How to Connect to and Share Mayberry

I was watching and listening to a recent podcast, Two Chairs, No Waiting, hosted by our friend, Allan Newsome.  The podcast showcased some of the many great books written about The Andy Griffith Show.  An issue came up during the podcast that got me to thinking.  It centered around the different websites, resources and events, as well as what many consider to be common knowledge about the show.  What came from the conversation here, and at a recent "meet up" event in Mt. Airy, was that there are still a large number of folks that don't know about all of the great resources, interactive websites, and events for Mayberry fans to participate in and enjoy.

With that in mind, I have put together a beginners list of ways fans can connect with the show, and other fans.  The list submitted here is certainly not a complete list, but is one that you can share with your friends. All of the listed sites and books are credited to the folks that own or host rights to them as much as I have knowledge of and my intent in sharing them is to be a good neighbor and friend of Mayberry. 


BOOKS
The Andy Griffith Show Book:  by Ken Beck and Jim Clark
Mayberry My Hometown:  by Stephen J. Spignesi
The Official Andy Griffith Show Scrapbook: by Lee Pfeiffer
Mayberry 101:  by Neil Brower
We Have Extra Security Tonight: by David Browning with Thomas D. Perry
The Andy Griffith Show:  by Richard Kelly
Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known: by Don Knotts with Robert Metz
Barney Fife's Guide to Life, Love and Self-Defense: by Len and John Oszustowicz
Everybody Back on the Truck: by Lee Grant and the Original Dillards
Goober in a Nutshell: by George Lindsey with Ken Beck and Jim Clark
Aunt Bee's Cookbook:  by Ken Beck and Jim Clark
Aunt Bee's Delightful Desserts: by Ken Beck and Jim Clark
Mayberry Trivia -1500 Questions About A TV Classic: by Scott Hopkins
Andy and Don: by Daniel de Visé

NEWSLETTERS
The E-Bullet: http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm  Sent every other month with show highlights, cast news, event schedules, and chapter news.
The WBMUTBB Digest: http://www.tagsrwc.com/wbmutbb/joinwbmutbb.htm sent daily with news and updates.
Weaver's Department Store Newsletter:  http://mail.weaversdepartmentstore.com/mailman/listinfo/newsletter_weaversdepartmentstore.com  News of sales and new items available at the online store.

WEBSITES
The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club. www.imayberry.com
Weaver's Department Store - www.weaversdepartmentstore.com shop for memorabilia, gift items and collectibles
iMayberry Community - interactive fan page, forums, blogs, etc. www.imayberrycommunity.com
Whose Been Messing Up The Bulletin Board? This is the Original online chapter of the Rerun Watchers Club. http://www.wbmutbb.com
Sarah's Mayberry Directory:  lots of links to further resources and fun from Mayberry. http://www.tagsrwc.com/sarahs/content/Mayberry_Mailing_Lists.html
Mayberry Wikia - hosted by QueenBuffy - interactive fan page. http://mayberry.wikia.com/wiki/The_Andy_Griffith_Show
Postcards from Goober:  fun and free greeting cards you can create and send.  http://www.tagsrwc.com/interactive/wcard
Cast and Crew news and official fan pages - http://www.tagsrwc.com/sarahs/content/Mayberry_Cast_&_Crew.html
Unseen Characters on The Andy Griffith Show - http://www.mayberry.info/history/index.php?title=Unseen_Characters
Mayberry Historical Society -  http://www.mayberry.info/history/index.php?title=Main_Page

PODCASTS
Two Chairs No Waiting: hosted by Allan Newsome.  http://imayberry.com/podcasts/category/two-chairs-no-waiting/. News, perspectives, trivia and interviews.  Watch live by tuning into www.imayberrycommunity.com on Monday nights at 8 pm EST.  Archived editions can be found on You Tube
Burke on Mayberry:  Hosted by Kevin Burke.  http://imayberry.com/podcasts/category/burke-on-mayberry/
Cultural references, show morals and the lighter, fun side of the fictional town of Mayberry.
Mayberry Bible Study:  Hosted by Allan Newsome, and based on the original bible study work of Joey Fann (1998).  http://imayberry.com/podcasts/category/mayberry-bible-study/. A reflection of the lessons taught by the show through a Biblical perspective.

