Newsletter March 2010

    We have two exciting new items to announce in this issue.  And there are more items in the works throughout this year. 

   Also, don't forget about the full array of Mayberry-related products (T-shirts, books, board games, music, DVDs and much more) available at our Weaver's Department Store online at www.mayberry.com. 

   We've also been digging into ol' Ben Weaver's storeroom and the TAGSRWC Archives and have found ones and twos of some really rare older items.  They're scattered throughout our online site, but you'll find the highest concentration of them in the Collectibles & Special Items section at this link: https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=46

  So, if you haven't visited Weaver's in the last few weeks or months (or years) you might want to take a quick peek at some of the special items that maybe you thought you'd never see again...or never even knew existed.  Meanwhile, here the two brand-new items, followed by some of our top sellers:

Limited Edition "The Andy Griffith Show" 50^th Anniversary Portrait
Winken's Early Bird Special Price: $60.00 $40.00
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=259

   What a great way to start off the celebration for the 50^th Anniversary of TAGS!  This beautiful print is sure to be a cherished lifetime keepsake marking this special year in the history of TAGS.  But more than a keepsake, it's a superb work of art whose many smiling faces will bring an instant grin to the face of everyone who sees it.

   Printed with premium inks on archival paper, this outstanding 12 in. x 16 in. collage pencil portrait is signed and numbered by talented Wilmington (N.C.) artist George Murray and officially licensed by CBS Consumer Products.  It's limited to a maximum of 10,000 prints.

  The suggested gallery price for this commemorative print is $60, but our Early Bird Special gets the Nod at just $40.  (Don't tell Ben Weaver!)  And if you spend too long blinkin', you just might miss out on this price!

Mayberry Law Tin Sign   $13.00
www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=12

This keen tin is brand new in '10!   It measures 16 in. x 12.5 in.  Get tough in your neighborhood with a tin that'll really make folks grin!  (And of course, no law office or law enforcement or security location is complete without one!)

   And remember what Barney says, "Don't be square, be rectangular!"

   Note: There's also a set of all seven of the licensed Mayberry tin signs at a super-duper price!

Goober Says Haiti Relief Grab-Bag of Assorted Mayberry Stuff
https://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?item=196

This is the same Grab-Bag of items as our 50th Andy-versary Grab-Bag.  The only difference is that we're designating sales of this one for the American Red Cross and its Haiti Relief instead of the Surry Arts Council and Mayberry Days.  Both are worthy efforts, but Haiti is obviously an urgent life-or-death tragedy, so we want to offer this opportunity for Grab-Bag Purchasers to designate funds for Haiti Relief.

   Here's the scoop on this Grab-Bag.  Goober and the gang have been rummaging around in the garage again while taking inventory and looking for fundraising ideas for supporting causes during this 50th Anniversary year. 

   We think they've come up with another outstanding Grab-Bag of interesting Mayberry items.  All of the items are no longer in production and are therefore now in the category of "collectible."

   At a minimum, each Grab-Bag has the following items: 

* 1 Officially Licensed T-Shirt with Barney Fife on it (The shirt design included is our choice according to availability, but you'll need to specify in the Comments section of the online order form whether you want Small, Medium, or Large.  (Sorry, but larger sizes not available for this offer.)  The default choice if you don't indicate a size is Large.
* 1 Mayberry-related book with an original retail price of at least $10
* 1 "Andy Griffith Show" logo ornament
* 1 Newspaper with coverage of a major Mayberry event
* 1 Officially-licensed Mayberry license plate
* 1 Vintage (that is, not 2010) Mayberry wall calendar (still in its original shrink wrap)
* 3 Different wooden Mayberry building fronts (Bluebird Diner, Mayberry Hotel, and Mrs. Mendelbright's Boarding House)
* 1 Mayberry bumper sticker
* 1 Mayberry-related audio or video tape (still sealed)
* 1 Pre-owned and very used Jim Nabors album (the vinyl LP variety).  Most will date from the 1970s or '80s.
* 2 Different Mayberry photos (8x10)
* 2 Different oversized Mayberry posters
* 1 Barney Sipping Soda Lithograph 
* 1 Pair of 2 different Mayberry birthday balloons (a total of 2 balloons)
* Assorted Mayberry event and news publications and materials (fliers, newsletters, fans, magnets, buttons, etc.) 

   If the items were sold separately, their suggested retail prices would easily total over $120. But Goober is not the best at arithmetic and Ernest T. wasn't around to help us count by stomping his feet, so our price is only $50 for the whole Grab-Bag.  We have only a handful to offer with this configuration of items because most of the items are in extremely short supply. Get 'em while you can.

