Weaver’s Newsletter
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
April 2018
Welcome to our second issue for 2018!
There’s a lot of new items, plus a lot going on around Mayberry in general. We’ll get right to our report.
“Just jump in where you can and hang on!”
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**** Merchandise Update ****
For Mayberry shopping big and small, our Weaver’s Department Store has something for everybody. With this issue and the arrival of warmer weather, we’re highlighting the addition of a whopping 10 new T-shirt designs!
Most of our adult-sized T-shirts are just $20. A few designs are $18, and the Lawmen and Sheriff all-over designs are $25. (The long-sleeved Sheriff shirt is $40.) Several designs are available in sweatshirts (and some also as hoodies) as well.
We also have caps, Goober beanies, deputy patches and both Mayberry Sheriff and Mayberry Deputy badges.
And we have new totes, throws, pouches, pillows, pillow cases, blankets and towels in this design:
New “Fishin’ Hole” items
(Throw Pillow shown here.)
Here are some other items we’ve recently added. They join more than 200 different Mayberry-related items, both new and vintage, on our shelves at Weaver’s.
Mayberry Dog Tag
$2.50
We all know that part of any deputy’s standard uniform includes an identification tag and chain to be worn during weigh-ins down at the civil service office. Here’s your chance to get a Mayberry Sheriff Department identification tag, or what we laymen call a “dog tag,” for your very own.
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This tags measures 2 inches x 1-1/8 inches and has a matte finish made of sturdy stainless steel with a rolled edge. The tag comes with a 24-inch ball-chain necklace. (NOTE: The special “heavyweight” chain that Barney wore for his weigh-in is not included!)
Mayberry Postcard Set
$5.00
Send your friends a postcard while you’re visiting the corner room at the “Y” in Raleigh or wherever you might be traveling, or whenever you just want to say, “Hey!” These vintage Mayberry postcards capture the spirit that have made Mayberry our hometown. And they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to every recipient.
Each set contains six postcards, each with a different image from Mayberry.
NOTE: If you need to send a more private note, check out the Mayberry Postmarks Set that includes envelopes and note cards.
Mayberry Pennant
$10
This felt pennant features Mayberry colors of the ol’ Orange and Blue. White lettering outlined by orange all on a blue background and topped off by a sewn-on orange edge strip. The pennant measures 24 x 9 inches. Perfect for showing your Mayberry pride at home or at work.
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Check out new items and old favorites (including lots of great books for springtime reading!) online at Weaver’s Department Store. (Or just go to www.imayberry.com and click on one of the orange and blue Weaver’s buttons at the top of the page.)
And remember that your purchases from Weaver’s help support Mayberry events and Mayberry-related charitable causes all year long at locations all around the country. Those sales also help keep our online Mayberry newsletters and communities available to everybody free of charge. As always, thank you for shopping at Weaver’s!
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Floyd’s Barbershop Bulletin Board
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Event Calendar
“Whoo-eee! You’re right, Floyd. There is a lot goin’ on in Mayberry!
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The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the amazing collection of Andy Griffith artifacts started by the late Emmett Forrest, continues to celebrate its complete renovation in 2017. It’s a must-see! The museum is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
Mount Airy’s Main Street was recently voted by readers as the Top Choice in USA Today‘s 10 Best Travel Attractions for North Carolina! (The Biltmore Estate was a solid 3rd.)
VOTED TOP CHOICE IN N.C.–The Mayberry Days parade a few years back, during one of the busier mornings of the year on Mount Airy’s Main Street. Photo by Hobart Jones.
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The following information is from “The eBullet“: Official E-mail Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC).
* Apr. 19-20: Several Mayberry Tribute Artists will be on hand for the 13th Annual Eagles’ Wings Golf Tournament and Banquet/Auction Fundraiser in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The golf tournament is on the 19th at Indian Hills Country Club with foursomes for $1,000. The banquet with auction is on the 20th at the Bryant Conference Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m. Tables of 10 are $600 and tables of 8 are $500. For more info or to register a foursome or reserve a table, call the Eagles’ Wings office at (205) 333-7690. Eagles’ Wings is a non-profit organization that serves adults with disabilities.
