The eBullet

The eBullet: Volume 12, Issue 2 March/April 2012

floyd — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:07:53 +0000

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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 12, Issue 2
March/April 2012
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"Welcome Sweet Springtime, we greet thee in song!"

Welcome to our second issue for 2012! A lot has already been happening around Mayberry this year, and even more is on the way.

Hey, wait a second--what kinda Floyd are you tryin' to put past us? Oh, April Fool's! (Ha-ha. Real funny. You oughta put a flower in your lapel and squirt water. That'd be funny, too!)

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org/ or call (336) 786-1604. (And here’s a link to a recent story in the Charlotte Observer about the museum.)

Here are some upcoming events in Mayberry that folks have thumbtacked to Floyd’s bulletin board:

*Mar. 31: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 7 p.m. (opening acts start at 6 p.m.) at Kosicuisko Junior High Auditorium in Koscuisko, Miss. Advance tickets are $12; $15 at the door. (Kids 10 and under get in free.) For more info, call 662-289-2981.

* Mar. 31: David Browning performs at the YMCA Annual Meeting Show in Bristol, Tenn. (Hope he can get a corner room!)

* Apr. 13-15: Julie Adams is a scream at Monsterpalooza in Burbank, Calif. For more info, visit www.monsterpalooza.com.

Missouri Boatride (featuring Dean Webb, far left)

* Apr. 14: Dillards/Darlings mandolinist Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band perform at 7 p.m. the Star Theater in Willow Springs, Mo.

* Apr. 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the second of two special appearances this spring at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy. The “Fun Girls” episode will be shown today and will be followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. The lecture takes place in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. Neal’s lectures are always fun, girls and boys!

* Apr. 20: Betty Lynn will greet fans at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10) and would love to visit with you! For more info, visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org.

* Apr. 20 and 21: Second Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster in Westminster, S.C. Maggie Peterson, LeRoy McNees, and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band are confirmed guests. David Browning and assorted Mayberry tribute artists will also be on hand. For info, visit www.jneg.org/mctw/mctw/Welcome.html.

Ronnie Schell

* May 3 and 4: Ronnie Schell (two episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) headlines the Eagles’ Wings Fundraiser in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

There’s a golf tourney on Thursday the 3rd at the Indian Hills Country Club. The Silent Auction and Banquet (including The Ronnie Schell Show) are on Fri. the 4th at the Bryant Conference Center. (Doors open for the Auction preview at 5 p.m.) Reserved tables and individual tickets will be available soon; prices and Banquet time TBA. Mayberry Tribute Artists David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Tim “Goober” Pettigrew, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Bob “Briscoe” Mundy, and Eric “Mayor Pike” Lowry will also entertain. For more info, visit http//:eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.

* May 9 16: (This date was incorrectly reported as May 9. The date should be May 16th and David will not be at this years Expo.) ~~David Browning has fun in store for the Small Business Expo in Sanford, N.C. (He’s no dummy!)~~

* May 12: Using their ’41 Chevy flatbed truck as Darlings-style stage, Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride kick off the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. The music is free, but bring your own lawn chair.

* May 12: David Browning gives the crowd pause at the Kentucky Black Bear Festival in Cumberland, Ky.

* May 19 and 20: Darlings boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride bluegrass band perform at the Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo.

* May 26: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. Listening is free, but bring something (or somebody) to sit (or lean) on.

* June 1 and 2: 25th Annual Mule Days in Gordo, Ala. (near Tuscaloosa). Mayberry Tribute Artists David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, and Kenneth “Otis” Junkin will be among the entertainers. And “wellllllll doggies”…the headline guest star this year is Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies.) More details TBA.

* June 2: James Best greets fans and shows his artwork at the Greg’s Core Supply event in Felts Park in Galax, Va.

* June 9 and 23: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free but bring something to sit on (or else have some Miracle Salve handy for the next day).

"Speed, speed, speed!"

* June 30: 12th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals at Oak Mountain State Park, in Pelham, Ala. (just south of Birmingham). Note: This is a new location. Check back for more details and guest stars.

* July 7: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. The music is free, but bring your own lawn chair.

* July 11-14: Julie Adams appears at the Western Film Fair in Winston-Salem, N.C. (Nancy Stafford of “Matlock” is also among the stars with an Andy Griffith connection attending.) For more info, visit http://westernfilmfair.tripod.com.

* July 21 and Aug. 4: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. Got time to breathe, got time to music.

* Aug. 11 and 12: James Best appears at the Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville, Va. For tickets and info visit http://www.cootersplace.com/hazzard-homecoming/.

* Aug. 18: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride–Ditto the details for Aug. 4.

* Aug. 24 and 25: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Kenneth ”Otis” Junkin and Jeff “Howard” Branch) for a Cruise-In on Fri. and then concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program on Sat. The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Details TBA. For more info, visit www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

* Sept. 1 and 15: “Surprise, surprise, I can see it in your eyes.” Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series Kimberling City Shopping Mall, outside of Hillbilly Bowl, from 7 to 9 p.m. The music is still free, but bring your chair, blanket, cushion, bench, or tree stump to sit on.

* Sept. 25-27: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville). This event is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the beloved TV classic. It includes fun-filled Bible study based on some of favorite episodes, inspiring preaching and worship, and bluegrass music. More info at www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

* Sept. 27-30: 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Stars confirmed so far are Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Doug Dillard (Darling banjo player), James Best (Jim Lindsey), LeRoy McNees (of the Country Boys), and Karen Knotts (daughter of Don Knotts). Further details and more stars TBA. Tickets are now available to order for several parts of the festival, including popular shows by Doug, James and Karen. (And it’s already not at all too early to book a hotel room.) For tickets and updates, visit www.mayberrydays.org. It’s big!!!

* Sept. 29: James Best zooms from Mount Airy to be at an event with Henderson Auctions on Hwy. 190 West of Livingston, La., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (If you can’t find it, the gators might find you.)

* Oct. 1: James Best is featured at an All-Star Concert at the Marriott Baton Rouge Hotel in Baton Rouge, La., with country stars Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence. Sonny Shroyer from “The Dukes of Hazzard” will also appear.

* Oct. 3: 52nd Anniversary of the airing of the first episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” on CBS. Just think on this here day in 1960…Shazam!

* Oct. 6: A Mayberry Afternoon in Salisbury, N.C., featuring Mayberry music and Mayberry tribute artists, including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Tim “Goober” Pettigrew, and Phil “Ernest T.” Fox. Details TBA.

* Oct. 12-14: Darlings boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band perform at the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival in Cape Fair, Mo.

* Oct. 29-Nov. 3: Halloween Cruise to Mayberry 7. Five Days aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Destiny, leaving from Miami with ports of call in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk, plus a fun day at sea. Seven Mayberry tribute artists, an Elvis tribute artist and those talented and crazy VW Boys are among the entertainment provided exclusive to Mayberry Cruise participants. For more info, visit the All About Cruises website at www.allaboutcruisesnc.net/

News of Cast & Crew

Andy Griffith is happy to see spring blooming out around his coastal home in his beloved North Carolina.

Here’s a link to a March 23 TV news interview/story with Karen Knotts talking about her stage show, which she performed as a fundraiser that night in Morgantown, W.V., hometown of her father, Don Knotts: Karen Knotts–Tied Up in Knotts.

Ron Howard is now in England filming Rush, his film about 1970s Formula 1 rivals Niki Lauda and James Hunt. It’s expected for release in 2013.

Ron Howard on the set of Rush.

This is a photo of Ron and wife Cheryl that he Tweeted from a roller derby match while filming Rush this month. You can follow Ron on Twitter @RealRonHoward.

Things are also reportedly looking promising for a deal with Warner Bros. for Ron’s dream project of producing and directing film and TV adaptations of Stephen King’s The Dark Towers. And plans by Ron’s Imagine Entertainment for bringing an Arrested Development feature film to Netflix and maybe theaters are also progressing well. Imagine is also developing an adaption or George Orwell’s 1984.

George Lindsey and Ernest Borgnine (center) are surrounded by dignitaries during the dedication ceremony.

George Lindsey was on hand in March for the ribbon-cutting for the gorgeous new George Lindsey Theatre and Ernest Borgnine Performance Hall during the 15th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival at the University of North Alabama (George’s alma mater), in Florence, Ala.

The George Lindsey Theatre.

George was back in the news back home in Nashville later in the month–this time for being a bit under the weather, but he is doing better now. You know he’s feeling better when, instead of saying “hey,” he greets you with the chorus from his favorite song by country star Joe Diffie: “If the devil danced in empty pockets, he’d have a ball in mine.”

Betty Lynn was the blue belle of the annual Arts Ball, a fundraiser for the Surry Arts Council in Mount Airy in early March. Pictured with Betty are Laney Johnson (left), Mike Creed and Sue Brownfield. Photo by Hobart Jones.

James Best will be in Romania in May to film a movie for Hallmark. It’s being produced by his daughter Janeen and her husband, Michael Damian.

James Best and Patty (Mrs. David) Browning look over some Killer art on location for Return of the Killer Shrews.

Meanwhile, look for James in Return of the Killer Shrews in theaters this summer. You can scream, but you can’t hide! Cringe for more info soon.

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform during a March tapng of an episode of "Song of the Mountains," which is scheduled to air on PBS stations nationwide in 2013. Photo by Tim White.

Here’s a link to a story and video of actress Peggy McCay rapping at an animal rescue fundraiser in Nashville in early March. Peggy (Andy’s high school sweetheart Sharon DeSpain in the “Class Reunion” episode) does a rap about Caroline Brady (her “Days of Our Lives” character for the last three decades). Ernest T. Bass ain’t got nuthin’ on the rhymin’ of this lady who left Mayberry to be a “big fish in a big pond.”

In our last issue, we speculated that Bernard Fox might be the first featured TAGS actor to have been in a 3D movie (the new version of Titanic coming to theaters in April). As Jim Longworth of our Miracle Salve chapter (Winston-Salem, N.C.) promptly pointed out, Julie Adams in fact has that distinction She starred in Creature of the Black Lagoon, which was released in 3D in 1954. (And she was even mentioned in the very next “News of Cast & Crew” item after Bernard’s in that issue!)

**** Chapter Update ****

We’re pleased to welcome two new chapters since the previous eBullet:

The Mayberry Posse Avondale/Goodyear, Ariz.

The Huckleberry Smash Club Valley City, N.D.

We now have had 1,389 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started nearly 33 years ago. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

Once you successfully choose a name that’s all yours and nobody else’s, you’ll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed (and “suitable for framing” by Sherry Hyatt, one of our Compelsion Nuts chapter in East Tennessee.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

Or you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)

Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

Mayberry on the Web

New iMayberry Community
We’re really excited to announce the launch this year of a wonderful Web activity hosted by TAGSRWC and organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome. It’s called iMayberry Community. You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/.

Here’s what Allan says about it:

“Mayberry related websites, forums, podcasts, mailing lists, newsletters and more have been on the Internet for more than 20 years. I’m always amazed when folks say they never knew all this stuff about The Andy Griffith Show existed. Some knew of a few Mayberry things but didn’t realize the volume of material that is on the Web.

The iMayberry Community‘s goal is to help fans of The Andy Griffith Show connect with one another and to share their knowledge and love of Mayberry.

“We’re just beginning this community, but with your help we should see our Mayberry friendships grow and develop relationships that are stronger.

“Community, friends, relationships, family–those are the things that we love about Mayberry and those are the things we want to nurture here.”

The hope is that the iMayberry Community will complement our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook page, online newsletters (such as The eBullet!), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms. Combined with TAGSRWC chapters and the various Mayberry events for all fans (from Mayberry Days to ocean cruises), not to mention enjoying the sites of Mount Airy year-round, the world of Mayberry fun keeps expanding.

And best of all, it’s all rooted in watching the show itself. Whether through DVDs, local stations or TV Land, loving to watch the show continues to be the energy that feeds all the other Mayberry fun and activities that we enjoy. What a wonderful thing Andy Griffith and his talented team of actors, musicians, writers and crew people created 52 years ago–for us and generations to come!

Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS has news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by our Allan Newsome. There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you’ve missed. (There have been about 180 episodes since 2008!)

There’s a lot of info and discussions that you simply won’t find anywhere else, including rare interviews (vintage and new) with cast and crew members of TAGS. If you’ve got sound on your computer or have an iPod or similar device, you can easily tune in or download these podcasts.

Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast, also hosted by Allan.

And there’a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. It’s hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a great job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It’s called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has almost 9,000 friends! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!

**** Chapter News ****

CLASS REUNION--Peggy McCay was all class and graciousness, even as she was surrounded by a delighted pack of Goobers at a March fundraiser in Nashville. Photo by Marsha Farley.

Carloads of TAGSRWC members from Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) and members from Nashville (Andy chapter) and as far away as Springfield, Ohio, came to a fundraiser in Nashville for Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue starring Peggy McCay.

There was also some sad news from Mayberry chapter, whose patriarch member John Hitch passed away in early March at age 77. Here’s a nice tribute in the Knoville News story about John, an East Tennessee radio legend and huge TAGS fans. This story has some wonderful photos of John and the Mayberry buildings he built on his property.

“Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) did what they do best at the Tuscaloosa Exchange Club Chili Cook-Off in February: FOOD! They manned the Eagles’ Wings booth and served up Barney’s Hot Plate Chili with all kinds of Mayberry decor. L-R: Deloris “Barney” Cummings, Sandra “Andy” Pike, Gloria “Mrs. Mendelbright” Kennedy and, all keyed up, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin.

Members of Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) held their March meeting in Mount Airy. The occasion (other than getting a pork chop sandwich at the Snappy Lunch and dropping by to visit with Russell Hiatt next door at Floyd’s) was to attend a lecture by chapter member Neal Brower at the Andy Griffith Museum. All reports are that Neal’s lecture was outstanding, as always.

Some of the members of "Shakedown! Shakedown" and guests at their meeting in February.

Shakedown! Shakedown! chapter (Laurinburg, N.C.) held their winter get-together in February. They say, “It consisted of a covered dish meal, trivia, watching episodes and, of course, good old chit-chat, southern style…slow and easy. We had several new people attend.” Jeff “Howard Sprague” Branch and a favorite friend also dropped by the meeting from out of town.

Folks gather around for the trivia contest at the "Syrup and Biscuits" chapter event.

“Syrup and Biscuits”a new chapter this year based in Headland, Ala., held a very successful “Evening in Mayberry” event in their temporary base of Newnan, Ga. Exactly 201 folks attended the chapter event (Ernest T. counted). They had home cooking, local Mayberry tribute artists, memorabilia displays, a jail cell for photo ops, reruns and a trivia game. Best of all–the event was fundraiser the First Baptist Church’s Senior Choir Tour. All ‘n’ all, it was a mighty fine kick-off for the new chapter!

Editor’s Note: We encourage any readers with chapter or event news and photos that they want to share with eBullet readers to e-mail reports and photos to Goober@iMayberry.com.

Merchandise Update

Along with restocking our shelves with most of our usual items, we have added several brand new items, and also have new offerings of some rare vintage merchandise and memorabilia.

Here are three new officially licensed T-shirts that have come out this spring. These are the newest of more than 30 T-shirt designs you can find online at Weaver’s.

And here’s a sampling of some the vintage (20 years and older) memorabilia and licensed merchandise that we’ve added this month. (We have only one of most of these.)

Left to right are an original campaign poster prop from the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie, an Ernst & Co. ceramic mug from 1990, and a Limited Edition print from the Mayberry Cast Reunion at Opryland in 1991. They’re all in the Collectibles & Special Items section of Weaver’s.

Find these and much more at www.weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver’s button at the top of the page whenever you’re visiting www.imayberry.com.

Post Note

Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board? (aka WBMUTBB) Digest. It’sa free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the Mailing Lists link at tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB also has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.

And TAGSRWC publishes Weaver’s Newsletter in more-or-less alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, the Weaver’s Newsletter is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. To sign up, go to: Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up.

TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our website at www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site www.iMayberry.com). Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for May with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for late April. Till then, happy Mayberry watching!

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet: Volume 12, Issue 1 January/February 2012

tagsrwc — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:23:57 +0000

*********************************************
The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 12, Issue 1
January/February 2012
*********************************************

Happy Valentine’s Day!

We love Mayberry!

Welcome to our first issue for 2012! This year is already shaping up as one full of Mayberry fun (“such goin’s on, such goin’s on”). Here’s some of what’s on tap so far:

"Saaay...looks like a really fun year ahead!"

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s phenomenal collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. You can usually find Emmett himself there on Thursdays (and often other times), and Betty Lynn generally greets fans there during the afternoon of the third Friday each month. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Feb. 9: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at 7 p.m. at the Historic Jonesborough Visitor Center Auditorium in Jonesborough, Tenn. FOr more info, call 866-401-4223 or visit www.jonesboroughbluegrass.com.

Betty Lynn with visitors at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.

* Feb. 17: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) will greet fans at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C. from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10) and would love to visit with you! For more info, visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org.

* Feb. 18: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at 7:00 p.m. at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, N.C.

* Feb. 19; Beverly and Rodney Dillard present their Mayberry Values Ministeries at the First Baptist Church in Morrisville, N.C., at 10:30 a.m.

* Feb. 20: David Browning performs “From Gettysburg to Mayberry” (as Abe Lincoln and the Mayberry Deputy), at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va.

* Feb. 21: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at 7:00 p.m. at the Temple Theater in Sanford, N.C. For more info visit www.templeshows.com.

* Mar. 1-3: 15th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. Actor Michael Rooker (Days of Thunder, Tombstone, etc.) is the first special guest announced. That is, in addition to George Lindsey himself. Highlights of this year’s festival include the dedication of a new Black Box theater on Fri. at 4 p.m. Details TBA. For updates (including at least one more very special guest!), visit http://lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Mar. 3: James Best greets fans at the Jenco Auto Sales and Jones County Cruisers First Annual Benefit Auto/Truck/Motorcycle Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Carol’s Park in Gray, Ga.

* Mar. 10 and 11: Peggy McCay (Andy’s high school girlfriend Sharon DeSpain in “Class Reunion”) greets fans at a fundraiser event at Loews Vanderbilt Plaza in Nashville, Tenn., for Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescues. A fan Meet & Greet will be held Mar. 10 at 11:00 (admission $20), and a special brunch will be held on Mar. 11 (admission $50). Ticket info and other updates available soon at http://proverbs1210.rescuegroups.org.

