What a gentleman - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 05-24-2007, 09:48 PM

I attended the Tombstone Western Film Festival in July 2005. It was great fun, and many surviving LHOP cast members attended: Melissa Gilbert (Laura), Alison Arngrim (Nellie), Dean Butler (Almanzo), Rachel Lindsay Greenbush (Carrie), Brenda and Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle), Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey), Allison Balson (Nancy), Stan Ivar (John Carter), Pam Roylance (Sarah Carter) and Brian Part (Carl Sanderson Edwards). What a fun filled weekend! There were Q&A panels, episode screenings, and autograph sessions. The first night everyone was introduced and they even mingled as the festivities were over.

Let me take a moment and go backwards. In June 2005 my sister Vicky had a miscarriage and was depressed for several weeks afterwards. Vicky watched Days of Our Lives religiously all through middle and high school. It so happened that Stan Ivar played an evil henchman for several months on that show, so she knew who he was (she's not really into period shows, so she had no clue that he was on LHOP).

Anyway, that night I got to meet both him and Ms. Roylance. I asked Mr. Ivar about his Days tenure and told him my sister's story. He told me to be sure to come to the autograph session - he would set aside a special picture and autograph/personlize it specially for Vicky - at no charge (the cast had to charge for pictures/autographs...I think it had something to do with helping cover their expenses).

Next day, true as his word, he gave me the special picture. Mr. Ivar told me that he was so sorry she was going through the situation...and to give her his best. I almost started to cry...I was so touched.

When I got home, Vicky was surprised and happy to have such a special keepsake. She was also touched by the story and his words. The picture still sits proudly in her house.

Not long after, Vicky became pregnant again and now we have Andrew. He'll turn 1 year old in June. He is a blessing and a joy to us all...and I'll always remember this special story.

Madame X · 05-25-2007, 12:57 AM

That's a great story, Cat. Thanks for sharing it!

Sterling Holobyte · 05-25-2007, 01:01 AM

What a nice story! Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, Stan Ivar seems like a stand-up guy. And how appropriate for a person who basically had to try to fill Michael Landon's role as the "Pa" type guy on the show.
I thought I heard somewhere that he HAS the actual "little house" house on a lot of land somewhere.

It must have been great to see all those people from LHOTP! Did you talk to any others?
I don't even know how you talked to Mr. Ivar. I think I would have trouble just getting "Hi" to come out of my mouth if I met a person from a favorite show of mine.

Let alone strike up a conversation.

Oh, and an early Happy Birthday to your Nephew!

catlover79 · 05-25-2007, 12:21 PM

Here are some photo galleries I found online of others who went to the reunion. These are all great pics.

http://csimelissa.smugmug.com/gallery/637915#27328967
http://www.zunshine.com/littlehouse/tombstonepics.html

The cast members I met and talked to were so nice and so down to earth. They were so easy to talk to. In one of the Q&A panels, Mr. Ivar mentioned that he does own the "little house". One of his goals is to donate it to the real Walnut Grove, MN.

05-24-2007, 09:48 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	What a gentleman I attended the Tombstone Western Film Festival in July 2005. It was great fun, and many surviving LHOP cast members attended: Melissa Gilbert (Laura), Alison Arngrim (Nellie), Dean Butler (Almanzo), Rachel Lindsay Greenbush (Carrie), Brenda and Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle), Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey), Allison Balson (Nancy), Stan Ivar (John Carter), Pam Roylance (Sarah Carter) and Brian Part (Carl Sanderson Edwards). What a fun filled weekend! There were Q&A panels, episode screenings, and autograph sessions. The first night everyone was introduced and they even mingled as the festivities were over. Let me take a moment and go backwards. In June 2005 my sister Vicky had a miscarriage and was depressed for several weeks afterwards. Vicky watched Days of Our Lives religiously all through middle and high school. It so happened that Stan Ivar played an evil henchman for several months on that show, so she knew who he was (she's not really into period shows, so she had no clue that he was on LHOP). Anyway, that night I got to meet both him and Ms. Roylance. I asked Mr. Ivar about his Days tenure and told him my sister's story. He told me to be sure to come to the autograph session - he would set aside a special picture and autograph/personlize it specially for Vicky - at no charge (the cast had to charge for pictures/autographs...I think it had something to do with helping cover their expenses). Next day, true as his word, he gave me the special picture. Mr. Ivar told me that he was so sorry she was going through the situation...and to give her his best. I almost started to cry...I was so touched. When I got home, Vicky was surprised and happy to have such a special keepsake. She was also touched by the story and his words. The picture still sits proudly in her house. Not long after, Vicky became pregnant again and now we have Andrew. He'll turn 1 year old in June. He is a blessing and a joy to us all...and I'll always remember this special story.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-25-2007, 01:01 AM	#3
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	What a nice story! Thanks for sharing. Yeah, Stan Ivar seems like a stand-up guy. And how appropriate for a person who basically had to try to fill Michael Landon's role as the "Pa" type guy on the show. I thought I heard somewhere that he HAS the actual "little house" house on a lot of land somewhere. It must have been great to see all those people from LHOTP! Did you talk to any others? I don't even know how you talked to Mr. Ivar. I think I would have trouble just getting "Hi" to come out of my mouth if I met a person from a favorite show of mine. Let alone strike up a conversation. Oh, and an early Happy Birthday to your Nephew!
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

05-25-2007, 12:57 AM	#2
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	That's a great story, Cat. Thanks for sharing it!

05-25-2007, 12:21 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Here are some photo galleries I found online of others who went to the reunion. These are all great pics. http://csimelissa.smugmug.com/gallery/637915#27328967 http://www.zunshine.com/littlehouse/tombstonepics.html The cast members I met and talked to were so nice and so down to earth. They were so easy to talk to. In one of the Q&A panels, Mr. Ivar mentioned that he does own the "little house". One of his goals is to donate it to the real Walnut Grove, MN.