Weaver’s Newsletter February 2023

An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)

Welcome to the February Weaver’s Newsletter

Weaver’s is glad to have you here for this month’s issue of our newsletter which is the first without Jim Clark, Presiding Goober Emeritus of TAGSRWC, as writer and editor. We’ll do our best to continue the high level of Mayberry fun and information fans have come to expect over the last 40 years of TAGSRWC newsletters. We’d like to add a huge thank you to Jim Clark from ALL the fans of The Andy Griffith Show for all he’s done for the show and for the fans.

Now, on to the Mayberry fun!

Folks are always asking, “How do I find out what Mayberry events are coming up?” and my answer is always that they should check the Event Calendar on iMayberry.com. Weaver’s Newsletter provides the current event calendar (below) but always check for regular updates on events on the Event Calendar at iMayberry.com.

Floyd’s Barbershop Bulletin Board & Event Calendar

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith artifacts, is operating on its full, normal schedule. For complete updates on operating hours and other info, visit the website at AndyGriffithMuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

Here are upcoming events that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board:

2023

* Mar. 2-4: 26th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival will be held in Florence, Ala.

Also, an unofficial but poignant part of the weekend will be a gathering in the lobby of the George S. Lindsey Theatre at Noon on Sunday, Mar. 5, to remember the late George Lindsey Jr., who died on Dec. 13. There will be light refreshments and a chance for those gathered to share fond memories about their friend George.

For the full festival schedule and other official festival info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.

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* Mar. 26: Karen Knotts performs stand-up comedy and signs her memoirs at the 6th Annual Sunny Side Up International Film Festival at the Coleman Theatre in Miami, Okla.  Showtime is 6 p.m., and advance tickets are $10 online ($2 more at the door). There is separate admission for other parts of the film festival, including the awards show, also hosted by Karen, and there are passes for sale that include Karen’s show and parts of the festival. For more info, visit www.sunnysideupfilmfestival.com.

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* Apr. 14 & 15: Mayberry & I Love Lucy Day in Historic Granville, Tenn. (aka the Mayberry of Tennessee). On Saturday, Granville will be hosting the 2023 Mayberry Squad Car Nationals as part of the event. Special Guest: Dixie Griffith (Andy’s daughter and tribute artist for Fun Girl Skippy). Dixie will do a presentation about her legendary father.

Other highlights include Mayberry and Lucy tribute artists, Mayberry Dinner Theater, Mayberry-Lucy parade, Mayberry trivia contest, Mayberry look-alike contest, Mayberry Museum exhibits, Darlings-style music, and screenings of the Mayberry Man movie. Admission is $5 each day (and $5 parking For additional details check the GranvilleTN.com website for the event. (And check out Historic Granville on Facebook.)

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* May 3-5: The Mayberry Retreat in Berea, Ky., will be a gathering of discerning fans of The Andy Griffith Show with special guest LeRoy “Mack” McNees. The retreat will be held at the beautiful and historic Boone Tavern Hotel and is hosted by Randy Turner who is the author of Mayberry Firsts, 60 Years of Mayberry, and others. For details check The Mayberry Retreat website.

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* May 6: The 35th Annual Uncle Jesse’s Big Bass Classic, the legendary fishing tournament founded by Denver Pyle as a fundraiser for Denver Pyle’s Children’s Charities, will be held at Pat Mayse Lake in Texas. For more info, visit the tourney’s Facebook page or email organizers at unclejessesbassclassic@yahoo.com.

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* May 6:  Memories of Mayberry festival cranks up in Valley Head, Ala. Allan “Floyd” Newsome and Andy “Barney” Woods are among the entertainers for the full day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) of fun for the whole family.

There will be a cruise-in, food vendors, live entertainment, door prizes, and more. Characters, decor, and themes from Mayberry will be featured. All proceeds benefit the Valley Head Volunteer Fire Department. The festival takes place in the downtown square of Valley Head. For more info, visit www. visitlookoutmountain.com/events/memories-of-mayberry-day.

