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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Welcome to our second issue of The eBullet 2022! It has been another roller-coaster year so far, with a mixture of both joy and sorrow in Mayberry.
The Event Calendar below has some of the scheduled happenings for the months ahead, and lots of news follows that, so we’ll just jump right in with our reporting.
“Welcome Sweet Springtime!”
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Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s monumental collection of Andy Griffith artifacts, is operating on its full, normal schedule. For their own safety and the safety of those around them as the pandemic lingers, all guests are encouraged to wear masks when indoors and near others.
For complete updates on operating hours, safety procedures or other info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
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Here are some upcoming events that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board:
Keith Thibodeaux
* Apr. 8 and 9: Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason in Mayberry and Little Ricky on “I Love Lucy”) is the special guest for this year’s Mayberry & I Love Lucy Day in Granville, Tenn., which is also home of a unique combo, the Mayberry-Lucy Museum. Popular Mayberry and Lucy & Desi tribute artists will also be on hand, as well as Darlings-style bluegrass music.
“SPEED, SPEED, SPEED”–A vintage image from the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals.
Also, if you have a Mayberry Squad Car replica and are interested in competing in the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals during the festival, contact MSCN organizer Kenneth “Otis” Junkin at 205-799-9410. The Nationals always has impressive trophies, and this year, given the surge in gas prices, there might be some additional incentives available to help competitors defray some of their travel expenses. And whether racing or not, Mayberry Squad Cars are always popular for the parade, cruising, and general display.
Most festival activities are on Saturday, but there will be Mayberry Dinner Theater performances (dedicated to Betty Lynn) on both Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (Reservations are required.) Check back here for festival updates and visit www.granvilletn.com for the full schedule. For more info, call 931-653-4151.
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Margaret Kerry
* Apr. 28-30: Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) and Ruta Lee (“that college kid” and Darlene Mason) are among the many special guests for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo. And saaayyy, you can also meet the great-great-granddaughter of Calvin Coolidge! As a bonus, author Randy Turner will also be giving a talk about Mayberry connections to Missouri (Betty Lynn and The Dillards, just for starters). For more info, visit the festival’s page on Facebook or their web page at: www.cherryblossomfest.com.
* May 7: Memories of Mayberry festival cranks up in Valley Head, Ala. Allan “Floyd” Newsome and Andy “Barney” Woods are among the entertainers for the full day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) of fun for the whole family. There will be a cruise-in, food vendors, live entertainment, door prizes and more. Characters, decor, and themes from Mayberry will be featured. All proceeds benefit the Valley Head Volunteer Fire Department. The festival takes place in the downtown square of Valley Head. For more info, visit www. visitlookoutmountain.com/events/memories-of-mayberry-day.
MAYBERRY MEETUP–Y’all come!
Photo by Jan Newsome.
* July 15 and 16: 10th Annual Mayberry Meetup, sponsored by TAGSRWC’s “Two Chairs, No Waiting” podcast, gathers in Mount Airy, N.C. For more info, visit this link: 10th Annual Mayberry Meetup. Note: There’s also a Mayberry Bible Study on Sunday, the 17th.
* Aug. 13: A Mayberry event with a passel of tribute artists and other entertainment is planned for Troy, Ohio. Details TBA, but for now, just mark your calendar..
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Rodney Dillard
Photo by Hobart Jones
* Sept. 19-25: 33rd Annual Mayberry Days® festival in Mount Airy, N.C. Tickets are already available HERE for portions of the festival, including The Emmett Golf Tournament (which includes the Mayberry Days® Dinner & Entertainment, for which tickets may also be purchased separately), concert by The Dillards featuring Rodney Dillard and Professor Brower’s Lecture. For more info, visit www.mayberrydays.com..
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REMAIN CALM–Our ship will sail in 2022!
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 received the Filmmaker Award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) at its Golden Reel Awards during a virtual ceremony held March 13. Now hear this: The award is “bestowed upon an individual outside the sound community whose career has demonstrated a great appreciation and understanding of the impact of sound editing.” A reception for all of this year’s Golden Reel recipients will be held in Los Angeles on March 26.
Ron’s We Feed People documentary about Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen food charity had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Tex., on March 19.
HELPING HANDS–Ron Howard and World Central Kitchen’s Nate Mook were featured speakers during a March 18 session titled “Changing the Future of Food” at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin.
