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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 12, Issue 5
November 2012
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Welcome to our fifth regular issue of The eBullet for 2012!  This is always a fun time of year around Mayberry.  Many TAGSRWC members and other Mayberry fans have returned home from the good times of Mayberry Days in September and the Mayberry Cruise a couple of weeks ago.

Between now and the end of the year is another prime time for gatherings for many of our local chapters.  It’s simply a special time of year to be with family and friends.  And for many of us, Mayberry fits right in with cherished holiday traditions.

Read on for news about recent and upcoming happenings with cast members and fans, and also merchandise, including some neat Mayberry holiday gift ideas.

Saaay, have I got some great ideas for things to do in Mayberry !

The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org/or call (336) 786-1604.

Emmett Forrest with superfan Phyllis Rollins of Barney chapter at the Andy Griffith Museum.

 

Here are some upcoming events in Mayberry that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board:

* Nov. 13-18: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv at Harrah’s Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  For info, visit http://www.harrahslasvegas.com.

Betty Lynn with visitors at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.

* Nov. 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10).

* Nov. 30: Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform Christmas in Mayberry at 7 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church in West Palm Beach, Fla.  David Browning also appears. Tickets are $12. For more info, call (561) 333-4222, Ext. 232.

* Dec. 1: Roland White hosts and performs at the 16th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.  Other performers TBA.

* Dec. 2: Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and David Browning present a Christmas in Mayberry concert at Long Branch Baptist Church, 2868 Minnie Hall Road, Autryville, N.C. Show time is 6 p.m.  Tickets are $10.  Doors open at 4 p.m. with lots of pre-concert Mayberry Christmas activities. For more info, call (910) 531-3765.

* Dec. 8: Get in the holiday spirits as Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Christmas Story” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one.  (We believe even Ernest T. Bass can do the math on that one!)

Betty Lynn is “reddy” to greet fans at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.

* Dec 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10).

2013

* Jan. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10).

* Jan. 26: James Best performs his One Man Show in Mount Dora, Fla.

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band.

* Feb. 8: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at the Old Rock School, 400 Main Street West, in Valdese, N.C. Show time is 8:30. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For more info, call (828) 879-2126.

* Feb. 9: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band perform at the Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series at 7 p.m. at the Historic Jonesborough Visitor Center Auditorium. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. For more info, visit http://www.jonesboroughbluegrass.com.

* Feb. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-3:30 p.m.  She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10).

* Feb. 28-Mar. 2: 16th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. For more info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.

* Mar. 8-10: James Best is part of a “Dukes of Hazzard” Reunion in Byron, Ga.

* Mar. 9: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. (Any Goober who doesn’t choose Door #1 on that one probably can’t find the door to the museum in the first place!)

* Apr. 13: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Convicts-at-Large” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., on the lower level of the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC.  Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one.

ABOARD FOR AN AWARD–During this fall’s Mayberry Cruise, Allan “Floyd” Newsome (left) and Kenneth “Otis” Junkin” (right) presented TAGSRWC’s Mayberry Friendship Award to Tom and Kathy Rusk of Laura Lee Hobbs chapter in Westminster, S.C. Tom and Kathy spearhead the annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster festival. Staff photo by Alan “Flash” Thornton.

* Apr. 26 and 27: Third Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster in Westminster, S.C.  Details and stars TBA. For info, visit Facebook.com.

* May 4: 26th Annual Uncle Jesse Big Bass Classic (founded by Denver Pyle) in Paris, Tex.  For more info, visit: www.unclejessefishing.com.

* Aug. 23 and 24: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox,  and Jeff “Howard” Branch) for a Cruise-In on Fri. and then concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program on Sat. The evening concert will be at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Tickets are $20 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission.  Tickets for children 6 years-12 years old are $10. For more info, call Jeff Branch at (704) 985-6987, e-mail jbranch205@windstream.net, or visit www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

* Sept. 26-29: 24th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  The Golf Tournament, Doug Dillard Memorial Concert, VW Boys “Tribute to Mayberry,” Colonel Tim’s Talent Time, Professor Brower’s Lecture, and Michael Hoover’s “Memories of Elvis” are parts of the weekend requiring tickets that are already announced. More details TBA.

