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

Boo!  And welcome to our fourth Weaver’s Newsletter of 2012!  We’ve got some scary good deals in our online store.  And lots of Mayberry news and upcoming events.  Read on…if you dare!  Just watch out for floating axes and moving walls.  And if Old Man Remshaw’s eyes start following you as you wander around…RUN!

 **** Merchandise Update ****

After all those ringing doorbells with political campaigners and trick-or-treaters going door to door, Bert Miller will be ready for some quiet holiday shopping at Weaver’s. By the way, in case you were wondering, Bert is an Undecided Voter. (Big surprise!)

Browse the full selection of books, apparel (get that cool new T-shirt for fall!), 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 many things on sale or at permanently lower prices.

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

New at Weaver’s:

2013 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar

$15.00

Back by popular demand!  After an absence since 2010, the official “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendar is back for 2013.  Hooray!

We can’t tell you how many people asked about calendars the last two years, only to be disappointed that there wasn’t one.  So, we we’re thrilled that one is once again available for 2013. The calendar features black-and-white photos of Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Gomer and Goober.  It measures 12×22 when opened for hanging.

It’s a great way to celebrate Mayberry every month and every day in 2013.

Two New T-Shirts

Here are two T-shirts paying tribute to Andy Griffith that have been officially approved and licensed by CBS.  They’re available in adult sizes Small to 3X.

Andy Griffith
In Loving Memory T-Shirt

$18.00

Thanks for the Memories T-Shirt    

$18.00

And here’s a favorite for the Election season that all parties can enjoy. (“How I vote, mister, is my business.”)

Re-Elect Deputy Barney Fife T-Shirt

$18.00

“A Mayberry Christmas” Color Print by Dave Barnhouse
Was $60…Now on Special Sale for Just $25.00!!
(Ol’ Ben Weaver is just trying to merry up Christmas!)

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!

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!

Christmas Is Here Again DVD 
$15.00 $12.00

Enjoy watching and starting a new family Christmas tradition!

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.

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.

All of our heavyweight cotton T-shirts are 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, and a few styles also come in 3X. 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:

Goober in a Nutshell
by George Lindsey
Foreword by Ernest Borgnine

This 1995 autobiography by George Lindsey has been out of print for a few years, but George’s family has graciously provided us with a few copies, which George had kept safe all these years, to use as fundraisers for some charitable causes that meant a lot to George.

The copies we have are still pristine, carefully preserved by George since publication. The 210-page paperback covers highlights of George’s fascinating life from childhood in rural Alabama to New York and Hollywood to Mayberry and Kornfield Kounty. It’s filled with wonderful photos and many adventures, both hilarious and poignant.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward TAGSRWC’s support of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala.

Choice of either plain ($25) or a special autographed copy ($100).

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.

More in the mood to watch Mayberry instead of read about it, you say? Then we’ve got you covered there, too!

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

$25.00 $22.00

Released for the 50th Anniversary in 2010, this continues to be a really popular item.  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:

* “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?

Want Even More Mayberry?

Then look no further.  All 249 TAGS episodes on DVD, plus the “Danny Thomas” pilot, Return to Mayberry movie, bunches of original commercials and more–now only $149 at Weaver’s (originally $249!).

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

Jim Nabors performing with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra on July 4. Photos by Michi Moore. Photo montage courtesy of JimNabors.com.

Jim Nabors continues to do well after heart surgery in May. He performed with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in a special July Fourth concert. (See photo.)

Ron Howard has completed filming and is now editing the Formula 1 racing movie Rush, his latest film as director.  The film is currently set for release on Sept. 20, 2013.

Ron also has partnered with Canon USA for a second year in a photo contest.  The theme of this year’s contest (initial winners recently announced) is Long Live Imagination. Learn more about “Project Imaginat10n” at YouTube.com/Imagination.

Ron Howard filming for his Jay-Z documentary at the Budweiser Made in America Festival in September.

The TV production arm of Ron’s Imagine Entertainment was involved in the summer reality show “The Great Escape” for TNT. And it’s  producing “How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life” for ABC this fall, as well as another season of “Parenthood” for NBC. Ron also is directing the filming of a documentary of about Jay-Z.

Signs are strengthening again for Ron’s ambitious production of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.  Russell Crowe’s name keeps popping up, and the script is said to be progressing well.

Meanwhile, Ron is executive producer and narrator and is also acting on camera (!) for the resurrection of “Arrested Development” for Netflix and eventually, possibly on the big screen. Ron is fun to follow on Twitter (@RealRonHoward).  He’s tweeting a lot from the set of “Arrested Development.”

Ron also is developing Conquest, a drama about the Spanish conquering the Aztecs for Showtime. He likely will direct that project.  And his Imagine Entertainment is developing a feature film on soccer great Pelé for release in 2014.  And you never know…Ron may have another trick or two up his sleeve.

