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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Welcome to the November issue of The eBullet, our final edition for 2021!
It has been a roller coaster of both joyful and enormously sad times in Mayberry since our September issue. Just three weeks after a truly wonderful Mayberry Days® festival in September (along with the publication of two fascinating memoirs related to Mayberry and the recent release of the Mayberry Man movie), the Mayberry world was rocked by the death of everybody’s beloved Betty Lynn on October 16.
A JOY TO THE WORLD–Betty goes green with a delighted group of school kids visiting the Andy Griffith Museum in 2015.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
There likely has never been anybody from the TAGS cast and crew who has had a more engaging or more longstanding rapport with fans than Betty did. She genuinely loved meeting fans and actually getting to know folks. And the proof was in her incredible ability to remember not only faces, but names and details about people she met over a period of more than three decades of participating in Mayberry events. How did Betty do it? In a nutshell, it was because she really cared. Betty was a true “people person.”
Betty would see something in a store or on a shopping channel and think that it would make a nice gift for a friend or for somebody’s child or grandchild. She would just buy it and send it to them. No special occasion was necessary. This was not rare for Betty. It was a regular thing. Thoughtful calls, cards and notes were also part of Betty’s currency of friendship.
Betty probably single-handedly kept See’s Candies in business. (You’re welcome, Warren Buffet!) She loved candies from California-based See’s, and, especially after moving to North Carolina, she regularly sent boxes of those favored California treats to friends. (If you are a florist, Betty was also potentially your best customer!) Betty was simply filled with love, kindness and generosity. She truly spread sunshine along life’s way.
All of Mayberry mourns the passing of this talented actor who gave us Thelma Lou. We thankfully can continue to enjoy Betty’s marvelous performances on TAGS and in other works. But beyond Thelma Lou, all who were fortunate to be able to meet Betty and perhaps to get to know her realize that they were truly blessed to spend any amount of time with such a special person.
While things are now a whole lot sadder on Earth, it’s a safe bet that things just got a whole lot sweeter in Heaven with the arrival of one of the sweetest souls of all time.
TAGSRWC has published a Special Edition Tribute to Betty Lynn, which can be found HERE. (Tributes are also below in this issue for associate producer Jay Sandrich, who died the week of Mayberry Days®, and Jan Shutan, who died on October 7.)
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Amid happy reflections about Betty Lynn and her remarkable life during this season of Thanksgiving, we’ll carry on with our report of the many happenings around Mayberry. We’ll begin with upcoming events.
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Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
It’s almost time time for turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie! Rejoice!
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 happenings that folks have posted on Floyd’s bulletin board:
The Roland White Band
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* Nov. 26: Roland White and his band perform at 9 p.m. at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn.
* Dec. 18: Roland White and his band perform at 9 p.m. at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn.
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2022
* Mar. 3-5: 25th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. Film submissions are being accepted now. For more info, visit either www.lindseyfilmfest.com or the festival’s page on filmfreeway.com. Full schedule and guests TBA.
* Mar. 15: Ron Howard and Clint Howard talk about their memoir and their careers in show business at the Desert Town Hall lecture series in Indian Wells, Calif. For info, call 760-610-2852.
Rodney Dillard
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* 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 (including Mayberry Days® Dinner & Entertainment, which 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 and brother Clint Howard both have, as usual, several film projects in various stages of production. Ron is in post-production on Thirteen Lives, a film he’s directing about 2018’s dramatic cave rescue in Thailand, and he’s is executive producer of numerous films and TV series that are underway.
Clint has a good part in The Old Way, an upcoming Western starring Nicholas Cage (with weapons armoring by the same, now tragically notorious, armorer as Rust!), and Clint cleans up as a theater janitor in Playing with Beethoven, which will be released the day after Thanksgiving.
But for this issue, we’ll stick to the big news of this season: The release on October 12 of Ron and Clint’s much anticipated book, The Boys–A Memoir of Hollywood and Family.
GIDDY-UP–Ron and Clint in one of the many rare family photos in their outstanding new book.
The book was an instant smash national best-seller. It has received overwhelmingly positive news coverage and reviews from coast to coast.
BLUES BROTHERS–Clint and Ron on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Major publications, such as the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly and Parade, as well as magazines and countless regional and local newspapers (including Tulsa World), have given the book enormous and glowing coverage. Ditto for television news outlets (including “Today” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers”) and social media.
