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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
RALEIGH?–Really!
Note: For readers who receive this newsletter by email, the formatting can sometimes be kind of weird, like when you think the gold bricks in an armored car shipment have been switched. If your emailed version looks like a decoy (Shazam!), check out this Web Version for a smoother read.
Welcome to our fifth issue of The eBullet for 2022! It has been a fun summer with lots of Mayberry happenings, and Mayberry Days®, the biggest Mayberry event of them all, is now just days away!.
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Alma Venable
Photo by Hobart Jones
Amid the good times to report, there is also some incredibly sad news. Alma Venable, a beloved friend known as Aunt Bee to thousands of visitors to Mount Airy, passed away on September 4. A special tribute to Alma is included in this issue.
The Event Calendar below lists scheduled happenings for the months ahead, and recent news from all corners of Mayberry follows that. Whether updates from the TAGS cast and crew, fan activities or the latest Mayberry items, there’s hopefully plenty of news of interest for everybody!
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Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
EVERYBODY BACK ON THE TRUCK– It’s Mayberry Days®!
Photo by Hobart Jones.
The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith artifacts, is operating on its full, normal schedule. For complete updates on operating hours, safety protocols or other info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
Here are some upcoming events that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board:
* Sept. 17: The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard perform at the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, Tenn. They’ll be playing in the Pepsi Tent at 4 p.m. as part of a special Mayberry day at the Fair. Admission to the concert is free with a ticket to the Fair. For more info, visit: www.tnvalleyfair.org.
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Rodney Dillard
Photo by Hobart Jones
Ronnie Schell
* Sept. 19-25: 33rd Annual Mayberry Days® festival in Mount Airy, N.C. Tickets are available HERE for many portions of the festival, including Thursday’s The Emmett Golf Tournament, which includes Mayberry Days® Dinner & Entertainment starring country music star T. Graham Brown (who also has a full concert on Friday) that may also be purchased separately; “Andy, Don and Jim: My Memories of Three Mayberry Legends” presented by Ronnie Schell; Doug Dillard Tribute Concert by The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard; and “Tied Up in Knotts–A Book Talk” by Karen Knotts.
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Ruta Lee
Just announced: Hollywood legend Ruta Lee (Jean Boswell aka “that college kid” and Darlene Mason) will be making her Mayberry Days® debut this year! It’s also her first-ever Mayberry event of any kind, so it’ll be the first chance for many fans to meet one of the nicest people in all of show business.
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SAVVY SALVE SELLERS–Johnny Paul and Howie.
Other Special Guests connected to “The Andy Griffith Show” include Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason), Dennis Rush (Howie), Bettina Linke (wife of late associate producer/personal manager Richard O. Linke) and Dreama Denver (wife of late actor Bob Denver, the second Dud Wash)..
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And another Special Guest making his first appearance at Mayberry Days® is actor Daniel Roebuck (Cliff Lewis on “Matlock”).
“GOT TIME TO BREATHE, GOT TIME FOR MUSIC”–Tim White and Troublesome Hollow
Daniel Roebuck with Andy
Other ticketed highlights during Mayberry Days® include “Memories of Elvis” by Michael Hoover; “A Tribute to Mayberry” by Tim White and Troublesome Hollow; and Katie Deal: Crazy for Patsy Cline (and a second concert covering legendary Women of Country Music); concerts by The Embers, Band of Oz, and Legacy Motown; two concerts with Allen Leath’s Mayberry Melodies (including a Gospel show); three comedy shows by John Floyd (“The Mouth of Mayberry”); Professor Brower’s Lecture (saluting the life and career of Betty Lynn) with Neal Brower (immediately followed by TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting); a lecture about the Forty Acres backlot in Culver City (where many Mayberry exterior scenes were shot) by Randy Turner; gospel music by The Lisembys; multiple screenings of Murder in Coweta County (including Q&A with producer Dick Atkins) and Chris Hudson‘s The Mayberry Effect documentary; and Saturday’s grand finale, “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time.”
