Weaver's Newsletter: March 2011

Right now, we have probably the largest variety of items we've had at Weaver's in a long time. In addition to some brand new items, we've also recently restocked several out-of-production and otherwise rare items that we haven't carried for a while, sometimes even for years. We have only a small handful of some of these items (as few as just one or two), so browse our online shelves soon! Here are some merchandise highlights:

Beyond Mayberry's beloved Barney Fife, this Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter! DVD shows Don in a series of wonderful, hilarious stand-up routines and skits in rare performances from the 1960s and ‘70s.

In this special hour-long comedy collection, Don is joined by singer-actress Joey Heatherton, actress Jane Powell, former Dallas Cowboys player Lance Rentzel, comic (and Mayberry deputy) Jack Burns, Don's Love God movie co-star Maureen Arthur (also wife of "Andy Griffith Show" producer Aaron Ruben), and the legendary Jimmy Durante.

Bonus material includes Don with Lucille Ball and an early look at Don's comedy career and some "never before seen" special features.

This DVD is sure to be a great treat for all fans of our favorite deputy--one of the true, cherished comedy legends of our time...and of all time. And at a great price.

NOTE: Any other items in the same order with this DVD will wait to ship with this DVD when it is released around April 26. If you wish to receive other items earlier, you can either order them in a separate order or tell us in the Comments section of our online order form that you want to pay a separate $5 shipping & handling fee to have the rest of the items in your order shipped earlier than this DVD's release date.

These officially licensed, cool canvas hats (in Mayberry Sheriff Dept. tan!) are finely embroidered with a choice of the official "Andy Griffith Show" logo or Security by Fife. Adjustable for just the right fit for any occasion.

This genuine Goober-Style Beanie Hat Fashioned from brown felt has the look any Goober will love. Best of all, you get to cut your own holes in the top, just as Goober himself would do. Get your beanie, baby, and say "Yo!" One size fits most.

This is a really exciting item that was released right before Christmas. (It may not have made Santa's sleigh in time for his stop at your home.) It's an item that we had long been hoping for. In addition to a bunch of the very best episodes, this 3-disc set includes uncut versions of the "Danny Thomas" pilot for "The Andy Griffith Show" and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie. And all at a phenomenally low price, even before Ben Weaver's additional discount. Here are some of the highlights of what's on it:

This collection is chockfull of great Mayberry moments. And the price makes for a truly unbeatable combination of quantity, quality and value. We think it's a dream come true for Mayberry fans everywhere.

This spectacular print is titled "Together Forever" and is brand new and just in time for the 50th Anniversary of "The Andy Griffith Show." It's a beautiful rendering by renowned Americana artist Dave Barnhouse.

The image size of the full-color lithograph measures a generous 17.75 in. x 28 in. and includes 21 favorite Mayberry characters.

The Edition is limited to a total of 5,900 pieces, all signed by the artist. We expect them to sell out very quickly.

What a marvelous commemoration for the 50th and beyond that Dave Barnhouse has created for Mayberry fans!

And even better for Weaver's customers... we've now got this beautiful print for $30 off the suggested price. We've reduced it from $130 to $100 as a way to celebrate the 50th and make it a little kinder to Christmas budgets as we head into the holiday shopping season.

This CD, released in September, features Rodney Dillard singing lots of favorite Darlings tunes from "The Andy Griffith Show," along with other popular Dillards tunes and some later songs about the Darlings. These are some classic bluegrass and Mayberry songs for any fan of, well, bluegrass and Mayberry!

Features 19 tracks and some bonus material. Ol' Ben Weaver knows a toe-tappin' good deal when he sees one!

Bonus Material: A Tribute to Mayberry Values
From the archives of the popular radio show "Mayberry Minute," hosted by Rodney. The radio show ran nationally for three years as Rodney took a look back at "Andy Griffith Show" episodes and the life lessons they taught.

This design on a preshrunk 100% cotton T-shirt in Carolina Blue poses the question whose answer will always get our attention. (Of course, we all already know the answer..."the right thing.")

