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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
BAD HAIR DAY–In order to form a more perfect you.
Note: For readers who receive this newsletter by email, the formatting can sometimes be a tad askew, like when Barney was trying to recite the Preamble. If that’s the case for you, check out this Web Version for a reading experience that’s usually a little better groomed.
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Editor’s Note: Final Issue of The eBullet
HOW WE DO IT, A MAYBERRY OPE-ED–All the news that fits, we print.
After writing and editing TAGSRWC newsletters for 40 years, beginning with The Bullet (the original printed newsletter that TAGSRWC first published in October 1982), I’m retiring from Mayberry newsletter writing and editing at the end of this year. So, this will be the final issue of The eBullet.
I can’t imagine anything more fun than writing about Mayberry news all these years, but 40 years seems like long enough for patient readers to endure the same Mayberry news writer/editor–especially one with such unbridled enthusiasm for inflicting really bad puns.
In addition, with so much Mayberry information now being readily available through websites, social media, podcasts and other outlets, a frequent, full-length newsletter doesn’t seem as necessary as maybe it once was for keeping folks fully up to date about all the Mayberry goings-on.
PARTING SHOT–Ready or not, off we go.
As with Barney’s bullet, there’s always the possibility that a stray round of The eBullet may still fire from time to time, but there are no plans to load any new eBullets. TAGSRWC will, however, continue its eBullet maintenance of our online Archives of all back issues, including Special Editions.
The upcoming December issue of Weaver’s Newsletter will likewise be my last edition at the helm of that publication. Since its first issue in 2006, Weavers’ Newsletter has alternated months of publication with The eBullet.
After this year, Weaver’s Newsletter will continue to be published on a schedule and with a staff to be determined by Jan Newsome (current proprietor of Weaver’s Department Store) and Allan Newsome (our imayberry.com webmaster). The new Weaver’s Newsletter staff will, more likely than not, be Allan and Jan themselves. God bless ’em for all they do for TAGSRWC and Mayberry!
If you’re not already a subscriber to Weaver’s Newsletter and you would still like to receive an emailed newsletter from Mayberry and TAGSRWC every other month or so, then I encourage you to sign up for Weaver’s Newsletter HERE. (All issues will also continue to be available to read in the newsletter section at www.weaversdepartmentstore.com.)
GOOB BYE–We’ll see ya, Goob.
Even though there will no longer be new issues of The eBullet, I’ll continue to update The eBullet‘s online Event Calendar (aka Floyd’s Barbershop Bulletin Board), which can always be found at www.imayberry.com. (For editorial simplicity, responsibility for maintaining the online Event Calendar may, sooner or later, be taken on by the new Weaver’s Newsletter staff.)
Thanks so much for reading The eBullet (and perhaps even The Bullet or its printed offspring, The Pocket and The Button) down through the years. Even though publication of The eBullet is ending, some things will never change: All of us can keep right on watching TAGS and enjoying all facets of Mayberry as much as ever!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming and all the news from around Mayberry.
–Jim Clark
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MAYBERRY JUGGLER–A one and two and away we go!
Welcome to our October issue of The eBullet! It has been a really fun fall so far with lots of Mayberry happenings, particularly September’s Mayberry Days® and October’s Mayberry Cruise. There’s a lot to get to in words and pictures, so just jump in where you can and hang on!
The Event Calendar below lists scheduled happenings for the months ahead, and news from all around Mayberry follows that. The Event Calendar is continually updated online at www.imayberry.com, so be sure to check it out as new events are added in the months ahead.
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Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
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:
* Nov. 27: Karen Knotts brings her “Tied Up in Knotts” show to the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, Fla. Showtime is 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $15 to $35. For tickets and more info, visit www.reillyartscenter.com.
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2023
STREET FROM THE HEART–A glimpse of the 2022 Mayberry Days® Parade.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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**** News of Cast & Crew ****
Ron Howard is currently in post-production for The Shrinking of Treehorn, the first animated film that he has directed. Ron also has no less than two dozen projects for which he is serving as producer or executive producer, including Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues, an Apple Original documentary that’s currently streaming on Apple TV+.
During a brunch at the Newport (Calif.) Film Festival on October 16, Ron received the Variety Legend and Groundbreaker Award in recognition of his creative leadership. Up the California coast that evening, he then hosted a screening in Ojai, Calif., of his Rebuilding Paradise documentary about 2018’s horrific Camp wildfire in California.
