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OCTOBERMayberry 2017 ISSUE 5 MAGAZINE FUNNIER THAN EVER? ALUM RONNIE SCHELL STILL GOING STRONG

AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS IN THE SOUTH

THE OTHER MUSEUM EXHIBITS CHRONICLE MOUNT AIRY HISTORY, CULTURE

WHAT’S A SONKER? IT’S SWEET, DELICIOUS, WITH ITS OWN CELEBRATION!

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Serving Mount Airy and Surrounding Areas for Over 41 Years.

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Table of ContentS

Cover Story — Ronnie Schell From taking the stage to avoid KP duty to being the oldest comedian with a regular Vegas show, Ronnie Schell has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades. Along the way he made stops on “The Show,” co-starred in the “ U.S.M.C.” show, hobnobbed 12 with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and regularly visits Mayberry Days. See his story inside. Page 12 Best Festival in the South? For more than 50 years, the Autumn Leaves Festival has been drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from far and wide (even from halfway across the Pacific!). It’s routinely ranked among the top events in the Southeast, and seems to just keep getting bigger and better. See what all the fuss is about. Page 6 6 That OTHER Museum… Mayberry fans the world over have heard of The Andy Griffith Museum in his hometown of Mount Airy. What many don’t realize, however, is there are two museums here, and the second one — The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History — tells the story of the area, its people, culture, and traditions, stretching back thousands of years! Page 10 In The Country Kitchen For this month’s Country Kitchen feature, we’re actually 10 leaving the kitchen, going outside to explore one of this area’s culinary delights. The Surry Sonker — not quite a cobbler, not quite a fruit pie — is celebrated at the annual Sonker Festival every October. Page 16 What To Do, What To Do… Did you say festival? From the Autumn Leaves Festival to the Shelton Vineyards Harvest gathering to the annual Sonker Festival, this is the month for festival lovers of all stripes. But that’s not all — we have concerts, movies, live theater productions and more! Page 21 So, You Think You Know ? 16 Well, let’s see just how deep your knowledge runs. Check out our Mayberry Trivia Quiz! Page 27

The region’s ONLY comprehen- sive guide to entertainment, fun, Sandra Hurley and all things Mayberry, reaching Publisher more than 40,000 local residents AND tourists with each edition! Sherry Stanley Published monthly, May Advertising Manager through September, by The John peters 21 Mount Airy News. 319 N. Renfro Editor Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030

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Our advertisers make Mayberry Magazine MayberryMAGAZINE successful! 319 North Renfro Street Homeway Furniture ...... 2 Mount Airy, 27030 Northern Hospital of Surry County ...... 3 336.786.4141 Sage Sport ...... 6 Publisher NC Granite Corporation ...... 6 Wyatts Trading Post ...... 6 Sandra Hurley Snappy Lunch ...... 6 Derby Restaurant ...... 7 Editor Uncorked In Mayberry ...... 7 Rustic Trails Tear Drop Campers ...... 7 John Peters Quality Inn & Suites ...... 8 Walker’s Soda Fountain ...... 8 Advertising Manager B’s Treasures ...... 8 The Mount Airy News ...... 10 Sherry Stanley Tlaquepaque ...... 11 Farmer’s Mulch & Rock Inc...... 11 Distribution The Dapper Hound ...... 13 Mayberry Spirits ...... 14 Ferris Simpson Hampton Inn ...... 14 American Healthcare Services ...... 15 Content Producers 13 Bones ...... 15 Eagle Carports ...... 17 Jeff Linville Leisure Designs ...... 18 Bill Colvard Veteran’s Memorial Park ...... 19 Leisure Designs ...... 19 Mount Airy Museum of Regional History ...... 19 Sales Consultants Anderson Audiology ...... 21 Samantha Turner Frank Fleming Body Shop ...... 22 Lindsay Compton Salon 222 ...... 22 Twisted Fork ...... 22 Bob Ward The Mount Airy News ...... 23 Shannon Fenner Beamer & Kirkman Realty ...... 24 Donna’s Barber Shop ...... 24 Cover Design and Publication Designer Chili’s Bar & Grill ...... 24 Floyd’s City Barber Shop ...... 24 Benjamin Haskins Golden Corral ...... 25 The Groovy Goose ...... 25 For advertising information, Roger’s Realty & Auction Co ...... 26 Call 336.415.4684 Mayberry Motor Inn ...... 26 [email protected] Creative Designs ...... 27 Mt. Airy Equipment Company, Inc...... 32

5 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M6 Showing off the best of Mount Airy Autumn Leaves Festival among top events in Southeast

Mount Airy is known for many things, not the least of which is being the inspiration for the fictional town of May- berry, which has over the years become a household name, synonymous with an easy-going, relaxing, small-town kind of life. Anyone who has spent time in the big cities such as New York, , or , or even in the larger metropolitan areas of North Carolina, such as Raleigh or Charlotte, will tell you Mount Airy is, in many ways, truly Mayberry. File photo | Mayberry Magazine One weekend ever year, though, the city becomes a teeming Ellery Easter, of Mount Airy, enjoys the dancing “limberjack,” played by mass of humanity, when nearly a quarter of a million people Randy Miller of Newton during the 2015 Autumn Leaves Festival. In the background banjo player Chris Sekerak, of Davidson, plays banjo with descend on Mayberry for one of the largest and most popular the Possum Holler Old Time String Band jam tent. craft and art shows in the Southeast. Autumn Leaves Festival. ing — their creations. Held the second full weekend of October (this year’s ver- The event has been so popular and well-run it perennially sion will be Oct. 13-15), three-day celebration, food, fun and makes the Top 20 Events in the Southeast list published by most of all, artists of all backgrounds showing off — and sell- the Southeast Tourism Society. Of course, with that much publicity, the festival does draw a crowd. Providing the weather is nice, the festival is usually jam-packed with people, perusing as many as 200 artist and crafter booths. It wasn’t always so. Humble beginnings Yvonne Nichols, who has organized the event for nearly half of its 51-year run, said it began with a twofold purpose; to cel- ebrate the harvest in a community that was still largely agrar- ian at the time of the festival’s inception; and to take advan- tage of the fact that hundreds of thousands of leaf watchers were traveling nearby highways, meandering along the Blue 151 Granite Quarry Trial, Mount Airy, NC 27030 Ridge Parkway to see the brilliant fall foliage. (336)786-5141 • 1(800)227-6242 Surely, there had to be a way to bring those folks a few www.ncgranite.com See FESTIVAL | Page 8 The Home of Dimensional Stone 00895722

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Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine OR One Stop Shop for Thad Cox, an artist from King, works on a face jug during the 2014 N C KED festival, with his pictures of Mayberry characters visible in the back- U Yadkin Valley

ground. and our very own

I Mayberry Wines N MAYBERRY We offer wine tastings, hand rolled cigars, locally made gourmet truffles, Wine jellies, gift baskets, and accessories. and craft 126 N. Main St. Mt., Airy, NC 27030 beer Phone--336-786-1957 bar www.uncorkedinmayberry.com Like us on Facebook for local events 00904509 RUSTICRUSTICTRAILTRAIL TEARDROP CAMPERS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine People flock to Mount Airy every year for the three-day Autumn Leaves Festival, filling Main Street, side streets, and local stores, as they did in this photo from 2014.

