An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Welcome to the November Weaver’s Newsletter!
This is the sixth edition of the Weaver’s Newsletter for 2023. The holiday season is here and Weaver’s is hard at work filling orders for Andy Griffith Show fans. We wanted to bring you the latest Mayberry related news and some fun for the season.
Weaver’s would like to list a few of the items available at Weaver’s Department Store and to remind you that to receive your order in time for Christmas you need to place your order soon. Any orders Weaver’s receives after 10 a.m. CT on Saturday, December 16, would require USPS Priority Express or UPS 2nd Day or Overnight Delivery to be guaranteed to arrive by Christmas resulting in additional fee added to our standard flat rate of $5 for shipping and handling.
We have several new products for you or for the Mayberry fan in your life. After checking all the fun information below, head over to our website, WeaversDepartmentStore.com and see all that Mr. Weaver has to offer.
**** Merchandise Update ****
Ben Weaver has been filling the virtual shelves with all your Mayberry shopping needs. Enjoy checking out the many fun items in our online store store. Here are some highlights:
Mayberry North Carolina, Sheriff & Deputy Badge Ornaments – $19.00
Celebrate our hometown of Mayberry with this ornament depicting the Old North State and keep your tree safe with a Sheriff & a Deputy badge ornament, too.
These ornaments will look great around the home for Christmas decorating, to give as a gift, or to just hang year round in your Mayberry collection.
Badge Size: 4 inches across
State Size: 6.5 inches (length)
Made of Cherry wood.
Writing on one side.
Backside is blank.
Comes with ribbon.
NOTE: Badge design also available as magnets with a slightly smaller size of 3 inches across.
Mayberry Tea Towel – $14.00
One of a kind design! Exclusive for Weaver’s! This is something that could be found in Aunt Bee’s kitchen.
This fun towel should make you smile and make you think of some your favorite episodes and characters. Kerosene Cucumbers? Blooey? Make a big moulage? Boy giraffes are selfish, Dooley was a good ole man, Haircuts at the barbershop, but don’t the tree’s seem nice and full?, Eagle-Eye Annie, Gertrude, the Haunted House, and more.
Oversized Flour Sack Tea towels (27×27) are printed in the USA. Machine washable, fade resistant, pre-washed & pre-shrunk.
100% Premium Cotton and lint free
Ernest T Prettiest Rock – $5.00
These “rock” shaped stress relievers are perfect for squeezing and work that stress out of the body. Even if you do end up throwing one at someone causing you stress, it’s unlikely to do much harm. So, feel safe in bringing out your inner “Ernest T.” with the “Prettiest rock ya ever did see.”
Ernest T. Bass is always looking for the best throwing rock and Weaver’s has them. You can see right there on the rock that it’s the “prettiest rock ya ever did see” and you’ll be proud to carry it, or them if you buy more than one, in your burlap sack.
Size: 4″ x 2-1/2″ x 2″
2024 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar – $17
Welcome to Mayberry! Plan your year with The Andy Griffith Show. This classic American comedy series was one of only three TV shows to end while still at the top of the Nielsen ratings.
Start each month with classic shots of Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and rest of Mayberry. Some images are black and white for a throwback feel, while others are presented in vivid full color.
Covers 16 months from September 2023 – December 2024
One month is over two pages with an image at the top and calendar page on the bottom. Jot down plans and notes in the unruled daily blocks.
Includes a page with 4 extra calendar grids for September 2023 through December 2023 for early planning
Hang on a wall in your home, office or at school for a full year of planning and beyond
Printed on glossy paper stock suitable for pen and pencil notetaking. Measures 12″ x 12″ when closed, 12″ x 24″ when open.
2024 Mayberry Day-by-Day Flip Book Calendar -$21.00
The calendar consists of 366 days of all-new fun facts. Creator Randy Turner tried something different this time and wrote an “All Holiday” edition of the calendar. Each bit of daily trivia is tied to an official or unofficial holiday for the entire year!.
The calendar stands on a built-in easel and is designed to be used as a ring-bound desk calendar throughout the year with pages that are flipped over each day instead of being removed. At the end of the year, the easel can be removed, if desired, and it becomes a book that can be kept as a reference.
Start each day with a 4″ x 5.75″ fun fact.
There are some amazing new books that have been published recently. Everything from an updated Mayberry Travel Guide to the first of a brand new children’s book series detailing The Adventures of Young Andy is available.
