The eBullet: Volume 14, Issue 1 January 2014
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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of “The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 14, Issue 1
January 2014
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Welcome to our first issue of The eBullet for 2014! As you can see from just a quick glance at our Event Calendar below, there’s already an incredibly busy schedule of Mayberry-related happenings in the works for this year. New listings, as well as more details about events already listed, are expected soon. You can check for the latest updates any time at our online Event Calendar at www.imayberry.com.
We’ve also restocked our online Weaver’s Department Store after the holidays. It’s still not too late to pick up your 2014 TAGS Wall Calendar, and Weaver’s has a new CD with vintage Mayberry recordings from Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling). Also, two favorite T-shirt designs are now available as both sweatshirts and hoodies.
And we have some excellent selections remaining for some of the most treasured items we’ve ever offered: Original TAGS scripts. All of these and much much more are on our Weaver’s Department Store shelves online.
But let’s jump right in (and hang on!) with all the upcoming activities and latest news!
Floyd’s Barbershop Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
Emmett Forrest, sporting the suit and shoes donated to the Andy Griffith Museum by George Lindsey. As a meticulous curator, Emmett of course had to try on the suit. It was a perfect fit! Photo by Hobart Jones.
The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia (the world’s best!), is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org/ or call (336) 786-1604.
Hair chairman Russell Hiatt.
* Jan. 28: 90th Birthday Party for legendary Mount Airy barber Russell Hiatt (aka America’s Barber) from Noon to 2 p.m., at his Floyd’s City Barbershop, 129 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. We suggest arriving by 12:30 to enjoy the height of festivities celebrating this remarkable Hiatt milestone. If you can’t attend (and even if you can), birthday greetings can be sent to the barbershop address in this listing.
* Jan. 26: LeRoy “Mack” McNees and wife Jan perform bluegrass gospel and share their faith at two services today. First up is the 11:00 a.m. service at Liberty Baptist Church in Thomasville, Ala. Then, at 5:00 p.m., they will be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove, Ala.
* Jan. 31: LeRoy “Mack” McNees is joined by Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, and Charity “Miss Mayberry” Farris for a Night in Mayberry at 7 p.m. at Zion Community Center, off Highway 159, 8 miles north of Gordo, Ala. (We’re not sure whether crossing the Robert E. Lee Natural Bridge is also involved, but there will be some helpful signs pointing the way on Highway 159.) The show is FREE, but there will be chances at door prizes for sale. And also food. After all, Gordo is in the heart of “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” country. Which reminds us…the Dixie Rhythm Cloggers are also performing. Among the cloggers are several of Kenneth Junkin’s highly regarded Santa’s Helpers. For more info, call (205) 364-7727.
* Feb. 7: Karen Knotts makes a splash with her one-woman “Tied Up in Knotts” show at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Show time is 8 p.m., and admission is $18. For more info, call (310) 394-9779 or visit www.santamonicaplayhouse.com.
* Feb. 12 and 13: Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) and Ronnie Schell (two episodes of TAGS and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) greet fans and sign autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. both days.
Ronnie Schell
* Feb. 14: Maggie Peterson and Ronnie Schell perform Love Letters during a dinner show at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy, N.C. All tickets are $55, which includes dinner. (No tickets will be available without dinner.) Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show. Tickets available from the Surry Arts Council and its website: www.surryarts.org.
* Feb. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
The Roland White Band
Feb. 26: The Roland White Band performs at the Music City Roots show at the Loveless Barn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 7 p.m. If you can’t attend, tune in online or possibly on an affiliate station in your area. For more info, visit: www.musiccityroots.com.
* Feb. 28-Mar. 16: James Best stars with wife Dorothy Best and Norma Frank in On Golden Pond at the Hickory Community Theatre in Hickory, N.C. For info, visit http://hickorytheatre.org.
* Mar. 6-8: 17th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. For info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.
* Mar. 8: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Opie’s Hobo Friend” episode of TAGS, the first one written by Harvey Bullock, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Mar. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Mar. 21-23: Karen Knotts is locked in for two performances of “Tied Up in Knotts” (7:30 p.m. on the 21st and 2:00 p.m. on the 23rd) at the Harris Center for the Arts (Stage 2) at Three Stages at Folsom, located at Folsom Lake College in Folsom, Calif. Tickets are $29 and $39. For more info, call (916) 608-6888 or visit: www.issuu.com/harriscenter/docs/13-14-season.