We are a small builder located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains near famous Mayberry (Mt Airy) North Carolina. Submitted photo We built our first teardrop camper in 2010 as a Surry County personal project and fell in love with its simple residents demon- and practical design. Since starting our business strate their craft in 2013 we have built a total of 145 plus and during this living counting. This has become our full time business. quilting display at Our goal is to offer an affordable alternative to the first Autumn tent camping while building a dependable and Leaves Festival long lasting product. held in 1966. 1281 W. DODSON MILL ROAD | MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA 336-391-1075 | WWW.RUSTICTRAILTEARDROPS.COM 00903012 7 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M8

FESTIVAL | From page 6

miles over to Mount Airy. just how special the local scenery was. Dr. Dale Simmons is credited with starting the festival. He Second was the fact that so few people outside of the imme- was a small-town boy who made good, leaving Mount Airy, diate community knew about Surry County, the wonderful eventually becoming a doctor, traveling the world in the U.S. natural beauty or the friendly nature of the community. Navy, only to return to his home town to set up his physi- “I thought, why can’t we do a festival and why can’t we cian’s practice. show people what we’ve got?” Upon his return to Mount Airy he was struck by two things. He drummed up enough support to make the Autumn First, he said in an 2015 interview, was the natural beauty Leaves Festival a reality in 1966. of the region, particularly during the autumn when the moun- As it was conceived, the festival’s focus was about showing, tains and ridges are ablaze with color. While he’d grown up not selling. seeing it with his own eyes, it wasn’t until Simmons was away “We’re not here to charge people lots of money, we’re letting from his home for extended periods of time that he realized people know we’re friendly and we want to be friends,” Sim- mons recalled telling those who were working with him at the •Free Continental Breakfasttime. He even went so far as to insist ham biscuits be sold for •Free Hot Breakfast no more than 10 cents apiece. •Free WiFi Booths were set up along Main Street to display a large vari- •Free•Seasonal WiFi Swimming Poolety of skills, with crafts such as apple butter and quilt making, but industry was also represented, from furniture to plastics. LowerLower your your risk risk for for brbreast brbreasteasteast cancer cancer by:by: •Seasonal•Pets Allowed Swimming Pool Vendors were told, “we want you to show how you devel- ‡‡6FKHGXOLQJDQDQQXDOPDPPRJUDP6FKHG‡‡6FKHGXOLQJDQDQQXDOPDPPRJUDPX6OLFQKJHG DXQOLQDJQ DQQXDDOQO QPXDDOOP PPDPRJPURDJPUDP ‡‡6WDUWLQJWRH[HUFLVHUHJXODUO\6‡‡6WDUWLQJWRH[HUFLVHUHJXODUO\W6DWDUUWLWQLQJJ  WWR H[HHUUFFLVLHV HU HUJHXJOXDUODO\UO\ ‡‡3HUIRUPLQJDPRQWKO\VHOIH[DP3HUIIRRU‡‡3HUIRUPLQJDPRQWKO\VHOIH[DPP3HLUQIIRJR UDPPLQRJ QDWPKOR\Q VWKHOO\I VHH[OIDHP[DP ‡‡4XLWVPRNLQJ4‡‡4XLWVPRNLQJ4XXLWLWVVPPRRNLQJ oped your materials,” Simmons said, recalling the black- •PetsLocated Allowed at 2136 Rockford St.smith’s in horses backing up to his booth to be shod, right dur- ing the festival. LocatedMount at 2136 Airy Rockford • 336-789- St. in2000 “These people enjoyed showing their wares,” Simmons www.qualityinnmountairy.comsaid. 00718327 0 3 4 5 9 Mount Airy • 336-789-2000 He shared one story that illustrates how different those ))8: .06/5"*3: /$t8:: .06/5"*3:: /$ t  0 3 4 5 9 ))8: .06/5"*3: /$t8:: .06/5"*3:: /$ t www.qualityinnmoun tairy.com 00903707

Mon 11-5 • Tues closed • Wed & Thurs 11-6 Enjoy a Fri & Sat 11-7 • Sun 12-4 TASTE OF THE PAST

File photo | Mayberry Magazine Blake Brown, hailing from Mitchell County, is conductor and engineer aboard the Autumn Leaves Festival Train at the 2015 festival.

s 00904513 Stop in for an olde fashion ice cream soda or malt. Savor a burger and fries, or any of our other sandwiches. We B’ have something for everyone! Finish off with a banana split, hot fudge cake, or a strawberry sundae. Listen to TreasuresMayberry Five & DiMe hits of the 50’s and 60’s, and cut a rug, if you like! • HoMe Decor • soaps • cLotHing • Dips • Lotions • accessories WALKER’S • Mixes • JeweLry • Mayberry MercHanDise • & MucH, MucH More SODA FOUNTAIN 175 N. Main St. • Mount Airy, NC 160 A North M336.789.2514AiN St. Like us on Facebook 336-786-4006 00901031 MouNt Airy, NC 27030 8 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M9

early days were, expressing amazement when, during that first Autumn Leaves Festival, “some fellow from Greensboro” came all the way to Mount Airy – three times – just to see a cow milked. Simmons recalled how the cow had been dry on the deter- mined man’s first two visits to the festival, but the third time was a charm. Milking a cow on Main Street, “that just tells you a little of what we were doing,” in the early days of Autumn Leaves, he said, and how there was an interest to see those kinds of things. Much has changed over the decades — there are no cows on Main Street during the modern version of the festival, and the variety of food and beverage available far exceeds simple ham biscuits. But a few things remain the same: some crafters not only sell their wares, but they have ongoing demonstrations show- File photo | Mayberry Magazine ing just how they make the items they sell; the variety of both Jade and Chris Conner, of Mount Airy, wait for a homemade dough- nut prepared by Tomoya Uchida, far right, of Sarasota, Florida, Rosie food and craft goods seems to grow every year; and visitors Peachey, of Honduras, and Nate Peachey, also from Sarasota, at the continue to rave about how friendly the town is, even when 2015 Autumn Leaves Festival. crowded with visitors. Crafts, food and music Nichols has said the festival routinely draws around 200 craft vendors now. Artists working in pottery, paintings, textile, jewelry, wood work, metal work, and a host of other crafts, in all sorts of media, come and set up. While many festivals feature artists and crafters who ply their trade as a sideline business or hobby, most who set up at the Autumn Leaves Festival do this sort of work on a fulltime basis. Not just anyone gets in. Nichols said she and others work- ing with the festival spend hours upon hours studying those wanting a booth, to see if their material is up to snuff, or if those already here are maintaining high standards to receive an invitation to return. As for the artists and crafters working the show? Those File photo | Mayberry Magazine who get a booth for the first time often rave about the festival, David Schmitzer, an artist from Clearwater, Florida, draws David Lica and few ever give up that booth once they’ve secured a spot, and Savannah Hodges, of Mount Airy, during the 2015 Autumn Leaves returning year after year. Festival. If the crafts aren’t enough to bring a crowd, the food cer- year to year. Many consider it a perfect place and time for a tainly does, with nearly two dozen food and drink vendors set reunion of sorts. Folks who have grown up in the area and up for the three-day event as well. moved away use this weekend as their excuse for coming “Food for the Soul,” is how organizers describe what’s avail- back, visiting friends and family. able, which include all the regular fare — hot dogs, hamburg- “I’ve had people tell me they plan their vacation around that ers, barbecue, funnel cakes, and the like, along with Mount week every year,” she said. Airy specialties such as the collard green sandwiches, ground Those visitors come from far and wide, and despite the steak sandwiches and crowd favorite Amish brownies. Orga- city’s fame from “The Andy Griffith Show,” there’s more to nizers also set up a children’s area which generally includes their choice to visit Mount Airy. inflatables and train rides, so parents can give the kids a In 2015, she met a couple from Hawaii who had crossed an break from shopping. ocean and a continent to get to Mount Airy. That doesn’t even touch on the live music, playing non-stop “I asked them if they were here because of the Mayberry at multiple stages. Gospel, blue grass, pop and rock, old time link, and they said no. ‘We came for the festival,’ they said. I music, R&B — it’s all represented during the gathering. couldn’t believe someone would come that far for the festival. All of that brings what seems to be an ever-increasing Of course, I was very happy about that,” she said with a smile. crowd. By the time she became involved in the festival, in This year’s festival gets under way on Friday, Oct. 12 and 1993, Nichols said the estimation was somewhere in the runs through Sunday, Oct. 14. The festival operates from 9 neighborhood of 50,000 people perusing the streets of Mount a.m. until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. on Sun- Airy over the course of the three days. day. No pets are allowed in the festival area. Free shuttle bus Now? Local officials put that number at around 200,000. service is available between some hotels and the festival. For Despite all that the festival offers, there’s an additional more information on the festival and related activities and ser- intangible Nichols said keeps the folks coming back from vices, visit http://www.autumnleavesfestival.com/