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Reviews of the film have been universally positive with descriptions such as “polished and emotionally stirring.” The film was produced by Imagine Documentaries in association with National Geographic Documentaries. Look for We Feed People when it starts streaming on Disney+ on May 27.
As recently as January, Ron’s Thirteen Lives feature film about the dramatic 2018 cave rescue in Thailand was scheduled for release in mid-April. But the movie has tested so well with audiences (the highest scores ever for an MGM release, rumor has it) that it’s now scheduled for release at the end of the year, a prime position for awards consideration.
Ron and brother Clint Howard (Leon) were featured speakers at the Desert Town Hall lecture series in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 15. The focus was on their show business careers and The Boys, their best-selling memoir, which was published last October (and available at our Weaver’s Department Store).
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Maggie Peterson Mancuso (Charlene Darling) says that she’s pretty much maintaining her status quo from our previous reporting. She has had a really tough couple of years with several falls, some surgeries and, worst of all, the passing of husband Gus Mancuso in December. She appreciates folks keeping her in their thoughts.
CHECK IT OUT–Ruta Lee (two TAGS episodes) is front and center with yet another generous donation made by The Thalians (a charitable group she has spearheaded for decades) to UCLA’s Operation Mend, which focuses on mental health treatments.
Newlyweds Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey) and Robert Boeke recently moved from Sarasota to the far southeastern part of North Carolina. It was another coast-to-coast move for Margaret, yet not quite as far as the one from California to Sarasota in 2020.
Joy Ellison (Effie Muggins, Mary Wiggins and others) has a lot to celebrate this month (in addition to her March 16 birthday). Two actors are nominated for Best Actor Oscars at this month’s Academy Awards for roles for which Joy served as their dialect coach: Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Baker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in The Power of the Dog. Both films are also nominated for other awards, including Best Picture.
Joy recently wrapped up work as dialect coach for two projects about serial killers: Working with Kiera Knightley on Boston Strangler, a feature film for Warner Bros. that will also be on Hulu, and working with lead actor Evan Peters in “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” a miniseries for Netflix.
Karen Knotts has been busy promoting her Tied Up in Knotts memoir with lots interviews, especially for radio, TV and online. And she has resumed live shows, including sets at comedy clubs in the Los Angeles area and her “Tied Up in Knotts” show on the road.
BONUS PLAQUE–A new commemorative plaque about Don Knotts was recently added to the wall at the entrance of the Metropolitan Theatre behind the statue of Don in his hometown of Morgantown, W.V. This plaque joins one on the other side of the statue. That earlier plaque has information about the statue (unveiled in 2016), its sculptor and its major sponsors. Karen Knotts performed her “Tied Up in Knotts” show at the theater earlier this month, as part of a swing through West Virginia that also included a performance in Parkersburg.
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The George Lindsey UNA Film Festival celebrated its 25th year earlier this month in Florence, Ala. The festival included a screening of Mayberry Man that was attended by several of the Mayberry tribute artists who were in the film, as well as by Cort Howell, son of Hoke Howell (Dud Wash), who was one of the movie’s producers. Cort and some of the tribute artists have been attending other screenings this month, including ones in Indiana, Tennessee, and Alabama. More screenings are planned in the months ahead.
NYUK, NYUK, NYUK–There’s no rubber frying pan in these clips, but we’ll take any excuse for including Stooges scenes.
George Lindsey Jr. has been in the studio to record some more of his humorous songs and film some videos for them. His songs and previous videos are available on YouTube, and two new videos are being timed for release this summer. (George warns us that the songs and videos aren’t necessarily made for a Mayberry audience.)
George also says that Angel Girl, an indie sci-fi/horror film released in 2020, has been garnering some awards, but again may not be to the liking of all audiences.
George’s latest film work involved his repeatedly getting hit on the head with a rubber frying pan. He doesn’t know the name of the movie (which may not even have a name yet), but it was hard for a big Three Stooges fan like George to resist the invitation to get hit on the head with a rubber frying pan.
That’s a wrap for News of Cast & Crew for this issue.
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**** In Memoriam ****
Remembering Howard Hesseman
Howard Hesseman
1940-2022
Legendary actor Howard Hesseman, who’s first two screen credits were small roles on TAGS, died in Los Angeles on January 29 from complications of colon cancer surgery last summer. He was 81.