 **** News of Cast & Crew ****

PERFECTLY TUNED–Brad Paisley saluting Andy Griffith during the CMA Awards.

Hats off to country music superstar Brad Paisley for his simple musical tribute to Andy Griffith during the County Music Association Awards, which were televised on ABC on November 1. It was sincere and moving.  Elegant in style and length. Perfect.

Ron Howard has completed filming and is now editing the Formula 1 racing movie Rush, his latest film as director.  The film is currently set for release on Sept. 20, 2013.

Ron also has partnered with Canon USA for a second year in a photo contest.  The theme of this year’s contest (initial winners recently announced) is Long Live Imagination. Learn more about “Project Imaginat10n” at YouTube.com/Imagination.

The TV production arm of Ron’s Imagine Entertainment was involved in the summer reality show “The Great Escape” for TNT. And it’s  producing “How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life” for ABC this fall, as well as another season of “Parenthood” for NBC. Ron also is directing the filming of a documentary of about Jay-Z. (In the the photo at right, Ron lens-crafts some of the documentary at the Budweiser Made in America Festival in September.)

Signs are strengthening again for Ron’s ambitious production of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower.  Russell Crowe’s name keeps popping up, and the script is said to be progressing well.

Meanwhile, Ron is executive producer and narrator and is also acting on camera (!) for the resurrection of “Arrested Development” for Netflix and eventually, possibly on the big screen. Ron is fun to follow on Twitter (@RealRonHoward).  He has been tweeting a lot from the set of “Arrested Development” and elsewhere.

Ron also is developing Conquest, a drama about the Spanish conquering the Aztecs for Showtime. He likely will direct that project.  And his Imagine Entertainment is developing a feature film on soccer great Pelé for release in 2014.

SPECIAL BULLETIN

We interrupt this News of Cast & Crew for a Special Holiday Greeting.  It’s called “Andy & Opie Christmas” It’s a recitation by TAGSRWC member Charlie Monk, a music business legend in Nashville.  (He’s known as the Mayor of Music Row, but really he’s just a regular Goober like many of us.)

This recitation was released last Christmas and received rave reviews.  Check it out on YouTube, and even better…give your favorite radio stations a shout during the holidays and encourage them to play it.  We think it has all the right touches to become a beloved holiday tradition.  And nobody even gets run over by a reindeer!

Now back to our regularly scheduled News of Cast & Crew…

Rance Howard plays a train engineer in The Lone Ranger, which has wrapped filming and is scheduled for release the week of the Fourth of July 2013.  He’s in several other movies that are about to start production, including the role of Uncle Leo in Nebraska for director Alexander Payne, which is filming this month in Plainview and elsewhere in Nebraska. (Our “I Was a Pawn in the Hands of a Wily Woman” chapter in Plainview is on the scene and may have some future inside scoops from the shoot.)

NONE BETTER–James Best speaking on the occasion of receiving the AOF Legends Award in August.

James Best received the Legends Award at the 2012 Action on Film International Film Festival in Monrovia, Calif. in August.  Attaboy, Jimmie!

TAGS associate producer Richard O. “Dick” Linke (also longtime manager of Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors, Ken Berry, Maggie Peterson, Ronnie Schell, Jerry Van Dyke and others) celebrated his 95th birthday (Oct. 23.) with family and friends at a favorite local hangout near his home in Hawaii.

The biggest news with the TAGS cast and crew since our last issue was the large group participating in the 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C., in September.  There were 10 cast members and two kids of cast members on hand.  Here’s the list:

Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Dean Webb (mandolin-playing Darlings boy), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling Wash), James Best (Jim Lindsey), Peggy McCay (Sharon DeSpain) in her Mayberry Days (and Mayberry fan event) debut, Morgan Brittany (Opie’s girlfriend, Mary Alice Carter), Jackie Joseph (Romeena), LeRoy McNees (of the Country Boys), George Spence (Frank the Fiancé),  Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey),  Karen Knotts (daughter of Don Knotts) and George Lindsey Jr.

It was a wonderful four days of fun and tributes to George Lindsey, Doug Dillard and Andy Griffith.  There was rain during the parade on Saturday, but otherwise nice weather, and big crowds through rain and shine. (There are no fair-weather fans when it comes to Mayberry Days!)