9 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M10 Museum ‘best-kept secret’ By Jeff Linville

“We’re the best-kept secret in town.” That’s how Matt Edwards describes the Mount Airy Museumin of Mayberry Regional History to visitors of the Granite City. “The museum is a tremendous asset for this community,” said Edwards, the executive director. “A lot of folks when they come to this community think of the Andy Griffith Museum,” he said of the establishment half a mile south from the museum’s location on Main Street usein the 00898963 downtown logo and info but we will be putting in section. holiday datesp lease use mountairydowntown.org for That venue, of course, has all things Mayberry, dateswith displays from Andy Griffith’s childhood and teen years, to artifacts from his Hollywood career, and keepsakes from the cast and crew of “The Andy Griffith Show.” A big part of Mount Airy’s usehistory, 00898963 to be sure, logo and info but we will be putting in but by no means the story of Mount Airy. holiday dates--leave the oct 21st crusie in date--Oct “And we have pretty much everything else.” 31st Dowtown Halloween celebration--Nov 10th Girls Visitors to Mount Airy may already know a goodnight deal out--Nov about “The 25th Christmas parade and small busiJeff Linville- | Mayberry Magazine Andy Griffith Show” and its famous lead actor. Soness why saturdayPlease do they Thismake pedal all car these on display dates atlook the cohesive.Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, donated by Bill Juno, is described as a circa 1934 Ameri- travel all the way to Mount Airy? It could be becausecan theychange want background to and maybe put themed back- know what life was like in this rural area where Griffith was raised. can National Lincoln Dual Cowl Phaeton. It was part of a display grounds for each date.opened this year. MayberryThe MounT Airy DBA presenTs Cool CArs AnD roDsCruise-In oCT. 21 nov. 10 Girl’s sAT 4 pM niGhT DownTown MounT Airy ouT oCT. 31 nov. 25 DowTown ChrisTMAs pArADe hAlloween & sMAll Business CeleBrATion sATurDAy

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Submitted photo Wayne Henderson performs at a Mount Airy Museum of Re- gional History event. Henderson was on hand for the 2016 opening of the mu- seum’s exhibit docu- menting the local instrument-building tradition.

File photo | Mayberry Magazine Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine Mount Airy Fire Diane Willis, left, a member of the North Carolina Fossil Club, displays Department engi- marine fossils such as whale bones at a museum event over the sum- neer Mike McCraw mer of 2017. “cuts the ribbon” with a chainsaw at the reopening of Maybe they want to know what the city was like back then the fire exhibit at that shaped the boy’s life. the Mount Airy Mu- The museum gives a history of this foothills region dating seum of Regional History in July. all the way back to the Native American tribes who lived here thousands of years ago. Edwards is quick to point out the “regional” part of the name. This isn’t just a Mount Airy or Surry County museum. “County lines are just marks on a map,” he said. “Historic TLAQUEPAQUE heritage overlaps what is on a piece of paper.” Mexican grill & restuarant “We’re not by any stretch an Andy museum,” said the direc- Proud to be part of the community since 1994 tor. “We’re the story and life blood of this broader community. One free kids meal … We truly have something for everyone in this museum.” per paying adult The building has about 60,000 square feet, with 40,000 of Age 11 and under • Every Saturday that dedicated to exhibit space. from 11:00am to 4:00pm Visitors can learn about the wildlife that populates the area; fascinating displays on the American Native population that Mount Airy DobSon King Pilot MountAin once inhabited this region; learn much about Eng and Chang (336) 789-4050 (336) 356-2130 (336) 983-0603 (336) 368-1900 Bunker, the famous Siamese twins; and delve into the old- 2123 rockford St. 710 E. Atkins St. 100 retail Circle 511 E. 52 byp time music heritage and much more. check us out on the app 00904704 This summer the museum completed an antique fire engine exhibit with three restored fire engines: models 1917, 1926 Romans 10:13 and 1946 American LaFrance fire engines. For whosoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The museum has an award-winning local sports history exhibit that tells of the rich sporting heritage here, said Edwards. Included in the exhibit are tributes to the inductees FARMER’S into the Mount Airy and Surry County sports halls of fame. Andy isn’t the only entertainer from here to gain national INC. recognition, Edwards notes. The museum is the official home MULCH & ROCK to Donna Fargo collection. Hardware, Farm Toys & Antiques Fargo, of course, grew up in Mount Airy and went on to her 7802 NC HWY 268 VISIT US FOR YOUR own commercial fame after her song, “The Happiest Girl in Dobson, NC 27017 MULCH & ROCK PROJECTS the Whole USA,” shot to No. 1 on the charts while peaking at No. 11 in the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Phone: 336-386-0883 WE’RE AT THE INTERSECTION Cell: 336-366-0662 See MUSEUM | Page 27 OF HWY 601 & 268 00904397 11 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M12

Accidental career choice? For Ronnie Schell, avoiding KP duty led to a life on stage By John Peters