This year’s festival will also include a special commemoration: Celebrating the Life of Betty Lynn, which will be held downtown at the Historic Earle Theatre, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., immediately following the Mayor’s Proclamation at the same location on Fri. Sept. 23.
As always, the vast majority of Mayberry Days® is free, including Saturday’s parade, the Mayberry Days® Trivia Contest (aka the World Championship of Mayberry Trivia), bunches of other Mayberry-inspired contests, and the Mayor’s Proclamation ceremony. For more info, visit www.mayberrydays.com.
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* Sept. 24: The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard headline the Uncle Pen Fest at the Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground (south of Indianapolis, between Morgantown and Nashville, Ind.). For more info, visit: www.billmonroemusicpark.com. (Note: The group’s performance here is the day after their Friday concert at Mayberry Days®.)
* Sept. 30: Rodney Dillard is joined by a star-studded lineup of fellow music legends for Western Edge: Los Angeles Country-Rock in Concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. The concert starts at 7 p.m. For tickets and more info visit: www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
* Oct. 8: The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard perform at the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin, Tenn. (just south of Nashville). Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets prices range from $40 to $55. For tickets and more info, visit www.franklintheatre.com.
* Oct. 22: Karen Knotts brings her “Tied Up in Knotts!” show to the Brownfield Community Center in Dawson, Penn. Showtime is 8 p.m.
* Oct. 23: Karen Knotts heads a couple of hours down the road and across the state line to the Church-McKee Arts Center in Keyser, W.V., with her “Tied Up in Knotts!” show. Showtime is 3 p.m. For more info, visit the Church-McKee website.
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SCUBA-DOO–Clint Howard has always been ready to cruise!
* Oct. 23-29: Clint Howard is the special guest for Mayberry Cruise 15, which was postponed with a few tweaks from its original dates in 2020 and again in 2021 because of the pandemic.
This cruise aboard Carnival’s Horizon will depart from Miami and travel to the Caribbean with ports of call in Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios and Cozumel. Rates (including all taxes) start at $625 per person.
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**** News of Cast & Crew ****
Ron Howard has been busy promoting the release of his latest film as director, Thirteen Lives, which was released in theaters for a limited run on July 29, ahead of its streaming debut on Prime Video on Aug. 5.
GOOD TIMES–Last month, Ron Howard made his second visit of the year to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” It was one of numerous appearances and interviews Ron has been doing to promote Thirteen Lives.
The film has received superb reviews, both from critics and from audiences. You can watch the trailer HERE. (Warning: Even though it doesn’t have any menacing moths, this cave-rescue film is much more intense than “Barney and the Cave Rescue.”) Thirteen Lives seems destined to be nominated for awards in a variety of categories.
And speaking of awards, Ron’s We Feed People documentary, which was released earlier this year, was nominated for two Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Documentary, which includes Ron as one of the producers. The film was also nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program. The film is now available on various Disney-connected streaming services.
Ron is currently in post-production for The Shrinking of Treehorn, the first animated film that he has directed.
Clint Howard (Leon) has had a good time at comics, cosplay and horror conventions this summer. In addition to Carolina Fear Fest in May, he was at the Bell County Comic Con in Belton, Tex., in early August and at Geek’d Con in Shreveport later in the month.
Rodney Dillard and The Dillards have been on the road steadily this summer and they have several prime dates coming up, including Mayberry Days® and a star-studded concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville in late September and then a show in nearby Franklin the next week.
Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason) has been touring with his longtime Christian rock band, David and the Giants. And the fall touring season for Ballet Magnificat, which Keith and wife Kathy run, is also in full swing. But the biggest news for Keith and his family and neighbors was the terrible flooding and clean-water crisis in Jackson, Miss., late last month and into this month. Fortunately, that situation has greatly improved in recent days.
Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) has been making the rounds visiting friends old and new while doing appearances in California, mostly for Disney-related events, including this past weekend’s Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim.
