10/8/25
Well, hello October! Finally cooling off a few degrees and boy does that make the cats happy! (And me, too!)
Alison had a wonderful September. First, she went to Indiana, then she went to Wisconsin, and then . . . she went to France! Yep, our girl is now, as in right now, getting ready for her first performance of this tour in France. (Check the schedule below for her French appearances.)
So, it’s just me and the cats. Right, cause Sock Monkey went to France with Alison. And I’ll bet they’re having a wonderful time! Cause, well, it is France after all!
Oh, before I forget, Welcome! to all our new readers from the event in Pepin. Just a warning, we occasionally may use the B word, as in Confessions of a Prairie B----. And if you signed up with a work e-mail your filters may block our message. Just a warning . . .
Anyway, let’s do the rundown of Alison’s activities. But remember, while she’s in France there will be no book readings, no orders filled in the mercantile, no cameos, and only reruns on her radio show. So, she’s pretty much out of touch for the rest of October. Anyway, here it is:
1. Daily Book Readings – The daily readings are currently on hiatus for an indefinite period. But you know, she’s being a little sneaky. Don’t think she’ll do one from France, but you never know!
2. Bonnets, Etc. - Bonnets, t-shirts, books, photos, Alison sells them at her online store, 'Not Your Mothers Mercantile'. Everything autographed. Here's the link to the store: Mercantile More new items coming soon. (To see the complete selection, click on the “Shop Now” button.) Be sure to specify how you want things signed. And remember, she can only fill orders when she’s in town. So, for now, let’s assume the store is closed until further notice, as in the end of October when Alison returns.
3. Cameo - You can have your favorite cast member record a personal video greeting - Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Get Well Soon, you name it! Check it out: Cameo Or... cut to the chase: Alison Cameo But this will probably be turned off while she is in France.
4. Radio Show / Podcast - The Alison Arngrim Show is on every Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific Time. The best way to catch the show live is to go to the UBN Radio page on FaceBook: UBN FaceBook. Her last interview was with Eduard Gonclaves: Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting on 8/26/25. If you have any ideas for who you would like to see interviewed by Alison, pass them along, and we’ll see what we can do! If you miss a show, or want to catch any of the past episodes, go to her FaceBook page for the show: Arngrim Show
She is now in France, so this will be rerun central for several weeks.
5. Who's Going To Do The Cooking? - Alison will be appearing on her FaceBook page, cooking something with instructions, whenever she can find the time. And she has not found the time for quite a while now, but she’ll be back! (There may be one from France!) She has made many incredible dishes. You can find all of these on her YouTube Channel: Who's Going To Do The Cooking?
Schedule? Now, about those French Shows:
Un spectacle en français, plein de rires, d’énergie et de surprises, suivi, comme toujours, d’une très longue séance amicale de dédicaces et photos. Petites communes uniquement !
Nouvelle tournée des petites communes !
Vendredi 17 octobre 2025, 20h30
GUARBECQUE (Pas-de-Calais) COMPLET !
Samedi 18 octobre 2025, 20h30
GUARBECQUE (Pas-de-Calais) COMPLET !
Dimanche 19 octobre 2025, 14h
GUARBECQUE (Pas-de-Calais) COMPLET !
Lundi 20 octobre 2025, 20h30
GUARBECQUE (Pas-de-Calais) COMPLET !
Vendredi 24 octobre 2025, 20h30
GUILHERAND-GRANGES (Ardèche)
Renseignements : 07 44 52 85 02
Samedi 25 octobre 2025, 20h30
CHENEREILLES (Loire)
Renseignements : 06 80 35 52 81
ous êtes une petite commune (association, municipalité...) et vous souhaitez inviter Alison et Patrick - Contactez le 06 21 81 10 66 ou envoyez un e-mail à edson@free.fr
OK, so, after she gets back from France she is returning to San Francisco for another performance of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch at Oasis. Now word is, the wonderful club Oasis may be closing at the end of this year! (Noooo!) So, this might be your LAST chance to see Alison there! The show will begin at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 14th. Check out the Oasis website: Oasis Tickets are $35 for general admission, and $50 for VIP which includes post show meet & greet and photo op with Alison. You can get them here: Oasis Tickets We’ve always had fun in San Francisco, and this one should be a blast!
This just in! It’ a Chocolate Sunday!! It appears as though Alison and Dean Butler will be appearing at The Chocolate Expo at Bally's Twin River, 100 Twin River Road Lincoln, RI 02865, on November 16th. This appears to be one day only, Sunday, 11/16, from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $30 at the door. (VIP early entry tickets are $30 in advance) From their website: “The Chocolate Expo features tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider, mead and more, which varies by state) and ready-to-eat foods from 60-100 vendor booths, depending on location.” I hear Dean has an incredible sweet tooth, and I know Alison LOVES chocolate! (And she better bring some home, is all I’m sayin’!) Here’s the link for the event: Chocolate Expo And of course, the link for tickets: Chocolate Expo Tickets This one will be a scream!!
