Winter 2021

MayberryMAGAZINE

Mayberry’s First Couple Keeping fans together In His DNA Sharing old-time music Andy Griffith Show The holiday episode Mayberry Trivia Test your knowledge What’s Happening? Comprehensive calendar

ISSUE 29

MTA123120M.indd 1 1/15/21 2:29 PM Table of Contents Cover Story — Two Chairs No Waiting Mayberry’s First Couple? Modesty would prevent them from wanting the title, but their efforts throughout the year keeps Mayberry fans and friends connected — in person and online. Page 8 A true old-time musician Old time and blue grass music was a big part of The Andy Griffith Show, because Andy was set on the path toward his entertainment career as a young boy, when he began taking music lessons. Once he found stardom, he kept true to his bluegrass and musical roots. Jim Vipperman, a seventh- generation musician who grew up listening to the same music that Andy learned, is keeping that tradition alive. Page 5 When Scrooge visited Mayberry Columnist, writer, and “The Andy Griffith Show” historian Randy Turner takes a look at fan-favorite episode “Christmas Story,” showing the parallels to that all-time Christmas tale, “A Step Back in Time Christmas Carol,” and even showing how a character’s name is & Visit Our Many Vendors related to that long-ago Christmas story by Charles Dickens. Page 10 What To Do, What To Do… Mount Pilot The pandemic has put a halt to many shows and events over Antique Mall the course of 2020, but there might be a few concerts, shows, Downtown 107-109 E Main Street Pilot Mountain, North Carolina and events stirring in Mount Airy — the real-life Mayberry — 336-368-1617 this winter and spring. New Items Arriving Daily! Page 12

WINTER 2021 So, You Think You Know

• The Andy Griffith Show? Well, let’s see just how deep your knowledge runs. Test your Andy Griffith knowledge with our Mayberry Trivia Quiz! Page 14

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MTA123120M.indd 3 1/15/21 2:29 PM 319 North Renfro Street Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 336.786.4141 Publisher Sandra Hurley MayberryMagazine [email protected] Get 4 issues delivered to Editor John Peters your home [email protected] Only Contributing Writers/Photographers Subscribe Randy Turner, Tom Joyce $ 00 Now! Circulation & Distribution Director 28. Ferris Simpson Winter 2020 [email protected] Advertising Director Serena Bowman [email protected]

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MTA123120M.indd 4 1/15/21 2:29 PM MAYBERRY’S Music Man?

A painting made of Jim Vipperman, foreground, when he was a boy, with his father and brother. led to the stage and an acting ca- Chock full of stringed in- A glass display case holds tro- Vipperman draws reer, but music remained close struments — fiddles, guitars, phies and mementos, even a to Griffith’s heart, especially mandolins, even a dobro — it belt buckle whose significance on generations of in his show about the fictional looks like a musical version of would be readily available to town of Mayberry, where blue an antique or novelty store. old-time bluegrass fans. In be- talent to play, teach grass and old time music was Many of the instruments hang tween the various instruments often featured. from the walls, others are held hang scads of photos, some of

Today, there are more such in floor stands, still others lean scenes snapped more than five MAYBERRY MAGAZINE By John Peters musicians than you can shake in darkened corners, or against [email protected] a stick at playing among the various nooks and crannies. See MUSIC | 6 hills and valleys in and around The late Andy Griffith is Griffith’s hometown, but one known the world over as an ac- musician in particular stands tor and comedian, the star of out, both because of his fam- the famous The Andy Griffith ily pedigree and because nearly Show, along with countless oth- everyone who’s passed through er acting credits. local schools back in Griffiths’ AuthENtiC MExiCAN CuiSiNE That love of performance was hometown has sat under his tu- kindled while he was still in telage. in Yadkinville, N.C. school, a young man who had We pride ourselves in treating • Jim Vipperman is a soft- our customers like family and the opportunity to delve into spoken yet immensely talented we will always use quality ingredients WINTER 2021 the world of music thanks in man, who often plies his trade We offer to prepare your food. Come dine large part to a school music pro- as a music teacher in a simple, special occasion in with us any day of the week from catering for 11:00 am to 9:00pm. gram and a Moravian minister cozy shop that’s a little dark in events and Our dInnEr mEnu Is ExpandIng mOrE in his hometown of Mount Airy businesses all ThE TImE! the shadowy corners, brightly and private who taught the youngster. illuminated where the sun spills events. 216 East Elm St. | Yadkinville, N.C. 27055