KETCHUP?–No thanks, at least not on the hot dogs. Howard Hesseman’s counter boy serves up hot dogs and root beer as George Lindsey’s Goober and Noam Pitlik’s Roy Swanson catch up in “Goober Goes to an Auto Show.”
FISHIN’ FOR VOTES–Paul Hartman’s Emmett Clark hopes Howard Hesseman’s Harry will cast his vote for him in “Sam for Town Council.”
As Don Sturdy, his stage name for the first few years of his acting career, Howard appeared in two episodes of TAGS during its eighth season in 1968. As a counter boy in “Goober Goes to an Auto Show,” he sold a hot dog to Goober. In “Sam for Town Council,” he plays Harry, who was getting ready for a fishing trip when Emmett asks for his vote in the election.
George Howard Hesseman was born in Lebanon, Ore., on February 27, 1940, as the only child of parents Edna and George Henry Hesseman. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, who was a police officer.
Howard was graduated from Silverton High School in 1958 and attended the University of Oregon for a short time before deciding to make the scene in San Francisco, where he was a member of legendary improv group The Committee and also worked as a deejay at KMPX, a station that pivoted from hip jazz to “free-form” rock.
Howard embraced the hippie lifestyle and the whole counterculture scene in San Francisco, including hanging out with pal Janis Joplin. He even got busted and spent three months of 1963 in the joint for selling the makings of a joint (a real bummer, man).
As a member of The Committee, Howard appeared in five episodes during the third season of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1968-69. He also landed small, often beatnik and “cool teacher” roles in other TV shows and sometimes movies, including Billy Jack (1971), The Blue Knight (1973) and Shampoo (1975). Guest roles in the 1970s ranged from “Sanford and Son” and “Laverne and Shirley” to “Baretta” and “The Rockford Files.” He was a semi-regular as Dr. Robert Williams in 10 episodes of “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and was Craig Plager in five episodes of “The Bob Newhart Show,” as well as Mr. Franklin in seven episodes of “Soap.”
It was Dr. Johnny Fever, the zany D.J. for four seasons on “WKRP in Cincinnati” (1978-82) that Howard created the character that would make him a TV legend. He was nominated for Emmys for the role in 1980 and 1981. He reprised the role in 10 episodes of “The New WKRP in Cincinnati” during its two seasons from 1991 to 1993.
LAUGH TRACKS–Howard spins hilarious moments as the rockin’ Dr. Johnny Fever. (Howard was actually a jazz aficionado.)
From 1982 to 1984, Howard had a recurring role as Sam Royer in 16 episodes of “One Day at a Time.” Other notable work during that period included roles in This Is Spinal Tap (1984)and an episode of “Murder She Wrote” (1985).
CLASSY ROOM–The ringmaster and the clowns of “Head of the Class.”
Next came another starring role in another long-running hit comedy series, as Charlie Moore in 92 episodes of “Head of the Class” from 1986 to 1990.
Howard topped off his career with roles in highly regarded productions, such as “The Practice,” “Boston Legal,” About Schmidt, “House,” “ER,” and as Mr. Royce in two episodes of “Fresh Off the Boat,” one of his last filmed roles in 2017.
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STILL GROOVIN’–Howard with fellow “WKRP” stars (l-r) Tim Reid, Loni Anderson, and Jane Smithers at a reunion in Beverly Hills in 2014.
SOULMATES–Caroline Ducrocq and Howard Hesseman.
After two earlier marriages, Howard, in 1989, married actress Caroline Ducrocq, who survives him.
Howard Hesseman will forever be admired for his portrayals of the iconic Johnny Fever and Charlie Moore, but we’ll also never forget that his film career built its Sturdy foundation in Mayberry.
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Sterling T. White
1939-2021
We were late getting word that Sterling White, a wonderful friend to many around Mayberry, passed away in Florence, Ala., on July 12, 2021, at age 82. Sterling was the first Andy Taylor tribute artist, and arguably the most natural fit among the few who have dared to try to walk in Andy’s boots over the years.
Sterling met J.T. Garrett at the George Lindsey Festival in Florence in 1991. Both were entrants in a Mayberry lookalike contest (see photo below). So began their Andy-Barney partnership and a 30-year friendship for the ages.