* Mar. 22: James Best presents “Best in Hollywood” at the Camden Fine Arts Center in Camden, S.C. For more info, call the box office at 803-425-7676 or visit www.fineartscenter.org.
* Mar. 22: The Roland White Band performs at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 9 p.m., and admission is $12. For info visit: www.stationinn.com.
* Apr. 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “The Education of Ernest T. Bass” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 24 and 25: Eagles’ Wings fundraiser event in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The golf tourney is on Thurs., and the dinner, silent auction and entertainment are on Fri. night at the Bryant Conference Center. Guests and more details TBA. For now, just mark your calendar for this annual event that support Eagles’ Wings’ efforts to assist adults with disabilities. More info at www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.
* Apr. 25-27: Maggie Peterson is a special guest for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo. More details TBA. For info, visit www.cherryblossomfest.com.
* Apr. 26: James Best brings his “Best in Hollywood” show to the Newberry Opera House in Newberry, S.C. For more info, call the box office at (803) 276-6264 or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com.
* May 2 and 3: 4th Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster Festival in Westminster, S.C. Highlights include Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, Karen Knotts and her one-woman “Tied Up In Knotts” show, several Mayberry tribute artists, “A Salute to Elvis” with Wayne Euliss, trivia and Miss Mayberry pageant. More details TBA. For updates, visit: www.westminstersc.com/mayberry. Tickets available soon at www.jneg.org.
* May 10: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Rafe Hollister Sings” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 17 and 18: Mayberry in the Midwest in Danville, Ind. Stars confirmed so far include Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and a full slate of Mayberry tribute artists. Events include a pancake breakfast, concerts, contests, Opie’s Soap Box Derby, and the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals. (If you have a Mayberry Squad replica that you want to enter in the MSCN, contact Kenneth Junkin at 205-364-7727.) Many more details TBA, but for now, just mark your calendar. For inquiries (such as renting vendor booth space) and updates, go to www.visitdowntowndanville.com. And follow the event on Facebook HERE.
* May 20-25: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv Comedy Club at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For more info, visit www.harrahslasvegas.com.
* June 12-14: Ruta Lee appears at the Memphis Film Festival at the Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Tunica, Miss. For more info, visit, www.memphisfilmfestival.com.
* June 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfft” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* June 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Back to Nature” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 23-27: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe (Nev.). For info visit, www.harveystahoe.com.
* Aug. 9: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “The Songfesters” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Aug. 13: Karen Knotts unleashes her one-woman “Tied Up in Knotts” show on Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside Chautauqua in Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio, on the banks of Lake Erie. Show time is 8:15 p.m. For info, find a web-footed red-crested lake loon to follow, or visit www.lakesideohio.com.
* Aug. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Aug. 22 and 23: 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 in Oakboro, N.C., on Friday, and then a concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program on Saturday at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Tickets for the Saturday show 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. 19: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?–10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 21-24: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville) is a Bible study event drawing on the biblical truths and life applications found in “The Andy Griffith Show.” The event is $295 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes three nights of on-campus lodging, eight meals, Bible study sessions based on favorite TAGS episodes, dynamic preaching, worship, an orchestra concert of TAGS tunes, and a lunch with favorite Mayberry tribute artists. To register, call Ridgecrest Conference Center at (800) 588-7222 or visit www.lifeway.com/mayberry.com.
* Sept. 25-28: 25th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. As always, numerous “Andy Griffith Show” stars will be on hand. Stars already confirmed are hometown favorite Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) and Darling Boy Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, who will perform a matinee show on Friday. James Best also presents his popular “Best in Hollywood Show” on Friday afternoon, and Karen Knotts returns with her fun, wonderful “Tied Up in Knotts” show, at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
Other festival favorites include David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning and the merry Mayberry band of tribute artists, the VW Boys and their “Salute to Mayberry” and Michael Hoover’s Elvis.
James Gregory
Also, there will be a hilarious comedy show on Friday night by the amazing James Gregory, “the Funniest Man in America.” In addition, the Embers warm the night with their music on Thursday, while the legendary Tams bring their soulful coastal music to the Blackmon Amphitheatre on Friday evening. And much more TBA! There will be something for everybody at this special 25th Mayberry Days. Visit www.surryarts.org for more info. Don’t miss it!