   All proceeds (not just the profits, but 100% of the $50 price) are going toward our support of the American Red Cross and Haiti Relief.  So with a Grab-Bag purchase, you get a good deal while also helping folks in dire need! 

Special Offer: When George "Goober" Lindsey heard we were doing this special Grab-Bag for Haiti Relief, he wanted to participate.  So, he signed a few photos that can be added to this Grab-Bag.  You can add one of these autographed photos to your Grab-Bag for an extra $20 (a total of $70).  Just select the option to Goober-Size your order.

   We truly appreciate George for giving his support to our efforts to help the people in Haiti.  And we thank all Weaver's visitors for considering a purchase of this Grab-Bag.

Hal Smith Scripts for Haiti Relief
www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=50
 

We have a selection of original scripts that were used by actor Hal Smith, Mayberry's Otis Campbell.  Beyond Mayberry, Hal was one of the all-time busiest character actors and voice-over actors in movies, TV and commercials.  He was also one of the kindest and most generous people you could ever meet.

Note: All profits from the sale of these original scripts of Hal Smith go toward the financial support given by Weaver's Dept. Store and "The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club to the American Red Cross and Haiti Disaster Relief.

   Hal himself unfortunately passed away in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake in 1994.  (It will never be clear whether stress and trauma associated with the quake itself in some way contributed to Hal's death from a heart attack a week later.)  It seems fitting to us that these scripts of his can be used 16 years later to help victims of another earthquake.  We think that would have pleased Hal.

   Each of these scripts is an original used by Hal.  Special features of each are indicated.  All of the scripts are priced individually.  Our standard shipping charge of $5.00 per shipment (not per item) applies.  If you have questions about any of the scripts, you can inquire by e-mail at weavershop@aol.com.

* 2010 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar   $15.00 
www.weaversdepartmentstore/2010 Wall Calendar

   Like the 2009 calendar, the 2010 edition has all black-and-white images.  Many will seem very familiar.  It's a super item for marking the show's 50^th year.

   We also have a Special Combo with 2009 and 2010 Wall Calendars for $23.00.  And we still have several calendars from previous years.  (The previous editions have become very popular collectibles!)

   As of now, it looks as though there won't be an official "Andy Griffith Show" Wall Calendar for 2011, which make this year's edition the Last of the Mayberrians.  So if you don't already have a Mayberrycalendar to enjoy this year, get one while you still can.  The year is still young!

* Box Set of All Eight Seasons of "The Andy Griffith Show," plus the "Danny Thomas" Pilot and Return to Mayberry   $192.00
www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/catalog.php?category=35 

   We know one Goober (we won't mention any James), who has decided to celebrate the show's 50^th Anniversary by watching all 249 episodes in order...backwards!  That's right.  The fella is using this box set to watch the shows in the reverse order of their original broadcast.  He's hoping to land on "The New Housekeeper" around October 3 and then watch the pilot.  The whole experience will be sort of a Mayberry Time Machine (take that, Back to the Future Delorean!).  For a Goober who has watched the 249 episodes every which way for about 50 years, reverse order seems like an interesting twist.
 

   Anyway, the suggested retail price for this Box Set of every episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" (plus the "Danny Thomas" pilot episode and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie) is over $240.00.  The previous 8-season box-set release (without the pilot and the movie and now also discontinued) carried a suggested retail price of $320.00.  We think that makes our $192 price a pretty swell deal...about 77 cents an episode, plus the pilot and reunion movie!

   We also have individual complete seasons of TAGS on DVD at a nice price.  And we have individual seasons and the Complete Series box set of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and the first four seasons of "Matlock."   (The fourth season has just been released this month!)

   Coming Attractions:  The movie version of No Time Sergeants starring Andy Griffith and featuring Don Knotts is being released on DVD in early May.  The quartermaster at Weaver's has promised to have it locked and loaded on our shelves as soon as it's available. 

**** First One Thing and Then Another ****

   Whether you're looking for a Mayberry T-shirt, something Mayberry for your car, decorative wooden building fronts (always especially popular during the holidays), Mayberry-related comedy and music CDs, posters, tin signs and artwork (including some autographed pieces), all variety of books and cookbooks, and even a Barney Fife light switch covers and a thermometer, we've got most things Mayberry online at Weaver's at mayberry.com.  Drop by and have fun looking around. 