HIP AND HAPPENIN’–Ron Howard poses with his Variety Legend and Groundbreaker Award at the Newport Film Festival in Newport Beach, Calif. Fellow honorees pictured with Ron (l-r) are Aubrey Plaza, Aimee Carrero, Patton Oswalt, Colson Baker, Jonathan Majors and Cooper Raiff.
GEORGIA ON HIS MIND–Ron Howard speaking at October’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
Just a week later, on October 23, Ron was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
Ron and Imagine producing partner Brian Grazer are key supporters for the recent launch of Impact, a filmmaking networking service (similar to LinkedIn, but focused on filmmaking). The Atlanta area is receiving special attention in the initial phase of the launch.
Like his big brother, Clint Howard (Leon) has been making the rounds at assorted events around the country and even at sea. Here are a couple of photos from his recent adventures:
CHILLING SCENE–Clint Howard was ready to scoop (s)creams at the Telluride (Colo.) Horror Show, a horror film festival in October.
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A SEA PLUS–With a leanin’ Leon looking on, Clint Howard talks about his show biz career with Allan Newsome during a presentation aboard October’s Mayberry Cruise. Dixie Griffith (Andy’s daughter) was also aboard for the fun times this year.
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Rodney Dillard and The Dillards have had a full fall so far with performances at Mayberry Days® in North Carolina and Uncle Pen Fest in Indiana the same weekend. As part of the Uncle Pen festivities, Rodney accepted induction of The Dillards into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Bean Blossom, Ind. (not to be confused with the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in Owensboro, Ky., into which The Dillards were inducted during a presentation in Nashville in 2009). Here’s a LINK to coverage about The Dillards and the recent induction, including extensive reflections about The Dillards and bluegrass music history by Rodney himself.
Next, Rodney was part of the Western Edge concert saluting pioneers (including The Dillards and The Country Boys/Kentucky Colonels) of West Coast Country Rock at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Rodney performed and took part in various presentations. (A special exhibit, including key Dillards memorabilia, is on display at the museum until May 2025.) Rodney returned to the Nashville area with The Dillards the next week for a concert in Franklin, Tenn.
THE MAYBERRY EDGE–Rodney Dillard (on guitar) performs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on September 30 as part of the Western Edge of Country Rock celebration. With Rodney onstage are John Jorgenson on mandolin, Dillards alum Herb Peterson on banjo and Mark Fain on bass fiddle.
LEGENDARY MUSIC ROWS–Rodney Dillard (in leather jacket) is front and center with other pioneers and boosters of West Coast Country Rock for the group picture at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in September. Among those in the group are Alison Brown, Rosie Flores, Vince Gill, Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Rob Ickes, Mark Fain, Chris Hillman, Steve Duncan, John McEuen, Richie Furay, Herb Pedersen, Sara and Sean Watkins, Al Perkins, and John Jorgenson,
STILL PALS–Some 56 years after selling Miracle Salve together, Keith Thibodeaux (left) and Dennis Rush (Howie) once again enjoyed participating in the magic of Mayberry, including, as seen here, at the golf tourney banquet during September’s Mayberry Days®.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
GRAND GRAND MARSHAL–Margaret Kerry reigns in the Mayberry Days® Parade. Margaret also recently returned from a Disney-related appearance in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Photo by Codie Sloan.
The creators of 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), are about to wrap up principal filming this month on the new “Mayberry Man” TV series, which is being filmed in Danville, Ind., Mount Airy, N.C. and Southern California.
SNEAK PEEK–A scene from “Mayberry Man: The Series,” featuring Ronnie Schell (with red-and-white scarf) as himself.
Like the original movie (available on DVD at Weaver’s), the series is being funded in large part by offering an array of incentives in exchange for relatively small donations by lots of fans. Fundraising efforts have raised about $130,000, enough to fund the filming of a first season consisting of four episodes.
The 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 reprising their movie roles. They’re being joined by some new, yet also familiar, faces, including Ronnie Schell and George Lindsey Jr. Because the movie has some Christmas elements, it’s expected that the series will be released sometime around the 2023 holiday season.
