The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club: eBullet Vol 9 Issue 2 April 2009

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The eBullet
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 9, Issue 2
April 7, 2009
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Welcome to our second issue of The eBullet for 2009, the 30^th Anniversary year of TAGSRWC! Things are slowly shaping up (is there another way in Mayberry?) for a nice year of events.

With spring now here and summer around the corner, we’re getting into the busier times for Mayberry happenings. But already this year there have been some fun things going including George Lindsey’s film festival in early March.

*Apr. 23: Ronnie Schell and his North Beach Rookies perform at 8 p.m. at the Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, Calif.

*Apr. 25: David Browning entertains at the Talent Show fundraiser at Berea First Baptist Church in Greenville, S.C.

*Apr. 30 and May 1: Mayberry-Themed Fundraiser for Eagles’ Wings featuring a golf tournament including celebrities on Thurs. and a Dinner, Auction, and Mayberry Show in the Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., beginning at 6 p.m. on Fri. Stars and details TBA. For more info, visit http://eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org or call 205-345-5484.

* May 2: The 22nd Annual Uncle Jesse's Big Bass Classic in Paris, Tex. This tournament was founded by and is now held in memory of Denver Pyle. There's a lot of fishing, entertainment, food, and fun. For more info visit http://www.unclejessefishing.com

*May 9-TBA: Ronnie Schell stars in Don’t Leave It All to the Children--The Musical at the Actors Temple Theater in New York City.

*May 13: It’s going to be BIG when David Browning patrols the Small Business Expo in Sanford, N.C.

* Angels & Demons, the latest film directed by Ron Howard, opens in theaters nationwide.

*May 29: Get ready to rumble when David Browning rolls into the Salem Avalanche baseball game in Salem, Va.

*May 30: Relax and enjoy yourself while David Browning is on patrol at the Clinch River Festival in St. Paul, Va.

*June 3: Don’t dare miss David Browning at the DARE Graduation in Rocky Mount, Va.

*June 6: Yoo-hoo! Do you know who should see David Browning at the Jane Lew Celebration in Jane Lew, W.V. ? You, that’s who!

*June 25: We don’t know whether he’ll be a pinch hitter or whether he’ll be crawling the bases, but David Browning will be at the Blue Crabs baseball game today in Waldorf, Md.

*July 8-12: Ronnie Schell headlines at Budd Friedman’s Comedy Improv Room at Harvey’s Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nev.

* July 11: 9th Annual Mayberry Squad Car Nationals and 5th Annual “Mayberry Comes to Graysville” festival in Graysville, Ala. Details TBA.

*July 18 and 19: Smoky Mountain Fan Fest featuring James Best and other members of the “Dukes of Hazzard” cast, at Smokies Stadium in Sevierville, Tenn. Tickets are on sale now at (865) 286-2300, with info also at http://www.concertsinthesmokies.com.

*Aug. 8: Maggie Peterson Mancuso joins two of her TV brothers, Doug Dillard and Rodney Dillard, and their band for a performance at the Third Annual Mayberry in Troy, a fundraiser for the Montgomery County DARE program in Troy, N.C. More details TBA. Rodney and Doug Dillard

*Sept. 24-27: 20th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Details TBA, but tickets are available online now for certain parts of the festival at http://www.surryarts.org.

*Oct. 12-17: A Cruise to Mayberry 4 This year’s cruise is a 5-day version and it’s a relaxing, fun time for all. Being on the cruise is a bit like sitting on Andy’s front porch and watching the traffic on the road--only there’s no road and no traffic, just the waves and a breeze. Visit the website for information and links to photos from previous Mayberry cruises.

Play the Game, Andy Griffith's latest movie, was released in a limited number of theaters in February. It's starting to get some wider release, but it remains to be seen how many theaters eventually show it, especially with the crowded schedule of summer blockbusters around the corner. But that was the same story for Waitress, Andy's 2007 independent film that followed a similar release schedule and went on to become a critical and box-office success against big-budget competition.
The cast of Play the Game also includes Doris Roberts (Raymond's mom on "Everybody Loves Raymond"), Liz Sheridan (Jerry's mom on "Seinfeld") and Rance Howard and Clint Howard, so the film has several talented people who should stir some interest with audiences.
And "Waitin' on a Woman," the Brad Paisley song featuring Andy, has won another award, this time for Music Video of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. The award was announced just prior to the national telecast of the awards show on April 5.

Ron Howard was in the audience at the Academy Awards in February. His Frost/Nixon film had several nominations (including Best Picture and Best Director), but didn’t pick up any statues. Angels & Demons, Ron’s next release as director will be in theaters May 15.

