*********************************************
"The eBullet"
An Online newsletter of
"The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 5, Issue 4
July 6, 2005
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Welcome to our 21th issue of "The eBullet"!

The Complete Second Season of TAGS is going over fantastically with fans. Especially popular are the original commercials for 30 of the 31 Second Season episodes. Most have not been seen since their original broadcast.

Our price for the Second Season is the same as for the Complete First Season of TAGS on DVD (still available): $32.00, or about 20% off the suggested retail price.

Weaver's also has three exclusive Combo Offers with the Second Season DVD set and TAGS trading cards, books, and a clock that make for even greater savings if you've been thinking about getting some of the other items and are looking for an extra-good deal.

The Complete Third Season (which again will have original commercials featuring the cast!) and a boxed set of the First Three Seasons will be released by Paramount on Aug. 16. We'll start taking pre-orders at our online Weaver's Dept. Store on Aug. 1. We expect that our price for the Third Season will be the same as for the first two seasons. We're not yet sure about the pricing for the 3-Season boxed set.

Paramount also has announced that the Fourth Season will be released in November and in plenty of time for holiday shopping. By Labor Day, we should know an exact date for the release of the Fourth Season. And we might have info about any future releases at that time, too. We'll post details on the iMayberry.com site and in future issues of "The eBullet".

Meanwhile, here's more of what's happening in Mayberry:

**** EVENT CALENDAR ****


* Now: Ron Howard's "Cinderella Man," starring Russell Crowe and Ren?e Zellweger, is in theaters.

* July 6: David Browning tries out his fast-draw at the Summer Motion Festival in Ashland, Ky.

* July 9: David Browning shows valor when he takes to the field for the Mississippi Braves game in Pearl.

* July 14: David Browning fills the bleach-ers to help the Bristol (Va.) White Sox look their brightest.

* July 15: David Browning is on track and suits the Edenton (N.C.) Steamers to a tea when he rolls into town for their ballgame.

* July 17: David Browning, Allan Newsome, and Kenneth Junkin are among the Mayberry tribute artists expected to shine for Mayberry Night with the Huntsville (Ala.) Stars ballgame.

* July 21: More star-shining for David Browning, this time with the Greenville (Tenn.) Astros.

* July 23: David Browning might be on the trail of Ernest T. Bass as he sniffs out the Rockhounds baseball game in Midland, Tex.

* July 23: It's a Darlings reunion when Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard and Maggie Peterson Mancuso perform at the Oakboro Music Hall in Oakboro, N.C. Showtimes are 2:30 and 8 p.m. For more details, visit http://www.oakboromusichall.com.

* July 30: Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville, Ala. (just northwest of Birmingham). Details TBA.

* Aug. 4: David Browning has claws in his contract that require him to either fish or cut bait at Mayberry Night with the Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads.

* Aug. 5: David Browning makes a pact with the Princeton (W.V.) Devil Rays.

* Aug. 6: David Browning finds the courage to take the field for Mayberry Night with the Danville (Va.) Braves.

* Aug. 12 to 14: Don Knotts Festival in Morgantown, W.V. Don Knotts is scheduled to attend. Other special guests may also participate. The festival is part of Arts on the River Week. Activities on Fri., Aug. 12, include: A fan club (yes, that means us!) event late in the afternoon, a celebration on Don Knotts' TV career at the historic Metropolitan Theatre at 8:00 p.m. Activities on Sat., Aug.13, include: Kids' Day in Downtown Morgantown, a late afternoon/early evening parade complete with the unveiling of a Don Knotts' "Star" in front of the historic Metropolitan Theatre, and a celebration of Don Knotts' film career later in the evening. Most of the festival events will happen in the downtown Morgantown area. Look for updates on the Event Calendar at www.iMayberry.com or on the city's site at http://www.tourmorgantown.com

* Aug. 12: David Browning slides in for second Mayberry Night of the season with the Salem (Va.) Avalanche baseball team.