Sort of like a rebus puzzle or the old "Concentration" TV game show, this shirt might give passersby a slight pause before they break into a knowing grin and nods of agreement.

This is a shirt that makes a statement without ever saying (or even spelling!) a word.

Can it really be 50 years? Shazam! This shirt has a classic image of Andy, Barney, Opie and Gomer on a heavyweight 100% preshrunk cotton shirt. The color of the shirt? Courthouse Coffee, of course!

What a beautiful way to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of TAGS! This handsome print is sure to be a cherished lifetime keepsake marking this special time in the history of TAGS. But more than a keepsake, it's a superb work of art whose many smiling faces will bring instant grins to the faces 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 we've got it at Weaver's for just $40.

Also, be sure to check out our Collectibles & Special Items at Weaver's. There are some unique and rare items there that could make really special gifts or additions to your own collection. And we have a wide assortment of great licensed Mayberry products in the Cool Gifts section and throughout the Weaver's shopping area at http://www.iMayberry.com.

Ben Weaver Bert Miller On the Move

Old Ben Weaver recently closed the little Weaver's booth Bert Miller was running for us at the Main-Oak Emporium in Mount Airy for the last 10 years. The good folks at the Andy Griffith Museum acquired some of the items for their jam-packed gift shop, so be sure to check out their selection when you're in Mount Airy.

We've put the rest of the items back in our online store at www.iMayberry.com, so we're well-stocked on many items, including some rare and discontinued items that we haven't had online in a while.

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. (They sneak out to go fishin' for carp and pike a lot, so if you miss them during business hours, just leave a message with a number where they can call you back.)

Please call this number only for ordering or for inquiring about orders placed by phone. All inquiries about online orders and mail orders should be made online and by mail, respectively.

Still scheduled to be popping out of the oven sometime in "early 2011, this gift tin will contain four of the most popular varieties of Mayberry's Finest baking mixes, such as Peach Cobbler and Cinnamon Toast muffins. As a treat for fans of the show, the collectible tin will feature images of some of Mayberry's most representative memorabilia.

And as a special feast for the ears, the gift tin will include a brand new CD of Mayberry tunes by the awarding bluegrass band The Grascals. Among the songs that will make you laugh is a tune they worked up just for this CD. It's called "Boy, Giraffes Are Selfish."

There's still no definite production date yet for this special gift tin. The original plan was to have the tins available in time for Christmas. When all the ducks didn't get in a row for that target date, the company put on its "square wheels." But not to worry. If you're among those who pre-ordered, we still have your orders ready to go (at your original pre-order price) just as soon as the tins become available. We think they'll be worth the wait. Meanwhile, continue to ask for Mayberry's Finest baking mixes wherever you shop for groceries.

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest's amazing collection of Andy Griffith artifacts and memorabilia, is open on its regular daily schedule in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the Web site at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.

* Apr. 8 and 9: Ronnie Schell performs at the Fantasy Springs Hotel and Casino in Palm Springs, Calif. For more info, visit http://www.fantasyspringsresort.com/prod/index.php.

* Apr. 15: Mail your tax return and then celebrate that you're done with that task by meeting Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C. She will have autographed 8x10 photos available ($10). She will be inside the museum from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Apr. 15: Karen Knotts, daughter of Don Knotts, will perform her one-person "Tied Up in Knotts" show about life with her dad, at Central Magnet School, located at 701 East Main Street in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door) and are on sale at Mid-South Bank locations in Rutherford County, Tenn. For info about getting tickets elsewhere, write to opiesmom1@juno.com or call Julie at (615) 653-0151.

Don Knotts was diagnosed with macular degeneration in his fifties. This fundraiser will benefit the Discovery Eye Foundation/Macular Degeneration Partnership in Los Angeles, Calif. (http://www.amd.org). The event is being hosted by Java with Julie/Courageous Living.

