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

(If you received the Newsletter by email and are unable to see the images & videos, or if it seems like thing are missing, please go to this link to make sure you aren’t missing anything.)

Welcome to the Weaver’s Newsletter Nov/Dec 2025!

This fall has been full of Mayberry related fun for us here at Weaver’s. We’ve been getting ready for the Christmas shopping season and Weaver’s is proud of the exclusive items we have in stock for you. Our goal is to have things that we, as fans, enjoy in the hope that fellow fans will enjoy them as much as we do. We’ll show you a few of the products we have in stock during this issue but you’ll want to drop by Weaver’s Department Store online to browse around and find that perfect gift for family and friends.

Christmas Day this year is on a Thursday so you’ll need to get your orders in early enough to receive them before Christmas.

For orders received as late as Wednesday, December 17, we’ll be shipping for Christmas delivery with our standard flat-rate of $5.00 for shipping & handling.

Weaver’s will still be shipping orders for Christmas right on through Christmas week, but unless you live really near our shipping HQ in Huntsville, Ala., any orders we receive after December 17th, will require *Express/Overnight USPS or 3 day/2 day select UPS Delivery for them to be guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.

PLEASE NOTE: All *Express/Overnight charges are in addition to our standard flat rate of $5 for shipping and handling on all orders shipped to the same address. Express/Overnight USPS or 3 day/2 day select UPS charges will be added to your order, and you will be required to approve the additional shipping cost in advance BEFORE we ship out your order.

But why pay extra money Avoid the rush and order now. You won’t get a “rude” from Miss Crump like Ernest T., because this is one time it’s perfectly O.K. to go ahead and hurry a bit in Mayberry.

Our newsletter is not just a sales pitch for you. We have lots of Mayberry related fun to share as well. One big event we’ll talk about is the 18th Cruise to Mayberry that happened October 27 – November 1, 2025. We also have TAGSRWC Chapter reports, event calendar updates and more so let’s get into it by jumping in and hanging on.

The Enduring Legacy of The Andy Griffith Show – $13.00

By author by Randy Turner

The Enduring Legacy of The Andy Griffith Show: 10 Reasons For Mayberry’s Lasting Popularity is an examination of why this classic series has become a standard by which all other classic comedy shows are judged, is as relevant to modern audiences as to those from the 1960s, and why it will continue to remain popular for decades to come.

Having debuted in 1960, The Andy Griffith Show has never been off the air. From early reruns to multiple major cable channels to digital formats and streaming, the show has always been available to watch, which millions do daily.

Why does this series, dating back more than half a century, continue to delight and inspire modern audiences, serving as a touchstone? That is what we will find out in the 90 page book.

(softcover book)

Floyd’s Barber Shop Main Street T-shirt – $20.00

Show off your haircut in style wearing this Floyd’s Barber Shop t-shirt. Featuring the lettering right off the window, scissors, neck duster brush, comb, along with his slogan “Two Chairs No Waiting” and location on Main St, Mayberry.

“Floyd” likes it so much he wanted to model it for you. The neck duster and comb are actually the ones Allan Newsome (Floyd tribute artist) carries in his jacket pocket adding just a bit more realism to the fun of the tee.

100% Cotton Machine Washable T Shirt.

Color: Carolina Blue

Style: Short Sleeve

**** Cutout Open and a Real Flying Cloud ****

Weaver’s received a question from “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” Chapter member, Larry Grainger asking:

Do you or some of your listeners know what this line means, from “Citizens Arrest?”
Andy: Yeah. Misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace. Drove down main street with a cutout open and a real flying cloud.

If you don’t immediately recognize that line of dialog, you can be forgiven….mainly because I didn’t remember it myself so if you don’t recall it right away, I’ll feel better.

The quote comes from the opening scene from Season 4, Episode 11, titled “Citizen’s Arrest” (originally aired December 2, 1963). In the episode, Deputy Barney Fife (played by Don Knotts) is reviewing dusty old arrest records from previous Mayberry sheriffs in the courthouse. He reads aloud one such misdemeanor charge from an earlier era.

The episode begins with Andy and Barney cleaning up files at the courthouse:

? Oh, tell my darling mother ?

? I'll be there... ?

BARNEY:	Say, keep or throw on these?
ANDY:	What is it?
BARNEY: Some old Sheriff Pinkly stuff.
ANDY:	No kidding. Boy, this stuff really goes back.
ANDY:	Yeah. Look at that...1931. Record of arrest, Name, Purcell Branch."
BARNEY: Tyler Branch's dad?
ANDY:	Yeah. Misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace. Drove down Main Street with cutout open on real flying cloud.
		( laughing )
BARNEY:	Crazy guy. In those days, everybody thought they were lucky Lindy.

The pair go on to discuss the sheriffs that served before Andy. They list out Pinkly, Fred Paly, Dale Buckley and then Andy along with mentioning Freeberger who was the sewer inspector who arrested Barney’s father for speeding. (“Of all the gall.”)

With that sheriff list and Barney’s father conversation, the “cutout open on real flying cloud” statement gets lost in the memory so when Larry proffered the question about the meaning it was time for research.

Breakdown of the Phrase’s Meaning

On real flying cloud: This specifies the vehicle as a REO Flying Cloud, a real production car model manufactured by the REO Motor Car Company (founded by Ransom E. Olds of Oldsmobile fame) from 1931 to 1935. It was a stylish, affordable straight-six sedan known for its speed and reliability, but the “real” likely emphasizes it was an authentic model (as opposed to a knockoff) in the context of the era’s car culture. The name evokes lightness and speed, tying into the Lindbergh reference.