FACEBOOK GROUPS
I Miss Mayberry:  Tiffany Brown / Keith Brown Admins
Mayberry after Midnight:  Multiple Admins
TAGS:  Idelle Bushy Admin
The Andy Griffith Show:  Multiple Admins
TAGSRWC "Only one word I can think of...Big" : Multiple Admins
Mayberry, Our Favorite Hometown:  Multiple Admins


BLOGS
Mayberry Everyday: Hosted and written by Keith Brown www.mayberryeveryday.blogspot.com - thoughts and perspectives
Guest Bloggers at www.iMayberryCommunity.com


Have a Mayberry Day,

Keith
(aka Col. Harvey)

I Dare You

I dare you to take a trip to any of the Mayberry events and not come away feeling better about yourself and the world around you.  It is a little like living in the past, and we all reminisce about the good old days…at least those of us who are old enough to have had “good old days.”  I dare you to attend the next event.  Travel a few miles, make a weekend out of it, bring along friends and relatives…I dare say, you will not be disappointed.
 
I dare you to attend one of the events and not make friends…or share a smile…or find life a little more laid back and peaceful than the life you left to travel to the event. 

I dare you not to laugh at the antics of the many Tribute Artists…on the street, in the parade or on stage.  These folks travel from all over the country to share in the Mayberry experience and bring a little joy to the fans of The Andy Griffith Show.  The Tribute artists travel from states like Ohio, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Indiana.  The Mayberry Deputy, Otis, Floyd, Ernest T., Gomer, Goober, Howard Sprague, Col. Harvey, Mr. Wheeler, Aunt Bee, Andylina, Mayor Pike, Barney & Thelma Lou, Opie, and Briscoe are true fans of the show, and love to be a part of your fun.  Engage with them on the street and in parades.  They would love to share a line from the show, give you an autograph and take pictures with you. 

I dare you not to be in total awe of the actual stars of the show that come to the events…as well as the children and spouses of the stars.  Not to be in awe of them for just being stars (although they deserve it), but to be in awe of them for how friendly they are, and willing to engage with the fans.  These folks are stars, but they are great people first, and spending any time around them at all will convince you of their sincerity and how much they enjoy being at the events. 

Even though many of you don’t know who might be the driving force, or the director behind making these events happen, I dare you to try and find out…and thank them.  It is a lot of work and takes a lot of time and expense to make the Mayberry events as wonderful as they are for the fans and participants. 

I dare you to look through the programs and event guides to see who the sponsors are…and then visit their places of business to shop…and to thank them for their sponsorship.

I dare you to support the extracurricular efforts of some of the Mayberry Events, like the golf tournaments, the pancake breakfasts, the car shows, the wonderful Eagle’s Wings fundraiser and the incredibly helpful D.A.R.E. fundraiser to mention a few.  Attend the concerts and shows while at the events...you'll laugh and sing along and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I dare you to stop some of the Law Enforcement Officers on the street to thank them for being there and protecting everyone.  It is such a small thing to say “Thank you!” but it makes a big impact on the men and women who serve us.

So...what do you say?  Will you take the dare? 

Come on out…I dare you!

Keith "Col. Harvey" Brown

It's MAYBERRY Season

Football is over…Basketball and Hockey is winding down…Baseball is in the early stages of their season…so what season is next you ask?  It’s Mayberry Season.

The anticipation of getting to a Mayberry Event is so exciting.  Many times the anticipation of an event builds to such a high level of expectation, that the event itself seems anti-climactic.  Not so with a Mayberry event.  The “season” is upon us as we start the spring and summer months and move through the major Mayberry Festivals.

