Weaver’s Newsletter          
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
December 2015

Welcome to our final issue for 2015!   We have one brand new Mayberry item since our last issue, plus lots of Mayberry news, so we’ll get right to it.

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Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board & Event Calendar

 

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late 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.orgor call (336) 786-1604.

The following information is from “The eBullet“: Official E-mail Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC).

* Dec. 5: Roland White presents Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn.

* Dec. 11: Ron Howard‘s In the Heart of the Sea opens in theaters nationwide.  It’s a whale of a movie. Think of it as sort of a 19th Century Star Wars prequel…a must-sea before viewing Episode VII, which opens next week.

* Dec. 12: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band are joined by David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning for a presentation of their Mayberry Christmas show at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C. And then come back the next evening to see David Browning’s presentation of A Christmas Carol the next evening.  For tickets and more info about all the shows, call 910-818-8452.

* Dec. 16: Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard, David Browning and the Mayberry Christmas show come to Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn.  The show, presented by Fountain of Life Church, starts at 7 p.m.  For tickets or more info, call 423-282-0655

* Dec. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

 

* Dec. 18: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band are joined by David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning for a presentation of their Mayberry Christmas show at 7 p.m. ET at the Historic State Theater in Elizabethtown, Ky. Tickets range from $34 for reserved seats to $24 for general admission balcony seats.  For tickets and info, visit http://historicstatetheater.org.

* Dec. 19: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and the Mayberry Christmas show featuring David Browning come back to Middle Tennessee with a return engagement in Mt. Juliet at Victory Baptist Church 1777 Tate Rd. 37122.  Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show starts at 6 p.m.  Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 and are $20 in advance by calling 1-800-965-9324, ordering online at the following website www.itickets.com/events/349787/Mt._Juliet_TN/Mayberry_Christmas.html, or in person at the church offices listed on that site, or are $25 at the door. Child care will also be provided.  The event is jointly presented by Abundant Life Church and Victory Baptist Church.

* Dec. 25: A CBS Special Holiday Presentation: “Christmas Story” and “The Pickle Story” episodes of TAGS will air in primetime—and for the first time ever…IN COLOR! Mark your calendar and check your local listings for “The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Special.” This one-hour primetime event is scheduled for broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 7 p.m. CT. What better way could there be to wind down with family and friends on Christmas Day than by watching these all-time classic episodes as we’ve never seen them before! And that’s not to mention the “spirited” discussions about the merits of adding color to black-and-white episodes, which might get a few jaw muscles working and veins in necks popping out! In any case, it’s a Mayberry milestone that’s also a wonderful Christmas gift to fans of Mayberry from the nice folks at CBS.

* Dec. 28-30: Karen Knotts does three performances of “Tied Up in Knotts” in Sedona, Ariz.  Details TBA.

2016

* Jan. 1: Karen Knotts performs “Tied Up in Knotts” at 7 p.m. at the Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Clinton, Iowa. for more info, visit www.clinton.wildroseresorts.com.

* Jan. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Feb. 22-27: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning entertains on the Mountain Music Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Sea.  For more info, visit www.mountainmusiccruise.com.

* Mar. 3-5: 19th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala.  For more info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Mar. 12 and 13: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard are joined by David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning in a presentation of Mayberry Moments at the Cumming Playhouse in Cumming, Ga. Showtimes are 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets and more info, call (770)  205-4220.

* Apr. 3 and 4: Karen Knotts performs “Tied Up in Knotts” at 8 p.m. both nights at Barleen’s Arizona Opry in Apache Junction, Ariz.  Details TBA.  For more info, visitwww.azopry.com.

* Apr. 22: Karen Knotts brings “Tied Up in Knotts” to Lyman, Wyo.  Show time is 8 p.m. Further details TBA.

* Apr. 25 and 26: Karen Knotts performs “Tied Up in Knotts” at 8 p.m. both days at Barleen’s Arizona Opry in Apache Junction, Ariz.  Details TBA.  For more info, visit www.azopry.com.

* May 6 and 7: 6th Annual Mayberry Comes Westminster (S.C.) festival. Karen Knotts is the special guest.  She’ll be performing two shows of her new one-woman show “Knott Knotts Who’s There: Getting to Know the Man Behind Barney Fife.” She’ll also be the grand marshal for two parades on Saturday.  Other performers include folk musician John McCutcheon and bluegrass gospel group Trinity River Band.  David Browning and a troupe of Mayberry tribute artists will be performing throughout the weekend.

In conjunction with the festival, there will also be a Mayberry Bible Study on Thursday the 5th and a “Salute to Elvis” dinner show starring Wayne Euliss on Wednesday the 4th. A cruise-in, pageants, contests, crafts, and assorted vendors are also part of the popular festival.  For more info, visit www.mayberrywestminster.com.

* May 21 and 22: Mayberry in the Midwest festival in Danville, Ind.  Details TBA.

* June 11: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on “The Big House” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum admission ($6).  For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* July 9: Neal Brower presents a lecture on the “Andy’s Rich Girlfriend”  episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum admission ($6).  For info, visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Aug 13: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower presents a lecture on the “Goober and the Art of Love” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum admission ($6).  Visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Aug. 20: Mayberry Night in Troy, N.C. , starring Maggie Peterson, the VW Boys and most of the Mayberry tribute artists in a fundraiser show for the local DARE program.  Details TBA.

* Sept. 21-25: 27th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Details and stars TBA. Much of the festival is free, but tickets for some of the activities that have a paid admission are already available online at www.mayberrydays.org.