* Mar. 23: Karen Knotts performs her “Tied Up in Knotts” show at the Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown, W.V., as a fundraiser for the Don Knotts Memorial Park, which will include a statue of her father. Details TBA.

* Mar. 23: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at the South Florida Music Festival in Jupiter, Fla. Visit www.southfloridamusicfest.info for show times and updates.

* Mar. 31: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 7 p.m. at Kosicuisko Junior High Auditorium in Koscuisko, Miss. For more info, call 662-289-2981.

* Apr. 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the second of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this spring. The “Fun Girls” episode will be shown today and will be followed by a lecture and Q&A. Lectures will take place in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. Neal’s lectures are always fun, girls and boys!

* Apr. 20 and 21: Second Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster in Westminster, S.C. Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band are confirmed guests. Other details TBA.

* June 2: James Best greets fans and shows his artwork at the Greg’s Core Supply event in Felts Park in Galax, Va.

* POSTPONED July 14: 12th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals. Check back for updates on the new date and location and guest stars.

* Aug. 24 and 25: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin and Jeff “Howard” Branch) for a Cruise-In on Fri. and then concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program on Sat. The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Details TBA. For more info, visit www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

* Sept. 25-27: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville). This event is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the show. It includes fun-filled Bible study based on some of favorite episodes, inspiring preaching and worship, and bluegrass music. More info at www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

* Sept. 27-30: 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Details TBA. Tickets are already available to order for several parts of the festival. For updates, visit www.mayberrydays.org.

* Oct. 29-Nov. 3: Halloween Cruise to Mayberry 7. Five Days aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Destiny, leaving from Miami with ports of call in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk, plus a fun day at sea. Seven Mayberry tribute artists, an Elvis tribute artist, and the VW Boys are among the entertainment provided exclusive to Mayberry Cruise participants. For more info, visit the All About Cruises website at www.allaboutcruisesnc.net/

News of Cast & Crew

Andy Griffith is wintering well at his coastal Carolina home.

Ron Howard is executive-producing the re-ignition of Arrested Development with new episodes for TV (well, sort of…they’ll be exclusive to Netflix) and possibly a feature film coming to theaters. Ron has also said that he’ll be back as the narrator.

Ron is in pre-production (as producer and director) for the feature film Rush about Formula I racing legend Niki Lauda. And Ron still has plans and hopes for the ambitious and complex project of bringing Stephen King’s Dark Towers to TV and theaters. Meanwhile, he is scheduled to direct the pilot for a new HBO series about Doc Holliday, and he is executive producer for a Sarah Silverman pilot requested by NBC.

And Ron is among the executive producers for TNT’s first reality show, “The Great Escape,” which will begin a 10-episode run this summer.

When You Find Me, a short film based on eight photos Ron selected in a contest called Project Imagin8ion (sponsored by Canon) and directed and co-written by Ron’s oldest daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, has been receiving good reviews.

Ron has been making the rounds at various film festivals and awards shows, including Sundance. He’s also a judge for the Greenwich (Conn.) Youth Film Festival this winter.

Bryce and father Ron promoting their film When You Find Me

And the really big Howard family news is that daughter Bryce had a baby girl on Jan. 19. Her name is Beatrice Jean Howard-Gabel. (Ron’s late mother’s name was Jean. As for Beatrice, we don’t yet know the inspiration for that, but some of us will have to be excused if we presumptively nickname her Bee.)

Stay current on Jim at www.jimnabors.com

Jim Nabors performed at the Fourth annual Na Mele o na Keiki (Music for the Children) Holiday Concert in Honolulu in December. He’s still enjoying the good life and weather of Hawaii.

George Lindsey is getting ready for his 15^th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. (see listing in Floyd’s calendar above and check the festival website for the schedule and exciting updates!). Meanwhile, viewers in the Nashville area were treated to a week of Goober episodes at the end of January and early February when local station WUXP did “Goober Gone Wild” Week. Did George like that? “Yo!”

Maggie Peterson and Betty Lynn headlined a successful Mayberry-themed musical fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care and research in Roanoke,Va., in November.

Dean Webb, Dillards and Darlings mandolin player, is featured in “Sounds of Home—Music from the Ozarks” for Ozarks Public Television. Dean is interviewed and performs some music with his current band, Missouri Boatride. The show has aired a couple of times. Viewers in the Ozarks, check your local listings for future airdates Dean and the band are also performing every other Saturday during the winter season in their home base of Kimberling City, Mo. (They’ll also be doing a summer series.) For complete details, visit www.missouriboatride.com.

James Best is well into the editing process for Return of the Killer Shrews. To stay current on the latest Shrews news (including the movie’s first trailer), visit www.killershrewsmovie.com.

Meanwhile, James was on hand for an art show featuring his work in Mount Dora, Fla, .on Super Bowl weekend. You can find James at www.jamesbest.com.

Bernard Fox says that he’s doing well and sends all his best to his Mayberry friends. He’s largely retired from acting, but never say never. He enjoys doing the occasional autograph show in Burbank near his home.

Bernard Fox as Col. Archibald Gracie in Titanic

And Bernard might be the first featured performer on TAGS to be seen in 3D on the big screen when Titanic is rereleased on Apr. 6 (the 100^th anniversary of Titanic’s launch). (We’re sure we’ll hear from “trained noticers” if there’s another key TAGS performer who has already appeared in 3D on the big screen.)

Julie Adams (Nurse Mary in “The County Nurse,” Episode 56) is getting a good response to her autobiography, The Lucky Southern Star—Reflections From the Black Lagoon, published last fall For more info about the book and Julie’s schedule, check out her website at www.julieadams.biz.

Also on the literary front, Margaret Kerry (“Christmas Story” and “Andy Forecloses” episodes) is progressing well with writing for Tinker Bell Talks—Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life, her autobiography. At last update, she was up to more than 60 chapters!

In Memoriam

Jack Elinson (1922-2011)

It’s with great sadness that we report that writer Jack Elinson, a legend in Mayberry andHollywood, died in Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 17. He was 89. Jack wrote more episodes (34) of “The Andy Griffith Show” than anyone else. Most of his episodes (29) were in the first two seasons and written with long time collaborator Charles Stewart. Helping Mayberry stay on solid footing after the departure of Don Knotts and the dawn of color, Jack returned to write five episodes in the sixth season. Jack’s landmark episodes of TAGS would have been legacy enough for most writers, but Jack had a distinguished career before and after Mayberry.

During the 1950s, Jack wrote extensively for “All-Star Revue,” “The Colgate Comedy Hour,” “The Ed Wynn Show,” “The Jimmy Durante Show,” “Hey, Jeannie!,” “The Johnny Carson Show,” “The Real McCoys” and “The Danny Thomas Show,” among others.

In 1961, Jack and Chuck Stewart received an Emmy nomination for their writing on “Make Room for Daddy.”

Jack and Estelle Elinson at our Weaver's Dept. Store booth at Mayberry Days in 2000.

Jack was nominated for four Writers Guild Awards. He and Chuck Stewart won the award for their writing of the “Manhunt” episode of TAGS. A further hint to Jack’s importance to TAGS is indicated in the mention of just a few of his episodes: “The New Housekeeper,” “Ellie for Council,” “Keeper of the Flame,” “The Manicurist,” “Barney and the Choir” and “Andy on Trial.” Jack’s talent and versatility allowed him to write brilliantly for any Mayberry mood or theme.

Jack was a writer and producer for “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. He also wrote many episodes and was either producer or executive producer for “The Doris Day Show,” “Good Times,” “One Day at a Time” and “The Facts of Life,” “227” and “Wait Till Your Father Gets Home.”

Jack was born in New York City on April 21, 1922, and served in the Army during WWII. After the war he followed his older brother Isidor (Iz) into show business, first writing jokes for Walter Winchell’s newspaper column and then working as one of the top gag writers in radio. (Iz Elinson also co-wrote three TAGS episodes, including one with Jack, “The Foster Lady.”)

Jack was predeceased by his first wife, Katie, and is survived by his four children: Michael (Meryl), David (Barbara), Robbie (Dorothy), and Ethel (David); his second wife, Estelle, her three children: Marcy (Steve), Claudia (Brian) and Valerie (Adam); and 12 grandchildren.

A private memorial service was held in Mission Hills, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made in Jack’s name to OPICA Daycare and/or Skirball Hospice. (TAGSRWC has made a donation on behalf of the fan club as a whole in Jack’s memory to the Barbara and Emmett Forrest Endowment for the Surry Arts Council, sponsor of Mayberry Days inMountAiry, which Jack and Estelle were able to attend in 2000.)

We’re also sad to report the passing on the same day in December of two actors with featured roles in Mayberry.

Dan Frazer, who played movie producer Mr. Harmon in “Mayberry Goes Hollywood” (Episode 13), died of cardiac arrest at his home in Manhattan on Dec. 16. He was 90.

Dan Frazer with Josie Lloyd in "Mayberry Goes Hollywood"

He had a long career of steady work, but he’s probably best known for his role as Capt. Frank McNeil on TV’s “Kojak.” As for us TAGS fans, we’ll always appreciate his character’s keen eye for what was special and worth protecting about Mayberry.

You can read more about Dan Frazer and his life and career here: Dan FrazerNYTimes.

Robert Easton (far left) as Pete Johnson

We’re also sad to have the news that Robert Easton died of natural causes at his home in Toluca Lake, Calif., on Dec. 16. He was 81. Robert played be-eyelashed Pete Johnson in “Irresistible Andy” (Episode 5).

He was known as the dean of dialect coaches in Hollywood and respected throughout the acting profession for his knowledge and expertise. Read more about his remarkable life at: RobertEastonLATimes.

Chapter Update

We’re pleased to welcome six new chapters since our last eBullet:

The Ol’ Steel Traps	Rock Hill, S.C.
Mayberry Hysterical Society–CSI Division	Cameron, Mo.
West Indian Licorice Mocha Delight	Lexington, Tenn
Orville Monroe	Spring Hill, Tenn.
“A Little Tree for a Little Room”	Nashville, Tenn.
Syrup and Biscuits	Heartland, Ala.

We now have had 1,387 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started almost 33 years ago. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

Once you successfully choose a name that’s “all yours and nobody else’s,” you’ll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed (and “suitable for framing”) by Sherry Hyatt, one of our “Compelsion Nuts” chapter in East Tennessee.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

Or you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)

Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

Mayberry on the Web

New iMayberry Community
We’re excited to announce a really great new online feature hosted by TAGSRWC and organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome. It’s called iMayberry Community. You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/

Here’s what Allan says about it:

“Mayberry related websites, forums, podcasts, mailing lists, newsletters and more have been on the Internet for more than 20 years. I’m always amazed when folks say they never knew all this stuff about The Andy Griffith Show existed. Some knew of a few Mayberry things but didn’t realize the volume of material that is on the Web.

The iMayberry Community‘s goal is to help fans of The Andy Griffith Show connect with one another to share their knowledge and love of Mayberry.

“We’re just beginning this community, but with your help we should see our Mayberry friendships grow and develop relationships that are stronger.

“Community, friends, relationships, family–those are the things that we love about Mayberry and those are the things we want to nurture here.”

Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast , also hosted by Allan.

And there’s a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. It’s hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a great job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It’s called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 8,000 friends! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines.And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!

Chapter News

Kit Kat Club chapter (Salem, Ore., and Petaluma, Calif.) gathered over Thanksgiving. They say their feast included two green vegetables and one yellow and was enjoyed by all. “The potatoes were a picture no artist could paint. The turkey twanged our buds.” They go on to say, “A highlight of the long weekend was the Otis Campbell Memorial Wine Tasting Tour of Sonoma County California. The liquid refreshments were tastier than vintage spring water from the courthouse crock.” (That doesn’t sound like “mulberry squeezin’s” to us!)

Members of “Shakedown! Shakedown!” chapter (Laurinburg, N.C.) made the 2 ½ -hour trek to a meeting of Wally’s Fillin’ Station chapter (Wilson, N.C.) in December. They report, “We shared good food and conversation. We prepared trivia questions and provided Mayberry-related prizes for correct answers. Some of the Wally’s members are going to try to attend our chapter’s spring meeting here in Laurinburg.”

“I Think I’ll Find a Cave and Hermitize Myself” (Grand Ledge, Mich.) says that they are living up to their name again this winter. They did venture out for a Christmas party at Mrs. Wiley’s. (They brought green and red rocks, just to be festive for the occasion.)

“Chewin’ Tar Is Good for Your Teeth” (Varysburg, N.Y.) is all keyed up about its first big chapter meeting in a couple of weeks. They’re inviting fellow Goobers from throughout the their upstate New York neck of the woods to come by for a day of reruns, bluegrass music, games, contests and good food. We’ll have a recap in our next issue.

Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) co-founder Blake Clark celebrated his 90th birthday in January and was joined by representatives of Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.) and Sarah chapter (Mooresville, N.C.). He appreciated all the cards and good wishes from fellow Barney chapter members, as well as from bunches of other TAGSRWC members and chapters from far and wide.

Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) has just printed the January issue of its Mayberry Minutes newsletter. It’s a whopping 16 pages with full color throughout. As Ernest T. might say, “Slickety, ain’t it!” There’s not only chapter news, but all kinds of tidbidts about general Mayberry events, cast news (similar to what you’ll read here) and who knows what all. Find out more about the group’s activities or join their fun at www.mayberrychapter.com.

And we have some very sad news from Mount Airy. Griggs Hampton (affectionately known simply as “Griggs” to most folks around Mount Airy) died on Dec. 21. He had been convalescing from surgery earlier in the year.

Griggs in the 2009 Mayberry Days parade with Donna Hiatt Brinegar and Mayberry trivia maven Pat Bullins. Photo by Hobart Jones.

Griggs was a fixture on the streets of Mount Airy and was ever ready with a smile and a nod in much the way that Mr. Schwamp seems ever present in Mayberry. His friendliness and generosity were instant with everyone he met. He was widely known as one of Mount Airy’s most enthusiastic and successful fundraisers for charity. (TAGSRWC has made a donation in memory of Griggs on behalf of our organization as a whole to the Surry Arts Council in Mount Airy.) Read more about Griggs, his good works and legacy here: Remembering Griggs.

Merchandise Update

Ben Weaver (or rather his ace salesman Bert Miller) has almost fully restocked his shelves after they were virtually cleaned out during the holidays. If you’re looking for a particular Mayberry item, we should have it back on our shelves now…or very soon.

Check out the full selection of books, apparel, DVDs, artwork, collectibles and much more online at Weaver’s (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com). There are lots of great vintage and rare things, too. First one thing and then another. Plus bunches (“bunches, bunches”) of things on sale or at permanently lower prices.

We appreciate your shopping at Weaver’s, especially because Weaver’s sales are what helps TAGSRWC be able to support Mayberry Days and other Mayberry-connected events and charitable efforts throughout the year.

Here’s a special group of items we’re featuring this month as a fundraiser leading up to the 15th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, Mar. 1-3:

Goober’s Golf Gear at Weaver’s $195.00
These items have been provided to us by George Lindsey as a way to help raise funds for our support of his film festival. All of the items are from George’s personal collection.

Here’s what this special set includes:

*Matzie Velvet Touch Putter with George Lindsey Celebrity Golf Tournament logo

* A sleeve of 3 brand new (or rather, unused) golf balls with the George Lindsey logo. (They’re from the 1980s, so we wouldn’t recommend playing golf with them unless you don’t care about distance or breaking your hands. Ernest T. might like ‘em for throwin’, though!)

* A T-shirt with the logo of the 13th edition of the tournament. The shirt is size XL, but it’s from the 1980s, so that’ more like a size Large with today’s sizing.

* Color photo of Goober autographed by George (it can be personalized, if desired)

All proceeds–the full $195– goes toward our support of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival.

The golf season is just around the corner for most parts of the country. What better way to get your game on the right course than with this putter and the accompanying accessories!

Just like Barney did at the Esquire Club in Raleigh that time, with these items you can bring a magic Mayberry touch to your own golf game or that of a golf nut you know.

Find this and much more at www.weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver’s button at the top of the page at www.imayberry.com.

Post Note

Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?“ (aka WBMUTBB) Digest. It’s a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB also has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.

The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for late March with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for late February.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 5 November 2011

tagsrwc — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:11:15 +0000

*********************************************
The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 11, Issue 5
November 2011
*********************************************

Welcome to our fifth and final issue for 2011! Where has this year gone?! After all the 50th Anniversary excitement in 2010, we sort of expected this to be a quiet year. But it turned out to be far from it. In fact, 2011 has been one of the busiest years ever for Mayberry events and activities. And 2012 is already shaping up as another year that’ll be chock-full of Mayberry fun. Here’s what’s coming up in the weeks and months ahead:

"Saaay...look at all the fun stuff goin' on!"

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s phenomenal collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. You’ll usually find Emmett himself there on Thursdays (and often other times), and Betty Lynn generally greets fans there during the afternoon of the third Friday each month. For info, visit the website at http://www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Nov. 25: The Roland White Band performs at The Station Inn, Nashville, Tenn., at 9 p.m.

* Nov. 26: David Browning marches into Unicoi, Tenn., for its holiday parade.

* Dec 3: Roland White and The Station Inn present the 15th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., at 8 p.m.

* Dec. 8: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the second of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this fall. This installment features the classic “Christmas Story” episode of “The Andy Griffith Show,” followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. The lecture starts in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

* Dec. 6-11: Ronnie Schell performs in Harrah’s Comedy Room in Las Vegas. More info at http://www.harrahslasvegas.com.

* Dec. 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at visit the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. She’ll have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10 each).

* Dec. 16 and 17: Ronnie Schell performs in the Chinook Casino in Lincoln City, Ore. More info at www.chinookwindscasino.com.

* Dec. 19: David Browning is all aboard for the 25th Annual Morgan Shepherd Christmas Charity Train, starting in Stuart, Va. For more info, visit www.morganshepherd.com.

* Dec. 30: Ronnie Schell is guest star in an episode of “Jessie” on the Disney Channel. Check your local listings for times.

2012

* Feb. 20: David Browning performs “From Gettysburg to Mayberry” (as Abe Lincoln and the Mayberry Deputy), at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va.

* Mar. 1-3: 15th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. Details TBA. For updates visit http://lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Mar. 10: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the first of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this spring. Each session will feature an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. Lectures will take place in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. The episode featured for this lecture is “Big Fish in a Small Town.” Go ahead….take the bait and get hooked on learning neat stuff!