* Aug. 13: Doug Dillard and Rodney Dillard perform at "Onion Fest and Mayberry Day" at Ritter Farms in Rutledge, Tenn. (not far from Knoxville). Showtime is 6:00 p.m. on Sat., August 13. There also will be Mayberry tribute artists and squad cars on hand, along with other Mayberryish goin's on. For more info, visit http://www.ritterfarms.com or call (865) 767-2575

* Aug. 13: Double your fun with David Browning at the Elizabethton (Tenn.) Twins game.

* Aug. 19: "Mayberry Night" at Oakboro Music Hall in Oakboro, N.C. Favorite Mayberry tribute artists, including David Browning, Allan Newsome, Kenneth Junkin, Phil Fox, Jamie Sullivan, and Jeff Branch, are scheduled. For more info, visit http://www.oakboromusichall.com.

* Aug. 20: The Roland White Band performs at the Mt. Hood (Ore.) Bluegrass Festival.

* Sept. 3 and 4: The Roland White Band performs at the Chilliwack Bluegrass Festival in Chilliwack, BC, Canada. For more info visit http://www.chilliwackartscouncil.com.

* Sept. 22-24: 16th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Full details about this year's star lineup haven't been announced yet, but you can expect a lineup similar to previous years-especially the one command performance that is the definitive Mayberry Days tradition: The Doug Dillard Band returning for the 16th consecutive year! Festival tickets are available at http://www.surryarts.org or by calling 1-800-286-6193. Though many of the festival's events are free, now is definitely the time to be making reservations for tickets for the parts that aren't free. Ditto for hotel reservations. Don't wait and miss out.

* Sept. 24: George Lindsey performs at the 11th Annual Hickman Fall Festival in Hickman, Ky. Singers Lulu Roman and Ken Mellons also perform at the free festival. For more info, call (270) 236-7827.

* Nov. 5: Tentative release date for "Chicken Little" (with Don Knotts as the voice of the Turkey Mayor).

* Nov. 10 to April 2006: Ronnie Schell and Ruta Lee return for a second of season starring in "Senior Class: A Revue of the Golden Years" at the Palme d'Or Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif. For more info, visit www.seniorclassrevue.com or call 1-888-240-3003.

* Nov. 11: Doug Dillard and Rodney Dillard perform at the Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Festival at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Ill. For more info, visit: http://www.bluegrassmidwest.com/featured/other6.php.

* Nov. 25: The Roland White Band performs at the Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Showtime: 9:00 p.m. For details, visit www.stationinn.com.

* Dec. 2 and 3: Roland White hosts Bill Monroe Appreciation Nights at the Station Inn in Nashville. For further info when available, visit www.stationinn.com.

* Dec. 2-4: Jim Nabors hosts "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" at the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii. Box Office Phone: (808) 528-0506. (Box Office Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 AM -5:00 PM). Visit the website at http://www.hawaiitheatre.com/index.html.


*** 2006 ***


* Feb. 11: Doug and Rodney Dillard perform at the Palatka Bluegrass Festival in Palatka, Fla.

* Mar. 3-5: 9th Annual George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala.

* May 6: Doug and Rodney Dillard perform at the Lewis Family Homecoming and Bluegrass Festival at Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton, Ga.



REMEMBERING HOWARD MORRIS


The very sad news of HOWARD MORRIS's passing on May 21 hit hard in Mayberry. With Howard's five episodes as Ernest T. Bass and eight as a director, his enormous contributions to Mayberry are obvious.

Likewise, his professional achievements throughout his career are well documented. I'd be writing a book if I tried to list them all here, plus they're readily available through any number of reference resources online and off.

What I would like to use this forum to mention is how much enjoyment, inspiration, and energy Howard brought to various Mayberry events at which he made appearances over the year.

Though Howard and I had talked by phone and corresponded for a couple of years, the first time I met him was in November 1986, when he stepped off the plane in Nashville for his appearance at Ernest T. Bass Day. I had met many of the TAGS cast the previous February when Ken Beck and I were George Lindsey's guests on the set during the filming of "Return to Mayberry," but our few days on the set happened not to coincide with days that Howard was working.