* Oct. 19: LeRoy “Mack” McNees and wife Jan share their faith and bluegrass gospel music during the 11 a.m. worship service at the New Horizons Baptist Church in Oxford, N.C.
* Nov. 1-6: Cruise to Mayberry 9 stars LeRoy “Mack” McNees, George Lindsey, Jr. and a passel of Mayberry tribute artists for music, sights, sun, fun and games…and hearty eatin’ aboard Carnival’s Victory cruise ship, departing Miami for Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. There are several important deadlines coming up for making reservations. For more info, contact Sharon at All About Cruises (336) 538-4926 or by e-mail at pwesje@aol.com or visit the website at www.allaboutcruisesnc.net.
**** News of Cast & Crew ****
This is photo from the editing room for In the Heart of the Sea that Ron Howard recently tweeted. Follow Ron on Twitter at @RealRonHoward.
Ron Howard continues work on his film In the Heart of the Sea, a tragic story of the Essex, a whaling ship destroyed by a whale in 1820. He has completed principal filming in Great Britain and, most recently, the Canary Islands, where in early December the production company had to take shelter from devastating storms of near-typhoon strength. He’s now busy with editing and other post-production work. The film is currently set for release in March of 2015.
Rush, Ron’s most recent release as a director, was nominated for two Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture (Drama). And it is nominated for four British Academy Film Awards, including Best British Film. The winners will be named on February 16.
Rush oddly received the “Big Freeze” and was completely shut out of any Oscar nominations, even in the technical categories. But the Howard family will be well represented at the Oscars, because Nebraska, featuring Howard patriarch Rance Howard, is up for a slew of awards, including Best Picture. Rance plays a brother of Bruce Dern, who is nominated for Best Actor. (And to see them on screen together, it’s remarkable how much they look as though they really could be brothers.)
MUG SHOT–Rance Howard in a scene from Nebraska.
Betty Lynn has recovered extraordinarily well from surgery last August and continues a full schedule of activities in Mount Airy, including autograph sessions the third Friday each month at the Andy Griffith Museum.
Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard had great fun with their mini-tour with Rodney’s band and David Browning in their “Mayberry Christmas” show at dates in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Rodney Dillard (right) visits with fellow bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs following a performance of the Mayberry Christmas show in Mount Juliet, Tenn.
Maggie and Ronnie Schell will be appearing at the Andy Griffith Museum (Feb. 12 and 13) and doing a performance of Love Letters for one night only (Feb. 14.) in Mount Airy, N.C. (See Floyd’s bulletin board above.)
WRITE ON!–Sam Bobrick
Top TAGS writer Sam Bobrick (19 episodes, including “The Shoplifters” and “Big Fish in a Small Town”) checked in to say that he’s doing well and is still writing. In fact, he won an Edgar Allen Poe Award (an Edgar) in 2011 for his comedy mystery The Psychic. His latest play, L.A. Deli, opens at the Lee Strassberg Theatre in West Hollywood in March.
And some news we missed last summer, but found out over the holidays…The late TAGS director Earl Bellamy (one of Andy Griffith‘s favorites) was honored posthumously at the Memphis Film Festival with a special award recognizing his many achievements as a director of classic westerns. He was notably one of the key directors of “The Lone Ranger” on TV. Last year marked the 80th anniversary of “The Lone Ranger,” so Earl’s award was in part timed for that occasion. His widow Gail was at the festival to accept the award.
Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) has been busy as usual with lots of Disney-related appearances. As the live model for Disney’s animated Tinker Bell, Margaret is in demand all over the world for events that need a little extra pixie dust. She’s just back from Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort’s Tinker Bell Half-Marathon during the weekend of January 18. Keep up with Margaret (if you can!) on her website: www.tinkerbelltalks.com.
Joy Ellison, who played Margaret Kerry’s daughters in Margaret’s two episodes (as well as Opie friends Mary Wiggins and Iris in others), is currently working as dialect coach on SpongeBob Squarepants 2, starring Antonio Banderas and scheduled for release in 2015. And she has been working on a Brad Pitt movie that likely will be released this year. (That film isn’t titled yet, but we have the feeling it could end up being called Wardaddy.)