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MTA123120M.indd 5 1/15/21 2:29 PM MTA123120M.indd 6 6 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 early 1950s. buckle hisdadearned aspart of bluegrass legend BillMonroe’s band inthe Jim Vipperman looks atabeltbucklehisfather passed down to him, a joy and dislike. he’dtall grow, what food he’d en cided thecolorofhishair, how surely as the DNA code that de partnership withhismusic. convey theman’s easy, lifelong tival. the annualTommy Jarrell Fes youth competition there andat vention aswell asorganized the the MountAiryFiddler’s Con Vipperman hasbeenajudge at And for well more than 20 years, over thepast coupleofdecades. sit andplay underhistutelage schools have hadachanceto Ridge, orJones elementary through WhitePlains,Cedar fifth-grader whohaspassed Nearly every third-, fourth-, or simply astheTAPS program). Students (known around here Traditional ArtsProgram for ArtsCouncil,throughSurry the free weekly musicallessonsat most 30years he’s beengiving stringed For instrument. al- even thoughtofpickingupa everyone Countywho’s inSurry intheshop. tained personification ofallthat iscon perman, theliving,breathing Mountains of Surry County. ofSurry Mountains beyond thefamiliarBlueRidge tions ofmusiciansstretching far bined experiences ofgenera collective memories,thecom of musicalhistory, decadesof lins —isaveritablerepository decades ago. Really, it’s inhisgenes, as Yet allofthat doesn’t quite Vipperman isknown tonearly And inthecenterofitallVip The store —namedVips Vio ------way toget fiddlelessons,” he when hebegan studyingviolin. sons cameasasecond-grader, about anyinstrument. can play it.” says. “IfIcan humsomething,I better byear thanbyeye,” he that hedoesn’t read music. might besomewhat unique,in thoughhisapproachjust didit, would not learn music—he any ideawhetherhewould or thereman said was never really Blue Grass Boys. was tobeinMonroe’s band,the earn oneoftheuniquebuckles display case.Theonlyway to younger Vipperman keeps inhis thus earningthebelt bucklethe the legendary BillMonroe — station. tionship withthefounder ofthe dad, granddad, andtheirrela Ralph Epperson,” hesays ofhis days ofWPAQ. who played regularly intheearly were amongthefirst musicians his banjo, and his dad, on guitar, bothhisgrandfather,said with in thegenre. Jim Vipperman the mostinfluentialmusicians Vipperman, played withsomeof perman, andhisfather, Johnny grandfather, John Willis Vip Meadows ofDan,Virginia. His his family, whichhailsfrom tions ofmusicians,”hesays of “In the old days, there was no His first officialmusicalles And he can play itonjust isokay,“Which becauseIdo With suchapedigree, Vipper His father alsoplayed with were“They good friends with “I comefrom seven genera - - - - - Traditional Arts Program for Students. Jim Vipperman instructing a young musicianduringtheSurry Arts Council could ever imagine.” of thenicestinstrumentsyou “Igothe said. toplay onsome learned asmuchIcould,” ments. to seeawidevariety ofinstru which gave himanopportunity ager at DixieMusic Company, sons. how toplay, withnoformal les working untilhecouldmaster then trying outaninstrument, instruments, mostlybyjust learning toplay otherstringed studying for nearly two years. cal training route ontheviolin, he took a more So, said. classi into hislife—motorcross. about 14,anotherlove came Vipperman whenhewas said he never stoppedplaying music, their childhooddreams. While years, tosometimesstray from boys, oncetheyreach theirteen and basstohisrepertoire. ing themandolin,guitar, banjo dle. That ledtoVipperman add withthefid wry smile,starting ment they had,” he says with a sical instrumentthere. Vipperman would admire amu ing manytimeswhentheyoung you,’” herecalled hisfather say to play that thing,I’llget itfor drove himtocontinuelearning. those instrumentsisalsowhat “I justhungoutthere and He said hisdadwasHe said aman That soonmorphedinto Once hewas onabike, Vip It’s notuncommonfor young “So, Ilearned every instru “So, “My ‘ifyou dadsaid learn His desire toown some of New Interest ------— thisonebuiltinthe18thcentury. Jim Vippermanhis violins one with and assortedotherinjuries— broken ribs,adislocated arm, more thanahalf-dozen what hecasuallyrefers toas climbing onabike —andafter nearly four decadesafter first hobby.dare-devilish Even now, ond, considered givingupthe injuries. larbone, andanumberofother eight broken ribs,abroken col with landed himinthehospital One, on New Year’s Day 2007, and beeninsomeawful crashes. ridden allsortsofcourses — regularly. Over theyears he’s Vipperman hascontinuedriding racing for theadultworkforce, ter leaving formal competitive every weekend racing. Even af hespentnearlyperman said From thenuntilhewas 18,Vip hewasperman said hooked. Yet henever, for even asec 1/15/21 2:29PM - - - - he still makes regular rides on Vipperman. He’s been able to twisting, climbing motor cross play with the Dillards off and on tracks. One of those tracks is for 20 years — the band whose even on his own property. members are known widely for “Instead of owning a farm, their musical acumen, as well I have a motor cross track,” he as being part of The Darlings on says with a chuckle. “The Andy Griffith Show.” He’s also worked as a residen- He also had the chance to meet tial and industrial electrician, as with and talk to Andy Griffith, well as a carpenter. on one of the star’s infrequent Vipperman said his father had trips back to Mount Airy. hopes that the young Vipper- “The only reason he wanted to Jim Vipperman showing a picture of his relatives, friends, and others, one of man would become a full-time meet me was because he heard I many photos showing his musical history. musician and singer, and even was a public music teacher,” Vip- lamented on several occasions perman said. Given that Griffith get free weekly lessons, utiliz- He’s also seen quite a few of his son might have pursued that got his first taste of performance ing instruments provided by the his former students go on to path had he not become so en- art in a public school music pro- council. become teachers, thus divvying amored with the sport of motor gram, and found a local teacher And in his shop, at 1600 S. up the the available student pool cross during his teen years. who helped nurture his fascina- Andy Griffith Pkwy, he gives into smaller and smaller num- But Vipperman said that’s not tion with the arts, it’s no wonder private lessons, though modern bers. likely. he was interested in Vipper- technology has taken a bite out Yet, after all these years, Vip- “I traveled some in the 1970s,” man’s work. of that work. perman, while being a teacher, he said of an early run at being a “I’m a teacher,” Vipperman “I used to give 60 lessons is the same young man who fell full-time traveling musician, liv- says simply of his role in the mu- a week,” he said. “Now that’s in love with the fiddle all those ing mostly out of a station wag- sical world now. Since 1991 he’s down to 20 or so.” decades ago. on and cheap hotel rooms while been working with the Surry Not as many youth or adults “I’m still a kid. I haven’t touring. Arts Council, reaching out into are interested in taking musi- changed very much over the “Unless you’re making big the schools to teach music to cal lessons today, it seems, and years. I’m getting old, but I’m bucks doing it, that’s an awful local school children. For the among the ones who are, some still the same kid I always was.” life. You’re living out of a car, al- past 18 years, he’s been running try utilizing Youtube and other And as long as he can play, ways on the road.” the TAPS program, where local technology to replace in-person Vipperman believes he always Still, music has been good to children and teens can come to teaching. will be.