* Apr. 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the second of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this spring. The “Fun Girls” episode will be shown today and will be followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. Lectures will take place in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. Neal’s lectures are always fun, girls and boys!

* Apr. 20 and 21: Second Annual Mayberry Comes Westminster in Westminster, S.C. Details TBA.

* July 14: Tentative date for the Mayberry Comes to Graysville and 12th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala. Stars and details TBA.

* Sept. 27-30: 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Details TBA. Tickets are already available to order for several parts of the festival. For updates, visit www.mayberrydays.org.

News of Cast & Crew

Andy Griffith continues to enjoy staying close to home on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. As hurricane season finally winds down, he dodged major damage from the major storms this year.

The Don Knotts Legacy Fund is about halfway to its fundraising goal for creating a Memorial Park (including a statue) in Don’s hometown of Morgantown. Here’s a website (not fully up to date, but still with some good info) where you can learn more: http://www.donknottsstatuefund.org/donations.php. A supplemental fundraiser for the Legacy Fund is being offered by Don’s friend John Pyles. For a donation of $25 (plus $3 shipping), you can get a CD of 1958 recordings of Mr. Pyles singing 24 Songs You Love (plus four bonus songs). Make checks payable to Don Knotts Legacy Fund c/o John W. Pyles, 2201 Surrey Drive, Morgantown WV 26505.

Ron Howard and his Imagine Films are producers for J. Edgar, in theaters nationwide now and directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Ron is also producing the re-ignition of Arrested Development with new episodes for TV and a feature film coming to theaters. Ron is expected to continue his role as narrator. And Ron is also in pre-production (as producer and director) for the feature film Rush about Formula I racing (starring Russell Crowe and Olivia Wilde). And Ron still has plans and hopes for the ambitious and complex project of bringing Stephen King’s Dark Towers to TV and theaters.

When I Find You, a short film based on eight photos Ron selected in a contest called Project Imagin8ion (sponsored by Canon) and written and directed by Ron’s oldest daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, had its premiere in New York City this month and will be available to watch on YouTube starting Dec. 16.

"Win one for the ol' Goober!"

George Lindsey is enjoying official retirement, but keeps a full schedule. He was recently inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at the University of North Alabama in Florence, where he was quarterback “a few years back.” The University is also building a black box theater that will be named in honor of George. Construction should be complete by early next year and in time for the 15th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in March. Here’s a link to a story about it (with a construction photo): http://www.timesdaily.com/stories/Black-Box-Theater-within-budget,183092.

Doug Dillard and brother Rodney Dillard performed with their respective bands at a big celebration in September marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, at the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Owensboro, Ky.

Rodney and his Dillard Band also have a new gospel CD out (see Merchandise Update below), and the band has a new fan site called DillardGrass at this link: http://rodneydillard.tv/?tcp_product=join-the-fan-club

All of The Original Dillards (Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb and the late Mitch Jayne) have been inducted into the Missouri Music Association’s Hall of Fame. They’re joined by their late pal John Hartford and by Charles Wolfe as the first members of the bluegrass genre in the initial class of Hall inductees.

Maggie Peterson teamed up with TV brother Rodney Dillard for several appearances at Mayberry-themed events this year, including the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala., in July and the annual DARE fundraiser in Troy, N.C., in August.

And Maggie and Betty Lynn headlined a Mayberry-themed musical fundraiser for Alzeheimer’s care and research in Roanoke, Va., on Nov. 12.

James and Dorothy Best at Mayberry Days.

James Best is now busy editing Return of the Killer Shrews, a sequel to Attack of the Killer Shrews, the cult classic in which he starred in the 1950s. The film, shot in California last summer, stars John Schneider and also features fellow “Dukes of Hazzard” actor Rick Hurst, as well as Jennifer Lyons, Bruce Davison, Patty Browning and David Browning (not as the “Mayberry Deputy”). To stay current on the latest Shrews news (including sneak peeks from the set), visit www.killershrewsmovie.com.

Meanwhile, James still found time for a successful “Dukes of Hazzard” event in Virginia in August and Mayberry Days in Mount Airy in September. And he also continues to be an avid painter. He specializes in barns. (No, Goober, he’s not painting actual barns. He’s doing beautiful renderings of barns and other rural subjects and landscapes in oil on canvas!)

Roland White (one of Mayberry’s Country Boys in the “Mayberry on Record” episode) is a recipient of a 2011 Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Keep tabs on Roland at www.rolandwhitemusic.com.

Julie Adams (Nurse Mary in “The County Nurse,” Episode 56) has published her autobiography, The Lucky Southern Star–Reflections From the Black Lagoon. For more info about the book and Julie’s schedule, check out her website at www.julieadams.biz.

Sid Melton as Alf Monroe

We’re sad to report the passing of actor Sid Melton, who appeared as press agent Pat Michaels in oneepisode of TAGS, “The Hollywood Party” (Epiosde 168). He died in Burbank, Calif., from complications from pneumonia. He was 94. Here’s a link to his obituary in The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/comic-actor-sid-melton-dies-257760.

Born Sidney Meltzer on May 22, 1917, in Brooklyn, N.Y., one of five children of Isidor and Fannie Meltzer, Sid Melton is probably best remembered and beloved as handyman Alf Monroe in 26 episodes of “Green Acres.” (His sister Ralph Monroe was played by Mary Grace Canfield, who also played Mayberry’s Mary Grace Gossage, Thelma Lou’s Cousin.) His connections to the larger Mayberry family also extend to 49 episodes as Charley Halper in “The Danny Thomas Show” and four episodes as lovable conman Friendly Freddy on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”

Sid Melton as Friendly Freddy (with Jim Nabors).

He’s another of the legendary character actors–so many of whom passed through Mayberry–who were constant presences on TV and in movies for decades. In Sid’s case, six decades.

Sid was one of those people who was always eager to be around other people, whether fellow actors or fans. Everyone was a friend. Sid was always ready to entertain. He lived a long and full life, and he has left a body of work that will continue to delight audiences for generations to come. Our condolences go out to his many friends. No immediate family members survive.

Mayberry Days Gallery

Much of the recent activity for many of the TAGS cast and crew took place at Mayberry Days in September. There were several new faces (assistant director Bruce Bilson, Morgan Brittany and George Lindsey Jr.) Below are a few photos by our staff photographers, including Alan Thornton.

Elizabeth MacRae (Lou Ann Poovie) joyfully greets fans	Neal Brower and Bruce Bilson…and another familiar face on Neal’s shirt get ready for the Mayberry Days parade.
Maggie Peterson performing with the Doug Dillard Band. (That’s Doug at right and Ginger Boatwright at left.)	Karen Knotts–All smiles in the parade. Photo by Alan Thornton.
Parade Grand Marshal Morgan Brittany (Mary Alice Carter). Photo by Alan Thornton.	Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) welcomes Mayberry Days fans. Photo by Alan Thornton.
Allan “Floyd” Newsome makes sure George Lindsey Jr.’s sideburns are just right before hitting the Mayberry Days parade. Goober says, “Giddyup!

For more Mayberry Days photos, check out the giant Mayberry Days Photo Gallery, featuring shots by talented Mount Airy photographers Hobart Jones and Kenny Hooker at: http://surryart.ipower.com/main/displaypage.php?page=images/gallery/md11galleryindex.html

Chapter Update

We’re pleased to welcome three new chapters since our last eBullet:

Barney Parney Pooh and the Thelma Lous	Raleigh, N.C.
“Closer Than Two Fleas in a Dog’s Ear”	Williamstown, Ky.
Jase & Jud’s Checker Club	Effingham, Ill.

We now have had 1,381 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started 32 years ago. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

Once you successfully choose a name that’s “all yours and nobody else’s,” you’ll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed (and “suitable for framing”) by Sherry Hyatt, one of our “Compelsion Nuts” in East Tennessee.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

Or if you’re feeling more like a joiner than a starter, you can write to us about how to contact a chapter near you. Our mailing address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3211. Our e-mail address is Goober@iMayberry.com.
Or you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)

Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

Mayberry on the Web

Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS has news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by our webmaster, Allan Newsome (aka Floyd). There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you’ve missed. (There are over 150 episodes so far!)

Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast , also hosted by Allan.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 7,800 friends. You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines.And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!

Chapter News

Two major TAGSRWC awards were presented at our Annual Meeting held at The Earle Theatre in Mount Airy during September’s Mayberry Days. First up was the Mayberry Friendship Award, which TAGSRWC’s Kenneth Junkin presented to Dewey Lamb, leader of “Shakedown! Shakedown!” chapter in Laurinburg, N.C.

In addition to his avid involvement with his chapter’s regular meetings and activities, Dewey has been very supportive of other Mayberry events and fundraisers, especially in the Carolinas. He’s particularly noted for creating numerous unique Mayberry items for auctions, including the major one by our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter’s Silent Auction at Mayberry Days, which raises funds for the Surry Arts Council. (This year’s Mayberry Days auction, spearheaded as always by Jeff Koontz, raised a whopping $4,463.50!) Here’s a link to a newspaper story about Dewey’s receipt of his award: http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/view/full_story/16199824/article-Local-Mayberry-enthusiast-receives-award?instance=secondary_stories_left_column.

The other TAGSRWC award presented at Mayberry Days was the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award. Jim Schwenke was the beloved founder of Mayberry Texans chapter (Houston). Jim died in 2002, and the award was started in his memory at Mayberry Days the following year. His contributions and friendship to TAGSRWC and Mayberry in general were incalculable.

The 2011 Jim Schwenke Memorial Award winner is Lyle Fales of Mayberry Town Council and Mayberry Founders Day Committee chapters (Stanton, Mich.) Lyle has been a TAGSRWC member for decades and was even fortunate enough to know Jim Schwenke. Lyle’s chapters were key northern outposts for TAGSRWC during our early years. He was co-organizer of what is to date still the northernmost public Mayberry cast reunion event every held, a 1995 celebration in Grand Rapids.

Lyle Fales (left) receives the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award from Allan Newsome.

Lyle’s enthusiasm for Mayberry is contagious. Even when other obligations meant he was unable to attend Mayberry Days and other Mayberry events for several years, he was always there in spirit and maintained close TAGSRWC ties. We feel sure Jim Schwenke himself would be pleased to know that Lyle has been honored in his memory.

A second Mayberry Friendship Award was announced at Mayberry Days, but it was “tick a lock” time by everybody there until recipient Al Gandolfi of “There He Goes!” chapter (Cocoa, Fla.) could be presented the award in person by a TAGSRWC contingent who were about to embarking nearby on the Mayberry Cruise just a couple of weeks ago. Kenneth Junkin made the presentation to Al, who has given generously of his time and talents to Mayberry and TAGSRWC for many years.

Al organized successful Mayberry Comes to Cocoa events several years ago. (Not counting the annual Mayberry Cruises, those events are the southernmost large-scale TAGSRWC and Mayberry fan events to date. Al also supports various TAGSRWC fundraisers, and he beautifully redesigned the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award for this year’s presentation (he owns Al’s Trophy Shops in the Cocoa area). To know Al is to love him. He is the definition of Mayberry Friendship.

We congratulate Dewey, Lyle and Al on their richly deserved awards, and thank them all for their contributions to making TAGSRWC better for all of us!

2011 Mayberry Days Trivia Contest winner Mike Haviland. Photo by former champ Dennis Beal.

We also salute Mike Haviland of Lowell, Ind., for his victory in the 2011 Mayberry Days Trivia contest. Here’s a link about Mike and his Mayberry enthusiasm that ran in his local newspaper: Indiana Mayberry Nut.

2011 Mayberry Cruise Gallery

A bunch of TAGSRWC members and other Mayberry fans have just returned from the annual Mayberry Cruise to the Western Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas. Here are some photos by staff photographer Alan Thornton.

The Fun Girls at sea!

Even better for sailing than Howie Williams' basement!

Jeff "Howard" Branch, Allan "Floyd" Newsome and Kenneth "Otis" Junkin entertain on the Mayberry Cruise. (Rumor has it Kenneth was overheard to say, "Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.")

A thousand words.

Merchandise Update

Ol' Ben Weaver is ready to "merry up Christmas."

Ben Weaver has been getting things ready for your Holiday shopping. There are several new items on our online shelves at Weaver’s (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com) and some great vintage and rare stuff, plus bunches (“bunches, bunches”) of things on sale or at permanently lower prices.

In addition to some new items, we have lots of out-of-production and otherwise rare items. We have only a small handful of some of these items (as few as just one or two), so browse our online shelves soon and see what you find. We have lots make great stocking stuffers!

Mitch Jayne’s Old Fish Hawk

Beloved Novel Now Available on CD!
$25.00

Dillards/Darlings bass player Mitch Jayne’s Old Fish Hawk is a 4 1/2-hour novel on CD. This engaging novel, written and narrated by Mitch (with musical accompaniment), tells the story and adventures of an Osage Indian and the young boy he befriends and shares his wisdom with. The book is so compelling that the folks in Hollywood even made a movie of it. But hearing Mitch tell the story is even better because nobody could paint a better picture with words than Mitch.

We sadly lost Mitch Jayne August 2, 2010, at the age of 82. But he left us a tremendous legacy. To still be able to hear his wonderful storytelling is just one of many blessings he left us. On a cold winter’s day, it’s hard to beat driving down the road or better yet sitting in your favorite spot at home, maybe while sipping hot chocolate next to a warm fire, and listening to Mitch tell you a story!

We also have three great books by Mitch that you can read. But we don’t recommend those for reading in the car. Stick to the cozy fireside chair for reading!

“A Mayberry Christmas” Color Print by Dave Barnhouse
Was $60…Now on Super Holiday Special Sale for Just $25.00!!

Released in 2010, this is the third print in the initial release of three prints in the officially licensed series of Mayberry artwork by acclaimed artist Dave Barnhouse. (The first two in the series are called “Together Forever” and ”Mayberry, My Hometown” and are also still available–in fact, they’re currently on sale, too!)

Dave Barnhouse has captured the sentiment of the touching Courthouse scene in the “Christmas Story” episode when Ben Weaver generously expresses the spirit of Christmas. It’s one of the all-time classic moments of the series, and one that is sure to instantly cause feelings of holiday joy for anyone who sees it.

The image size of the full-color paper print measures 18 in. x 24 in. (the image itself is 16 in. x 20 in.). Dave Barnhouse has signed each print in this open-edition work.

Apparently already feeling good with the Christmas spirits, Ol’ Ben Weaver has trimmed the price of this outstanding print from $60 to an unbelievable $25. Yes, that’s right…more than half off! We think Ben’s feeling so generous just because he’s depicted in the painting, but we’ll take whatever price break he gives us! That 58% savings will definitely “merry up Christmas” for the rest us…all year long! Thanks, ol’ Ben!

So, go ahead…take advantage of Ben’s weak moment of kindness and bring a little Mayberry cheer into your home and the homes of friends…even if you don’t have a skinny Santa Claus to deliver it!

2010 Mayberry Days DVD
New!!!
$20.00

This brand new documentary of last year’s Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy was filmed and produced by director Gregory Schell, son of Mayberry and Gomer Pyle actor Ronnie Schell. The 47-minute film captures all the excitement and fun of Mayberry and also includes interviews with all of the TAGS stars and several other participants in the 2010 Mayberry Days, which was extra special because it celebrated the 50th Anniversary of “The Andy Griffith Show.”

Only a limited number of these DVDs are being made available. It’s rare that a public Mayberry event receives such extensive and professional documentary coverage. Whether you’re a regular at Mayberry Days or want to get an idea of what it’s all about, this DVD is an outstanding keepsake. And it just so happens…it’s a super stocking stuffer, too! Get ’em while you can.

Christmas Is Here Again DVD $15.00
Even Scrooge-like Ben Weaver is excited to offer this charming Christmas DVD featuring Andy Griffith as Santa Claus! The all-star cast of voices in this 75-minute animated production includes Ed Asner, Kathy Bates, Shirley Jones, Norm MacDonald and Jay Leno as the narrator. Enjoy watching the beginning of a new Christmas tradition!

Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities

“Don’t the trees
seem nice and full.”

With so many dire situations going on in the world, from natural disasters in the U.S., Japan and Haiti (and recently Turkey) to famine in Africa and hard economic times everywhere, TAGSRWC and our Weaver’s Dept. Store are trying to do find ways we can relieve some of the suffering and offer a helping hand. We understand that so often life isn’t always as serene and happy as Mayberry, but if, through Mayberry, we can help bring a little joy and hope and a little less suffering for those in need, then that’s really the Mayberry Way.

Listed below are three of the most recent fundraisers TAGSRWC and Weaver’s have established. There are many more online at Weaver’s in the Fundraisers for Charities section.

The Bullet & The Pocket Back Issues Fundraiser for The Contributor newspaper
~~$60.00~~ $30.00

Back Issues Set of at least 30 issues of The Bullet and at least 10 issues of The Pocket. These were the official printed newsletters of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club from 1982 through 2004.

The issues of The Bullet that are still available are mainly from the 1990s through March 2001, and The Pocket covers from 2001 through 2004, when our current printed flier, The Button, began.

Issues of The Bullet in particular feature interviews with the cast and crew from the show, plus Professor Brower’s Class columns by Neal Brower, lots of trivia, many rare photos, coverage of events, news and trivia. With this set of back issues, you get well over 400 pages of reading and rare photos. (It’s probably over 500 pages worth, but Ernest T. got tired of counting.)

These vintage Mayberry newsletters are great way to discover (or relive!) some fun moments in recent (and some now not-so-recent) Mayberry history!

As a bonus, we’ll also include some issues of The Button (our current printed newsletter) and some issues of The Mayberry Confidential, the official newspaper for Mayberry Days, as part of the same great $30 deal.

And that’s not all. All proceeds from the sale of these back issues go toward TAGSRWC’s support of The Contributor, a newspaper in Nashville that’s largely produced and exclusively sold by homeless and formerly homeless folks.

While our Mayberry newsletter staff cannot claim to comprehend the full scope of the struggles and difficulties of homelessness, we have witnessed enough and want to give these neighbors and friends a leg up and create awareness for the hard work they’re doing to help their lives and contribute to the community through their journalism and sales.

We appreciate the work involved in publishing and distributing a newspaper, so we especially applaud and support The Contributor’s efforts. What they’re doing is certainly going way beyond Mayberry to help those in need. We hope that these sales of our Mayberry newspapers can assist their enterprise and success.