Six decades later, the moment stands out in his mind, the night a lifetime of work and toil, scratching and clawing, would pay off. Since visiting a movie theater as a young child in his native Richmond, California, Ronnie Schell had been consumed with just one goal: Making it as a TV and movie star. That night so long ago wasn’t exactly the Big Screen, it wasn’t even a small screen, but as he waited to go on stage at The Purple Onion in San Fran- cisco, Ronnie Schell was about to step into the spotlight, thinking about all Submitted photo | Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s Club those years of struggle and— Ronnie Schell, playing the character Jim Martin, Wait a minute. That’s not exactly what happened. along with ’s , in the “The Not even close. Andy Griffith Show” episode “The Foster Lady.” Schell While many entertainment luminaries have a story that follows along these made a return appearance later in the series, playing lines, that’s not how life unfolded for Ronnie Schell. Bernie in the episode “Emmett’s Anniversary.” “I never really thought about show business,” he said recently of his even- tual landing in the world of stand-up comedy and television acting. “I was just always funny.” And he didn’t like peeling potatoes. To understand how they are related, let’s go back a bit into Schell’s younger years, when he did have very definite career dreams. “My first goal was to be a professional baseball player,” he said. “I loved the game.” He played all through high school, even a little bit of semi-pro ball along the way. He was versatile — playing first base, outfield, even doing some relief pitching — “I’m a lefthander,” he said, something that almost always draws interest from pro scouts. But he soon figured out that he had no future in America’s Pastime. “I was a great hitter, but very slow as a runner,” he said. “I was a smaller guy, and smaller guys had to be fast. I wasn’t.” So what does a Bay-area kid do once he figures out his fantasy of playing in the Major Leagues is little more than a pipe dream? Ronnie joined the Air Force, where he got to play even more baseball on Submitted photo | Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s Club The Mayberry Connection? That would seem to be the team at his base in Texas. an appropriate title for this group of folks. Starting “We’d play teams from other bases,” he said. “We’d even fly to some of at left, going clockwise is Ronnie Schell (who ap- those games.” peared in two episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” While that might have had the feel of pro baseball, there were always and had a co-starring role in the spin-off, “Gomer reminders he was, in fact, in the military. Pyle U.S.M.C.”), (who was the recur- ring character Charlene Darling on “The Andy Griffith That’s where we come to the potatoes. Show”), (who appeared in an episode “We had a variety show there…on the base,” he said. “I started doing of each show), (who was the central charac- emcee duty, because that would get me out of doing KP,” which is military ter in the spin-off series, Mayberry RFD), jargon for Kitchen Police (or maybe Kitchen Patrol). (who was a recurring character in The Andy Griffith That also means a lot of time peeling potatoes, a task in which he had no Show before becoming the title character in Gomer), and Andy Griffith. In front holding the tea cup is Dick interest. Linke, who was the manager for all of the actors. 12 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M13

File Photo | Mayberry Magazine Ronnie Schell riding a float during the 2016 Mayberry Days parade in Mount Airy.

Submitted photo | Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s Club Ronnie Schell and Jim Nabors on the set of “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.”

Submitted photo | Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s Club Here Ronnie Schell (left) and Rodney Dillard, another “Andy Griffith Show” alum, relax together before the 2016 Mayberry Days. Come UsCheck Out!

Turns out he was good at the emcee stuff. “I was already funny. Listen, comedians don’t just suddenly become funny, I was just always a cut-up. I would do things on a dare, like run down the hallway in school in an athletic sup- porter and nothing else…or climb down a drain pipe outside the school to get out of civics class.” While those feats often landed Ronnie in hot water — “I was kicked out of high school once” — that same drive to go for the laugh eventually shaped the course of his life. While serving as the emcee for one of the shows in Texas, Ronnie says some of the personnel from the former Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., caught his act. Just a couple of years earlier the Air Force had formed The Airmen of Note, the military organization’s premier jazz ensemble. The group, which serves as a stand alone ensemble as well as performing as part of the larger Air Force Band, often gave concerts. “They thought I would make an excellent comedian, during their intermission,” he said of the Air Force brass from Wash- ington. “That’s how I got started.” 218 North Main St., In 1955 he finished his Air Force enlistment, moving from there to San Francisco State University. Mount Airy, NC See SCHELL | Page 14 (336) 648-8404 00901023 13 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M14

SCHELL | From page 13

During his senior year, he modified his Air Force act and auditioned at the The Purple Onion. Yes, that part of the story is true, he did audition there, volunteering to do his act at what was becoming one of the signature clubs of the comedy and entertainment scene. The list of entertainers who got their start there, or at least played early in their career, reads like a Who’s Who of the entertain- ment world. Bob , Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, Phyllis Diller, the Smothers Brothers, Richard Pryor, Jim Nabors…the list could go on. Musical groups, such as the super group of the folk world, The Kingston Trio, also played there early in their careers. Schell added his name to the list of alumni. “I was very lucky, the day I auditioned, on the bill was Phyl- lis Diller and the Kingston Trio. After landing the gig, Ronnie played five months at The Purple Onion before going on tour with The Kingston Trio. When he came back off the road, he found steady work as a comedian playing in the center of the live comedic world — . By 1964, his television career took off when he was signed to a regular role in “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.,“ an Andy Griffith Show spin-off that stared Ronnie’s old Purple Onion pal, Jim Nabors. He played Duke Slater for three years, a buddy to Nabors’ title character, Gomer Pyle. He left the show for one year, then returned as Snyder, but this time he was playing a corpo- 00903718 ral, a character who now gave gentle advice to his old friend (and still private), Pyle. That year of from the Gomer Pyle show found him in his own leading role, playing opposite of a still relatively unknown Goldie Hawn. “The network came to me, asked me if I would be inter- ested in this new show,” he said. “Of course I was. It was a bigger role, a leading role.” That show was “Good Morning World,” about two radio DJs. Ronnie played one of the roles, while Goldie Hawn played the other. “They introduced me to Goldie, I thought, ‘Okay, she had a cute little personality,’ That was her first TV job. We used to “Home Away From Home” rehearse in my apartment in Burbank…she hated to rehearse, she thought you’d get stale. Award Winning Hotel Interior Corridor “One day I got frustrated with her. I said ‘You’re never Refrigerator Available In All Guest Rooms going to make it, you’re not disciplined…I’ve been in this busi- Free Hot Breakfast ness for years. I know what I’m doing, you need to follow me. Free Wireless Internet Access I know what’s right and you don’t.” Fitness Center He pauses, as only one practiced in the delivery of comedic Indoor Heated Pool lines does. Business Center “The next year she was on Laugh In. The year after that she Meeting Rooms Available won the Academy Award for (the movie) ‘Cactus Flower’.” (Audio & Video Available upon Request) He laughs at the recollection. “We’re still good friends, and Guest Laundry she never lets me forget that.” Manager’s Reception Mon-Wed 6pm-7pm Though “Good Morning World” only lasted a single sea- mountairy.hamptoninn.com son, Ronnie’s career continued. He did return to the Gomer 00903693 Pyle show, and over the coming years he appeared as a guest 2029 Rockford St., Mt. Airy, NC 27030 star in a number of television shows. Among those were 1-800-565-5249 14 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M15