I wasn't going to be deterred by that missed opportunity to meet Howard. If I couldn't meet him by going to him, I'd just bring him to me. That was the selfish part of my motivation of having Ernest T. Bass Day in Nashville. The other part of the motivation was the chance to honor Howard and to have fun with him and others through the nuttiness of the very idea of an Ernest T. Bass. It was the first TAGSRWC event for which the fan club brought in a cast member from out of town. (We had previously been able to have fun events with Nashvillian Doug Dillard and with George Lindsey when he was in town for the taping of "Hee Haw.")

Howard was an absolute delight that weekend. He was game for anything. He did all manner of press interviews and also taped some narration for an Ernest T. Bass marathon at a local TV station. He was then presented the Rock to the City of Nashville by Mayor Richard Fulton. Howard proceeded to throw a rock through a window at Brown's Diner (a local rerun-watching haunt) and subsequently to be arrested by a local deputy. But his arrest was just a catch and release because Howard then had an appearance to make at an auditorium on the campus of Vanderbilt University, where TAGSRWC had been founded seven years earlier.

It was at Vanderbilt that Howard, all the while in an Ernest T. outfit crafted to his specifications, made his first rock-throwing entrance...from the back of the auditorium. During the next many years, the back entrance became his preferred way to enter any room filled with Mayberry fans. Howard provided laughs and poignancy on that Nov. 22 day, 23 years to the day after working on "My Fair Ernest T. Bass," the episode for which he was in rehearsal when he first learned that President Kennedy had been shot.

Doug Dillard and his band performed at Ernest T. Bass Day. Doug was also a judge, along with Ken Beck and local Goober Pat Embry, of the Prettiest Rock Contest. Who won that contest? None other than Tim White, whom many fans know as a member of the VW Boys band at Mayberry Days.

After the show at Vanderbilt, we refueled on pizza at a local pizza joint as we watched the first part of the Ernest T. Bass Marathon before heading off to the Grand Ole Opry, where Howard appeared onstage and met various country performers, including fellow legend Roy Acuff. The Opry was definitely rocked that night.

And so it was, that first time I met Howard and that first time he participated in a fan-sponsored Mayberry event. The next 18 years would see countless more. I feel very fortunate that I was able to spend time with him during about 30 such occasions.

Howard of course loved the events and the chance to be on stage, to be with fellow cast members and to share memories with fans. But make no mistake. He was also an entrepreneur. He loved the Mayberry pay days, too. He was indeed the first cast member to lobby for the stars to charge for autographs. Something tells me that he envisioned eBay long before its founders did. Some of those arithmetic skills that Miss Crump taught Ernest T. obviously came natural to Howard. And as fans sometimes found out the hard way, so did some of Ernest T.'s feistiness. Lord help the poor cheapskate who might be holding up the rapid progression of Howard's line. He would gleefully show that knew a much more colorful vocabulary than Miss Crump ever taught him.

However, behind Howard's facade of Ernest T. feistiness was truly a heart of gold. I saw many acts of true kindness by Howard over the years. I heard about many more from others. He truly cared for friends. He had an unsurpassed loyalty and ability to be devoted to people and to his work.

The last time I saw Howard was at the Mayberry Cast Reunion at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in June of 2004. He was still scheduled to appear at this year's reunion in Nashville when that event was canceled. Howard was frail at that last event, as he had been during much of the last several years as he confronted innumerable serious health issues. But with the incredible love and devotion of son David who accompanied him and with Howard's own extraordinary determination, he continued to perform and get standing ovations from overjoyed audiences.

Though it remained unspoken, there was a growing awareness by many fans and I'm sure by Howard during those last few years that each time we saw each other might be the last. Howard savored every minute on stage and every decibel of applause. He soaked up the affection and delivered it right back to the audience. I know I treasured every moment of being around him and watching him live life to the fullest amount that he could.