MAYBERRY DOUBLE-TAKES–Sterling White and J.T. Garrett (back row, center) were among the Mayberry lookalike contest entrants (including a particularly good Goober) who gathered at the George Lindsey Festival, a fundraiser for the University of North Alabama in April 1991. (Rodney Thomas of TAGSRWC’s “Phantom Fife Strikes Again” chapter of Gladeville, Tenn., is the Ernest T. Bass at far left.)
THREE AMIGOS–Sterling poses with Doug Dillard and J.T. Garrett in the staging area for the Mayberry Days parade in 1992.
Usually accompanied by and always encouraged by Sterling’s wife, Carolyn, and J.T.’s wife, Elsie (who died in 2020), the two faux Mayberry lawmen delighted large crowds throughout the Southeast. To this day, they are the only Mayberry tribute artists to have routinely worked as an Andy-Barney team.
From the early years of Mayberry Days and the first Mayberry cast reunion at Opryland to numerous events involving George Lindsey in Florence and countless small-town festivals and parades, Sterling and J.T. and their wives brought smiles everywhere they went. You simply couldn’t find four nicer people than the two couples.
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READY FOR ROLE–Sterling clearly has got a handle on his portrayal of Andy in this 1991 shot with J.T. Garrett and J.T.’s Mayberry squad car replica. The two logged a lot of miles and smiles while on patrol.
By trade, the soft-spoken Sterling was a carpenter and cattle farmer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of Beacon Baptist Church and, for more than 50 years, a member of the Florence Masonic Lodge (Eastern Star).
Sterling is survived by wife Carolyn, son Mark and his wife Beverly, daughter Melissa, three sisters, three grandchildren, five great grandchildren, a large corral of appreciative friends in Florence, Mayberry, and throughout the land.
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Van Craddock, Jr.
1948-2021
Van Craddock, cofounder of TAGSRWC’s Mayberry Union High chapter (Longview, Tex.), died at home in Longview on December 31 after a battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. He was 73 years old.
Along with fellow Mayberry Union High cofounder Ronnie Morrison, Van was a pillar of TAGSRWC in Texas for most of four decades. Van was even more involved in his local Longview community, especially his church, where he was an active member for 50 years. He received several awards honoring his dedication to a variety of community services in Longview.
Van graduated from Stephen F. Austin University in 1970 and married college sweetheart Bettye a week before Christmas that year. After a stint with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Van, a talented writer, returned to Longview, where he worked in public relations before joining the staff of the Longview News-Journal, where he was a reporter and later an editor and for which he wrote a weekly history and humor column for 42 years. He wrote several books about East Texas lore. He and Bettye also established a journalism scholarship at his college alma mater.
While Van was no Leonard Blush, he did present a popular program weekday mornings on KFRO Radio called “Craddock at Large,” which showcased his storytelling skills.
Most of all, Van was devoted to his family. Survivors include wife Bettye, son Chris, daughter Cathy Tenner, and granddaughters Abby and Macy Tenner.
Van Craddock, “proud waves your banner in the sky!”
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Pat Bullins
1947-2022
The world of Mayberry fans lost a great friend and a true force of nature with the passing of Pat Bullins on January 19. She was 74. With great courage, cheerful spunk and determination, Pat had battled ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) for several years.
Known to many as the Lady in Red (for the reason made obvious by the accompanying photos), Pat also earned the moniker of Queen of Mayberry Trivia. (There may be many competing for the title of King of Mayberry Trivia, but those who know anything about Mayberry and trivia know that Pat was the undisputed Queen.) She won the Mayberry Days Trivia Contest multiple times and was runner-up several other times, including in 2021, when she could no longer speak her answers, but could still write them.
MORE HARDWARE FOR THE LADY IN RED–Kenneth Junkin, master of ceremonies for the Mayberry Days Trivia Contest presents Pat Bullins with the first-place trophy (again) in 2013.
Pat’s devotion to Mayberry trivia started many years ago when a health issue caused her to have severe memory problems. While simply watching TAGS episodes was a comfort during her recovery, it was learning Mayberry trivia that became an a valuable tool for Pat to rebuild and strengthen her memory. Her bursting trophy case was proof that her disciplined and determined approach to restoring her memory had worked.