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MTA123120M.indd 7 1/15/21 2:29 PM MTA123120M.indd 8 8 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 Jan and Allan Newsome taking apicture duringa visit to Mount Airy. (Allan Newsome) gathering inMountAiry, the organized-yet-informal summer with fellow fanstoaregular, grown from asimpledinner Show fans,anevent that has mer Meet-Up for AndyGriffith founder oftheannualSum the event running smoothly. help tokeepbehind-the-scenes teers withallsortsoftasks and andvolunand itsarmyofstaff ArtsCouncil sponsoring Surry annual gathering, andhelps the part inseveral shows duringthe Days openingceremony, takes monies for theannualMayberry he serves asthemasterofcere ry Days inMountAiry, where appearing eachyear at Mayber Floyd theBarber tributeartist, throughout Mayberrydom asa Jan Newsome. the titlemightjustfitAllanand be aFirst CoupleofMayberry, to others —butifthere were to quick togive credit and respect — bothare fartoomodest, PetersBy John He’s alsotheaccidental Allan, ofcourse, isknown They wouldn’t like the title Allan, Jan Newsome keep Mayberry fans connected - - - - views I’d posted(there).” “Ihadsome audiointer cast. of the decision to begin thepod- Watcher’s Club,”Newsome said the AndyGriffithShow Rerun cast. had ever heard thetermpod- in 2008,backwhenfew people jects. show’s fans, andrelated sub GriffithShow, itsstars, the various aspects ofTheAndy some, inwhichhetalks about feel-good virtualvisitwithNew ern Standard Time, isafolksy, Monday evening at 8p.m.East sorts ofMayberry goodies. fans cango onlinetofindall departmentstore.com/), where Store (https://www.weavers- and Jan’s Weaver’s Department egory/two-chairs-no-waiting/) imayberry.com/podcasts/cat No Waiting podcast(https:// lan withhisweekly Two Chairs, presence —Al bothmaintain real-life Mayberry. Those interviews, hesaid, “I runiMayberry.com, for Newsome the podcast started held everyThe podcast, And thenthere’s theonline ------show up.” time, soIfigured noone would can download andlistenat any for doing apodcastisthat you would come. Thewholereason butIdidn’tit, thinkanyone doing that. Ifigured I’d try knew otherpodcasters were doing thelive recording, I watch orlistentoanytimelater. eo andasapodcastfolks could while recording itbothas a vid- doing alive show onYouTube 70th episode,hethoughtabout a year around after starting, the refinements, though.More than born. do apodcast.” that, Ithoughtmightaswell explain it…IfI’mit, going todo that, ifI’m going tointroduce decided toupgrade thequality. available at that time.Later, he net andplayback technology quality, at leastusingtheinter and theywere ofgenerally poor people haddial-upinternet, were inthedays whenmost MAYBERRY’S “The onlyreason “The Istarted He wasn’t finishedwithhis Thus, theweekly show was “I thoughtifI’m going todo First Couple? - — somefrom asfaraway as ing outhislive castoftheshow dozen people,ormore, check it wasn’t unusualtohave two little, thenalittle more —and cording thepodcast. while repeople entertained prepared totrykeep a dozen calls, becausehereally wasn’t ment onhisfirst performance. in virtually, towatch and com- for each show. wide variety ofsubjectmatter he’s stillgoing strong, witha stop.’” no, you can’t dothat. You can’t to that, peoplewere like ‘oh ideas. Andy GriffithShow. number ofepisodesinThe or 249episodes,whichisthe the show for close to five years, initially hehadplannedtodo Ireland. Soon, thosenumbersSoon, grew a “I thought, ‘oh no’,” he re“I thought, About adozenpeopletuned “Lots of times, it just comes More than600episodes later, getting Istarted “When close Fans andfriendshadother The Floyd tributeartistsaid 1/15/21 2:29PM - - - MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 | 9 - - - - 1/15/21 2:29 PM “We support different orga different support “We my to write myself yet have “I are customers our of lot “A building relationships, Again, Allan Newsome, right, as Floyd The as Floyd right, Allan Newsome, Old at the Grand on stage Barber Knotts and Don left, from with, Opry Mayberry The as Browning David mayberrybarber. (Courtesy Deputy. com) nizations,” she said. “Mayberry nizations,” in the Mid Mayberry Days, Lindsey Film west, the George among the efforts are Festival,” as a supports, as well proceeds in Ala special needs program bama. with a she says paycheck,” first not only it’s laugh, explaining but sometimes a labor of love, time consuming in unexpected ways. see their the same people, you Some or over. and over orders on der online and some order the phone and they’ll to want a 20-minute con- talk. I’ll have with some of them, versation just talking about Mayberry about stuff, about the weather, the on at is going whatever time.” the as Allan said, and keeping — and alive spirit of Mayberry qualifying the most definitely consideration serious for two First the title of Mayberry’s