Howard often quoted Andy Griffith as saying that love was the key ingredient of Mayberry. I believe Howard profoundly understood what that meant. At Howard's funeral in May, the love and admiration that people had for Howard was obvious. Among the Mayberry friends who paid their respects were Andy and Cindi Griffith, Aaron and Maureen Ruben, Betty Lynn, Maggie Mancuso, and Jackie Joseph. Eulogies prompted laughs and tears in about equal amounts. Howard's talent, genius, entrepreneurial skills, and vocabulary were all mentioned. But mostly it was his heart, his compassion and his zest for life that were recalled by family and friends.

Howard's family has given its blessings to Mayberry fans making donations in Howard's memory to the Surry Arts Council in support of Mayberry Days. On behalf of the fan club as whole, TAGSRWC has donated both an amphitheater commemorative stone (we prefer to think of it as a rock) and a seat at the Andy Griffith Playhouse (the seat nearest the back entrance, of course) in Howard's memory. The Surry Arts Council has a variety of avenues for receiving donations of all sizes. For those interested in honoring Howard with a memorial donation, you can probably find most of the info you need at www.surryarts.org.

If you haven't already done so, I also recommend that you visit Howard's Web site at www.ErnestT.com. In the "Postings" sections, there are some truly wonderful thoughts about Howard by his family, friends and fans. You can add your own comments or simply read those left by others.

The loss of Howard Morris leaves a void for those of us still here. But whenever there's a storm and I hear thunder, I'll be wondering whether it's really just two clouds bumping together or whether perhaps it's another window being shattered upstairs. Or maybe it's that some poor soul at the head of the autograph line at the pearly gates is short on the expected funds and is getting an earful!
--Jim Clark



**** NEWS OF CAST & CREW ****


ANDY GRIFFITH has moved into his new home in L.A. in order to be closer to acting opportunities. He and wife Cindi will be splitting there time between there and their longtime permanent home in Manteo.

DON KNOTTS has been doing voiceover work for several new "Hermie" DVDs (Don is the voice of Hermie's friend, Wormie). He's also the voice of the Turkey Mayor in "Chicken Little," scheduled to hit theaters in November.

RON HOWARD's "Cinderella Man" is doing solid business at the summer box office and is getting raves from critics and audiences. Father RANCE and brother CLINT also appear in the film. Ron is currently busy with pre-production on "The Da Vinci Code," which will star Tom Hanks. And Ron is scheduled to direct a re-make of "East of Eden" after "Da Vinci." Meanwhile, Ron continues his work as the narrator of the Emmy Award-winning "Arrested Development," for which he is also executive producer, as he is for several other TV shows, including "24" and "The Inside." He also is producer for the "Curious George" movie that is currently in production for release in 2006.

JIM NABORS has a light tour schedule this year. As of now, his last performance date on the mainland this year is July 2 in Lancaster, Penn.

GEORGE LINDSEY is keeping a relatively relaxed tour schedule this year, but with his film festival, a movie (wrapped in May) and duties as host of Turner South's "Liars & Legends," he stays on the go. And topic one is new grandson Carson, whom George got to visit in May.

Check out the interview with DOUG and RODNEY DILLARD in the June issue of "Bluegrass Unlimited." (Footnote: That issue's cover story on Larry Sparks was written by longtime TAGSRWC member Penny Parsons.)

BERNARD FOX looked his usual dapper self at the unveiling of the TV Land Landmark statue for "Bewitched" in Salem, Mass. on June 15. He was joined by fellow original "Bewitched" stars Erin Murphy (Tabitha) and Casey Rogers (Louise Tate). They weren't in town for very long. They were there just for a short spell.

TAGS Country Boy LEROY "MACK" MCNEES and wife Jan have hit the road this summer for a long-planned, two-year, full-time journey around the country in their motor home. But don't worry. They have a stop planned for Mayberry Days in Mount Airy this September.