Fans will love the reference books by authors Neil Brower and SpiritWalker. Weaver’s also has the return & update of the VERY popular Everybody on the Truck giving details the Darling family’s real life counterparts, The Dillards.
Great as gifts and for your very own library. Drop by the book section of Weaver’s to see all we have to offer. Below are a few more great books to consider making your own.
Inspirational Mayberry books by Ronald Vaughan
The Gospel According to Andy, Volume 1 offers the reader a spiritual truth from each episode of seasons 1 and 2 of the series. Future volumes will venture into season 3 and beyond. Each devotional includes a guided prayer to begin a conversation with God about the day’s lesson. Also included is a “footnote,” a fun fact or trivia about each episode. Open this book and your heart and hear The Gospel According to Andy. Paperback: 261 pages
Messages from Mayberry contains Pastor Vaughan’s messages based the twenty-five episodes that author and Pastor Ronald D Vaughan used to put Mayberry to work in his church worship services. He showed episodes and then used scripture to explore life issues from a Christian perspective. This book lets you follow along and learn those lessons.
A Guide to Television’s Mayberry R.F.D. (softcover) – $25
A Guide to Television’s Mayberry R.F.D.
by Dale Robinson & David Fernandes (softcover edition)
A terrific Mayberry book by David Fernandes and Dale Robinson (authors of The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference), is 225 fact-filled pages of fun reading for any fan of Mayberry.
Now available in softcover, this is the first book devoted entirely to the “R.F.D.” years of Mayberry. It provides detailed, episode-by-episode information about everything you might ever want to know about what happens in “Mayberry R.F.D.” It has extensive notes about the show’s cast, crew and guest stars, plus there’s a beautiful foreword by Arlene Golonka.
***Floyd’s Four Chair Shop Crossword Puzzle***
NOTE: This crossword was originally published in The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club official newsletter, The Bullet (Volume 4, Issue 2) April 13, 1988. You can print the entire newsletter by using the following link (so you can do the crossword easier.
They may have five chairs in Raleigh barbershops, but we figure four chairs will do for a Mayberry crossword. This puzzle, contributed by Robert Harrison, has had Floyd more aflutter than when that big-tipping fertilizer salesman came in for a haircut that time. The solution to the puzzle will be in the next issue of Weaver’s Newsletter. Get your pencils sharp and good luck. You might need a witch hazel rub after this one.
ACROSS 1. Opie goes to Walker's drugstore for a _____ 4. Goober's first date 8. Initials of two orphan songbirds other than Blynken 10. Initials of Andy's full name 11. Actress who played Ellie (initials) 12. Actor who played Floyd (initials) 13. Actress who played Helen (initials) 14. Aunt Bee's sister 17. _____, home, take a nap, over to Thelma Lou's for TV 18. Goober says _____ 20. Mayor whose daughter was in the beauty contest 21. Actor who played Ernest T. Bass (initials) 23. Briscoe Darling was afraid to wear one ever since he Saw a hanging 24. _____ owned a car whose license plate was AY321 26. Initials of Aunt Bee's joke-telling boyfriend 27. Initials of the farmer who lost $50 29. When Aunt Bee bakes a pie, she turns the oven _____ 31. Clothing for a cow 33. Last name of Aunt Bee's first blind date 35. Where folks in Mayberry keep their money (initials) 37. A mayor wanted to cut it down 38. Opie's favorite dessert, _____ pie 41. Andy did it to an apple without breaking it 42. Peanut butter and jelly kid 43. Water and air is free; we do charge for gas and _____, says Gomer 44. Initials of actress who played Thelma Lou 46. Ellen Brown said a girl needed time to _____ 50. Call the _____! 