WE HAVE LIFTOFF–Pat launches with delight after friend and trivia judge Nancy Thornton confirms that Pat got the correct answer to a question.
Pat also had a sense of theater. She didn’t just correctly answer trivia questions, she did so with gusto and with propulsion that would be the envy of NASA. She would squeal and literally jump for joy when she got an answer right. (Michael Jordan just wishes that, back in the day, he had had Pat’s vertical leap!) With every shriek and leap, Pat transformed the Mayberry Days Trivia Contest from just a tense matching of wits to a thrilling spectator sport.
Pat was also a regular passenger on the annual Mayberry Cruise. She was an enthusiastic participant in the Mayberry trivia contest aboard ship and always came back to shore with an award for her efforts.
Some of us were fortunate to know Pat for her baking skills, a talent that earned her another term of endearment: Aunt P. Her cookies, particularly her peanut butter and chocolate chip varieties, were prized treats that she delivered with love and reliability.
Steeped in patriotism, Pat was devoted to those who served in the armed services, with a special place in her heart reserved for the U.S. Marine Corps, with which her late husband served and a son is currently a command sergeant major. She was also a faithful member of Freedom Baptist Church in Rural Hall, N.C.
Pat was preceded in death by husband Melvin, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by sons William (Joyce) and Ernie (Sam), daughter Susan Martin (Keith), six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
Easy question: Who will hundreds of fellow Mayberry fans always greatly miss and fondly remember? Answers that the judges will accept: Queen of Mayberry Trivia, Lady in Red, Aunt P. and, most of all, dear friend Pat.
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Terry Colyar
1939-2022
Terry Colyar, beloved by Mayberry Days attendees as the patriarch of The Creatsters, more formally known as TAGSRWC’s “She Called Me a Creatster” chapter (Tullahoma and Johnson City, Tenn.), died in Tullahoma on February 20. He was 82.
Terry founded The Creatsters in 1986. Sons Allan and Dean were his first recruits. Terry and wife Marilyn, who passed away in 2016, attended most editions of Mayberry Days for as long as their health allowed or there wasn’t a conflicting cruise to an exotic place, (They made sure that there usually wasn’t a conflict.) When the Mayberry Cruise launched in 2006, it was a happy union of two of the couple’s passions.
Allan and Dean joined Terry and Marilyn in attending Mayberry Days, and have continued to carry the torch. The contingent of Creatsters, which usually includes Kevin Mullins and often Phil Henderson and honorary golfing Creatster Billy Good, are ringleaders of fun during the festival, from their trademark kooky costumes for the golf tournament to hosting Horseshoe Pitching for many years to now many years of hosting the Mayberry Minutemen Trivia Contest, the festival’s Mayberry trivia competition for youth.
The Creatsters were honored with TAGSRWC’s Mayberry Friendship Award in 2003 and they were presented the prestigious “You’re the Cat’s!” Award (sponsored by the “We’re the Cat’s” chapter of Fort Erie, Ont.) in 2020 for their contributions to Mayberry Days.
Terry was also widely known for his woodworking skills. Once again, he combined two passions by making coveted Mayberry-inspired items for gifts and for the Mayberry Days Auction. The homes of countless Mayberry fans are lucky to have some of his creations (or perhaps “Creatstations”?). Some are also on display at the Mayberry-Lucy Museum in Granville, Tenn.
But perhaps most of all, Terry’s smiling face was always a welcome sight in his encounters with fellow Mayberry fans. He was happy to see us, and we were happy to see him. Few have enjoyed sharing a love of Mayberry with other fans as much as Terry and his fellow Creatsters.
In addition to sons Allan and Dean, Terry is survived by son Jeff (we figure that he has got to have some Creatster in him, too!), brother Allan Lane Colyar, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. And a boatload of friends in Mayberry and elsewhere.
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Dewey Lamb Jr.
1950-2022
The world of Mayberry fans was rocked yet again with the passing of Ernest “Dewey” Lamb Jr. on February 22. He died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 71.
Dewey was the founder and driving force behind “Shakedown! Shakedown!” chapter in his hometown of Laurinburg, N.C. The chapter was known for its annual cookout/pool party.