Trading Card Series 2 Complete Set for Joplin Relief

~~$20.00~~ $12.00

This Series 2 Set of 110 “Andy Griffith Show” Trading Cards (#111-220) consists entirely of black-and-white photos, but the photos used depict scenes from all eight seasons of the show. All proceeds (not just the profits, but all funds) from our sales of these sets go toward ongoing relief efforts for victims of the Joplin Tornado Disaster. We acquired these card sets from Mayberry fan and collector Paul Mulik, who sadly lost his home in the tornado, for the sole purpose of raising funds to help Paul help other victims of the disaster. Much of Paul’s Mayberry collection, including these sets of cards, was stored safely away from his home and was undamaged.

Series 2 cards were manufactured in the early 1990s, and have long been out of print and are now scarce. We think our price for this collectible is still so good that it might even make sense for many collectors to buy two sets–one set to open and enjoy and one set to set back for posterity, when a set likely will be even more rare and potentially valuable. Sort of like Barney’s nest egg he that used to buy his car from Mrs. Lesch, who happens to be among those pictured on a card in this set. This set of cards is full of wonderful Mayberry memories in a nostalgic format…and helping a good cause at the same time.

Goober’s Grab-Bag for African Famine Disaster Relief
$60.00

This Grab-Bag supports the urgent relief efforts for victims and refugees of the ongoing drought and famine in Somaliaand Sudan. We encourage everyone who can do so to give directly to the Disaster Relief effort of their choice. This Grab-Bag is just an additional way to support the Relief efforts. All proceeds (not just the profits, but all funds) from our sales of this Grab-Bag are going to two relief organizations: CARE, the well-known international group that is on the ground doing relief work in East Africa; and the lesser known AFRECS (more info at www.afrecs.org), which has TAGSRWC members among its relief workers in Sudan. Both groups have a very high percentage of their donated funds going directly to actual relief work.

These Grab-Bags often are purchased by customers with the idea of using the items for another fundraiser of their own (raffles and door prizes, etc.) for churches, schools, and other charities, so in the end, the original purchase of these items often helps more than one worthy cause. Here’s the scoop on this Grab-Bag, which is identical to one we currently have for the Japan Disaster. We think we’ve come up with a fun Grab-Bag of interesting Mayberry items. Most of the items are no longer in production and are therefore now in the category of “collectible.” At a minimum, each Grab-Bag has the following items:

* 1 Officially Licensed T-Shirt with Barney Fife on it (The shirt design included is our choice according to availability, but you’ll need to specify in the Comments section of the online order form whether you want Small, Medium, or Large. (Sorry, but larger sizes not available for this offer, though we do have a 2X Mayberry shirt available without Barney on it, so you can request that instead.) The default choice if you don’t indicate a size is Medium.
* 1 Mayberry-related book with an original retail price of at least $10
* 1 “Andy Griffith Show” logo ornament
* 1 Newspaper with coverage of a major Mayberry event
* 1 Officially-licensed Mayberry license plate
* 1 Vintage Mayberry wall calendar (still in its original shrink wrap)
* 3 Different wooden Mayberry building fronts (Bluebird Diner, All Souls Church, and Mrs. Mendelbright’s Boarding House)
* 2 Mayberry bumper stickers
* 1 Mayberry-related audio or video tape (still sealed)
* 1 Pre-owned and very used Jim Nabors album (the vinyl LP variety). Most will date from the 1970s or ’80s.
* 3 Different Mayberry photos (8×10)
* 2 Different over-sized Mayberry posters
* 1 Barney Sipping Soda Lithograph
* 2 different Mayberry birthday balloons
* 1 10-card wax pack of “Andy Griffith Show” Trading Cards
* Assorted Mayberry event and news publications and materials (fliers, newsletters, fans, magnets, buttons, etc.)

If the items were sold separately, their suggested retail prices would easily total over $120. But Goober is not the best at arithmetic and Ernest T. wasn’t around to help us count by stomping his feet, so our price is only $60 for the whole Grab-Bag. We have only a handful to offer with this configuration of items because most of the items are in extremely short supply. Get ‘em while you can.

All proceeds (not just the profits, but 100% of the $60 price) are going toward our support of CARE and AFRECS. So with a Grab-Bag purchase, you get a good deal while also helping folks in desperate need!

Special Offer: When George “Goober” Lindsey heard we were doing these special Grab-Bags for Disaster Relief, he wanted to participate. So, he signed a few photos that can be added to this Grab-Bag. You can add one of these autographed photos to your Grab-Bag for an extra $20 (a total of $80). Just select the option to Goober-Size your purchase. We truly appreciate George for giving his support to our efforts to help the disaster victims. And we thank all Weaver’s visitors for considering a purchase of this Grab-Bag.

Don’t Wait for the Hearse to Take You to Church CD
by Rodney Dillard
$14.00 NEW ITEM!!!

This CD is brand new this fall from Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band (featuring Beverly Dillard) singing Gospel favorites and some newer songs that are sure to become favorites.

Includes 10 tracks and four Bonus tracks from Rodney’s “Mayberry Values” radio show.

TRACKS:
1 The Devil Just Can’t Knock Me off My Knees
2 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
3 River of Jordan
4 Somebody Touched Me
5 Gospel Ship
6 Hear Them Thunders Roaring
7 Heaven
8 Softly and Tenderly
9 When My Time Comes to Go
10 Don’t Wait for the Hearse to Take You to Church

BONUS MATERIAL
1 New Minister
2 Church Inheritance
3 Man in a Hurry
4 Choirboy Barney

Uplifting music and inspirational words–all for a great price of only $14.00…giving everybody a little extra in their pockets when that offering plate comes around on Sunday!

Dance ’til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin’ CD by The Grascals

$6.00

You can tell The Grascals are not only world-class musicians and performers, but also true Mayberry fans. This CD is truly a hoot! And great music to boot.

Attaboy Don Knotts Comic Legends/Tied up with Laughter DVD

$15.00

Beyond Mayberry’s beloved Barney Fife, this Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter! DVD shows Don in a series of wonderful, hilarious stand-up routines and skits in rare performances from the 1960s and ‘70s.

In this special hour-long comedy collection released just this spring, Don is joined by singer-actress Joey Heatherton, actress Jane Powell, former Dallas Cowboys player Lance Rentzel, comic (and Mayberry deputy) Jack Burns, Don’s Love God movie co-star Maureen Arthur (also wife of ”Andy Griffith Show” producer Aaron Ruben), and the legendary Jimmy Durante.

Bonus material includes Don with Lucille Ball and an early look at Don’s comedy career and some “never before seen” special features.

This DVD is sure to be a great treat for all fans of our favorite deputy–one of the true, cherished comedy legends of our time…and of all time. And at a great price.

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Embroidered Show Logo and Security by Fife Caps

$17.00 each

These officially licensed, cool canvas hats (in Mayberry Sheriff Dept. tan!) are finely embroidered with a choice of the official “Andy Griffith Show” logo or Security by Fife. Or why not get both? That way you’re covered for all occasions, except when you want to be just a Goober! Adjustable for just the right fit for any occasion.

The Goober Beanie is Back!

$9.00

So…you say you wanna be a Goober? This genuine Goober-Style Beanie Hat fashioned from brown felt has the look any Goober will love. Best of all, you get to cut your own holes in the top, just as Goober himself would do. Get your beanie, baby, and say “Yo!” One size fits most Goobers (and Gooberinas, too).

T-Shirts Galore!!!
$18.00 each

Weaver’s has more than two dozen officially licensed Mayberry T-shirt designs. Some are vintage designs that are no longer in production and hard to find anywhere else. We also have a handful of shirts of other TV classics and some vintage embroidered Mayberry logo sport shirts and even a few Snappy Lunch sports shirts.

Despite this year’s spike in cotton prices, we’re holding the line on our T-shirt prices. All of our heavyweight cotton T-shirts are still just $18.00. And the sport shirts are nicely priced, too. Most of the T-shirts are available in Sizes Medium, Large, XL and 2X. Several also come in small. (The size selection is not as large for the out-of-production vintage shirts.)

Have fun showing your Mayberry spirit with one of these fun-tastic shirts today!

Just a few of our many Mayberry T-shirt designs.

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Book Mobile

And T-shirts aren’t the only thing that we have dozens of! We carry most of the Mayberry and Mayberry-related books that have been published. Some have been out of print for years, but we still have some copies. Whether your interest is history or trivia, biography or cooking, we’ve got the Mayberry book for you or a friend. Here’s a sampling of what we have:

In the mood to watch Mayberry instead of read about it? Then we’ve got your covered there, too!

“The Andy Griffith Show 50^th Anniversary—The Best of Mayberry” DVD

~~$25.00~~ $22.00

This is a really exciting item that was released at the end of last year. (Ben’s not so subtle hint: It was released too close to Christmas last year for a lot of folks to give as gifts, so it can instead be a great gift this year.) It’s an item that we had long been hoping for. In addition to a bunch of the very best episodes, this 3-disc set includes uncut versions of the “Danny Thomas” pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show” and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie. And all at a phenomenally low price, even before Ben Weaver’s additional discount. Here are some of the highlights of what’s on it:

* 17 Favorite Episodes:

“Christmas Story”
“The Pickle Story”
“Barney and the Choir”
“Mr. McBeevee”
“Convicts-at-Large”
“Man in a Hurry”
“Class Reunion”
“The Darlings Are Coming”
“Barney’s First Car”

“Dogs, Dogs, Dogs”
“Mountain Wedding”
“Opie the Birdman”
“The Sermon for Today”
“Citizen’s Arrest”
“Fun Girls”
“Barney’s Sidecar”
“Goober and the Art of Love”

* “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” (the “Danny Thomas” pilot for TAGS)
* Clips from Season Premiere nights for the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons
* The 1986 Return to Mayberry reunion movie
* Original sponsor commercials featuring cast members

This collection is chockfull of great Mayberry moments. And the price makes for a truly unbeatable combination of quantity, quality and value. We think it’s a dream come true.

Or why not get the whole Mayberry video shebang all in one package, at a super-Goober price?

All 249 TAGS episodes on DVD, plus the “Danny Thomas” pilot, Return to Mayberry movie, bunches of original commercials and more–all for only $172!
(Originally $249.00)

Phone Orders

In addition to accepting orders online or by mail, our Weaver’s Dept. Store has a phone number FOR ORDERS ONLY (615) 604-1298. The phone number is generally in operation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday. (They sneak out a lot to go fishin’ for carp and pike and such, so if you miss them during business hours, just leave a message with a number where they can call you back.)

Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone. All inquiries about online orders and mail orders should be made online to weavershop@aol.com.

Special Holiday Shipping Notice

We’ll be accepting orders for Christmas delivery as late as Noon CT on Dec. 22. But by that point, it’ll require FedEx overnight delivery to most places, which will be very expensive. In fact, any orders we receive after Noon CT on Dec. 20 will likely need express delivery of some sort, such as FedEx 2-Day, but maybe not the extreme expense of overnight delivery.

Anyway, it’s way cheaper (just our flat-rate $5 to any U.S. address) and less stressful for you and our Goober elves to get your orders in by Noon CT on Dec. 20. The closer the shipment’s delivery address is to Nashville, the more you can squeeze out an extra day or so past that deadline, but why take the chance and push it?

Tomorrow may be the most perfect day for hobo Dave Browne to trim the Taylors’ hedge, but today’s the best day for placing your order at Weaver’s!

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Well, it looks as though Miss Crump is once again taking time off from giving us a quiz--this time so she can work on the Watkins Grading Manual. Frankly, we're beginning to wonder if she'll ever get around to putting together another quiz! But stay ready, my friends. Just in case.

Post Note

The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for January with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for mid-December.

We Wish You Blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays!

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 4 September 2011

tagsrwc — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:23:32 +0000

*********************************************
The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 11, Issue 4
September 2011
*********************************************

Welcome to our fourth issue of the year! With Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C., during the next week, September is always one of the busiest and most fun months of the year for TAGSRWC and all fans of Mayberry. Here’s what’s coming up:

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. You’ll usually find Emmett himself there on Thursdays (and often other times), and Betty Lynn generally greets fans there during the afternoon of the third Friday each month. And of course, there’s no better time to be in Mount Airy than for Mayberry Days, coming up Sept. 22-25! For info, visit the website at http://www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

Emmett Forrest with superfan Phyllis Rollins of Barney chapter at the Andy Griffith Museum.

* Sept. 20-22: LeRoy McNees makes three presentations at the Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White conference in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville). This conference is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the show. The three-day event includes fun-filled Bible study based on some of your favorite episodes, great preaching and worship, bluegrass bands, country cooking, and lodging nestled in the North Carolina mountains. Life Lessons From Mayberry immediately precedes Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, so start a week of Mayberry fun and inspiration here! For more info, visit at www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

* Sept. 22: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 8:00 p.m. at Moon,1105 East Lafayette St., Tallahassee, Fla. For more info, visit http://www.moonevents.com.

* Sept 23: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 8:00 p.m. at the Gram Parsons Annual Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival at Okefenokee Fairgrounds in Waycross, Ga. Festival tickets are $35.00. For more info, call (912) 288-3712.

DARLING PERSONS--Doug Dillard and Maggie Peterson.

* Sept. 22-25: 22nd ANNUAL MAYBERRY DAYS in Mount Airy, N.C. Shows include two concerts by The Doug Dillard Band, a new one-man show with Ronnie Schell (two TAGS episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) and a screening of a Mayberry Days documentary by son Greg Schell, “An Afternoon with James Best,” “Tied Up in Knotts” starring Karen Knotts, “Memories of Elvis” with Michael Hoover, the “Salute to Mayberry” with the VW Boys, and ”Professor Brower’s Lecture” with Neal Brower (featuring TAGS assistant director/future Emmy-winning director Bruce Bilson for his first Mayberry Days).

Don Knotts, director Bob Sweeney (front), Bruce Bilson and Andy Griffith on the TAGS set.

Other highlights are the Mayberry Days Golf Tournament & Banquet and Colonel Tim’s Talent Time.

Other confirmed Mayberry stars include Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), Elizabeth MacRae (one TAGS episode and Lou Ann Poovie on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.), LeRoy McNees (of Mayberry’s Country Boys), George Spence (Frank the Boyfriend), and Margaret Kerry(Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey).

Elizabeth MacRae as Lou Ann Poovie.

And just announced on Sept. 1…Morgan Brittany (Mary Alice Carter in “Opie’s First Love”) is confirmed to attend. It’s her first public Mayberry fan/reunion event ever!

And just added on Sept. 11, George Lindsey, Jr. (son of George “Goober” Lindsey) for his first Mayberry Days.

For info and tickets, go to http://www.mayberrydays.org. It’s still not too late to get tickets for most parts of the weekend that require tickets, but many sell out. Ditto for hotel rooms. (There’s a link to info about area accommodations on the Mayberry Days website.)

Morgan Brittany as Mary Alice Carter.

* Sept. 24: George Lindsey is being inducted into the University of North Alabama Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony on the campus in Florence, Ala.

* Sept. 25: Rodney & Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at Frederica Baptist Church, 1700 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, Ga. For more visit http://www.fredericabaptist.com/.

* Sept 27 and 28: The Roland White Band is interviewed and performs with host WAMU’s Katy Daley at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, Nashville Convention Center Room 107, at 3:30 p.m. on the 27th. On the 28th, Roland is a featured performer in an all-star “Centennial Celebration” of Bill Monroe at 7:00 p.m. in Ingram Hall on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville. Admission to the Vanderbilt show is free.

* Oct. 1: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride close out the 2011 Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)
* Oct. 2: LeRoy “Mack” McNees and wife Janice lead the Chapel service at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass at 9 a.m.
* Oct. 3: 51st Anniversary of the broadcast of the first episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
* Oct. 7-9: Darling Boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band perform at the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival in Cape Fair, Mo.

* Oct. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at visit the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. She’ll have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* Oct. 22: The Roland White Band plays at Fiddle and Pick, Pegram, Tenn.

* Nov. 6: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 3:00 p.m. at the Sheldon Theater in St. Louis, Mo. Tickets are $20 to $25. For more info, call (314) 533-9900.

* Nov. 10: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the first of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this fall. Each session will feature an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. Lectures will take place in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. The episode featured for this first lecture is ”Andy and Opie, Housekeepers.” Learning stuff was never so much fun!

* Nov 12-17: A Cruise to Mayberry 6: A 5-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas. Leaving from Tampa, Fla., with ports-of-call in Cozumel and Costa Maya, and 2 days at sea. For more details, contact Sharon at All About Cruises by phone (10 a.m.-5 p.m. ET) at 1-800-832-7993. For more details, visit the Mayberry Cruise section of the All About Cruises web site. (Note: You must have booked through All About Cruises and be part of the “Mayberry Cruise” in order to attend Mayberry portions of the cruise.)

* Nov. 5: Roland White plays in a Monroe Centennial Tribute band on A Prairie Home Companion, in Murray, Ky.

* Nov. 17: Roland White and wife Diane play the Coffee Gallery, Altadena, Calif., with Bill Bryson and Herb Pedersen.

* Nov. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at visit the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. She’ll have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

Betty Lynn greeting fans at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.

* Nov. 18: Roland White and wife Diane play Grange Hall in Los Olivos, Calif., (filming location of Return to Mayberry in 1986) with Bill Bryson and Herb Pedersen.

* Nov. 19: Roland White and wife Diane play McCabe’s in Santa Monica, Calif., with Bill Bryson, Herb Pedersen and Blaine Sprouse.

* Nov. 20: Roland White and wife Diane play AMSD Concerts in San Diego, Calif., with Bill Bryson, Herb Pedersen and Blaine Sprouse.

* Nov. 25 :The Roland White Band performs at The Station Inn, Nashville, Tenn., at 9 p.m.

* Dec 3: Roland White and The Station Inn present the 15th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., at 8 p.m.

* Dec. 8: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, makes the second of two special appearances at the Andy Griffith Museum this fall. This installment features the classic “Christmas Story” episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” followed by a detailed lecture and Q&A. The lecture starts in the lower level of the Museum at 2 p.m. Admission is $10. It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

2012

*Mar. 1-3: 15th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. Details TBA. For updates visit http://lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Apr. 20 and 21: Second Annual Mayberry Comes Westminster in Westminster, S.C. Details TBA.

News of Cast & Crew

Andy Griffith has so far dodged major damage to his home on the North Carolina coast this hurricane season. Every time a big storm heads toward the Outer Banks, fans get concerned about Mayberry’s Main Man.