The initial book tour by the brothers included stops in New York, Chicago and L.A. The duo even made an appearance on NPR’s “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me” in October. Ron is also making some media appearances in London and elsewhere overseas this month.
It’ll eventually be time to get back to making films for both of the Howard Boys, but for the next few weeks, it’s time to promote reading (and the listening to!) a truly wonderful and momentous book!
TAGSRWC’s Weaver’s Department Store is honored to be partnering with Maggie Peterson Mancuso and her family for a fundraiser involving some of Maggie’s memorabilia. (See the Maggie Peterson Collection described in our Merchandise Update section below.)
THAT ONE MAKES US SMILE–During the Mayor’s Proclamation at Mayberry Days®, Terri Forrest Champney of the Surry Arts Council proudly displays the signature dress and sweater worn by Maggie Peterson Mancuso in countless performances as Charlene Darling during the last three decades. Maggie made the dress available to a group of Surry Arts benefactors (including the seven standing here with Terri) who then officially donated the dress to the Andy Griffith Museum, where several items previously donated by Maggie are already on display.
ISLE BE THERE–This is another excellent memoir with Mayberry connections that has set sail this year. Autographed copies by author Dreama Denver are now available in the Books aisle online at Weaver’s!
Several TAGS actors and their families were able to attend Mayberry Days® this year. For the record, here’s the complete list of TAGS stars (or family representative) who attended this year: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), Rodney Dillard (Darling boy), Dennis Rush (Howie), Joy Ellison (Effie Muggins, Mary Wiggins and three others), Clint Howard (Leon), Ronnie Schell (two episodes and also Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”), Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), LeRoy Mack McNees (Dobro-playing member of The Country Boys in two episodes), Dreama Denver (widow of Bob Denver, who played Dud Wash in one episode) and Karen Knotts (daughter of Don). Another family member of the TAGS cast attended but remained incognito as Mount Pilot Fun Girl Skippy.
Calvin Peeler (Martin in an episode of “Mayberry R.F.D.”), Laura Hagen (widow of Earle Hagen) and Bettina Linke (widow of associate producer Richard O. Linke, who was also personal manager of several TAGS stars) had planned to attend but unfortunately all three had to cancel because of schedule conflicts or pandemic-related concerns.
Adopted Mayberry star Dick Atkins (producer of Murder in Coweta County starring Andy Griffith) was also a special guest again this year.
Stark Howell and Cort Howell (sons of Hoke Howell, who played Dud Wash in two episodes) were also in Mount Airy during Mayberry Days®, as was Greg Schell (son of Ronnie), but they were kept busy with a full slate of separate activities centered around the Mount Airy premiere of their Mayberry Man movie.
See the Mayberry Days® Mini-Gallery below for additional coverage about cast members and their families at Mayberry Days®.
Rodney Dillard and his Dillards band had several gigs after Mayberry Days®, including October gigs in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Margaret Kerry greeted fans at the FanBoy Expo in Knoxville on October 30. Afterward, she and husband Bob were able to join members of TAGSRWC’s Mayberry chapter (based in Knoxville) for dinner.
WHEN YOU’RE HERE, YOU’RE MAYBERRY FAMILY–Margaret Kerry and husband Bob Boeke (together in red and green in the front row) enjoyed a dinner at a Garden spot with members of Knoxville’s Mayberry chapter on October 30.
In addition to his duties as executive director Ballet Magnificat, the Christian dance company that he and wife Kathy founded, Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason) has been touring with David and the Giants, the legendary Christian rock band that has reunited and has been touring again. The tour this fall has included dates in Mississippi and Texas.
Because of the pandemic, the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival went virtual this year with online screenings in late October. The festival, whose hallmark is in-person interaction among filmmakers, plans to return to being an in-person event in Florence, Ala., next March for its 25th annual edition.
That’s a wrap for News of Cast & Crew for this issue.
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**** Mayberry in Memoriam ****
We’re sad to report the deaths of two people (in addition to Betty Lynn) who had memorable connections to TAGS in its fifth season: Associate producer Jay Sandrich and Jan Shutan, who played Gloria in “Guest in the House.”
Remembering Jay Sandrich
Jay Sandrich
1932-2021
With the passing of Jay Sandrich in Los Angeles on September 22, Mayberry and the entertainment world mourns the loss of a true Hollywood legend. Jay died of complications of dementia. He was 89.