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* June 17: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower kicks off his summer lecture series about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. All three monthly, hour-long lectures this summer will be about an episode featuring a key supporting character.

Today’s lecture features “Hot Rod Otis,” the episode with the fewest characters of any episode in the entire 249 episodes. Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

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* June 23 – 25: Mayberry Comes to Scottsburg, Ind. After a successful run, Danville, Ind., chose to end their 6-year run of hosting the Mayberry in the Midwest event and other cities in the Hoosier state have been hungry to have Mayberry come back to Indiana.

Mayberry Comes to Scottsburg is the answer to that desire. The festival will feature Mayberry tribute artists and other special guests. The details are TBD, but mark your calendar for what is sure to be a BIG event this summer! Check their Facebook Page and Website for details as they become available.

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* July 21 & 22: 11th Annual Mayberry Meetup, sponsored by TAGSRWC’s “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast, gathers in Mount Airy, N.C. Follow this link to register to attend the Mayberry Meetup 2023. For more info, visit this link: 11th Annual Mayberry Meetup. Note: There’s also a Mayberry Bible Study on Sunday, the 23rd.

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* July 22: Timed to coincide with the Mayberry Meetup, Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower presents the second installment of his summer lecture series about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. All three monthly, hour-long lectures this summer are about an episode featuring a key supporting character.

Today’s lecture features “Floyd the Gay Deceiver.” Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit  www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

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* Aug. 19: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower concludes his summer lecture series about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C.

Today’s lecture features Jim Nabors in “Gomer the House Guest.” Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

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* Sept. 19-24: 34th Annual Mayberry Days® in Mount Airy, N.C. TAGS cast members confirmed so far include Rodney Dillard, who will be performing with his Dillards  band, and Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason), who will be performing with his Christian Rock band, David and the Giants.

Other ticketed parts of the festival that are confirmed include: Comedy by John Floyd (aka “the Mouth of of Mayberry), concert by The Embers, Mayberry Days® Golf Tournament (aka The Emmett), Mayberry Days® Dinner & Entertainment, concert by Band of Oz, Michael Hoover’s “Memories of Elvis,” Tim White and Troublesome Hollow’s “Tribute to Mayberry,” concert by The Bellamy Brothers, Professor Brower’s Lecture, and Colonel Tim’s Talent Time.

For more info, visit www.mayberrydays.org. And tickets for some portions of the weekend are already available HERE.

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* Oct. 28-Nov. 2: Cruise to Mayberry 16 sets sail for five days from Charleston, S.C., with ports of call at Half Moon Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Carnival’s Sunshine. The cruise’s Special Guest will be Joy Ellison (Mary Wiggins and others). “All sail with thee, Miss Mayberry!”

Also on board will be a full crew of Mayberry tribute artists, including Dixie Griffith (Andy’s daughter) as Mt. Pilot Fun Girl Skippy. For more info and to book visit the cruise’s webpage at: AllAboutCruisesNC.net.

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

Ron Howard is reportedly a cookie decorating master, at least according to a report by daughter Bryce in an interview with US Weekly in December 2022. Bryce reported that the Howard family has a wonderful holiday tradition of spending an entire day decorating cookies and competing. So not only is Ron an accomplished actor and director, his “cookies are strong.” Bryce said, “He’s got good cookie-decorating game. He’s creative and he has good small motor skills. You could say that Ron Howard is a visual artist and [he brings] that to his cookie decorating.”

Bryce also revealed that Ron raised his kids well. She was asked if she’d watched the TV shows her dad had been on early in his career and said she has watched Happy Days “Like a little bit. Not enough.” But she went on to say, “Well, I’ve watched Andy Griffith’s show a lot” revealing his children may have been raised on Mayberry like so many of us have been.

Imagine Entertainment, founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, continues to be successful in providing films and series that impact and entertain. The recent release of the Disney+ series Willow, based on and serving as a sequel to the Ron Howard directed 1988 film of the same name, ranked in the top 10 most streamed program across all platforms in December 2022 and into January 2023. Imagine continues to develop feature films and television so be on the watch for more cooking from these smart cookies.

