Monday, August 31, 2015

Betty MacDonald and Ma and Pa Kettle


Betty MacDonald fan club fans,

Author Nick Russell wrote a fascinating story describing his ride to Sequim, Chimacum and other places. 


We took a ride to Sequim, about 25 miles west on U.S. Highway 101. Sequim is a nice town and a little bigger than Port Townsend.

On our way home after dinner, we took a side trip to drive a few miles south of Chimacum to Egg And I Road. This rather strange name for a road was based upon the stories Betty MacDonald told of her life as a newlywed running a small chicken ranch here on the Olympic Peninsula. On trips to visit her family in Seattle, Betty MacDonald’s tales made everyone laugh, and her sisters urged her to write them down. The result was the popular 1945 book The egg and I, which was made into a movie in 1947, starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as Betty MacDonald and her husband. Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride were cast in the roles of Ma and Pa Kettle

Egg and I road sign 2












While the movie was a hit, there were some that complained that Betty MacDonald portrayed the local people as country bumpkins, and one family from Chimacum sued Betty MacDonald and the book’s publisher, claiming the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle were based upon them and hurt their reputations locally. The jury denied their claim when it was shown that the same family had used the Ma and Pa Kettle image to promote their business.


Egg and I Road leads west from State Route 19 past the former site of MacDonald’s farm, and while we saw a sign for a place called Egg & I Fuschias, there was no indication that it might have been where the original farm stood.
 Egg and I Fuschias


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Nick Russell









  1. Betty MacDonald is beloved all over the world.

    Betty MacDonald fan club has fans in 40 countries.


Don't miss Betty MacDonald fan club contest, please.

Deadline: August 31, 2015



You'll be able to answer Betty MacDonald fan club contest questions.

Don't miss your chance please to win some very interesting new Betty MacDonald fan club items. 


Wolfgang Hampel's 2nd 'Vita Magica' was very successful. 

Wolfgang Hampel's exciting experiences at Pike Place Market and other new stories and poems will be published in next Betty MacDonald fan club letters. 


Wolfgang  Hampel's  new very well researched  stories about Betty MacDonald, Monica Sone,  Robert Eugene Heskett, Donald Chauncey MacDonald, Darsie Bard, Sydney Bard, Gammy, Alison Bard Burnett,  Darsie Beck, Mary Bard Jensen, Clyde Reynolds Jensen, Sydney Cleveland Bard, Mary Alice Bard, Dorothea DeDe Goldsmith, Madge Baldwin, Don Woodfin, Mike Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, Nancy and Plum, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle are golden Betty MacDonald fan club treasures.


We adore Wolfgang Hampel's great stories, interviews and his satirical poems. 

Great Letizia Mancino - and Mr. Tigerli news! 


Betty MacDonald fan club honor members Letizia Mancino and  Mr. Tigerli  will be honor guests at Vita Magica in November 2015. 



Mr. Tigerli is an expert not only for curves but also for many other problems. So he will be very busy in future.

Let's have a new breakfast with Brad and Nick on Monday.

It's as delicious as ever.

We should enjoy a funny day on Vashon Island.



Have a great Monday,


Sandra



Vita Magica

Betty MacDonald fan club

Betty MacDonald forum  

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University 

Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel 

Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
 
 

Betty MacDonald fan club items 

Betty MacDonald fan club items  - comments

Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund 

  If this guy is Mr. Tigerli I'll marry him.