Jay’s involvement was somewhat below the radar on TAGS. He served as associate producer for the entire fifth season (1964-65), taking over (along with Bob Ross) some of the day-to-day duties of Aaron Ruben, who, while still working as a producer for TAGS, was more focused that season on his new duties as creator, head writer and sometimes director of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”
But it was his work as a director after his time on TAGS that earned Jay the most renown. He directed 119 of the 168 episodes of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (winning two Emmy Awards in the process) and directed more than half of the 197 episodes of “The Cosby Show” (earning two more Emmys).
GOLDEN MOMENT–Jay Sandrich (far right) with fellow Emmy recipients Ted Knight, Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper at the Emmy Awards Show on May 20, 1973, at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles.
Jay is officially credited with directing four score and seven different series and movies during his career. All of the movies, except Neil Simon’s Seems Like Old Times in 1980, were productions made for TV. He had begun work on a second feature film, Sweet Deception, which was being written by John Belushi, who died before the project could be completed. In any case, Jay found that he preferred the faster pace and quicker turn-around times of TV shows.
SIMON SAYS, RAISE YOUR ARMS?–Jay (far right) working on Seems Like Old Times with Neil Simon (far left).
The TV shows he directed read like a Hall of Fame roster of TV comedy, including multiple episodes of “Get Smart,” “Here’s Lucy,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Soap,” “Night Court,” “The Golden Girls” (for which he also had a pivotal role in casting) and “Two and a Half Men,” which was his final directing assignment for TV in 2003. In his retirement years, Jay directed a few plays that were produced in Aspen, Colo., where he often spent his summers..
A NEW STAGE IN LIFE–Jay gives notes to actor James Ludwig in a 2010 Theatre Aspen production of Same Time, Next Year.
Early in his career, Jay was fortunate to be a protégé of Sheldon Leonard. Working closely with Sheldon, Jay learned all aspects of the TV and movie business. He served as assistant director for 161 episodes of “The Danny Thomas Show” (including the episode “Danny Meets Andy Griffith,” the pilot for TAGS), for which Sheldon served as executive producer and often directed. As he would do for many others, including Howard Morris, Sheldon Leonard offered Jay his first chance to take the helm as director with a 1963 episode of “The Danny Thomas Show.”
BEFORE MAYBERRY’S BIG BANG–Jay (far right) cranes for a better look while working with Sheldon Leonard (foreground) on an episode of “The Danny Thomas Show.”
Prior to his work with Sheldon Leonard, Jay had the chance to work as an assistant director for other top shows, including for 15 episodes during the sixth season of “I Love Lucy” in 1956-57. He was able to spend a lot of time working with and learning from the best in the business.
Jay Henry Sandrich was born the second of two sons (after Mark Jr., who also became a respected assistant director and director) to parents Mark and Freda on February 24, 1932. In many ways, Jay was born on a path destined to lead to success in Hollywood. His father was an accomplished director, who was best known for his work on musicals with Fred Astaire, including classics such as The Gay Divorcee, Shall We Dance, Top Hat (all three also starring Ginger Rogers) and Holiday Inn (with Bing Crosby).
FOOTSTEPS TO FOLLOW– Jay’s father, acclaimed director Mark Sandrich (left), does The Continental with Fred Astaire as the two work on a scene in 1934’s The Gay Divorcee. Mark Sandrich died of heart attack 11 years later at age 44, shortly after Jay had turned 13.
Jay graduated from Beverly Hills High School and then, in 1953, from UCLA with a BA in film and theater arts. During the summer after graduating, he took a non-paying job as second assistant director on “The Lone Ranger” TV series. He then joined the Army and made training films and documentaries for the Signal Corps.
After his three-year hitch in the Army, Jay was hired as a second assistant director for Desilu Productions. (His boss was Argyle Nelson, Desilu’s head of production, a position for Nelson that would eventually include production supervisor duties for the first two seasons of TAGS.)
Through a steady process of working and observing, Jay developed the skills that would make him a legend in the industry. His basic philosophy of directing was to focus on the writing and the casting, with the idea that, if a production got those two things right, then proficient directing could help optimize both.