Clarence Earp would love Clint Howard’s (Leon) latest project, The Old Way. In this cowboy film released January 6, 2023, Clint was able to show off his horseback riding and update his “Leon” costume to an adult size. He continues to make rounds appearing at events and, during the holidays, he and his family volunteered at the Los Angeles Mission helping serve meals. He appeared February 3 & 4 at the Hollywood Show at Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel and his line never slowed down. He even signed a extra large peanut butter and jelly sandwich for one collector.

Also appearing at the Hollywood Show was Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey). Her line was consistently backed up for autographs as well proving that, along with Clint, Mayberry folks are still feeling the love from fans. She continues to be busy spreading pixie dust and smiles with online postings on social media as she prepares for her Tinker Bell talks schedule of 2023.

Rodney Dillard (guitar playing Darling boy) would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year from The Dillards, past and present.  A special exhibit, including key Dillards memorabilia, is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville until May 2025. He and the band hope to see you on the road in 2023. Check their official website for dates as they are confirmed.

Dennis Rush (Howie) reported that following attending Mayberry Days back in September 2022 he and his bride suffered through a trip to Hawaii. Luckily, they both survived roughing it several days on an island in the middle of the ocean. Crazy thing is, they would like to go back.

Ronnie Schell (two episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) has been interacting with fans, posting fun photos and insights from his amazing career on his personal Facebook page. If you can’t get enough Ronnie, his website (RonnieSchell.com) is a good place to find out more.

 Stark Howell and Cort Howell (sons of Hoke Howell, Mayberry’s first Dud Wash) continue working to complete post-production work on Mayberry Man TV series after having almost wrapped up principal filming (there’s still one scene left to film in the spring). The series is set about a year after the final scene of the Mayberry Man movie and follow the lives of the characters we met in the movie. What? You haven’t seen the movie. You can pick up a DVD and other related items at Weaver’s Department Store. The series should be released sometime in the fall of 2023 but exactly what network it will be on is still in the works.

****Chapter News ****

Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) reports that they met on December 10th to have their annual Mayberry Chapter Christmas party to exchange gifts, have a meal and enjoy good conversation. The chapter also used the occasion to have an early celebration of the Dec 23rd birthday of Ronnie Schell. After a few busy signals caused by the Morrison sisters tying up the phone line, they got through to Ronnie and wished him a very happy birthday.

The chapter also produces a paper newsletter called Mayberry Minutes. The printed Mayberry Minutes is available for $20 for two or three 16 page issues per year or $10 for a pdf version. It has traditionally drawn on The eBullet for much of its news that’s not related directly to chapter activities, and it may continue  that practice by tapping into Weaver’s Newsletter since The  eBullet has ceased publication . If you like your Mayberry news on paper or as a pdf, Mayberry Minutes is a great option. For more info, contact editor Dennis Beal at KingOfMayberry@comcast.net.

Mayberry Cronies chapter (Sebring, Ohio and all over the place) reported in letting us know “The Boys & Girls at the Lab” are already busy in their Lab’s getting crafty things ready for a new Season of Mayberry events,  making things for the Meet-Up and for Mayberry Day’s. Cronie Lab(s) are anticipating a busy year keeping up the tradition of inspiration by our Buddy, Dewey Lamb by creating Mayberry items for our Mayberry Friends & Family.