* Apr. 20: Betty Lynn 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.
* Apr. 21: “Dance till your stockings are hot and ravelin'” at the Mayberry Sock Hop from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Gordo Elementary School in Gordo, Ala. Special guest Dixie Griffith (daughter of Andy) will be joined by the Mayberry Tribute Artists troupe for a fun evening that includes entertainment trivia, costume and dancing contests. Tickets are $15 each or $25 per couple. For more info, call (205) 799-9410.
* Apr. 22: Rodney Dillard and wife Beverly perform at 7 p.m. at Unity Hall of Orleans Christian Church in Orleans, Ind., as part of the 50th Annual Orleans Dogwood Festival.
* Apr. 26-28: Margaret Kerry is among the special guests for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo. For more info, visit www.cherryblossomfest.com.
* Apr. 27: Roland White and his band perform at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., at 9 p.m. Tickets at the door.
* Apr. 29: Rodney Dillard and crew bring their Mayberry Values presentation of testimonies and music to Mulkeytown Christian Church in Mulkeytown, Ill., at 2 p.m.
COME FISH COME–Tippi (Mrs. Denver) Pyle with a couple of contestants ready to hook some bass.
* May 5: 31st Annual Uncle Jesse Big Bass Classic (founded by Denver Pyle) in Paris, Tex. For info, visit: www.unclejessefishing.com.
* May 18: Betty Lynn greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). Info at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 18-20: Fifth Annual Mayberry in the Midwest festival (also featuring the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals) in Danville, Ind. Special guest stars this year are Maggie Peterson Mancuso (Mayberry’s Charlene Darling), Ronnie Schell (two episodes of TAGS and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”), Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), Dixie Griffith (daughter of Andy Griffith), and George Lindsey Jr. Lots of Mayberry tribute artists will be on hand as well. Look for updates here and either on the event’s website or at Mayberry in the Midwest on Facebook.
* May 19: Roland White and his band perform at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., at 9 p.m. Tickets at the door.
* May 20: Rodney Dillard and wife Beverly are joined by the Walker Brothers for “An Afternoon in Mayberry” from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Florida Opry, located at 605 N. Collins St., Plant City, Fla. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 (cash only) at the door. For more info, visit www.ehhsoc.org/the-florida-opry.
* June 15: Betty Lynn greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. with autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* June 15: Roland White and his band perform at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn., at 9 p.m. Tickets at the door.
Ensnare knowledge!
* June 16: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower kicks off his summer lecture series about TAGS with a talk about the “Back to Nature” episode (including Golden Arms, Wild Pheasant Birds, and Lake Loons!), starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 12: Karen Knotts brings her “Tied Up in Knotts” show to the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton, Calif. Show time is 7:30 p.m. For info, visit themuck.org/upcoming.
* July 20: Betty Lynn greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). For more info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 20-22: The 6th Annual Mayberry Meet-Up takes place in Mount Airy, N.C., sponsored by TAGSRWC’s “Two Chairs, No Waiting” Podcast and hosted by Allan “Floyd” Newsome. Home base for the event is the Mayberry Motor Inn.
This year’s event is timed to coincide with both Betty Lynn‘s meet-and-greet at the Andy Griffith Museum on July 20 and Neal Brower’s lecture at the Museum on July 21. For more info, visit the Mayberry Meet-Up Facebook page.
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FREE THINKING–Join the Mayberry tree of knowledge!
* July 21: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower presents a lecture on the classic “Opie the Birdman” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). For more info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
ARE YA OR AIN’T YA?–Gonna learn, that is. You’ll definitely get your nickel’s worth at this month’s lecture by Neal Brower!