Phone Orders

   In addition to accepting orders online or by mail, our Weaver's Dept. Store has a phone number FOR ORDERS ONLY (615) 604-1298.  The phone number is generally in operation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday. 

Any listings for falcon-keeper?

 
* Apr. 17: Neal Brower gives the third of five lectures at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C.  The topic of this lecture is "The Production of 'The Andy Griffith Show.'"  Each lecture starts at 2 p.m. and costs $10, which includes admission the Andy Griffith Museum. To register for a lecture, e-mail jessica@surryarts.org or call (336) 786-1604. 

 * Apr. 22-24: Maggie Peterson is a presenter (at the Betty Lynn Luncheon) and a performer at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshville, Mo.  Among the other special guests are a great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill and the descendants or relatives of several U.S. presidents.  For more info, visit www.cherryblossomfest.com.

 * Apr. 30: David "Mayberry Deputy Browning provides border security at Bristol, Tenn./Va. Sign Celebration.

 * Apr. 30: James Best greets fans and signs copies of his Best in Hollywood memoir at Sherlock's Books in Lebanon, Tenn.  Details TBA.  For more info, visit www.sherlocksbooks.com.

 * May 1: James Best is at the downtown Nashville location of Sherlock's Books to sign his recent book, Best in Hollywood.  Some of his original paintings will also be shown that evening in a gallery as part of the First Saturday Art Crawl in downtown Nashville.  Details TBA. For more info, visit www.sherlocksbooks.com.

* May 1: Neal Brower gives the fourth in the series of five lectures at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C.  The topic of this lecture is "Music and Musical Scoring of 'The Andy Griffith Show.'"  Each lecture starts at 2 p.m. and costs $10, which includes admission the Andy Griffith Museum.  To register for a lecture, e-mail jessica@surryarts.org or call (336) 786-1604.

 * May 1: 23rd Annual Uncle Jesse Big Bass Classic in memory of Denver Pyle in Paris, Tex.  Visit www.unclejessefishing.com for more info. 

 * May 5: David Browning waxes the steps at the BBB Seniors Event in Charlotte, N.C. 

 * May 6 and 7: The Annual Eagles' Wings Golf Tournament and Dinner/Auctions, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., will feature several Mayberry tribute artists, including David Mayberry Deputy Browning, Allan "Floyd" Newsome, Kenneth "Otis" Junkin, Tim "Goober" Pettigrew, Jeff "Howard Sprague" Branch, and Gary "Gomer" Crain.  The golf tourney is on Thurs. and the dinner/auctions are on Fri.  The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels will also be performing in Tuscaloosa that weekend.  Eagles' Wings is a non-profit organization providing services for adults with special needs.  The Tuscaloosa group has a strong bond with several TAGSRWC chapters and members, as well as cast members and fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" who have participated in fund-raisers and other efforts in recent years.  For more info, visit www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.

 * May 7: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at The Dillard House in Dillard, Ga.

 * May 8: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at Bill's Music Shop & Pickin' Parlor in West Columbia, S.C.

* June 2: David Browning helps salute goals reached at DARE Graduation in Rocky Mount, N.C. 

 * June 4 and 5: Mule Day/Chickenfest in Gordo, Ala., starring Maggie Peterson, and featuring Mayberry tribute artists, including Allan "Floyd" Newsone, Tim "Goober" Pettigrew, Jeff "Howard Sprague" Branch, and Kenneth "Otis" Junkin.  There will also be a carnival in town in conjunction with Mule Days, as well as National Guard race cards and assorted military displays, and much more.  (No doubt including mules and chickens.)  Details to come.  For more info, visit www.gordochamber.com.

 * June 5: Neal Brower gives the final installment in his series of five lectures at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C.  The topic of this lecture is "The Influence of Southern Culture and Mount Airy on 'The Andy Griffith Show.'"  Each lecture starts at 2 p.m. and costs $10, which includes admission the Andy Griffith Museum. To register for a lecture, e-mail jessica@surryarts.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* June 5: David Browning's jaw muscles work at the Clinch River Festival in St. Paul, Va. 

* June 12: David Browning races the bases at the Lexington (Ky.) Legends baseball game.

* June 19: We'll be darned if David Browning isn't at the Salem (Va.) Red Sox game. 

 * June 24: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at 7 p.m. at the IBMA Hall of Fame ROMP (River of Music Party) in Owensboro, Ky.

* July 10-11: 10th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and 6th Annual "Mayberry Comes to Graysville" Festival in Graysville, Ala.  Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are the first guests announced.  Other guests and details TBA.