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**** Mayberry Days®Recap ****
The 34th Annual Mayberry Days® in Mount Airy in September was another spectacular edition of the festival. Along with some of the best weather and largest attendance in the festival’s history, the week was filled with special performances, presentations, screenings, meet-and-greets, celebrations, contests and, most of all, Mayberry fellowship.
T. TIME–Country-Blues-Gospel music star T. Graham Brown (founder of TAGSRWC’s Bullet Maintenance chapter) entertains an overflow crowd at the Cross Creek Country Club during the banquet following the Mayberry Days® Golf Tournament.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
Special Guests from the TAGS cast included Rodney Dillard (the guitar-playing Darling boy), Ronnie Schell (two episodes and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”), Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason), Dennis Rush (Howie) and Ruta Lee (“that college kid” and Darlene Mason), who was making her first-ever appearance at a Mayberry event and who also received a Key to the City of Mount Airy.
NOTEWORTHY MOMENT–Ruta Lee acknowledges the enthusiastic applause from the audience during her lecture with Neal Brower during Mayberry Days®.
Photo by Codie Sloan.
BUT CAN HE SEW HIS FINGERS TOGETHER LIKE GOOBER?–Ronnie Schell makes every moment count during his presentation of “My Memories of Three Mayberry Legends” (Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jim Nabors).
Photo by Robbie Curlee.
Other Special Guests included Karen Knotts (daughter of Don Knotts), Bettina Linke (wife of associate producer and personal manager Richard O. Linke), Dreama Denver (wife of Bob Denver, the second Dud Wash), Dick Atkins (producer of Murder in Coweta County, which starred Andy Griffith) and Daniel Roebuck (Cliff Lewis on “Matlock”), who received a Key to the City of Mount Airy. Incognito again this year was Dixie Griffith (daughter of Andy Griffith) as a tribute artist for Mt. Pilot “Fun Girl” Skippy.
Throughout the festival there were special remembrances of friends lost since the previous festival. There was a Celebration of Life for Betty Lynn at the Historic Earle Theatre on Friday morning. The Dillards dedicated their Friday concert to the late Maggie Peterson Mancuso.
Late trivia maven Pat Bullins (aka The Lady in Red) was honored at the Mayberry Days® Trivia Contest, Dewey Lamb was remembered at the Mayberry Days® Auction and Alma Venable (Mount Airy’s Aunt Bee), who passed away just two weeks before the festival, was honored by her grandsons’ band performing her “Mayberry” song during “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time.” Tim White and Troublesome Hollow also dedicated their concert to Alma.
WE’RE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER PARKING LOT!–Just a few of the Mayberry tribute artists who participated in this year’s Mayberry Days® Parade and added tremendous fun throughout the festival.
While we have a few photos scattered throughout this issue, we recommend checking out the 2022 Mayberry Days® Galleries on the Surry Arts Council’s website. They have bunches of fantastic photos (“Bunches, bunches!”) from four talented photographers.
MAYBERRY MARCHING ON–Michael Hoover (as the King) closes out “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time” at the Andy Griffith Playhouse during Mayberry Days®. Seen here, along with Mayberry tribute artists and other performers onstage for the grand finale of the fun-filled week, are Special Guests Keith Thibodeaux (on drums), Margaret Kerry (yellow skirt), Dreama Denver (left of Margaret), Bettina Linke (right of Margaret) and Karen Knotts (fourth from right).
Photo by Robbie Curlee.
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**** In Memoriam ****
Remembering Mark Miller
1924-2022
Mark Miller, who played Bob Rogers in “Barney’s Replacement” (the first episode filmed in the second season of TAGS), died of natural causes in Santa Monica, Calif., on September 9. He was 97.
Mark had a long, distinguished career as an actor, writer and producer for stage, film and television. Much like his Bob Rogers character on TAGS, Mark was known for his contagious positive outlook. He was beloved by all who knew him. Even up to the time of his death, he was still writing and developing projects for stage and screen. His creative energy seemed boundless.
READY TO ROLL–Behind the scenes filming “Barney’s Replacement” in 1961.
We typically write our own In Memoriam tributes for The eBullet, but the obituary that Mark’s family recently posted online was so precise, thorough, touching and well written that it covered virtually every important detail that we wanted to include. (The only other things we might’ve included were his writing credits for an episode of “The Jeffersons” and for three episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes.”)
