Keeping Up With Kathy - Autumn 2025

$$CAMPAIGN_SUBJECT$$

In Loving Memory: David Scott Travis. Beloved Husband, Father, and Friend. 1946-2025

THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my dear, sweet husband David Travis, who passed away from cancer early in the morning of August 30, 2025.

The words to Bette Midler’s 1988 hit Wind Beneath My Wings from her film Beaches comes to mind when I think of David. David was a very private, hard-working man, and he had the strongest work ethic of anyone I have ever met. EVER.

When we married more nearly 5 decades ago, I worried if he could really be happy with a very public person like myself – just as he worked tirelessly as a very successful sales executive, I put the same effort into my work on stage, in film, in commercials and voice-over work, and I was often in the spotlight.

It is true what they say about opposites attracting one another. David never complained, even at those times when I would travel extensively for various projects. We welcomed our son Reid into our lives, and you’ve never known a more dedicated husband or proud father.

To Reid and me, David was the real celebrity in our family. And Bette Midler’s words never rang more true than they do to me now, as I say goodbye to my best friend and the love of my life.

This is for you, David.

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that's your way
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
And everything I would like to be

I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart
I want you to know, I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

- Excerpt from Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings

FALL HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN EXCITING TIME FOR ME!

Anyone who knows me knows I always get excited when Labor Day arrives and, for me, it is the beginning of Fall! The calendar may say it is still Summer until September 23, but that first Tuesday in September after Labor Day was the true start of the new season.

Perhaps it is an indictment on life when I grew up and began working in television. Back in those days, school always started on the day after Labor Day (and it would end on the Friday before Memorial Day). Back to School meant new clothes, new friends, new teachers, new subjects in school in a new grade… on the outside kids would moan about going to school, but down deep we were really excited about tackling new things! It is also the time of the play-offs and the World Series, college and professional football, tailgate parties, fall dances, the first cold night, the fresh crisp air after the first frost.

And many of us remember the impact had on television! The arrival of September brought the new Fall Season to the three major television networks (that’s right, there were only 3 until the late 1980s!). Each network rolled out their “upfront” previews to advertisers in May, followed by a Summer of previews for the upcoming New Fall Season! Each network had a unique look and sound in its commercials, and it really was exciting.

For me, my life became even more exciting when Family Affair made its debut in September 1966. That new season was the most exciting of all – in addition to the explosion of bright colors of red, yellow and orange on the trees, and the brilliant orange and bold colors of Halloween and Thanksgiving coming up, Fall 1966 brought full color to the 3 networks. Most shows had been black and white until that Fall, and Family Affair proudly joined the line-up as one of the few shows that actually began its entire 5 season run in living color!

Fall may herald the end of warm weather, shorter days and longer nights, but if you think about it, Fall is really when everything comes back to life!

What are some of your favorite things about Fall? Why? Message me on Facebook and let me know what you think!

THIS FALL – KATHY’S NEWEST MOVIE DEBUTS SEPTEMBER 2nd!

Kathy is very proud of her latest movie, Christmas Romance at the Roanoke Ranch, which premiered on Tuesday, September 2, on several streaming platforms, including: Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Fandango at Home and YouTube. Readers of Keeping Up with Kathy have been reading about this film from its inception almost 2 years ago, and the result of the hard work of Kathy and the entire cast is a satisfying, feel-good movie that leaves a lasting impression after you see it.

Kathy is credited with the original story idea behind the script for Christmas Romance at the Roanoke Ranch, and while the film is definitely a holiday film, its message is universal for any time of year, Kathy stars as Anne Devon, the fictional proprietor of the real-life Roanoke Ranch, located in Lowell, Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Recently widowed, Anne and her late husband operated the ranch for nearly 40 years as a place to help troubled and disabled youth overcome their lives’ obstacles working with their hands maintaining the ranch and its animals.

Also starring in the movie is Kristen Ryda as broadcast journalist Megan Williams, who comes across the Roanoke Ranch when looking for a human interest piece for the holidays. She learns that Anne is facing losing the ranch due to financial pressures and decides to help save the ranch in time for Christmas by reporting on it to her national audience. The romance in the story develops when Megan teams up with Anne’s cowboy/attorney Brad Bennett (James Dickey) to prevent a predatory real estate company from buying the ranch in order to destroy it.

It looks like Megan’s plan to save the ranch will come true until a last-minute breaking news story threatens to delay its broadcast until after the holidays, and she and Brad scramble to save the ranch when all hope is lost on Christmas Eve.

The actual Roanoke Ranch for Kids is a faith-based, non-profit organization, and it works to help at-risk youth gain confidence and self-esteem through working with horses. “We build foundational building blocks that each child will be able to carry for the rest of their lives,” says Aaron Decker, the founder of the actual ranch. “We reach out by restoring hope and renewing hearts through the power of the horse.”