Below is a small Mayberry Days Gallery with a few photos by Surry Arts Council photographers Hobart Jones and Kenny Hooker.  Click this link for the full gallery of Hobart and Kenny’s wonderful photos from throughout Mayberry Days.

CLASS OF ’12–Peggy McCay receives the Key to the City of Mount Airy from Mayor Deborah Cochran during the Mayor’s Proclamation during Mayberry Days. The coat Peggy is wearing is the same one she wore as Sharon DeSpain in “Class Reunion.” If that had been a color episode, that colorful coat probably would’ve busted tubes on TVs all across America! (That’s cool James Best in the shades looking on at the far left.) Photo by Hobart Jones.

DARLING PERSONS–Maggie Peterson gives Dean Webb a hand as longtime Doug Dillard Band members Ginger Boatwright and Roger Rasnake play guitar and Buddy Griffin plays bass during the Doug Dillard Memorial Concert. Photo by Hobart Jones.

CAR WASH–Morgan Brittany braves the wet Mayberry Days Parade. (And it looks as though an Arnold Bailey tribute artist has snuck in the back seat for a free ride. Better watch your back, Opie. He might steal your girlfriend!)

SMILES TO GO–George Lindsey Jr. and Neal Brower are all grins during a Mayberry Days tribute to the late George Lindsey. Neal was also awarded TAGSRWC’s Jim Schwenke Memorial Award during the TAGSRWC Annual Meeting that preceded the tribute. Photo by Hobart Jones.

SOLEMN TRIBUTE–Betty Lynn reads comments from Rance Howard at the beautiful Hometown Tribute to Andy Griffith at the Blackmon Amphitheater on Sunday morning during Mayberry Days. In the background are George Lindsey Jr., Janice and LeRoy McNees and Peggy McCay. Photo by Hobart Jones.

ROCK OF AGES–Andy and Ron rockin’ back at the Fishin’ Hole in 2003.

And we encourage you listen to the audio of Ron Howard‘s eloquent and touching recorded remarks that were played during the Hometown Tribute to Andy Griffith.  (The audio runs about two-and-half minutes.)

LADIES MAYBERRY–Maggie Peterson, Jackie Joseph and Betty Lynn at Mayberry Days. Photo courtesy of Jackie Joseph.

Also, Jackie Joseph wrote a swell column about Mayberry Days for her local Tolucan Times.

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Douglas Dillard Legacy Fund
The Douglas Dillard Legacy Fund has been established by friends of Doug as a means to  provide financial support and also to perpetuate Doug’s music and memory. Contributions should be sent to:

Douglas Dillard Legacy Fund
PO Box 90537
Nashville TN 37209

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**** Chapter Update ****

In a rare occurrence, no new chapters have started since the September eBullet, so we’re still at 1,397 chapters founded since TAGSRWC started in 1979.  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 e-mail to Goober@imayberry.com or by U.S. mail to TAGSRWC’s HQ in Nashville.  There’s a searchable list of existing chapter names at www.tagsrwc.com.

What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. The idea is simply to have lots of Mayberry fun with whatever you do.

Or if you’re feeling more like a joiner than a starter, you can write to us about how to contact a chapter near you. Our mailing address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3211. Our e-mail address is Goober@iMayberry.com.

And you can join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter. (It’s really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)

Any which way, we hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!

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**** Merchandise Update ****

Even ol’ Scrooge-like Ben Weaver can have a soft spot for Christmas with some great deals!

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****Holiday Shipping Schedule****

We’ll be shipping orders for Christmas delivery through Dec. 21.  However, unless you live in a state fairly near our HQ in Tennessee, any orders we receive after Noon CT on December 19 will require FedEx Overnight Delivery to be guaranteed to arrive by Christmas. (There’s probably an extra day of delivery grace without having to use FedEx until Noon CT on December 20 if you live within a state or two of Tennessee. And probably even until Noon on December 21 if you’re in a pretty big town within a 3-hour drive of Nashville.) 

PLEASE NOTE: All FedEx charges are in addition to our standard flat-rate of $5 for shipping and handling on all orders. The FedEx charges are billed separately and directly by FedEx to the same credit card you use for ordering items from Weaver’s.)