READY TO GRILL AND CHILL–Members of “Shakedown! Shakedown!” chapter (Laurinburg, N.C.) welcomed folks from throughout southeastern North Carolina and from as far away as Florida to their annual cookout/pool party in 2019. (Dewey Lamb is in the gray shirt, leaning forward in the fourth row back, left of center.) This photo shows most of those who attended, but to give a better idea of the scope, there were 132 pieces of chicken grilled.
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Like Terry Colyar, his kindred spirit of The Creatsters, Dewey was famous for combining his love of Mayberry with a knack for creative crafts. Through the years, Dewey created a phenomenal proportion of the items for the Mayberry Days Auction, generating a corresponding percentage of the overall proceeds benefiting Mayberry Days. He also donated his creations as fundraisers for numerous other Mayberry events and for causes of all kinds.
Folks simply enjoyed being around Dewey, who was a natural raconteur. He would do anything he could to help anybody. He usually recognized a need without even having to be asked.
Dewey was the recipient of both of TAGSRWC’s major awards. He received the Mayberry Friendship Award in 2003 and the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award in 2020.
TIP OF THE HAT–Allan Newsome presents the cowboy-hat-shaped Jim Schwenke Memorial Award to Dewey Lamb during TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting during Mayberry Days in 2020.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
Dewey’s wanting to be involved and help extended beyond Mayberry. He was a devoted member of New Hope Baptist Church, served as a board member of the Historical Property Society of Scotland County and on the Scotland County Highland Games Committee.
Dewey loved his family above all. He is survived by wife Connie, daughters Erin and Kelly, sisters Betty and Kathy, and six grandchildren. He also has left a grateful Mayberry community with a world of happy memories and his treasured creations.
TRUE MAYBERRY SPIRIT–At the request of Dewey Lamb’s family (and following the wishes of Dewey himself), Mayberry tribute artists attending Dewey’s funeral were asked to wear their character costumes. Dewey’s sendoff also included Mayberry music and a Mayberry squad car, among other Mayberry touches.
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**** Chapter Update ****
Three new chapters have started since the January eBullet, so our grand total of chapters that have started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 is now 1,478. Here are our newest groups:
Weenie Burger Charleston, S.C.
The Cascade Club Eden, N.C.
Good Ol’ Reliable Barney Fife Reunion, Fla.
HOORAY!–The arrival of a new chapter is even more exciting than a gold truck. And almost as rare!
A hearty Mayberry welcome to these three new chapters!
Starting a chapter of TAGSRWC is still just as easy as it was 40 years 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 tremendous variety of Mayberry-related items right at your fingertips online at TAGSRWC’s Weaver’s Department Store, which has added lots of new items just in the last few months. Here are some of our newest and most popular items:
Mayberry Man Playing Cards
NEW! $12.00
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DON’T WANNA BE THE DUMMY?–Then get your set of Mayberry Man playing cards today, Ace!
If you enjoyed the Mayberry Man movie or if you would just like to add a Mayberry feel to your favorite card game, Weaver’s has something for you.
This full deck of 54 playing cards (including two Joker cards), each featuring a unique scene/character from the Mayberry Man movie, is perfect for playing Go Fish (Andy and Opie’s fave), Gin Rummy (Otis’ favorite), or whatever they’re playing over at the Mayberry Hotel (deuces wild). Just remember: Six can’t play bridge, Goober!
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“I got the pitcher of water!”
The cards are very good quality and are smooth to deal. (Just be sure to keep a close eye on Gentleman Dan when he’s dealing.) You may even be able to use them to see how many wishes Count Istvan Teleky might give you. He gave Opie three wishes. He’s crazy about kids.
The back of each card features the characters Chris Stone (Brett Varvel), Kate (Ashley Elaine), Barney(Rik Roberts) and Floyd (Allan Newsome) along with the Mayberry squad car. The cards are perfect for having cast members autograph or just regular ol’ card-playing.
Warning: Make a run for it if anyone ever grabs a pitcher of water during your card game!
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New Blu-ray!
$92.00
The much-anticipated (that is to say, we’ve been waiting forever!) complete TAGS on Blu-ray is finally here! The set includes not only all 249 episodes, but also the “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” pilot episode, Return to Mayberry movie, bunches of original commercials, an interview with Andy Griffith, the color version of “The Pickle Story” and more. Not to mention the knock-out quality of blu-ray sound and visuals. A real treat for any Mayberry fan!