* Oct. 29 -Nov. 3: Cruise to Mayberry 11 with special guest star Jackie Joseph (aka to Ernest T. Bass’s Sweet Romeena)! Join the fun (including Halloween) in the western Caribbean aboard Carnival’s Paradise cruise ship as it departs Tampa with stops in Grand Cayman (a favorite of Asa’s and Mr. Meldrim’s) and Cozumel (a fave of Daphne and Skippy and Mavis Neff).

A bunch of popular Mayberry tribute artists (and also an Elvis) will join Jackie in providing entertainment and hosting contests, along with all the hearty eatin’ and usual cruise highlights.  For more info, visit www.allaboutcruisesnc.net or call 1-800-832-7993.

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

Ron Howard and Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer are serving as executive producers of the “Breakthrough” documentary series for the National Geographic Channel.  The series began airing on Nat Geo in November and continued its initial run for five Sundays. Ron also directed one episode of the series, “The Age of Aging,” which premiered on November 29 and included some clever uses of TAGS footage.  Check Nat Geo listings for re-broadcasts of the episodes.

 

Ron continues with post-production work on Inferno, which is currently scheduled to be in theaters on October 14. But you don’t have to wait until then to see one of Ron’s movies in theaters.  In the Heart of the Sea, Ron’s big holiday blockbuster that is opening Friday in theaters nationwide. (Star Wars, Shmar Wars!) Ron gave a talk about his movie as part of the Film Society Talks series at New York City’s Lincoln Center on November 22.  And he and the film’s stars have been traveling the globe making media rounds in support of the film.

 

Ron is also set to produce and direct The Girl Before for Universal Studios. The movie, based on a novel by J.P. Delaney (aka Tony Strong), is such a hot property that the movie deal was made even before the novel’s planned release next fall.

Betty Lynn’s last meet-and-greet session this year is December 18 at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C.  She also made an appearance at the museum in November, had multiple appearances during September (including Mayberry Days) and two in October, including a special lecture with Neal Brower, when they discussed the “Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfftt” episode.

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band have been in the recording studio in Nashville several times this fall. They’re finishing up a new album that’s scheduled for release in February.  Rodney and the band traveled to Troy, N.C., for the annual DARE fundraiser with Maggie Peterson and some of the Mayberry tribute artists before heading on to Mayberry Days in Mount Airy. Rodney and his band, along with Maggie and also David Browning, are now touring with their Mayberry Christmas show. Meanwhile, Rodney and his band’s new website (www.officialdillards.com) should be up and running by the time the new CD is released and the accompanying 2016 tour is set.

Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride bluegrass band had a steady slate of performance dates this year, most around their Branson-area home base. And look for them close to home with strictly indoor gigs through the quieter winter off-season. Keep up with the band at www.missouriboatride.com.

Ronnie Schell was joined by son Greg for the 10th Annual Mayberry Cruise to the Caribbean in October. Dozens of fans, several Mayberry tribute artists (and an Elvis) and Tim White of the VW Boys set sail for another fantastic time at sea aboard Carnival’s Conquest.

Jackie Joseph (recently announced as the Special Guest Star for next fall’s Mayberry Cruise 11) has been involved in her usual assortment of fun social and charitable events, including the recent VisionWalk to support the Foundation Fighting Blindness.  And she continues to write her “Talk with Jackie” column most months for The Tolucan Times.  You can read some of her recent columns at www.tolucantimes.info.

LeRoy “Mack” McNees has stuck close to home in California with his Dobro and bluegrass gospel performing for most of this year. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten in some brushes with Mayberry. In November, he and wife Janice visited Franklin Canyon Reservoir (aka Mayberry’s Fishin’ Hole) with members of TAGSRWC’s Remembering Mayberry chapter.

Margaret Kerry has been doing lots of Tinkerbell-related appearances for Disneyana clubs and other Disney events, as she continues to anticipate publication of her memoirs (as do her fans!).

Meanwhile, Margaret’s son, Eric Norquist, has been writing comedy with pal George Lindsey Jr. They’re developing a funny-sounding stand-up comedy show they’re calling “Eric & George—One-Man Show.”

Karen Knotts has completed another mini-tour of her “Tied Up in Knotts” stage show with full houses for two shows in Texas in October. And she has several dates (primarily in Arizona so far) lined up for this winter and next spring.

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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 able assistance from Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown. You can check it out 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 page, 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 happens to be going on 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). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view episodes you’ve missed.

Allan started the podcast in 2008. This week’s episode is #355. That’s a bunch of great barbershop talk about Mayberry! 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. And you’ll also find links there to a couple of other outstanding Mayberry-related podcasts.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 185,000 friends! 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!

And even Ol’ Ben Weaver now has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weaversdepartmentstore. Check it out for the latest Mayberry items and merchandise news.

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   **** Post Note ****

Between issues of Weaver’s Newsletter, keep up with the happenings in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” Digest. It’s a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, news flashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at www.tagsrwc.com.

TAGSRWC also publishes The eBullet in alternate months to Weaver’s Newsletter. The eBullet is the online successor to our longtime printed newsletter, The Bullet. Like Weaver’s Newsletter, The eBullet is free. It includes some of the same news as Weaver’s Newsletter, but generally with more features and depth and a little less emphasis on merchandise news. To sign up, go to: www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet.

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 first issue of Weaver’s Newsletter for 2016 is scheduled for February, with the new year’s first eBullet coming out in January.

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