TAGS guest actor George Spence (“Guest in the House”), who’s also a perennial Mayberry Days favorite, lives near Andy and Cindi Griffith. He says he had only a few limbs down and a little bit of trim torn from his home by Hurricane Irene. George and wife Stephanie are looking forward to seeing friends and fans in M0unt Airy.

Ron Howard and daughter Bryce Dallas Howard (villainess in this summer’s box-office hit The Help are working as a producer-director-writer team (Bryce is both director and writer!) on an ambitious short film called Imagin8ion.

The film will tell a story using images selected from a worldwide photo contest (sponsored by Canon USA) that had nearly 100,000 entries. Ron was the judge who picked the eight winners from the finalists.

Jim Nabors was hospitalized briefly in Honolulu in July with a severe sore throat, a situation he treats with extreme care because of the immunosuppressive medications he has continued to take since his 1994 liver transplant. He had been scheduled to sing the national anthem for a special ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, but he had to cancel the engagement. He’s back home and doing fine.

George Lindsey is enjoying official retirement, but keeps a full schedule. An honor coming up for him this fall (the same weekend as Mayberry Days) is induction into the Sports Hall of Fame at the University of North Alabama in Florence, where he was quarterback “a few years back.”

Betty Lynn was under the weather a bit in July, but is feeling chipper again and ready for Mayberry Days. She continues to really enjoy life in Mount Airy, where she often greets fans, including a regular monthly gig at the Andy Griffith Museum (see Floyd’s calendar above).

Doug Dillard is worked his way through the summer’s heat as he continues to build his strength back after his recovery from a collapsed lung in February. And wife Vikki is back home after recent major surgery as well. In mid-September, both Doug and brother Rodney Dillard performed with their respective bands at a big celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, at the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Owensboro, Ky.

All of The Original Dillards (Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb and the late Mitch Jayne) are being inducted into the Missouri Music Association’s Hall of Fame. They’ll be joined by their late pal John Hartford and by Charles Wolfe as the first members of the bluegrass genre in the initial class of Hall inductees.

Maggie Peterson has teamed up with TV brother Rodney Dillard for several appearances at Mayberry-themed events so far this year, including the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala., in July and Jeff Branch’s DARE fundraiser in Troy, N.C., in August.

James Best is now busy editing Return of the Killer Shrews, a sequel to Attack of the Killer Shrews, the cult classic in which he starred in the 1950s. The film, shot in California this summer, stars John Schneider and also features fellow “Dukes of Hazzard” actor Rick Hurst, as well as Jennifer Lyons, Bruce Davison, Patty Browning and David Browning (not as the “Mayberry Deputy”).

James is shrewdly both producing and acting in Shrews this time around. To stay current on the latest Shrews news (including sneak peeks from the set), visit www.killershrewsmovie.com.

James is also just back from a successful “Dukes of Hazzard” event in Virginia in August.

Proud grandfather Dick Linke on July 10 with five-day-old grandson Duke Kilian McCullough.

Margaret Kerry (two TAGS episodes) had an appearance at a Disneyana event in Dayton, Ohio, earlier this summer. And she was in British Columbia for another one in August. Next stop is Mayberry Days in Mount Airy. She’s also hard at work on her autobiography.

Richard O. “Dick” Linke (longtime for personal manager for Andy Griffith and others and also TAGS associate producer) sends his greetings (Aloha!) from his home in Hawaii to Mayberry friends, especially in Mount Airy and at Mayberry Days.

Mayberry on the Web

Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS has news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by our webmaster, Allan Newsome (aka Floyd). There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you’ve missed. (There are over 150 episodes so far!)

Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast , also hosted by Allan.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 7,500 friends. You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!

Chapter Update

We’re pleased to welcome three new chapters since our last eBullet:

Drennon’s Deputies	Drennon Springs, Ky.
“Chewin’ Tar Is Good for Your Teeth”	Varysburg, N.Y.
“Hey Ms. Tarbox”	Xenia, Ohio

We now have had 1,378 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started in 1979. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

Chapter News

Many chapters have been super busy this summer. Here’s sample of what folks have been up to:

Remembering Mayberry chapter (Chillicothe, Ohio) took their Mayberry squad car replica to the parade for 175th Anniversary celebration for nearby West Alexandria. They say they had a ball and are now gearing up for Mayberry Days.

Pausing in his pursuits at July's Hot Dog Festival in Huntington, W.V., Mayberry Deputy David Browning shows off his shiny bullet to Buddy Wilson (All Souls Church chapter, Proctorville, Ohio). Moments earlier the Deputy had cited Buddy for making an illegal U-turn in his mobile chair. Just be glad it wasn't Gomer who saw you, Buddy! "Citizen's arrest! Citizen's arrest!"

Bruce Fisher of The Single Bullet Society (Randleman, N.C.) proudly reports that he was not only able to have two pork chop sandwiches at the Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy on his way up to Ohio this summer (for a reunion meeting with chapter members in their original home base), but then managed to have two more of the delicious sammiches on his way home. He paused between bites to notice that an original (or very close to it) Snappy Lunch menu sign was now on display at the cafe. (It was recently discovered in the basement of the former home of an original owner’s family.)

It was a close shave one Friday back in August for Randy Mercer, leader of “Ain’t We Lucky to Be Livin’ in Such a Friendly Town” (Burlington. N.C.). When an official of our HQ Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.) dropped by Russell Hiatt’s Floyd’s City Barber Shop in Mount Airy, Randy was in the process of getting a shave from Russell. Randy was all “dated up” for Friday night and wanted the works from Russell–haircut, shave and plenty of witch hazel. All that was left for Randy to do was to put a Windsor knot in the ol’ striped tie and turn on a little Cole Porter music.

Rodney Dillard (center) and Maggie Peterson (in a Darling red sweater) are joined onstage by members of the Dillard Band and assorted Mayberry tribute artists during the concert at July's Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala. Staff photo by Alan Thornton.

In July, Mayberry Minutemen chapter (Graysville, Ala.) hosted their Mayberry Comes to Graysville festival in conjunction with the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals, organized by “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” chapter (Tuscaloosa, Ala.). It was another big success with a parade, squad cars racing an obstacle course, contests, good food, and a concert starring Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson.

The venerable “Don’t Do That, Ollie. Don’t Do That.” (Wynne, Ark.) was in Nashville in August and was able to gather for a meal with Andy chapter. (Got time to breathe, got time to eat. Or something like that.)

Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) continues to meet at least monthly and put out a darn cute (and outstanding!) and big chapter newsletter three times a year. They’ve big back-to-back events in September when they add a touch of Mayberry to the big TVA Fair in Knoxville and then send a contingent, including defending Mayberry Days Trivia champ Dennis Beal, to Mayberry Days the next week. Check them out at www.mayberrychapter.com.

Members of Mayberry chapter at the Farragut (Tenn.) Fourth of July parade.

“Shakedown! Shakedown!” (Laurinburg, N.C.) met in July. They report that “attendance was down due to summer vacation, but we still had18 attend. We had ‘dogs and ‘burgers and all the trimmings, plus two gallons of churned ice cream.” (They once again neglected to report the flavor of ice cream. Just whoosh…and it was gone!)

The chapter donated auction items the big Mayberry-themed DARE fundraiser in Troy in August. A large group from the chapter also attended. A bunch of chapter members also participate in Mayberry Days every year–helping out with the silent auction and the pie-eating contest and anything else that needs doing.

Allan Newsome of "Mother Figure" chapter (Huntsville, Ala.) visits with Marsha Scheuermann at the amazing Taylor Home Inn B&B in Clear Lake, Wis. Photo by Wife Figure Jan Newsome.

“Al’s Fine Too” chapter (Des Moines, Iowa) keeps in touch regularly with correspondence about their travels and Mayberry references that they come across. Their latest communication involved Henry “Shopping Bag” Leonetti. That sounds dangerous. (We think he’s from “somewhere’s else.”)And with that, we’ll wrap up Chapter News for this time. We expect there will be lots more news from chapters for the next eBullet, as generally many dozens of chapters are spotted among the thousands of fans at Mayberry Days. We hope to see you there and to be able to say, “Hey!”

Merchandise Update

Ol' Ben may look like he's bundled up for a cold winter, but he's got some hot items in his store this September.

With the world economy seeming shaky and the stock market being so volatile these days (Say, how’s U.S. Steel doing?), wily folks turn to simple, safe and enjoyable places to invest their hard-earned funds. And where better to get value for your dollar than Mayberry! That’s what Ben Weaver thinks, anyway. But even ol’ Ben has gone soft and made lots of already great deals at Weaver’s Dept. Store even better.

For example, the prices of Mayberry artworks in his Art Gallery section are making heads turn with delight.

Same goes for prices in the DVDs section:

All 249 TAGS episodes on DVD, plus the “Danny Thomas” pilot, Return to Mayberry movie, bunches of original commercials and more–all for only $172!

Here are some other merchandise highlights:

Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities

"Don't the trees seem nice and full."

With so many dire situations going on in the world, from natural disasters in the U.S., Japan and Haiti to famine in Africa and hard economic times everywhere, TAGSRWC and our Weaver’s Dept. Store are trying to do find ways we can relieve some of the suffering and offer a helping hand. We understand that so often life isn’t always as serene and happy as Mayberry, but if, through Mayberry, we can help bring a little joy and hope and a little less suffering for those in need, then that’s really the Mayberry Way.

Listed below are three of the most recent fundraisers TAGSRWC and Weaver’s have established. There are many more online at Weaver’s in the Fundraisers for Charities section.

The Bullet & The Pocket Back Issues Fundraiser for The Contributor newspaper
~~$60.00~~ $30.00

The issues of The Bullet that are still available are mainly from the 1990s through March 2001, and The Pocket covers from 2001 through 2004, when our current printed flier, The Button, began.

Issues of The Bullet in particular feature interviews with the cast and crew from the show, plus Professor Brower’s Class columns by Neal Brower, lots of trivia, many rare photos, coverage of events, news, and trivia. With this set of back issues, you get well over 400 pages of reading and rare photos. (It’s probably over 500 pages worth, but Ernest T.’s feet got tired doing all that counting.)

These vintage Mayberry newsletters are a fun way to discover (or relive!) some great moments in recent Mayberry history!

And that’s not all. All proceeds from the sale of these back issues go toward TAGSRWC’s support of The Contributor, a newspaper in Nashville that’s largely produced and exclusively sold by homeless and formerly homeless folks.

We appreciate the work involved in publishing and distributing a newspaper, so we especially applaud and support The Contributor‘s efforts. What they’re doing is certainly going way beyond Mayberry to help those in need. We hope that these sales of our Mayberry newspapers can assist their enterprise and success.

Trading Card Series 2 Complete Set for Joplin Relief

$20.00 $12.00

This Series 2 Set of “The Andy Griffith Show” Trading Cards (#111-220) consists entirely of black-and-white photos, but the photos used depict scenes from all eight seasons of the show. All proceeds (not just the profits, but all funds) from our sales of these Sets go toward ongoing relief efforts for victims of the Joplin Tornado Disaster.

We acquired these from Mayberry fan and collector Paul Mulik, who sadly lost his home in the tornado, for the sole purpose of raising funds to help Paul help other victims of the disaster. Much of Paul’s Mayberry collection, including these sets of cards, was stored safely away from his home and was undamaged.

Series 2 cards were manufactured in the early 1990s, and have long been out of print and are now scarce. We think our price for this collectible is still so good that it might even make sense for many collectors to buy two sets–one set to open and enjoy and one Set to set back for posterity, when a Set likely will be even more rare and potentially valuable. Sort of like Barney’s nest egg he that used to buy his car from Mrs. Lesch, who happens to be among those pictured on a card in this set. This Set of cards is full of wonderful Mayberry memories in a nostalgic format…and helping a good cause at the same time.

Goober’s Grab-Bag for African Famine Disaster Relief
~~$120.00~~ $60.00

This Grab-Bag supports the urgent relief efforts for victims and refugees of the ongoing drought and famine in Somalia and Sudan. We encourage everyone who can do so to give directly to the Disaster Relief effort of their choice. This Grab-Bag is just an additional way to support the Relief efforts. All proceeds (not just the profits, but all funds) from our sales of this Grab-Bag are going to two relief organizations: CARE, the well-known international group that is on the ground doing relief work in East Africa; and the lesser known AFRECS (more info at www.afrecs.org), which has TAGSRWC members among its relief workers in Sudan. Both groups have a very high percentage of their donated funds going directly to actual relief work.

These Grab-Bags often are purchased by customers with the idea of using the items for another fundraiser of their own (raffles and door prizes, etc.) for churches, schools and other charities, so, in the end, the original purchase of these items often helps more than one worthy cause. Here’s the scoop on this Grab-Bag, which is identical to one we currently have for the Japan Disaster. We think we’ve come up with a fun Grab-Bag of interesting Mayberry items. Most of the items are no longer in production and are therefore now in the category of “collectible.” At a minimum, each Grab-Bag has the following items:

* 1 Officially Licensed T-Shirt with Barney Fife on it (The shirt design included is our choice according to availability, but you’ll need to specify in the Comments section of the online order form whether you want Small, Medium, or Large. (Sorry, but larger sizes not available for this offer, though we do have a 2X Mayberry shirt available without Barney on it, so you can request that instead.) The default choice if you don’t indicate a size is Medium.
* 1 Mayberry-related book with an original retail price of at least $10
* 1 “Andy Griffith Show” logo ornament
* 1 Newspaper with coverage of a major Mayberry event
* 1 Officially-licensed Mayberry license plate
* 1 Vintage Mayberry wall calendar (still in its original shrink wrap)
* 3 Different wooden Mayberry building fronts (Bluebird Diner, All Souls Church, and Mrs. Mendelbright’s Boarding House)
* 2 Mayberry bumper stickers
* 1 Mayberry-related audio or video tape (still sealed)
* 1 Pre-owned and very used Jim Nabors album (the vinyl LP variety). Most will date from the 1970s or ’80s.
* 3 Different Mayberry photos (8×10)
* 2 Different over-sized Mayberry posters
* 1 Barney Sipping Soda Lithograph
* 2 different Mayberry birthday balloons
* 1 10-card wax pack of “Andy Griffith Show” Trading Cards
* Assorted Mayberry event and news publications and materials (fliers, newsletters, fans, magnets, buttons, etc.)

Special Offer: When George “Goober” Lindsey heard we were doing these special Grab-Bags for Disaster Relief, he wanted to participate. So, he signed a few photos that can be added to this Grab-Bag. You can add one of these autographed photos to your Grab-Bag for an extra $20 (a total of $80). Just select the option below to Goober-Size your purchase. We truly appreciate George for giving his support to our efforts to help the disaster victims. And we thank all Weaver’s visitors for considering a purchase of this Grab-Bag.

Mitch Jayne’s Old Fish Hawk

Beloved Novel Now Available on CD!
$25.00

Dillards/Darlings bass player Mitch Jayne’s Old Fish Hawk is a 4 1/2-hour novel on CD. This engaging novel written and narrated by Mitch (with musical accompaniment), tells the story and adventures of an Osage Indian and the young boy he befriends and shares his wisdom with. The book is so compelling that the folks in Hollywood even made a movie of it. But hearing Mitch tell the story is even better because nobody can paint a better picture with words than Mitch.

We sadly lost Mitch Jayne August 2, 2010, at he age of 82. But he left a tremendous legacy. To still be able to hear his wonderful storytelling is just one of many blessings he left us.

Don’t Wait for the Hearse to Take You to Church CD
by Rodney Dillard
$14.00 NEW ITEM!!!

This CD is brand new in August from Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band (featuring Beverly Dillard) singing Gospel favorites and some newer songs that are sure to become favorites.

The CD includes 10 tracks and four Bonus tracks from Rodney’s “Mayberry Values” radio show.

TRACKS:
1. The Devil Just Can’t Knock Me off My Knees
2. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
3. River of Jordan
4. Somebody Touched Me
5. Gospel Ship
6. Hear Them Thunders Roaring
7. Heaven
8. Softly and Tenderly
9. When My Time Comes to Go
10. Don’t Wait for the Hearse to Take You to Church

BONUS MATERIAL
1. New Minister
2. Church Inheritance
3. Man in a Hurry
4. Choirboy Barney

Uplifting music and inspirational words–all for a great price of only $14.00…giving everybody a little extra in their pockets when that offering plate comes around on Sunday!

Dance ‘Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin’ CD
by the Grascals
$6.00

You can tell The Grascals are not only world-class musicians and performers, but also true Mayberry fans. This CD is truly a hoot! And great music to boot.

Attaboy Don Knotts Comic Legends/Tied up with Laughter DVD

$15.00
Available Now!

Beyond Mayberry’s beloved Barney Fife, this Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter!DVD shows Don in a series of wonderful, hilarious stand-up routines and skits in rare performances from the 1960s and ‘70s.

In this special hour-long comedy collection released this year, Don is joined by singer-actress Joey Heatherton, actress Jane Powell, former Dallas Cowboys player Lance Rentzel, comic (and Mayberry deputy) Jack Burns, Don’s Love God movie co-star Maureen Arthur (also wife of ”Andy Griffith Show” producer Aaron Ruben), and the legendary Jimmy Durante.

Bonus material includes Don with Lucille Ball and an early look at Don’s comedy career and some “never before seen” special features.

This DVD is a great treat for all fans of our favorite deputy–one of the true, cherished comedy legends of our time…and of all time. And at a great price.

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Embroidered Show Logo and Security by Fife Caps
$17.00 each

The Goober Beanie is Back!

$9.00

T-Shirts Galore!!!
$18.00 each

Have fun showing your Mayberry spirit with one of these fun-tastic shirts today!

Just a few of our many Mayberry T-shirt designs.

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Book Mobile

In the mood to watch Mayberry instead of read about it? Then we’ve got your covered there, too!