**** MERCHANDISE UPDATE ****


As fans enjoy the first two seasons of TAGS on DVD and await the release of the third season on Aug. 16, several items have gone out of production and out of stock at Weaver's. At the same time, we dug around in the stockroom and found a few items that previously had been marked as sold out. We generally found only a couple of each of the items, so check out Weaver's online soon to see whether a previously sold-out item that you were wanting might be back in stock.
We also added the following new item of old stuff:

* GOOBER'S GRAB-BAG OF GOOB STUFF
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/special/index.htm#Goober
Ol' Ben Weaver has been scrounging around in his basement again and has put together enough assorted items to bring back one of our all-time most popular offers...Goober's Grab-Bag.
We have only a few of this new Grab-Bag--just enough to advertise that we have them. The Grab-Bag is mostly paper items, but there are a few intriguing extras. Each Grab-Bag is guaranteed to have at least 30 different items, including these highlights:

* 1 copy of the Special Edition of the September 24, 2004, "Mount Airy News" featuring coverage of the dedication of the TV Land Landmark statue on that date
* 1 copy of the "Mayberry Gazette," the promotional newspaper of Mayberry in the Midwest III in New Castle, Ind., in 2004
* 1 Mayberry book with a cover price of at least $10.00
* 1 Mayberry-related audio cassette
* 1 black & white 8x10 photo of a favorite Mayberry star
* 1 color 8x10 of a favorite Mayberry star
* 1 oversized collectible TAGS trading card (rare)
* 1 large Mayberry poster
* 1 Mayberry-related cardboard fan or a second (different from the first) poster (our choice based on availability)
* 1 lapel pin
* 1 10-card wax pack of Series 1 TAGS trading cards (rare)
* 2 bumper stickers
* 1 Mayberry magnet or button (our choice based on availability)

The rest of the Grab-Bag is made up assorted newsletters and promotional literature about Mayberry events or stars, but we think you'll easily find your money's worth just in the half of the items listed above.
The price of the Grab-Bag is $30. All proceeds (not just the profits, but 100%) will go toward TAGSRWC's and Weaver's support of the Surry Arts Council's Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C., in September. Not to be pushy, but we have only a couple of handfuls of these Grab-Bags to offer, and we're not sure how much more scrounging around Ol' Ben can do in his basement because, after all, he is Ol' Ben!

Other recent additions to our lineup online at Weaver's include:

* "A FACE IN THE CROWD" on DVD
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/videos/videos.htm#face
This critically acclaimed 1957 movie (also starring Walter Matthau and Patricia Neal and directed by Elia Kazan) was Andy Griffith's first film. Many people feel it's Andy's best acting work outside of TAGS, though his Lonesome Rhodes character is a far cry from Andy Taylor. Price: $20.00.

* NOW IN PAPERBACK..."MAYBERRY MEMORIES: THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW PHOTO ALBUM"
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/book_etc.htm#Memories
This tribute to Mayberry, first published in hardcover in 2000 to celebrate the show's 40th Anniversary, is now available in paperback just in time to celebrate the show's 45th Anniversary in 2005. All 256 pages of content are the same, but have been scaled down in size a little bit, and the book has a paperback cover now. The price has been scaled down, too. The original coffee-table, hardcover version had a cover price of $35.00 (Weaver's still has a few left for $32.00).
This new version has a cover price of $20.00, but Weaver's has them for just $18.00. Enjoy tons of rare photos and insights from the cast and crew of TAGS, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," "Mayberry R.F.D." and "Return to Mayberry."

* "THE ALL-AMERICAN COWBOY GRILL COOKBOOK"
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/book_cookbook.htm
A sequel to "The All-American Cowboy Cookbook," "The All-American Cowboy Grill" is blazing a new trail through the Old West as it partners more than 250 savory recipes from American cowboys and cowgirls of movie, TV, rodeo, and music fame with 200 photos and a couple of dozen sidebars of related interest. Compiled by a couple of Goobers and Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Of particular interest to Mayberry fans will be recipes from and photos of Don Knotts, George Lindsey, Betty Lynn, James Best, Denver Pyle, Gail Davis, Buddy Ebsen, Howard McNear, Sue Ane Langdon, Leo Gordon, Edgar Buchanan, and director Earl Bellamy.
Riding shotgun with the recipes of the celebrities are mouthwatering recipes rustled up by cooks from some of the top real-life ranches of the western United States. The suggested retail price is $16.99, but you can lasso a copy at Weaver's for just $15.00.