Jay credited Sheldon Leonard with teaching him that camera positions and other technical details were there to serve the actors and the story, and not the other way around–and that he should move the cameras, not the actors, to get the desired shot. Trying to be an auteur with dazzling camera angles and effects was not Jay’s style. He was first and foremost a storyteller.
THE MASTER SPEAKS–Jay sharing some of his wisdom from five decades in the film industry.
Jay once said that his season working with Don Knotts on TAGS taught him that the laughs need to come from a character’s humanity, not the laugh track. He famously quipped that his duties on TAGS were basically just to handle the laugh track, but that was typical modesty.
In addition to his four Primetime Emmys, Jay was nominated six additional times, and he also won a Daytime Emmy. He was also nominated nine times for the Directors Guild of America’s award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement and won three times: 1975’s “The Lily Tomlin Special,” 1984’s pilot episode for “The Cosby Show” and a 1985 episode of “The Golden Girls.” Jay was inducted in the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2020.
Jay was the one who suggested that “Golden Girls” characters played by Betty White and Rue McClanahan be reversed, with White playing the more reserved Rose Nyland and McClanahan playing the friskier Blanche Devereaux.
HEY DAY–Jay with the “Cosby Show” cast (and guest star Lena Horne, second from right in the front row) on the set during filming of an episode at the end of he hit show’s first season in 1985.
Upon learning of Jay’s passing, Ron Howard tweeted, I knew Jay when he was an associate producer on “The Andy Griffith Show,” before he became one of the greatest and most prolific TV comedy directors. Talent, taste, hard work and a great team spirit defined his stellar reputation.”
HAPPY COUPLE–Jay and Linda.
And so it was that Mayberry once again had been touched by greatness and kindness when Jay Sandrich spent that 1964-65 TV season working on TAGS.
Jay married Nina Kramer in 1953, the same year he graduated from college. The couple had three children, Wendy, Eric, and Tony. Jay and Nina divorced in 1976, and, in 1984, Jay married Linda Silverstein, who survives him, as do his children and four grandchildren..
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Remembering Jan Shutan
Jan Shutan
1932-2021
Jan Shutan Levinson died in Los Angeles on October 7th. She was 88. Jan brightened Mayberry as Andy’s “cousin” Gloria in 1965’s “Guest in the House” episode of TAGS.
Jan was born Janice Dottenheim in Los Angeles to parents Shirley and Henry (a lawyer and silk importer-exporter) on November 5, 1932. She attended Beverly Hills High School (one class behind Jay Sandrich), where she was a member of Los Buenos Vecinos (the Good Neighbors), a school club that focused on learning Spanish outside the classroom (She was in Spanish Club? Si.), and the International Statesmen, a club that discussed and debated important issues of the day (probably not unlike Mayberry Union High’s Philomathian Literary Society).
After high school, Jan began pursuing a career as a model, a singer and eventually an actress. Jan married attorney Robert Shutan in 1955. While the couple was on their honeymoon in New York City, Jan auditioned as a singer for Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent Scouts” show on CBS, and she won.
By the late 1950s, Jan and Robert were parents of daughter Anne, who would grow up to become a renowned sculptor of wood, and Peter, a longtime attorney for the City of Los Angeles.
ONCE UPON A TIME–Back when smoking was still considered chic.
Jan appeared in numerous print ads and television commercials from the 1950s to 1970s, perhaps most memorably in commercials for Tareyton cigarettes. (Martha Stewart, Lyle Waggoner and Mayberry’s Ronnie Schell are others who did the famous, “Rather fight than switch” ads.)
Jan’s first acting role for television was as a receptionist in a 1963 episode of “Arrest and Trial.” She followed that with roles on “My Three Sons” and “The Outer Limits” in 1964 before landing her guest-star role as Gloria on TAGS in 1965.
A FINE HOW-DO-YOU-DO–Something tells us that Helen won’t be so friendly for long. Better call Goober!
BY GEORGE, I THINK SHE’S GOT IT–Got that kiss in one take. (Darn!)
That indelible visit to Mayberry gained even greater status in latter-day TAGS lore when George Spence, who played Frank, Gloria’s once and future fiancé, began appearing at Mayberry Days® and other Mayberry events and recounting their scene together where Frank greets Gloria with an extended kiss.
George and Jan nailed the scene in one take. George delighted audiences with his account of how Andy Griffith thought it was hilarious that his old Lost Colony buddy was limited to just the one take for the kiss with such a beautiful woman. George had been counting on needing several tries to get the scene right.
