Newsletter November 2006

Weaver's Newsletter
An Online newsletter of
"The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
November 20, 2006

Welcome to our fifth and final issue of the Weaver's Newsletter for 2006!  Here's the latest:

**** MERCHANDISE UPDATE ****

   We've reached the summit!  The eighth and final season of TAGS has been released.  As Floyd might say, "What a beautiful thing."  Isn't it a comfort to know that it's possible to own high-quality, virtually uncut versions of all 249 episodes of TAGS!  Not only that, but we get a bunch of original commercials featuring TAGS stars as a bonus section with a couple of the seasons.

   The Complete Eighth Season of TAGS and the Complete First Season of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." are being released by the studio on Dec. 12.  We know that's cutting if awfully close for Christmas delivery (don't say "awfully," Opie).  The people at CBS/Paramount must want to give all of us ulcers by having a release date so close to the holidays.  But we're taking pre-orders now, which should help us get organized and geared up for prompt shipment once the DVDs are available to ship.  All Eighth Season DVD orders placed before the Dec. 12 release date should reach you in plenty of time for Christmas. 

   For late shoppers, our last date for shipping orders before Christmas will be Dec. 20.  Unless your delivery destination is really close to Nashville, ordering and shipping at that late date will require FedEx service (an extra charge) in order to guarantee delivery before Christmas.  Our advice for all concerned (except ulcer medicine salespeople) is to eliminate the worry and order early.

   In addition to the new DVDs, we have some other timely new items described below.  We've also been able to re-stock some items on our site that have been sold out for a while.  So check Weaver's online and see if some of your old favorites are back, including the Mayberry, My Hometown encyclopedia of TAGS originally published in 1987.  And don't forget special seasonal items, such as Andy Griffith's Christmas Guest book with CD single and our Jim Nabors Christmas CD.

   Also, remember that you can order by phone as well as online and by mail.  Our telephone order line is (615) 604-1298.  The number is generally in operation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday.  Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone.  This number does not ring to TAGSRWC HQ, so you shouldn't call this number with questions about general fan club operations, trivia, or various events, etc., but just to place an order by phone or inquire about orders placed by phone.  If you get the answering machine, just leave a message, and Sheila, our friendly phone order-taker, will call you back.

   Any which way you want to reach us, here are descriptions of some of our newest offerings:

* Complete Eighth Season of "The Andy Griffith Show"  $32.00   NEW!
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?category=90

   Here is the final season with the final thirty episodes of the greatest TV series on the planet.  We have some combos with this DVD set elsewhere in this section, but this offer is just the Complete Eighth Season all by itself.  We'll have this introductory price of $32.00 (vs. the suggested retail price of $40.00) through at least Valentine's Day 2007, before our price settles into the same $34.00 of the sets for the other seven seasons.

   Here are the episodes in this final season, including guest appearances by two Oscar-winning actors and the only episodes with Paul Hartman as Emmett the Fix-It Man:

* Emmett's Eighth Season Fix-It Finale Combo SPECIAL #1  $40.00
   That's a mouthful, but it's really just the same core combo of a season on DVD and a set of Mayberry trading cards that we've been offering for the releases of the previous seven seasons. It continues to be one of our most popular combos. We're pleased to offer it again. If you've missed out on this combo with the other seven seasons, maybe Eight is enough to catch your eye.

* Complete Eighth Season of "The Andy Griffith Show" on DVD
* Complete Set (factory sealed) of Series 2 of "The Andy Griffith Show" Trading Cards (110 cards; rare collectible, out of production since 1992)
* Holiday Bonus: Plastic "Andy Griffith Show" Logo Ornament

     The price for both the DVD set and the card set (and the bonus ornament) is only $40.00, which is the suggested retail price of the DVD set by itself.

* Ernest T.'s Eighth Season Tappity-Tap Combo SPECIAL #2  $45.00
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?item=326
   This combo features:
* Complete Eighth Season of "The Andy Griffith Show" on DVD
* Act Like Somebody book of Mayberry photos and quotations about Parenting
* I'm Proud to Call You My Friend book of Mayberry photos and quotations about Friendship

   Ernest T.'s "Mother Figure," Miss Crump, asked him to add up the total cost of this popular combo.  The normal retail for these items is about $60.00.  Our everyday discounted price is $51.00.  But when Ernest T. was counting it out with his feet (tappity-tap, tappity-tap), he got tired and stopped at 45 tappity-taps, so that's our price...$45.00.  You can't beat that.