* Aug. 11: Mayberry 101 author Neal Brower wraps up his trilogy of summer lectures with a session on the “Opie and the Bully” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with Andy Griffith Museum admission ($8 for adults, $6 for ages 12 and under). Visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
SPECIAL DELIVERY–Betty Lynn creates a memorable moment for a delighted fan at a previous meet-and-greet event at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Aug. 17: Betty Lynn 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 all (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 21: Betty Lynn greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. (Beat the rush to visit with her the next week at Mayberry Days!) She will have autographed 8 x 10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
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Rodney Dillard
* Sept. 27-30: 29th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Actually, a few festival events start as early as Monday the 24th. Stars from “The Andy Griffith Show” confirmed so far include Betty Lynn, Rodney Dillard, Ronnie Schell, and LeRoy McNees. Karen Knotts will also present her show “A Deputy’s Daughter.” Much more TBA soon.
BUDDIES TO THE CORPS–Ronnie Schell and Jim Nabors in “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”
Tickets are already available for several performances and activities, including The Doug Dillard Tribute Concert featuring Rodney Dillard and his band, Ronnie Schell’s Salute to Jim Nabors, and “Bluegrass Mayberry Style” by LeRoy McNees and Friends.
Also performing are the VW Boys with their “Salute to Mayberry,” the Motown Legacy Revue, Michael Hoover’s “Memories of Elvis,” the Mayberry Days debut of country star Collin Raye (four platinum albums and four #1 singles), the legendary Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives (another Mayberry Days debut), James Gregory (“the funniest man in America”), and the Malpass Brothers.
There’s still more: Colonel Tim’s Talent Time, Neal Brower’s Lecture/TAGSRWC Annual Meeting, and the Mayberry Days Golf Tournament and its separate Banquet & Entertainment.
Or make it a whole week of fun in Mount Airy with shows earlier in the week, Sept. 24-26, including comedian John Floyd (Mon.) and beach music by both Band of Oz (Tues.) and The Embers featuring Craig Woolard (Wed.).
2017 Mayberry Days Parade. Photo by Hobart Jones.
And those are just the ticketed events. There’s much more that doesn’t require tickets, including the Mayberry Days Parade, Mrs. Wiley’s Tea Party, trivia, apple-peeling, checkers, horseshoes, pie-eating, pork chop sandwich-eating and Mayberry Idle Talent contests, music, and vendors, including barbecue from the Mayberry Days Barbecue Cook-Off.
And that’s not to mention meet-and-greet sessions with the Mayberry stars, the Andy Griffith Museum, Mayberry-related movies at the Earle Theatre, Mayberry Days Silent Auction, and all of the everyday sights and attractions of Mount Airy.
In other words, it’s not at all too early to start making plans to attend. For complete info, visit www.mayberrydays.org.
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* Oct. 19: Betty Lynn 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.
* Nov. 5-10: Mayberry Cruise 13. Dixie Griffith (daughter of Andy) will be the guest for the cruise to the Western Caribbean from Tampa to Cozumel and back aboard Carnival’s Paradise. For more info, visit www.allaboutcruisesnc.net or call (336) 538-4926.
* Nov. 16: Betty Lynn 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. 21: Betty Lynn 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.
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**** News of Cast & Crew ****
WOOKIEE WORK–Ron at the helm for Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Ron Howard has been putting the finishing touches on Solo: A Star Wars Story, which will be released in the U.S. on May 25. (Its world premiere will be at the Canness Film Festival on May 15.)
Promotion for the film is getting into full gear. But the publicity machine is still mum about what role Clint Howard has in the movie. (“Wait and see! Wait and see!”) As always, look for Cheryl Howard, Ron’s wife and movie lucky charm, in an often hard-to-spot cameo.
NOTHING ENDEARS LIKE A RON–Ron Howard tweeted this photo of himself during his vocal warm-up in the studio before doing narration for “Arrested Development” last week. (“Me-they, me-they, me-theyyyy!”)