WRITER WRONG?–Jan as Barbara Whitfield is smitten with series star Tony Franciosa’s Valentine Farrow in “Valentine’s Day” for ABC-TV.
Jan went on to have memorable roles on several TV shows during the rest of the 1960s, including “The Fugitive,” “Felony Squad” and “The F.B.I.” and multiple episodes of both “Valentine’s Day” and “Ben Casey,” as well as a recurring role as Bonnie on “Room 222.” She also appeared in the TV movies Barnaby and Dick Tracy, which was created as a pilot for a potential series that never materialized.
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Beyond her visit to Mayberry, the role that Jan is probably most remembered for by audiences today is that of Lt. Mira Romaine in “The Lights of Zetar,” a 1969 episode of “Star Trek.”
MIRA IMAGE–Jan has a spell as Lt. Mira Romaine with William Shatner’s Capt. Kirk, as DeForest Kelley’s Dr. McCoy and James Doohan’s Scott observe.
MESSAGE RECEIVED–Jan with Martin Sheen in Message to My Daughter, a 1973 movie for ABC-TV.
Jan would go on to have roles in popular series of the 1970s, including “Nanny and the Professor,” “Night Gallery,” “Love, American Style,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Quinsey M.E.” She also played a central figure in 1977’s Dracula’s Dog, aka Zoltan, The Hound of Dracula. (We can assume that Zoltan would not have liked Barney’s special whistle.).
FAMILY TIME–Jan as Ruth Cramer in “Sons and Daughters.”
It was while working as a regular on the “Sons and Daughters” series for ABC-TV in 1974 that Jan told writer/producer (and in this case, executive producer) David Levinson that she was despondent about having just separated from her husband. He told her that he likewise had recently separated from his wife. David promptly asked Jan for a date, and she accepted. Her divorce was final in 1975, and Jan and David were married 0n Christmas Eve in 1980. They remained happily married until his death the day before her 87th birthday in 2019.
After her passing, Jan’s family shared that “Jan loved the theater, travel, tennis, great hotels, shopping, her golden retriever Charlie and her Wednesday poker game.” They also noted her vitality, elegance and complete love of life, including “great restaurants, a great New York steak and dirty martinis.”
In addition to her son and daughter, Jan is survived by three stepchildren and five grandchildren, including granddaughter Mira, namesake of Jan’s “Star Trek” character. A private Celebration of Life is planned for November 14.
Jan Shutan made only one visit to Mayberry, but, as Aunt Bee said, “We’ve been friends so long–it’s almost like family.” Aunt Bee was right.
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Reel News: A Double Feature!
The Mayberry Effect, director Chris Hudson‘s documentary and labor of love about the influences of Mayberry on our lives, had its Mount Airy premiere and multiple screenings at the Earle Theatre during Mayberry Days®. (The film is a great way to spend an hour and a half immersed in Mayberry! It’s now available to order on DVD at Weaver’s. See the listing below.)
BACK HOME AGAIN–Some of the members of the cast and crew of Mayberry Man gathered in Mount Airy in September to celebrate good times and promote their new movie.
Photo by Shannon Beal.
The Mayberry Man movie, written and directed by Stark Howell and produced by Cort Howell (both sons of Hoke Howell, aka Mayberry’s Dud Wash) and co-produced by Greg Schell (son of Ronnie Schell) is finding audiences at theaters in a good swath of the country.
THE GANG’S ALL HERE–If you wrote a movie about this, everyone would be in it. Members of Mayberry Cronies chapter (Sebring, Ohio and elsewhere) pose outside the Mount Airy theater where the Mayberry Man movie was screening during Mayberry Days.
After earlier premieres in Indiana and California, the East Coast premiere was in Mount Airy during the week of Mayberry Days®, though the film goings-on weren’t an official part of the festival. Several additional screenings were held in Mount Airy that week, and there have been additional select screenings this month in locations ranging from Tennessee and Indiana to West Virginia, Ohio and Michigan. (They’re “makin’ for Canada!”).
Reviews of the movie, which features many familiar faces, especially Mayberry tribute artists, have also been positive and have stressed that Mayberry Man is a good, wholesome movie that families can enjoy together.
Taken together, The Mayberry Effect and Mayberry Man make for a superb combo for any Mayberry fan.