HOWDY, DUDE!–The core cast of “Guestward Ho!,” the 1960-61 ABC-TV series about a family that moves to New Mexico to run a dude ranch. Pictured (l-r) are Mark Miller, Joanne Dru, future TAGS actor (as a member of The Wildcats in 1962’s “Keeper of the Flame”) Flip Mark and J. Carrol Naish.
For us to write a separate tribute to Mark, we would simply be duplicating just about everything that Mark’s family has already ably written. So, instead, we’re just going to provide this link to the family’s obituary. We encourage everyone to read about Mark’s interesting life, which included everything from having 18 surgeries as a kid to working on oil rigs to dating Grace Kelly to co-writing the screenplay for A Walk in the Clouds.
HIGH SOCIETY PALS–Mark Miller with Eva Gabor and Suzanne Pleshette in 1964’s Youngblood Hawke.
What we will do in this space is share a few photos, including a couple with TAGS connections beyond Mark’s one episode. It also might be of interest to Mayberry fans that, after Mark moved to New Mexico in the 1990s, he received our printed Bullet newsletter (and its printed successors The Pocket and then The Button) for about 15 years, until he moved to California in order to be closer to his family. He enjoyed keeping up with the news and happenings in the world of Mayberry.
WORTH A LOOK–Mark Miller with Bridgette Andersen as Savannah in the 1982 family classic Savannah Smiles, which Mark also wrote (inspired by daughter Savannah) and produced.
STAIRWAY STARS–The cast for “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1965-67) includes Mark Miller and Pat Crowley and their TV sons (l-r): Twins Jeff and Joe Fithian, Brian Nash and Kim Tyler (three years after portraying Billy Gray in “One-Punch Opie.” (Also pictured is Lord Nelson as Lad.)
BY THE BOOK–Things ultimately turned out to be predictable in “Barney’s Replacement.”
Even though Mark Miller’s Bob Rogers ultimately turned out not to be Barney Fife’s replacement after all, he’ll forever be known as the answer to Barney’s question: “Who’s been messin’ up the bulletin board?”
And there’s no question that Mark lived a fulfilling life and was a Wanted person and positive force in the lives of all who knew him.
A LIFE FULL OF GRACE and STYLE–A later photo of Mark Miller.
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Remembering Ted White
1926-2022
MAYBERRY WATCHER’S CLUB–Ted White as Avery Noonan.
Actor and stuntman Ted White died of natural causes at home in California on October 14. He was 96 years old. Ted’s connection to TAGS was his portrayal of escaped convict Avery Noonan in “The Legend of Barney Fife” in the sixth season.
Born Alex Baymouth Jr. in Krebs, Okla., on January 25, 1926, Ted grew up on a ranch near Snyder, Tex. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. During his 6-year hitch he was part of fierce fighting over a wide area in the Pacific Theater, beginning in the Marshall Islands and later including Iwo Jima. He earned a Purple Heart.
After he left the Marines with the rank of second lieutenant, Ted soon accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Oklahoma. He married his first wife, Rosemary, a talented artist and beauty queen who once represented Oklahoma City in a state pageant.
Following college, Ted set his sights on Hollywood. Standing at a rough-and-tumbling six-feet-four-inches tall, he quickly found work, primarily as a stuntman, but also as an actor in small parts. His first role was in 1949, when he played a Marine in The Sands of Iwo Jima, during which he first met John Wayne. Because of his firsthand experience fighting on Iwo Jima, Ted was also an unofficial consultant to the film.
SADDLE PALS–Ted White with The Duke in The Horse Soldiers (1959).
Ted began doubling for John Wayne in 1950s. He also did stunts for Clark Gable, Rock Hudson, Fess Parker and Richard Boone, among many others, usually uncredited, including as one of the stuntmen who played the Creature in Creature of the Black Lagoon. Ted first met Andy Griffith while doing uncredited stunts for Onionhead in late 1957.
One of Ted’s most dangerous stunts was for Hatari! the 1961 film, starring John Wayne, that was largely shot in Tanzania. One of Ted’s stunts was to be chased in a jeep by an angry wild rhinoceros. Director Howard Hawks needed a shot of the rhino goring Ted. They got the needed shot of Ted looking like he was gored in the leg. The rhino actually did gouge the jeep.