The “Patty Duke Show,” “Yes, Dear,” Ronnie still maintains an active “The Brian Keith Show,” “Love Boat,” career, appearing regularly in Las Vegas “,” “M*A*S*H,” and other venues. “Emergency!,“ and many others. “I’m the oldest night club comedian Of course, one of those productions working regularly in Vegas,” he said. was “The Andy Griffith Show,” appear- “When Don Rickles died, I took over as ing in those two episodes, “The Foster the oldest.” Lady” and “Emmett’s Anniversary.” While he didn’t grow up dreaming of Like many others who had a guest becoming a comedian, he said stand-up appearance or two on the show, Ronnie is what comes naturally to him. describes the experience as rewarding, “Stand up comedy is supposed to be and the atmosphere on the set as welcom- the toughest thing in show business,” ing to everyone who ever showed up. he said. With TV or film, a mistake can Then again, he wasn’t exactly a disappear by reshooting, any negative stranger when he made his appear- audience feedback comes months after ances. In addition to his work on the the work has been done, when the actor spin-off Gomer Pyle, he had known has moved onto something else. Andy Griffith and for sev- With stand-up comedy, the reaction is eral years. “I had worked with Andy in Nevada, he immediate — and sometimes brutal if had a night club act and I opened for him, not funny. and also, for Don Knotts in several places. “But I never found it that way,” Ron- They sort of treated me like family. nie said. “I was never afraid to go up there. Stand up in front of people and “My manager, the late Dick Linke, Submitted photo | Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s also managed Andy and Jim Nabors, make them laugh? I found that easy.” Club that’s how I got together with them, If nothing else, it sure beats peeling A publicity shot from the from the 1967 CBS then we just became friends. Andy and potatoes. special “Friends and Nabors.” Pictured, mov- I were very close, and Don later became ing clockwise from the lower left, are Marilyn John Peters is editor of Mayberry Magazine and The Horne, Andy Griffith, Ronnie Schell, Tennessee close. I was the principle speaker at Mount Airy News. He can be reached at jpeters@ Ernie Ford, and Shirley Jones. Centered is Jim Don’s memorial.” mtairynews.com Nabors.

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Sonkers, a uniquely Surry delight By Bill Colvard [email protected] N.C.,” wrote Kim Severson in on July 1, Every kid growing up in 2013. She states, “The dessert Surry County knows what is baked nowhere else in the a sonker is. Or they used to nation.” And most people in the know. Sonkers, like cobblers, county agree with that assess- grunts, bettys, slumps and ment. crumbles, are one of the many Grandmothers in surround- simple desserts that contain ing counties, particularly cooked fruit and some kind of Wilkes and Yadkin, might beg bread, pastry or grain. to differ with the New York But what makes a sonker a Times. But Dr. Annette Ayers, sonker and not one of those president of the Surry County Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine other things? There are as Historical Society, explains it Dr. Annette Ayers, president of Surry County Historical Society, gives many different answers as there like this. “It all depends on who last minute instructions to 2015’s team of sonker servers. are sonker makers but almost married who and who taught everyone agrees that a sonker them how to do it.” In other The 38th Annual Sonker Fes- crust on.” is juicier and deeper than a words, Yadkin and Wilkes are tival, will be Oct. 7 from 1 to 5 Also following tradition, cobbler. Sonker can have pie not that far away. p.m. Along with seven kinds of there will be “dip.” For some dough, biscuits or a batter. So Long before the New York sonkers, there will be Old Time folks, dip is the great signifier can cobblers. Either can be Times jumped on the sonker and Bluegrass Music by The of a true sonker. Most people baked or cooked on the stove bandwagon, the Surry Histori- Zephyr Lightning Bolts until outside of Surry County have top with dumplings, which in cal Society was doing its bit to 2:30 and then an old-fashioned no idea what it is. Massachusetts would make it ensure the local treat would jam session for anyone who Ayers describes dip as a a grunt, or a slump somewhere not be forgotten. For 38 years wants to join in. Surry County sweetened cream and the else. It gets confusing. and counting, they’ve been Quilter’s Association will be sonker festival only uses dip for All of these desserts are putting on a sonker festival at quilting and answering ques- the sweet potato sonker. “Some somewhat regional but none is the Edwards-Franklin House, tions, Deborah Wagoner will people want to put it on the so tightly bound to its place of a 1799 home west of Mount demonstrate basket-weaving, other flavors,” said Ayers. “But origin as the sonker. Sonkers Airy owned and restored by the there will be tatting demonstra- we discourage that.” are “specific to Surry County, society. tions, locally-made pottery on She says that when she was display and flat-foot dancing. A young, dip was made with gin- Civil War exhibit will include ger but over the years, people books, swords, rifles, buttons have switched to cinnamon. and other memorabilia. She says, “It all comes down to But the sonkers are what what your Grandma made her draws the crowds. “Some peo- dip out of.” ple go through the line numer- Surry Sonker Festival is Oct. ous times,” Ayers said. 7, 2017, from 1-5 p.m. at the “Sweet potato is the most Edwards-Franklin House, 4132 popular flavor. It always has Haystack Road, Mount Airy, been.” But she said the group NC 27030. Admission is free, will also have blackberry, blue- although there is a nominal berry, peach, strawberry and charge for the sonkers and cherry. accompanying beverages. Sonker festival sonkers are About the same time that of the two-crust variety, top the Surry Historical Society Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine and bottom. Ayers said, “Most launched the first sonker fes- Angela Llewellyn (left) and Jessica Llewellyn enjoy a selection of sonkers at the 2016 Sonker Festival. people today just put the top See SONKERS | Page 18 16 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M17

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SONKERS | From page 16 tival, the group published a using the next 5 ingredients. cookbook with some traditional Roll out pastry approximately Surry County recipes. Some of 3 x 3 inches. Place 2 tbsp. these recipes are reprinted here, potatoes on pastry. Roll up into courtesy of the Surry County roll. Place on greased baking Historical Society and can be sheet, back at 400°F. 12-15 found in the 2009 reprint of the minutes or until brown. While “30th Annual Sonker Festival, potato rolls bake, mix last 4 Sonker Recipes” cookbook. ingredients and bring to a boil. (First printing, 1980.) (Do not boil.) Break rolls into Sweet Potato Roll Sonker pieces, placing in two quart cas- Mrs. C.L. Eads — Mount serole dish, pour milk mixture Airy over rolls, let set a few minutes. 4 medium sweet sweet pota- If sonker becomes too dry, mix toes more milk mixture and pour 1 1/2 cup flour over. Submitted photo A sweet potato sonker with ice cream from Putter’s Patio in Dobson. 1/2 cup Crisco Pie Plant Sonker 1/2 tsp. salt (Pie plant is known as rhu- 1 tbsp. vinegar barb today.) 5-6 tbsp. water Eva Wilmoth and Nola 1 quart milk Brown, Salem Fork Extension 2 tbsp. vanilla Homemakers 1 stick margarine 3 heaping cups rhubarb 9cut 1 1/2 cup sugar in 1/2 inch pieces) Boil sweet potatoes until 3 cups water tender; peel, mash or break into 1 1/2 cups sugar small pieces. Prepare pastry, 3 tbsp. butter

For all your pool needs Tom Joyce | Mayberry Magazine give us a call! Members of D and D and Company play bluegrass music during the Surry Sonker Festival in 2016. Make crust of biscuit dough. Blend sugar and 1/4 cup of Roll thin and line bottom and flour together, add juice from sides of 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking canned cherries and cook over dish. Add rhubarb, sugar, water direct heat, stirring constantly Pools sPas Grills and butter. Roll top crust thin until thickened. Add cherries AlSo IN StoCk... also and put on top. Dot with and turn into baking dish. butter. Bake at 375°F. for 45 Sprinkle with a mixture of the minutes or until browned. sugar and 1/4 cup flour. (If Cherry Sonker cherries are not sweet enough, Mrs. Hester F. Dezarn of add more sugar to taste.) Sift Pilot Mountain has used this remaining flour three times recipe since 1940. with salt and baking powder.