* Box Set of All Eight Seasons of "The Andy Griffith Show"  $249.00
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?item=328
   The suggested retail price for this set of every episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" is over $320.00.  We're going to keep it simple.  There are 249 episodes of the show.  Our price for this set is just $249.00.  That's right...only one dollar per episode.  That means unbelievable savings for you and incredibly easy math for us.  We'll also be throwing in a bonus item or two with the box set orders.  What that item(s) will be will vary depending on what we still have on hand at the time.  (In other words, the earlier the order is received, the better the stuff we'll still have on hand to use as bonus items.)

* Complete First Season of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."  $32.00
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?item=329

   As the final season of TAGS comes out, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." is also being released on DVD.  Hooray...or rather, Golllleee!  This DVD not only includes all 30 episodes, but it also has these special features:

* Commentary by Jim Nabors on some episodes
* The "Gomer Pyle" Pilot episode from "The Andy Griffith Show"
* An interview with Jim Nabors on "The David Frost Show"
* Clips from"The Jim Nabors Hour"

   This first season brings a bit of Mayberry to the Halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli. Get in step and march with Gomer, Sgt. Carter, Duke, Miss Bunny, and Lou Ann Poovie to all the laughs the United States Marines Corps can handle.

   If there has ever been such a thing as a "must have" for Dillards fans, this item is it.  This classic "audiolithograph" of Dillards music and stories was produced and directed by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's John McEuen and written by John with Rodney Dillard and Mitch Jayne.  Filmed at a house that Mitch found way out in the country in the Missouri Ozarks in 1989 and released on VHS during the early 1990s, this film features 16 songs, including Mayberry favorites "Banjo in the Holler," "There Is a Time," "Ebo Walker," "Doug's Tune," and "Dooley."  The music and conversation around the house are caught as close to seemingly spontaneous and raw as can be accomplished on film and video using several cameras.  And yet considerable thought obviously has gone into the production to create that relaxed, natural feel.  Sound familiar?

   There are so many highlights and delights to this film that it's hard to describe them all.  Filmed using four Super 8 cameras and two video cameras, this film gives the viewer the sense of just sitting on the back porch and in the living room with the four original Dillards (Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Mitch Jayne, and Dean Webb) and friends and family, including father Homer Dillard, Beverly Cotton Dillard (Rodney's wife), Ginger Boatwright, and Steve Cooley.

   When the film was originally released, it was like a joyous, nostalgic reunion of the Original Dilllards, the ones Mayberry fans and others discovered and instantly loved beginning in the 1960s.  Doug was no longer playing with The Dillards when this documentary was filmed. 

   All these years later, this film has a one-two punch of nostalgia-one punch for the 1960s Dillards and another for this 1989 reunion itself.  These days Doug and Rodney are touring together again, but Dean is performing mostly with another group around Branson, and Mitch has retired from playing music.  This film therefore captures a precious moment in Dillards history.

   The hour-long main film has a bonus half hour or so of stories, interviews, behind-the-scenes shots (including John McEuen joining in on banjo), and brief concert footage filmed in Salem, Mo., the same week as the rest of the film.  Extra footage and special features not on the original VHS release have been added to the DVD version.  All we can say is get ready to enjoy a toe-tapping Night in the Ozarks with old friends, The Dillards!

* Autographed Items as Fund-Raisers for Don Knotts Memorials
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?maincat=8

   The framed and matted photo at the link above is one of two items that we're selling as a fund-raiser for Memorials to Don Knotts.  (The other is an autographed copy of Don's memoirs in our Books section.)  All profits from the sale of these framed prints and books will be divided equally among the Don Knotts Legacy Fund in Don's hometown of Morgantown, W.V.; the American Lung Association; and the Surry Arts Council, organizer of Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  Don's family has given its blessings to our using these autographed items as a fund-raiser toward our support of each of these charities in Don's memory.