**** Chapter Update ****
We have three new chapters that have started since the November eBullet, which brings us to 1,419 chapters founded since TAGSRWC began 35 years ago.
| “Ain’t Life Funny?” | Newton, N.C. |
| My Mayberry | |
| “Chitchat” | Nashville, Tenn. |
If you’d like to start a chapter of TAGSRWC, it’s easy. Just pick a name that hasn’t already been chosen, 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 chapter names that are already taken at www.tagsrwc.com.
Once your submitted chapter name is approved, you’ll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed and “suitable for framing” by Sherry Hyatt, our master calligrapher from the “Compelsion Nuts” chapter in East Tennessee.
What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Some chapters get together regularly and do elaborate activities. Others just spend a lot of time taking “a think” with buckets on their heads or rockin’ on their front porches. Either kind of chapter activity–and anywhere in between–is just fine.
And if you’re feeling more like a joiner than a starter, you can write to us at Goober@iMayberry.com, and we’ll see if we can connect you with an active chapter near you.
You can also 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.)
We always enjoy hearing news (and seeing photos) from existing chapters. (See the Chapter News section below.) And if HQ can ever be of any service to your chapter, we’re always eager to do whatever we can.
We hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!
**** Merchandise Update ****
Browse the full selection of books, apparel, DVDs, artwork, collectibles, items for your vehicle and much more at our online Weaver’s Department Store (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com).
We appreciate your shopping at Weaver’s, especially because Weaver’s sales are the main (actually, the only) thing that helps TAGSRWC be able to offer financial support to Mayberry Days and other Mayberry-connected events and charitable efforts throughout the year. We appreciate it!
Featured This Month at Weaver’s:
2014 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar
$15.00
It’s not too late. We still have a small handful left of the official 2014 “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendars. This calendar contains all black-and-white photos (though some are of color seasons). When hanging up, the calendar measures 12 x 22.
Favorite characters featured in the 2014 edition are Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Gomer, Goober, Weaver’s mannequins and a certain very skinny Santa.
SPECIAL OFFER:
Buy 2, Get 1 Free! That’s right. Ol’ Ben Weaver has gone soft. When you buy 2 of the 2014 Wall Calendar, we’ll add another one to your order for FREE. Ernest T. has calculated that that’s like getting the 3 calendars for just $10 each, or 1/3 off!
Need just one calendar? We’ve got a deal for that, too. Type “Happy Groundhog Day!” in the Comments section of your online Weaver’s order form during checkout, and we’ll take 20% off a single calendar for a total of $12 (vs. the normal $15). Just a dollar a month.
Songs That Make Me Cry
by Maggie Peterson CD (autographed)
New!!!
$12.00
Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) sings Songs That Make Me Cry on CD (autographed). This special CD features the original tracks for three songs Maggie sang on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
For 50 years, Maggie carefully preserved the acetate recordings made from the original masters. Now, she is generously sharing with Mayberry fans this CD made from those acetates.
The three songs on this CD are:
* Salty Dog
* Shady Grove
* There Is a Time
This boutique CD is being produced for us in a Mayberry-sized batch. And what’s more…Maggie is also autographing the cover insert of each one for us! So, what is already a truly special collectible becomes even more so.
We’re pleased to offer this wonderful keepsake collection of beautiful recordings, and we thank Maggie for giving Mayberry fans the chance to enjoy them in our personal collections!
Sweatshirts and Hoodies
Suffer in this winter’s cold no longer. We now have two of our most popular T-shirt designs available as both sweatshirts and hoodies, in sizes Small to 3X.
Sweatshirts are $32 and Hoodies are $42.
Two New T-Shirt Designs!
As with all of our officially licensed T-shirt designs (more than 2 dozen in all!), these shirts are 100% cotton and only $18 each. (All-American Andy is on a light gray shirt and Newest Nip It is on a sky blue shirt.) Both shirts (and most of our other designs) are available in sizes adult Small to 2X. A few designs are also in 3X.
Ernest T.’s 2014 Grab-Bag of Earnest T-Shirts
$50.00
It has been a few years since we have offered a T-shirt grab-bag. This rare offering has historically been one of our most popular fundraisers. Each grab-bag contains six vintage but brand new T-shirts. They all come from our Mayberry T-Shirt Archives, which dates back to the 1980s.
