'Good-night, John' ... a tribute to The Waltons' Ralph Waite 1928-2014

To the world he was known as John Walton, patriarch of a Nelson County, Virginia, family during the Great Depression and World War II. Ralph Waite passed away this week at the age of 85, leaving behind those who had acted with him throughout the years.

In this tribute, he is joined by the kids from "The Waltons," now grown and together for a 40th anniversary gathering. Earl Hamner, the original John Boy who grew up in Schyler and created the show, was also there along with directors, writers, producers, and guest actors throughout the years who helped make the show.

SWAC Husband enjoyed John Waite in his role as Mark Harmon's dad, Jackson Gibbs, on "NCIS," something I've heard from others.  For me, he will always be John Walton of Walton's Mountain, Virginia. The show, in reruns, made my time living in North Carolina a little easier because it made me feel just a little closer to home.

"The Waltons" can still be seen in reruns. As the Walton kids would say at the close of the show, "Good night, Ralph."

'The Waltons' creator Earl Hamner honored by Virginia State Senate

"The Waltons" has become a part of Virginia since its introduction in the 1970s so it was nice to see creator Earl Hamner, who grew up over the mountain in Nelson County, honored Wednesday by the Virginia Senate.

The Washington Post reported:

Hamner’s novel “Spencer’s Mountain,” inspired by his experiences growing up in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains during the Great Depression, was the basis for “The Waltons.” Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said the show became “a piece of Americana.”

Lieutenant Governor Bolling is correct ... "The Waltons" is, indeed, a piece of Americana.

The Senate recognized Hamner as the talented Virginian that he is:

The Senate resolution praises Hamner as “a Virginia treasure” and lauds his “immense talent and remarkable achievements.”

There are many of us including the Bollings, who have a place at Wintergreen, who are fortunate enough to live in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hamner's childhood, "land of the Waltons."