“The Andy Griffith Show 50 ^th Anniversary—The Best of Mayberry” DVD

~~$25.00~~ $22.00

This is a really exciting item that was released at the end of last year. It’s an item that we had long been hoping for. In addition to a bunch of the very best episodes, this 3-disc set includes uncut versions of the “Danny Thomas” pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show” and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie. And all at a phenomenally low price, even before Ben Weaver’s additional discount. Here are some of the highlights of what’s on it:

* 17 Favorite Episodes:

“Dogs, Dogs, Dogs”
“Mountain Wedding”
“Opie the Birdman”
“The Sermon for Today”
“Citizen’s Arrest”
“Fun Girls”
“Barney’s Sidecar”
“Goober and the Art of Love”

* “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” (the “Danny Thomas” pilot for TAGS)
* Clips from Season Premiere nights for the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons
* The 1986 Return to Mayberry reunion movie
* Original sponsor commercials featuring cast members

This collection is chockfull of great Mayberry moments. And the price makes for a truly unbeatable combination of quantity, quality and value. We think it’s a dream come true.

Phone Orders

Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone. All inquiries about online orders and mail orders should be made by e-mail to weavershop@aol.com.

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Miss Crump is using the excuse of giving her pupils time to prepare for the Mayberry Days Trivia Contest as a reason for not offering a trivia quiz in this issue. What will Old Lady Crump’s excuse be next time? Wait and see. (Maybe we ought to have a contest to guess what her next excuse will be!) In any case, she surely does look happy about not having any quizzes to grade.

Post Note

The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for November with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for October.

10-4 and out for now!

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 3 July 2011

tagsrwc — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:12:17 +0000

*********************************************
The eBullet
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 11, Issue 3
July 2011
*********************************************

Welcome to the third issue of The eBullet for 2011. There’s a lot going on. “Just jump in where you can and hang on!” We’re also in the process of making the transition with this newsletter to a blog format, which we hope will allow it to be even more accessible and easy for Mayberry fans to find online. We’ll also continue to e-mail each issue free to our subscribers and maintain our eBullet Archives of back issues in the Newsletters section of www.imayberry.com.
Please pardon any “peculiar hitches” in our get-along as we get used to this new format. It’s Goober v. Gremlins at the moment, and we’re not sure who’s winning! Fortunately, we’ve seen Anteaters From Outer Space, so we know a few tricks for fighting Gremlins! But enough shop talk. Let’s get on to what’s happening around Mayberry, starting with the latest notes posted on the bulletin board over at Floyd’s.

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. You’ll usually find Emmett himself there on Thursdays (and oftern other times), and Betty Lynn generally greets fans there during the afternoon of the third Friday each month. For info, visit the website at http://www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* July 9: Maggie Peterson and Rodney & Beverly Dillard are special guests and performers for the 11th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and 7th Annual “Mayberry Comes to Graysville” Festival in Graysville, Ala. (northwest of Birmingham). The event also features many Mayberry tribute artists.
There’s a Mayberry-style parade (including the guest stars) down Main Street at 10 a.m., the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals (with Mayberry Squad Car replicas racing on an obstacle course) around Noon on the ballfield at the Community Center, and then trivia and other contests and vendors throughout the afternoon, followed by a barbecue dinner 6 p.m.and the evening concert with Maggie, Rodney & Beverly and the Mayberry tribute artists at the Community Center.
The parade, Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and the afternoon events are free. A ticket for the Dinner and Evening Concert is $20

* July 10: Rodney and Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at Graysville United Methodist Church in Graysville, Ala. at 11:00 a.m.

* July 11: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* July 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* July 23: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* Aug. 5: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning is a shoe-in at the Bristol White Sox game in Bristol, Va.

* Aug. 6 and 23: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own chair.)

* Aug. 7: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band are joined by David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning for an inspirational morning at the Fountain of Life Church at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tenn. The service is from 10:30 a.m. to Noon and is open to all. For more info, call (423) 461-4855.
* Aug. 8: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning shines at the Princeton (W.V.) Rays baseball game.

* Aug. 12: Mayberry Country Boy LeRoy “Mack” McNees performs three concerts in conjunction with the New Day Community Church in Boulder, Colo. Details TBA.

* Aug. 12 and 13: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning is on guard for the National Antique Auto Club of America’s Southeastern Fall Car Show in Bristol, Va./Tenn.

* Aug. 13 and 14: James Best appears at the Hazzard Homecoming in Sperryville, Va., with fellow “Dukes of Hazzard” stars. For more info, visit http://www.cootersplace.com/.

* Aug. 18: Fans do a doubletake when David Browning patrols the Elizabethton (Tenn.) Twins baseball game.

* Aug. 19: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* Aug. 20 and 21: Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and David Browning perform at a Mayberry Moments show at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman, Ala., on the 20th, and Rodney and Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at the church on the 21st. Details TBA.

* Aug. 25: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning is chief of the grandstands for the Danville (Va.) Braves baseball game.

* Aug. 27: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, and Jeff “Howard” Branch) for a concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program. The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Details TBA. For more info, visit http://www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

* Sept. 3 and 17: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* Sept. 3: David Browning entertains the crowds at Community Family Day in Crossville, Tenn.

* Sept. 5: No day off today to wear the ol’ Salt & Pepper for David Browning as he patrols the Labor Day celebration in Saltville, Va.

* Sept. 9 and 10: David Browning stakes out the Tom Johnson Camping Center’s Fall Barbecue in Marion, N.C.

* Sept. 12-14: The Doug Dillard Band and also Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band are featured at the all-star 100th Birthday Celebration of Bill Monroe in Owensboro, Ky. For info, call 270-926-7891 or visit http://www.bluegrassmuseum.org/general/CentennialCelebration.php#schedule.

* Sept. 20-22: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville), is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the show. The three-day event includes fun-filled Bible study based on some of your favorite episodes, great preaching and worship, bluegrass bands, country cooking, and lodging nestled in the North Carolina mountains. Life Lessons From Mayberry immediately precedes Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, so start a week of Mayberry fun and inspiration here! For more info, visit at www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

* Sept 23: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 8:00 p.m. at the Gram Parsons Annual Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival at Okefenokee Fairgrounds in Waycross, Ga. Festival tickets are $35.00. For more info, call (912) 288-3712.

* Sept. 22-25: 22nd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Shows already confirmed include two concerts by The Doug Dillard Band, a new one-man show with Ronnie Schell (two “Andy Griffith” episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”), “An Afternoon with James Best,” “Tied Up in Knotts” starring Karen Knotts, Memories of Elvis with Michael Hoover, the “Salute to Mayberry” with the VW Boys, Professor Brower’s Lecture with Neal Brower (featuring “Andy Griffith Show” assistant director/future Emmy-winning director Bruce Bilson, who’ll be attending his first Mayberry Days), the Mayberry Days Golf Tournament and Banquet, and Colonel Tim’s Talent Time.
Other confirmed Mayberry stars so far include Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), Elizabeth MacRae (one “Andy Griffith” episode and Lou Ann Poovie on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.), LeRoy McNees (of Mayberry’s Country Boys), and Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey). For info and tickets, go to http://www.mayberrydays.org. More stars and events TBA.

* Sept. 24: George Lindsey is being inducted into the University of North Alabama Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony on campus in Florence, Ala. Details TBA.

* Oct. 7-9: Darling Boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band perform at the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival in Cape Fair, Mo.

* Nov. 6: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 3:00 p.m. at the Sheldon Theater in St. Louis, Mo. Tickets are $20 to $25. For more info, call (314) 533-9900.

* Nov 12-17: A Cruise to Mayberry 6: A 5-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas. Leaving from Tampa, Fla., with ports-of-call in Cozumel and Costa Maya, and 2 days at sea. For more details, contact Sharon at All About Cruises by phone (10 a.m.-5 p.m. ET) at 1-800-832-7993. For more details, visit the Mayberry Cruise section of the All About Cruises web site. (Note: You must have booked through All About Cruises and be part of the “Mayberry Cruise” in order to attend Mayberry portions of the cruise.)

News of Cast & Crew

Andy Griffith is enjoying a quiet summer at home on the coast of North Carolina.

Ron Howard is still working the kinks out of the complex and massive multi-format productions he plans for Stephen King’s Dark Towers. The latest word is that Ron still wants to direct at least some of the installments.
Ron and Imagine Entainment partner Brian Grazer are also working with “Amazing Race” producers on a movie-inspired reality competition show called “The Great Escape” for TNT. Imagine is also working on a film version of MAD Magazine’s Spy v. Spy comic strip, and Ron is producer of J. Edgar, a film about J. Edgar Hoover, and is executive producer of the much-anticipated Arrested Development movie, which likely will include Ron as the narrator.
Ron also is mulling the possibility of directing Rush, a film about Formula One racing and a version of Frankenstein from Igor’s point of view. Meanwhile, Cowboys and Aliens, the film starring Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde that was produced by Ron with Brian Grazer (with executive producer Steven Spielberg) comes to theaters July 29.

Jim Nabors greets the crowd at the 100th Indy 500 in May. He continued his decades-long tradition of singing “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Photo: http://photos.indystar.com

In late May, George Lindsey participated in a “Hee Haw” reunion with a couple of dozen of his former cast mates. The special is scheduled to be released on DVD by Time Life in the next few months. George also continues to get stronger every day after his emergency appendectomy a few months ago.

George Lindsey shares a laugh and grin (and a knee) with Victoria Hall Traver (in yellow) and Lulu Roman and Larry Gatlin (seated to George’s left) during a May taping of a “Hee Haw” reunion show.

Maggie Peterson was a featured speaker for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo., in late April. She was also in Alabama in May for a couple of appearances. And see the event calendar above for some of Maggie’s other upcoming appearances, including some with Mayberry brother Rodney Dillard.

Doug Dillard is still recuperating well from his collapsed lunch back in February, and wife Vikki is on the mend from recent major surgery as well. (Maybe they’ve done the right Darlings “incant” for their various ailments to help with their healing.)

Margaret Kerry (two TAGS episodes) has just come back from an appearance at a Disneyana event in Dayton, Ohio. And she’ll be in British Columbia for another one in August. She also hard at work on her autobiography and hopes to have it done in time for for her appearance at Mayberry Days in September.

James Best and Rick Hurst on location for Return of the Killer Shrews.

James Best has just wrapped principal filming in California of Return of the Killer Shrews, a sequel to Attack of the Killer Shrews, the cult classic in which he starred in the 1950s. The film stars John Schneider and also features fellow “Dukes of Hazzard” actor Rick Hurst, as well as Jennifer Lyons, Bruce Davison, Patty Browning and David Browning (not as the “Mayberry Deputy” this time).
James is shrewdly both producing and acting in Shrews this time around. To stay current on the latest Shrews news (including sneak peeks from the set, visit www.killershrewsmovie.com. Be very afraid!

****
There’s no graceful way to make the transition from discussing Killer Shrews to the following sad update, except to say that the kooky fun of Killer Shrews is something Barbara Stuart surely would have enjoyed.
It is with tremendous sadness that we report that Barbara passed away on May 15. She lived in Utah the last few months of her life in order to be near family members who live there.
Though remembered in Mayberry as bank robber Pat Blake in “TV or Not TV” (Episode 150) and probably even more so as Miss Bunny, Sgt. Carter’s girlfriend on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”, Barbara had a long and varied career of memorable roles.
Some favorites included playing an hilarious scene as Robert Stack’s wife in Airplane! and most recently the recurring role of Alice in the acclaimed Showtime series “Huff.” A testimony to her range as an actor, she also worked in Hellfighters with John Wayne and in Bachelor Party with Tom Hanks. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Barbara’s 50-year film career spanned an amazing cross-section of top dramas and comedies. Most of her work was in TV.
Barbara was born on January 3, 1930, in Paris, Illinois. By her mid-20s, she was well on her way with a solid career in Hollywood. Her characters were often feisty and never failed to please. In roles big and small, her performances always had great energy and spirit.
Barbara was just as full of energy and fun in her personal appearances, including many Mayberry reunions and other gatherings over the years. She was always game for doing improvised sketches with friends and fellow “Gomer Pyle” stars Ronnie Schell and Elizabeth MacRae. The sketches were a huge hit with audiences.

HAPPY DAY—Barbara Stuart is flanked by Ronnie Schell and Jim Nabors as they pose with fellow “Gomer Pyle” cast member Elizabeth MacRae and Maggie Peterson during Jim’s induction into the Alabama Stage & Screen Hall of Fame in Tuscaloosa in 2006. Photo: TAGSRWC Archives

Barbara’s great friend Jackie Joseph (Mayberry’s Ramona Ankrum) shared these thoughts about Barbara in a recent column she wrote for the Tolucan Times:

With sadness I need to talk about the passing of Barbara Stuart, who lived in our community for many decades. Always beautiful, always funny and always working, Barbara will be remembered, by those who knew and loved he as a loyal friend, a generous giver of her home and her heart, and a beautiful actress. As Bunny in “Gomer Pyle,” she was deeply adored by the Mayberry fans. Give her a Google and see how Barbara Stuart entertained you in so many diverse ways.

We were strippers together in 1964 in a memorable “Dick Van Dyke Show” called “Dear Mrs. Petrie, Your Husband Is in Jail.” She was called Maureen Core, dressed in short military glitz, with a small working canon. I was her partner, Alberta Schweitzer, wearing a leotard and a long-veiled pith helmet. We both ended up in the clink along with Dick. So much fun! We were neighbors, friends and colleagues. And I need to offer a warm recognition to Barbara Stuart’s best pal, the exceptional Ruta Lee. When the chips were down, Ruta was a great example of what a good friend really is. Brava. A standing “O” for all concerned.

Editor’s note: Jackie’s column appears regularly in The Tolucan Times. Check it out. It’s always great reading.
And here’s a link to the obituary for Barbara that ran in Variety. And a link to another: Tribute in the Canyon News. (The latter has a few minor facts wrong, but overall is an insightful and positive remembrance of Barbara.)

Chapter Update

We’re pleased to welcome seven new chapters since our last eBullet:

Chapter	City, State
Hometown Fife	Morgantown, W.V.
Blackie Liberty	Hill, Tex.

We now have had 1,375 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started in 1979. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.
Once you successfully choose a name that’s “all yours and nobody else’s,” you’ll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed (and “suitable for framing”) by Sherry Hyatt, one of our “Compelsion Nuts” in East Tennessee.
What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.
Or if you’re feeling more like a joiner than a starter, you can write to us about how to contact a chapter near you. Our mailing address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3211. Our e-mail address is Goober@iMayberry.com.
Or you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)
Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

Merchandise Update

Ben has some hot summer deals to tell us about!

We have several Fundraisers for Charities, including one for the Japan Disaster, going on right now at Weaver’s. The tornadoes and floods and fires have been coming so fast across the United States this year that, instead of targeted fundraisers for each one, we’ve just been donating proceeds from Weaver’s directly to the American Red Cross, Mobile Medical Disaster Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, etc. We are, however, working on a special fundraiser of prime Mayberry memorabilia designated for tornado victims in Joplin. We expect to have that in place by our next issue. As soon as all the pieces are in place in the next few weeks, we’ll also have info about it up on www.imayberry.com, www.weaversdepartmentstore.com and on http://www.facebook.com/tagsrwc.
Ol’ Ben Weaver has really loaded up his shelves for summer. And in honor of Andy Griffith’s birthday month (June 1) and Don Knotts’ birthday month (July 21), we’ve got bunches of items on sale—even more than usual, including most of the Fine Art prints in our Art Gallery section. And the summer heat and the cicadas (even worse than those ring-g-g-ing doorbells!) must be getting to Ben’s star employee, Bert Miller, because Bert’s gone around and put lower prices on items everywhere, especially the DVDs section.

And the Incredible Mr. Don Knotts book is at an equally incredible price! It makes for specially timely and poignant reading for Don’s birthday month (July 21).

Complete Series (with pilot and movie)
Box Set now 30% off original list price
online at Weaver’s!!!

In addition to some brand new items, we’ve also recently restocked several out-of-production and otherwise rare items that we haven’t carried for a while, sometimes even for years. We have only a small handful of some of these items (as few as just one or two), so browse our online shelves soon! Here are some merchandise highlights:

New CD Just Has Arrived!
Dance ‘Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin’
$6.00

This exciting new Mayberry-inspired bluegrass CD from the mega-award-winning Grascals features 7 tunes, including 5 from TAGS—“Dooley,” “Boil Them Cabbage Down,” “Ol’ Joe Clark,” “Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”—plus the “Mayberry’s Finest Theme” and a song written just for this CD, “Boy, Giraffes Are Selfish.”
You can tell The Grascals are not only world-class musicians and performers, but also true Mayberry fans. This CD is truly a hoot! And great music to boot.
And here’s a video of The Grascals’ Birthday Salute to Andy Griffith.

Attaboy Don Knotts Comic Legends/Tied up with Laughter DVD
$15.00
Available Now!

Beyond Mayberry’s beloved Barney Fife, this Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter! DVD shows Don in a series of wonderful, hilarious stand-up routines and skits in rare performances from the 1960s and ’70s.
In this special hour-long comedy collection released just this spring, Don is joined by singer-actress Joey Heatherton, actress Jane Powell, former Dallas Cowboys player Lance Rentzel, comic (and Mayberry deputy) Jack Burns, Don’s Love God movie co-star Maureen Arthur (also wife of ”Andy Griffith Show” producer Aaron Ruben), and the legendary Jimmy Durante.
Bonus material includes Don with Lucille Ball and an early look at Don’s comedy career and some “never before seen” special features.
This DVD is sure to be a great treat for all fans of our favorite deputy–one of the true, cherished comedy legends of our time…and of all time. And at a great price.

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Embroidered Show Logo and Security by Fife Caps
$17.00

The Goober Beanie is Back!
$9.00

This genuine Goober-Style Beanie Hat Fashioned from brown felt has the look any Goober will love. Best of all, you get to cut your own holes in the top, just as Goober himself would do. Get your beanie, baby, and say “Yo!” One size fits most.

“The Andy Griffith Show 50 ^th Anniversary—The Best of Mayberry” DVD
~~$25.00~~
$22.00

This is a really exciting item that was released at the end of last year. It’s an item that we had long been hoping for. In addition to a bunch of the very best episodes, this 3-disc set includes uncut versions of the “Danny Thomas” pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show” and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie. And all at a phenomenally low price, even before Ben Weaver’s additional discount. Here are some of the highlights of what’s on it:

* 17 Favorite Episodes:

“Dogs, Dogs, Dogs”
“Mountain Wedding”
“Opie the Birdman”
“The Sermon for Today”
“Citizen’s Arrest”
“Fun Girls”
“Barney’s Sidecar”
“Goober and the Art of Love”

This collection is chockfull of great Mayberry moments. And the price makes for a truly unbeatable combination of quantity, quality and value. We think it’s a dream come true for Mayberry fans everywhere.