Rance Howard plays a train engineer in The Lone Ranger, which has wrapped filming and is scheduled for release the week of the Fourth of July 2013.  He’s in several other movies that are about to start production. And he was in an April “Grey’s Anatomy” episode.  He and son Clint also recently filmed an episode of Showtime’s “Huff.” And be sure not to miss Rance’s special story, exclusive to TAGSRWC, in a feature we call “At a Glance With Rance” later in this issue.

James Best speaking on the occasion of receiving the AOF Legends Award in August.

James Best received the Legends Award at the 2012 Action on Film International Film Festival in Monrovia, Calif. in August.  Attaboy, Jimmie!

TAGS associate producer Richard O. “Dick” Linke (also longtime manager of Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors, Ken Berry, Maggie Peterson, Ronnie Schell, Jerry Van Dyke and others) is celebrating his 95th birthday (Oct. 23.) with family and friends at a favorite local hangout near his home in Hawaii.

The biggest news with the TAGS cast and crew since our last issue was the large group participating in the 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C., in September.  There were 10 cast members and two kids of cast members on hand.  Here’s the list:

Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Dean Webb (mandolin-playing Darlings boy), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling Wash), James Best (Jim Lindsey), Peggy McCay (Sharon DeSpain) in her Mayberry Days (and Mayberry fan event) debut, Morgan Brittany (Opie’s girlfriend, Mary Alice Carter), Jackie Joseph (Romeena), LeRoy McNees (of the Country Boys), George Spence (Frank the Fiancé),  Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey),  Karen Knotts (daughter of Don Knotts) and George Lindsey Jr.

It was a wonderful four days of fun and tributes to George Lindsey, Doug Dillard and Andy Griffith.  There was rain during the parade on Saturday, but otherwise nice weather, and big crowds through rain and shine. (There are no fair-weather fans when it comes to Mayberry Days!)

Below is a small Mayberry Days Gallery with a few photos by Surry Arts Council photographer Hobart Jones.  Click this link for the full gallery of Hobart’s wonderful photos from throughout Mayberry Days.

Peggy McCay receives the Key to the City of Mount Airy from Mayor Deborah Cochran during the Mayor’s Proclamation during Mayberry Days. The coat Peggy is wearing is the same one she wore as Sharon DeSpain in “Class Reunion.” If that had been a color episode, that colorful coat probably would’ve busted tubes on TVs all across America! (That’s cool James Best in the shades looking on at the far left.) Photo by Hobart Jones.

Maggie Peterson gives Dean Webb a hand as longtime Doug Dillard Band members Ginger Boatwright and Roger Rasnake play guitar and Buddy Griffin plays bass during the Doug Dillard Memorial Concert. Photo by Hobart Jones.

Morgan Brittany braves the wet Mayberry Days Parade. (And it looks as though an Arnold Bailey tribute artist has snuck in the back seat for a free ride. Better watch your back, Opie. He might steal your girlfriend!)

George Lindsey Jr. and Neal Brower are all grins during a Mayberry Days tribute to the late George Lindsey. Neal was also awarded TAGSRWC’s Jim Schwenke Memorial Award during the TAGSRWC Annual Meeting that preceded the tribute. Photo by Hobart Jones.

Betty Lynn reads comments from Rance Howard at the beautiful Hometown Tribute to Andy Griffith at the Blackmon Amphitheater on Sunday morning during Mayberry Days. In the background are George Lindsey Jr., Janice and LeRoy McNees and Peggy McCay. Photo by Hobart Jones.

Andy and Ron rockin’ back at the Fishin’ Hole in 2003.

And we encourage you listen to the audio of Ron Howard‘s eloquent and touching recorded remarks that were played during the Hometown Tribute to Andy Griffith.  (The audio runs about two-and-half minutes.)

Maggie Peterson, Jackie Joseph and Betty Lynn at Mayberry Days. Photo courtesy of Jackie Joseph.

And Jackie Joseph wrote a swell column about Mayberry Days for her local Tolucan Times.

***

Charles Dowell
1928-2012

Charles Dowell at his grill during Mayberry Days 1996.

Our great friend and Snappy Lunch owner Charles Dowell passed away September 4 after a long illness. He was 84.

Charles Dowell with Pork Chop Sandwich Eating Champion (and now a 30-year TAGSRWC member) Mark Gigliotti in 1999.

Humble, hard-working, friendly to everyone, Charles had folks lined up down the street as much for his welcoming grin as his world-famous pork chop sandwich. He genuinely loved people and had a passion for cooking and for running Snappy Lunch. He started working at Snappy Lunch in 1943, became part owner in 1951 and sole owner in 1960.

Most Mayberry fans first heard of Snappy Lunch when Andy talks to Barney about it in “Andy the Matchmaker,” which first aired in 1960 and is the only TAGS episode in which Snappy Lunch is mentioned. That mention might’ve been our reason to visit Snappy Lunch the first time, but it was the great food and service and friendly folks, starting with Charles, that have kept us coming back time after time over the years.