® 1/2 cup sugar Cut in shortening, add milk, YETI 1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose all at once and stir until dough COOLERS flour stiffens slightly, then turn on Wildly stronger! Keeps ice longer! 1 #2 can or 4 cups of cherries floured board and knead 3 or (sour) 4 times. Roll 1/4 inch thick. Monday-Friday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM 1/4 tsp. salt Arrange strips, lattice fashion0 Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM 1 tsp. baking powder over cherries. Bake in hot oven 3 tbsp. shortening (butter) ( 425°F.) 15 to 20 minutes or 933 W. Pine St, Mount Airy, N.C. 1/3 cup milk until crust is lightly browned.

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Rebels & Red Necks FOURTH ANNUAL VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Racing Presents FALL FLEA MARKET Lawnmower Racing Saturday Oct 21 • 5pm until... & CAR show At the Veterans Memorial Park Lawnmower Race Track AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK 691 WEST LEbANON STREET, MOUNT AIRy, NC 27030 Admission OCTOBER 12TH, 13TH, 14TH & 15TH 2017 $7.00 Adults NO GATE FEES FOR FLEA MARKET $3.00 ages 12 and under ConCessions AvAilAble- SPACES - 20fT. widE x 20fT. dEEP exCitement for the whole fAmily! $30.00 PER SPACE WATCHMAN ON dUTy THURS., FRI. & SAT. NIGHTS Lawnmower SHUTTLE AVAILAbLE TO & FROM dOWNTOWN AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL Racing Saturday NO FOOd VENdORS VENdORS MAy START SETTING UP AT 8 A.M. THURSdAy, OCTObER 12, 2017 October 21 VENdORS SHOULd PROVIdE THEIR OWN TAbLES ANd TENTS 5pm until fOR infORmATiOn, CAll BOBBy HiATT AT 336-648-0900 OR fRAnklin dAnlEy AT CEll: 336-710-0728 Veterans Memorial Park is located at: OR HOmE: 336-789-7093 691 West Lebanon Street in Mount Airy, NC OR E-mAil: fRAnklin dAnlEy AT [email protected]

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SONKERS | From page 18

Any fruit may be used instead 1 stick margarine of cherries. 1 cup sugar Double the recipe if you 1 cup self-rising flour desire a larger pie. 3/4 cup milk Strawberry Sonker Put butter in deep dish and Mrs. Myrtle Waugh — melt in oven. Beat sugar, flour Mount Airy, White Plains and milk to form a smooth bat- Extension Homemakers ter and pour over melted butter, 1 quart strawberries (fresh or do not stir. Wash and drain fruit frozen), sweetened (peaches, blueberries, etc.) and 1 stick margarine put in batter and sprinkle with 1 cup self-rising flour 1/2 cup sugar. Bake at 350°F. for 1 cup sugar 30 minutes or until brown on 3/4 cup milk top and done. Serves 6. Melt margarine in 2 1/2 Fruit Sonker quart casserole dish. make bat- Pam White — Mount Airy ter from flour, sugar and milk. Over 1 pint fruit, put 1/2 cup Heat sweetened fruit (this can honey. (If large fruit, cut into be used with blackberries, cher- smaller pieces.) ries, or peaches) with enough Cream 4 tbsp. butter with water to cover berries until hot. 1/4 cup honey. Add: Submitted photo Pour over batter. Bake at 375°F. 1/2 cup whole wheat flour A Strawberry Sonker from Rockford General Store in Rockford, original for 25 minutes. 1/2 cup unbleached flour county seat of Surry County. Sweet Potato Sonker 1 tsp. baking powder Madge Gunnell, Eldora 1/4 tsp. salt Extension Homemakers, Aarat, 1/2 cup milk and alternately layer biscuits en) divided in half NC Stir well. Pour batter into and apples, ending with apples. Place half of blackberries in Place raw slices of sweet buttered baking dish, add fruit If served hot, spread with but- bottom of deep dish, sprinkle potato in sonker pan. Add white on top, cover with 1 cup boil- ter. If served cold, drip sour- 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ing water. Bake at 350°F. until wood honey over top. brown sugar, dot with butter, vanilla. Cover with strips of pas- golden and bubbly. Serve with Blackberry Sonker pour 1/4 cup water over this. try, then cover pastry with white milk. Shoals Extension Homemakers Place rolled out pastry over ber- sugar and chunks of butter. Bake Apple Sonker 1 1/2 quarts blackberries ries, place remaining berries on until done, remove from oven, Wavy Mabry — Mount Airy, 1 cup brown sugar crust adding remaining sugars, break crust open and add sweet Ms. Mabry’s mother called this 1 cup white sugar butter and place crust on top. milk. Replace in oven and sim- a “spread apple pie” and made margarine Bake at 350°F. until top crust is mer a few minutes. extra biscuits at breakfast in water browned. Lazy Day Sonker order to have leftovers to make Pastry: To serve, spoon out in bowls. Lena Mae Inman the sonker. 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour A mixture of milk, sugar and Pilot Knob Extension Home- Use stewed and sweetened 3/4 cup shortening vanilla is poured over each makers Club or canned apples. Split biscuits cold water (enough to moist- serving.

Submitted photo A stovetop sonk- er from Roxxi and Lulu’s Bak- ery in Elkin.

Submitted photo Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies in Mount Airy reinvented peach sonker as peach “zonka” by replacing the traditional dip with a moonshine glaze. 20 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M21 What’s Happening in Mayberry? Your comprehensive call ahead for any show performance is scheduled guide to live concerts, to confirm it is going on for 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 shows, and other entertain- as planned, particularly p.m. at JOLO Winery & ment in Mount Airy and before setting out for those Vineyards, 219 Jolo Win- the surrounding communi- shows that are some dis- ery Lane, Pilot Mountain, ties. Note, for additional tance from Mount Airy. Mike Bustin has a wide information on all Surry variety of songs, from 60s Arts Council Summer pop music to modern coun- Concert Series shows, per- CONCERTS try, pop, R&B. For more formances at The Historic information, visit https:// at the Edwards-Franklin Earle Theatre, or shows at Oct. 1 www.jolovineyards.com/ House west of Mount Airy The Andy Griffith Play- Mike Bustin will be from 1 to 5 p.m. The event house, please see http:// performing as part of Oct. 7 will feature free Old Time www.surryarts.org/sur- the JOLO Music in the The 38th Annual Sonk- ryart/index.html. Please Vineyards series. The er Festival, will be held See HAPPENING | Page 22