Malcolm Tucker says: Avoid the stress and just hurry your order on in to us now. 

Don’t worry…this is the one time it’s O.K. to hurry up a little bit in Mayberry, so that you–and Goober and Opie in our Shipping Dept–don’t have to rush around and worry so much right before Christmas. Order now, and then just let your feet fall asleep all you want till Christmas!

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Browse the full selection of books, apparel (get that perfect new T-shirt for somebody’s Christmas!), DVDs, artwork, collectibles and much more online at Weaver’s (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com).  There are lots of great vintage and rare things, too.  First one thing and then another.  Plus many things on sale or at permanently lower prices.

We appreciate your shopping at Weaver’s, especially because Weaver’s sales are the thing that helps TAGSRWC be able to support Mayberry Days and other Mayberry-connected events and charitable efforts throughout the year.

New at Weaver’s:

2013 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar
$15.00

Back by popular demand!  After an absence since 2010, the official “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendar is back for 2013.  Hooray!

We can’t tell you how many people asked about calendars the last two years, only to be disappointed that there wasn’t one.  So, we we’re thrilled that one is once again available for 2013. The calendar features black-and-white photos of Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Gomer and Goober.  It measures 12×22 when opened for hanging.

It’s a great way to celebrate Mayberry every month and every day in 2013.

Special Holiday Offer:

Don’t tell ol’ Ben Weaver, but his kind and gentle salesman Bert Miller has quietly put the 2013 Wall Calendar ON SALE between now and Christmas (unless we run out of calendars).

Buy 2 of this 2013 Wall Calendar and get a 3rd 2013 Wall Calendar FREE. (We’ll add the third calendar to your shipment.  You don’t even have to ask for it!)

Ernest T. Bass did the math and calculated that works out to a cost of just $10 per calendar and a $15 savings!

Feel free to tell friends about this offer, but please…just don’t tell Ben!

Two New T-Shirts

Here are two T-shirts paying tribute to Andy Griffith that have been officially approved and licensed by CBS.  They’re available in adult sizes Small to 3X.

Andy Griffith
In Loving Memory T-Shirt

Thanks for the Memories T-Shirt    

“A Mayberry Christmas” Color Print by Dave Barnhouse
Was $60…Now on Special Sale for Just $25.00!!
(Ol’ Ben Weaver is just trying to merry up Christmas!)

Released in 2010, this is the third print in the initial release of three prints in the officially licensed series of Mayberry artwork by acclaimed artist Dave Barnhouse. (The first two in the series are called “Together Forever” and “Mayberry, My Hometown” and are also still available–in fact, they’re currently on sale, too!)

Dave Barnhouse has captured the sentiment of the touching Courthouse scene in the “Christmas Story” episode when Ben Weaver generously expresses the spirit of Christmas. It’s one of the all-time classic moments of the series, and one that is sure to instantly cause feelings of holiday joy for anyone who sees it.

The image size of the full-color paper print measures 18 in. x 24 in. (the image itself is 16 in. x 20 in.). Dave Barnhouse has signed each print in this open-edition work.

Apparently already feeling good with the Christmas spirits, Ol’ Ben Weaver has trimmed the price of this outstanding print from $60 to an unbelievable $25. Yes, that’s right…more than half off! We think Ben’s feeling so generous just because he’s depicted in the painting, but we’ll take whatever price break he gives us! That 58% savings will definitely “merry up Christmas” for the rest us…all year long! Thanks, ol’ Ben!

Bring a little Mayberry cheer into your home and the homes of friends…even if you don’t have a skinny Santa Claus to deliver it!

Christmas Is Here Again DVD 
$15.00 $12.00

Enjoy watching and starting a new family Christmas tradition!

Cool Mayberry Caps for Hip Mayberry Cats

Embroidered Show Logo and Security by Fife Caps

$17.00 each

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. Or why not get both? That way you’re covered for all occasions, except when you want to be just a Goober! Adjustable for just the right fit for any occasion.

T-Shirts Galore!!!
$18.00 each

Weaver’s has more than two dozen officially licensed Mayberry T-shirt designs. Some are vintage designs that are no longer in production and hard to find anywhere else. We also have a handful of shirts of other TV classics and some vintage embroidered Mayberry logo sport shirts and even a few Snappy Lunch sports shirts.