Each grab-bag contains an assortment of shirts that are either officially licensed, from various special events (such as Mayberry Days), from TAGSRWC chapters or from other random Mayberry inspirations.
Most of the shirts were produced in tiny quantities. They were rare at the time of their creation. With the passage of many years in some cases, they have become all the more scarce.
One thing we guarantee about the assortment in each grab-bag is that they are wonderfully eclectic. And at just over $8 per shirt, they’re an extra-great deal, especially considering that even T-shirts at $18 are viewed to be in the more inexpensive range for this day and age.
We expect that this will be our final offering of Mayberry T-Shirt Grab-Bags, simply because, once these are sold, our T-Shirt Archives will be pretty well empty.
We’ve decided to sell these special shirts now for two reasons. First, we’re trying to raise funds for our support of some of the Mayberry events planned for 2014. And second, we’re not sure that archiving these T-shirts, as wonderful as they are, serves any particularly needed end purpose. Like the songbirds Opie raised, these shirts need to be set free from their cage, so that they can spread joy with those who wear them and to those who see them being worn.
NOTES: All six shirts in the grab-bags are the same size (XL for most grab-bags and 2X for just one grab-bag). There is one exception. There is one mixed grab-bag with 3 mediums and 3 larges. Also, the 2XL grab-bag contains two sweatshirts for two of its allotted six shirts, so that’s a nice bonus.
Thank you for considering a purchase of these grab-bags and helping us support this year’s slate of Mayberry events.
Original “Andy Griffith Show”
Scripts
These original scripts from “The Andy Griffith Show” are ones that were used by beloved actor Hal Smith (Otis Campbell.) Many contain markings, notes and doodles by Hal. A few also have bonus features, such as Shooting Schedules, Call Sheets and Signatures.
We acquired these scripts from Hal’s estate many years ago. Because these scripts were part of the actual production of the show–and because they were Hal’s–they are some of our most treasured items, and some of the most significant artifacts of the show.
We have preserved these scripts in our archives for all of these years. Our original intent was to eventually donate these scripts as a single Collection to a library or other institution. But then Andy Griffith donated his complete set of scripts to the University of North Carolina, and actor George Lindsey and others donated theirs to the University of North Alabama. A few other scripts from the show are being preserved for posterity and reference at other institutions, including a few that TAGSRWC and others have donated to the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy.
“Virgil!”
So, it no longer seems as critical to us that we preserve Hal’s Mayberry scripts in a single collection. It’s now probably a better idea for these scripts to find happy homes among our fellow fans, who for years to come will cherish them as much as we have.
Our offering these scripts for sale is a lot like Andy Taylor deciding to sell his prized Eagle-Eye Annie fishing rod in order to get the bed jacket for Aunt Bee. In this case, proceeds (100% of the sale amounts) for these scripts will go toward Weaver’s and TAGSRWC’s support of upcoming Mayberry events. Most of the proceeds will be earmarked for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., but we hope to be able to use some of the proceeds to support other efforts leading up to show’s 55th Anniversary in 2015.
We think if these scripts find a good home while helping us support some good Mayberry causes, then that’s a wonderful win-win situation for Mayberry and its fans.
For several years, we’ve also offered some of Hal Smith’s non-Mayberry scripts to support Mayberry events and charitable fundraisers. Several of those scripts are still available, including some from popular and important productions, so we encourage you to browse those online here at Weaver’s as well.
As for these “Andy Griffith Show” scripts, each listing has general descriptive information about markings made by Hal Smith and other special features (such as a few that are autographed by legendary writer Jack Elinson). If you want further details about a particular script, beyond what’s on the Weaver’s site, please e-mail us at weavershop@aol.com.
BONUS: A black & white 8×10 photo of Hal Smith as Otis is included with each script. (In a few cases, the photo will be for the same episode as the script.) Also included with each script is a 4-page tribute published about Hal after he passed away in 1994.
“Matlock” Complete Nine Seasons
Now Available on DVD!
Original List Price $339.00
NEW!!!
If you’ve “Ben” waiting all these years for the complete Matlock collection on DVD, your wait is finally over. All 195 episodes on a whopping 52 discs are now available as a Complete Series Set. No special packaging. Just each season in its own case. With our pricing, it comes out to just a dollar an episode!