Father Rance Howard has also been busy. He’s in several movies that are in various stages of production. And he was in a poignant episode of “ER” in February. He played Dr. Oliver Kostin, a patient (and inspiring doctor) of the ER in an episode called “A Long, Strange Trip.”

Rance also joined Lee Majors as guest of honor at the 12^th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala., in early March. The festival was another big success this year. And it was reunion for Rance and George Lindsey, who have known each other for more than 50 years. They first worked together in New York City on the “Kraft Television Theatre” in 1957.

This year’s festival kicked off with a special presentation by TAGSRWC’s Kenneth Junkin, representing Partlow State School in the Tuscaloosa area. Partlow is home of the George Lindsey Aquatic Center, which was built in conjunction with Special Olympics with funds raised through George’s celebrity golf tourney in the 1970s and 1980s. Kenneth expressed the Tuscaloosa community’s deep appreciation for George’s efforts and presented George beautiful photos of the aquatic center. The photos will be part of the permanent George Lindsey Collection at the University of North Alabama.

Betty Lynn reports that she’s doing well. She has been keeping a busy social calendar in Mount Airy, including attending the Arts Ball, an annual fundraiser for the Surry Arts Council in early March.

If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is choose a name that hasn’t already been picked, and submit it with a list of your founding members by

U.S.

mail.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. Or write to us also if you would like to contact a chapter near you. Our address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville, TN 37203-3211.

Here are some highlighted items. And browse the complete lineup of items at Weaver’s Dept. Store at http://www.iMayberry.com.

We have four brand new T-shirt designs in the Apparel Section of Weaver’s. All are available in adult sizes Small to 2X-Large. They’re $17 each and made of sturdy 100% preshrunk cotton. We think they add good fun to our lineup of licensed Mayberry T-shirts!

And the Apparel Section of Weaver’s has sweatshirts, Goober beanies, and more than 20 designs of T-shirts (most available in Adult sizes Medium through 2X, and several also available in Small).

This oversized 320-page hardcover book (coffee-table style) is compiled by Steve Cox and Kevin Marhanka. Released last fall, the thoroughly researched book has lots of interviews with people who worked with Don Knotts, and it has more than 200 photos, including a 16-page section of color photos.

It’s a great gift for any Barney Fife and Don Knotts fan to give or receive. And best of all, we’ve got it for $5.00 off the cover price right out of the gate!

* And Weaver’s also has nice deals on great DVDs of favorite Don Knotts movies—the ideal accompaniment to this fascinating book about Don’s film career:

Featuring The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West and The Love God? This super Hero collection of four classic Don Knotts movies from the 1960s on DVD is hard to beat. You get all four movies for a nice price that even cost-conscious Barney Fife would jump at.

This classic film starring Don Knotts and featuring the voice of Elizabeth MacRae is a wonderfully entertaining and innovative use of animation and live action. Includes an introduction by Don Knotts and other special features.

http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=91*
The final season (the fifth) of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” is now available. We also carry the other four seasons. And we have a brand new Box Set of All Five Seasons of “Gomer Pyle,” too. Individual seasons are $32.00 each (vs. a list price of $40.00). The Five-Season Box set is just $145.00 (vs. a list price of $190.00). Shazam indeed!

* And the Complete Second Season of “Matlock” has just been released. We also carry the Complete First Season. Both list for $49, but we’ve got them for just $39 each.

This tie is out of production, so it’s now even more of a collectible. We’ve unexpectedly received one last small shipment from the licensed manufacturer. We’ve got just those few left, and then that’ll be it for this popular fashion statement.

This silk necktie features Barney in black and white (it therefore coordinates with any outfit). Anyone who wears this tie is guaranteed to look suave and worldly. Wear it with the old salt and pepper and it’ll be just right for the dips. Made with fine silk from the Orient.

Weaver’s and the Mayberry community at large lost one of our most beloved, nicest, and most talented friends on February 19. That’s the day that Ruth Spencer died at the age of 78.

Many Mayberry fans got to know Ruth through her attending many events that were reasonably reachable by car from her home in Kingsport, Tenn. She attended these Mayberry events with her son Gary Wedemeyer, whom lots of Mayberry fans know from his many associations and significant contributions to Mayberry during the last 25 years.

Ruth (or ‘Aunt R” as she didn’t seem to mind our taking the liberty to call her) also had a special connection to Weaver’s. She is the person who lovingly made hundreds of the felt Goober beanies that we’ve sold over the years. One of our all-time most popular items at Weaver’s, these beanies have found a home on happy heads from Oregon to Nova Scotia and beyond. Ruth marveled at the popularity of her simple felt hats, but we knew the secret was in the care that she put into each one.