Margaret was also recently interviewed by reporter Scott Mason for a Tar Heel Traveler segment on WRAL-TV in Raleigh. (Scott will also be interviewing stars at Mayberry Days® for future Tar Heel Traveler reports.)
MAYBERRY M*A*S*H-UP–Jamie Farr (Sylvio in 1966’s “The Gypsies”) poses with Dennis Beal of Knoxville’s Mayberry chapter at last month’s Fanboy Expo in Knoxville.
The team behind last year’s Mayberry Man movie, including Stark Howell and Cort Howell (sons of Hoke Howell, Mayberry’s first Dud Wash) and Greg Schell (son of Ronnie Schell) begins filming the “Mayberry Man” TV series, this week. They’ll start out in Danville, Ind., then head to Mount Airy, N.C., during the week of Mayberry Days®, then go back to Danville for a few more days, before wrapping up with filming in the Los Angeles area for several days in November.
Like the original movie, which now has a deal for distribution, the series, which has four half-hour episodes set for filming, is being funded in large part by relatively small donations by lots of fans through a fundraising campaign that was conducted on Indiegogo this summer. (An ongoing extension of the campaign is offering additional opportunities for fans to donate and participate.) Significant funding for the series is also being provided by a few larger investors.
YOU CAN BEE A STAR–“Mayberry Man” stars Rik “Barney” Roberts and Allan “Floyd” Newsome flank Mayor Linda Peebles and Mayberry Look-Alike Contest winner Jessica Letson during a Mayberry celebration in Courtland, Ala., in early September. The Mayberry Man movie was also screened during the event.
The new series follows the continuing story of Chris Stone (aka the Mayberry Man, played by Brett Varvel) and romantic interest Kate (played by Ashley Elaine). Favorite Mayberry tribute artists and others with Mayberry connections are expected to reprise their movie roles. They’ll be joined by some new, yet also familiar, faces, including George Lindsey Jr. as a community-theater director. (By the way, George Jr. released a music video for his “Drink a Margarita Baby” song on YouTube this summer. He warns Mayberry fans that the rollicking video is maybe a little untamed for some people’s preferences.)
Stay tuned for updates about when and where you can watch episodes of the “Mayberry Man” TV series. It may be on a smaller screen, but it’s still big!
TO B&B OR NOT TO B&B?–Former Siler City home of Frances Bavier charts noble new course.
Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee), who died in 1989, is continuing to make real-estate news in North Carolina. Her former home in Siler City sold just over a year ago, and the new owner has been discussing her plans for the home, including renovations and updates and possibly operating the home as a bed and breakfast. Here’s a link to a recent story about the “Aunt Bee House.”
That’s a wrap for News of Cast & Crew for this issue.
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**** In Memoriam ****
Remembering Pat Rosson
1952-1922
The family of child actor Pat Rosson, who played George “Tex” Foley, the title role, in 1960’s “Runaway Kid” episode of TAGS, announced in August that Pat died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on April 28. He was 69.
SO, WHERE YOU FROM, TEX?–Andy has to navigate a tricky trail to get Pat Rosson‘s Tex back to his family’s corral.
Pat’s memorable Mayberry performance was just his second film role as a child actor. He had small part a year earlier in “Six Guns of Donegan,” an episode of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.”
Pat continued acting until age 13. He appeared in some of the most iconic TV shows of the time, including “The Untouchables,” “Dennis the Menace,” “The Red Skelton Hour,” “My Three Sons” and “The Twilight Zone.” He finished out his acting career as Jerry Karr, a regular character on “The Young Marrieds,” which was the first sister-figure series for “General Hospital” and which also starred Peggy McCay (Sharon DeSpain in the “Class Reunion” episode of TAGS) as his birth mother, who was in a battle for custody of young Jerry.
THERE’S SNOW PLACE, LIKE HOME–After Pat Rosson finished his trek in Mayberry, he helped Andrea Darvi greet a visitor from the North Pole (Art Carney) in “The Night of the Meek,” a 1960 episode of “The Twilight Zone.”