All of our heavyweight cotton T-shirts are just $18.00. And the sport shirts are nicely priced, too. Most of the T-shirts are available in Sizes Medium, Large, XL and 2X, and a few styles also come in 3X. Several also come in small. (The size selection is not as large for the out-of-production vintage shirts.)

Have fun showing your Mayberry spirit with one of these fun-tastic shirts today!

Just a few of our many Mayberry T-shirt designs.

Miss Crump’s Mayberry Book Mobile

And T-shirts aren’t the only thing that we have dozens of! We carry most of the Mayberry and Mayberry-related books that have been published. Some have been out of print for years, but we still have some copies. Whether your interest is history or trivia, biography or cooking, we’ve got the Mayberry book for you or a friend. Here’s a sampling of what we have:

Goober in a Nutshell
by George Lindsey
Foreword by Ernest Borgnine

This 1995 autobiography by George Lindsey has been out of print for a few years, but George’s family has graciously provided us with a few copies, which George had kept safe all these years, to use as fundraisers for some charitable causes that meant a lot to George.

The copies we have are still pristine, carefully preserved by George since publication. The 210-page paperback covers highlights of George’s fascinating life from childhood in rural Alabama to New York and Hollywood to Mayberry and Kornfield Kounty. It’s filled with wonderful photos and many adventures, both hilarious and poignant.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go toward TAGSRWC’s support of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala.

Choice of either plain ($15) or a special autographed copy ($100).

Find these and much more at www.weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver’s button at the top of the page whenever you’re visiting www.imayberry.com.

More in the mood to watch Mayberry instead of read about it, you say? Then we’ve got you covered there, too!

“The Andy Griffith Show 50^th Anniversary–The Best of Mayberry” DVD

$25.00 $22.00

Released for the 50th Anniversary in 2010, this continues to be a really popular item.  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:

* 17 Favorite Episodes:

* “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” (the “Danny Thomas” pilot for TAGS)
* Clips from Season Premiere nights for the 1962-63 and 1963-64 seasons
* The 1986 Return to Mayberry reunion movie
* Original sponsor commercials featuring cast members

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.

Or why not get the whole Mayberry video shebang all in one package, at a super-Goober price?

Want Even More Mayberry?

Then look no further.  All 249 TAGS episodes on DVD, plus the “Danny Thomas” pilot, Return to Mayberry movie, bunches of original commercials and more-now only $149 at Weaver’s (originally $249!).

Special Holiday Offer:

When ordering this 8-Season DVD set, type “Barney-Parney-Pooh” in the Customer Comments section of our online order form and we’ll deduct $10 from your order before processing your credit card.  Just like that!  (This offer is good only for this item and only through December 31, 2012.)

Find these items and much more at www.weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver’s button at the top of the page whenever you’re visiting www.imayberry.com.

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

New iMayberry Community
We’re really excited about the launch earlier this year of another Web activity hosted by TAGSRWC and organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome.  It’s called iMayberry Community.  You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/.

The iMayberry Community has been getting a great response.  It complements our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook page, online newsletters (such as The eBullet!), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms.  Combined with TAGSRWC chapters and the various Mayberry events for all fans (from Mayberry Days to ocean cruises), not to mention enjoying the sites of Mount Airy year-round, the world of Mayberry fun keeps expanding.

And best of all, it’s all rooted in watching the show itself.  Whether through DVDs, local stations or TV Land, loving to watch the show continues to be the energy that feeds all the other Mayberry fun and activities that we enjoy.  What a wonderful thing Andy Griffith and his talented team of actors, musicians, writers and crew people created 52 years ago–for us and generations to come!

Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS has news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by Allan Newsome. There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to episodes you’ve missed. (There have been 213 episodes since 2008.  And counting!)

There’s a lot of info 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 live or download these podcasts.

Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast, also hosted by Allan.

And there’s a Brother Figure podcast to Two Chairs, No Waiting. It’s hosted by longtime TAGSRWC member Kevin Burke, who does a super job of describing and discussing individual episodes. It’s called Burke on Mayberry. Check it out.

TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 33,000 friends! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!

