Melissa Gilbert Shares Why Cast Has Stopped Supporting 50th Anniversary Fan Events

Tell them like it is, Half-pint. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine, Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder) explained why she and the cast of Little House on the Prairie have stopped supporting the 50th Anniversary fan events coordinated by Gravel Road Markets, LLC. 

Having attended the one in Farmington, Connecticut, I can't say this came as a surprise. Here is the article so that fans are forewarned that the future events throughout 2024 have been canceled: https://people.com/little-house-on-the-prairie-melissa-gilbert-speaks-out-50th-anniversary-events-exclusive-8722293

Proving the LHOP cast remains dedicated to their fans, they are making plans for events in 2025. 

My Most Popular LHOP Fan Fiction Stories

 

A decades-long love of Little House on the Prairie has led to me writing more than 70 fan fiction stories based upon Laura's life and the show--mostly the latter. You can check out all of them on my Fanfiction.net page here. Please be sure to check story ratings first. 

Of the stories I have posted at Laura's Little Houses, these are some of the most popular:

"The Robe" - Laura returns  Manly's robe after she gets into a fight with Nellie - 1259 views

"The Aftermath of Annabelle" - Almanzo confronts Laura about her behavior at the circus - 899 views

"He's Not the Right Man" - Laura is angry when Miss Wilder suggests Perley Day is a more appropriate suitor for her than Almanzo - 806 views

"The Trials of Fatherhood" - Charles struggles with Laura and Almanzo's relationship - 581 views

"Feelings" - Almanzo is angry that Bart Slater's uncontrolled behavior leads to Eliza Jane and him leaving Walnut Grove - 458 views

Have you read any of these? Which of my fan fiction stories is your favorite? What or who would you like to see more of in my fan fiction stories? 

Where Have I Been Lately?

 

This was going to be the year. The 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie was a year I planned to follow along with all the events, listen to the podcasts, keep this blog active and share how much this show meant to me growing up. 

So... how has that turned out? Dismal? Paltry? Lame? 

Thank you to all the loyal readers who keep checking in no matter how often I post. Today, is the first day I've taken off since August 31, when I attended the Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunion in Farmington, CT. Here are some photos.

Dean Butler (Almanzo) signed my copy of Prairie Man

Met Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson)

Met Pamela Roylance and David Freidman (Sarah and Jason Carter)

Reconnected with Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle/Mrs. Sims)

This wasn't the most well-run event, but the cast members were amazing. 

Other than that, real estate has been moving swiftly along, taking up a lot of time. I submitted my NaNoWriMo project from 2023 to a publisher. They sent out a thoughtful rejection a week ago. I have a backup plan, but I'm waiting a bit so I can look at the manuscript with fresh eyes. 

I've also begun plotting the second novel in the series. Likely will tackle NaNoWriMo again this year. So, my middle grade historical languishes while I attend to the small town romances I'm writing. My fifth children's book is also languishing, waiting for the publisher to have an artist ready. Life happens. 

Hope you are enjoying fall or spring, depending upon where you are in the world. Here in New England, the fall colors are peeking out from the greens of summer. Enjoy your weekend. 

Book Review: Love's Unfolding Dream by Janette Oke

 

Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series continues with the sixth book titled, Love's Unfolding Dream. 

Return to Anderson Corner and follow the continuing story of the Davis family in this heartwarming Christian novel. 

Belinda, who was born to Clark and Marty Davis at the end of the last novel, is leaning toward nursing. Her older brother, Luke, is already a doctor, and he can tell her compassionate heart will serve others well. While Marty has her reservations, she and Clark allow Belinda to assist Luke when appropriate. 

Lots of growth and change has come to the Davis household through the years, and in Love's Unfolding Dream, Belinda's neice, Melissa LaHaye, comes to live with the family while she finishes her schooling. Her arrival creates issues in Belinda's friendship with Amy Jo, who is her brother Clare's daughter. And when it seems the girls are taken with Jordan Brown, Marty and Clark are sure to have their hands full.

Love's Unfolding Dream is another wonderful installment of the Love Comes Softly series. We catch up with Clark and Marty's ever-growing family and meet new characters along the way. A new boy in town captures the attention of Melissa LaHaye and Amy Jo Davis, but it seems he has eyes for another young lady. 

Another new family in town, the Simpsons, needs help but aren't open to charity. When their son Drew is hurt in an accident, Belinda joins Luke to tend to him. When it is clear the damage is irreparable, Luke is uncertain if Belinda can face the decision they make to save Drew's life. And as Drew struggles to move on from his accident, Marty and Clark pray for ideas on how to help the Simpsons. 

As with other books in the series., Oke provides family-friendly, faith-based historical fiction to captivate readers. She keeps the series fresh by interspersing new characters alongside many fan favorites. This was an easy, quick read and one of my favorites from the series. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers; Repack edition (February 1, 2004)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764228536
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764228537

I own a copy of this book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: Love's Unending Legacy by Janette Oke

 

The Davis family saga continues with Love's Unending Legacy. The fifth book of the Love Comes Softly series brings Marty and Clark back home to their family. This is the first time their children in Anderson Corner have seen their Pa, and many are relieved that Clark is still the same man they knew before the accident that took his leg. All except Nandry, who is withdrawn and quiet. Marty wonders why, but her adopted daughter seems unapproachable. 

A lot has gone on in the year Marty and Clark stayed on Missie and Willie's ranch. Arnie is courting. Luke is heading off to medical school. Clare and Kate are expecting their first child. Clae and her husband Joe are likely taking a church out east. Meanwhile, Ellie has taken care of all the homemaking and housekeeping chores in Marty's absence. 

Marty and Clark are thrilled to be home, but she doesn't seem to be getting her energy back the way she expected to after the trip, and the family silently worries about what might be wrong. Their days are filled with happy preparations for Arnie's wedding and Clare and Kate's baby, and the pain of temporarily saying goodbye to Luke. With unexpected sorrows along the way, the Davis family will need to lean on their faith to get them through. 

Love's Unending Legacy is the fifth book in Oke's Christian historical series. As time goes on, we see that Marty's faith has deepened in the years since meeting Clark. Now, in her forties, Marty enjoys surrounding herself with her family and friends. This family saga updates fans of the series on where the members of the Davis family are in their lives. Told mostly from Marty's perspective, her mother's heart unfolds as she worries about a future with her children and grandchildren spread across the country, experiences joy at the thought of another grandchild, and wonders how long it will take Nandry to accept the loss of Clark's leg. 

If you enjoy faith-based family sagas, Love's Unending Legacy is a good choice. This dramatic novel brings readers through the ups and downs of a family in a small town with some side plots involving other known characters. Like Marty, the faith in this series deepens as it continues. Great story!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers; Repack edition (February 1, 2004)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764228528
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764228520

I bought this series on e-Bay. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.