Born Patrick Francis (Crellin) Rosson to parents Lili and Edward Rosson in Los Angeles on July 20, 1952, Pat grew up in a family steeped in Hollywood filmmaking. Grandfather Harold Rosson, once married to Hollywood legend Jean Harlow, was a distinguished cinematographer, who was nominated for five Oscars (including for The Wizard of Oz, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Asphalt Jungle) and was also cinematographer for such classics as The Red Badge of Courage and Singin’ in the Rain. (In addition, he was cinematographer for the “Burning of Atlanta” scene for Gone With the Wind. Relics of that famous scene are visible in some scenes of TAGS that were filmed at the same Forty Acres lot in Culver City.) Harold Rosson was also cinematographer for two movies starring Andy Griffith: No Time for Sergeants and Onionhead.
SPACE INVADERS–Pat Rosson as Walt (left) with Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) and fellow Mayberry alum Ronnie Dapo (as Roger) in “If a Martian Calls, Hang Up,” a 1965 episode of “The Munsters.”
Pat’s father was likewise a cinematographer, notably for The Neon Ceiling, a 1971 TV movie that earned him an Emmy nomination, and for Love at First Bite, which was released posthumously in 1979. Mother Lili appeared in movies and on TV, usually in uncredited roles, most notably in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.
Pat’s younger brother, Eddie, was also a busy child actor, who landed numerous parts (often uncredited, including in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World) throughout the 1960s. (Eddie died of heart attack in 1994, at age 38.)
A DOOR, ABLE KID–Hazel (Shirley Booth) greets the eager paperboy (Pat Rosson) in “Bonnie Boy,” a 1965 episode of “Hazel.”
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Pat had uncredited roles in two feature films: The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm in 1962 and the spellbinding 1963 mobster movie Johnny Cool, in which brother Eddie also had an uncredited role.
After retiring as a child actor, Pat attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., and went on to have a successful career in real estate in the Los Angeles area.
Pat’s survivors include wife Ruth, daughter Maria Delilah Rosson, sister Christa, nephews Troy and Tobey and niece Sophie.
While Mayberry mourns the passing of Pat, we can take comfort that, just as Tex returned safely to his home in Eastmont, so has Pat now made it home.
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Remembering Alma Venable
1937-2022
The same week that the United Kingdom and much of the world began mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Mount Airy and Mayberry lost their Queen Bee. Much more than that, we’ve lost a truly precious friend in Alma Venable, who, surrounded by her loving family, died on September 4. She was 84.
Alma and husband L.P were beloved proprietors of the legendary Mayberry Motor Inn in Mount Airy. After L.P. passed away on October 24, 2008, Alma, with the help of daughter Vicki, grandsons Mikel, Joshua and Jeremy, and others, continued to operate the motel, which most of us who are regulars have always called our home away from home.
FULL SPEED AHEAD–With husband L.P. at the wheel of the family’s Mayberry Squad Car replica, Alma is ready to roll in her role as Aunt Bee in the 2005 Mayberry Days parade.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
During Mayberry Days week, the motel has had a years-long waiting list. Many of us have been staying at the motel for more than three decades–and most of us stay in the same rooms during our visits, whether during Mayberry Days or other times. Those rooms are “our” rooms!
Alma and L.P. and continuing with the younger generations of the family have always been meticulous about maintaining the entire grounds of the motel, which is about the most inviting, relaxing and overall Mayberry-ish place we could ever hope to spend a night.
The gazebo in particular has become a gathering place for visitors, most especially for relaxing after fun-filled days and evenings during Mayberry Days. It’s also the center of activity for the “Two Chairs, Not Waiting” podcast’s annual Mayberry Meetup, which hosted its 10th edition in July.
SHOW ROOM–Alma giving a tour of the Aunt Bee Room for Tar Heel Traveler segment for WRAL-TV.
Another iconic part of the Mayberry Motor Inn is its Aunt Bee Room (Room 109). Beginning with the estate auction for Frances Bavier (the TV show’s Aunt Bee) in 1990, Alma began gathering items that were either owned by Frances or were otherwise closely related to Aunt Bee, Andy Griffith or Mayberry.
