. We're going again this coming week-end. She told you how much I love listening to your soothing and pleasant voice. You were so gracious to respond back, and I am so honored to have you mention me in your response to her.
    I do hope I get to meet you when you return to the area again.
    Thank You John Boy (the original) and John Boy 2 (Richard Thomas) for letting me live in your family and experience the kind of family I would love to have grown up in.

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  22. Loved seeing all of you wish it had been longer myself. Would love just one more reunion episode as well I'm gready. Also wanted to let you know I tried the recepie for the applesauce cake and frosting that was in the Home Comming Novel, and it was delicious. I truly am glad to have been allowed into you and your families lives both personal and professional.

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  23. I still have to remember to order an autographed book from you. I think you helped make Virginia my favorite eastern state! In person, of your cast, I've only seen Judy Norton in Downtown Minneapolis at the summer aquatennial parade. We just bought the 4th season of The Walton's. Have a good autumn. - Martin L.

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  24. Virginia is now a Blue state, two times in a row. Very soon it will be more Blue. I love it!

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  25. I am in the U.K., so didn't see the magazine, but am currently watching re-runs of 'The Waltons' on DVD. What an antidote to all the trash on TV today; and your voiceover is so soothing, Earl. Love the show!

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  26. Mr. Hamner - you & the Waltons cast made & continue to provide a warm hearth for many different kinds of people. Thank you - from somewhere just a crowflight west of Rockbridge. . ..

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  27. Mr. Hamner, I am so grateful to you for sharing your family stories through your writing and the TV series, "The Waltons." Your characters have helped people, especially those who have had extremely difficult family issues, get through the hard times growing up and to live through the unfortunate things that have come along the way since then. Thank you for passing along your family's wisdom and kindness; it has been --and remains-- a comfort to many people, and to my family and me. With much appreciation from an "'ole time southerner." Take care and all my best to the Mrs. and to you. Just a girl-- and a force of nature, Gale.

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  28. earl! jeff ircink in Wisconsin. i sent you a private message via your email. please read - and i hope you are well! also - very sorry to hear about the passing of Ralph Waite. along with you and your Waltons' cast family, we - the fans - mourn this loss as well.

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  29. I want to come visit! I'm watching the Walton's on the Hallmark channel right now.

    How is your family and you?

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  30. Good evening, Mr. Hamner. We haven't heard from you in a while. I hope and pray that you are doing alright. Just made some homemade-from-scratch chocolate pudding and it's still warm--wish I could give you a bowl! Your Friend, Linda

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  31. Fortunately, and thanks to Vision TV, I am still able to watch' reruns of The Waltons. I have always loved this show, it's too bad there aren't many such wholesome programs anymore.

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    1. You are so right Linda! I grew up with The Walton's and those kind of shows helped children learn good morals and values. They complimented the morals and values lessons our parents taught us. I thank God for Earl Hamner and of course, the entire cast and crew of The Walton's.

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    2. I agree wholeheartedly. Mr. Hamner, I thank you so much as well for providing such wholesome entertainment teaching good morals and life's valuable lessons. I never tire of watching this show. God bless you.

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    3. Dear Mr. Hamner,

      May you have a very blessed birthday! I'm praying for you today! :)

      Thank you for the wonderful family stories you shared with us through your show. Per my request, my husband drove our family to Schuyler, Virginia two summers ago. We were delighted to visit the Walton's Mountain Museum. What a treat! I'm a third-generation "Walton watcher", and now my own children have begun the fourth generation tradition and enjoyment along with us. Thank you for the morals and virtues displayed in your show. May the principles and convictions your family stood for become once again important to the generations of tomorrow....only by God's grace!

      Thank you so much for sharing your heritage and a piece of true Americana with all of us. May you be blessed!

      Psalm 113:2

      Many blessings and much joy to you this day,
      Katie

      p.s. If you want to see my post on our visit to Schuyler, I wrote about it here:

      http://blessedfemininity.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-little-post-for-my-walton-fan-friends.html

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  32. Love the Waltons! Watching a re-run right now. Wondering why, though, Olivia's family (parents, siblings, etc.) were never mentioned on the show?

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