for Couple. - - - - - “In November, we had 290 had we “In November, of force an employee With Al Weaver,” Mrs. now “She’s version While the Mayberry be the would “It is in what made on the Any “profit” Six years ago, the Newsome’s the Newsome’s ago, Six years Allan Newsome at the microphone recording one of his more than 600 than more his of one recording microphone the at Newsome Allan Newsome) (Allan Waiting. No Chairs, Two the podcast, of episodes she and now Clark, from store the business running keeps in busy times. even smoothly, a lot for which was orders, December. us,” she said in late had ever the most we’ve That’s in a month,” though December those quickly approaching was orders 200 with nearly figures, by the middle of the month. means a lot — that one — Jan nights and weekends of late packing and shipping out or ders. call of his wife. “People lan says She writes Weaver. her Mrs. things, notes when people order order. she writes notes on every into a relation developed That’s the ship with people. That’s thing about The Andy Griffith about Club, it’s Watcher’s Rerun people. between relationships a traditional was of Weaver’s the space on Main Street, retail is a quite differ online version ent. of the room dining living room, house,” she part of our front says. toward items sold usually goes Mayberry- different helping “ themed organizations. line site for him in the very early early very the in him for site line 1992,” Allan New 90s, maybe so been around some said. “It’s - the iMay long, when I created - Ya had to email berry site, you started this them you hoo, tell They emailed me back website. added it to their and said they’d engine.” search Department bought Weaver’s ------“He wrote me after it was was it after me wrote “He himself While Allen keeps recall will show the of Fans retailer Mayberry the While Jim said that The Newsomes “When I started iMayberry. was fighting through cancer fighting through was treatments. podcast helped your ‘Hey, over. my cancer treat through me get ment. Listening to it lifted my of some spirits, let me forget having’,” I was Al- my troubles touches “That really lan relates. expect really never You you. doing can have you’re what It’s that. any sort of impact like Show, about The Andy Griffith people smile, but if it makes a little for their troubles forget saidbe to lot a for there’s while, that.” busy with the podcast and You has Jan, his wife, show, Tube special connection to her own Depart — Weaver’s Mayberry ment Store. the and its owner, the store as Ben Weaver, curmudgeonly and set important characters of the show’s several for tings episodes. is the modern-day website’s is Newsome Jan namesake, Ben from about as far away could get, with as one Weaver an easy laugh and a simple de friends Mayberry to help sire and fans find items they enjoy — whether it be a shirt, a cal other Mayberry or some endar, item. related head the self-proclaimed Clark, of The Andy Griffith goober Club, Watcher’s Show Rerun as a ago years started Weaver’s enough revenue to generate way newsletter to support the club’s and other activities. on- the Weaver’s com, I created - - - More than producing the than producing More kind of a lot of fun. It’s “It’s - on You remain The shows he has no idea And he says fun, as long long as it’s “As standsfan in out young One Jan Newsome shows off part of the inventory and work space for Weaver’s Weaver’s for space work and the inventory of part off shows Newsome Jan Newsome) (Jan Store. Department an episode and watching from ever something I didn’t spotting seeing or talking about. recall in something there’s Or maybe relates that week that the news in a once Every to the show. while I’ll do a trivia episode. differ hit you things Different ent weeks, maybe it’s someone’s someone’s it’s maybe ent weeks, one of the cast mem- birthday, and I’ll end up talking bers, about them.” podcast, he though, Allan says with fans, the interaction enjoys offering a he’s and the idea that - regu them to gather place for larly. become a thing…last night we with had 50 people visiting live he said a re after one another,” lot of “A on YouTube. cent show or watch people will download, that the video portion, but it’s weekly to have I get interaction coming in with people who are doing I’m visiting when there, more it feel makes That live. it doing that.” when I’m Mayberry done with the after he’s Tube and he says performance, live 300 to 400 they usually get podcast while each new views, generates of the show version within 700 to 800 downloads go of weeks of couple first the ing online. when he’ll close shop on the podcast. it, still enjoying as long as I’m me to do it,as people still want do it. kind of drives I really that visiting with people and enjoy he said. hearing backgrounds,” man who a young particular, MTA123120M.indd 9 MTA123120M.indd 10