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HAPPENING | From page 21 and Bluegrass Music, quil- will be performing in the ballads with explorations Main Street), and more. ters, a Civil War exhibit, indoor theater at the Blue into the avant garde world. 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Friday flat foot dancing, and of Ridge Music Center at Costs are $20 per ticket. and Saturday, noon until course, that famous Surry milepost 213 on the Blue Only 100 seats are avail- 6 p.m. on Sunday. Visit County delicacy, sonkers. Ridge Parkway in a concert able, thus the center will http://www.autumnleaves- Admission is free, although that begins at 5 p.m. These not be able to offer free festival.com/ for more there is a charge for the two musicians, one from admission to children. information. sonkers and accompanying Brooklyn and the other *** beverages. from rural Virginia, bring Oct. 8 The 12th Annual Har- +++ to the stage a mixture of a Tailgate Homeboys vest Festival at Shelton Anna & Elizabeth lifelong study of mountain will be performing as part Vineyards in Dobson kicks of the JOLO Music in off with a 6:30 p.m. dinner the Vineyards series. The on Oct. 13, then regular performance is scheduled festival activities will be for 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. p.m. at JOLO Winery & Oct. 14, noon to 6 p.m. on Vineyards, 219 Jolo Winery Oct. 15. Stroll through the Frank Fleming Lane, Pilot Mountain. Tail- grounds and visit vendors Body Shop gate Homeboys plays a with hand crafted items We Work With ALL insurAnce compAnies! variety of country, rock and and locally grown produce; pop music. For more infor- face painting for kids; hay- HigHly skilled tecHs witH years of dedicated experience! mation, visit https://www. rides for everyone, along jolovineyards.com/ with live music Saturday 2162 SpringS rd. | Mount Airy, nC | 336-786-9244 and Sunday. Admission to the festival is free. Reserva- www.frAnkfleMingbodyShop.org tions are required for the 00901033 Friday night dinner, and food will be available for purchase from the Harvest Grill Express (reservations recommended). There will also be free winery tours Mention this ad for all retail products and tastings Saturday and 15% off Sunday during festival hours. For more informa- Thermal Body Therapies | Facials tion, visit ttps://www.shel- Spa Treatments | Manicures | Pedicures tonvineyards.com/

Waxing | Cuts | Styling | Color Oct. 14 Like us on Facebook 222 Franklin St, Mount Airy NC 27030 The Surry Arts Council Oct. 13-Oct. 15 Summer Concert Series is 336.719.2232 • www.salon-222.com 00901030 scheduled to continue with The 52nd annual Craig Southern & Phoe- Autumn Leaves Festival nixx Band performing at in downtown Mount Airy Blackmon Amphitheatre showcases the area’s rich beginning at 7:30 pm. This musical heritage, unique concert is presented FREE arts and crafts, and some to the community as part of the best streetside food of the Autumn Leaves Fes- fare around. Live music, tival. Those attending the more than 200 crafters and concert are encouraged to artists — some offering take lounge chairs. Conces- live demonstrations of their sions will be available for work — food (don’t miss purchase. out on the collard green sandwiches or some of the Oct. 15 restaurants open along Mac Walker will be 00904197 22 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M23

MayberryMagazine Get 5 issues delivered to performing as part of Carolina Chocolate Drops, the JOLO Music in the will be performing music your home Vineyards series. The from his work in African- performance is scheduled American music traditions. for 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 Costs are $20 per ticket. p.m. at JOLO Winery & Only 100 seats are avail- Subscribe Only Vineyards, 219 Jolo Winery able, thus the center will $ 00 Lane, Pilot Mountain. For not be able to offer free Now! more information, visit admission to children. 24. https://www.jolovineyards. com/ Oct. 22 Shelley Ruffin and Soul Revival will be performing as part of the JOLO Music in the Vineyards series. The performance is sched- MAGAZINE MayberryJUNE 2017 ISSUE 1 uled for 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at JOLO Winery OLD TIME MUSIC TRADITION & Vineyards, 219 Jolo Win- THRIVING IN MOUNT AIRY

ery Lane, Pilot Mountain. THOUSANDS FLOCK TO Shelley Ruffin and Soul ANNUAL FIDDLERS CONVENTION AMERICANA Oct. 21 Revival is an acoustic/ ON MAIN STREET EARLE THEATRE ShadowGrass headlines soul/ combo that pro- A STEP INTO THE PAST another concert in the Blue vides music spanning many Ridge and Beyond Series, genres. For more informa- slated for 7:30 pm in the tion, visit https://www. Historic Earle Theatre on jolovineyards.com/

THELMA LOU Main Street in Mount Airy. ON HER ICONIC ROLE AND HER ShadowGrass is a group Oct. 28 CAREER of young musicians from Shelton Vineyards near Western North Carolina Dobson will be featuring America’sSweetheart and Southwestern Virginia The Will Jones Band $2.99 who crossed paths at local as part of its fall concert For faster service or to give fiddlers conventions in the series from 5 p.m. until summer of 2014. Admis- 8 p.m. Day of concert all a gift, call (336) 786-4141. sion is $12 orchestra / $10 tickets will be $25 at the balcony, plus tax. Tickets gate. Tickets purchased Delivery and contact information: are available online or by in advance receive $5 off Name: ______calling SAC at 336-786- ticket price. Wine club Address: ______7998. members advance ticket City: ______State: ____ Zip: ______*** price is $15, with a limit Dom Flemons will be of four advance tickers per Phone: ______performing in the indoor member, per concert. For Email: ______theater at the Blue Ridge more information, visit Pay by credit card: Music Center at milepost https://www.sheltonvine- 213 on the Blue Ridge yards.com/# Parkway in a concert that LIVE theater begins at 5 p.m. Dom, a The Surry Arts Council Card #: ____-____-____-____ Expiration date: __ / __ member of the popular presents Romeo And Juliet Signature:______Mail Your Check to See HAPPENING | Page 24 Mayberry Magazine, 319 N. Renfro Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030 00904779 23 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M24

HAPPENING | From page 23

— William Shakespeare’s tragic love story for the Weekly Events ages. The show, directed by Mark Donnell, will be per- Experience the Merry-Go-Round, the second-longest continuously running live radio broadcast formed at the Andy Griffith in the nation, with a live show every Saturday at The Historic Earle Theatre from 11 a.m. to Playhouse on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m., Sun- 1:30 p.m. each week. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Admission is $6 or a Merry-Go-Round Annual day, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. and Pass is $20, or a current Surry Arts Council season pass. There will be no Merry-Go-Round on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 Saturday, Oct. 14. p.m. All performances are reserved seats with tickets sold in advance, unless Movies otherwise noted. You can also order tickets online or May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers. Showings slated for Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m..; by calling the Surry Arts Saturday Oct. 7 and Sunday, Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. both days; then Monday, Oct. 9 and Council at 336-786-7998 or Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. each day. stop by their offices in the Lower Level of the Andy Despicable Me 3, Rate PG-13. Showings set for Friday, Sept. 29. at 7 p.m.; and both Saturday, Griffith Playhouse. Busi- ness hours are Monday- Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day; Monday, Oct. 2. at 7 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Wednesday,Oct. 4. at 7 p.m. Surry Arts Council tickets are non-refundable. Call ahead at 336-786-2222 to ensure show times have not changes. Visit http://www. surrycountymusic.com/events for more information.