* July 23-24: Mayberry in the Midwest IV in New Castle, Ind.  CANCELED!  Unfortunately, all the pieces to the puzzle weren't able to come together and the stars didn't quite align for this much anticipated Mayberry cast reunion event this time around.  We can hope it comes together for another year sometime down the road, because the first three editions of this event were some of the best ever.

* July 25: Jim Nabors is in concert for a rare performance after his official retirement in 2008.  He'll be at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Penn., for a show at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $50 and go on sale Feb. 27.  For more info, visit www.amtshows.com.

* Aug. 7: Rodney Dillard are joined by Maggie Peterson and several of the Mayberry Tribute Artists (including David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning, Kenneth "Otis" Junkin, and  Jeff "Howard" Branch) for a concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program.  The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C.  Tickets are $20 reserved and $15 general admission.  For tickets and more info, visit www.bluegrassintroy.com.

* Aug. 22: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform in the Mayberry Celebration at the  Fountain of Life Bible Church in Johnson City, Tenn. 

* Sept. 5  Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band perform at the Boone Plantation BBQ Festival in Charleston, S.C.

* Sept. 16:   Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform in Fort Payne, Ala.  Details TBA.

* Sept. 23-26: 20th Anniversary Edition of Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  This is the big one!  Guests confirmed so far include: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Doug Dillard (the banjo-playing Darling boy), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), Rodney Dillard (the guitar-playing Darling boy) and his current Dillard band, Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker), James Best (Jim Lindsey), Jackie Joseph ("Sweet Romeena"), LeRoy McNees (one of the Country Boys in "Mayberry on Record"), George Spence (Frank the Fiance in "Guest in the House"), David Morris (son of Howard Morris), Laura Hagen (widow of Earle Hagen), and Karen Knotts (daughter of Don Knotts).  More to come.  Other festival favorites include a lecture by Neal Brower and a concert by the VW Boys.  Full details, updates, and tickets to those portions of the weekend that require a ticket are available online at www.surryarts.org.

* Oct. 2: Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C., will celebrate the 50th
Anniversary of TAGS with a day of music, memories, and down-home fun.  Scheduled to appear: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band, Maggie Peterson, David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning, Jeff "Howard Sprague" Branch, and Allan "Floyd" Newsome.  Other special guests TBA.
   The day will feature two shows by the performers listed above as well as a meet-and-greet lunch.  There will also be a pickle making contest, a whistling contest, trivia contests, and other activities throughout the day.  More events still TBA. There will be a Facebook page and Web site up in the coming weeks.
   Autryville is located approximately 60 miles south of Raleigh, 15 miles east of
Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg, and 80 miles northwest from Wilmington.

* Oct. 3: 50th Anniversary of the airing of the first episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" on CBS.

 
* Oct 16-21: A Cruise to Mayberry 5 to the Bahamas aboard Carnival's Fascination with the VW Boys and Mayberry tribute artists and others TBA.  For more info, call (336) 538-4926 or toll-free (800) 832-7993, or visit www.allaboutcruisesnc.net 

Remembering Aaron Ruben

   Even as we anticipate a wonderful year of celebrating TAGS and all that Mayberry means to us, we have some very sad news to report about one of the key people in creating this show we love.  Though most of our readers, being some of the world's most avid fans of Mayberry, likely will have heard by now, it is with great sadness that we note the passing of producer/director/writer Aaron Ruben, who died of pneumonia at his home in Beverly Hills on Jan. 30.  He was 95.

   There's some good information about Aaron and his career available online, including a video interview with Aaron for the Archive of American Television at www.emmytvlegends.org.  We've also put our own interview/profile about Aaron from the October 1995 issue of The Bullet (the printed predecessor of The eBullet) online on the front page of www.mayberry.com.  We recommend both of these for anyone wanting to learn more about Aaron Ruben-much of it in his own words.

   In addition to the photos in this issue of The eBullet, we have an album with some photos of Aaron on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/tagsrwc).

   Several people have posted comments about Aaron on our Facebook page.  One of the first to do so was Jackie Joseph (our Sweet Romeena).  She wrote, "Aaron was the best person.  He gave me my job on TAGS and on "Gomer Plyle" and other delightful stuff.  Aaron was an angel on my shoulder and he was and is an angel on the shoulders of children who needed someone to care about them."

   Jackie's reference to children is because of Aaron's 25 years working with the Los Angeles chapter of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which was his passion after he retired from show business.  He produced results with that program, including the Aaron Ruben Scholarship Fund, the same way he did with all the shows he worked on through the years.

