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Mayberry
Winter 2021
MAGAZINE
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
Christmas Carol,” and even showing how a character’s name is
Step Back in Time
related to that long-ago Christmas story by Charles Dickens.
& Visit Our Many Vendors
Page 10
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2 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
this winter and spring. New Items Arriving Daily!
Page 12
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
The region’s ONLY comprehensive guide to entertainment,
fun, and all things Mayberry, reaching more than 40,000
70044270
local residents AND tourists with each edition!
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Mayberry
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Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030
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Publisher
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shurley@mtairynews.com
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History
Mount Airy berry’s past
A look at May
ep
Roots Run De
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Event helps
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MTA123120M.indd 4 1/15/21 2:29 PM
MAYBERRY’S
Mus i c M a n ?
A painting made of Jim Vipperman, foreground, when he was a boy, with his father and brother.
Vipperman draws led to the stage and an acting ca-
reer, but music remained close
Chock full of stringed in-
struments — fiddles, guitars,
A glass display case holds tro-
phies and mementos, even a
on generations of to Griffith’s heart, especially
in his show about the fictional
mandolins, even a dobro — it
looks like a musical version of
belt buckle whose significance
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
By John Peters
MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 | 5
musicians than you can shake in darkened corners, or against
jpeters@mtairynews.com See MUSIC | 6
a stick at playing among the various nooks and crannies.
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. AuthENtiC MExiCAN CuiSiNE
local schools back in Griffiths’
That love of performance was
kindled while he was still in
hometown has sat under his tu-
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
the world of music thanks in man, who often plies his trade We offer ion to prepare your food. Come dine
large part to a school music pro- as a music teacher in a simple, occas
special g for in with us any day of the week from
caterin 11:00 am to 9:00pm.
gram and a Moravian minister cozy shop that’s a little dark in events anes
d
Our dInnEr mEnu Is ExpandIng mOrE
s
in his hometown of Mount Airy busines e
the shadowy corners, brightly at
and priv .
all ThE TImE!
who taught the youngster. illuminated where the sun spills events
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Jim Vipperman looks at a belt buckle his father passed down to him, a
buckle his dad earned as part of blue grass legend Bill Monroe’s band in the Jim Vipperman instructing a young musician during the Surry Arts Council
early 1950s. Traditional Arts Program for Students.
decades ago. “I come from seven genera- said. So, he took a more classi- perman said he was hooked.
The store — named Vips Vio- tions of musicians,” he says of cal training route on the violin, From then until he was 18, Vip-
lins — is a veritable repository his family, which hails from studying for nearly two years. perman said he spent nearly
of musical history, decades of Meadows of Dan, Virginia. His That soon morphed into every weekend racing. Even af-
collective memories, the com- grandfather, John Willis Vip- learning to play other stringed ter leaving formal competitive
bined experiences of genera- perman, and his father, Johnny instruments, mostly by just racing for the adult workforce,
tions of musicians stretching far Vipperman, played with some of trying out an instrument, then Vipperman has continued riding
beyond the familiar Blue Ridge the most influential musicians working until he could master regularly. Over the years he’s
Mountains of Surry County. in the genre. Jim Vipperman how to play, with no formal les- ridden all sorts of courses —
And in the center of it all Vip- said both his grandfather, with sons. and been in some awful crashes.
perman, the living, breathing his banjo, and his dad, on guitar, He said his dad was a man- One, on New Year’s Day 2007,
personification of all that is con- were among the first musicians ager at Dixie Music Company, landed him in the hospital with
tained in the shop. who played regularly in the early which gave him an opportunity eight broken ribs, a broken col-
Vipperman is known to nearly days of WPAQ. to see a wide variety of instru- larbone, and a number of other
everyone in Surry County who’s “They were good friends with ments. injuries.
even thought of picking up a Ralph Epperson,” he says of his “I just hung out there and Yet he never, for even a sec-
stringed instrument. For al- dad, granddad, and their rela- learned as much as I could,” ond, considered giving up the
most 30 years he’s been giving tionship with the founder of the he said. “I got to play on some dare-devilish hobby. Even now,
free weekly musical lessons at station. of the nicest instruments you nearly four decades after first
Surry Arts Council, through the His father also played with could ever imagine.” climbing on a bike — and after
Traditional Arts Program for the legendary Bill Monroe — His desire to own some of what he casually refers to as
Students (known around here thus earning the belt buckle the those instruments is also what more than a half-dozen more
simply as the TAPS program). younger Vipperman keeps in his drove him to continue learning. broken ribs, a dislocated arm,
Nearly every third-, fourth-, or display case. The only way to “My dad said ‘if you learn and assorted other injuries —
fifth-grader who has passed earn one of the unique buckles to play that thing, I’ll get it for
through White Plains, Cedar was to be in Monroe’s band, the you,’” he recalled his father say-
6 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
Ridge, or Jones elementary Blue Grass Boys. ing many times when the young
schools have had a chance to With such a pedigree, Vipper- Vipperman would admire a mu-
sit and play under his tutelage man said there was never really sical instrument there.
