✧ ⸻ is that MICHELLE PFIEFFER? no? that’s ELEANOR CALLOWAY? are you sure? she/her has been here for 35 YEARS, and they now live in THE HIGHLANDS. no wonder i missed them! it seems that they are also SIXTY SEVEN and that they work as PART TIME RECEPTIONIST at THE WEEKLY PIONEER. are you telling me that they are NURTURING and STEADFAST, but also NOSEY and A GOSSIP? i guess it makes sense they would remind people of A PITCHER OF SWEET TEA BREWING AT ALL TIMES, ROCKING CHAIRS WITH A BLANKET ON THE BACK ON THE FRONT PORCH, WORDSEARCH BOOKS IN EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE, A CLOSET FULL OF SWEATERS, EXTRA FABRIC SHOVED IN A CABINET. now i can’t wait to meet them ! ( written and loved by katelyn )
FULL NAME : Eleanor Georgette Calloway ALIAS : Nel/Nellie, Elle, Nora (by her late husband only) AGE : 67 DATE OF BIRTH : April 29th, 1958 HOMETOWN : Austin, Texas RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Widowed TIME IN DEER VALLEY : Since October 1990 RESIDENCE : The Highlands FACECLAIM : Michelle Pfieffer
EDUCATION : Associate's Degree in Journalism OCCUPATION : Part Time Receptionist at The Weekly Pioneer GENDER : Cis-Female PRONOUNS : She/her SEXUALITY : Straight. HAIR COLOUR : Blonde EYE COLOUR : Blue HEIGHT : 5'7" ACCENT : American. LANGUAGES : English TATTOOS : None SCENT: Warm vanilla with a hint of fresh baked bread and lavender from her garden. ZODIAC : Taurus LOVE LANGUAGE : Acts of service and quality time CLOTHING: Cozy cardigans, soft scarves, jeans
CONDITIONS : Mild asthma from smoke inhalation after the house fire; some lingering joint aches from years of farm work. ALLERGIES : Seasonal allergies (pollen), mild reaction to cat dander EATING HABITS : Prefers home-cooked meals; loves sweets and baked goods - small portion eater/big snacker EXERCISE HABITS : Daily walks around town or along nearby trails SLEEPING HABITS : Goes to bed early, wakes up with the sun ADDICTIONS : None DRUG USE : None ALCOHOL USE : None
POSITIVE TRAITS : Warm, nurturing, loyal, hardworking, observant, patient NEGATIVE TRAITS : cautious, stubborn, slightly controlling, worrier, nitpicky PHOBIAS : Fire FEARS : Outliving everyone she loves HOBBIES : Knitting, baking, gardening, storytelling, reading, writing letters, nature walks HABITS : Knitting while sipping sweet tea, leaving baked goods for neighbors, checking outlets and cords, humming folk tunes while cooking USUAL DEMEANOUR: Calm, gentle, welcoming, quietly wise; she has a soft, comforting presence but can become firm when she thinks someone is at risk
FATHER : Harrison Bridges MOTHER : Teresa Bridges SIBLINGS : 2 older brothers, 1 younger sister, 5 young brothers RELATIONSHIPS: -- CHILDREN : Lindy Louella Calloway (d. 2021) PETS : A golden retriever named Jameson (12 years old)
Eleanor almost never wears dresses anymore. She prefers comfortable, practical clothes—jeans, cardigans, and cozy sweaters—something she’s carried over from growing up as the only girl among so many brothers.
She keeps a small notebook filled with birthdays, town events, and story ideas for the newspaper. She likes knowing what’s happening in everyone’s lives, even if it’s just who brought cookies to the farmers’ market that week.
Most afternoons, you can find her on the front porch knitting while sipping sweet tea. She often leaves scarves, mittens, or hats for the neighborhood kids she knows will need them as the weather turns.
Eleanor has become very cautious around fire. She rarely uses fireplaces or candles anymore, and she double-checks outlets and cords as a habit she can’t shake.
She still tells little stories to animals, just like she did as a child. Cats, dogs, and even the occasional horse at the stables get her full attention when she starts weaving a tale.
Baking is one of her favorite ways to show care. She’s always leaving pies, cookies, or fresh bread on neighbors’ doorsteps, insisting it’s “just a little something to make your day better.”