* Apr. 15 and 16: Mayberry Comes to Westminster, S.C. (location change from Walhalla, S.C.). The Official Host will be Darling boy Rodney Dillard, with entertainment by David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning, Allan "Floyd" Newsome and several other Mayberry tribute artists, and also an evening concert by the VW Boys. There also will be a pancake breakfast, spaghetti supper, parade, downtown arts & crafts, music venues, a look-a-like contest selecting the best "Opie" and "Aunt Bee," a street dance, and more. The event's website is http://mctw.jneg.org/mctw/Welcome.html.

* Apr. 26: David Browning brings his one-man "ICONIC: Reality & Fiction" show, featuring Abraham Lincoln and the Mayberry Deputy, to Huntingdon, Tenn.

* Apr. 28 and 29: Annual Eagles' Wings fundraiser in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Several Mayberry tribute artists and others entertain at this event, which includes a golf tourney and dinner show. Funds raised support efforts to provide facilities for adults with disabilities. Details TBA.

May 3-8: Ronnie Schell performs at Harrah's Improv Club in Las Vegas. For more info, visit http://www.harrahslasvegas.com.

* May 11: David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning ventures into the Small Business Expo in Sanford, N.C.

* May 14: Altoona Day in Altoona, Ala. (near Gasden), from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Organized by TAGSRWC's Robert E. Lee Natural Bridge Residents chapter, the festival will feature a parade, music, arts and crafts, Mayberry tribute artists, and a beloved TV star or two TBA.

* May 14: David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning is loaded for the Kentucky Black Bear Festival in Cumberland, Ky.

* May 18-22: Ronnie Schell entertains in the Comedy Room at Harvey's Hotel and Casino in Lake Tahoe. For more info, visit http://www.harveystahoe.com/.

* May 28: David "Mayberry Deputy" looks for pinch hits at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game in Waldorf, Md.

* May 29: Jim Nabors sings "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Ind.

* June 2 and 3: Darling Boy Dean Webb and Missouri Boatride perform at the John Hartford Memorial Festival at 11:45 a.m. on June 2, and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at 2:40 p.m. on June 3. The festival is being held at the Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom, Ind. For more info visit www.johnhartfordmemfest.com, or call (812) 988 6422.

* June 3 and 4: Mule Days in Gordo, Ala., featuring Mayberry tribute artists, music and more TBA.

* June 4: David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning rolls into St. Paul, Va., for the Clinch River Festival.

* June 11: David Browning is on call for the Haleyville 911 Festival in Haleyville, Ala.

* July 9: 11th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and 7th Annual "Mayberry Comes to Graysville" Festival in Graysville, Ala. (near Birmingham). Guests and other details TBA.

July 23 and 24: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at a Mayberry Festival at St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church in Cullman, Ala., on the 23rd, and Rodney and Beverly Dillard present their Mayberry Values program at the church on the 24th. Details TBA.

* Aug. 27: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by 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. Details TBA. For more info, visit www.bluegrassintroy.com.

* Sept. 23-25: 22nd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Shows already confirmed include two concerts by The Doug Dillard Band, a new one-man show with Ronnie Schell, "An Afternoon with James Best," "Tied Up in Knotts" starring Karen Knotts, Memories of Elvis with Michael Hoover, the "Salute to Mayberry" with the VW Boys, Professor Brower's Lecture with Neal Brower, the Mayberry Days Golf Tournament and Banquet, and Colonel Tim's Talent Time. For info and tickets, go to http://www.mayberrydays.org. More stars and events TBA.

Nov 12-17: A Cruise to Mayberry 6: A 5-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas. Leaving from Tampa, Fla., with ports-of-call in Cozumel and Costa Maya, and 2 days at sea. For more details, contact Sharon at All About Cruises by phone (10 a.m.-5 p.m. ET) at 1-800-832-7993. For more details, visit the Mayberry Cruise section of the All About Cruises web site. (Note: You must have booked through All About Cruises and be part of the "Mayberry Cruise" in order to attend Mayberry portions of the cruise.)

Andy Griffith has had a quiet winter at home in North Carolina. A few blasts of unusual cold and snow have hit the coastal area where he lives, so he was hunkered down like so much of the rest of the country.