10 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 CHRISTMAS writers changed theirnames to Scobey for thisepisode of theshow. and theChristmas episode, Story where heendedupsupplyingChristmas gifts for theMugginsfamily. While thisisthesame couple inboth episodes, the (Andy Griffith) inthe “Andy Forecloses” episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Weaver was thebad guy who grudgingly came to hissenses inboth thisepisode Sam Scobey (played by Sam Edwards), HelenScobey (played by Margaret Kerry), curmudgeonly Ben Weaver (played by Will Wright) andSheriff Andy Taylor the miserly store owner Ben The episodetells thestoryof ite episodeofMayberry fans. cember 19,1960. Story,” originallyaired onDe That episodewas “Christmas ever centered onaholiday. Show,” onlyoneepisodewas AndyGriffith run of“The Show. Griffith aspects of thefamed The Andy Turner, examining various and articles byauthorRandy of aseriesof occasional essays Randy TurnerBy ‘Christmas Carol’ to Dicken’s Episode harkens “Christmas Story” isafavor“Christmas Story” During theentire eight-year Editor’s Note: This ispart - - merry upChristmas.” made abatch tokindof “Ijust putsit, Or asSam only makingitfor personal use. Sam’s assertionthat hewas at Weaver’s store, inspiteof which willcutintoliquorsales Muggins ismakingmoonshine Weaver whoisupsetthat Sam Scrooge, a miserly business bitter andhardened Ebeneezer essentialsimilarities. necessary butithasthe sic tale, beat retelling oftheclas isnotabeat-by-Show” Andy Griffith of “The mas Carol.” Theepisode ens’ novella “A Christ eled after Charles Dick to barkHumbug!” “Bah! out, mas, hisstandard response is he iswishedaMerryChrist for his fellow man. Whenever hoarding money than caring man, ismore concernedabout The episodeismod In “A ChristmasCarol,” the - - - - Randy Turner - - to theMayberry version, Ben While there isno ghost element er isaScrooge-like character. ter miser. Obviously, Weav Ben tered thelexicon tomeanabit out adismissive “Ha!” wishes, hisresponse istobark is offered anyChristmasgood Christmas Eve. Whenever Ben Present,mas Past, andYet To then bythespiritsofChrist mer partner, Jacob Marley, and visited bytheghostofhisfor to lifethanmoneybyfirst being Scrooge isshown there ismore The nameScrooge hasen man belocked upon ing to demand hisfellow making moneyheiswill one soconcernedabout miserly businessman, WeaverBen isalso a the bitter and hardened changed man. the novella, Scrooge is a Come. By theendof In “ChristmasStory,” Story ------in thecourthouse,agathering love andfellowship occurring than moneybyobservingthe is shown there ismore tolife spending theholiday alone.He along. watching andsoftlysinging to thecell window andissadly reveals that hasreturned Ben ple gathered, thecamera shot slowly pansaway from thepeo the courthouse,ascamera sion of“Away inaManger” and Elliesingabeautifulver scene oftheepisode,Andy unsuccessful. be withthegroup butisat first best toget arrested sohecan ward, repeatedly Ben doeshis singing “DecktheHalls.”After preparations andeveryone of one of the cells to see party through thebars ofthewindow ing whenhepeers from outside first realizes what he is miss Ben isclearlyBen tobe sad Later, inthemostmoving Courtesy Surry Arts Council 1/15/21 2:29PM - - - - en Scoby speaks Ben’s surname for the first time, referring to him as Mr. Weaver. From then on, that was consistently Ben’s name, even when he was played by different actors. Thus, in the canon on the aired episode, the store owner had always been named Ben Weaver even though his last name was not used in “Christmas Story.” But in the script for “Christ- mas Story,” that was not origi- nally going to be his last name. Instead, the writers created a name that began with an “S” and ended in the sound of a soft “G” just like the name Scrooge. They gave him the last name Smidge.