The typical reactions of fans gazing upon the collection in the room are eyes popping and jaws dropping at the magnitude and variety assembled in just one average-sized motel room. Here’s a LINK to an interview with Alma about her Aunt Bee Room.
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THE RAIN OF MAYBERRY’S QUEEN BEE–Alma Venable was never just a fair-weather supporter of Mayberry, as proven in this Mayberry Days®parade shot.
Photo by Kenny Hooker.
Beyond the themes of the Mayberry Motor Inn, Alma also enjoyed playing the part of the local Aunt Bee, especially during Mayberry Days. (She also took on the role at Mayberry events in other towns.) She was always pleased to dress like Aunt Bee (not everyday Aunt Bee, but Sunday-go-to-meeting Aunt Bee with her trademark pillbox hat and white gloves) and ride in the Mayberry Days parade. For years, L.P. drove Alma in the family’s Mayberry Squad Car replica. In later years, grandson Mikel Snow would often drive her in the squad car. And sometimes she was driven by others in a convertible.
Most memorable of all during Mayberry Days were Alma’s performances in “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time,” the traditional finale event on Saturday evening. Her performances, especially of the “Mayberry” song that she wrote and including her expert yodeling, were show-stoppers every time. Once her grandsons were proficient and old enough to accompany her on assorted instruments, they joined her onstage as the band for her performances.
IN TUNE WITH MAYBERRY–Alma Venable (third from left in her Aunt Bee attire) is about to do some serious yodeling at “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time” during Mayberry Days in 2012. Others onstage with her (l-r) are: David Browning on finger snaps, Ericka Godfrey Testerman on fiddle, grandson Mikel Snow on banjo, grandson Jeremy Snow on mandolin, grandson Joshua Snow on guitar, Allan Newsome on scissors and comb, and John Strickland on bass fiddle.
Photo by Kenny Hooker.
Alma was also game for the high jinks that David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan Newsome and others came up for her to do in the variety show’s zany skits. She had a keen sense of humor and a great appreciation for working with fun, talented entertainers.
Alma was creative in many realms. In addition to singing, she played guitar. She and L.P. were also avid square dancers in their day. They used to reminisce about those fun times with Lorraine and Earlie Gilley, two fellow Surry County and Mayberry icons who were often part of the same square dances.
O-PIE!
Alma was also a top-notch cook. If you have her recipe for strawberry bread, you already know how lucky you are. For others, you can always treat yourself to Alma’s Buttermilk Pound Cake in the Aunt Bee’s Delightful Desserts cookbook.
THE SPLENDID TABLE–No wooden spoon was necessary for Alma to keep hearty-eatin’ grandsons Mikel, Joshua and Jeremy in line at the family dinner table.
Snow Family photo.
Before working full-time at the motel, Alma was also in demand as a hairdresser at a local salon. Among her customers was Geneva Griffith, Andy’s mother. With that direct connection to the Griffiths, it’s no coincidence that Alma Parker is the name of a Don Knotts’s love interest in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, a script for which Andy was an uncredited co-writer with Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum.
And when you know that the initials L.P. for Alma Venable’s husband stand for Luther Parker, then you also come to realize that Alma Parker’s last name is not a coincidence. As for Don Knotts’s character’s first name, all that needs to be said is, “Attaboy, Luther!” and then you know exactly where that name came from.
Grandson Joshua Snow is carrying on his family hair-styling tradition. He recently graduated from barber school and has joined the staff of Donna’s Barber Shop in Mount Airy. (The shop is owned by Donna Hiatt, niece of Russell “Floyd” Hiatt, the late, beloved proprietor of Floyd’s City Barber Shop in Mount Airy.) We feel sure that Alma would be just fine with our giving the launch of her grandson’s barbering career a plug in our tribute to her. The proud Granny would’ve been the first to let everybody know!