Here’s what’s in store for you this year as “Mayberry Season” kicks off: 

Apr. 23 and 24, 2015: Eagles’ Wings fundraiser event in Tuscaloosa, AL.  Mark your calendar for this annual event that supports Eagles’ Wings efforts to assist adults with disabilities.  A golf tourney is on Thurs., and the dinner, silent auction, and entertainment, including the Tribute Artists are also slated into the fun.   For info, call (205) 345-5484 or visit www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.

May 1-2, 2015:  The next event on the agenda as far as major festivals is Mayberry comes to Westminster.  Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox, Bob “Briscoe” Mundy, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown, and Michael “Gomer” Oliver, Eric “Mayor” Lowery, Tim “Goober” Pettigrew, Christie “Andelina Darling" McClendon, and Bob “Briscoe Darling” Mundy”).  There will be look-a-like contests, trivia contests, Mayberry food, memorabilia, parades, car shows, music, Tribute Artist shows, concerts and “stars” from the Andy Griffith Show in Westminster, SC. LeRoy McNees will be on hand as TAGS alumni and special guest.  ATTENTION:  David Browning's new book, "We have Extra Security Tonight:  My Life as the Mayberry Deputy" will be on sale for the first time at any live event.  You want to be there to get your copy!  For more info, visit www.mayberrywestminster.com or check out Mayberry Comes to Westminster, S.C., on Facebook.

May 15-17, 2015: Mayberry in the Midwest returns to Danville, Ind. Among the festival’s highlights are the parade, the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals, and performances by the Mayberry Tribute Artists. The special guest stars this year are Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) and her Darling TV brother, Rodney Dillard, and the Dillard Band, who will do a concert on Saturday. Karen Knotts will also perform her “Tied Up in Knotts” show on Sat. and Sun. afternoons.  Visit www.mayberryinthemidwest.com for more info and updates.

June 5 and 6, 2015: David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, and Christie “Andelina Darling” McLendon are back on the truck (or maybe off the wagon in one case) for Mule Days in Gordo, Ala.

Aug. 22: Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson are joined by several of the Mayberry tribute artists (including David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Kenneth “Otis” Junkin, Phil “Ernest T.” Fox, Jeff “Howard” Branch, Keith “Col. Harvey” Brown, Michael “Gomer” Oliver and Bob “Briscoe” Mundy”).  ) for a concert benefiting the Montgomery County DARE program on Saturday at the James H. Garner Center in Troy, N.C. Tickets for the show are $20 for reserved seats and $15 for general admission.  Tickets for children 6 years-12 years old are $10. For more info, call Jeff Branch at (704) 985-6987, e-mail jbranch205@windstream.net, or visit www.bluegrassintroy.com.

Sept. 20-23: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (just outside Asheville) is a Bible study event drawing on the biblical truths and life applications found in “The Andy Griffith Show.”  To register, call Ridgecrest Conference Center at (800) 588-7222 or visit www.lifeway.com/mayberry.

Sept. 24-27: 26th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C.  This year marks 25th Anniversary of Mayberry Days, and also the 55th Anniversary of “The Andy Griffith Show.”   This is the BIG ONE…the granddaddy of them all. So many events, shows, Tribute Artists, Actual TAGS Stars and concerts…to many to mention here. For info, updates and tickets, visit www.surryarts.org .

These are just snippets from the extensive list of events and special concerts and performances involving Mayberry folks.   All I can say is that the actual events FAR exceeds the anticipation of going to them.  Make it your mission to visit one of these event this year.

For more complete information and ALL of the Mayberry Events, go to the Calendar at www.imayberrycommunity.com.  While there, go ahead and join up to be a part of the iMayberry Community. ..a great interactive site hosted by webmaster Allan "Floyd" Newsome.

So polish up your hats, dust off your good suit, bring your pens and T-shirts, charge your cameras and get ready for some great entertainment and good wholesome fun. 

Thanks and Happy Motoring!  See you at the events!   

 

 

You Never Know When You'll Meet a Mayberry Neighbor

For those of us who love the Andy Griffith Show…and I mean LOVE the Andy Griffith Show…we probably have some sort of Mayberry memorabilia.  It might be a Mayberry coffee mug, a keychain, a hat, some of the collectible villages or plates, a book, a car license tag or tag frame, an autograph or two with pictures of the shows stars…or even a picture or autograph from the Tribute Artists.  But most likely, the most popular item in the Mayberry Collection is the T-shirt.  Most of us have at least one or two.  I’ve either shrunk some of mine through repeated wash and dry cycles, or have just plain worn them out.
 