52. Andy said Ellie was just plain _____ 53. One of the fun girls 58. What Andy called his girlfriend with a new T-bird 59. Barney's first girlfriend 61. Nickname of runaway kid 62. Clarence Earp wanted to shoot it out with Andy at _____ 64. Floyd always wanted _____ chairs 65. Initials of Aunt Bee's best friend 66. Hobo who could hear fish jump (initials) 67. Aunt Bee would _____ the band uniforms with Opie as her model 69. How many children did Floyd have? 71. Executive producer of TAGS (initials) 73. Andy tried to pass him off at a social party 75. One of the sponsors in the early shows 76. Told Andy she was dating the butter and egg man 77. The street Andy lived on 78. Barney said Otis was a one-man disaster area when he bought a _____ 80. Aunt Bee's birthday is in what month (initials) 81. First name of actor who played Otis 82. Was a bad environment for Opie 83. Barney called Gomer this when Gomer arrested him 85. How many bullets did Barney have? 86. Andy and Barney listened to him on the radio (initials) 87. Opie's pet bird that escaped 88. Actress who played Helen (initials) 89. Andy played marriage counselor to _____ and Jenny Boone 91. Barney almost became sheriff of this town 95. Hostess of the party where Ernest T Bass was called a creature
DOWN 1. The contest-winning fish Howard caught 2. What Barney orders for breakfast along with a bowl of cereal, stack of wheats, three eggs over (not runny), bacon on the crisp side, white toast buttered, hash brown potatoes and coffee 3. Initials of the actor of the show TAGS piloted from 5. "Hey Ange?" " _____ Barn." 6. Initials of a famous musician who played Briscoe's son 7. Initials of actor who came looking for a bride (played on Gilligan's Island) 8. Floyd said it's not good for the scalp 9. Initials of state where Mayberry is 14. Barney said Ernest T. was a _____ 15. The bully kept taking _____ nickel 16. Barney couldn't stand for anyone to wear _____ hat 19. Goober also says _____ 20. Aunt Bee lost it and claimed it on insurance 22. Initials of Andy and Barney's Alma Mater 25. First name of Annabelle Silby's husband 28. Name of Andy's housekeeper before Aunt Bee 30. Cow thief 31. Gomer Pyle's favorite word 32. Gave Opie his first free ice cream 33. Opie lost his _____ in the old Remshaw house 34. State where Helen is from 35. Barney took Juanita to this town for Chinese food (initials) 36. Only line spoken by Darling boys: "Great _____, Aunt Bee" 39. Sheriff before Andy 40. A word Aunt Bee and Clara heard in Mexico (Spanish for "the") 45. What Opie called Andy 47. What Juliet called Romeo in Andy's story 48. Barney had a fit when Gomer _____ Thelma Lou 49. _____ darling Romeena 51. Initials of gas station attendant 54. Initials of actor who portrays the Sheriff of Mayberry 55. Gomer's warning signal: "Hooty _____" 56. Tried to court Charlene after she was married 57. Same as 27 across 58. Initials of the animal Otis chases out of his cell 60. Mayor Stoner's wife's initials 62. Peggy left Andy a _____ on his desk at the courthouse 63. Received a plaque for being a descendant of war hero (initials) 68. Emmett took a new job as salesman 70. Gangster who captured both Andy and Barney in cabin 72. Took off on Cary Grant (initials) 74. What Andy would say when Barney wanted to buy "heavy artillery" 76. Name of Opie's invisible horse 77. Initials of owner of the fix-it shop 78. When Thelma Lou couldn't get to Mt. Pilot, Andy suggested Barney call a _____ 79. Barney's name according to the female convict 81. First name of the bully who stole Andy's fishing spot 83. Initials of Martha Clark's brother 84. Was Barney in the Spanish Club? 85. Howard borrowed this item from Andy 86. Andy's favorite dish, _____ of lamb 87. First name of Charlene's husband 90. Founder's _____, celebrated by the citizens of Mayberry 92. Fell for Ernest T at a party (initials) 93. Famous war hero, Otis' ancestor (initials)
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:
* Dec. 14: Neal Brower will do a presentation and sign copies of his new book, The Essential Mayberry–Behind the Scenes of The Andy Griffith Show, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Scuppernong Books, 304 South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro, N.C.
2024
* Jan. 26: Karen Knotts presents her grand ol’ “Tied Up in Knotts!” show at 8 p.m. at the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, Fla. For info, visit www.obopry.com.
* Feb. 3: Karen Knotts performs her one-woman “Tied Up in Knotts” show at 7 p.m. at Pursell Farms Resort in Sylacauga, Ala. For more info, visit www.pursellfarms.com. Tip: While in town, check out the Jim Nabors exhibit at the Isabel Anderson Comer Museum.
* Feb. 29-Mar. 2: 27th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival reels in top independent films in Florence, Ala. Details TBA. For updates and official festival info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com and check out the festival’s page on Facebook.