* CAST COLLAGE COTTON LOUNGE PANTS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#lounge
Everybody's been asking about these super-comfy lounge pants or sleep pants. (Goober calls 'em snooze britches!) We're pleased to offer them in four sizes:
Small (waist 28-30 in.; length 30 1/2 in.)
Medium (waist 32-34 in.; length 31 in.)
Large (waist 36-38 in.; length 31 1/2 in.)
X-large (waist 40-42 in.; length 32 in.)

The lightweight britches are 100% cotton and have a button fly and an elastic waistband with a drawstring. If you're looking for a T-shirt that'll coordinate well as a top for the pants, we suggest either of the "Wishin' I Was Fishin'" T-shirts or the "It's Better in Mayberry" T-shirt.

Our supply of these lounge pants comes in sporadically, so, not to be pushy, but if you like the looks of them and see your size, you might want to grab a pair sooner rather than later because, if we run out of a particular size, we may not get more in for a few months. Price: $15.00

* "IT'S BETTER IN MAYBERRY" T-SHIRT
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#better
This olive shirt states a simple activity that's never far from minds in Mayberry: "Jus' Goin' Fishin'." And what better way to capture that feeling than an image of Andy and Opie walking back from the fishin' hole. Available in Adult sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-large. Price: $15.00

* "MAYBERRY QUARTERLY" T-SHIRT
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#better
Well, it's not exactly GQ, but with our dapper Deputy on the cover, this fashionable MQ shirt is made just right for the dip on the dance floor. (We're not altogether sure that we like the way we put that, but you know what we mean.) This hip T-shirt is just way cool-perfect for any guy or gal wanting to make a Mayberry fashion statement. The shirt is very close to navy blue, but Floyd insists that we call it azure. Whatever color it is, we azure you that you'll like it. Available in Adult sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and X-large. Price: $15.00

* MAYBERRY BOXER SHORTS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#lounge
We're proud to introduce three designs of cotton boxer shorts featuring Mayberry favorites. Each is available in Small (waist 28-30 in.); Medium (waist 32-34 in.); Large (waist 36-38 in.); and X-large (waist 40-42 in.). Each is $12.00. A couple of sizes of one or two of the designs are currently sold out, but we're hoping to get more.

Here's a brief description of the three designs:

* "STAY CALM, PEOPLE" BOXERS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#lounge
This one features only Barney with that trademark surprised expression on his face. We'll leave it up to you to explain the reason for his surprised look.

* CAST COLLAGE BOXERS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#lounge
This boxer design matches the original design of lounge pants. Another case of perfect casting!

* MAYBERRY PORTRAITS BOXERS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/tshirts.htm#lounge
This design features close-ups of Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee, and Opie. Floyd once again insists that the color is sort of an azure, but Barney says it reminds him more of the color of the water at the duck pond, so we'll go with Barney and call this one teal.

* DON KNOTTS 4-MOVIE RELUCTANT HERO DVD PACK-featuring "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," "The Reluctant Astronaut," "The Shakiest Gun in the West," and "The Love God?"
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/videos/videos.htm#hero
This super Hero collection of four classic Don Knotts movies from the 1960s on DVD is hard to beat. You get all four movies for the nice price of just $29.00. That's a price tag that even cost-conscious Barney would jump at!