I Wish Life Was Like Mayberry CD
by Rodney Dillard $16.00

This CD, released in Fall 2010, features Rodney Dillard singing lots of favorite Darlings tunes from “The Andy Griffith Show,” along with other popular Dillards tunes and some later songs about the Darlings. These are some classic bluegrass and Mayberry songs for any fan of, well, bluegrass and Mayberry.
Features 19 tracks and some bonus material. Ol’ Ben Weaver knows a toe-tappin’ good deal when he sees one!

TRACKS:

1. MAYBERRY MOMENT
2. THE DARLIN’ BOYS
3. THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD
4. THERE IS A TIME
5. WICKER ROCKING CHAIR
6. DOOLEY
7. DOUG’S TUNE (Instrumental)
8. SALTY DOG
9. EBO WALKER
10. THE MAYBERRY HAT

11. BANJO IN THE HOLLOW (Instrumental)
12. LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
13. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW
14. WET SHOES IN THE SUNSET SUITE
15. LEAKY BOAT
16. G-MAN BARNEY
17. PICTURES
18. GOOBER AND ROY
19. PARENTING

Bonus Material: A Tribute to Mayberry Values
From the archives of the popular radio show “Mayberry Minute,” hosted by Rodney. The radio show ran nationally for three years as Rodney took a look back at “Andy Griffith Show” episodes and the life lessons they taught.

Limited Edition “The Andy Griffith Show”
50^th Anniversary Portrait
~~$60.00~~
$30.00

This beautiful print has been hugely popular in the year since it was issued. It’s sure to be a cherished lifetime keepsake marking this special time in the history of TAGS. But more than a keepsake, it’s a superb work of art whose many smiling faces will bring an instant grin to the face of everyone who sees it.
Printed with premium inks on archival paper, this outstanding 12 in. x 16 in. collage pencil portrait is signed and numbered by talented Wilmington (N.C.) artist George Murray and officially licensed by CBS Consumer Products.
The suggested gallery price for this commemorative print is $60, but we’ve got it for just $30. That’s right…half off! (That summer heat really is getting to ol’ Ben Weaver. He’s going totally soft on us.) We have only a handful left of this limited edition print. Get yours while you can.

And More…

We’ve got the first six seasons of “Matlock” (the Sixth Season was released in January) along with all seasons of TAGS (including a Box Set with all eight seasons, the “Danny Thomas” pilot and the Return to Mayberry movie) and all five seasons of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” And we have a nice assortment of some of the best movies starring Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. They’re in the DVDs Section at Weaver’s.

Also, be sure to check out our Collectibles & Special Items at Weaver’s. There are some unique and rare items there that could make really special gifts or additions to your own collection. And we have a wide assortment of great licensed Mayberry products in the Cool Gifts section and throughout the Weaver’s shopping area at imayberry.com.

Phone Orders

In addition to accepting orders online or by mail, our Weaver’s Dept. Store has a phone number FOR ORDERS ONLY (615) 604-1298. The phone number is generally in operation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday. (They sneak out to go fishin’ for carp and pike a lot, so if you miss them during business hours, just leave a message with a number where they can call you back.)
Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone. All inquiries about online orders and mail orders should be made online or by mail.

Chapter News

Chapters and members at large have been busy attending and organizing a full slate of Mayberry events this spring and summer. Several TAGS cast members have been making personal appearances and doing performances, and fans have been flocking to see them.
The biggest upcoming TAGSRWC-supported event coming up (besides Mayberry Days, the granddady of them all, in Mount Airy in September) is the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals/Mayberry Comes to Graysville on July 9 in Graysville, Ala. (See Floyd’s bulletin board above for details.) The event is spearheaded by the “Hearty-Eatin’ Men and Beautiful Delicate Women” chapter (Tuscaloosa) and hosted by Mayberry Minutemen (Graysville). Fans and Mayberry squad car replics from about 10 states usually turn out for the annual event. With Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard both there this year, it’s sure to be another high-octane day. Y’all come!

Members of Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) gathered in May to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Phase II expansion when members of Neal Brower's TAGS class joined forces with founders Nancy and Blake Clark. Photo courtesy of Phyllis Rollins.

Mayberry on the Web

Two Chairs, No Waiting Internet Radio Show http://www.iMayberry.com/podcasts is TAGSRWC’s weekly podcast hosted by Allan Newsome, our webmaster.

Two Chairs, No Waiting has TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. There’s a new episode every Tuesday and also an Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you’ve missed. (There are about a dozen dozen episodes so far!) We think you’ll find these podcasts creative, fun and informative. There’s a lot of info and discussions that you simply won’t find anywhere else, including rare interviews (vintage and new) with cast and crew members of TAGS.
If you’ve got sound on your computer or have an iPod or similar device, you can easily tune in or download these podcasts.
And there’s also a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. It’s hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a great job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It’s called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 7,000 friends. You can find at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance.

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Why does Miss Crump look so happy? Well, Maybe it’s because she has decided not to have a trivia quiz this issue. You know what that means…no papers to grade! When will she return with a new quiz? We don’t know. She looks awful happy. (Don’t say “awful happy,” Opie! Just say happy.) Maybe she’ll have a tune-up quiz before the Mayberry Days Trivia Quiz (the Super Bowl of Mayberry Trivia) in Mount Airy in September.

Maybe. But we won’t be holding our breath waiting for her to come back with a quiz. (And star pupil Dennis Beal…don’t go throwin’ a tantrum if she doesn’t!)

AND SPEAKING OF “TRIVIAL TRIVIALITIES”…
“Trained noticers” have likely noted that our website addresses in recent issues now say imayberry.com instead of just mayberry.com. Both versions still work for getting to various areas with TAGSRWC’s content on the web, but imayberry.com is the one that we’re going to be primarily promoting from now on. To make sure you can always find us, remember the saying, “E before N in Chicken and i before Mayberry in www.imayberry.com.” (i always forget that rule, but not anymore!)

Post Note

If you ever miss receiving an issue of The eBullet, you can always catch up by reading it in the eBullet Archives in the Newsletters section at iMayberry.com. Each issue is usually placed in the Archives within about a week of its being distributed to subscribers.
Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?“ (aka WBMUTBB) Digest. It’s a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB also has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.
And TAGSRWC publishes Weaver’s Newsletter in more-or-less alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, the Weaver’s Newsletter is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. To sign up, go to: Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up
TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our web site at www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site www.iMayberry.com). Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.
The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for mid-September, with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for August. 10-4 and out for now!

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 2 May 2011

tagsrwc — Sat, 14 May 2011 15:51:45 +0000

*********************************************
The eBullet
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 11, Issue 2
May 2011
*********************************************

Editor’s Note

Welcome to the second issue of The eBullet for 2011. We had planned to have this issue ready in early April, but the severe storms in the Southeast had other plans. We lost power for a few days and had some storm damage to clean up at HQ in Nashville in early April. And then, about the time we were back at full speed, our webmaster lost power for about a week when the tornadoes ravaged Alabama and other states at the end of the month.We’re up and running again and hitting on all cylinders (no more puh-ding, puh-ding sounds). To help in the disaster relief effort, TAGSRWC as an organization has donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and to the Mobile Medical Disaster Relief Foundation (MMDR). Through our Weaver’s Dept. Store, we’ve also sent a few dozen Mayberry T-shirts to Alabama on an MMDR truck. (You might see a few more people than usual in Alabama wearing Barney Fife these days, though there were already bunches being worn there, so it might be hard to tell!)In the aftermath of other disasters, such as ongoing ones in Haiti and Japan, Weaver’s has put together grab-bags and earmarked Hal Smith scripts, etc., to help raise funds. With those grab-bag and script fundraisers already underway, we’re just making direct donations from Weaver’s sales to disaster relief this time around.

As far as we’ve heard at this point, TAGSRWC members and their families are all safe after the storm, but many suffered damage. As it turned out, members of several TAGSRWC chapters had arrived in Tuscaloosa from out of state for the annual Eagles’ Wings fundraiser shortly before the big tornado hit there. (High winds from the tornado damaged their hotel, but they were O.K. inside.) The severity of the devastation is almost impossible to comprehend. And our thoughts are with all those who have suffered losses during this spring’s natural disasters.

Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board & Event Calendar

* May 13: Maggie Peterson greets fans in the Eagles’ Wings booth from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Coker County Fair in Coker, Ala. (near Tuscaloosa).

* May 14: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride kick of their summer-long gig at the 2011 Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* May 14: Maggie Peterson greets fans and performs at Altoona Day in Altoona, Ala. (near Gadsden), from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Maggie and Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies”) will officially welcome folks from the stage at 10 a.m. and then greet fans and sign autographs throughout the day. Maggie will also sing on the main stage at 2 p.m.

Organized by TAGSRWC’s Robert E. Lee Natural Bridge Residents chapter, the festival will feature music, vendors, arts and crafts, replica cars (Mayberry squad cars, KITT from “Knight Rider,” General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard” and a Back to the Future DeLorean) and Mayberry tribute artists (Allan “Floyd” Newsome and Kenneth “Otis” Junkin).

* May 14: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning is loaded for the Kentucky Black Bear Festival in Cumberland, Ky.

* May 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) will be at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). She will be inside the museum from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* May 20: James Best greets fans at Greg’s Core Supply in Woodlawn, Va., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, call Greg’s at (276) 238-0779.

* May 20: Mayberry “Country Boy” Roland White and his bluegrass band perform at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 9:00 p.m. Admission is $12.

* May 18-22: Ronnie Schell entertains in the Comedy Room at Harvey’s Hotel and Casino in Lake Tahoe. For more info, visit http://www.harveystahoe.com/.

* May 27 and 28: Darling Boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride bluegrass band perform at the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. Later in the day, catch Dean and the boys at the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* May 28: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning looks for pinch hits at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game in Waldorf, Md.

* May 29: Jim Nabors sings “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Ind.

* June 1: David Browning is on duty for the DARE Graduation in Rocky Mount, Va.

* June 2 and 3: Darling Boy Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the John Hartford Memorial Festival at 11:45 a.m. on June 2, and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at 2:40 p.m. on June 3. The festival is being held at the Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom, Ind. For more info visit www.johnhartfordmemfest.com, or call (812) 988 6422.

* June 3 and 4: Mule Days in Gordo, Ala., featuring Mayberry tribute artists, music, and more TBA.
* June 4: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning rolls into St. Paul, Va., for the Clinch River Festival.

* June 11: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.) Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride

* June 11: David Browning is on call for the Haleyville 911 Festival in Haleyville, Ala.

* June 19: LeRoy “Mack” McNees and wife Janice host the non-denominational chapel service at California Bluegrass Association Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival at 9:00 a.m. in Grass Valley, Calif. For more info about the festival, visit www.cbaontheweb.org.
* June 25: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* July 9: Rodney and Beverly Dillard are special guests and performers for the 11th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and 7th Annual Mayberry Comes to Graysville” Festival in Graysville, Ala. (near Birmingham). The event also features many Mayberry tribute artists. There’s a morning parade, the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals (with Mayberry Squad Car replicas racing on an obstacle course) around Noon, and then trivia and other contests and vendors throughout the afternoon, followed by a barbecue dinner and the evening concert. Exact times and other details TBA.

* July 10: Rodney and Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at Graysville United Methodist Church in Graysville, Ala. at 11:00 a.m.

* July 11: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* July 23: Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform in the Kimberling City Summer Bluegrass Concert Series, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. outside at the Kimberling City Shopping Mall. (Bring your own lawn chair.)

* Aug. 12: Mayberry Country Boy LeRoy “Mack” McNees performs three concerts in conjunction with the New Day Community Church in Boulder, Colo. Details TBA.

* Aug. 20 and 21: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at a Mayberry Festival at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman, Ala., on the 20th, and Rodney and Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at the church on the 21st. Details TBA.

* Aug. 27: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, and Jeff “Howard” Branch) for a concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program. The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Details TBA. For more info, visit www.bluegrassintroy.com.

* Sept. 12-14: The Doug Dillard Band is featured at the all-star 100th Birthday Celebration of Bill Monroe in Owensboro, Ky. Details TBA.

* Sept. 20-22: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville), is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the show. The 3-day event includes fun-filled Bible study based on favorite TAGS episodes, preaching and worship, bluegrass bands, country cooking, and lodging nestled in the North Carolina mountains. Life Lessons From Mayberry immediately precedes Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C., so start a week of Mayberry fun and inspiration here! The price is $189 (based on double occupancy of a hotel room for two nights). The price includes five meals and the conference fee. For more info, visit at www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

* Sept. 23-25: 22nd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Shows already confirmed include two concerts by The Doug Dillard Band, a new one-man show with Ronnie Schell, “An Afternoon with James Best,” “Tied Up in Knotts” starring Karen Knotts, Memories of Elvis with Michael Hoover, the “Salute to Mayberry” with the VW Boys, Professor Brower’s Lecture with Neal Brower (featuring assistant director Bruce Bilson for his first Mayberry Days), the Mayberry Days Golf Tournament and Banquet, and Colonel Tim’s Talent Time. For info and tickets, go to http://www.mayberrydays.org. More stars and activities TBA.

* Sept. 24: George Lindsey is being inducted into the University of North Alabama Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony on campus in Florence, Ala. Details TBA.

* Oct. 7-9: Darling Boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band perform at the Wooley Creek Bluegrass Festival in Cape Fair, Mo.

* Nov 12-17: A Cruise to Mayberry 6: A 5-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas. Leaves from Tampa, Fla., with ports-of-call in Cozumel and Costa Maya, and 2 days at sea. For more details, contact Sharon at All About Cruises by phone (10 a.m.-5 p.m. ET) at 1-800-832-7993. For more details, visit the Mayberry Cruise section of the All About Cruises website. (Note: You must have booked through All About Cruises and be part of the “Mayberry Cruise” in order to attend Mayberry portions of the cruise.)

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

Andy Griffith says that he’s doing O.K. this spring on the North Carolina coast. The brunt of the April storms missed him. But there was some sad family news. His first cousin Lorraine Gilley of Pilot Mountain, N.C., passed away on May 2, at age 85. She and late husband Earlie were great friends of Mayberry and supporters of efforts, such as Mayberry Days.

ALL IN THE FAMILY—Andy and Cindi Griffith are surrounded by Griffith kinfolk following the unveiling of the TV Land Landmark statue during the 2004 Mayberry Days in Mount Airy. That’s Lorraine Gilley (in white) in front next to husband Earlie Gilley. Photo: TAGSRWC Archives.

Earlie Gilley is mentioned several times on TAGS. Andy also gave a wink to both Lo and Earlie in “Opie’s Fortune,” when the Mayberry Gazette states that Virginia Beasley and Earlie Gilley announce their engagement. (Her full maiden name was Virginia Lorraine Beasley.) Our prayers and love are with Lo’s family as we remember this joyful person and wonderful friend. Here’s a link to the obituary in the Mount Airy News: www.mtairynews.com/LorraineGilley

Ron Howard’s productions of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower (in three movies and two TV miniseries) are having some hiccups as potential movie studios try to digest the giant budgets involved. Stay tuned for updates. Meanwhile, Ron has a couple of movies already in the can as producer (including this summer’s Cowboys & Aliens, starring Harrison Ford), and several in the pipeline, including an Arrested Development feature.

Ron’s son, Reed, is working hard on becoming a professional golfer. He’s on the eGolf Tour now and hoping to get his PGA Tour card. Here’s a recent story: ReedHowardEsquireClub.

WHAT A BUNCH OF CHARACTERS—During a reception at April’s Salute to George Lindsey, George is surrounded by Mayberry tribute artists (l-r): Tim Pettigrew, Bob Mundy, David Browning, Allan Newsome and Kenneth Junkin. Photo by Joe Layton, tribute staff.

George Lindsey continues his recovery from a burst appendix and surgery in February. He was pleased to be able to attend a very special “Salute to George Lindsey” at the University of North Alabama (his alma mater) on April 30 in Florence. The Salute, in conjunction with the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, was held just three days after the terrible tornadoes that tore through much of Alabama and other states. Even so, a capacity crowd turned out for the gala event.

Old friends Dick Linke and Tony Bennett. Photo by Bettina Linke.

The evening featured a musical tribute from fellow “Hee Haw” star Lulu Roman and video tributes from Ron Howard, Rance Howard and Ernest Borgnine, as well as Mel Tillis and other country music stars. (You can watch some of the video salutes, including Ron’s and Rance’s, at www.lindseyfilmfest.com.)

It was also announced that evening that the George Lindsey Film and Digital Media Scholarship is being launched at the University. Also, a theater arts building bearing George’s name is currently under construction on campus and due to be completed in 2012. It was announced that George will be inducted into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame in September. (George was quarterback and on the school’s first football team.) It was a big night for George all the way around.

A chip off the old block, George Lindsey Jr. directed and performed in a recent production of High Noonish at the West Valley Playhouse in Canoga Park, Calif.

And while on the subject of the work of children of TAGS stars, we should mention that Karen Knotts, daughter of Don Knotts, had three highly successful performances of her one-woman Tied Up in Knotts show in Tennessee in April—one in Murfreesboro and two at the Tennessee Valley Theatre in Spring City.

And one more nut from the Mayberry family tree…David Morris, son of Howard Morris, has been working on alternative rock project titled Picture an Accident. You can learn more about it and hear a track here: www.pictureanaccident.com.

We’re happy to report that Darling boy Doug Dillard has recovered well from a collapsed lung he suffered in February.

CNN's Tom Foreman interviews Betty Lynn at the Andy Griffith Museum on May 10. Photo by Hobart Jones.

Betty Lynn was interviewed by CNN’s Tom Foreman for a story about how TAGS and Mayberry tourism have helped stabilize the Mount Airy economy during the recession and after many areas factories and mills closed. (Andy Griffith’s childhood friend Emmett Forrest was also interviewed for the story.) CNN broadcast live from Mount Airy during its “American Morning” show on May 11^th. You missed the story, you can still see it on www.cnn.com.

Betty also continues to greet fans and sign autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum once a month. (See Floyd’s event calendar above.)

Maggie Peterson was a featured speaker for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo., in late April. She’s in Alabama this month for a couple of appearances.

James Best is hard at work on pre-production of Return of the Killer Shrews, a sequel to Attack of the Killer Shrews, the cult classic in which he starred in the 1950s.

This time Jimmie is shrewdly producing and acting. Others in the cast include John Schneider and Jennifer Lyons. Filming is set to begin in L.A. in June. To stay current on the latest Shrews news, visit www.killershrewsmovie.com. Be very afraid!