Drove down Main Street: Refers to cruising (or speeding) along the central road in the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina—evoking classic Americana imagery of small-town life in the mid-20th century.

With cutout open: “Cutout” is slang for an exhaust cutout valve on older automobiles, which could be manually opened to bypass the muffler and allow raw engine exhaust to roar out loudly for dramatic effect. This was popular among hot-rodders and car enthusiasts in the 1920s–1930s but illegal in many places due to the noise pollution—hence the “disturbing the peace” charge.

The phrasing is deliberately period-specific, capturing the show’s gentle humor about rural Southern life, law enforcement mishaps, and bygone automotive antics.

So there you go. You may have already known this bit of Mayberry trivia but it is certain that “Now You Know.” Hopefully this type information makes watching The Andy Griffith Show even more enjoyable because you can look smart to those watching with you.

2026 Mayberry Wall Calendar – $17

Weaver’s is very happy to bring fans the  Mayberry calendar for 2026!

There have been wall calendars for The Andy Griffith Show for many years and all of us have enjoyed them. Sadly, the licensee who made those calendars decided to stop making them after 2024. Thankfully for fans, Mr. Weaver wanted to ensure the yearly fun continued.

Weaver’s reached out to artist Christina Green and asked if she might be able to create artwork related to our hometown and the result is a sight to behold. Last year, our calendar sold out!  Fans loved the beautiful Mayberry scenes Christina created. She’s done it again for our 2026 calendar. The monthly calendar images are ALL NEW

Plan your year in Mayberry! Start each month features a different scene from our home town done in a watercolor art style.

Each month fills a full two page opening with an image at the top and calendar page on the bottom. Jot down plans and notes. Each month points out cast & crew member birthdays, special occasions and events. The cover features sights around Mayberry.

Proudly hang it on a wall in your home, office or at school for a full year of planning and smiles.

Printed on glossy paper stock. Measures 11″ x 8.5″ when closed, 11″ x 17″ when open. Watch the video below to see the beautiful original artwork you’ll see each month.

“Great pics in this years calendar. Love mine! “- Nancy T

Mayberry Lawman Button Down Shirt – $42.oo

Exclusive to Weaver’s – Custom Design 

This Mayberry Lawman Button Down Shirt features a repeating design containing the Mayberry patrol car, deputy badge, jail cell keys, deputy hat, candle stick phone, a gavel, Barney’s bullet, and the patrol car door shield on a khaki background.

Expertly crafted with a polyester spandex blend that maintains its bright and colorful appearance without fading over time. Designed to be true to size with a comfortable stretch, moisture wicking, fabric provides a perfect fit. 

You will love how soft these clothes feel. The most magical thing is that it gets even more soft with every wash. 

Fabric: polyester spandex blend

“So comfortable!!” – Dennis R.

**** Floyd’s City Barber Shop ****

In the previous issue of this newsletter, we talked briefly about the fact that Floyd’s Mayberry Barber Shop was re-opened in the same location which was previously the home of Floyd’s City Barber Shop. Weaver’s didn’t go into detail about *why* it ever closed but we’ll remedy that for those who were curious or just wanted to know the gossip.

Well, it’s not going to actually be gossip because Weaver’s reached out to the man who purchased the original contents (barber chairs, awning sign, barbering tools, and more). His name is Justin Mangum and he is the owner of Justin’s Barbrershop (9209 Lee Road 246 Smiths Station, Alabama 36877). In talking with Justin, I believe Russell Hiatt’s legacy is in good hands and will long be honored.

Here’s what Justin had to say:

I’ve been friends with Bill (Hiatt, Russell’s son) and followed his page for a while. When I first heard that Floyd’s City Barber Shop in Mount Airy would be closing, my heart sank.

For nearly a century, that little shop represented more than just haircuts. Andy Griffith himself sat in those chairs, members of the cast visited, and fans from all over the world came to step into Mayberry.

Like so many others, I grew up loving The Andy Griffith Show. There has never been another show like it, since. It was simple, wholesome, and filled with lessons about honesty, kindness, and treating people the right way. Those values shaped me, and they are a big reason I wanted to help preserve this part of history.

Floyd’s was more than a barbershop it was a symbol of those same morals and small-town values that the show taught us.

When Bill Hiatt announced the closing, he first offered the chance to keep the legacy alive to the people of Mount Airy but no one stepped forward. I felt a strong pull to do something.

I reached out to Bill, and he graciously allowed me to purchase the original barber chairs and memorabilia, including the Andy Griffith Floyd’s chair. My vision is not to take anything away from Mount Airy. Floyd’s will always belong there.

My desire is simply to carry on the legacy so that fans from around the world can still come, sit in the same chair Andy sat in, and feel the same connection to Mayberry that has touched generations. That legacy now lives on at my shop, Justin’s Barbershop in Smiths Station, Alabama.

This is more than just a tribute. It is a preservation of history — honoring Russell Hiatt, his family, and the countless lives touched by a small-town barbershop that became world-famous.

Visitors are welcome to stop in, see the history, take photos, and experience for themselves the warmth and nostalgia of Mayberry that Floyd’s kept alive for so long. Our slogan says it best: “Sit where Andy sat, Where Floyd’s chair lives on.”

Justin Mangum

There is a great interview with Justin and Bill that will let you get to know Justin and where his heart is. Thank you, Justin, for your heart for keeping the history alive. If you’re in or traveling through the Smiths Station, Alabama area, drop by Justin’s Barbershop for a haircut or just to sit in the chair.