* "IN SEARCH OF MAYBERRY: A GUIDE TO NORTH CAROLINA'S FAVORITE SMALL TOWNS"
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/book_etc.htm#insearchof
This oversized, 116-page paperback, released in April 2005, is excellent reading for any fan of Mayberry, Mount Airy, and small towns in general, especially those located in North Carolina. Here's what the publisher has to say about it:
"Written and photographed by Pffaftown, N.C., native and 'Winston-Salem Journal' veteran Scott Dickson, 'In Search of Mayberry' is a fascinating look into some of North Carolina's most celebrated and loved small towns. If you are an 'Andy Griffith Show' fan, you are sure to enjoy this material. Dickson focuses on small town values and beliefs and guides the reader through 12 towns and villages-centering his pictures and descriptions on the town and its history. Featured in Mount Airy is tourism, such as Snappy Lunch, Floyd's Barbershop, the Visitors Center, and other Mayberry landmarks."
If you've ever looked for Mayberry, or want to, or if you just want to read about Mayberry-style towns and one man's quest to find them, this book is definitely for you. And even if you don't like to read, it has tons of photos, too! Price: $20.00.

* "SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR" on VHS
http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/videos/videos.htm
Starring Andy Griffith and Julie Adams (Mayberry's Nurse Mary Simpson), this critically acclaimed 1976 made-for-TV production can be hard to find, but ol' Ben found a few brand new copies on VHS. The production was directed by Stacy Keach and produced by Norman Lloyd (father of Josie Lloyd, Mayberry's Lydia Crosswaith). Academy Award winner John Houseman also stars in this production. It runs 90 minutes. Price: $25.00.

All of our Mayberry items can be viewed and ordered at our Web site at www.iMayberry.com/tagsrwc/weavers/. Our phone order line is generally answered between 5 and 9 p.m. CT, Mon. to Sat. You can also leave a message 24 hours a day and Sheila will return your call and take your order. The number for the Weaver's Phone Order Line is (615) 604-1298.



**** CHAPTER UPDATE ****


We're proud to welcome two new chapters since the last "eBullet." They are:

"Ernest T., Did Your Mother Ever Used to Hit You?"
"Oh, Yes. She Was Wonderful." Knoxville, Tenn.
"I Wish That I Could Say...That My Permanent Address is Mayberry, U.S.A." Xenia, Ohio

That brings our total number of chapters since TAGSRWC was founded in 1979 to 1,275.

If you are interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you have to do is pick a name that has not already been chosen and submit a list of your founding members by postal mail. What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Your group can do as much or as little as you like. Or write to us also if you would like to contact a chapter near you. Our address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville, TN 37203-3286.



**** CHAPTER NEWS ****



* "Doggone Firefly Hit Me, Knocked Me Right Down" chapter (Huntingburg, Ind.) recently published its special "TAGS Wars" edition of its "Firefly" newsletter. It was "Episode III: Revenge of the Seth (Seth Taylor, that is)." Darn cute parody it is. The chapter also published a tribute issue in memory of Howard Morris.

* "Hearty-eatin' Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women" chapter (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) is getting geared up for the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals in Graysville on July. This is the sixth year that the chapter has organized the event, which draws TAGSRWC members and squad cars and other fans from many states. Complete details are still forthcoming, but the parade and the obstacle course racing will be in the morning followed by other activities associated with a citywide festival that coincides with this year's Nationals. But we know for sure that several Mayberry tribute artists will be in attendance, including David Browning, Allan Newsome, Kenneth Junkin, Jeff Branch, and Jamie Sullivan.

* Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) held a Mother's Day-themed meeting in May. Members brought photos and other mementos of their mothers. A member of Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.) showed up at the meeting for a surprise "trouble check" and brought his mother (or rather she brought him because she's a Barney chapter member). By the way, the chapter passed inspection with flying colors. They also passed bread, taters, and meat around the table just fine.

* Andy chapter also visited "Flibbertigibbet" chapter (Albuquerque, N.M.) and found everything to be in apple-pie order.

* The bubbly-wubbly Mavis Neff chapter (Durham, N.C.) and the wiry Sarah chapter (Charlotte, N.C.) made separate but back-to-back visits to Andy chapter in June. That let us see how we liked being inspected here at HQ. Turnabout is fair play, we reckon. With the cancellation of the Mayberry Cast Reunion at Gaylord Opryland Resort this month, it was nice to have some fellow Mayberry fans dropping by the Music City just to say hey. We're hopeful that we'll see other chapters in the area during the July 4 performances of four TAGS stars (George Lindsey, Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard and Roland White) at Leipers Fork Bluegrass Festival just south of Nashville.