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TAKING CHARGE–Ted White on the receiving end of a genuinely angry wild rhino in Hatari!
GOING APE–Ted White in Planet of the Apes.
A sampling of the movies that Ted worked on includes classics such as Giant, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, King Kong (1976), Bronco Billy, Ruthless People, Escape from New York, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and two of the “Fast and Furious” movies, including The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), which was his last official stunt job.
Ted’s stunt work for TV was equally noteworthy. His shows included everything from “Cimarron City” to “The Streets of San Francisco.” More often than not, Ted would be more than just a stunt double for other actors; he would also have a specific acting role, as with his Avery Noonan character in his TAGS episode. Many of those parts were in productions where he was also doing stunts for others.
ON A HORSE HE CALLED GERONIMO–Ted White doubling for Clark Gable in The Misfits (1961), directed by John Huston.
Highlights among his TV credits include roles on “Maverick,” “Perry Mason,” “Wagon Train,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “Bonanza,” “Mannix,” Mission: Impossible,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Fall Guy” and “Magnum P.I.”
In addition to doing stunts for Fess Parker, Ted appeared in various roles in 15 episodes of “Daniel Boone.” He also is famously the person who taught actor Ed Ames how to throw a tomahawk. That expertise resulted in perhaps the most hilarious moment ever on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” when Ames demonstrated pinpoint accuracy with a tomahawk toss at the outline of a cowboy drawn on a wooden fence. (Ames hit a particularly sensitive spot on the cowboy.)
HATCHET JOB–Ted White (left) with Ed Ames as Mingo and young Darby Hinton as Israel Boone in a publicity shot for “Daniel Boone.”
Among the many notable movies where Ted played roles, in addition to doing stunt work, were Rio Bravo, The Alamo, Cat Ballou, History of the World: Part I, TRON, Romancing the Stone, Starman, Silverado and Major League.
THE BUCK STOPS HERE–Ted White (left) as a deer hunter in Starman (1984) with Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen.
“FROM SOMEWHERES ELSE”–Ted White with Gillian Anderson in a 1998 episode of “The X-Files.”
Of all of his roles, Ted is likely best known for his uncredited (at his request) portrayal of iconic creepy killer Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter in 1984. He was also offered the role in two subsequent Friday the 13th films, but turned down the part for both. It seems somehow poetic that Ted died on Friday…the 14th.
ICY STARE–Ted White as Jason Voorhees.
EVIL EYE–Ted White as Hoyt in Silverado (1985)
During the years after his retirement from acting and doing stunts, the congenial Ted was a popular guest at Hollywood autograph shows and fan conventions, especially ones focused on Westerns or horror.
As formidable as Ted was in his many roughneck roles, his menacing escapee Avery Noonan nevertheless proved no match when confronted by Tiger Fife in Mayberry. Still, he’ll always be remembered for his key part in creating “The Legend of Barney Fife.”
ASSAULT AND PEPPERED–With a little hidden help from Andy, Barney makes his whole body a weapon and takes down Ted White‘s Avery Noonan.
Among Ted’s survivors are wife Jeri and his two sons from his first marriage, Ted Jr. and Michael.
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**** Chapter Update ****
Three new chapter have started since the September eBullet. Here are our newest groups:
“She Married that Man who Fell Down a Lot” Mount Carmel, Ill.
Mayberry Choir Wytheville, Va.
Leon’s PB&J Testers Crockett, Tex.
NOT A DECOY…SHAZAM!–Shazam (a TAGS-theme-song-whistling cockatiel) and fellow Compelsion Nuts members Doc and Sherry Hyatt visit with Rodney Dillard in Nashville during a 1991 Mayberry cast reunion event.
Our total number of chapters that have started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 is now 1,482. We send a special shout-out to Sherry K. Hyatt of Compelsion Nuts chapter (Kingsport, Tenn.) for doing the inscriptions for Chapter Charters for the last several years. Sherry and her predecessors, Tonya Hamel of Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) and Mary Clark of Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.), have inscribed all of the Chapter Charters after the initial hundred or so.
Starting a chapter of TAGSRWC is still just as easy as it was four decades ago. You simply pick a name that hasn’t previously 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. 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 MeWe (see Mayberry on the Web below)..
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**** Merchandise Update ****
BENCH GRINCH–Don’t get caught grabbing a bench at the last minute. Shop early at Weaver’s!
