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by Mickie Harwell, Raymond, Mississippi

Source: The Avonlea Traditions Chronicle, Issue No. 20, Summer 1997.

Dreams do come true for L. M. Montgomery/Avonlea fans...at least mine certainly did!!! While vacationing in the Toronto area in September 1995 my husband Buddy, our sixteen-year-old daughter Megan and I had just visited a dear friend of ours, Mrs. Wilda Clark (a super L. M. Montgomery fan) in Uxbridge, Ontario.

Mrs. Clark had given us directions to Mrs. Elsie Davidson's house (L. M. Montgomery's housekeeper for a number of years). After a wonderful visit, complete with tea and home baked cookies (the same as she had served L. M. Montgomery, I'm sure) we continued on our "trek" to see the Road to Avonlea film site, just a short distance away.

As we neared the site we sadly noticed that the gates were locked; Mrs. Wilda had advised this might be the situation. She told us to ask for a particular guard by name as she knew him very well and he would probably let us enter the main area.

My husband asked the gate guard where this gentleman was but was informed that he no longer worked there. Well, we thought our chance to see the site was deteriorating until Buddy told John that we had come all the way from Mississippi just to see that site and buildings and we would be leaving Toronto early the next morning for Prince Edward Island.

It was at this point that John completely outdid what we have always known as "Southern Hospitality" - he quietly said, "If you folks will follow me I will get you as close as possible since they are filming the final episodes." I was just astounded to realize that we would actually get to watch a few minutes of filming from what I expected to be quite a distance away but the miracles had only just begun!

We were approached by Belinda, one of the Assistant Directors in a most warm and friendly manner asking where we were from and that they, I repeat, THEY were quite honoured that we chose to visit the Avonlea site.

She explained that filming was in progress and our visit and photo taking would have to be limited to certain areas. Still we were amazed as to where we were at this point...In the middle of an Avonlea film shoot.

We assured her that we were at their mercy and would be more than cooperative. At that time Kyle Labine's (Davey) mother walked over to us, introduced herself and asked if we would like her to give us a tour of the site and watch the filming somewhat closer. We were overwhelmed and immediately accepted her generous offer.

She then called Kyle over to us and introduced us to him and Kristen Fairlee (Becky). They had just completed the scene in which Davey was trying to get into the tent to see the Mermaid, whom he has fallen "madly in love with". This particular episode was entitled Davey and the Mermaid, when the carnival had come to Avonlea complete with circus acts and a real "live" mermaid.

We spent the next half-hour or so with Kyle's mom, Kyle and Kristin, visiting the various buildings and taking photos like crazy. Kyle and Kristin are just like the characters they portray on the series - darling, sweet and just loads of fun.

As we continued back to the main village, across from the General Store, they were now beginning to film a scene of the county fair flower arrangement contest. And there they were, real as life - Aunt Hetty (Jackie Burroughs), Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton) and Mrs. Bugle (Barbara Hamilton). Buddy, Megan and I were less than ten feet away from them as the cameras were rolling.

The film crew went out of their way to make us welcome and offered us all the advice we needed as to what was happening, etc. We actually began wondering who the celebrities were here - we were getting all the attention. We even got a friendly wave from Alan King, the director of this episode.

My husband Buddy stood it as long as he could..."I have got to meet Rachel Lynde and Aunt Hetty," he yelled..."you know they are two of my favourites." As the filming stopped Kyle's mom told us to wait where we were. She walked over to Jackie Burroughs and explained to her we had come all the way from the deep South, Mississippi, just to see them.

She walked directly over to us, introduced herself and visited for some fifteen minutes or so. Ms. Burroughs was then called to come complete another scene. Before leaving, she asked if we would wait there for a few minutes and she would return and visit with us some more. We thanked her for taking the time, made a few photos and assured her we would not move from the spot.

We thought that the highlight had come and gone but the miracles just continued. When Ms. Burroughs had completed the scene, she came back to where the three of us were standing and continued her conversation, only to carry us over to meet Rachel and Mrs. Bugle.

They were all so warm and friendly to us, laughing and joking with us about where we were from, etc. We did not think our Southern accents showed, but it must have. We will never forget Barbara Hamilton's comment to us - "Why would anybody from Mississippi want to come this far to see us?" It was especially meaningful to us because we learned months later that she had passed away.

While we continued watching the final shooting sequences, Ian Clark walked up behind us and began a most delightful conversation and visit with us - complete with sandwiches and sodas. Again Kyle and Kristin joined the four of us. Imagine a snack time with Mr. Tremayne, Davey and Becky - what an honour and a treat!

As they were beginning to finish the filming for the day, Ms. Burroughs walked over to us and said they were going to eat dinner and would the three of us join her in the dining trailer? It was now nearly 7:00 p.m. and we had to sadly decline since we had to return to Toronto to get ready for our early morning flight to P.E.I. the next morning. What we expected to be a marvellous fifteen to twenty-minute visit on the set as onlookers, turned out to be a five and one-half hour dream come true.

After saying goodbye to everyone and thanking all for the super-nice hospitality we had received all afternoon, we left for our automobile parked at the entrance. As soon as I got into the car, I immediately burst into the biggest tears of joy that I have ever experienced - and also noticed tears from my husband and daughter - we were all in dreamland. We just could not believe what had happened to us.

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