* Apr. 12 & 13: Mayberry & I Love Lucy Festival in Historic Granville, Tenn. (aka the Mayberry of Tennessee). Special Guests TBA. Highlights include Mayberry and Lucy tribute artists (Barney, Floyd, Otis, Goober, Gomer, Briscoe, Charlene, “Fun girls” Skippy & Daphne), Mayberry Dinner Theater, Mayberry-Lucy parade, Mayberry trivia contest, Mayberry look-alike contest, Mayberry Museum exhibits, and Darlings-style music. As additional details and the event schedule become available, check the GranvilleTN.com website for the event. (And check out Historic Granville on Facebook.)
* May 8-10: The Mayberry Retreat, hosted by Mayberry author Randy Turner. The beautiful Sauder Heritage Inn in Archbold, Ohio, is the site for the this year’s retreat. The inaugural Mayberry Retreat in 2023 was a real treat for attendees, and another good time is planned for this year. Randy will be presenting a talk titled “How Andy Griffith Became Andy Taylor,” which will examine Andy’s early career and the origin of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Mayberry Days regular Tim White will be providing entertainment filled with bluegrass music and comedy (“Got time to breathe, got time for music”). The event will be a relaxing Mayberry-filled weekend. For full details, visit the event’s website at mayberrybooks.com/mayberryretreat.
* June 15: Essential Mayberry 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 feature an episode dealing with matchmaking and romantic rivalry. Today’s lecture is about “The New Doctor” from Season 2. Lecture admission is included with Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* June 21-23: After the roaring success of their 2023 festival, the second edition of Mayberry Comes to Scottsburg will be held in Scottsburg, Ind., this weekend. Details TBA. For updates, visit the festival website at www.mayberrycomestoscottsburg.com and check out their page on Facebook. For now, just mark your calendar!
* July 11: Karen Knotts presents her one-woman “Tied Up in Knotts!” show at 7 p.m. at the Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Full details TBA. For more info, visit www.dhgroup.com/theaters/the-ohio-star-theater.
* July 19 & 20: 12th Annual Mayberry Meetup, sponsored by TAGSRWC’s “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast, gathers in Mount Airy, N.C. Details and registration info TBA.
* July 20: Timed to coincide with the Mayberry Meetup, Neal Brower, author of The Essential Mayberry, 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. Today’s lecture features “Andy’s Rich Girlfriend.” 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.
* July 21: A Don Knotts 100th Birthday Celebration Event at the Royal Theater in Macon, Mo. This afternoon event, sponsored by Carousel Productions and hosted by Blood Brothers chapter of TAGSRWC, features Sean Dietrich (aka Sean of the South), musical guest Keota, and an audio-visual presentation by Randy Turner. Details TBA, but for now just mark your calendar. For more info, contact Johnna at edukater6330@gmail.com.
* Aug. 17: Mayberry 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 “A Wife for Andy.” 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.
* Sept. 24-29: 35th Annual Mayberry Days® in Mount Airy, N.C. Full details TBA, but advance tickets to some portions of the weekend, including for the concert by The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard, are available to order now. For more info, visit www.mayberrydays.org.
* Oct. 26-Oct. 31: Cruise to Mayberry 17 sets sail for five days from Charleston, S.C., with ports of call at Princess Cays and Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Carnival’s Sunshine. The cruise’s Special Guest will be Dennis Rush (Howie Pruitt ).
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, call All About Cruises (336)538-4926.
****News of Cast & Crew ****
With Christmas time fast approaching, Ron Howard’s (Opie) 2000 movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is back in the front of the minds of many. “Grinch” has become a Christmastime tradition for many families. Ron made the movie a family affair by having father Rance Howard (Governor’s driver & more), brother Clint Howard (Leon), and daughter Bryce as part of the production. If you’re watching the movie this season, see if you can spot the Howard family.
If you’re still hungry for more Christmas movies, Ron Howard and partner Brian Grazer’s production company Imagine Entertainment has produced “Candy Cain Lane” staring Eddie Murphy that premiers December 1, 2023 on Amazon Prime Video.
Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason) who played Little Ricky on the “I Love Lucy” attended the 2023 Rainbows for Kids Gala in Maryland Heights, Missouri on Friday, November 10, 2023. Rainbows for Kids provides fun activities, support, and friendship for children with cancer or other serious illnesses.