Barber Shop Shaving Kit
(Each sold separately)

The 11oz white enamel camp mug features the artwork of the Two Chairs No Waiting podcast. The mug features a caricature of the podcast’s host as “Floyd the barber” sitting in a barber chair and the phrase Two Chairs No Waiting. The camp mug is made of steel with a practical handle all coated with hard wearing enamel. It resists stains and scratches and is easy to clean (handwash only).

The barber soap will certainly bring to mind a visit to Floyd’s with it’s barber pole color scheme of red, white and blue. The smell will remind you of a barbershop and it’s all natural. You can, of course, use it as just plain old hand washing soap with a patriotic coloring.

The wooden handle brush will allow you to make shaving lather just like Floyd.  A little barber soap and a mug with some warm water and this brush is exactly what you need.

You can also use it to mix up a lather for shaving that makes that nice “clep, clep, clep” sound the brush makes against the mug. 

Weaver’s suggests that you use all three together but each works great on it’s own.

The Andy Griffith Show Book
(65th Anniversary Edition) – $30

The Andy Griffith Show Book
From Miracle Salve to Kerosene Cucumbers: The Complete Guide to One of Television’s Best-Loved Shows
     by Ken Beck and Jim Clark
       65th Anniversary EDITION

The Andy Griffith Show Book, revised and expanded in 2025 in celebration of the 65th Anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show, is chock full of details about the beloved TV series that ran from 1960 until 1968.

Throughout its eight seasons, the Griffith show was always in TV’s Top 10 and it completed its original run ranked as the No. 1 prime-time show. Only two other series, I Love Lucy and Seinfeld, have accomplished this feat.

The book has chapters on every key character and then some: from Andy Taylor, Barney Fife, Opie, and Aunt Bee to Gomer and Goober Pyle, Otis Campbell, Thelma Lou, Floyd the barber, Ernest T. Bass, and the Darlings. It also contains alphabetical listings of residents and businesses, town history, and much more.

This 8 x 10-inch softcover book is 288 pages and is filled with more than 180 photographs, plus a map of Mayberry itself.

Chapter headings include A History of Mayberry, N.C.; Andy Taylor; Barney Fife; Cops and Crooks; Mayberry Morsels; Music in Mayberry; Contradictions; Odds and Ends; Miss Crump’s Final Exams (with hundreds of trivia questions); Mayberry and Mt. Pilot town directories; cast credits; and complete episode summaries with names of notable guest stars.

Also included is a list of all of the nearly 1,500 worldwide chapters of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC), featuring the entertaining chapter names inspired by the show’s unforgettable characters, classic moments, and timeless humor.

This book is the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys watching The Andy Griffith Show and wants to read all about Mayberry!

Floyd’s Barbershop Bulletin Board & Event Calendar

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith artifacts, is a must-see attraction for any visit to Mount Airy, N.C. 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:

2026

* Feb. 15: Karen Knotts performs her popular “Tied Up in Knotts” show at 7:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts in Fremont, Mich. For more info visit www.dogwoodcenter.com.

* April 9- 11: The 6th Annual Mayberry-Lucy Festival in Granville, Tenn., known as “Tennessee’s Mayberry Town,” is in the planning stage, but based on previous year’s you can be assured it will be a wonderful event. Events begin with a “soft kickoff” on Thursday night with dinner theater performances. On Friday and Saturday things really heat up with more dinner theater performances on Friday (same shows as Thursday’s performance), street shows, stage shows, a parade, trivia, Mayberry and Lucy & Desi tribute artists, Mayberry squad cars (the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals Obstacle Course), an auction of Mayberry-related items, and much more! Visit granvilletn.com/mayberry-lucy-days or call (931) 653-4151 for tickets and information.

Apr. 15: Karen Knotts brings her “Tied Up in Knotts” show to the Amish Country Theater in Berlin, Ohio. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.amishcountrytheater.com.

* May 6-8: Mayberry author/lecturer Randy Turner hosts The Mayberry Retreat, featuring special guest Dennis Rush (Howie Pruitt/Williams) and special musical guest Kentucky recording artist Mitch Barrett, at the Sauder Heritage Inn in Archbold, Ohio. There were will be a variety of talks, presentations, performances, and screenings, plus lots of time for visiting with the special guests and fellow fans–all with the intimate setting and delicious food offered by the Sauder Heritage Inn. For more info visit: www.mayberrybooks.com/mayberryretreat.

* May 30: Centennial Celebration of Andy Griffith’s 100th Birthday (that may not be the “official” name) at the Royal Theatre in Macon, Mo. This matinee event will be hosted by Blood Brothers chapter of TAGSRWC, features special musical guests Keota and the Andy Family Band. A presentation on Andy’s career & life by Mayberry author Randy Turner, an interview with Dixie Griffith (Andy’s daughter) and some clean, family, comedy by comedian and actor Rik Roberts. Door prize drawings (don’t pull out the hat size) and refreshments will be part of the event as well. It’s gonna be BIG! For more info, contact Blood Brother Johnna Clarke  for tickets at 660-413-2244.

* June 19-21 12-14: Mayberry Comes to Scottsburg returns to Scottsburg, Ind. after a year hiatus (NOTE: dates of the event moved by a week so make adjustments to your schedule). This will be the third time Mayberry comes to town and the organizers are planning to have Mayberry music, presentations, tribute artists, and more. The festival will be celebrating Andy Griffith’s 100th birthday, so come on out and act like somebody. They’ll ‘preciate it. Visit the website for more details at: MayberryComesToScottsburg.org.