Alma Frances Marsh Venable was born in Surry County on December 12, 1937, to parents Brady and Tavie Hodges Marsh. A devout Christian, Alma was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Airy. All enthusiasm about Aunt Bee aside, for Alma, family and faith were the things that were first and foremost in her life. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
TWO CHAIRS, TWO CHEERS!–Alma and daughter Vicki enjoy a leisurely moment during the Mayberry Meetup at the Mayberry Motor Inn in 2016.
Alma is survived by daughter Vicki Venable Snow; three grandsons: Mikel Snow and girlfriend Theresa Flagg and her son, Paul Bailey; Joshua Snow and girlfriend Maggie Hawks; and Jeremy and wife Savannah Snow; a great-grandchild, Bram Snow; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband L.P., Alma was preceded in death by her brothers and their wives:Wayne Frank and Betty Marsh, and Herman James and Carolyn Marsh.
Alma is also survived by legions of friends, and yes, by some who knew and admired her just for her tribute portrayal of Aunt Bee and for her performances during Mayberry Days. We’ll all remember her for her warm hospitality, grace, contagious cheerfulness, kindness and the wisdom worthy of a queen. Alma Venable truly embodied everything that it means to be royalty in Mayberry.
Long live our love and memories of Alma Venable. God rest her soul.
–Jim Clark
HOMECOMING–For everything, there is a season.
Photo courtesy of Mayberry Motor Inn.
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**** Chapter Update ****
One new chapter has started since the July eBullet. Hooray! Here’s our newest group staking their claim to a name:
Mayberry Water and Power Department Newport News, Va.
Our total number of chapters that have started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 is now 1,479.
Starting a chapter of TAGSRWC is still just as easy as it was four decades ago. You simply pick a name that hasn’t already been selected by another group. (You can check the searchable list of chapter names already taken at www.tagsrwc.com.) Then submit your chapter’s name with your location and a list of your founding members by e-mail (to Goober@imayberry.com) or by U.S. Mail to TAGSRWC’s HQ (118 16th Avenue South, Suite 4, PMB 146, Nashville, TN 37203-3100). That’s all it takes!
Whether or not you start or join a local chapter, you can always join our online “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” chapter or any of several exclusively online chapters on Facebook and, more recently, MeWe (see Mayberry on the Web below)..
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**** Merchandise Update ****
You can find a huge variety of Mayberry-related items right at your fingertips online at TAGSRWC’s Weaver’s Department Store, which has added several new items just in the last few weeks.
Here are some of our newest and most popular items currently on the shelves at Weaver’s:
Becoming Thelma Lou–
My Journey to Hollywood, Mayberry and Beyond
By Betty Lynn
Just Released–Available at Weaver’s Now!
Long before becoming beloved by generations of us Mayberry fans for her portrayal of Thelma Lou, Betty Lynn lived a life filled with interesting adventures and fascinating people.
In her own words, augmented by 140 rare photos, Betty shares the sometimes bittersweet, often surprising and always inspiring story of her remarkable life. From her wartime service in India and Burma to sharing the spotlight with entertainment royalty from New York to Hollywood, Betty always remained grounded in her Midwestern values and strong faith.
Betty will forever be Thelma Lou to millions of us, but, as you will discover in the 320 pages of this posthumously published autobiography (hardcover: $38), there is also much more to learn and love about this truly extraordinary woman who was such a great friend to countless Mayberry fans and to many others. Enjoy reading about her incredible journey!
You can order your copy now HERE!
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2023 “Andy Griffith Show”
Wall Calendar
$16.00
PRE-ORDER NOW!
(Expected delivery by the end of September)
The 2023 “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendar features images from TAGS that will bring back that Mayberry feeling each time you glance at it to check the date. Color and black and white images from the show and behind the scenes are featured on every spread of the calendar.
Every month has a 12 in. x 12 in. image of some combination of these favorite characters: Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Goober, Gomer, Opie, Helen and Thelma Lou. The calendar is 12 in. wide x 24 in. tall when open.