Coming soon!
But wait…there’s more!
The Complete Series of TAGS will be available on Blu-ray for the first time with the release of a collection on Dec. 7. (Yes, you can tell Santa that our Weaver’s Department Store plans to stock them as soon as they’re available.) The new Blu-ray set will have 32 discs and provide 6,343 minutes of Mayberry to watch.
IN A GALAXIE NOT SO FAR, FAR AWAY–Ted Koppel revs up for a tour of Mount Airy.
Speaking of videos about Mayberry…For anyone who missed correspondent Ted Koppel’s story about Mayberry for “Sunday Morning” on CBS (September 19). Here’s the LINK. The story has been “somewhat” controversial among Mayberry fans and has gotten more than a few jaw muscles working. But it’s a noteworthy piece of reporting about Mayberry and Mount Airy...
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**** Mayberry Days®Mini-Gallery ****
Here are few photos from the September’s 32nd Annual Mayberry Days® in Mount Airy, N.C.
There’s also a giant Mayberry Days® Photo Gallery on the official Mayberry Days® website. (Most of the photos in this issue are borrowed from that gallery.) Here’s the GALLERY LINK to those images provided by photographers Hobart Jones, Kenny Hooker and Robbie Curlee. And thanks to Surry Arts Council webmaster Jeff Koontz for once again organizing the annual gallery of Mayberry Days® memories.
SUITS HIM TO A T.!–All decked out in his Mayberry Union High letter jacket (and with Fun Girls lipstick on his cheek), singer T. Graham Brown (founder of Bullet Maintenance chapter in Nashville, Tenn.) proudly raises his Key to the City of Mount Airy at the Mayor’s Proclamation during Mayberry Days®. (The fact that his key wasn’t also a bottle-opener, as some earlier keys have been, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of “His Tness.”)
Photo by Robbie Curlee.
A DARLING BOY MAKES HIS POINTS–Ever the appealing showman, Rodney Dillard entertains with his band at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
GRAND FINALE–Michael Hoover (TCB in gold lamé) leads the cast of “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time” (including original TAGS cast members and family members and Mayberry tribute artists) at the Andy Griffith Playhouse.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
Again, for many more photos from Mayberry Days®, check the festival’s GALLERY LINK.
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**** Chapter Update ****
SHAGGY, DOG STORY–Scott Higgins, human translator for Dixie Higgins (seen on the T-shirt with her official chapter charter), gives a chapter report from “Boy, She Is a Dog!” chapter (Hookstown, Penn.) at TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting during Mayberry Days. Dixie was also in attendance, along with her other human, Cory Higgins. The chapter was the first, but hopefully not the last, chapter to be founded by nonhuman TAGS enthusiasts.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
One new chapter has started since the September eBullet, which brings us to a total of 1,475 chapters that have started since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979. Our new chapters is:
The Class Reunion Tyler, Tex.
A big Mayberry welcome to our newest TAGSRWC outpost!
Starting a chapter of TAGSRWC is really easy to do. Just 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 at your fingertips online at TAGSRWC’s Weaver’s Department Store. We have lots of new items just in time for the holidays. Here are some of our newest and most popular items:
The Boys—A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
by Ron Howard and Clint Howard
Hardcover: $29.00 $23.00 Save 20%
New!
Our review of this book is simple: Read this book! (And then listen to the audio version, which is read by Ron and Clint.) The Boys is one of the best memoirs of any kind that anyone, Mayberry fan or not, could ever hope to read or listen to). (And it makes a perfect bookend to Tied Up in Knotts–My Dad and Me by Karen Knotts, which was published in August. See the next listing below.)
READY TO MAKE A SPLASH–You’ll enjoy a deep dive into the early lives and careers of Ron and Clint.
Ron and Clint’s tag-team approach to telling their family’s fascinating story is a perfect blend of perspectives. That format truly adds depth and a whole other dimension to the book. One of the things fans will enjoy most about The Boys is its generous number of rare family photos. Even the most diehard follower of the Howard Boys likely will not have ever seen most of the images. As much as the words in the book, the pictures capture the vibe of Howard family life.
But it is Ron’s and Clint’s words that really make this 386-page book soar. It is by turns touching, frank, entertaining, funny, sad and uplifting. In the end, readers are sure to feel that they know not only Ron and Clint, but also their remarkable parents, Rance and Jean. And readers are also certain to be really grateful that Ron and Clint have provided this insightful window into their formative years and their family history.