* June 20: Professor Brower’s Lecture. Mayberry author Neal Brower kicks off his Aunt Bee-themed summer series of talks about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Today’s lecture features “Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee.”  Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* July 24 & 25:  14th Annual Mayberry Meetup, sponsored by TAGSRWC’s “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast, gathers in Mount Airy, N.C. Details will be coming as the event draws near. Start planning to spend a relaxing Mayberry weekend in Mount Airy with fellow fans.

* July 25: Professor Brower’s Lecture. In conjunction with the Mayberry Meetup, Mayberry author Neal Brower gives the second of his Aunt Bee-themed summertime talks about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Today’s lecture features “Aunt Bee’s Medicine Man.”  Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Aug. 15: Professor Brower’s Lecture. Neal Brower gives the final of his three Aunt Bee-themed summertime talks about TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Today’s lecture features “Aunt Bee’s Romance.”  Lecture admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($10 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Sept. 21-27: 37th Annual Mayberry Days® in Mount Airy, N.C. Special Guests confirmed so far include The Dillards (featuring Rodney Dillard). Tim White & Troublesome Hollow also return with their popular mixture of comedy and bluegrass music. Additional Special Guests and other details TBA. For tickets and complete info as plans develop, visit www.mayberrydays.org.

###

Andy Griffith Show Squad Car 1964– $60.00

BACK IN STOCK
after being out of stock for a few years

Mr. Weaver has been asked if there was a Mayberry patrol car collectable that is larger scale than the “hot wheels” size  Johnny Lightning replica and we finally found one.

The car is Die-Cast metal body and chassis with amazing detail.  This limited edition collectable is 1:43 scale (about 5.5 inches by 2.5 inches)  and comes with a nice clear plastic display case. The Mayberry Squad Car design is a wonderful addition to your Mayberry collection. The car is a 1964 Ford Galaxie.

Mayberry Lawman Lounge Pants – $42.oo

Exclusive to Weaver’s – Custom Design 

These Mayberry Lawman Lounge Pants with pockets & drawstring feature a repeating design containing the Mayberry patrol car, deputy badge, jail cell keys, deputy hat, candle stick phone, a gavel, Barney’s bullet, and the patrol car door shield on a khaki background.

Expertly crafted with a polyester spandex blend that maintains its bright and colorful appearance without fading over time. Designed to be true to size with a comfortable stretch, moisture wicking, fabric provides a perfect fit. 

You will love how soft these clothes feel. The most magical thing is that it gets even more soft with every wash.

 Fabric: polyester spandex blend

“The lounge pants and button down shirt are wonderful. They look great, so soft and comfortable!” – Pat C

**** Mayberry Crossword ****

Weaver’s has created a fairly easy and fun Mayberry crossword for you. We hope you’ll enjoy it as we don’t think we made it very hard for even casual viewers of The Andy Griffith Show but you can take pride in completing the puzzle. Weaver’s will publish the answer-key in our next issue. (You can download a PRINTABLE PDF version of this puzzle here.)

Across:
1. Ernest T.
4. What Wally was about to do on the porch
6. The “Fun” girls’ town
7. Choir leader
10. Loaded Goat name
12. Briscoe’s daughter
15. The barber
17. Andy’s Deputy
19. Andy’s son
20. Opie’s teacher
21. Opie called Andy
22. Barney called Andy
23. Goober’s cousin

Down: 
2. Citizen’s ___ 
3. Barney’s girlfriend 
5. Fishing hole 
8. County clerk
9. The mayor
11. Pickles taste 
13. Barney’s first name 
14. Andy’s Aunt 
16. The town drunk 
18. ___ in the bud!
24. Barney’s bullet count

The Mayberry Puzzle Book – Season 1 – $15

The Mayberry Puzzle Book – Season 1 contains Crossword and Word Search puzzles for each episode. However, the book is much more than puzzles.

For each episode, there is a summary and a playbill. The puzzles contain questions with a variety of difficulty. In most cases, you will need to watch the episode to complete the puzzle. That is why we consider this book to be a watching companion.

The perfect excuse to watch your favorite show and increase your trivia knowlege. 

265 pages

Mayberry Patrol Car Emblem Car Coaster & Keychain – $6.00-$10.00

These sandstone car coasters with the Mayberry Patrol Car Emblem printed on the top side will look great in your cup holder and absorb the condensation. I’m sure Barney would have loved these in the patrol car….if it had cup holders.

The design is the one used on the driver and passenger doors of the Mayberry squad cars. 

This keychain features the Mayberry Patrol Car Emblem design like the one seen on on the driver and passenger doors of the Mayberry squad cars. 

The Round PolyLeather (a form of synthetic leather) Keychain has a diameter of 2″.    

**** 18th Cruise to Mayberry ****

Back on October 23-27, 2006, the very first Cruise to Mayberry aboard Carnival’s Fascination occurred with special guests Maggie “Charlene Darling” Peterson Mancuso and dobro-playing Country Boy LeRoy McNees. Sharon Euliss, the owner of All About Cruises in Burlington, N.C., worked her magic and made that first cruise happen and in the past 20 years pulled off 18 Mayberry cruises (we missed two years because of the pandemic).

The Cruise to Mayberry 18 was a “Halloween” cruise because we were at sea on Halloween (October 27 – November 1) which really made things interesting on top of the Mayberry fun. To add even more fun, our ship, Carnival Valor, left from the Port of New Orleans which was a first for the Mayberry cruise.