Randy Turner is the editor and contributor to the new book “60 Years of Mayberry: A Celebration of The Andy Griffith Show.” He is the author of “Mayberry Firsts” and creator of the “Mayberry Day-by-Day” desk calendar. Randy is also the founder of The Andy Griffith Show Ambassadors Program. Information on all of these can be found at www.mayberrybooks.com. Randy is A scene from The Andy Griffith Show episode "Christmas Story" shows, from left, Margaret Kerry portraying the 2019 recipient of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club Friendship he longs to be a part of. By the ing studio to record the track eneezer). In Ben’s next appear- Award based on his contributions to the end of the episode, Ben finally with Griffith playing the guitar ance in “Andy Forecloses,” Hel- Mayberry fan community. succeeds in being “arrested” and singing along, Elinor re- and, now included in the group, called she could not keep a quiv- brings gifts for everyone. er out of her voice. After try- Elinor Donahue played Andy ing some takes, Andy took her Taylor’s love interest, Ellie aside and suggested they try Walker, during the first season to find the best key that would of “The Andy Griffith Show.” work. He suggested they sit Elinor had already had a long down and that she initially just career in entertainment. In hum the tune while he played, 1960, the viewing audience re- then told her, “When you feel membered her most recently as really comfortable, just come in Betty, the oldest daughter in the and we’ll start, and I’ll just pick long-running 1950s series “Fa- it up.”