We have T-shirts for our Official TAGSRWC Chapter, shirts with the different characters and famous character quotes on them, shirts with the iconic places and stores we visit at Mayberry Days, and of course the souvenir shirts from the events we attend.  Even if you don’t find yourself at any of the events, you can always visit old Ben Weaver over at Weaver’s Department Store (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com).  Lots of memorabilia, hats and shirts there.

One of the things that is so much fun about being at a Mayberry Event is looking at all of the great T-shirts.  Another thing I like about the Mayberry Events is this…as you think of lines from the show and throw them out, you know that everybody there pretty much gets every line you.  They know who said it and may even throw a line back at you.  For example if you’re walking down the street and somebody says, “Nip it”, everybody there knows what they are talking about.  You are sort of “braced” for the quotes and lines.  Last year at the Mayberry Days Parade, as I am walking in the parade as my Tribute Artist persona, Col. Harvey…I hear a shout from the sidewalk, “Hey Colonel…What time do the Indians eat?”   Of course I had to respond in kind with, “Indians? Oh….well, they eat most anytime…6:35…7:00…7:15.”
 
Now it’s quite different when you are back home, going about your day to day routines.  You, as huge fan, see Mayberry in lots of things and circumstances, but you don’t usually expect to hear a Mayberry line out of the blue…and I didn't...at least not until today.

This morning, as I was filling up the gas tank, I was leaning back on the side of my car, daydreaming about the day to come, waiting on the auto stop of the gas pump handle to click off, letting me know that I now had myself an “F” as opposed to having myself and “E” like when I first pulled up to the station.

Here’s where it gets good.  As I finished and was racking the handle, I looked over to a guy that was also finishing his gas purchase, and gave the customary nod, as we guys do.  I said something trivial like, “Gas prices were better last week. Hope they stay low.”  He replied to me as he was getting in his car and about to close the door, “Yep.  Depending on how many times the pump goes ‘ding.’  $2.10 a ding.”  By sheer instinct I said, “Water and air is free.”  He laughed, closed his car door, and drove away.

I don’t know his name. I’ve never seen him before. I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again. But this I do know…you never know when you’ll meet a Mayberry neighbor.  And I wasn’t even wearing a Mayberry T-shirt.  “Thanks and happy motoring!”

Have a Mayberry Day,

Keith
(aka Col. Harvey)

A Mayberry Cure for the Holiday Blues

I look so forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.  All they hype, the excitement of children, the tree and house decorations, the nativity, the services at church, family and the giving.  I pour a lot of my efforts into giving.  I don’t necessarily focus on the monetary values in the gifts I give, but try to focus on people.  How can I serve my family and friends?  What acts of kindness can I do for them?  How can I serve or give to total strangers or to organizations that benefit those less fortunate.  How can I spread joy of the season?

In doing so, as previously mentioned, I really pour myself into projects and making others happy during this time.  And after the holidays are over and we ring in a New Year…what happens?  A lot of people get a little depressed…they get down on themselves and life...they get the holiday blues.  And then it hit me.  Why do I just have to practice giving and sacrificing myself for the good of others just during the holidays?
 
For me, and I bet for a good number of you, the giving is the best part of the holidays.  It just makes you feel good.  Remember old Ben Weaver in The Christmas Story from The Andy Griffith Show?  Everybody else in town was so cheerful and happy…but not old Ben.  He was determined that he was going to remain miserable, and worked hard at trying to bring others down to his level of unhappiness.  On one or two occasions, Andy almost went over to the “dark side”, but fortunately, Ellie Walker was there to steer him back to a cheerful heart.
 