Many of those attending the cruise took the opportunity of sailing from New Orleans to arrive early, or stay after, in order to tour the city. Mrs. Weaver and I, along with several others we were tagging along with, went on a “steam boat” ride and a bus tour. The bus tour even included a trip to a New Orleans above ground graveyard. It was a a fitting way to prepare for the “Halloween” cruise.

The special guest for this years cruise was Dennis “Howie” Rush. This was his second Mayberry cruise and he disappointed none of the fans who were traveling along. The cruise left the Port of New Orleans on Monday October 27th and the largest number of Cruise to Mayberry ever attended the “Meet & Greet” as we began the cruise.

Tuesday was a day spent at sea but the Mayberry folks had plenty to do. They watched episodes featuring Dennis and did a Bible study on one of those episodes. That was followed by a trivia contest and topped off by a wonderful Q&A session with Dennis Rush covering his entire career but focusing on his time on The Andy Griffith Show. It was a fun filled day and all those who attended enjoyed spending time in Mayberry while at sea.

We also had musical guest traveling with us as well.

On Tuesday, Bluegrass band and Grand Old Opry performers Cutter & Cash and the Kentucky Grass did a wonderful hour long show. The Darling boys would be proud to play with them and they are great Mayberry folks. Cutter, Cash and Brennon are from the Mayberry like town of Marion, Ky. and have been on the last two Mayberry cruises.

On Wednesday, Elvis tribute artist Wayne Euliss did an amazing show with everyone, especially the ladies, enjoying a little “Elvis & Andy.” Wayne was joined on stage by Ann Margret….I mean, his wife Sharon adding even more entertainment to the show. Wayne performed as Elvis on all 18 Mayberry cruises and has only gotten better with the passing of time.

Friday was Halloween and the day of the Cruise to Mayberry Finale featuring Mayberry tribute artists, Dennis and all of our musical guests.

It was a wonderful, relaxing and fun filled final Cruise to Mayberry. That’s right, this was the last Cruise to Mayberry because Sharon, our cruise organizer, is stepping away from being a travel agent after 35 years. Putting together these Mayberry cruises is a LOT of work and after so many years of effort she has earned her chance to relax. Thank you Sharon & Wayne for 18 amazing Cruise to Mayberry sailings.

Cruise to Mayberry T-shirts – $20.00 $18.00 (on Sale)

Have you been on the Mayberry Cruise? Weaver’s is happy to have this design featuring the words “Cruise to Mayberry” above a cruise ship that looks like a seafaring version of Mayberry’s patrol car. 

If you haven’t heard of, or been on, the Cruise to Mayberry, you can get all the information and see past photos by going to this link: Mayberry Cruise. Show off that you attended one of the Cruise to Mayberry sailing by showing this t-shirt! Supply is limited and when they’re gone, they’ll be gone since there won’t be additional sailings of the Cruise to Mayberry.

This design comes in two colors: Heather Berry, and Light Blue. 

Messages from Mayberry – $15-$18

“A Visit to Mayberry is almost like going to church.”

Pastor Ronald “Dee” Vaughan often receives that feedback from members of the congregations he’s serves when he uses Mayberry moments as a sermon illustration or leads a Bible study based on his favorite episodes.  Seeing so many connections between Mayberry life and the Christian life, Pastor Vaughan has undertaken the task of discovering and describing a Christian life lesson in each episode of TAGS. 

He has written three books that fans of The Andy Griffith Show can use to learn Biblical lessons from the show we all love. Messages from Mayberry was his first and it was followed by The Gospel According to Andy, Volume 1. His latest offering is The Gospel According to Andy, Volume 2. All three are sure to add to your experience when watching the good folks in Mayberry.

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

Ron Howard (Opie) production company, Imagine Entertainment, announced a creative partnership with AI-focused Obsidian Studio in early November, aiming to blend AI tools with narrative filmmaking, including at least one upcoming feature film. Additionally, on November 21, 2025, casting expansions were revealed for his military drama Alone at Dawn, starring Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver.

Ron is in development/pre-production of the project Alone at Dawn (mentioned above) which is an adaptation of the nonfiction book about Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman’s heroic actions in Afghanistan, leading to a posthumous Medal of Honor. This project, part of Imagine Entertainment’s renewed first-look deal with Amazon MGM, builds on Howard’s strength in real-life dramas.

Clint Howard (Leon) has been fairly quiet the last month or two with the biggest news being his guest spot at Tulsa Horror Con (November 21-23, 2025), held in he and Ron’s parents’ home state of Oklahoma. Local outlets highlighted his visit as a rare chance for fans to meet the actor known for creepy, memorable roles. He discussed his career, including early Star Trek work as the alien Balok, and expressed enthusiasm for connecting with Oklahoma-rooted fans. The event included photo ops, autographs, and panels — typical for Howard, who frequently appears at horror and comic cons.

Clint also confirmed he will be co-directing the sequel to his 1995 horror-comedy Ice Cream Man. He teased that his brother Ron will have a role in the production, adding a fun Howard family element. We’ll have to wait and see what happens as no release timeline nor full cast details were shared, but Clint encourages following his socials media accounts for updates.

Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), now 96 years old, remains active with public appearances tied to her iconic role as the live-action reference model for Tinker Bell in Disney’s 1953 Peter Pan. She was at Mayberry Days back in September and on November 20 a Disney fan site, MickeyBlog.com, published a feature titled “77 Years After Serving as the Model For Tinker Bell, Margaret Kerry Is Still Dancing,” showcasing her ongoing passion for dance and performance. The piece included recent photos or video of her dancing, underscoring her remarkable energy and serving as a heartwarming update on her well-being amid her legacy work. You can keep up with all of Margaret’s travels by going to her website. https://www.tinkerbelltalks.com/

Dennis Rush (Howie Pruitt/Williams), as mentioned above, sailed with the fans onboard the Cruise to Mayberry 18 to the Western Caribbean October 27th and returning November 1st. During the cruise, Dennis attended sessions when TAGS episodes he appeared on were shown. It was great for the fans because they were able to watch “Howie” on the screen and were able to ask him specific questions related to the episodes. What a treat that was and that was followed up with an interview/Q&A session about his entire career. Dennis and his love, Judy, also participated in the Halloween festivities by dressing as Pillsbury Doughboys.

If you missed the Cruise to Mayberry, or even if you didn’t, you’re in luck because Dennis has also been making the rounds on YouTube channels. He was recently interviewed on the Mayberry Man YouTube channel with Cort Howell, son of Hoke “Dud Wash” Howell, in the Johnny Carson seat. It is an amazing interview and both Dennis and Cort did a great job covering so many topics. The video is called “Former Child Star Reveals What Mayberry Was Really Like.” Click the link and give it a watch.

Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul) was featured in a detailed exclusive article by Ed Gross in Woman’s World profiled Thibodeaux at age 74, using his Mayberry Days experience as a framing device. The piece explored his child stardom, post-fame struggles, conversion to Christianity, marriage to Kathy (celebrating 49 years in October 2025), and work with Ballet Magnificat!. (Keith co-founded Ballet Magnificat! in 1986 with his wife Kathy Denton Thibodeaux, where he serves as Executive Director.) Click the link above and read the article. There’s a lot of good stuff there that you will enjoy.

Rodney Dillard (guitar playing Darling boy) and wife Beverly were waving from a Mayberry patrol car as parade grand marshal in Georgia at Alapaha Station Celebration Festival on Saturday November 8th. The day started off rainy but the weather cleared by 11:30am, just before the Dillards took the stage, If you want to keep up with all the fun things associated with Rodney and The Dillards, follow along on The Dillards Facebook page. Rodney has been sharing wonderful memories of his career and time on The Andy Griffith Show on the Facebook page so it is truly a sight to behold. Drop by RodneyDillard.tv to follow his most current activities.

That’s all the cast & crew news Weaver’s could find. If you come across cast news between issues, we’ would love for you to share it with us here at Weaver’s. You could be given credit as a “roving reporter.” Otherwise, Weaver’s will continue to comb the web for News of Cast & Crew and do the best we can to find the news fit to “print.”

Colonel Harvey’s Indian Elixir Flask – $9.00

Weaver’s has been working with traveling salesman, Colonel Harvey, to bring you this stainless steel hip flask branded with the labeling for the Colonel’s elixir. The elixir is sold separately at your favorite local “tonic” store but you can enjoy displaying the flask on your shelves. Otis told Mr. Weaver that he’d take two.

You may not need to purchase the actual elixir unless you are feeling tired and run down. Dragging yourself out of bed in the morning or feel that life seem hardly worth living. Then friends, you may need the elixir.  Otherwise, this flask may lift your spirit by at least 85%.

Flask comes with a funnel to aid in filling with your choice of tonic.

Size: 4.8″ x 3.7″ – 8 oz. – Stainless Steel
NOTE: Label may not survive in high quality if it gets very wet. (It may smear or become stained.)

Mayberry Four Coaster Set – $28.00

These four Mayberry stone coasters actually absorb condensation from your drink!

The coasters are digitally printed here in the USA with hand painted artwork. The back of each coaster has cork, safe for any surface.

The Art is heat & water resistant for top absorption!

Design of each coaster:
1 – Sheriff badge
1 – Meet me at Fishin’ hole
1 – Truck / barber stuff / pickles / baseball / beanie / jug
1 – Squad car / jail keys / badge / pistol

Size: Each coaster is a 4.25″ Square with cork backing
Sold only as a 4 piece set.

**** Chapter News ****

Blood Brothers (Macon, Mo.) chapter members gathered on Friday, October 3, 2025  to celebrate the 65th anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show. They met at a local restaurant for dinner and a short business meeting to discuss upcoming chapter events including the BIG Andy Griffith’s 100th birthday celebration coming up on May 30, 2026 in Macon, Mo. (See event calendar above for information.) The group enjoyed playing card games, a favorite activity in Mayberry, including card bingo, King’s in the Corner, and Trash.  No “GIN” rummy for them though reports are they wouldn’t have minded if they did. 

The Mayberry Chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) didn’t make it to the Mayberry cruise but they did take to the water at their lake party on Oct. 18. It was a beautiful afternoon for a ride on the water and seeing the leaves change. Chapter members got to see the super duper rich houses in Walnut Hills, too. Reports are they were run off because they were trying to climb in the rich folks trees. They should be ashamed, grown people like them climbing in trees. The chapter is happy to report that Earlie Gilley did a great job of caulking the boat since it didn’t spring any leaks. A big thanks for a swell turnout.

Several chapters were represented on the Cruise to Mayberry including “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” (Internet), “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” (Tusculoosa, Ala.), “Mother Figure” (Huntsville, Ala.), “Ain’t We Lucky to Be Living in Such a Friendly Town” (Burlington, N.C.), A Dollar and a Quarter (New Philadelphia, Ohio), Put a Buckeye in Your Pocket & Do the Incant for a Sore Foot (Bessemer, Ala.), and I’m sure there are others that I missed and just didn’t know their chapter name.