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The Mayberry Travel Guide
$24.00
Brand New!
The Mayberry Travel Guide, the latest book by Randy Turner, is both an actual travel guide for Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., and a book filled with facts and trivia about “The Andy Griffith Show.” The guide contains info on the many influences Andy’s hometown had on the beloved series with full explanations of the many references he so often made to the real town of Mount Airy–to its businesses, streets and roads, nearby towns and communities, and real people from back home. The 384-page softcover book contains over 350 photos and 40 sidebars that provide detailed looks at items of interest.
The book was specifically written to be of interest to Mayberry fans, even if you have no intention of ever actually visiting Mount Airy (though you definitely should whenever you have the chance).
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Maggie Peterson Mancuso Items
Maggie Peterson Mancuso, best known as “Charlene Darling” on TAGS, loved being part of our favorite show and getting to know so many fans at Mayberry events through the years.
Weaver’s Department Store is teaming with Maggie and her family to bring you photographs and other items from her career. We are hopeful that you find a treasure that brings you the same joy that Maggie received being on TAGS. Maggie wants to share this collection rather that having the items just sitting in her closet or on her shelves not being used and fully appreciated. Maggie is no longer able to perform in person, so this is a way that you can stay connected with her.
Maggie is residing in a senior assisted living facility. Since moving there, she has required additional care due to her ongoing health conditions, limited mobility and restricted use of her arms. These conditions make it impossible for her to live independently. This level of care increases the costs for Maggie.
Please look through the Maggie Peterson Collection of photographs, scripts and other items. The photos are 8 in. x 10 in. and most include Maggie’s autograph. Many are limited editions. Note: Some additional items were recently added!
All proceeds are going directly to helping Maggie. We encourage you to check back from time to time because we expect to add more items as we receive them from Maggie and her family.
If you would rather donate directly or provide additional funds to Maggie, please consider going to the GoFundMe Page for Maggie operated by her family.
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T-Shirts & Sweatshirts
WEAVER’S EXCLUSIVE–Myers Lake design (also available in a sweatshirt).
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. Most designs are available in Adult sizes Small to 3X-large, but we also offer several designs in toddler sizes and some in the just recently added 4X size.
Find the perfect Mayberry fit for yourself and friends and family!
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**** Chapter News ****
A DAY OF JOY–Members of Mayberry chapter gathered to celebrate Joy Ellison‘s birthday this month. The birthday girl joined the Knoxville party via Zoom from her home in Los Angeles.
Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) continues to meet every month. They watched the Mayberry Man movie together in February and celebrated Joy Ellison‘s birthday this month.
Members of Mayberry chapter have joined other chapters, primarily Mother Figure (Huntsville, Ala.) and “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women” (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) in participating in various Mayberry Man screening events in Tennessee, Alabama and elsewhere. And all three chapters will be well represented at the Mayberry & I Love Lucy” Day in Granville, Tenn., on April 9.
LEAVE IT TO CLEAVER?–Members of Blood Brothers chapter at their February Christmas party, where, among other things, we assume they learned about the importance of having a reliable freezer for storing a side of beef.
THE LATEST FROM THE BARKING LOT–Bella and Sophie Taylor (Alabama members of “Oh Brother, She Is a Dog!” chapter, based in Hookstown, Penn.) enjoy watching an episode of TAGS. The all-dog chapter currently has members in a dozen states and Japan. They’re marking a lot of territory! Founder Dixie Higgins travels with a set of TAGS DVDs that she can watch with her humans and fellow canines. “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs” remains paws down the chapter’s favorite episode.
**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
TO TELL THE PROOF–Keith Brown as Col. Harvey. Photo by Hobart Jones.
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.
Host Allan Newsome
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). As of this week, there have been 677 episodes since Allan started doing 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.
And scroll to the bottom of the main Mayberry Podcasts web page for assorted 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 is hovering around 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 (including the Gomer and Goober Pyle Comic Book Literary Guild), as well as to Facebook pages of 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, 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 May. Our next issue of Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in April.
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IT’S ME. IT’S ME, IT’S…?!?!–Mayberry meets Bug Tussle at the D. Kaye corral as Howard Morris and Buddy Ebsen team up with Danny Kaye in an episode of Kaye’s TV show in 1964.
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