Christmas Romance at the Roanoke Ranch (see the trailer here) debuted on Tuesday, September 2, and it is streaming online at Amazon Prime and Apple TV and Vudu. Availability will expand to other platforms in November.

THE GREAT PICKLE MYSTERY

Filming is almost complete on The Thing About Pickles, starring Kathy Garver, directed by Shannon Brown, and co-starring Shannon’s wife Suzette Brown and character actress Dee Wallace. This heartfelt drama explores how a family reacts and adjusts to the news that their father has been diagnosed with Lewy Dementia.

The film is set in rural Indiana, and the Hollywood trade magazines are excited about this new family drama/mystery movie as it is completed in post-production. Kathy describes the movie as “a drama that explores family dynamics, mystery and heartfelt stories.” She also says that she is enjoying the opportunity to film her projects on location in many states in the East, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Georgia, Florida and others. “The current wave of projects being produced outside of Hollywood lets me meet fans I normally wouldn’t get a chance to meet!”

Kathy says The Thing About Pickles it is an “engaging drama” that can be likened to Steel Magnolias meets The Whales of August.

KATHY’S NEW MOVIE GUS IS NOT FOR DUMMIES!

Kathy’s much-anticipated new fantasy comedy-drama Gus will begin shooting this October in Los Angeles. The Angus Benefield-written theatrical release tells the story of what happens when a down-on-his-luck ventriloquist acquires a dummy that is alive! While at first it seems all his dreams are about to come true, his jealous rival ventriloquist has other ideas!

Gus is directed by Ellory Elkayem, and it also stars Rex Lee and Jeremy Warner.

KATHY’S UPCOMING FILM PROJECTS IN 2026

Where the Sweetgrass Grows is a new project directed by Cecile Cinco and written by Tommy Anderson, Cecile Cinco and Lori Roberts. Kathy stars with Allison Victoria-Wolfe and Sonny King, and the story is that of a psychic journalist who finds themselves in an eerie mystery when the spirits of long-lost, missing girls suddenly start reaching out decades after they were declared dead. The buried secrets in a Southern town becomes a race against time to solve the mystery before someone else disappears. Filming starts after the holidays in the Carolinas.

Kathy stars as cranky retired Australian teacher Mrs. Snow in Pollyanna’s Wish, a new retelling of the classic series of Pollyanna books written by Eleanor H. Porter. Shooting begins in the Spring on location in Australia, and just wait until you hear Kathy’s Australian accent!
Kathy is excited about her starring role in Adam Rivera’s A Mother’s Christmas, now in pre-production. Kathy will travel to Deltona, Florida, to assume her role as Abigail, who wonders if she will spend Christmas alone, or will her wish of having her whole family together for Christmas come true?

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS…

… it’s never too early to start planning and shopping! Kathy’s darling collection of Mrs. Beasley ornaments and dolls sold out last year by Thanksgiving, and sales are already taking off now for Christmas 2025. Visit Kathy’s website now and avoid missing out on these Christmas favorites.

OTHER PROJECTS COMING SOON

Kathy’s newest book of uplifting, inspiring love stories, written with co-author Professor Doug Hartline, Romancing with the Stars, is due to be published any time now. The book will be available for pre-sale on Kathy’s website as soon as a publishing date is confirmed.

ELVIS, ROCKY & ME AUDIO BOOK - WILL IT ALSO BE AN AWARD WINNER?

Kathy’s narration of the audio version of Academy-Award nominee Carol Connors memoir Rocky, Elvis and Me is itself being considered for a number of awards, including the SOVA, Audie and Grammy awards. Kathy has long been a favorite voice artist – get your copy of the audio book now and see if you agree with the buzz!

Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN – THE SILVER SPUR AWARDS!

Reel Cowboys: Actors & Western Heritage Association. The Silver Spur Awards.

SAVE THE DATE for Friday, November 14, 2025 and the 24th Annual Silver Spur Awards at the fabulous Airtel Plaza Hotel near the Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley. Come join Kathy and meet your favorite TV and film stars at one of the most anticipated events of the year. Tickets are tax deductible, and the net proceeds of this year’s show will benefit the Gary Sinise Foundation and our disabled veterans.

Scott Mantz will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to the beautiful BarBara Luna, a Star Trek fan favorite from the classic episode “Mirror, Mirror.” Seating is limited, and tickets can only be purchased by phone at (818) 510-6629. The last day to order is November 5, but don’t wait until the last minute as this event always sells out!

WITH ROMANCING WITH THE STARS COMING SOON, DON’T FORGET KATHY’S OTHER BOOKS…

I can’t think of anything more fun that curling up with a good book on a lazy summer afternoon! We still have a hammock in our backyard at my house, and I treasure those carefree mid-summer afternoons when there is a hint of a cool ocean breeze blowing through the canyon and gently rocking me as I lay in the hammock with a good book and a refreshing Hard Lemonade over ice in a frosty glass! Pictured here are my best-selling books, and I you can find them on sale now at www.kathygarver.com through sundown on July 4th.