Eleanor loves watching the town’s children grow up. She usually knows their names before their parents even introduce them and has a kind word or a story ready for each one.
In her living room, she keeps photographs and little mementos of Nicolas and Lindy. Sometimes she’ll quietly talk to them or trace a finger over a photo when she’s feeling nostalgic.
She enjoys crosswords and puzzles, especially the ones in the newspaper. Eleanor has a quiet competitive streak and likes proving that she’s still sharp.
If someone in town is having a hard time, Eleanor is the person they’ll end up talking to. She’s the unofficial therapist of Deer Valley, offering advice over a cup of tea and a gentle smile.
She has a lovely singing voice, though she rarely performs for anyone. Often, she hums old Texas folk songs while cooking or knitting, letting the melodies drift through the house.
Stray animals have a special place in her heart. She can’t help sneaking a stray cat or dog into her home when she finds one wandering around town.
Eleanor loves old-fashioned stationery. She’ll write letters to faraway friends or relatives, filling them with doodles, sketches, and little stories from her day.
She enjoys taking long walks through town and along the nearby trails. It’s a chance to reflect on the past, enjoy the seasons, and see how the town continues to grow and change.
Even though she carries a lot of grief, Eleanor is fiercely protective of the town’s children. She’s not afraid to scold or warn both kids and adults if she thinks they’re in danger—but it’s always out of love, never anger.
Ages 0–14 – Childhood in Austin, Texas
Born to Harrison & Teresa Bridges as the third of nine children (6 boys, 2 girls including her; she's third in line)
Father worked on a farm; mother sewed and sold clothing that the kids had grown out of (Nellie was a tomboy so she often got her brothers hand me downs and only got dresses on special occasions, or when her sister was born)
Grew up helping on the farm, loving animals, and telling stories to the animals, unlocking her 'journalism' era)
Struggled in school due to an undiagnosed learning disability, (later unofficially diagnosed as dyslexia) but was hardworking and determined
Ages 12–14 – Meeting Nicolas & Falling in Love
Met Nicolas on the farm her father worked at; they developed a close childhood friendship that became young love
Married at 14 & 15 with parents’ consent; worked together on farm while finishing school
Ages 15–25 – Young Married Life & Building Their Life
Ran the farm with Nicolas and her father
Decided to start trying to expand their family at 19, but were unsuccessful.
At 21 after years of trying discovered they were infertile, focused on building life and partnership
Went to a college in Texas and gained a journalism associate's degree.
Ages 25–28 – Move to Deer Valley
Relocated when Nicolas got a job at Hartley Farm with his high school best friend (potential owner of the farm)
Eleanor started working at The Weekly Pioneer using her journalism degree
Began as receptionist, eventually unofficially proofreading and assisting with stories
Became integrated into the Deer Valley community
Ages 28–30 – Adoption of Lindy Louella Calloway
Adopted Lindy from a young farmhand who needed to give her up (28)
Eleanor became nurturing mother figure; Nicolas a steady, guiding father
Lindy thrived, showing warmth, curiosity, and a strong will
Ages 35 & 36 – House Fire
Late-night fire caused by faulty electrical wiring destroyed their home (35)
Nicolas rescued Lindy; Eleanor safe outside
Nicolas suffered burns and smoke inhalation, leaving lasting health issues
Eleanor became cautious with fire and electricity; Lindy mostly unharmed with a small leg scar from a burnt piece of wood landing on her.
Ages 50–63 – Later Life and Loss
Nicolas’s health declined from fire-related injuries; passed away at age 59 from a massive heart attack (58)
It was just her and Lindy, carrying on Nicolas' legacy.
Lindy got sick, diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and Eleanor held her, doing everything she could to be there to support her daughter. (61)
After two years of struggling, Lindy passed away at the age of 35. (63)
Eleanor grieved deeply, further cementing her town grandma persona
Age 68 – Present Day
Works at The Weekly Pioneer as receptionist + honorary proofreader
Warm, approachable, deeply trusted in Deer Valley
Known as the town grandma, watching over children and keeping town history alive
Enjoys knitting, sipping sweet tea, baking, and storytelling