ther Knows Best.” In fact, this Unbeknownst to Elinor, MAYBERRY MAGAZINE was by no means Elinor’s first Andy had arranged for the mi- work in the field. When only crophones positioned around two years old, she was already the studio to remain on during singing on local radio in Taco- this “practice.” Elinor followed ma, Washington, where she was his suggestion and the rehearsal born. went well. When finished, Andy However, Elinor was particu- said, “Okay, I’ll see you tomor- larly nervous about recording row morning.” When Elinor “Away in a Manger” for the asked if they weren’t going to music track in advance of film- record the song, Andy smiled ing the episode. She recalled, and told her they just had. “It was scary. I knew I had to do There is one other similarity •

it, but I kind of didn’t want to Ben Weaver has to Ebeneezer WINTER 2021 have to do it.” Even though she Scrooge. In “Christmas Story,” agreed with her mother’s reas- the store owner is only referred surance that she had sung the to by his first name, a name song countless times at church, that can be found buried within she said she still felt “terrified.” the name Ebeneezer (and is

When she came to the record- considered a nickname for Eb- | 70043759 11

MTA123120M.indd 11 1/15/21 2:29 PM MTA123120M.indd 12 12 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 MAYBERRY? What’s Happening In cal bandsandplentyofdancing concert andshow, featuring lo WPAQ willbehostinga free blue grass andold timemusic, radio stations inthelandfor p.m. Oneofthemostimportant Mount Airy, beginningat 5:30 the HistoricEarle Theatre in 73rd Birthday Celebration at html, orcall336-786-7998. surryarts.org/shows/menu. son tickets, visithttps://www. yond or theBlueRidge AndBe Arts CouncilConcertSeries certs that are partofthe to attend. still plannedbefore traveling ahead toensure anevent is orders.ernmental Pleasecall public healthneedsandgov or cancellation based upon are April. However, allactivities planned events through This calendarincludesmany every publicevent in doubt. of thecoronavirus hasput ings andevents, the spread concert list most up-to-date do ourbesttobringyou the distance from MountAiry. for thoseshowsthatare some particularly before setting out firm itis going onasplanned, call aheadfor anyshowtocon surryart/index.html. Please see http://www.surryarts.org/ Andy Playhouse, please Griffith Earle Theatre, or shows at The performances at The Historic shows, ConcertSeries Summer Arts Council tion onallSurry nities. For additional informa and thesurrounding commu entertainment inMountAiry live concerts, shows,andother WPAQ willbeholdingits Feb. 6 Note: For tickets toallcon- CONCERTS Editor’s Note:Whilewe Your comprehensive guideto subjecttopostponement series, ortopurchase sea- Surry Surry ------lounge chairs. Conces are encouraged totake attending theconcert season pass. Those Series Concert $15 oraSummer 7:30 p.m.Admissionis atre, thestage taking at the BlackmonAmphithe Mayberry area, willbeat more popularbandsinthe Craig Woolard, oneofthe yond.html arts.org/shows/blueridgebe at http://www.surry- will soonbeavailable Ticket information Griffith Playhouse. 7:30 p.m.at theAndy in concertbeginningat formance. postponed are valid for thisper the March 2020show that was ets $35.Tickets purchased for Tickets Tick $50,andBalcony Seat Tickets are $55.Orchestra ginning at 7:30p.m.Preferred Ridge andBeyond series,be ArtsCouncil’sof theSurry Blue Historic Earle Theatre as part Rage willbeonstage at the acts. mances bylocalandregional will feature musicandperfor North Carolina ArtsCouncil, a Grassroots Grant from the program, sponsored inpartby Playhouse inMountAiry. This at 7p.m.at theAndyGriffith Celebration willget underway for theaudience. Revue. Thisgroup purchase. sions willbeavailable for The Embers featuring ofMystroSons willbe Rhonda Vincent andThe A free The Legacy Motown Black HistoryMonth April 30 April 29 March 19 Feb. 13 *** ------available for purchase. chairs. Concessionswillbe are encouraged totake lounge Those attending theconcert this 7:30p.m.show. seasonpassfor Series Concert a Summer Admission is$15or more legendary icons. tions, andsomany & Fire, TheTempta Jacksons, EarthWind The Coasters, The days ofTheDrifters, takes you back to the in the Southeast, willbeon in theSoutheast, of themostpopulargroups who have toured withsome award-winning musicians CAT5 band,madeupof May 1 - be available for purchase. lounge chairs. Concessionswill concert are encouraged totake show. Those attending the season pass for this 7:30 p.m. Concert Series or aSummer Admissionis$15 p.m. concert. ranging playlist tolifeina7:30 theatre, bringingtheirwide- stage at theBlackmonAmphi May 7 1/15/21 2:30PM - Carolina Soul Band, with a soul sound reminiscent of groups such as The Drifters, The Coasters, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, and similar acts, will bring that sound to Mount Airy’s Blackmon Amphitheatre stage in a concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $15 or a season pass to the Surry Arts Council Summer Concert Series. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. May 8 The Will Jones Band will bring its blend of high energy modern country to the stage for a concert. The show will be at phitheatre in Mount Airy. the Blackmon Amphitheatre in Drawing from their catalog of Mount Airy beginning at 7:30 regional hit songs, The Catali- p.m. Admission is $15 or a sea- nas are known for their Beach son pass to the Surry Arts Coun- Music, though they perform cil Summer Concert Series. other genres as well. Admis- Children 12 and younger are ad- sion is $15 or a season pass to mitted free. Those attending the the Surry Arts Council Summer concert are encouraged to take Concert Series. Children 12 lounge chairs. Concessions will and younger are admitted free. be available for purchase. Those attending the concert May 13 are encouraged to take lounge Blackwater Rhythm & chairs. Concessions will be Blues Band brings an energetic available for purchase. performance dedicated to favor- Weekly Events ite tunes of Beach Music, Blues Experience the Merry-Go- and Funk to the Blackmon Am- Round, the second-longest phitheatre as part of the Surry continuously running live radio Arts Council Summer Concert broadcast in the nation, with a Series. The show begins at 7:30 live show every Saturday at The p.m., and admission is $15 or a Historic Earle Theatre from 11 season pass to the concert se- a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each week. ries. Children 12 and younger Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Ad- are admitted free. Those attend- mission is $8 or a Merry-Go- ing the concert are encouraged Round Annual Pass is $20, or a to take lounge chairs. Conces- current Surry Arts Council sea- sions will be available for pur- son pass. Some shows have been chase. moved from the Earle as a result