By not giving in to the negative attitude that Ben Weaver was putting out there, Andy and the crew eventually managed to force Ben into letting down his guard and “allowing” himself to be happy.  The turning point was when Ben fell off the crates in the alley, and Andy went to investigate.  Seeing Ben on the ground and asking him, “Ben, what in the world are you a’doin?”  Then glancing over to see the overturned crates stacked up as a step up against the jail cell window, as Ben lashed back, “Aww you’re crazy.  Why would I want to…?”  Then Andy interrupts and asks, “Yeah…Why would you, Ben?”

In the scene that follows, Ben brings his suitcases into the jail as Andy brings him in for Disturbing the Peace.  Barney is asked to inspect the contents to be sure the prisoner didn’t bring in anything illegal.  When the suitcases are opened, all of the gifts he brought from his store were revealed and passed out.  Although Ben gave out his gifts with a little gruff, he still did it with a cheerful heart.
What can we take from this blog and this episode? How can we fix it so we don’t feel so down after the holidays?  One:  be a cheerful giver all year long.  Find ways to devote your time and talents to those who will not only appreciate it, but will benefit from your efforts as well.  Two:  Be appreciative of those in your life that “steer” you back to a cheerful heart.  Three:  Stay persistent in your quest to be happy.  The negative people want others to be negative with them.  Stay strong.  Four:  Be a cheerful giver all year long.  Do things for people all throughout the year.  Don’t be afraid to let your guard down, so others can see you for the nice person you are under your exterior persona.  Giving all year will make you happier.  Five:  Learn to associate with positive, uplifting and fun people.  Ben Weaver finally did, and it brought him a great deal of joy.  You can easily associate with this kind of person if you spend any time in “Mayberry.”

So this year, decide to be happy.  Decide to share your talents and time with others.  Decide to finally make one of the Mayberry Events.  Decide to join one of the Mayberry related Facebook Pages…there are several out there:  I Miss Mayberry; Mayberry After Midnight; Mayberry, Our Favorite Hometown; and TAGSRWC “Only one word I can think of…Big” to name a few.  Join some of the Mayberry websites like the iMayberry Community at www.imayberrycommunity.com  I don’t have time for all that social media stuff you say.  It doesn’t take that much of your time, and it’s certainly more uplifting that many of the social media sites out there.  Go visit the Events Calendar and find a Mayberry Event near you.  “Thanks, and Happy Motoring!”

Have a Mayberry Day,

Keith
AKA:  Col. Harvey

The HEART of Mayberry

I had the privilege of attending another Mayberry Days in Mt. Airy on the last weekend in September just a week ago.  As I return to my work and everyday life routine, I can help by think back to the excitement and anticipation of the events getting underway on that Friday morning.  As I sat down to breakfast at the bed and breakfast where I stayed, there was one couple there that had attended 15 or more Mayberry Days events.  We had met before, and always enjoyed our time together at the table.  But on this trip, there were lots of folks that were experiencing Mayberry Days for the first time.  That is just about as big a thrill for me as going myself.  

There was a couple and then three ladies traveling for a “girls” weekend from Florida.  It took them a few minutes to realize that I was the guy who portrayed Col. Harvey as a Tribute Artist at the events…but after that we got back to talking about the particulars of what brought us all together.  We all shared how we began watching the show as kids, when we really started loving it, and how we came to make the trip this year.

The consensus was of course the love of the show’s characters, the humor and the life lessons.  There was emphasis on the values taught on the show.  There was discussion of “the good old days” and simpler times when everybody spoke to one another as they passed.  There was discussion about how the world has changed so from the times where we felt safe walking down the street at night.

I enjoyed hearing them respond to my questions on Sunday morning, “What did you like best about your Mayberry Days experience?”  “What was the thing you were most excited to see or do?” “What experience can you not wait to share with friends and family when you get back home?”  The answers were a little different among the group.  Some liked the Parade best. Some liked the Museum the best.  Others liked the Mayor’s Proclamation, and still others liked Col. Tim’s Talent time, the Trivia Contest, the concerts and performances by the stars.  Everybody liked the interaction with the original cast members…the true Stars, and the fun they had with the Tribute Artists.  I made some new friends, added some more Mayberry folks to my Facebook Friends page, and got to visit with friends from before.  It’s pretty cool that when you’re at a Mayberry Event, everybody gets it…everybody knows the lines…everybody is in sync.