Joy Ellison (Effie Muggins, Mary Scobey and Mary Wiggins) joined the largest group of travelers every on the Cruise to Mayberry 16 in late October. She had a wonderful time visiting with fans and, along with her friend Jackie, even joined tribute artists in performing some skits in the Mayberry Cruise finale show. A report on the cruise is found later in this issue of Weaver’s Newsletter.
Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) has been very active on her Facebook page posting videos and information about her activities. She talks about everything from she and husband Robert Boeke visiting the National World War II Museum in New Orleans for the opening of their Liberation Pavilion and honoring World War II veterans (of which Robert is one) to discussion of clothes hangers and their ability to get tangled no matter what care you take. She also posted a video with advice on how to take THE best photos! Margaret is an amazing lady and always entertaining.
Ronnie Schell (two episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) is also staying active on his Facebook Page. He attended Mayberry Days and entertained crowds in the way only he can. After Mayberry Days, he was “making for Canada” to attend the Northern National Collectors’ Convention in Windsor, Ontario where he had a wonderful time greeting fans of cartoons he voiced characters for. Among the voices that he did are Jason (Battle of the Planets), Rick Racoon (Shirt Tales) and Pushover Smurf (The Smurfs).
****Chapter News ****
Mayberry’s Finest..No Interlopers chapter member Mike Creech reported to Weaver’s that on Nov 4, 2023 while watching Svengoolie on MeTV, he saw Hoke Howell (Dud Wash) in the movie, “Kingdom Of The Spiders” with William Shatner. Only a week later he spotted Jack Dodson (Howard Sprague) on Svengoolie in “Munster Go Home” with Bernard Fox (Malcolm Merriweather) also having a small role in the movie.
We’re naming Mike as a “trained noticer” as his eagle eyes also spotted a bit of Mayberry in the form of Seth Taylor’s statue on an episode of The Lucy Show titled “Lucy’s College Reunion” which actually aired before “The Statue” episode of The Andy Griffith Show.
Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) members attended Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy back in September and had a great time meeting other fans. Weaver’s failed to mention that chapter members attended the Mayberry Meet-up back in July. Basically, if it’s happening in or around Mayberry there will be representatives of Mayberry chapter attending. They are one of TAGSRWC’s most active chapters and always have activities going on. If you live in their area, be sure to reach out and join them in all the fun.
Don’t forget that the Mayberry chapter produces a paper newsletter with the latest edition publishing this very month. The Mayberry Minutes is available for $20 for two or three 16 page issues per year or $10 for a pdf version. 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.
The Mayberry Cronies (Sebring, Ohio) reports that member and tribute artist Dennis (Asa) Blain attended the 3rd Annual Classic Iron Car, Truck, and Bike Show in Lawndale, N.C. with his 1963 Ford Galaxie Mayberry patrol car. Dennis rebuilt the car and poured love into creating a great looking replica. He has a right to be might proud, too, because his car rolled away from the show with an award. The local police checked out the squad car and found no mold but the same can’t be said for Asa’s bullets.
The Mayberry Card Guild, a subchapter of Blood Brothers (Macon, Mo.), met November 13 to make Christmas cards for sharing joy this holiday season. They are looking forward to their next gathering in January. Their Christmas party is scheduled for February 4, 2024, weather permitting so you’ll have to call them liars about that early part for Christmas. Big plans are taking shape for the Don Knotts/Barney Fife 100th Birthday Party on July 21, 2024 (see Event Calendar for details). Dessert will be served at intermission so if you’re not sure about attending, maybe food will push you over the line.
The Trivial Trivialities chapter (Pawleys Island, S.C.) had a great time hosting a Mayberry Party gathering is late spring. Keith & Angie Brown made their home come alive with lots of fun, food, door prizes and music. Two very special guests attended the evening. The first being Tim White from the Troublesome Hollow bluegrass group. The second, but not the least, was Dixie Griffith, the daughter of Andy Griffith. To say it was big would be an understatement. They most certainly relaxed to music under the stars and in the house but word is, they still put out a sign.
The Colorado Fishin’ Hole Whistlers chapter (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had a gathering of 25 like minded Mayberry fans attend “Mayberry Night” in mid-November. They watched episodes “Barney’s Physical” and “Andy Forecloses,” shared fun door prizes, had a trivia contest, had healthy discussion (not chit-chat because they hate chit-chat), and ate some not so healthy desserts. All of these things made for a special evening!