Millions of viewers caught glimpses of Ron Howard during this year's Super Bowl broadcast. He was singled out by commentators during a shot of the crowd at Cowboy Stadium. He was also in a "Happy Days" clip used during an ad for the NFL. And this summer's Cowboys & Aliens movie (starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig) had a prominent commercial during the broadcast. Ron is one of the producers of the film.

Ron is also narrator for a short video introducing the U.S. government's new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V0Ax9OIc84.

Ron is executive producer for the current "Parenthood" TV series on NBC and the upcoming Arrested Development movie. He's also a producer for J. Edgar, currently filming under the direction of Clint Eastwood.

But Ron's most ambitious project right now-and maybe his most ambitious ever-is the film adaptation of Stephen King's seven Dark Towers novels. The current plan is for three feature films with one TV series between the first and second films and another TV series between the second and third films. The word is that Ron will direct the first film and the first TV series. The first film is not scheduled for release until 2013.

With all that going on, it's hard to "imagine" that Ron will have time to direct a proposed movie based on the TV series 24 (which was also produced by Ron's Imagine Films), but there's industry speculation suggesting that it's barely possible.

Meanwhile, daughter Bryce Dallas Howard is set to follow in some more of her father's footsteps by directing a movie for a screenplay she co-wrote called The Originals. It's being produced by Imagine Films.

George Lindsey was under the weather and for the first time in its 14-year history was unable to attend his George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival at his alma mater, the University of North Alabama, in Florence in early March. (Son George Jr. stood in for his dad at the festival.) A special tribute to George that had been slated as part of the festival has been rescheduled for April 30 in order that George can be there for it. Watch Floyd's online bulletin board for updates about that.

The festival has really become a creative force in the region, and also attracts national and international entries and accolades. It was another big success again this year.

Also on the mend is Darlings boy Doug Dillard, who spent a few days in the hospital after one of his lungs went and collapsed on him at the end of February. Doug's back home and healing really well, and he sends his love and appreciation to friends and fans who have expressed their concern and encouragement. Keep up with Doug's professional happenings at www.dougdillard.net and www.hillbillyhollywood.com.

Betty Lynn continues to greet visitors and sign autographs once a month at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C. She's usually there during the afternoon of the third Friday of the month, but check the museum's website for the schedule and updates at www.andygriffithmuseum.org.

Maggie Peterson has been singing regularly with husband Gus Mancuso, who has a steady gig at the legendary Bootlegger Bistro in Las Vegas. She'll be heading out to several Mayberry events as the year rolls along. She and Rodney Dillard are doing some dates together (keep an eye on Floyd's online event calendar for more of those dates as they're confirmed), and Rodney will also be on the road at festivals and churches in support of his I Wish Life Was Like Mayberry CD.

Darlings boy Dean Webb and his Missouri Boatride band are starting to book some dates outside of their Missouri home base. You can keep up with their happenings and schedule at www.missouriboatride.com.

Barbara Stuart (one TAGS episode and best known as Miss Bunny on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.") has been under the weather, but is improving and, as always, is very much appreciative of her many fans around Mayberry.

Joy Ellison (Mary Wiggins and other friends of Opie's) had a busy 2010 as dialect coach for several major Hollywood movies (including Dinner for Schmucks), and she has already completed work on three 2011 releases: The Ledge, Beastly (in theaters now) and Fright Night.

Richard O. "Dick" Linke (associate producer and longtime personal manager of Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors and others) recently completed an addition to his spacious home in Hawaii. And he also had a visit in February from a friend of six decades, singer Tony Bennett. Dick and wife Bettina were invited by Bennett to be his guests for a concert he was performing while in Hawaii.

We're very sad to report that legendary character actor and all-around grand fella Bill Erwin, who had small parts as Mayberry townspeople in two episodes of TAGS, passed away from age-related causes on Dec. 29 at his home in Studio City, Calif. He was 96.