May 14 of the spread of COVID-19. Call MAYBERRY MAGAZINE The Catalinas will be in ahead to ensure show is still concert at the Blackmon Am- planned. Mark Carrico - Sales

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MTA123120M.indd 13 1/15/21 2:30 PM So you think you know

MAYBERRY? 3. The episode is credited to writer David Adler, but that’s a pseudonym for real-life writer Frank Tarloff. In addition to Christ- Andy Griffith Trivia mas Story, he wrote eight episodes for the show, as well as the script for the movie Father Goose, for which he won an Oscar. 1. With the Christmas holidays just be- real-life hometown of Mount Airy is located. However, Tarloff had been blacklisted by the hind us, let’s take a look at the first — and In Sheriff Andy Taylor’s office, there is a wall House Un-American Activities Committee only — Christmas-themed episode of The map of North Carolina — or at least that’s in 1953, during the McCarthy era, and was Andy Griffith Show, called “Christmas Sto- what it’s supposed to be. What is actually forced to write under pseudonyms to con- ry.” What was the name of the crotchety old depicted on the map? tinue working. store owner who caused the Muggins’ family *** *** to be locked up on Christmas Eve? Bonus 6. Over the past year, a lot of people have 4. In the episode “A Black Day for May- question: what role did he play in an earlier had to learn new skills to keep themselves berry,” Barney grabs what he says is a May- episode of The Andy Griffith Show? employed and putting food on the table. Bar- berry phone book to look up a number. Only *** ney once quit his job as deputy and took up problem is, it’s actually a Mount Airy phone 2. Sticking with the Christmas Story and another trade — what was it? Bonus ques- book. repeat players, who played the Muggins’ tion, why did he quit? *** daughter, and when did she reappear in The ANSWERS 5. The wall map is in reality an upside Andy Griffith Show? 1. Ben Weaver, played by actor Will down map of Idaho and Western Montana. *** Wright, was the scrooge-type character who If show runners were going to the trouble 3. And remaining with the Christmas Sto- seemed to be out to ruin Christmas for all of getting an actual Mount Airy News for ry episode for one more question — what in the Christmas Story episode. In a much- a newspaper prop and a Mount Airy phone was the real name of the writer credited earlier episode — actually, the pilot episode book as well, it’s hard to imagine why they with creating the script for that story, and which first played as part of The Danny didn’t just get the real thing for the wall, a why didn’t he use his real name in the writer Thomas Show — he played Mr. Johnson, a map of North Carolina. credits of the episode? miserly old store owner who was charging *** *** Henrietta Perkins 50 cents a day rental on 6. He became a door-to-door vacuum 4. In a past trivia question, we highlighted a suit her husband was buried in! (Another cleaner salesman, in the episode Barney’s how Andy Griffith’s hometown newspaper, bonus — who played Henrietta Perkins? Replacement. Barney quit his job as deputy The Mount Airy News, made at least one ap- None other than Frances Bavier. because he was certain he was about to be pearance on The Andy Griffith Show. What *** fired by Andy and replaced by the super-effi- other regular publication showed off Mount 2. Joy Elliston played Effie, the little girl cient Bob Rogers. Turns out Bob is a lawyer Airy in the show? locked up with her parents in the Mayberry sent to the Mayberry Sheriff’s office to get *** Jail. Seven seasons later, as a teen-ager, she some on sight training in law enforcement 5. Not everything on The Andy Griffith played Iris, a friend of Mary Alice Carter, in because he’s taking a new job with the state Show as quite as it seemed. Mayberry was the episode “Opie’s First Love” Attorney General’s office. He’s not there to set in North Carolina, where Andy Griffith’s *** replace Deputy Fife. WINTER 2021

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