* Dennis Beal of Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.) did his chapter and all TAGSRWC members proud during his appearance on radio's Big Show with John Boy & Billy a few weeks ago. Dennis is the reigning King of Mayberry because of his trivia expertise on the radio show's contests. He was in the studio to collect his winnings (one of which was the trip to Charlotte to pick up the prizes). The Knoxville bunch continues to publish its mighty fine newsletter, "Mayberry Minutes."



**** MISS CRUMP'S MAYBERRY QUIZZES ****


Answers to Miss Crump's Mayberry Quiz #63

After Old Lady Crump went soft on us with this quiz, we had a record number of responses. And virtually everyone got all the answers right. So we went to Henry Bennett's hat and drew a winner from all the correct entries. And the winner is...STEPHEN KLEINDIENST of Gaithersburg, Md. Congratulations, Stephen! He receives his choice of any single item online at Weaver's, except for items in the Collectibles and Special Items sections.

Here are the answers Old Lady Crump was looking for:
1. Briscoe Darling said, "You know something, Sheriff? That haircut of yours may be city-style, but your heart was shaped in a bowl."
2. On the witness stand, Barney Fife said, "The people in this town ain't got no better friend than Andy Taylor."
3. Hobo David Browne said, "I live the kind of life other people would just love to live if they only had the courage."
4. Caribbean rainbow chaser Howard Sprague proclaimed, "My pot of gold's right here in Mayberry."
5. Winken, Blinken and Nod hatched, and then Andy Taylor said, "Opie's just become a mother."
BONUS: The completed quotation is: "First sign of youngsters goin' wrong, you've got to NIP IT IN THE BUD!

Miss Crump's Mayberry Quiz #64
While Miss Crump enjoys a much-deserved summer break, she has invited a substitute quizmaster to give this issue's quiz. And he's a special quizzer indeed. He's Paul Mulik of "Hear that, Boys? No Yellin' at the Table" chapter (Joplin, Mo.). Many fans will recognize Paul as one of the all-time great Mayberry trivia and information experts. Don't be afraid, though. While he could have created a quiz that would have stumped the entire planet, he has instead put forth what we think is a really fun (yet challenging) quiz.

And the good news for those taking the quiz is that, because Paul is giving the quiz, you don't have to compete with him with in the contest! Still, Dennis Beal and other members of Mayberry trivia royalty are still out there. (Maybe we can level the playing field by wrangling Dennis to create a future quiz.)
In any case, we're pickled tink to have this swell quiz from Paul Mulik:
1. Who in Mayberry owns a grand piano?
2. In what type of competition did Warren Ferguson once win a month's supply of mint jelly?
3. Name someone who has worked as a truck driver for the Mayberry Transfer Company.
4. What object did Gomer break at the Taylors' house?
5. True or false: Otis never pays a fine for public intoxication in Mayberry.
BONUS: Name six people who are heard either whistling or blowing a whistle in or near Mayberry.

The deadline for entries to be e-mailed or post-marked is Aug. 1, 2005. To send your answers by e-mail, write to MissCrump@iMayberry.com. By regular mail, send your answers to TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3286. The answers will be published in the August "eBullet." In the event of a tie for the highest score, we'll draw a name from Henry Bennett's hat to select the winner. The prize is the same as for the previous quiz (the choice of any single item online at Weaver's except for items in the Collectibles and Special Items sections). Good luck!



**** POSTNOTE ****


Between issues of "The eBullet," keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the more-or-less daily "Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board?" 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 http://tagsrwc.com.

TAGSRWC also publishes the "Weaver's Newsletter" in more-or-less alternate months to "The eBullet." Like "The eBullet," the "Weaver's Newsletter" is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick news flashes. To sign up, go to http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm.

TAGSRWC's other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at www.tagsrwc.com. It has extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

The next issue of "The eBullet" is scheduled for mid-August.

**** Don't take any wooden nickels. ****