Make your dates with Mayberry in 2023, and enjoy the smiles all year long!
P.S. The TAGS wall calendars have been selling out early the last few years. We’re not trying to be pushy, but we don’t want folks to wake up on January 1 and realize they “blew the scramez-vous” on getting their calendars.
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2023 Mayberry Day-by-Day
Flip Book Calendar
$18.00
PRE-ORDER NOW!
(Expected delivery by the end of September)
This calendar consists of 365 days of all-new fun facts about “The Andy Griffith Show.” Each fact actually occurred on the calendar date.
As with previous editions, this flip calendar stands on its own built-in easel and is designed to be used as a desk calendar throughout the year with pages that are flipped over each day instead of being removed. At the end of the year, the easel can be removed, if desired, and the calendar becomes a book that can be kept as a reference.
Start each day with a 4 in. x 5.75 in. fact related to everybody’s hometown and the TV show itself!
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Mayberry Tea Towel
SUIT YOURSELF TO A TEA–Towel, that is!
$14.00
New!
This fun, one-of-a-kind design is an exclusive for Weaver’s! It’s sure to make you smile as you’re reminded of some of your favorite episodes and characters: Kerosene cucumbers, “Blooey,” making a big moulage. Plus selfish giraffes, a good ol’ man named Dooley, haircuts at the barbershop, Opie the Birdman, Eagle-Eye Annie, Gertrude, the Haunted House and more.
The oversized flour sack towel (27 in. x 27 in.) is made with premium, lint-free cotton and is printed in the USA. It’s machine washable, fade resistant, pre-washed and pre-shrunk. Best of all, it’s useful as well as ornamental!
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The Mayberry Rerun Watchers Guide: Season 1
By SpiritWalker
$24.00
PRE-ORDER NOW
(Expected delivery by September 30)
This is a book for the “trained noticer” in all of us. Even if you’re not a noticer, you’ll seem like one after reading this amazing book!
The Mayberry Rerun Watchers Guide: Season 1 is a detailed look at each episode, scene by scene. Even fans who have repeatedly watched the series will find themselves learning new facts about the show that they won’t be able to believe they never noticed before. The book includes information on filming locations and the cast and crew. It is packed with trivia related to the first season.
Author SpiritWalker is an Apache writer, comedian, musician and magician. He appears regularly in segments of the “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast and he has gone deep into the first season of “The Andy Griffith Show” to find “odd facts known by few” for fans to enjoy.
But just remember: No matter how much you learn about TAGS from this book, Mayberry knowledge “is a fine thing, but don’t flaunt it.” (Well, O.K., maybe flaunt it just a little.)
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T-Shirts & Sweatshirts
Weaver’s is pleased to offer more than five dozen designs of Mayberry T-shirts. Some designs are also available as long-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies. (Some places are starting to get a little nip in the air, so it’s best to be prepared for the chilly weather ahead.)
Most designs are available in Adult sizes Small to 3X-large, but Weaver’s also offers several designs in toddler sizes and some in 4X-large size.
And still more shirts!
Find the perfect Mayberry fit for yourself and friends and family!
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**** Chapter News ****
THE “BULLY” PULPIT–Neal Brower (aka Professor Brower of Barney chapter, base in Greensboro, N.C.) presents a lecture about “Opie and the Bully” to a full house at the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre during July’s Mayberry Meetup in Mount Airy. Members of numerous chapters from around the country were in the audience. Neal’s lecture during Mayberry Days® later this month will be at the Historic Earle Theatre. The first half of that lecture will be about Betty Lynn and will be followed by a discussion with Ruta Lee about her career, especially her two episodes of TAGS.
CLASSY GROUP–Members of Blood Brothers chapter (Marceline, Mo.) pose for their “class” photo during the “Class Reunion”-themed gathering on July 31. They enjoyed a meal of sandwiches, desserts and punch. There was a trivia contest exclusively about the “Class Reunion” episode, and folks brought their old Senior photos and school yearbooks. Assorted prizes were awarded for things such as Least Changed and Longest Tenure at the Same Job. (We’re guessing that the young fella second from the left didn’t win either of those.) But most of all, it was fun just to get together with friends who have a shared love of Mayberry.