Weaver’s didn’t receive any other reports from Chapters since the Sep/Oct edition of the newsletter so this is all we have for you this issue.

Please submit an official report from your chapter for inclusion in the Jan/Feb 2026 issue of Weaver’s Newsletter. Weaver’s encourages all TAGSRWC chapters to email in their reports so we can share your fun with others .

Mayberry Scented Candles – $16

Weaver’s found these candles that each have the power to bring to mind memories of Mayberry by the scent

Floyd’s Barbershop scent is something we’re sure Clarabelle Morrison would love to have in her home. It will make you feel like you’re visiting your friends over at Floyd’s Barbershop while waiting on him.

Taylor’s Front Porch scent is like spending time together on the Taylor’s front porch with Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee, and Barney watching the traffic pass by.

Old Man Kelsey’s Woods and Old Man Kelsey’s Ocean have scents that Ernest T. would be sure to recognize. Old man Kelsey’s woods has a rugged, warm, and timeless scent while Old man Kelsey’s ocean has the clean smell from the water, even if it was actually only old man Kelsey’s creek.

**** Chapter Update ****

Our total number of chapters started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 has increased by 1 since our last issue with the total number of chapters now at 1,493! It is great to report a new chapter two newsletters in a row and TAGSRWC is happy to welcome our newest chapter:

Beehaving Wooden Cutting Board – $22.00

This bamboo cutting board will serve any kitchen well for years to come.

Not only is it functional it will look great on the counter top or hanging on the wall.

Etched into the wood is the phrase “Land sakes alive! …If it wasn’t for me, this house wouldn’t be fit to live in!” along with a wonderful lady you may think you know.

Bamboo construction with the dimensions of 13 1/2″ x 7″
Made in the United States

 

Mayberry Wooden Home Decor – $16-$20

Weaver’s recently added these decorative wooden blocks featuring things like the American flag with the word Mayberry below, I “heart” Mayberry, “It’s a Mayberry Thing,” and other Mayberry related phrases. Each phrase/image is on “cream” color background.

Rustic blocks are a fun way to add personality to any shelf or mantel; the perfect shelf sitter! High-quality home decor handcrafted and made to complement any room.

These wooden decor products are perfectly imperfect! Each piece is individually handmade in the U.S.A. making your sign a truly one-of-a-kind piece. Sizes vary depending upon your choice.

**** Mayberry on the Web ****

The iMayberry Community

This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome with most of the actual work begin done by Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown of the Trivial Trivialities chapter (Pawleys Island, S.C.). 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.

Mayberry Podcast

“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 865 episodes of Two Chairs since Allan launched the podcast over 17 years ago, in October 2008. Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view the YouTube video installments you’ve missed. We’re sure you can find at least a few episodes you’d enjoy out of all those that are available. OH….they are all FREE!

Take some time to look around the main Mayberry Podcasts (https://iMayberry.com/podcaasts) website 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 the Mayberry Bible Study Podcast that are no longer being produced but the content remains “evergreen.”

Facebook

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook  has ~251,000 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!

Two Chairs No Waiting podcast also has a Facebook page and group where you can follow along with the podcast and interact with fans.

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. Weaver’s is also on X (Twitter) so follow Weaver’s there if you’re on X.

Mayberry Lawman Ladies Sleepshirt – $42.oo

Exclusive to Weaver’s – Custom Design 

This Mayberry Lawman Ladies Sleepshirt has a V-Neck features a repeating design containing the Mayberry patrol car, deputy badge, jail cell keys, deputy hat, candle stick phone, a gavel, Barney’s bullet, and the patrol car door shield on a khaki background.

Expertly crafted with a polyester spandex blend that maintains its bright and colorful appearance without fading over time. Designed to be true to size with a comfortable stretch, moisture wicking, fabric provides a perfect fit. 

You will love how soft these clothes feel. The most magical thing is that it gets even more soft with every wash.

 Fabric: polyester spandex blend

The sleep shirt is very nice! I have one and love it! – Pat C.

Mayberry Man Movie & Series Season 1 – $13-$20

Small town Americana and modern life collide when movie star Chris Stone falls in love with Mayberry’s sweetheart. Meanwhile, Mayberry’s quirky citizens confront a nefarious plot to wipe their antiquated town off the map.

“Mayberry Man: The Series” is a spin-off of the Mayberry Man movie. In the movie, A-list movie star Chris Stone is forced to spend a week at Mayberry Fest, a small-town festival celebrating The Andy Griffith Show. Surrounded by Mayberry fans and salt of the earth locals, he learns the true value of friendship and family. The Series is a continuation of that story.

Mayberry Man is inspired by the classic 1960s television series The Andy Griffith Show starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Ron Howard as Andy’s son Opie, and Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife. Since its premiere in 1960, it’s never been off the air in more than 60 years (8 seasons & continuous syndication). The show depicted a simpler time in America set in the fictional small town of Mayberry, North Carolina.

The series picks up about a year after the events of the Mayberry Man movie and continue the story in 5 episodes.

**** Mayberry Man ****

Hey Mayberry Fans! Grab Your Fishing Pole – It’s Time to Talk “Mayberry Man”!

If you’re like me, nothing beats kicking back with a bottle of pop and reminiscing about those wholesome days of Mayberry with Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, and the whole gang. Well, nip it in the bud if you haven’t seen Mayberry Man yet – this 2021 indie movie is like a big ol’ hug from Mayberry itself, wrapped up in a feel-good story that’s perfect for us TAGS fans.