Enjoy the read!
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Tied Up in Knotts—My Dad and Me
by Karen Knotts
$28.00 to $38.00
NEW!
What a blessing it is for Mayberry fans to see–within less than a month of each other–the publication of both The Boys and this immensely enjoyable book from Karen Knotts!
Not only does Karen share her own memories of her famous and beloved father, but she also talked to dozens of people from all stages of her father’s life and gleaned their firsthand accounts of events involving her dad. Fans are sure to learn new and perhaps surprising things about Don Knotts and about Karen and others in the Knotts family.
Karen’s storytelling comes from a place of great love, but she doesn’t flinch at sharing very personal and sometimes painful parts of her father’s life, as well as her own–all of which will deepen any reader’s appreciation for Don Knotts as a person in full and not just as a treasured actor.
If you like Don Knotts (and who among us doesn’t?!), you’ll like him even more after you read this essential book for any fan. You’ll have fun while learning more about Don (and Karen) and gaining a greater understanding of him (and Karen). This fascinating edition is an important addition to our library of insights about the people who played key roles in creating the world of Mayberry, which has brought so much joy to generations of fans. No one but Karen could have written this book, and readers will be forever thankful that she did!
This 272-page hardcover book will be on the must-read list for all Mayberry fans.
Note: Weaver’s offers copies with bookplates autographed by Karen. (They’re the copies for $38.) We’re sorry, but the autographs can’t be personalized.
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2022 “Andy Griffith Show”
Wall Calendar
$15.00
NEW!
This 2022 edition of the popular TAGS Wall Calendar features fun images from the show to give a warm Mayberry feeling each time you glance to see a date. Black and white images from Mayberry are featured on every page of the calendar.
Every month you’ll enjoy a large (12 in. x 12 in.) image of favorite Mayberry characters, plus two smaller photos for Goob measure. The characters featured in this 2022 edition are Andy, Barney, Opie, Otis, Aunt Bee, Goober, Floyd, Helen, Thelma Lou and Gomer.
The calendar is 12 in. wide x 24 in. tall when open. Perfect for home or office and always a great holiday gift! (Hint: The last couple of years, the wall calendar has sold out well before Christmas.)
P.S. Weaver’s had hoped to also have the 2022 Mayberry Flip Calendar in stock before Thanksgiving, but the publisher had “supply chain” issues, so the flip calendar won’t be available until mid- January. Given that, Weaver’s had to make the difficult decision not to stock the 2022 edition of the flip calendar, but we plan to carry the flip calendar when offered again for 2023. We apologize for the disappointment of those planning to order the flip calendar from Weaver’s.
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Mayberry Man DVD
$20.00
NEW!
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.
You might wonder about residuals from TAGS and where they might be. TAGS ended in the late Sixties before residuals for actors became what they are now. Residuals were paid for only the first few reruns of episodes in which actors appeared. Maggie has not received residuals for her work on TAGS in more than 50 years.
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 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. (Aw, BIG is the word for ’em!)
Find the perfect Mayberry fit for you and friends and family!
Celebrate Six Decades of Mayberry with three 60th Anniversary T-shirt designs (with two also available as sweatshirts).
SNEAK PEEK–This new book is expected at Weaver’s before Thanksgiving!
Also, remember that your purchases from Weaver’s help support Mayberry events and Mayberry-related charitable causes all year long at locations all around the country. Those sales also help keep our online Mayberry newsletters and communities available to everybody free of charge.
As always, thanks for browsing the virtual shelves at Weaver’s!
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**** Chapter News ****
ALL SMILES–On their way to Mayberry Days®, two-episode TAGS cast member LeRoy McNees (front row, right) and guitarist Craig Wilson (front row, center) enjoyed their visit with Knoxville’s Mayberry chapter, an evening that also included some pickin’ and singin’ to go along with all the grinnin’.
GUILDY FEELING–Some embers of the Mayberry Card Guild, subgroup of Blood Brothers chapter of Macon, Mo., show some of their latest greeting-cards creations.
THE WARMTH OF THE MAYBERRY SUN–Codie Sloan (left) and Thomas Allison of “You Were on a Date–You Weren’t Taking Medicine” chapter of Piedmont, S.C.) bask in the new mural at the Andy Griffith Playhouse during Mayberry Days®.