The “You Were on a Date–You Weren’t Taking Medicine” chapter (Piedmont, S.C.) addended Mayberry Days this fall and was able to catch up with TAGS writer Harvey Bullock’s daughter, Kerry Bullock-Scarvie. Kerry, her son Andy Scarvie (yes he was named after Andy Griffith), and her brother Andy Bullock (yes, he too was named after Andy Griffith) attended Mayberry Days for the first time. The entire Bullock family enjoyed the experience and were so happy and touched that their father/grandfather was so revered by fans. Hopefully they’ll make it back to Mayberry again.
Send in your chapter reports (floyd@imayberry.com) and show off your chapter’s Mayberry spirit. We love to hear from you.
**** Mayberry Cruise 2023 Report****
Since the last issue of Weaver’s Newsletter, the biggest Mayberry related gathering was the Cruise to Mayberry. Since beginning in 2006, the Mayberry Cruise has been an annual Mayberry family reunion at sea for fans and cast members who attend. Well, you may have to call me a liar on that annual part because the cruise was cancelled for two years during the pandemic making the 2023 edition the 16th Cruise to Mayberry in the 18 years.
This year’s special cruise guest was Joy Ellison who played daughter Effie Muggins in the episode “Christmas Story,” Mary Wiggins in “The Beauty Contest” and Mary Scolbey in “Andy Forecloses” all in season one of TAGS. She returned to Mayberry in season 7 as Betsy in “Opie’s Most Unforgettable Character” and a final time for season 8 as Iris in “Opie’s First Love.”
Her connection to Mayberry wasn’t quite over as she appeared in a 1968 season 4 episode of Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. episode called “Luv Finds Gomer Pyle” as Molly Peters.
Joy appeared on many television classics such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Dragnet to name but a few. Joy has gone from, as Opie put it, “the prettiest girl in town” to one of the most successful ladies in town as her career moved from performing to being a dialect coach and consultant.
During the cruise, we were able to hear directly from Joy about her career including her time on the Mayberry set. You can expect a full accounting of the interview on an upcoming edition of The Andy Griffith Show fan podcast, Two Chairs No Waiting (TCNW) so be watching for that. For a taste of previous cruises, check out TCNW episodes that, among others, have the two part interview with Joy’s on-screen Mayberry mom Margaret Kerry. https://imayberry.com/podcasts/tag/mayberry-cruise/
I should mention that not only was Joy on board, but so were 10 Mayberry tribute artists who entertained the fans in daily events only available to those who were part of the Mayberry Cruise contingent on board .
Many have asked how a cruise can have any connection to Mayberry. The answer is, on a cruise folks tend to gather together to sit, talk, tell stories, and eat. That sounds a lot like the activities folks in Mayberry enjoy. Sitting on the front porch, talking, telling stories, and eating Aunt Bee’s wonderful cooking.
The 2024 Cruise to Mayberry is already set for October 26-31, 2024 so if you think you’d like to go with special guest Dennis Rush (and his bride Judy) on the 17th Mayberry Cruise reach out to Sharon at All About Cruises, INC ( pwesje@aol.com or (336) 538-4926). You must book through Sharon in order to attend the special private Mayberry events held onboard the ship so don’t make the mistake of not booking through her.
Consider sailing with us in 2024 and if you’re still not convinced, check out the Facebook page for the Mayberry Cruise to see photos of previous cruises. (Facebook.com/MayberryCruise)
**** 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 Weaver’s Newsletter), 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 during live recording of the show on Monday evenings at 8pm ET @ live.twochairsnowaiting.com ). As of this week, there have been a mind-boggling 762 episodes since Allan launched the podcast over 15 years ago, in October 2008. Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view installments you’ve missed. Surely you can find a few episodes you’d enjoy out of all those that are available. OH….they are all FREE!
And look around the main Mayberry Podcasts (https://iMayberry.com/podcaasts) 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.
**** Post Note ****
Here we are the close of another issue of Weaver’s Newsletter. Thank you to everyone who sent chapter and event updates. Jan and I want to thank all of you who have dropped by WeaversDepartmentStore.com to browse and shop with us. Your support means so much to us and we are very thankful for your support. We also hope you are enjoying the Newsletter.
Remember 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. 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 with links to more WBMUTBB chapter info found at WBMUTBB.com. The Facebook group is private and administered by me (Allan) so I hope that makes you feel better about joining in on the fun. 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 WBMUTBB Facebook group.
Finally, the next issue of our Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in January so make sure you’re subscribed and don’t miss an issue.
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