The WBMUTBB Historical Society continues to go through the archives of
the our chapter and found this report from me (Allan Newsome) that was a
follow up to the message from Amy posted yesterday.
The message is from September 27, 1994 and reports on the happenings at
Mayberry Days held in Mount Airy, NC. I hope you are enjoying these
glimpses back in time to the history of the WBMUTBB Chapter. Keep in
mind that our chapter will be 20 years old this coming November so we
have a long history of Mayberry fun.
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From: Anewsome
Posted: Tue, 27 Sep 1994
Subject: We're home!
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FLOYD: We're home!
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Wow! What a great weekend it turned out to be in Mt. Airy!
Of course, it's always a great weekend when your in our
hometown, Mayberry, NC.
I'd like to start off by thanking Amy for those kind words
she wrote earlier in the week. Also, I'd like to apologize
to her for forgetting her name. When I saw her I remembered
everything about her, except her name. I knew she'd just
changed jobs. I knew her internet address (who can forget
"golleygee") but I couldn't remember her name. I really am
sorry about that, Amy. I'll do better next time.
As Amy said, Lyle Fales won the pie eating contest and
received a nice medal for his victory. Rumor has it that
Lyle's gonna be wearing the medal full-time till next years
pie eatin'. When asked how he was gonna take a bath with
the medal on he said he'd figured that out already; he just
wouldn't take a bath until next years contest.
The weekend started on Thursday with the golf tournament at
Cross Creek Country Club followed by the Pig Pickin'
(barbecue dinner). I didn't make it for golf but I did get
a report from "Barney" himself that he was gonna be giving
lessons because he was able to score a lot higher than some
of the other players. One team only shot in the low 50's
(best-ball tourney) so Barn figured he'd start with them.
On Friday things got started early with a trip to "The
Snappy Lunch" for a breakfast biscuit. A little later,
Mayor Taylor read the Proclamation naming September 23-24th
"Mayberry Day's". I have to be honest, the mayors speech
was dry as dust but Barney (David Browning) and Ernest T.
Bass (Phil Lee) kept things lively. Opie Taylor (Brad Hood),
Floyd Lawson (Me), and Otis Campbell (Joe Rowland) were also
present at the reading along with Jimmy (the loaded goat).
The characters wandered the streets talking to folks for
much of the day on both Friday and Saturday.
Friday was capped off by the Doug Dillard(Darling) Band
concert at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. Doug and the band
played many of the Darling's songs off TAGS and a good time
was had by all.
Saturday was a full day of Mayberry starting off with the
4th Annual Mayberry Day's Parade. It was Big. Two squad
cars, a Potato Queen, Miss Mt. Airy, Jim Clark (the head
Goober of TAGSRWC), and a lot of TAGS chapters were riding
in the parade. Barney, Ernest T., Opie, Aunt Bee (Alma
Venable from the Mayberry Motor Inn), Leon, and Otis were
also traveling Main Street with the parade.
There was bingo over at the old Downtown Cinema, Aunt Bee's
bake sale at the Playhouse, Mrs. Wiley's Tea, and lots of
other events happening all day long. You could even get
your Official Mayberry Day's picture drawn over at the
Visitor's Center.
You had to be sure not to miss lunch over at the Snappy
Lunch and one of Charles Dowell's legendary Pork Chop
Sandwiches. Then you could drop by Floyd's City Barber
Shop and get your haircut or just visit with owner, the
"real" Floyd, Russell Hiatt. Both Charles and Russell are
super nice guys, just like Mayberry folks should be.
Lot's of other things were happening all over Mt. Airy all
day long but events came to a close with Colonel Tim's
Talent Time hosted by David Browning as Barney Fife.
Chipper, the bird that sings the TAGS theme, was a big hit
along with the other great acts. It was a gas.
The Mayberry Choir (folks from the audience) sang
(lip-synched) good ole 14-A with Barnard P. Fife as the
featured singer. And last, but not least, Melvin Slaydon
performed and received a trophy for his performance in
the '93 Talent Time. Melvin was a hit but it would have
been hard for him to live up to his '93 performance. I
believe that Melvin won a $10 merchandise certificate so
that make's him a professional and ineligible for next
years contest. It'll be a "blow to the group" but
we'll get by.
I left out so many things but hopefully y'all can get an
idea of the fun and atmosphere that make up Mayberry
Day's. It's a wonderful event and I can't wait till
next year!!
Well, I better go. Lot's of luck to you and yours.
Allan Newsome
"Mother Figure" Chapter &
"Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board?" Chapter
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