Your Local Real Estate Expert (336) 789-8855 We can show you any house on the market. Donna’s Barber Shop 00903011 Walk`ins & Appointments 304 N. Renfro Street Mount Airy, NC 27030 Tues., Wed., Fri. ~ 7:00 am-5:00 pm Thurs. 7:00 am-5:00 pm Sat. 7:00 am-12:00 pm Diann Beamer Pink Floyd’s 1060 South Main St., Mount Airy, NC Office 336-789-2788 or Cell 336-325-7577 of Mount Airy Duane Joyce www.diannbeamer.com Donna Hiatt Chris Moorefield 00901028 Appointments After Hours With Donna Chili’s Floyd’s City Barber Shop Russel Hiatt Grill & Bar Bill Hiatt 2101 Rockford St. GET IN LINE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. 2 Chairs OUR APP LETS YOU: & 2 Operators • Find your favorite Chili’s • Add your name to the list Working • Get a text when your table’s ready TO GET THE APP TEXT “APP” TO 244547 P.O. Box 703 Mount Airy, NC 27030 Hours: Sunday thru Thursday 11 am to 11 pm,

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Just how much do you know about Mayberry trivia? Nearly everyone loves “The Andy Griffith Show,” and why Griffith’s model for Mayberry — is in North Carolina — not not? You’d be hard-pressed to find a more wholesome, family- everyone knows what state the fictional town of Mayberry friendly quality television show that still holds up after near- was in. What was that? ly six decades. But, how much do you really know about the 4. In the episode “A Plaque for Mayberry,” The Women’s show, the actors who play the many famous roles in the pro- Historical Society is all set to throw a big celebration in duction, or Mount Airy, the town Mayberry was based on? honor of the last living descendant of Revolutionary War sol- Here’s a chance to find out, by trying your hand at our dier Nathan Tibbs, the hero of the Battle of Mayberry Bridge. monthly Mayberry Trivia Contest. The answers are on the Unfortunately, they soon realize who that modern-day descen- next page. Good Luck! dent is. Who was it? 1. While feeling particularly blue in the episode “Aunt Bee’s 5. How many jail cells where there in Mayberry? Bonus, Medicine Man,” Aunt Bee buys a couple of bottles of Colonel where were the keys kept? Harvey’s Elixir. Suddenly, she’s as happy as can be — as are 6. Gomer Pyle, who eventually left the series for a spin-off all of her friends who try the special tonic. Eventually, Andy show called “Gomer Pyle, U. S. M. C.” sometimes walked into has the elixir analyzed and discovers the secret ingredient. a room singing the Marine’s Hymn. He learned the song by What is it? As a bonus question, how much does it contain? reading the lyrics on the back of a calendar printed by a May- 2. One of the ongoing story lines in “The Andy Griffith berry business. What was the business? Show” as the relationship between and Thelma 7. While Andy Taylor was known as the sheriff without a gun, Lou (played by , who now makes her home in he was known to tote a firearm when the situation called for it. Mount Airy). The two lovebirds had a standing date night In one episode, we even learned he once shot a man. What was each week. What was it? the name of that episode, and what was the name of the man? 3. While everyone knows the real life Mount Airy — Andy Bonus, why was Luke Comstock coming back to Mayberry?

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M26

him straight, even if it was with a bullet to the leg. the to bullet a with was it if even straight, him

In Business Since 1964 set having for Andy thank to coming was and man, -

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Comstock had been released from prison a few years years few a prison from released been had Comstock

7. The episode was “High Noon in Mayberry,” and and Mayberry,” in Noon “High was episode The 7.

SOLD Parlor. Funeral Nelson’s 6.

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sions Barney managed to lock himself (and others others (and himself lock to managed Barney sions

- occa of number a on though time, the of most were 336-789-2926www.rogersrealty.com they least At cells. the between wall the on hanging

www.rogersauctiongroup.com always were keys the and cells, two were There 5.

Mayberry proud. Mayberry

1310 EMS Drive doing suit, a wearing and up gussied all ceremony the event. Never-the-less, he sobers up and shows up at at up shows and up sobers he Never-the-less, event.

Mount Airy, NC 27030 00895490 efforts, Otis turns up plastered the night before the the before night the plastered up turns Otis efforts, Campbell, the town drunk, and despite their best best their despite and drunk, town the Campbell,

Mayberry Otis was descendent living last the out, Turns 4.

Motor Inn Carolina. North right? gimmie, a was that Okay, 3.

Visit us for an old to her. to

fashioned, southern marriage proposing up ends Gomer because planned, hospitality experience! she as quite out work don’t things course, Of Barney.

Mayberry Motor Inn is nestled on about 10 to point a make to Gomer with out going instead date,

acres of land featuring beautiful grounds their breaks she So, pocket.” “hip his in Lou Thelma and located at the foot of the Blue Ridge has he that bragged Barney that Lou Thelma to tions

Mountains. We are only 30 minutes from

- Winston Salem, 15 minutes from Pilot men Gomer when Phfftt,” Lou, Thelma and “Barney

Mountain State Park. Our Motel is located on Highway 52, The Andy Griffith Parkway, episode the in this learn We night. Tuesday was It 2.

and is the nearest route to Myrtle Beach.

You will feel right at home here when you alcohol! percent 85 was tonic magical the means which visit Mayberry Motor Inn out front there exact, be to proof 170 — alcohol it’s out, Turns 1. will be the Mayberry Squad car, Emmett’s Answers and a Gazebo. Guests can walk along ’s trail and enjoy the flowers and pool when in season. Our 27 rooms are tastefully decorated. 501 ANDY GRIFFITH PARKWAY NORTH MOUNT AIRY, N.C. 27030 | 36.786.4109 www.mayberrymotorinn.com 00901024 26 OCTOBER 2017 MAYBERRY MAGAZINE M27

MUSEUM | From page 10

One of the first female artists to have such cross-over appeal, Programs she put out a string of hits that included “Funny Face” (No. 1 The museum also offers programs outside of its regular on the country charts and No. 5 on the pop charts); “Super- exhibits. man;” “Little Girl Gone,” and others. The museum provides educational opportunities through adult Some parents will drive all the way to Winston-Salem or History Talks given in a monthly series. By bringing in folks who Greensboro to show their kids a children’s museum, then they have spent years learning about a particular subject, the museum are surprised to find out that Mount Airy has something like can offer expert lectures on any number of topics. Past History this right here in town, he said. Talks have included such topics as Civil War currency, blacksmith- Then there are spaces that change on a quarterly basis, he ing, dinosaur eggs and babies, and local opposition to slavery. said. The museum offers an evolving palette in the Adelaide To coincide with the city’s Mayberry Days festivities, the Bunker Sink Gallery. Sink, who died in 1968 at the age of 46, museum planned a History Talk about Andy Griffith and Don was a granddaughter of Chang Bunker, one of the Siamese Knotts given by authors Terry Collins and Daniel de Vise, twins. Her husband, Kester Sink, was a successful farmer who have written about the actors. who funded endowments for the Surry Arts Council and There are also summer camp programs and children’s lit- endowments for scholarships to colleges. He contributed to eracy program, said Edwards. renovation efforts that allowed the museum to expand to the For more than a decade, the museum has been home to a third floor of the building in 2009, and the museum dedicated club for students in grades fourth to eighth. The Jesse Frank- a gallery to Adelaide’s name. lin Pioneers Chapter of the Tar Heel Junior Historian Asso- The topics for temporary exhibits have covered a wide vari- ciation has won awards, noted Edwards. ety of stories from a dinosaur exhibit, specific areas of history Kids can “become a history detective” and find out more and art shows, according to Edwards. about local history while having fun. The club gets to take Starting Labor Day weekend, the gallery is home to a dis- field trips and attend an annual convention in Raleigh. play of children’s pedal cars dating back several decades. The admission fee is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for The idea for the museum began many years ago, then work students, and free for children 4 and under. There is a $1 dis- began on converting an old building on Main Street in 1993. count for groups of 10 or more. For a little more money, the In 1995, the Main Gallery opened, with much of the build- museum also has a gift shop on the ground floor. ing not utilized. Over the next 14 years, the museum slowly For more information on the museum and all its offerings, expanded to it current 40,000-square-foot size. check out the website at www.northcarolinamuseum.org. Creative Designs FLOWERS & GIFTS

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