Lots of new, popular and seasonal Mayberry items are available at our online Weaver’s Department Store®. The way ol’ Ben Weaver sees things, it’s never too early to get a jump on your holiday shopping for others, as well as for your own wish list.
It’s always better to let folks know what you want, rather than having to grab a public bench for yourself later on! You’ll find a tremendous selection of Mayberry-related items at your fingertips online at Weaver’s.
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Here are some of our newest and most popular items:
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2023 “Andy Griffith Show”
Wall Calendar
NEW!
$16.00
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
NEW!
$18.00
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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Becoming Thelma Lou–
My Journey to Hollywood, Mayberry and Beyond
By Betty Lynn
NEW!
Keepsake Hardcover: $38.00
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, 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!
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The Mayberry Rerun Watchers Guide: Season 1
By SpiritWalker
NEW!
$24.00
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 all the keen observations in this 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 316-page softcover 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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Mayberry Tea Towel
$14.00
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? Make a big moulage, Boy, giraffes are selfish, Dooley was a good ol’ man, haircuts at the barbershop, Opie the Birdman, Eagle-Eye Annie, Gertrude, the Haunted House–they’re all there, 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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Collectible Mayberry Squad Car
ROLLS CHOICE–Even more valuable than that gold truck that came through town!
NEW!
$60.00
Ol’ Ben has often been asked if there was a Mayberry patrol car collectible that is larger scale than the Matchbox-sized Johnny Lightning replica that Weaver’s offers. Well, we finally found one.
The beautiful car has die-cast metal body and chassis with amazing detail. This new limited edition collectible is 1:43 scale (about 5.5 inches by 2.5 inches) and comes with a nice display case. The Mayberry Squad Car design is a wonderful addition to any Mayberry collection. The car is a 1964 Ford Galaxie.
Even the price makes you think of the Sixties!
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Mayberry USA Zip-Up Fleece Jacket
NEW!
$35.00
This great-looking and super-comfortable (100% polyester) fleece jacket with its full-length zipper on front will show your Mayberry spirit throughout the cool months. The front left of the jacket displays an American flag with the word “Mayberry” above and “USA” below.
You can keep your hands warm or store your ticket book using the two zipper pockets. Available in Red with Navy trim (shown) and Charcoal Gray trimmed in Black. Whether you choose Red or Gray (or both!), you’ll be happy you got fleeced at Weaver’s. (It seems like there’s something wrong with the way we worded that. Oh well, the important thing to remember is that you’ll be cool as you stay warm in your new Mayberry fleece!)
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**** Chapter News ****
TRIVIA CHAMPION RERUN–Mike Jones (right) of Mayberry chapter successfully defended his title at the Mayberry Days® Trivia Contest (aka the World Championship of TAGS Trivia). Fellow multi-time champion Jim Sherrill (left) of “Mayberry, Where the Living Is Easy and Slow” chapter (Virginia Beach, Va.) was the runner-up. Meanwhile, Sarah Blain (aka Miss Mayberry Jr.) continued her superb reign over the festivities. All hail!
Photo by Hobart Jones.
PUTTING A “BEST” FOOT FORWARD–Steve Hinkley (left) of “A Dollar and a Quarter” chapter (New Philadelphia/Dover, Ohio) created this fan-favorite float (complete with waterworks; note the big drops of water that are airborne next to Steve) for the Mayberry Days® Parade. Steve likely has a sinking feeling as Rick Grimsley (aka Henry Bennett aka “The Jinx”) of “What Did Calvin Coolidge Say?” chapter (Batesville, Ind.) demonstrates his luck at fishing.
Photo by Robbie Curlee.
A CUT ABOVE–Norm Schultz (aka Original Floyd) was presented the Mayberry Friendship Award during “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time” at Mayberry Days®. Assisting with the presentation is Maddie Sharp (aka tribute artist for the Mayberry Founders Day Pageant Contestant), who is a member of “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” (Tuscaloosa, Ala.). Ever the cut-up, Norm is such a big Mayberry fan that he and wife Janemarie settled in Mount Airy a few years back. He is an active participant in Mount Airy, Mayberry and TAGSRWC activities. He is constantly bringing smiles to faces wherever he goes. He’s a true friend of Mayberry if ever there was one.
