On a blistery winter Wednesday evening, fans of the Hallmark’s Channel original show, “The Way Home”, gathered in the city that never sleeps. Hushed conversations filled the crisp air as fans eagerly waited to pass through the doors of 92NY and into the proverbial, time-traveling pond.

What better way to jump into the pond then with a Landry or two, or three, and an Augustine to boot? Fans, like yours truly, made their way to New York City for a night with the cast of Hallmark’s – The Way Home – at the famous 92NY studios. Granted, said event wasn’t that well-advertised – as fellow ponderers (the moniker that fans of this show collectively go by) – only discovered this event via the casts’ individual Instagram accounts.

  Last year, a similar event took place at the same venue. It was free of charge and in a much larger room. Think akin to attending a Comic-Con panel. This year, fans had a more intimate meeting with the cast. The hour-long event took place in 92NY’s recently remodeled Arnhold Studio. 

Officially titled Hallmark’s The Way Home: Clips and Conversation with Andie MacDowell, Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams, and Sadie Laflamme-Snow – fans of the show spent a little over an hour with this amazingly brilliant cast, talking all things frog, err, pond related. Sprinkled throughout the panel were a few select clips from the show, which, we learned should have come with a disclaimer. Said disclaimer needed was that those clips will absolutely make one cry. 

Some of the highlights of last Wednesday’s event were that of getting to see the cast being just as raw and vulnerable as they are when on set. You could easily discern, if not beforehand, just how dedicated and impassioned each of the performers are. They genuinely care about and enjoy being a part of The Way Home.

Another enjoyable moment – well, the entire evening was rather enjoyable, (except when the moderator asked one of the guests a question that went over about as well as nails on a chalk board) occurred when a particular question was asked of the cast. Said question was – who they themselves would choose, romantically, for their respective character. The response from one Chyler Leigh (Kat Landry) sent the audience, including yours truly, erupting with absolute merriment.

Quite possibly the most memorable moment from that evening was an impromptu performance by the lovely Ms. Sadie Laflamme-Snow and Mr. Evan Williams – at the behest of Ms. Andie MacDowell, and Ms. Chyler Leigh – after the those two “lost” during a wrap-up trivia game. At first, song ideas were flying back and forth across stage, until it was decided upon that the song should be one of “Colton’s”. 

  After said impromptu performance, the studio erupted with applause whilst Ms. Leigh further praised her on-screen daughter – after a moment of uncertainty on the younger woman’s behalf. It was truly a privilege getting to witness such a heartwarming moment between them. 

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Following the conclusion of the hour long event; fans once more layered up. Next stop, outside the venue doors to *hopefully* meet the cast in person. And that, as one is already aware, did in fact, happen. Fellow pond jumpers and I got the chance to rub shoulders with the down-to-Earth cast members of The Way Home. Evan, Sadie, and Chyler – all took time to meet with fans one by one. From taking photos/selfies, signing autographs, even recording a video for one fan, that couldn’t make it there in person.

Talk about having a truly Hallmark moment. 

Here’s to manifesting a fourth season of The Way Home – and, should the stars align, an encore at 92NY.