Picture this: Brett Varvel stars as Chris Stone, a hotshot Hollywood actor who’s all ego, fast cars, and zero chill. He’s zooming through a sleepy small town in his fancy fast car going way faster than the speed limit – Barney woulda nipped that in the bud! He gets pulled over and lands in front of a no-nonsense judge. Instead of jail time, Chris gets sentenced to the best “punishment” ever: a full week at Mayberry Fest. Mayberry Fest in the movie was inspired by real-life festivals celebrating The Andy Griffith Show that I hope you’ve been able to attend.

At first, Chris is grumpier than Ben Weaver after Bert opened his stand – surrounded by friendly folks dressed as their favorite characters, parade floats, squad car replicas, trivia contests, and that unmistakable Mayberry spirit. But slowly (just like Ernest T. Bass learning to enter rooms), the magic sinks in. He starts chatting with fans, joining in the fun, and dealing with some family baggage from his past. By the end, our big-city boy discovers what we’ve known all along: Mayberry ain’t just a place – it’s a state of mind, full of friendship, family, and folks who care. It’s heartwarming without being sappy, funny without being mean, and packed with enough nods to The Andy Griffith Show itself to make you grin from ear to ear.

What makes this movie extra special? It’s a true labor of love from the Mayberry community!

• Directed and written by Stark Howell, whose dad (Hoke Howell) actually appeared as Dud Wash in two of original episodes!
• Crowdfunded by fans like you and me – they raised over $150K on Kickstarter for the movie so it stayed true to the spirit without Hollywood meddling.
• Cameos and connections galore: Karen Knotts (Don Knotts’ real-life daughter) plays herself, and you’ll spot top-notch tribute artists nailing Barney (Rik Roberts – that nip it!), Floyd (Allan Newsome), Mayor Pike (Eric Lowry)and many more that we all are entertained by at Mayberry events around the country.
• They even got permission to use the original Earle Hagen theme music – that really adds to making scenes feel like Mayberry.
• Filmed partly in Danville, Indiana (previous home to a big Mayberry fan fest that ran for 6 years) with nods and some locations you’d recognize when attending Mayberry Days in Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, NC.
• Bonus: It spawned a wholesome TV series continuation called Mayberry Man: The Series (2024–), with season 1 picking up right where the movie leaves off!

If you’re a die-hard TAGS fan, this one’s for you – it’s like attending Mayberry Days from your couch because you’ll see a lot of familiar faces featured and in the background. Sure, it’s predictable in that comforting Hallmark-ish way, but the heart shines through brighter than the courthouse lights. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube or grab the DVD from here at Weaver’s – perfect for a family movie night.

What did y’all think? Favorite scene or tribute character? Leave a comment and let’s chat!

NOTE on Season 2: You may not be aware but the Howell brothers have been working hard on a campaign to do Season 2 of Mayberry Man: The Series and they succeeded in crowdfunding! They were able to raise just over $187K to do five more episodes of the series. They have extended the funding campaign after hearing people had problems with the Indiegogo website (which was going through an upgrade right in the middle of the effort). The extended $200K total “stretch goal” crowdfunding campaign for Mayberry Man: Season 2 will be ending Sunday, December 7. If you’d like to check it out and see if there’s a “perk” for you, go to SupportMayberryMan.com but d it soon as the perks will close at 11:59pm ET the evening of Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Mayberry Man the movie can be watched FREE on Amazon Prime Video, TubiTV, YouTube (EncourageTV channel), and other streaming services. You can also get a DVD (signed by “Floyd,” if you’d like) at WeaversDepartmentStore.com.

Mayberry Man: The Series (season 1) can be watched for FREE Amazon Prime Video, TubiTV, The Roku Channel, and YouTube (EncourageTV channel). If you would like a DVD (signed by “Floyd” if you choose) you’ll find them at WeaversDepartmentStore.com.

Mayberry Postmark Notecards – $10

by artist Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson is an honorary native of North Carolina, his work is a reflection of his love and reverence for the rural south and The Andy Griffith Show.

With his Mayberry Postmarks notecard set, Mike has used scenes that are representative of the show, but not from the show, in an attempt to capture the Mayberry spirit in art.  He certainly accomplished exactly what he was attempting. 

Each set contains 10 notecards with each having a different pen & ink drawing that will spread the Mayberry spirit to those who receive them. Write your own note inside the card to complete that personal connection with family and friends.

Included: 10 cards, each with different Mayberry designs, & 10 envelopes

**** Post Note ****

Weaver’s Department Store hopes you enjoyed this issue of our newsletter. The Weaver’s team, Jan and Allan, work to find or create fun Mayberry products and information to share with you. If you run across something interesting, email me at floyd@iMayberry.com with the subject Weaver’s Newsletter Info so I don’t miss your e-mail.

Between issues of the Weaver’s Newsletter, you can keep up with all that’s going on in and around Mayberry by being part of the daily Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board? (aka “WBMUTBB?”) Digest. It’s free and you can sign up for that list by going to WBMUTBB.com and choosing the “Join/Subscribe/Unsubscribe” link.

Consider joining the FREE WBMUTBB Facebook Group with links to more WBMUTBB chapter fun. 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.

The next issue of our Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in Jan/Feb 2026 . Please make sure you’re subscribed to the newsletter so you don’t miss an issue when it publishes. Stay in touch with things going on around Mayberry by listening to/watching the Two Chairs No Waiting podcast. See you next time!

 ****