**** Chapter Update ****

We’re pleased to welcome seven new chapters since our last eBullet:

The Darling Dillards Back Porch Charlotte, N.C.
Descendants of Nathan Tibbs Gulf Breeze, Fla.
The Gomer and Goober Pyle Comic Book Literary Guild Greater Cincinnati, Ohio
Floyd Lawson Enterprises Centerville, Ohio
“She’s Usually Good for 11 Hatfuls” Summerville, S.C.
Dr. Pendyke Frankfort, Ind.
“Just a Fat Woman with Orange Hair” Fayetteville, N.C.

We now have had 1,373 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started in 1979. If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville (see addresses below). The hardest part is simply finding a name that hasn’t already been chosen. There’s a searchable list of chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

. Or you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)

Either way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

**** Merchandise Update ****

Ben has some great deals to tell us about!

Ol’ Ben Weaver has loaded his shelves for summer. In addition to some brand new items, we’ve also recently restocked several out-of-production and otherwise rare items that we haven’t carried for a while, sometimes even for years. We have only a small handful of some of these items (as few as just one or two), so browse our online shelves soon! Here are some merchandise highlights:

Dance ‘Til Your Stockings Are Hot and Ravelin’
A Tribute to the Music of “The Andy Griffith Show”
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Available for Pre-Order Now*
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=330

As part of the continuing celebration of 50 Years of Mayberry, this exciting new Mayberry-inspired bluegrass CD from the mega-award-winning Grascals features 5 favorite tunes from TAGS—

“Dooley,”
“Boil Them Cabbage Down,”
“Ol’ Joe Clark,”
“Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)”
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”

And there’s more.

Also included is “Mayberry’s Finest Theme” (watch out, Martha White…there’s a new chef in town and her name is Aunt Bee). Plus, there’s a bonus song written just for this CD, “Boy, Giraffes Are Selfish.”
This CD is truly a hooty-hoot! And great music to boot. You can tell that The Grascals are not only super-talented, but also huge fans of Mayberry. (The boys–and girl–are all keyed up!)

* Other items in the same order with this CD will be shipped with this CD when it’s available on June 7.

NOTE: Though we have our everyday low, flat rate of $5 shipping and handling for all orders (regardless of size), even crusty ol’ Ben Weaver knows that $5 S&H on a $6 item can be a bit hard to swallow. So, he recommends ordering this CD with something else you want, such as another CD or DVD, or maybe a T-shirt or a Mitch Jayne book for summer reading.

But for those who want this item and nothing else right now–and that’s for this item only AND only when just one copy is ordered by itself, the shipping charge is being reduced to $3. The Shipping charge will still show up as $5 on the online order form at checkout, but we’ll reduce it to $3 manually before processing your credit card.

Attaboy Don Knotts Comic Legends/Tied up with Laughter DVD
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=322

$15.00
Released in April

Available Now!

Beyond Mayberry’s beloved Barney Fife, this Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter! DVD shows Don in a series of wonderful, hilarious stand-up routines and sketches in rare performances from the 1960s and ’70s.

In this special hour-long comedy collection, Don is joined by singer-actress Joey Heatherton, actress Jane Powell, former Dallas Cowboys player Lance Rentzel, comic (and Mayberry deputy) Jack Burns, Don’s Love God movie co-star Maureen Arthur (also wife of ”Andy Griffith Show” producer Aaron Ruben), and the legendary Jimmy Durante.

Bonus material includes Don with Lucille Ball and an early look at Don’s comedy career and some “never before seen” special features.

This DVD is sure to be a great treat for all fans of our favorite deputy—one of the true, cherished comedy legends of our time…and of all time. And at a great price.

**** Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats ****

Embroidered Show Logo and Security by Fife Caps
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=2
$17.00

The Goober Beanie is Back!
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=2

$9.00

“The Andy Griffith Show 50th Anniversary-The Best of Mayberry” DVD
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=304
~~$25.00~~
$22.00

This is a really exciting item that was released last December. It’s an item that we had long been hoping for. In addition to a bunch of the very best episodes, this 3-disc set includes uncut versions of the “Danny Thomas” pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show” and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie. And all at a phenomenally low price, even before Ben Weaver’s additional discount. Here are some of the highlights of what’s on it:

* 17 Favorite Episodes:

“Dogs, Dogs, Dogs”
“Mountain Wedding”
“Opie the Birdman”
“The Sermon for Today”
“Citizen’s Arrest”
“Fun Girls”
“Barney’s Sidecar”
“Goober and the Art of Love”

Limited Edition “Together Forever” 50th Anniversary Color Lithograph
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=298
by Dave Barnhouse ~~$130.00~~
$100.00

This spectacular print is titled “Together Forever” and was released just in time for the 50^th Anniversary of “The Andy Griffith Show.” It’s another beautiful rendering by renowned Americana artist Dave Barnhouse.

The image size of the full-color lithograph measures a generous 17.75 in. x 28 in. and includes 21 favorite Mayberry characters.

The Edition is limited to a total of 5,900 pieces, all signed by the artist. What a marvelous commemoration for the 50th and beyond that Dave Barnhouse has created for Mayberry fans!

And even better for Weaver’s customers… we’ve now got this beautiful print for a whopping $55 off the suggested price. That’s right, we’ve reduced it from $130 to $75 as a way to celebrate the 50^th and make it a little kinder to everybody’s budgets in this recovering economy.

NOTE: We also have two other Mayberry prints by Dave Barnhouse…and they’re on sale, too!

I Wish Life Was Like Mayberry CD
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=301
by Rodney Dillard $16.00

Features 19 tracks and some bonus material. Ol’ Ben Weaver knows a toe-tappin’ good deal when he sees one!

TRACKS:
1. MAYBERRY MOMENT 2. THE DARLIN’ BOYS 3. THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD 4. THERE IS A TIME 5. WICKER ROCKING CHAIR 6. DOOLEY 7. DOUG’S TUNE (Instrumental) 8. SALTY DOG 9. EBO WALKER 10. THE MAYBERRY HAT	11. BANJO IN THE HOLLOW (Instrumental) 12. LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS 13. THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW 14. WET SHOES IN THE SUNSET SUITE 15. LEAKY BOAT 16. G-MAN BARNEY 17. PICTURES 18. GOOBER AND ROY 19. PARENTING

What Would Andy Do? T-Shirt
$18.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=302

This design on a preshrunk 100% cotton T-shirt in Carolina Blue poses the question whose answer will always get our attention. (Of course, we all already know the answer…”the right thing.”)

Sort of like a rebus puzzle or the old “Concentration” TV game show, this shirt might give passersby a slight pause before they break into a knowing grin and nods of agreement.

This is a shirt that makes a statement without ever saying (or even spelling!) a word.

50th Anniversary T-Shirt
$18.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=290

Can it really be 50 years? Shazam! This shirt has a classic image of Andy, Barney, Opie and Gomer on a heavyweight 100% preshrunk cotton shirt. The color of the shirt? Courthouse
Coffee, of course!

Limited Edition “The Andy Griffith Show” 50th Anniversary Portrait
~~$60.00~~ $40.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=259

What a beautiful way to remember the 50^th Anniversary of TAGS! It has been hugely popular in the year since it was issued. This beautiful print is sure to be a cherished lifetime keepsake marking this special time in the history of TAGS. But more than a keepsake, it’s a superb work of art whose many smiling faces will bring an instant grin to the face of everyone who sees it.

Printed with premium inks on archival paper, this outstanding 12 in. x 16 in. collage pencil portrait is signed and numbered by talented Wilmington (N.C.) artist George Murray and officially licensed by CBS Consumer Products. It’s limited to a maximum of 10,000 prints.

The suggested gallery price for this commemorative print is $60, but we’ve got it for just $40.

And More…

We have the first six seasons of “Matlock” (the Sixth Season was released in January) along with all seasons of TAGS (including a Box Set with all eight seasons, the “Danny Thomas” pilot and the Return to Mayberry movie) and all five seasons of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”

And we have a nice assortment of the best movies starring Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. They’re in the DVDs Section at Weaver’s.

Phone Orders

Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone. All inquiries about online orders and mail orders should be made online and by mail, respectively.

**** “Mayberry’s Finest” Update! ****

Mayberry’s Finest Brand Foods, the official food licensee of “The Andy Griffith Show,” has been busy with corporate dealings that will make the brand all the stronger going forward. But all those Man in a Hurry-types of efforts have caused a production delay in the much-anticipated Commemorative Gift Tin.

Still scheduled to be popping out of the oven sometime in the next few months, this gift tin will contain four of the most popular varieties of Mayberry’s Finest baking mixes, such as Peach Cobbler and Cinnamon Toast muffins. As a treat for fans of the show, the collectible tin will feature images of some of Mayberry’s most representative memorabilia.

And as a special feast for the ears, the gift tin will include the brand new CD of Mayberry tunes by the award-winning bluegrass band The Grascals (see description at the top of Merchandise Update above). Among the songs that will make you laugh is a tune they worked up just for this CD. It’s called “Boy, Giraffes Are Selfish.”

There’s still no definite production date yet for this special gift tin. If you’re among those who pre-ordered, we still have your orders ready to go (at your original pre-order price) just as soon as the tins become available. We think they’ll be worth the wait. Meanwhile, continue to ask for Mayberry’s Finest baking mixes wherever you shop for groceries.

**** Chapter News ****

Some of the Westminster cast (l-r): David Browning, Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown, Kenneth Junkin, Christie “Andelina” McClendon and Allan Newsome.

Many of our chapters, especially in the Midwest and South, have simply been dodging storms and rising waters for most of the last month or so. Among the hardest hit areas was Tuscaloosa, Ala., home of our “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” chapter. As one Hearty Eatin’ member quipped, his house was damaged, but he wasn’t complaining because his kitchen was O.K.

The April tornadoes did cause the cancelation of the Eagles’ Wings banquet and auction, which many of our members and chapters support. There is no word yet about rescheduling the annual event.

Westminster Grand Marshal and featured performer Rodney Dillard.

Several chapters and members from five states were able to make it in the storm aftermath to the Salute to George at the University of North Alabama. Among those in attendance were members of that same “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women,” “Mother Figure” (Huntsville, Ala.), “You Better Put a Buckeye in Your Pocket and Do the Incant for a Sore Foot” (Bessemer, Ala.), Mayberry Minutemen (Graysville, Ala.), Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.), “I Ain’t No Rockefeller” (Big Stone Gap, Va.) and Briscoe of Mayberry (Indianapolis, Ind.).

Earlier in the month, the first annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster event in Westminster, S.C., dealt with inclement weather of its own, but the sun and winds cooperated enough for a crowd of at least a couple of thousand to come out and enjoy the parade, assorted vendors, numerous tribute artists, the VW Boys and headliner Rodney Dillard. Lots of members and chapters from at least 10 states attended, including one of our newest chapters, “She’s Usually Good for 11 Hatfuls” (Summerville, S.C.) and chapters from as far away as Florida (Opie chapter in Orlando and “There He Goes!” from Cocoa) and Indiana (Briscoe of Mayberry in Indianapolis).

Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) continues to meet monthly and also publish Mayberry Minutes, its giant, color chapter newsletter, three times a year. Many of the chapter’s members were able to see Karen Knotts’ show in nearby Spring City in April.

Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) is also continuing its monthly meetings. The chapter, TAGSRWC’s second oldest (after HQ’s Andy chapter in Nashville), was founded in 1982.

They began having regular monthly meetings after Neal Brower and students from his first Mayberry class joined the chapter in May 1991. They’re celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of that milestone in the chapter’s history at their meeting this month. They’ve been a powerhouse chapter for 20 years as they have hosted and organized large cast reunions and participated substantially in every Mayberry Days each September. They’ve done Barney proud.

Andy and Ricky on patrol in Raleigh..

It is with the greatest sadness that we report the passing of Ricky Carnes, one of our most active and popular members and chapter leaders. He passed away on April 13. He was 61.

Ricky and wife Jeffrey were founders of the Mayberry Squad Car chapter of Canton, Ga. A beloved couple among fellow Mayberry fans, Ricky and Jeffrey have attended most Mayberry events in the Southeast and Midwest during the last 15 years or so. Ricky’s replica of the Mayberry squad car was often judged by other squad car owners as Best of Show. His car had signatures of most TAGS stars who had participated in events during the late 1990s and beyond. And his squad car is the only one known to have a signature of Andy Griffith, whom Ricky also drove in his car at the 2003 dedication of the TV Land Landmark statue in Raleigh.

Jeffrey and Ricky Carnes (and friends) at the dedication of the TV Land Landmark statue at Raleigh’s Pullen Park in 2003.

But enough about Ricky’s great car (he also owned a General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard”). Ricky was simply a tremendous friend with a huge heart and a true gusto for life. He lived wide open. He loved his family and doted on his six grandchildren.

Ricky’s favorite movie was the Wyatt Earp movie Tombstone, especially Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday character. He loved Doc’s famous line from the film: “I’m your Huckleberry.” And that Ricky surely was to so many of us.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Jeffrey and all of the Carnes family.

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

Two Chairs, No Waiting Internet Radio Show http://www.iMayberry.com/podcasts is TAGSRWC’s weekly podcast hosted by Allan Newsome, our webmaster.

If you’ve got sound on your computer or have an iPod or similar device, you can easily tune in or download these podcasts.

And there’s also a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. It’s hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a great job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It’s called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook recently celebrated its first year! So far, more than 7,000 friends have joined our Facebook group, which you can find at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. We hope you’ll check out our Facebook page and be a part of helping it grow and spreading the word about Mayberry news and activities by becoming a fan with TAGSRWC. Drop by when you have a chance and say, “Hey!”

**** Answers to Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz #80 ****

Miss Crump got a good effort from most of her pupils on this quiz (can’t you see how pleased she is above?!). But when the dust settled, only two pupils got all of the answers right. And they were two of her star pupils, both from Tennessee. Chris Ingle of Tazewell and Dennis “King of Mayberry” Beal of Mayberry chapter in Knoxville.

Rather than draw a name from a hat to select just one winner (we hate to see Dennis pout like Opie when he doesn’t get his medal!), Miss Crump is awarding a prize for learning to both Chris and Dennis. Congratulations, boys! Each gets his choice of an item at Weaver’s priced at $25 or less (Miss Crump is on a teacher’s salary, after all). Here are the questions and the answers we were looking for. (Dennis typed up his answers so nicely that we’re using his responses.)

1. Using visual detective methods employed by someone as keen as Barney Fife, what are two topics most likely discussed on page 79 of one of the textbooks used in Miss Crump’s classroom?

Addition and Subtraction (the answer is visible on the blackboard when “Andy Discovers America”…and in the photo above, which also was the photo that accompanied the quiz questions in the last issue!)

2. Name two principals at a school where Miss Crump is a teacher.

Mr. Hampton (“The Senior Play”) and John Tracy (“Big Brother”)

3. Name a head of the school board in Mayberry.

Mr. Lockridge (“Helen’s Past”)

4. Who once “got a rude” in Miss Crump’s classroom?

Ernest T. Bass (“The Education of Ernest T Bass”)

5. What does Goober say makes more noise than Mr. Wilson’s fan belt?

Ice crusher that Aunt Bee won on “Win or Lose” game show (“Aunt Bee on TV”)

BONUS: Name four distinct occurrences of the number 44 in Mayberry, or distinct references to the number 44 by or to Mayberry residents. (In other words, not the same basic reference to 44 being mentioned several times.)

1. Opie’s scout troop number (“Dinner at Eight”)
2. The winning number everyone except Henry Bennett pulled out of the bowl to win the TV at the church social (“The Jinx”)
3. Television game show “Win or Lose” host Jack Smith’s age (“Aunt Bee on TV”)
4. Newton Monroe told Andy he looked like he was 44 years old (“The Luck of Newton Monroe”)

After only one quiz since returning from her loooong sabbatical, Miss Crump is skipping out on us again. Well, maybe not skipping. We doubt Old Lady Crump ever skips! But she is taking an early summer break. How long she’s gone this time is anybody’s guess. Until she returns, happy studying (that is, watching TAGS episodes!).

**** Post Note ****

Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?“ (aka WBMUTBB) Digest. It’s a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.

TAGSRWC also publishes Weaver’s Newsletter in more-or-less alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, the Weaver’s Newsletter is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. To sign up, go to: Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up

TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site www.iMayberry.com). Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for early July, with the next Weaver’s Newsletter planned for early June.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

The eBullet

The eBullet: Volume 12, Issue 2 March/April 2012

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

**** Merchandise Update ****

**** Post Note ****

The eBullet: Volume 12, Issue 1 January/February 2012

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

In Memoriam

**** Chapter Update ****

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

**** Chapter News ****

**** Merchandise Update ****

**** Post Note ****

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 5 November 2011

2012

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

****Mayberry Days Gallery ****

**** Chapter Update ****

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

**** Chapter News ****

2011 Mayberry Cruise Gallery

**** Merchandise Update ****

**** Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities ****

**** Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats ****

**** Phone Orders ****

Special Holiday Shipping Notice

**** Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz ****

**** Post Note ****

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 4 September 2011

2012

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

**** Chapter Update ****

**** Chapter News ****

**** Merchandise Update ****

**** Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities ****

Trading Card Series 2 Complete Set for Joplin Relief $20.00 $12.00

**** Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats ****

**** Phone Orders ****

**** Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz ****

**** Post Note ****

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 3 July 2011

**** News of Cast & Crew ****

**** Chapter Update ****

**** Merchandise Update ****

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

And More…

**** Phone Orders ****

**** Chapter News ****

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

**** Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz ****

**** Post Note ****

The eBullet: Volume 11, Issue 2 May 2011

News of Cast & Crew

Mayberry on the Web

Merchandise Update

Post Note

News of Cast & Crew

Chapter Update

Mayberry on the Web

Chapter News

Merchandise Update

Post Note

News of Cast & Crew

Mayberry Days Gallery

Chapter Update

Mayberry on the Web

Chapter News

Merchandise Update

Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Phone Orders

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Post Note

News of Cast & Crew

Mayberry on the Web

Chapter Update

Chapter News

Merchandise Update

Weaver’s Fundraisers for Charities

Trading Card Series 2 Complete Set for Joplin Relief

$20.00 $12.00

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Phone Orders

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Post Note

News of Cast & Crew

Chapter Update

Merchandise Update

Phone Orders

Chapter News

Mayberry on the Web

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz

Post Note