MAKE VROOM FOR “BIG DADDY” WANNABE–Members of Colorado Fishin’ Hole Whistlers (Colorado Springs, Colo.) mingle around a member’s Mayberry Squad Car replica/dragster during their chapter meeting in August. About 30 members were on hand for the meal and watching TAGS episodes (“High Noon in Mayberry” and “Opie and the Spoiled Kid”).
DOUBLE-TAKE–The Colorado Fishin’ Hole Whistlers gathered again earlier this month to watch the Mayberry Man movie. The Colorado Springs bunch was joined by friends visiting from “A Dollar and a Quarter” chapter (New Philadelphia/Dover Ohio).
**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome with big help from Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown. You can check out the fun of this online community 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 pages, online newsletters (such as The eBullet), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms.
Two Chairs, No Waiting” is our weekly podcast of TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever’s happening 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). As of this week, there have been a gravity-defying 702 episodes since Allan launched the podcast in November 2008. Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view classic installments you’ve missed.
THE GANG’S (ALMOST) ALL HERE–This group shot includes about half of the 150 or so attendees from 16 states and two countries for July’s 10th Annual Mayberry Meetup, sponsored by the “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast, in Mount Airy, N.C. (Fun Game: Find “Sean of the South.”)
Photo by Codie Sloan.
HERE’S YOUR HINT–If you need a clue to help you spot Sean (of the South) Dietrich in the previous photo, here he is posing between Blood Brothers chapter members Johnna and Robert Clarke at the Mayberry Motor Inn during July’s Mayberry Meetup.
And scroll to the bottom of the main Mayberry Podcasts web page for various other links, including one for another outstanding Mayberry-related podcast: “Burke on Mayberry“ (hosted by TAGSRWC’s Kevin Burke). There are also links for the Mayberry Devotional hosted by Brian Rose and for the Mayberry Bible Study Podcast.
TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook has over 250,000 Followers. You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. 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!
We also have links in our “Liked by this Page” section to the pages of several TAGSRWC chapters on Facebook), as well as to Facebook pages for Mayberry Days,® the Andy Griffith Museum, TAGS actors and others.
Even Ben Weaver has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/weaversdepartmentstore. It features all the latest in Mayberry items and merchandise news.
And TAGSRWC also has a growing presence on www.MeWe.com. Mayberry’s pioneering outpost on MeWe is “Sittin’ on a Velvet Pillow” chapter, headed up by Lynn Thomas. That group was followed in short order by Allan Newsome and the “Two Chairs, No Waiting” Podcast and by “Only One Word I Can Think of…Big!” (a TAGSRWC group that’s also on Facebook), administered by Myron Clark and Tommy Rainwater and an able crew.
In case you’re not familiar with MeWe, it’s similar to Facebook. It’s just smaller and a bit calmer. It has no ads. So, it’s more along the lines of a quiet street like Willow or Woods Way as compared to the hustle and bustle of Main Street in downtown Mayberry. (“You’re on my foot! You’re on my foot!”) If you’re looking to “relax, slow down, take it easy,” then you might want to check out some of the TAGSRWC groups on MeWe.
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**** Post Note ****
Between issues of The eBullet, you can 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.
TAGSRWC publishes Weaver’s Newsletter (our brother-figure publication) in alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, Weaver’s Newsletter is free. Its focus is tilted slightly more to Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. It has some content overlap with The eBullet–sometimes earlier and sometimes later, depending on the timing of the news. To sign up, go to Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up.
The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for November. The next issue of our Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in October.
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CONSTANT SOIREE–Ever happy to be the straight woman for Mayberry fun, Alma Venable entertains at “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time”during Mayberry Days in 2008. Grandson Mikel Snow is all dressed up on guitar up front. (And O Brother, we don’t think we even want to know who that is on guitar in the back!)
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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