Bill played gas-station owner George Saperly in "Stranger in Town": (Episode 12) and one of the investors in "Mayberry on Record" (Episode 19) on TAGS. His Hollywood career spanned more than 50 years, from You're in the Army Now with Jimmy Durante in 1941 to NBC's "My Name Is Earl" with Jason Lee in 2006.

A person could almost randomly name a TV series from the 1950s through the ‘80s and more often than not Bill would have been in at least one episode of that show.

Of his more recent work (that is, the career's worth of performances in the last 20 years!), he is no doubt remembered best for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of grumpy Sid Fields in "The Old Man" episode of "Seinfeld." Though the roles of gruff men and grouches were common for Bill, he was the jolliest of people off camera.

Bill also had a busy career in live theater. He began performing at the famed Pasadena Playhouse in 1940. He received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award in 1983 for his performance in Old Friends.

He is survived by sons Mike and Timothy, daughters Lindsey Thomas Erwin and Kelly Erwin; and his sister Mary Gene Cosper.

We also have news of the passing of actor Peter Hobbs on Jan. 2. He passed away surrounded by family in Santa Monica, Calif., at age 92.

He played Mayberry school principal John Tracy in "Big Brother" (Episode 217) and school board head Mr. Lockridge in "Helen's Past" (Episode 243). He was also in two episodes of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," "Daughter of the Sarge" and "Gomer the Would-Be Hero."

Born in Etretat, France, Peter Hobbs was raised in New York City, and was graduated from Bard College with a degree in Drama. He was sergeant in combat engineering during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Peter was an actor in theater, TV and film for five decades. His Broadway credits include Teahouse of the August Moon and Billy Budd. His longest-running role was on TV, as Peter Ames in "Secret Storm" from 1954 to 1962. He also had parts on "Perry Mason", "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Bonanza," "All in the Family," "The Odd Couple," "The Streets of San Francisco," "Happy Days," "Barney Miller," "Lou Grant," "M*A*S*H," "Knots Landing," "L.A. Law" and many more.

His movies include Sleeper, The Man with Two Brains, 9 to 5, Any Which Way You Can, The Andromeda Strain, In the Mood and The Lady in Red.

His published obituary describes Peter as "a devoted husband and loving father, a good and generous friend and neighbor, an amiable, passionate and good- humored man who loved life, all kinds of people, progressive politics, reading, acting, spirited conversation, laughter, and a cocktail or two now and then. He was a vibrant man who, whether you knew him on the screen or in life, put a smile on your face and joy in your heart."

Peter is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Adams Hobbs; three daughters, Anna Hobbs of Barcelona, Jennifer McVeigh of Prospect, Maine, and Nancy Hobbs of New York City; two stepsons, Mark and Adam Richards of Santa Monica; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

For over two years now, http://www.iMayberry.com/podcasts has been the home of the Two Chairs, No Waiting Internet Radio Show (a podcast) hosted by Allan Newsome.

Allan is our webmaster at iMayberry.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. There's a new episode distributed every Tuesday (which you can even watch streaming live when being recorded on Mondays) and also an Archives in case you want to either watch or listen to episodes you've missed. (There have been more than 126 episodes so far!) We think you'll find these podcasts creative, fun and informative. There's a lot of info and TAGS history and discussions that you simply won't find anywhere else, including rare interviews (vintage and new) with cast and crew members of TAGS.

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

And there's also a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. Burke on Mayberry Podcast

It's hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a great job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It's called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC's official page on Facebook recently celebrated its first year! So far, nearly 7,000 friends have joined our Facebook group, which you can find at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. 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!"

"Me, Myself and i"

"Trained noticers" have likely noted that our website addresses in this issue now say iMayberry.com instead of just mayberry.com. Both versions still work for getting to various areas with TAGSRWC's content on the web, but iMayberry.com is the one that we're going to be primarily promoting from now on. To make sure you can always find us, remember the saying, "E before N in Chicken and i before Mayberry in www.iMayberry.com. (i always forget that rule, but not anymore!)

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 website 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 May with an issue of our main online newsletter, The eBullet, coming out in April.