Our hearts go out to wife Mary, daughter Jamie, and all of Charles’ family and the staff at the Snappy Lunch.

 ***

****At a Glance With Rance ****

When Rance Howard (Ron and Clint’s dad) shared comments for our Remembering Andy Griffith special edition of The eBullet in July, he also had a story that has a great nugget of Mayberry trivia.  It didn’t really fit for our tribute issue for Andy, but, as promised, here’s Rance’s special story.

“I have one little thing I’ve been saving to reveal. It’s how Andy Taylor got his name Taylor. When we were doing the ‘Danny Thomas’ pilot for the show, his last name was originally Hopper.” In the story, when Andy gives Danny a ticket for running a stop sign (that the town hadn’t yet been able to afford to put up), the Hopper name was a setup for a joke. Rance continues, “Danny asked Andy, ‘What’s your name?’ Andy replies, ‘Andy, Andy Hopper.’ Danny then says, ‘Well, I’m gonna hop all over you, boy!’ And that was kind of a joke.

 “During rehearsal, Sheldon Leonard, who was directing the episode, asked Andy what he thought of the name. Andy said, ‘Well, it don’t just tear me up.’ Sheldon asked him, ‘Would you like to try some other name?’ Andy allowed as how he would. So the producers and writers got together, and finally somebody came up with Andy Taylor, and Andy said, ‘Yeah, Andy Taylor. I like that.’ So that’s how Andy Taylor came to be.

“They sacrificed that joke to give Andy a name that would become synonymous with Mayberry and not make a joke out of the sheriff. That helped set the tone for the series.”

Editor’s Note: Our thanks Rance for sharing this fascinating behind-scenes-moment with us and for posterity!

***

Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board & Event Calendar

Whooo-eee! Floyd will get your ready for any Mayberry event!

Here are some upcoming events in Mayberry that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board from the most recent issue of The eBullet:

* Oct. 27: James Best will be at Sam’s Club, located at 7950 F.M. 1960 in Houston, Tex., from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

* 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. This year’s cruise is fully booked and about to sail, but stay tuned for news about next year’s cruise at the All About Cruises website at www.allaboutcruisesnc.net/.

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

* Nov. 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* Nov. 13-18: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv at Harrah’s Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  For info, visit http://www.harrahslasvegas.com.

* Nov. 30: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform Christmas in Mayberry at 7 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.  David Browning also appears. Tickets are $12. For more info, call (561) 333-4222, Ext. 232.

* Dec. 1: Roland White hosts and performs at the 16th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 9 p.m. Details TBA

* Dec. 2: Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and David Browning present a Christmas in Mayberry concert at Long Branch Baptist Church, 2868 Minnie Hall Road, Autryville, N.C. Show time is 6 p.m.  Tickets are $10.  Doors open at 4 p.m. with lots of pre-concert Mayberry Christmas activities. For more info, call (910) 531-3765.

* Dec. 8: Get in the holiday spirits as Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Christmas Story” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one.  (We believe even Ernest T. Bass can do the math on that one!)

Betty Lynn is “reddy” for the holidays at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.

* Dec 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

2013

* Jan. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* Jan. 26: James Best performs his One Man Show in Mount Dora, Fla.

* Feb. 8: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at the Old Rock School, 400 Main Street West, in Valdese, N.C. Show time is 8:30 Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For more info, call (828) 879-2126.

* Feb. 9: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series at 7 p.m. at the Historic Jonesborough Visitor Center Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. For more info, visit http://www.jonesboroughbluegrass.com.

* Feb. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10).

* Feb. 28-Mar. 2: 16th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. For more info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Mar. 8-10: James Best is part of “Dukes of Hazzard” Reunion in Byron, Ga.

* Mar. 9: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. (Any Goober who doesn’t choose Door #1 on that one probably can’t find the door to the museum in the first place!)

* Apr. 13: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Convicts-at-Large” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one.

* Apr. 26 and 27: Third Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster in Westminster, S.C.  Details and stars TBA. For info, visit www.jneg.org/mctw/mctw/Welcome.html.

* May 4: 26th Annual Uncle Jesse Big Bass Classic (founded by Denver Pyle) in Paris, Tex.  For more info, visit: www.unclejessefishing.com.

* Aug. 23 and 24: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox,  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. Tickets are $20 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission.  Tickets for children 6 years-12 years old are $10. For more info, call Jeff Branch at (704) 985-6987, e-mail jbranch205@windstream.net, or visit www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

* Sept. 26-29: 24th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  The Golf Tournament, Doug Dillard Memorial Concert, VW Boys “Tribute to Mayberry,” Colonel Tim’s Talent Time, Professor Brower’s Lecture, and Michael Hoover’s “Memories of Elvis” are parts of the weekend requiring tickets that are already announced. More details TBA.

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

The iMayberry Community
We’re really excited about the launch earlier 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/.

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 200 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’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 over 33,000 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!

**** POST NOTE ****