OK, here’s a one-of-a-kind event. On Saturday, November 22nd, you will be able to attend a live presentation of The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Podcast! This will be at 1:00 pm, at The Green Room 42, 570 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10036, Inside YOTEL, Fourth Floor. Check out this link for the venue: The Green Room Now remember, this podcast features Dean Butler, Alison Arngrim, and Pamela Bob. This will be a live presentation of their podcast, and you can be in the audience! Attend in person if you can, but if you can’t be in New York that weekend, this edition of the podcast will be live streamed all over the world! So, here’s the link for all the info: Live! From New York! Tickets to be in the audience at the event range from $40 to $145 for Ringside VIP seats. Or you can live stream from anywhere for only $19. Check it out. Should be fun. THIS JUST IN: Ringside and backstage tickets are SOLD OUT!! Check here for the latest: Update
And for your Holiday amusement, join several members of the Little House cast at the Strathern Historic Park, 137 Strathern Pl, Simi Valley, CA 93065 . Check it out here: Strathern Park Tickets range from $59 for general admission, all the way up to $850 for a 3-day VIP Pass plus Holiday Party plus Breakfast with the cast, and all levels in between. Check the website for all possibilities. At this point, 16 cast members have signed up to participate. This is going to be epic! Remember, this is the original ‘scene of the crime’, so to speak. This is the location where they shot the bulk of the exteriors for Little House. And Sock Monkey will be there in all his glory!
Rumour Control
1. Have you ever been to Chili John’s in Burbank?
2. Is everything really bigger in Texas?
3. Should Nellie Oleson visit Almanzo’s parents’ house? Or would that be weird?
Miscellaneous
Alison in Pepin – Here’s an interview with Alison when she was on her way to Laura Days in Pepin, Wisconsin. Enjoy! ( Getting to Know Alison )
Alison in Greenfield – Here’s an article about Alison as she prepares to do Confessions in Greenfield, Indiana: Alison in Greenfield (The article is titled “Nefariously Nelle”!)
Eric’s Emporium – Our old buddy Eric Caron has been hard at work adding products to his on-line store. All of Eric’s endeavors are officially sanctioned by Friendly Family Productions. Check out his store: Eric's Emporium
Alison in France – OK, here’s an article about Alison and her French partner Patrick Loubatiere. (Hint: This article is in French, about their shows in France.) Alison in France
Maintaining our lives in the age of COVID-19 – From USA Today: “As the respiratory illness season begins, COVID cases have remained relatively under control in the United States into the beginning of fall. With the respiratory season beginning, many states have taken their own actions to address cases amid federal turmoil around vaccines. Meanwhile, one strain, Stratus, continues to dominate all others in the country, accounting for an even higher percentage of cases than last month.”
Seems like I keep saying the same thing: Mask up when necessary, avoid contact with those who are infected, seek treatment if you get infected, and get your vaccines whenever possible. And the latest vaccine for this year is out now. (I have to wait a bit. Just got over a COVID infection.)
And now for our Fauci moment: "I don't know how to explain to you that you should care for other people." But we must.
Direct Messages from Cast Members (and others!):
Steven Wishnoff, writer of the 50th Anniversary event, Big Sky Ranch Bus Tour wrangler in Simi Valley last March and Little House Facebook Protector - Steven would like to thank all the Bonnetheads from near and far who've sent well wishes, and gifts after his spinal surgery. He's progressing well, doing rigorous physical therapy and healing right on schedule. And is thrilled to say it looks liked he'll be able to see those of you who are coming to Celebrate the holidays with the cast of Little House on the Prairie™ December 12–14, 2025 at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley, CA.
Prairie Tidbits
Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle) – Charlotte and hubby Michael Santos are continuing their tour of Gem Shows. They are the only Museum Level Meteorite Vendor West of Tucson AZ. Here are their next shows:
- Santa Rosa Gem & Mineral Society - October 18 & 19th - Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building - 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 ( Santa Rosa Gem Show )
- Sacramento Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show – October 25 & 26th - The Scottish Rite Temple - 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA ( Sacramento )
Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder) – Found a very nice article about Lucy Lee. Here’s a quote: “Season 6 brought Eliza Jane Wilder to Walnut Grove. She and her brother, Almanzo, were an essential part of the sixth season with fan-favorite episodes like "Back to School" and "Sweet Sixteen." Good article. Enjoy: Lucy Lee Interview
The Saga of Sock Monkey (Chapter One Hundred Forty-Six)
So, the Chicken Ranch was nice. No, the chickens were not in charge. And it wasn’t really a ranch. As a matter of fact, Mr. Monkey had not seen an actual live chicken anywhere in the casino! Yes, the Chicken Ranch was one huge casino. With slot machines and all kinds of gambling everywhere you looked. But that was just where they were staying, not what they were doing. They were off to an old west town in Columbia, where the cast of Little House would be meeting the fans and signing autographs. But not just at a regular old table! Alison had her own MERCANTILE! You would swear Nels or Harriet was going to pop out from behind the counter any minute! Alison would be signing autographs, and having all kinds of fun, and Sock Monkey and that Bob guy would be running her mercantile for her. This should be an adventure! Sock Monkey had always wanted to try running a store. And then at night, when they were finished storekeeping for the day, they could all go back to the Casino and Sock Monkey could try this “gambling” thing. Maybe he could win a chicken? But what would he DO with a chicken? So many questions….
(To be continued . . . )
There you have it. The ninth Nellie Newsletter for 2025. Stay safe, mask up, wash up, get your booster shots, and be good to each other. And hug someone you love today!
As usual (Comme d’habitude), be good bonnet heads, and I’ll talk to you next month.
- Bob
|