Blood Brothers (Marceline, Mo.) chapter turned 10 years old on February 7, so we’re having a birthday party on February 5. The “Brothers” enjoyed visiting, lunch, games like Pin the Badge on the Sheriff, Mayberry Musical Chairs, Pickle on a Spoon Race, and Mayberry Charades ending with drawings for door prizes. They’re already looking forward to our summer fried chicken dinner

Members of Mayberrry Goes Hollywood chapter made up of anyone who makes a trip to Hollywood, actually Burbank, Calif. for the Hollywood Show with Mike Creech. This time those that made the trip were from Mayberry’s Finest..No Interlopers Chapter (Avon, Ind.), “Mother Figure” Chapter (Huntsville, Ala.) and one of TAGSRWC’s longest chapter names ever, “Amazing! Only this Morning He Didn’t Know Which Side to Butter His Bread on and a Few Hours Later He’s a Genius! It Could Only Happen in America.” Chapter (Walhalla, S.C.). They were able to visit with Margaret Kerry and Clint Howard at the show. They also met up with Cort and Stark Howell (sons of Hoke Howell), Greg Schell (son of Ronnie Schell), and Kit McNear (son of Howard McNear, Mayberry’s barber). They tried to visit Franklin Canyon Reservoir, the location where the Myers Lake was filmed, but sadly the roads were closed because they were unsafe following the large amount of rain the area had experienced. Word has it that gypsies may have been involved in causing the rain.

That’s all our Chapter News for this issue. After taking over writing the newsletter, I’ll need your help in reporting on what’s happening in the chapters around the country, or the world as case maybe. We would LOVE to hear news from you about what chapters are up to. Please keep those chapter reports and photos coming to Floyd@imayberry.com and we’ll try and spread the word right here in Weaver’s Newsletter about what’s happening where you are.

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****Chapter Update ****

Tw0 new chapter have started since the November issue of The eBullet.  Here are our newest groups:

Andy Griffith Show Fan	Greensburg, Ind.
“Fly Away Buzzard…Fly Away Crow”	Robbinsville, N.J.

Our total number of chapters that have started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 is now 1,484.

Starting a chapter of TAGSRWC is still just as easy as it was four decades ago. You simply pick a name that hasn’t previously been selected by another group. (You can check the searchable list of chapter names already taken at www.tagsrwc.com.) Then submit your chapter’s name with your location and a list of your founding members by e-mail (to Goober@imayberry.com) or by U.S. Mail to TAGSRWC’s HQ (118 16th Avenue South, Suite 4, PMB 146, Nashville, TN  37203-3100). That’s all it takes!

Whether or not you start or join a local chapter, you can always join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter or any of several exclusively online chapters on Facebook and MeWe (see Mayberry on the Web below)..

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**** In Memoriam ****
Remembering George Lindsey, Jr.

In mid-December 2022, Weaver’s received the shocking news that our friend George Lindsey, Jr. had passed away. George was a wonderful friend who would often call just to talk about what had been on “Svengoolie” (airs on MeTV on Saturday nights) that week or to see how things were going here at Weaver’s. I had talked with him just days before his December 13th passing so it was certainly unexpected.

Fans will miss seeing him honor his father by dressing in his “Goober” suit, telling jokes, singing, and playing the guitar during Col. Tim’s at Mayberry Days. He always made folks laugh and I’m sure that would be how he would want us to remember him, with a smile.

His sister, Camden, pinned a wonderful remembrance of George on his birthday (January 6),

Happy Birthday to my Dear brother Georgie! I love you!

I wanted to reached out to all of his friends and let you know how touched I was by your messages and phone calls. George was blessed with amazing friendships that lasted a lifetime.

George Anderson Lindsey aka George Lindsey, Jr., passed away in his home on December 13, 2022. We will miss him dearly but are thankful he will be embraced by his dad (George Smith Lindsey) and his mom (Azasha J. Lindsey), who preceded him in death.

George was born in New York City, moved on appropriately to Hollywood when he was two and then to the San Fernando Valley. As a child George loved to hang out with his friends, ride motorcycles, play guitar, and sketch. After George graduated high school he tried his hand at construction but soon learned his true love was performing.

He attended Texas Christian University where he studied theatre and made some lifelong friends. Also in Texas George was introduced to performing in Wild West gun fight shows; he spent many seasons entertaining countless audiences. He was constantly working on his craft by taking acting classes and performing in theatre all across the country, where again, he made wonderful friendships. George later settled in Oxnard, Calif. Throughout his career he also performed stand up comedy, and appeared in many musicals and plays.