Follow Ron on Twitter at @RealRonHoward.
Ron has been in the studio doing narration for the hit Netflix comedy “Arrested Development,” for which new episodes will be released sometime this year. And Ron played himself in the hit NBC show “This Is Us” for the third time in an episode that premiered on Feb. 27. Ron was also among the guests attending the fashionable Vanity Fair party after the Oscars in March.
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Maggie Peterson Mancuso and husband Gus continue to entertain regularly (usually Fridays of late) in the Main Room at the famed Bootlegger Bistro in Las Vegas. She’ll also be at the Mayberry in the Midwest festival in May.
Dean Webb (mandolin player of the original Dillards and Mayberry’s Darlings) celebrated his 81st birthday on March 28 by playing a little music with friends. On May 5, Dean and his fellow Missouri Boatride band members will be inducted into the Reeds Spring (Mo.) Area Hall of Fame. Attaboy to Dean and the band!
Margaret Kerry has been making lots of personal appearances–usually close to home in California and more related to Disney than Mayberry, though she is among the guests for May’s Mayberry in the Midwest festival. She’ll also be back as a guest for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield next week.
HAPPY DAY–Jackie Joseph-Lawrence shares a smile with Doris Day earlier this month.
Jackie Joseph-Lawrence helped her longtime pal Doris Day celebrate her 96th birthday in Carmel, Calif., earlier this month. A birthday bash helped raise money for the Doris Day Animal Foundation.
THE THINKER?–George Lindsey Jr. presides at the podium during the awards gala at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival.
The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at the University of North Alabama was another huge success again this year. George’s children, daughter Camden and son George Jr. were among the participants for this twenty-first edition. Several TAGSRWC chapters were also represented.
On March 27, George Jr. released Goobason Sings, a CD of him performing funny songs. (Song titles include “Fleas,” “Roaches,” “The Ol’ Rubber Handshake Gag” and his always-popular “Goober Says, ‘Hey!'” Expect him to have some CDs on hand at Mayberry events he’s attending this year, including Mayberry in the Midwest (May) and Mayberry Days (September).
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**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome with big help from Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown. You can check out the fun and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com.
The iMayberry Community complements our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook pages, online newsletters (such as The eBullet!), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms.
Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever 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 classic installments you’ve missed. (As of this week, there have been 474 episodes since Allan started the podcasts nine years ago.)
And you’ll also find links on that podcast web page to a couple of other outstanding Mayberry-related podcasts: Burke on Mayberry (hosted by TAGSRWC’s Kevin Burke) and the Mayberry Bible Study Podcast (again hosted by Allan Newsome).
PROTECT YOUR FACE–Barney reminds us to always make sure any personal data is in a safe place!
TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook has over 244,000 Likes! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!
We also have links in our “Liked by this Page” section to the pages of several TAGSRWC chapters on Facebook (including the Gomer and Goober Pyle Comic Book Literary Guild, which has fascinating daily history contributions by member Randy Turner), as well as to Facebook pages of Mayberry Days, the Andy Griffith Museum, TAGS actors and others.
Ben Weaver also has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weaversdepartmentstore. It features all the latest in Mayberry items and merchandise news.
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**** Post Note ****
Between issues of our 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.
SPECIAL NOTICE: The eBullet has recently switched to a new e-mail distribution system. (There were ongoing glitches with the previous system, in part because of the happy problem of having more subscribers than the system could handle.)
Unfortunately, the switch requires current subscribers to resubscribe. Fortunately, it’s as easy as typing in your e-mail address and clicking a button, and then clicking a button in the confirmation e-mail sent to you. Here again is the link: www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet. Everything else about The eBullet remains the same–including being free!
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 third issue of Weaver’s Newsletter for 2018 is scheduled for June, and the next eBullet will be out in May.
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“Welcome Sweet Springtime!”
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