Tim Cable
Tim Cable, founder of “Barney’s Front Porch Cider-Sippers and Car-Counters” (Jonesborough, Tenn. ), died at age 60 on September 12 from complications from COVID-19.
THREE MEN AND A BOAT–Eddie Jones (left) proudly stands with sons Ben and Dan and Aunt Bee. Everyone is encouraged to take a a few moments to read the truly heartwarming story behind this photo that was published in a June 2020 edition of Macon’s Telegraph newspaper.
On September 19, just a week after Tim Cable’s death, we also lost Eddie Jones, founder of “Lots of Luck to You and Yours” chapter (Macon, Ga.) Eddie died at age 67 after a 3-year fight with colon cancer. Among Eddie’s survivors are wife Peggy, sons Ben and Dan, five grandchildren, and four brothers.
Mayberry Days® Report
We’ll once again rely on photos and captions to present highlights from some of the awards and other presentations during September’s Mayberry Days® festival.
“WHERE’S MY PLAQUE?”–Tanya Jones, executive director of the Surry Arts Council, presents the “You’re the Cat’s!” Award to Kenneth “Otis” Junkin of “Hearty Eatin’ Men and Beautiful. Delicate Women” chapter of Tuscaloosa, Ala., during the Mayor’s Proclamation at Mayberry Days®. The award, founded and endowed by “We’re the Cat’s!” chapter (Fort Erie. Ont.) is presented by the chapter, in conjunction with the Surry Arts Council, to recognize significant contributions to Mayberry Days®. In true Mayberry fashion, busy Tanya actually did forget to bring the award to the presentation, so Otis really did have to wonder, “Where’s my plaque?” But all was well, as Kenneth received the beautiful plaque at “Colonel Tim’s Talent Time” the next night.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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There’s my plaque!
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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TRIVIA CHAMP–Mike Jones (center) of Mayberry chapter poses with his Mayberry Days® Trivia Championship trophy with help from Sarah Blain (aka Miss Mayberry) and Allan Newsome (aka Floyd). Former champion and perennial contender Pat Bullins (aka the Lady in Red) of Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) finished second.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
TRUE FRIENDSHIP–Rebecca Spears of Mayberry Cronies chapter poses with her Mayberry Friendship Award, which was presented at the TAGSRWC Annual Meeting by Allan Newsome.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
ALL HAIL!–Dennis Beal of Mayberry chapter shows the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award, which he received at the TAGSRWC Annual Meeting. (The late Jim Schwenke was the venerated founder or Mayberry Texans chapter in Houston, Tex.)
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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**** 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.
LET FLOYD HELP TRIM YOUR TREE!–Check out this Christmas ornament that’s perfect for the whole crew!
“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 658 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 you’ll also find links on the podcast’s regular web page which includes another excellent Mayberry-related podcast: Burke on Mayberry (hosted by TAGSRWC’s Kevin Burke).
THE BE-GRINNING OF AWARD SEASON–Allan and Jan Newsome (aka Floyd and Mrs. Weaver) were surprised and happy recipients of a special award from fans at TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting during Mayberry Days®. The one-time award didn’t officially have a name when it was presented, but it salutes Allan and Jan for their years of dedication (in the past and no doubt the future) as Leaders of the Pack. So we’ll just go ahead and call the award The Leaders of the Pack Award. Congratulations and many thanks to this amazing couple!
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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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 ****
IS THAT THE HAT SIZE?–Mayberry Days® Auction/Rummage Sale organizer Jeff Koontz reports this year’s results at TAGSRWC’s Annual Meeting during the festival. (We really need to get Jeff a bigger pad of paper for next year’s tally!)
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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.
This year’s Mayberry Days® Auction and Rummage Sale, which is organized and supported by “WBMUTBB?” raised an impressive combined total of $4,458.50! Thanks to all who created, donated, bid on and bought items for this year’s fundraiser. All proceeds (that is, every penny of the $4,458.50) goes to the Surry Arts Council for its Mayberry Days® efforts.
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 January. Our next issue of Weaver’s Newsletter will be published in early December.
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FOREVER HAIL TO THEE, MISS MAYBERRY!–Betty Lynn was crowned with a vintage Andy Griffith Restaurant paper hat at the Andy Griffith Museum in 2012.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
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