   About this item: It is a handsomely matted and framed photo of a classic Barney Fife pose and was signed by Don Knotts.  There's also some descriptive text about Barney Fife and a second photo of Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jim Nabors sitting in chairs during a break in filming.  A snapshot of Don signing prints and a certificate of authenticity are attached to the back of the frame.  The frame measures 11 x 14 and is ready to hang with pride on a wall near you...or a friend's wall.  The price is $135.00.

* 2007 "Andy Griffith Show" Wall Calendar  $13.00   NEW!
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?category=44

   For the fourth straight year, we're pleased to offer an official "Andy Griffith Show" Wall Calendar.  This 2007 calendar is designed much like those for 2004, 2005 and 2006.  All of these recent calendars have featured black & white photos of Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee and Gomer.  The calendar measures 12 x 22 in. when unfolded.

* Mayberry Trio Silk Necktie  $18.00   NEW!
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.comindex.php?category=88

   This brand new gentleman's necktie (in classic black and white) features three of Mayberry's finest who are sure to instantly turn any wearer into a truly styling foursome.  We also have the Classic Barney necktie design starring only Barney.

**** FLOYD'S BARBERSHOP BULLETIN BOARD-EVENT CALENDAR ****

* Nov. 21-26: Ronnie Schell performs at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas.

* Dec. 1 and 2: Roland White hosts and performs at Bill Monroe Appreciation Nights at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn.  For more info, visit http://www.rolandwhite.com/

* Dec. 2: George Lindsey performs with the Hagers, Lulu Roman, and Roni Stoneman in the Cornfield Country Show at Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown, Mich.  For more info visit http://www.casino2win.com/leelanau_sands/

* Dec. 15 to April 28, 2007: Ronnie Schell and Ruta Lee are stars of Senior Class-A Revue of the Golden Years for their third season in Palm Springs, this time at the Annenberg Theatre.  For more info, visit: http://www.seniorclassrevue.com/

* Dec. 15-17: Jim Nabors hosts his 10th annual (and billed as final) A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors at the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu.  There will be three performances: Fri. and Sat., Dec. 15 and 16, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 17, 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are on sale now.  For more info, visit http://www.hawaiitheatre.com/

2007

* Feb. 9: David Browning shows his animal magnetism at the Sweetheart Valentine Banquet at the First Baptist Church in Dover, Fla.

* Feb. 10: David Browning entertains at the Mayberry Social at Grace Fellowship Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.

* Mar. 1-4: 10th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala., hosted by George Lindsey with Special Guest of Honor Ernest Borgnine.  Details TBA.  For more info, visit http://www.lindseyfilmfest.com/

* Apr. 11-15: Margaret Kerry appears at the 60^th Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington.  Schedule TBA.  Visit http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/ for updates.

* Apr. 19-21: Back to Mayberry festival benefiting Eagles' Wings in Tuscaloosa and Northport, Ala.  Special guests and other details TBA.

* Apr. 26-28: Doug and Rodney Dillard perform at 7^th Annual Country Bluegrass Show at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in North Platte, Nebr.  For more info, visit the festival Web site at http://countrybluegrassshow.tripod.com/

* July 28: 7th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala.  Details TBA.

* Sept. 27-30: 18th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  For tickets and more info, visit http://www.surryarts.org/

* Oct. 19-20: Mayberry Comes to Cocoa 2 in Cocoa, Fla.  This event is separate from but timed to be in conjunction with "Cruise to Mayberry 2" below. The cruise leaves from nearby Port Canaveral the day after this event. Details TBA, but especially if you're planning on doing the cruise, you'll want to keep this event in mind for your advance planning.

* Oct. 21-25: "A Cruise to Mayberry 2" starring cast members Keith "Johnny Paul Jason" Thibodeaux and LeRoy "Country Boy" McNees and assorted Mayberry Tribute Artists, including Allan "Floyd" Newsome.  For details about this second annual cruise to the Caribbean, visit the cruise's Web site at http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/private/cruise.htm

**** NEWS OF CAST & CREW ****

   Andy Griffith is recovering at home from his widely reported hip replacement surgery in September.  He's making great strides in his recuperation and physical therapy.  He appreciates the good thoughts of friends and fans.  As always, he's eager to get back to work.

   Official reports are slow in coming, but word is that Ron Howard and his Imagine Entertainment production company are still in the early stages of gearing up for a film adaptation of East of Eden.  Don't look for a direct remake of the 1955 version starring James Dean.  This film will probably have a fresh perspective on the classic John Steinbeck novel.