George loved his family dearly. He always looked up to his father. He enjoyed their many practical jokes, participated in the George Lindsey Film Festival at UNA and performed at Mayberry Days. He also had a very close relationship with his mother whom he cared for until her last days.

He is survived by his sister, Camden Pancake, who loved him a great deal; brother-in-law, Joe Pancake; two nephews, Carson and Andrew Gardner, whom he loved very much; and his dog Sam who was a joy to him. George is-and always will be-a beloved son, dear brother, cherished uncle and much loved and faithful friend.

George Lindsey Jr. entertained us all, just by being George. He was loved by many and we will miss him deeply.

I think you’ll enjoy hear George tell his story in episodes #307 & #308 of the Two Chairs No Waiting podcast. The episodes were recorded when George joined Mayberry fans on the 9th Mayberry Cruise (2014) and had a great time visiting and sharing stories about his dad.  The interview was recorded live in front of a audience of fans that George Jr. called “family.”  That’s what it’s like being a Mayberry fan….we’re family, and George Jr. will be missed. 

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**** Mayberry on the Web ****

The iMayberry Community

This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome with big help from Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown. You can check out the fun of this online community and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com.

The iMayberry Community complements our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook pages, online newsletters (such as The eBullet), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms.

“Two  Chairs, No Waiting” is our weekly podcast of TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever’s happening in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by Allan Newsome.

There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). As of this week, there have been a mind-boggling  722 episodes since Allan launched the podcast in October 2008. Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view classic installments you’ve missed.

And scroll to the bottom of the main Mayberry Podcasts web page for various other links, including one for another outstanding Mayberry-related podcast: “Burke on Mayberry“ (hosted by TAGSRWC’s Kevin Burke since 2008). There are also links for the Mayberry Devotional hosted by Brian Rose and for the Mayberry Bible Study Podcast.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook  has over 250,000 Followers. You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. 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!

We also have links in our “Liked by this Page” section to the pages (in the “About” section) of several TAGSRWC chapters on Facebook, as well as to Facebook pages for Mayberry Days,®  the Andy Griffith Museum, TAGS actors and others. Click “See All” to check out all the links.

Even Ben Weaver has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weaversdepartmentstore. It features all the latest in Mayberry items and merchandise news.

And TAGSRWC also has a growing presence on www.MeWe.com. Mayberry’s pioneering outpost on MeWe is “Sittin’ on a Velvet Pillow” chapter, headed up by Lynn Thomas. That group was followed in short order by Allan Newsome and the “Two Chairs, No Waiting” Podcast and by “Only One Word I Can Think of…Big!” (a TAGSRWC group that’s also on Facebook), administered by Myron Clark and Tommy Rainwater and an able crew.

In case you’re not familiar with MeWe, it’s similar to Facebook a lot smaller and a bit more calm. It has no ads so it’s more along the lines of a quiet street like Willow or Woods Way as compared to the hustle and bustle of Main Street in downtown Mayberry. (“You’re on my foot! You’re on my foot!”) If you’re looking to “relax, slow down, take it easy,” then you might want to check out some of the TAGSRWC groups on MeWe.

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   **** Post Note ****

As this issue of Weaver’s Newsletter wraps up, I wanted to thank you for your support of WeaversDepartmentStore.com. It really means a lot to Jan and me. Also, I wanted to remind you that between issues of the Weaver’s Newsletter you can keep up with all the happenings in Mayberry with the daily Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board? (aka “WBMUTBB?”) Digest. It’s a free email list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from fellow subscribers, Mayberry fans all. You can sign up for that list by going to WBMUTBB.com and choosing the “Join/Subscribe/Unsubscribe” link. NEW is the WBMUTBB Facebook GROUP and a link to it is also found at WBMUTBB.com. It’s a private group administered by…well, me. It’s made up of TAGS fans only and I do my best to make sure things are fun for all…both on the WBMUTBB Digest emails and the Facebook group.

Finally, the next  issue of our Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in April.

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