   No one was more familiar with Aaron and his work, both in his professional career and as a volunteer with CASA, than Andy Griffith, who provided this heartfelt comment to The eBullet:
   "I said to Aaron's beautiful wife on Saturday [the day Aaron died], 'No one knows how sad I am.'  Then, my wife and I sobbed for hours.  While Cindi and I knew this was coming (Aaron would be 96 on March 1), while he was still on earth, we could still talk.  We spoke every year on Christmas Day.  When we were working together or not, we were always friends.  We spoke this last Christmas and laughed together.

   "Aaron did many things in the show business we both loved.  Most importantly, Aaron would want to be known for his work with CASA, and other charities he and Maureen worked with.

   "Aaron, Maureen, Don, Francey [Knotts], Cindi and I were and will remain best friends.  We will see one another again one day."

   Aaron was always generous with his time and offered encouragement for TAGSRWC.  Though Aaron never attended any of the fan-oriented TAGS reunions, a few us in TAGSRWC were fortunate to be around him in person on a handful of occasions.  It was a thrill to be in the same room with him-even when it was a very large room!  

   Through years of correspondence and occasional phone calls, Aaron also provided valuable insights about the production of TAGS and the craft of writing.  It was obvious that he never stopped caring deeply about TAGS and its continuing legacy.  He regarded TAGS as the crown jewel of his show business career, which was filled with many jewels.  And that's fitting because Aaron J. Ruben will always be remembered as true Mayberry royalty and a real prince of a fellow.

   Aaron is survived by his wife, actress Maureen Arthur, sons Tom and Andy, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

   On behalf of TAGSRWC as a group, we've made a donation in Aaron's memory to CASA of Los Angeles (201 Centre Plaza Drive, Suite 3, Monterey Park CA 91754-2142).  You can learn more about the L.A. chapter at www.casala.org, where there's also an option for online donations.  (For more information about Aaron and his work with CASA, there's an article in the back of Aunt Bee's Delightful Desserts, which, thanks to Aaron's inspiration, also shares its proceeds with CASA.)

 **** News of Cast & Crew ****

   Andy Griffith wintered well at home in Manteo, N.C.  The DVD for Play the Game, his most recent movie, is scheduled for release in May, as well as the DVD for the movie version of No Time for Sergeants.  (We'll have both at Weaver's online as soon as they're available.)
   Ron Howard is executive producer for "Parenthood," which has just started this month on NBC after its premiere last fall had to be postponed because of an illness in the cast.  His next film as director is currently scheduled to be Your Cheating Heart with Vince Vaughn.  It's slated for release in 2011.
   George Lindsey has just returned from the 13th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at the University of North Alabama, his alma mater, in Florence, Ala.  The festival was another huge success with large and enthusiastic crowds.  Several members of the cast and crew of the Back to the Future films participated.  And there was a replica of the DeLorean time machine.  In addition to all of the other benefits of the festival, photo ops with the DeLorean raised over $1,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Read, see, and hear more about this year's festival at www.lindseyfilmfest.com.

   Maggie Peterson says she doing well and has several irons in the fire, including some Mayberry appearances starting later this spring.  And she has been doing occasional jazzy singing performances, accompanied by sister Phyllis Eaton on piano.
   Betty Lynn has enjoying a restful winter in Mount Airy, N.C.  She got to see a lot of beautiful snow on the Blue Ridge Mountains outside her window-a big change of scenery after more than 60 years in Los Angeles!  She also recently made a quick trip to northern South Carolina for a TV appearance promoting Mount Airy.
   At the other seasonal extreme, Richard O. "Dick" Linke says he continues to enjoy every breeze and every ray of sun of his year-round paradise in Hawaii.
   Ronnie Schell hosted another (the 10^th!) highly successful Veterans of Comedy Wars fundraiser for San Francisco State University.  Tim Conway and a star-studded lineup wowed the capacity crowd at the University's McKenna Theater.

   We're very sad to report that writer Barry Blitzer died on Jan. 27 in Santa Monica, Calif., from complications following abdominal surgery.  He was 80.
   Though "A New Doctor in Town" (Episode #201) was his only TAGS episode, Barry Blitzer had strong connections to Mayberry and its cast and crew.  Among them, he wrote 15 episodes of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."  He won an Emmy for Best Comedy Writing in 1956 for his work on "The Phil Silvers Show," and he was nominated for a Writers Guild Award for an episode of "Get Smart."