Photo by Robbie Curlee.
A MAYBERRY SALUTE AND MANY THANKS–The recipients of this year’s Jim Schwenke Memorial Award (for its milestone 20th presentation) were announced at the TAGSRWC Annual Meeting, but mum was the word until the prestigious award could be presented in person to Brad and Christine Born (second and third from the left), longtime proprietors of the Mayberry Café in Danville, Ind.
The couple have hosted numerous TAGSRWC gatherings at the café and fed and delighted countless others with their delicious food and generous Mayberry spirit. It’s doubtful that the Mayberry in the Midwest festival (not to mention filming of the Mayberry Man movie and new TV series) ever would have happened in Danville without the Mayberry Café as a steady anchor. (You know Christine and Brad have been “eat up” with Mayberry for a while when you notice framed pages from the 1989 TAGS Wall Calendar on the wall behind them.)
Flanking Brad and Christine here during the Schwenke presentation at one of the café’s regular Mayberry Eat-Ups in October are Eric “Mayor Pike” Lowry, Terry “Barney” Varvel and Tonya “Juanita” Varvel.
Photo by Betty Bartley.
Congratulations to Norm Schultz and to Christine and Brad Born on their much-deserved recognition for their contributions to TAGSRWC and Mayberry.
See the “Post Note” toward the end of this edition for coverage of another major award presented during Mayberry Days®.
Mayberry Cronies chapter (Sebring, Ohio and all over the place) published the Fall issue of their Cronie Chronical newsletter in September. If past patterns hold (and Bob Miller’s charts indicate that they will), it will also be counted as the edition for all of 2022. That’s the Cronies way. By the way, whenever you run into a Cronie, their official greeting is “Hey Cronie!”
CIAO BELLA–Barbara Hayes (right) of “What Do You Know, Spaghetti!” chapter (Mt. Pleasant, Penn.) enjoys a visit with Karen Knotts at Karen’s
“Tied Up in Knotts” show in Dawson, Penn., on October 22. (And it looks like Barbara scored a signed copy of Karen’s Tied Up in Knotts memoir, too!)
Andy chapter will also meet with “Flibbertigibbet!” chapter (Albuquerque, N.M.) later this month and with founders of Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) and Sarah chapter (Charlotte, N.C.) and possibly “We the People” (also of Greensboro) in December.
The founder of “Barney, Get Me the Highway Folder” chapter (McKinney, Tex.) and an associate member of “I Ain’t No Rockefeller” (Big Stone Gap/Bristol, Va.) recently rendezvoused for a pilgrimage to Mount Airy with a mission of touring the Andy Griffith Museum for the first time.
**** 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 mind-boggling 710 episodes since Allan launched the podcast in October 2008. Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view classic installments you’ve missed.
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 since 2008). 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 ****
As the The eBullet officially ends publication with this issue, you can still 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.
This year’s “WBMUTBB?” Auction at Mayberry Days® raised a whopping 6,246 simoleons for the festival. Spearheaded by Jeff Koontz and drawing upon the creative talents and donated items of fellow “WBMUTBB?” members and other fans, as well as the generous participation of bidders, the auction annually donates 100% of the proceeds to the Surry Arts Council. The funds are earmarked for use for the Mayberry Days® festival. Thanks to Jeff, the various craft creators, those who donated items, volunteer helpers and bidders for making the this year’s auction one of the most successful yet. (At total of more than $75,000 has been raised through the years.)
MEOW-VELOUS HONOR–Jeff Koontz proudly poses with his “You’re the Cat’s” Award and Allan Newsome after being presented the award by Surry Arts Council Executive Director Tanya Jones during the Mayor’s Proclamation at Mayberry Days®. The award, sponsored by the “We’re the Cat’s!” chapter (Fort Erie, Ont.) of TAGSRWC, recognizes people who have made especially significant contributions to the success of Mayberry Days®. The “WBMUTBB?” auction is just one of many things that ace volunteer Jeff does to assist the Surry Arts Council in general and Mayberry Days® in particular throughout the year.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
TAGSRWC will continue publishing Weaver’s Newsletter roughly six times a year. Like The eBullet has always been, Weaver’s Newsletter is free. To sign up, go to Weaver’s Newsletter Sign-Up.
The next issue of our Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in December.
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YUM!–It’s almost Turkey Time!
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