   Jim Nabors is preparing for his final Christmas concert in Honolulu (see the Calendar listing above).  He and his home were fine in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Hawaii in October.  Pre-quake, Jim did a swell job singing the national anthem at the Hawaii vs. Alabama football came in Tuscaloosa in early September.

   Richard O. "Dick" Linke, TAGS associate producer and longtime manager of several TAGS stars, lives much closer to the earthquake's epicenter on Hawaii's Big Island, but says his home suffered little damage-mostly just a few things falling off shelves.  Just prior to the earthquake, Dick and wife Bettina had completed extensive renovations of their home.  Their house came through all the shaking just fine.

   In other Linke news, their son Richard was married in Bali in April.  One of Dick and Bettina's daughters, Katherine, was married on the Big Island just a few days after the quake.  Longtime family friend Jim Nabors attended the ceremony and other wedding festivities.  Dick then celebrated his 89^th birthday with friends who gathered at his home on Oct. 23.  And daughter Bettina Marie gave birth to a girl named Elle Marie on Oct. 27.  November will truly be a month of Thanksgiving-and rest-for the Linkes.

   George Lindsey is featured in the video for the single "Find Me a Man Like Goober" by country duo Moore and Moore.  Several legends of country music appear in the video, which is still in production.  George also filming some TV commercials in Mississippi earlier this month.  And he was guest of honor and official opening-tosser-of-the-coin for a football game at the University of Northern Alabama, his alma mater, in October.

   Betty Lynn spent a good bit of time in North Carolina around Mayberry Days, and in fact stayed in Mount Airy long enough to be part of the city's Autumn Leaves festival a couple of weeks after Mayberry Days.  Mount Airy is beginning to feel a lot like home to Betty, as it does to so many fans.

   Doug and Rodney Dillard and director John McEuen participated in the premiere screening of A Night in the Ozarks at the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in late September.  The DVD of the film about The Dillards is being released later this month.  (See Merchandise Update below.)

   Earle Hagen continues to do well with his pacemaker, which was upgraded during surgery in September.  The TAGS music director is maintaining perfect rhythm and a Mayberry pace.

   About a month after Mayberry Days, Maggie Peterson Mancuso and LeRoy McNees were riding the high seas on a highly successful Mayberry-themed cruise to the Caribbean that also featured several of the popular Mayberry tribute artists.  Many TAGSRWC members and other Mayberry fans were onboard for the fun. 

   James Best has had a busy recent few months.  Much of his activity has been related to "The Dukes of Hazzard," but lots of "Dukes" fans are also TAGS fans.  Some of his recent appearances have been at "Dukes Day" during the Big Cruise Fest event in Little Rock and at the Marigold Festival in Pekin, Ill.  In October, he received the Magnolia Award for lifetime achievement in filmmaking at the Dixie Film Festival in Atlanta.  He also received the Harvey Award for lifetime achievement from the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Penn.  Attaboy, Jimmie!  He also has lots of things cooking with new film work, including the recently completed independent film Hot Tamale.

   Ruta Lee, who appeared as different characters in two episodes of TAGS, received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 10.  Among the many stars on hand was friend and TAGS alum Barbara Stuart.  Ruta's star is at a prime location in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where she once worked.  A lavish luncheon followed the ceremony at the famed Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel down the street.  The previous Saturday, Ruta was in the center of activity for the annual Thalians fund-raiser for Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Century City.  Among the stars with TAGS connections in attendance was Barbara Eden.

   Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) was such a hit at a recent personal appearance in Wilmington, N.C., that folks there can't wait for her to come back.  They won't have to wait long because Margaret has been invited back for the annual North Carolina Azalea Festival in April (see the Calendar above).  Next year should be a banner year for Margaret, who is putting the finishing touches of magic on her autobiography, Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie-Dusted Life.  (Margaret was the model for Disney's animated Tinker Bell.)  A Tinker Bell animated film is also expected from Disney next year. 

   We're very sorry to report the passing of three people with connections to TAGS.