I have known for years…that the “heart” of Mayberry was the kindness, the welcoming spirit, and the compassion.  I know Mayberry as a place where we can step back in time, and actually bring some of that past to the present.  It is a place where as Barney says something like the following in the episode, Andy on Trial, “That’s because of something he’s been trying to teach me ever since I started working for him…and that is when…you’re dealing with people, you do a whole lot better if go not so much by the book, but by the heart.” 

Unfortunately, there was an incident that occurred, reminding us of the sad times where trust is broken and a person’s heart, although right smack dab in the middle of Mayberry Days, a person shattered our notion of this being a euphoric place.  One of our dear friends, a fellow Tribute Artist’s wife, was sitting on a bench during Mayberry Days eating a sandwich.  As she enjoyed the great weather and conversation with friends, a person from the area decided to steal her purse.  The crook was smooth and bold, taking advantage of a slight diversion to calmly pick up the purse and walk off, as though it were hers and nothing in the world was wrong. Thanks to modern technology and the cameras around town, the thief was caught and most of the items were recovered.  Credit Cards had to be stopped, and other identifying information had to be safeguarded.  It was a lot of trouble and quite an ordeal, as you know the anxiety something like that causes.  There was a considerable amount of cash that was not recovered.  These folks had all of their traveling money taken. 

Here’s the good news.  In no time at all, a campaign was underway with donations to get them back on their feet.  They had no idea that there were others taking such action.  I know and the others close to the situation know that there were many “Mayberrians” who stepped up to lead this charge and those who donated willingly and without hesitation to help them out.  You KNEW it was the “heart” of Mayberry when the victims were given the gift to help them out in their time of need, and you saw the gratitude in their faces.  Names of those who donated or helped organize and collect donations are not important here, but the ‘heart” is…just like Barney said.  

Have a Mayberry Day,

Keith aka Col. Harvy)

Andy Smoking on Tags

 Several folks have asked over the years, how many times and in which episodes was Andy seen smoking  on The episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.  This blog isn't so much a "blog" as it is the findings about this question that is asked so often.

Now the list below is not an "Official" report, yet just the compilation if what I and a few friends from my TAGSRWC Chapter, "Trivial Trivialities" have put together.  So, to my friends in the iMayberryCommunity.com, and my FB friends from the groups,  "I Miss Mayberry"..."Mayberry, Our Favorite Hometown" ... "TAGSRWC. Only one word I can think of...Big".... and "Mayberry after Midnight"... Here you go:

1  Quiet Sam ( after baby)
2  Jailbreak (on bench in front of Courthouse)
3  Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee (on porch)
4  Three's a Crowd (at Mary's house)
5  The Bookie Barber (with Floyd)
6  Mr.  McBeevee ( after talking to Opie up in his room)
7  Opie's Rival (waiting on Peggy)
8  High Noon in Mayberry ( at home after Luke Comstock called.)
9  The Great Filling Station Robbery (When Gomer tells Andy gas is 30 cents a ding)
10 the Cow Thief (While waiting with Fletch for the Mayor, Upchurch and Barney)
11  Prisoner of Love (home on porch)
12  Cousin Virgil - (back room of the jail waiting for Virgil to get Otis out of the cell!)
13  The Clubmen - (At the very beginning, Andy is seen with a cigarette as he and Roger  
              Courtney pull up to the court house after fishing.
14  Gomer the House Guest - (in this one he smokes IN BED - a BIG no-no)
15. Smoking Peace "Pipe" with Barney in The Pageant.

If you know others, please leave it in the comment section at the bottom if this blog.  
Don't forget that two big Mayberry Events are coming up:  
Aug. 22-23...The Cruise-In and Concert...Oakboro and Troy, NC
Sept. 25-27...Mayberry Days...Mt. Airy, NC

Thanks and "Happy Motoring!"

Keith
"Col. Harvey"