Ruth was one of those people who made you feel instantly at ease with her happy demeanor. You could tell that she genuinely enjoyed life, was grateful for her blessings, and was secure in her faith and the love she shared with family and friends.

Ruth Spencer with Howard Morris at Mayberry in
the Midwest in New Castle, Ind. in 2002.

What some of us didn’t know until after she passed away was that she was an instructor for airborne radar repairmen at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., during the Korean War. She also worked in the printing business for four decades before retiring about a dozen years ago, which was about when she began really hitting the Mayberry trail in earnest with Gary.

Ruth has left a permanent hug in the memories of all who knew her. And recipients of Goober beanies from Weaver’s also now know that they have much more than a Goober-style cover for their heads. They have a heartfelt piece of craftsmanship made by a very special person.

In addition to son Gary, Ruth Spencer is survived by another son, their wives, four grandchildren, a brother, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Through our Weaver’s Dept. Store sales, “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC) supports several nonprofit Mayberry-related events and charities throughout the year.

Among the events/organizations we support are Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.; the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala.; the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala.; Eagles’ Wings in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; the Don Knotts Memorial Trust in Morgantown, W.V.; and the Los Angeles chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

A portion of sales of all items we sell goes toward these and other efforts and charities. And we have several items (including Grab-Bags, Hal Smith Scripts, and Ceramic and Wooden Mayberry Buildings) from which 100% of sales are donated to charity.

Donations for Surry Arts Council

The “challenges” of today’s economy are putting a real squeeze on donations to many civic and charitable organizations. To bolster the support that Weaver’s Dept. Store and TAGSRWC are able to provide, we’ve decided to create options where customers can add $5, $10 or $20 to their orders when shopping online at Weaver’s.

The full amount of your chosen donation will be added to TAGSRWC’s collective donation to the Surry Arts Council in Mount Airy, N.C., and its efforts with Mayberry Days. (A portion of each merchandise purchase will also continue to go to our support of Mayberry Days and the various other nonprofit Mayberry events.)

If you wish to give more than $20 to the Surry Arts Council, we suggest that you donate directly through their Web site. (You’ll qualify for a tax deduction that way.) Their Web site is at www.surryarts.org. Click on the “Make a Donation” link, which provides several options for giving.

Thank you for considering these options for helping us give a boost to Mayberry Days and the Surry Arts Council. We know it’s a tough time to be requesting a little extra help. On the other hand, times like these are when we all can use Mayberry more than ever.

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. 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.
NOTE: This order 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 only to place an order by phone or inquire about orders placed by phone.

Visa, MasterCard and DiscoverCard

Members of several chapters and of TAGSRWC at large attended the George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in March. The picture below shows representatives of some of those chapters.

“Shakedown! Shakedown!” chapter (Laurinburg, N.C.) had its quarterly meeting in early March. They report, “We had 17 in attendance with the possibility of eight more for our next meeting. We ate, did trivia—just a good wholesome time. We are planning an outdoor cookout at a park for our June meeting.
Some other chapters checking in so far this year have included Mayberry Undercover Agents (Danville, Va.), Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.), Pepperelli Pizza (Raeford, N.C.), Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.), “I Ain’t No Rockefeller” (Bristol, Va.), Remembering Mayberry (Chillicothe, Ohio), Mavis Neff (Durham, N.C. and elsewhere), “I Was a Pawn in the Hands of a Wily Woman” (Plainview, Nebr.), “Flibbertigibbet” (Albuquerque, N.M.), “Goober Says Hey!” (Kaufman, Tex.), “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” (Tuscaloosa, Ala), “Irritatin’, Ain’t It?” (Fall Branch, Va.), Mayberry Preservation Society (Mount Airy, N.C.), Desperate Female Hunters and Pals (Cool Ridge, W.V., and vicinity), Mother Figure (Huntsville, Ala.), “Pipe Down, Otis!” (Decatur, Ga.) and “You Better Put a Buckeye in Your Pocket and Do the Incant for a Sore Foot” (Bessemer, Ala.)

We always look forward to hearing from chapters. As we celebrate our 30^th year in 2009, we’re especially eager to hear from chapters with news and photos, either by e-mail (PresidingGoober@iMayberry.com) or by U.S. Mail.

Miss Crump is enjoying an extended Spring Break this issue and will return with a quiz and prizes galore (well, O.K., prizes for two or three winners) in May.

If you ever miss receiving an issue of The eBullet, you can always catch up by reading it in the eBullet Archives in the Newsletters section at iMayberry.com. Each issue is usually placed in the Archives within about a week of its being distributed

Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on 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, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at http://tagsrwc.com. It also has its own password-protected Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.

TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at http://www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site http://www.iMayberry.com. Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

TAGSRWC.com
The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club TAGSRWC