   Writer Art Baer died of complications from cancer on Sept. 17, his 81^st birthday, in Los Angeles.  With his writing partner, the late Ben Joelson, Art wrote seven episodes of TAGS for the fifth and sixth seasons.  The team also wrote more than 100 episodes for many other hit TV shows, including "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Hogan's Heroes," "Get Smart," "The Odd Couple," "Alice," "Happy Days" and "The Love Boat," for which they also served as producers.  They wrote for numerous specials and variety shows, including ones starring Perry Como, Flip Wilson and Jim Nabors.  Art and Ben won an Emmy in 1972 for their writing on Carol Burnett's variety show.

   Art was born in New York City in 1925 and was graduated from New York University.  He met Ben Joelson while both were writing for the "Robert Q. Lewis Show."  Art is survived by Charles Colarusso, his life-partner of 45 years, and by a brother, Paul.

   It is with great sadness that we share news that Earlie Gilley, a true friend of Mayberry, passed away at his home in the Westfield community near Pilot Mountain, N.C., on Sept. 19, at age 83.  Mayberry fans will recognize the name Earlie Gilley (along with the name of his beloved wife of six decades, Virginia Lorraine Beasley Gilley, who is a first cousin of Andy Griffith) from several mentions on TAGS.  Beyond TAGS, Earlie was a stalwart leader of his family, community, and church.  He and brother Wade ran Gilley's Automotive and Supply Company for more than 60 years.

   Earlie and Lorraine and their family befriended many Mayberry fans.  The family has for years supported the efforts of the Surry Arts Council and participated in Mayberry Days.  Earlie earned the respect of all who knew him.  His name will continue to be familiar to generations of Mayberry fans from his mention on TAGS.  But more than that, the memory of the real Earlie Gilley will continue to inspire all of those who were fortunate to know this Good Man.

   Earlie Gilley, a veteran of World War II, was buried with full military honors at Jessup Grove Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain.  The thoughts and prayers of our Mayberry family remain with Lorraine and all of Earlie's family.

   This news was slow in getting released:  Byron Morrow passed away on May 11 at the Motion Picture and Television Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills, Calif.  He was 94.  A tall, distinguished-looking man, his career included about 200 hundred episodes of television shows and some two dozen movies.  His other credits included playing semi-pro basketball against the Harlem Globetrotters.  Among his TV credits were two episodes each of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and "Mayberry R.F.D.," many episodes of "Perry Mason" and four memorable episodes of "The Rockford Files."

   Byron almost always played a person of authority, such as a judge, military leader or top law enforcement officer.  And that was also the case for his one appearance on TAGS, as the Commissioner who presides over the hearing in "Andy on Trial" (Episode #61).  He'll forever be remembered as the man who dismissed all allegations of malfeasance against Andy Taylor, one of the most memorable moments in all of Mayberry lore.

**** MORE MERCHANDISE INFO ****

   You can find Mr. Weaver's full lineup of items at https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com.  (Or go to http://www.mayberry.com/ and click on the Weaver's link at the top of the front page.)

   We also have our phone order line available for shopping convenience.  The number is (615) 604-1298.  Our phone line has part-time hours.  It is generally manned Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. CT, but there will not always be somebody there even during those times.  However, you can always leave a message 24 hours a day and we'll call you back "on our nickel" to get your order at a time convenient to you.  And of course you can always order online or by mail any time.

   You can find most of our items at our location on the third floor of the Main-Oak Emporium at 245 City Hall Street in Mount Airy, N.C.

**** POST NOTE ****
   Between issues of the Weaver's Newsletter, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the more-or-less 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 http://www.tagsrwc.com/.
   TAGSRWC also publishes The eBullet in more or less alternate months to the Weaver's Newsletter.  The eBullet is the online successor to our longtime printed newsletter, The Bullet. Like the Weaver's Newsletter, The eBullet is free.  It includes some of the same news as the Weaver's Newsletter, but with more features and depth and a little less emphasis on merchandise news.  To sign up go to http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm. Archives of The eBullet can be found by going to http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/archive/.
   TAGSRWC's other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at http://www.tagsrwc.com.  It has extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

   The next issue of the Weaver's Newsletter is scheduled for early February (with an eBullet coming out in the meantime, probably around late January).

   That's all for now.  We hope you have fun browsing at Weaver's and visiting Mayberry.com.  

Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Holiday Season to You and Yours!