The verdict is in. Like those courthouse hotdogs that Ben loves so much, “Matlock” is a guilty pleasure! And best of all, “Matlock” has lots of our beloved Andy Griffith in action…with lots of familiar friends, including many from Mayberry!
Load up on “Matlock,” the next best thing to Mayberry! And at an attractive price that even frugal ol’ Ben himself would like!
Oh, and Weaver’s of course has individual Seasons, The Entire Series (now only $109.00!) and a 50th Anniversary Collection of TAGS on DVD, as well as “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and favorite movies and other features starring Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, George Lindsey and the Dillards.
Find all of these items and much more at weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver’s button at the top left or top right of the page whenever you’re visiting www.imayberry.com.
DVD Sneak Peek!
More big news on the DVD front…not only is the first season of TAGS coming out on Blu-ray (tentatively scheduled for release by CBS on April 8), but the first season of “Mayberry R.F.D.” is being released (also on April 8) for the first time in any format! Hooray!
We were beginning to think “R.F.D.” would never get its chance, but Warner Bros., which owns that series (unlike TAGS, whose DVD and merchandising rights are held by CBS), is finally about to take the Mayberry plunge. If the first season (26 episodes) sells well, we expect the other two seasons (also 26 episodes each) will follow before long.
So, for all the Mayberry fans who’ve been waiting for years (and in some cases, decades!) to see the 78 episodes of “Mayberry R.F.D.” your wait is almost over. You’ll finally get to see Andy and Helen get married, and, when the second season is released, you’ll get to see Andy Taylor Jr. be baptized. And all the other “R.F.D.” adventures, including dune buggies in Palm Springs.
Our Weaver’s Department Store will of course be stocking both of these DVD releases. We’ll start taking pre-orders in March, around the time of the next issue of The eBullet.
**** Chapter News ****
Neil and Pat Coleman of Remembering Mayberry chapter visit with Maggie Peterson after the performance of the Mayberry Christmas show in Mount Juliet.
Several chapters made their way to Mount Juliet, Tenn., to attend the performance of “Mayberry Christmas,” starring Rodney Dillard, Maggie Peterson and David Browning (“I Ain’t No Rockefeller,” Bristol, Va.). Among the chapters were Remembering Mayberry (Chillicothe, Ohio), Goober’s Auto Dismantling (West Frankfort, Ill.), Foley’s Market (Farmington, Mo.), “Hit One for the Ol’ Goober” (Killen, Ala.), “Try and Curb Them Hot Flashes” (La Vergne, Tenn.) and Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.).
DON’T WEAR MY HAT, THEL!–Barney chapter’s Ted Womack with Betty Lynn, who’s wearing his Mayberry Deputy hat during her autograph session at the Andy Griffith Museum on January 17.
Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) had its legendary chapter Christmas party a after Christmas this year, but reports are that it was as awesome as always. And Barney member Ted Womack (aka Mr. Wheeler) also made it up to Mount Airy this month to see Betty Lynn at the Andy Griffith Museum.
“Just a Fat Woman with Orange Hair” chapter (Greensboro/Fayetteville, N.C.) checked in to say that they’ve been busy restoring a ’65 Cadillac convertible with the goal of being able to provide star transportation in this year’s Mayberry Days parade. Sounds like “Mayberry Goes Hollywood” to us!
It’s always really swell to hear from chapters located all over the place during the holidays. We heard from bunches, and all seemed to be having a ball, including many with no particular news but just wanting to say hey and let HQ know, “Everything is O.K. in Mayberry.” And that’s always really nice to hear!
Please keep your news and photos coming in 2014. You can write to us the old-fashioned way at 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3211, or by e-mail to Goober@imayberry.com.
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**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome. You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/.
The iMayberry Community 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, streaming video, 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 54 years ago–for us and generations to come!
Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS 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 or view episodes you’ve missed. (There have been 267 episodes since Allan started the podcasts in October 2008.)
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 a “brother figure” podcast called Burke on Mayberry, hosted by Kevin Burke.
TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 43,000 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 photos. 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!
**** 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 all the happenings 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.
The next eBullet is planned for March, and the first Weaver’s Newsletter for this year is slated for February.
Don’t forget: Groundhog Day is February 2!