   He wrote for numerous sitcoms and variety shows, especially in the 1960s and '70s, and was prolific in writing for animated shows, especially for Hanna-Barbera, from the 1960s through the '80s.
   Barry Blitzer was born on April 21, 1929, in New York City.  He attended the University of Georgia and was in the Army, where he worked for Armed Forces Radio during the Korean War.
   Fellow TAGS writer Sam Bobrick had this to say about Barry in the Palisadian-Post in Pacific Palisades, Calif., where Barry and his wife, Elsie, resided since 1973: "His sweetness came out in his writing.  He was the nicest, nicest man you could imagine, and I'm going to miss him very much.  He used to say some very funny things, and somehow they always ended up in my shows.  He had such a dry sense of humor, and he never tooted his own horn.  I don't know anyone who has ever said a bad thing against him-and that's very rare in this business."

   In retirement, Barry wrote humor and music columns for the Palisadian-Post, whenever the notion struck.  And he later cornered the market for Jewish Misfortune Cookies by creating his own line of cookies with humorous sayings inside.
   TAGS is blessed with good fortune to have even a glancing connection to Barry Blitzer, a true Mayberry mensch.
 

  We're also sad to note that actor Sandy Kenyon died at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., on February 20, at age 87.  He appeared in two episodes of TAGS, as Bill Lindsay in "Goober Makes History" (Episode #196) and as George Hollander in "Opie Steps Up in Class" (Episode #225).  He also was in the "Gomer Untrains a Dog" episode of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C."

   Sandy Kenyon was born on August 5, 1922, in New York.  After serving as a pilot in the Army Air Corp in WWII, he moved back to New York to pursue his career in acting, and then moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s.  He appeared in hundreds of productions for the stage and big and small screens, and for many years led his own Interact Theatre Company.

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

   For the past year and a half, www.mayberry.com/podcasts has been the home of the Two Chairs, No Waiting Internet Radio Show (a podcast) hosted by Allan Newsome.  

   As most of our readers likely know, Allan is our Webmaster at mayberry.com and has been very active in TAGSRWC since 1992.  If you've attended various Mayberry events through the years, you've probably seen Allan as a tribute artist for Floyd the Barber. 

   Two Chairs, No Waiting has TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry.  Allan is really doing a bang-up job on these podcasts.  There's a new episode every Tuesday and also an Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you've missed.  (They're have been about 70 so far!)  We think you'll find these podcasts creative, fun and informative.  There's a lot of info and discussions that you simply won't find anywhere else.

   If you've got sound on your computer or have an ipod or similar device, you can easily tune in or download these podcasts.  There are all sorts of ways to interact with the podcasts, including several options for giving your feedback.  And there are other links, including a companion Facebook page, to keep up with all the goin's-on.  And probably the easiest way to make sure you don't miss an episode is to subscribe to the podcasts.  (They're free.)

   So pull up a chair and enjoy the fun of bringing what is basically Radio Free Mayberry to you wherever you are!

   And TAGSRWC now has an official page on Facebook, too!  It's www.facebook.com/tagsrwc.  We've just launched our page during the last few months.  Of course, there are several tribute pages to TAGS on Facebook, including some for individual TAGSRWC chapters and members.  There's a lot of mighty good folks to have as Facebook Friends.  It's fantastic to see much interest in TAGS and Mayberry bursting out in all corners of the Web.

   The purpose of our official TAGSRWC page (it's the page called "The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club if your searching for it) is to serve as our Facebook clearinghouse for links to all of the assorted Mayberry fan and TAGS-related pages on Facebook-much as www.mayberry.com has always been as our go-to place for Mayberry and TAGS info and links to related sites.  We can just direct TAGSRWC members and others to our Facebook page and the mayberry.com Web site, rather than needing to continually provide a laundry list of links, pages and sites one at a time.  It makes it simpler for us from an administration and communication standpoint, and, we hope, also easier for fans.

   Our Facebook page is just getting underway, but already more than 3,000 folks have joined the fun.  We hope you'll check out our Facebook page and be a part of helping it grow and spreading the word about Mayberry news and activities by becoming a fan with TAGSRWC.  Drop by when you have a chance and say, "Hey!"  (And no matter what Barney says, on Facebook, it's always O.K. to write on walls!)

**** POST NOTE ****

   Between issues of the Weaver's Newsletter, keep up with the goin's-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 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 www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm.
   TAGSRWC's other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at tagsrwc.com.  It has extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

   The next issue of Weaver's Newsletter is scheduled for late April or early May (with an eBullet coming out in early to mid-April).

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