**** Chapter News ****

There’s was the usual big turnout of TAGSRWC chapters (several dozen that we spotted) and members (many hundreds), along with thousands of other fans, at the 23rd Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. , in September.

Some highlights included Pat Bullins of Walnut Cove, N.C. (and Greensboro’s Barney chapter), winning the Annual Mayberry Days Trivia Contest (aka the Super Bowl of Mayberry).  Pat has won numerous times, and has been a strong contestant for many years. Mike Haviland of Lowell, Ind., was second; Michelle Bryson of Lyman, S.C., was third; and Dennis Beal of Mayberry chapter in Knoxville, Tenn., was fourth.  All are previous champions and all are TAGSRWC members.

As noted in photos in sections above Neal Brower (Barney chapter) received the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award after his Professor Brower’s Lecture during Mayberry Days, and Tom and Kathy Rusk (Laura Lee Hobbs chapter in Westminster, S.C.) received Mayberry Friendship Award.  (Their award was announced at TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting during Mayberry Days, but Tom and Kathy weren’t told about it until they received it on the Mayberry Cruise a few weeks later.) These two awards are the two major awards given by TAGSRWC to acknowledge the efforts and Mayberry spirit of TAGSRWC members and others.) Congratulations again to Neal and to Tom and Kathy.

Another noteworthy achievement during Mayberry Days was by TAGSRWC member Kenny Sohn of Elizabeth City, N.C., who won the Snappy Lunch Pork Chop Sandwich Eating Contest.  He ate four sammiches this year to bring home his sixth trophy as “chompion” in this contest.  That’s a hearty-eatin’ man if ever there was one!

And another super achievement at Mayberry Days was the annual Silent Auction, coordinated by Jeff Koontz and sponsored by our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter.  Even some poorly timed rain couldn’t dampen this year’s auction, which raised an impressive $4,162.50!  All the proceeds go toward Surry Arts Council in their efforts to make Mayberry Days even better every year.  Our special thanks to Jeff and everybody who volunteers their time and contributes items for this fundraiser.  And thanks also to all who participate by bidding on the creative, rare, and fun items in the auction each year.

Here’s an online version of an article in the October 1 edition of The Wall Street Journal about Andy Griffith, Mayberry Days and Mount Airy. Be sure to take a look at the 10 photos in the accompanying slide show–lots of familiar images from the festival, including the photo at right of TAGSRWC’s “Calvin Coolidge Didn’t Say Everything” chapter (Gloucester, Va.) in the Mayberry Days parade!

Mayberry Cruise Crew

Here’s a few photos from the recent Mayberry Cruise to the Caribbean.  All photos are by TAGSRWC’s staff floatographer Alan “Splash” Thornton.

MAYBERRY CAST-AWAYS–Mayberry Tribute Artists (l-r) Tammy “Manicurist” Branch, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin and Allan “Floyd” Newsome entertain Mayberry Cruise sailors with a Mayberry-inspired Barbershop sketch.

HERE’S MY PLAQUE–Winners of the Mayberry Cruise Trivia Contest (the Super Boat of Mayberry trivia) pose for a floatin’ photo. At right is First Place Winner Noel Houze of “Suck in That Gut!” chapter of Milan, Ind. Nancy Thornton of “You Better Put a Buckeye in Your Pocket and Do the Incant for a Sore Foot” chapter (Bessemer, Ala.) won Second Place; and Vern “Mr. Foley” Roberts (left) of Live Oak, Fla., won Third Place.

KEEPIN’ IT RAIL–Winken, Blinken, and Nod tribute artists on the Mayberry Cruise.

Editor’s Note: We encourage any readers with chapter or event news and photos that they want to share with eBullet readers to e-mail reports and photos to Goober@iMayberry.com.

**** Post Note ****

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 or so of its being distributed to subscribers.

Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board? (aka WBMUTBB) 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 tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB also has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.

And TAGSRWC publishes Weaver’s Newsletter in more-or-less alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, the Weaver’s Newsletter is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. To sign up, go to: Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up.

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

This is the last issue of The eBullet scheduled for 2012.  The next eBullet is planned for January, and the next Weaver’s Newsletter is planned for early December.  Till then, happy Mayberry watching!

 Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

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