over the past couple of decades. any idea whether he would or “So, I learned every instru-
And for well more than 20 years, would not learn music — he ment they had,” he says with a
Vipperman has been a judge at just did it, though his approach wry smile, starting with the fid-
the Mount Airy Fiddler’s Con- might be somewhat unique, in dle. That led to Vipperman add-
vention as well as organized the that he doesn’t read music. ing the mandolin, guitar, banjo
youth competition there and at “Which is okay, because I do and bass to his repertoire.
the annual Tommy Jarrell Fes- better by ear than by eye,” he New Interest
tival. says. “If I can hum something, I It’s not uncommon for young
Yet all of that doesn’t quite can play it.” boys, once they reach their teen
convey the man’s easy, lifelong And he can play it on just years, to sometimes stray from
partnership with his music. about any instrument. their childhood dreams. While
Really, it’s in his genes, as His first official musical les- he never stopped playing music,
surely as the DNA code that de- sons came as a second-grader, Vipperman said when he was
cided the color of his hair, how when he began studying violin. about 14, another love came
tall he’d grow, what food he’d en- “In the old days, there was no into his life — motor cross. Jim Vipperman with one his violins
joy and dislike. way to get fiddle lessons,” he Once he was on a bike, Vip- — this one built in the 18th century.
MTA123120M.indd 6 1/15/21 2:29 PM
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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MAYBERRY’S
First Couple?
Jan and Allan Newsome taking a picture during a visit to Mount Airy. (Allan Newsome)
Allan, Jan Newsome keep Mayberry fans connected
real-life Mayberry. were in the days when most About a dozen people tuned
By John Peters
And then there’s the online people had dial-up internet, in virtually, to watch and com-
They wouldn’t like the title presence both maintain — Al- and they were of generally poor ment on his first performance.
— both are far too modest, lan with his weekly Two Chairs, quality, at least using the inter- “I thought, ‘oh no’,” he re-
quick to give credit and respect No Waiting podcast (https:// net and playback technology calls, because he really wasn’t
to others — but if there were to imayberry.com/podcasts/cat- available at that time. Later, he prepared to try to keep a dozen
be a First Couple of Mayberry, egory/two-chairs-no-waiting/) decided to upgrade the quality. people entertained while re-
the title might just fit Allan and and Jan’s Weaver’s Department “I thought if I’m going to do cording the podcast.
Jan Newsome. Store (https://www.weavers- that, if I’m going to introduce Soon, those numbers grew a
Allan, of course, is known departmentstore.com/), where it, explain it…If I’m going to do little, then a little more — and
throughout Mayberrydom as a fans can go online to find all that, I thought I might as well it wasn’t unusual to have two
Floyd the Barber tribute artist, sorts of Mayberry goodies. do a podcast.” dozen people, or more, check-
appearing each year at Mayber- The podcast, held every Thus, the weekly show was ing out his live cast of the show
8 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
ry Days in Mount Airy, where Monday evening at 8 p.m. East- born. — some from as far away as
he serves as the master of cere- ern Standard Time, is a folksy, He wasn’t finished with his Ireland.
monies for the annual Mayberry feel-good virtual visit with New- refinements, though. More than The Floyd tribute artist said
Days opening ceremony, takes some, in which he talks about a year after starting, around the initially he had planned to do
part in several shows during the various aspects of The Andy 70th episode, he thought about the show for close to five years,
annual gathering, and helps the Griffith Show, its stars, the doing a live show on YouTube or 249 episodes, which is the
sponsoring Surry Arts Council show’s fans, and related sub- while recording it both as a vid- number of episodes in The
and its army of staff and volun- jects. eo and as a podcast folks could Andy Griffith Show.
teers with all sorts of tasks and Newsome started the podcast watch or listen to anytime later. Fans and friends had other
behind-the-scenes help to keep in 2008, back when few people “The only reason I started ideas.
the event running smoothly. had ever heard the term pod- doing the live recording, I “When I started getting close
He’s also the accidental cast. knew other podcasters were to that, people were like ‘oh
founder of the annual Sum- “I run iMayberry.com, for doing that. I figured I’d try no, you can’t do that. You can’t
mer Meet-Up for Andy Griffith the Andy Griffith Show Rerun it, but I didn’t think anyone stop.’”
Show fans, an event that has Watcher’s Club,” Newsome said would come. The whole reason More than 600 episodes later,
grown from a simple dinner of the decision to begin the pod- for doing a podcast is that you he’s still going strong, with a
with fellow fans to a regular, cast. “I had some audio inter- can download and listen at any wide variety of subject matter
organized-yet-informal summer views I’d posted (there).” time, so I figured no one would for each show.
gathering in Mount Airy, the Those interviews, he said, show up.” “Lots of times, it just comes
MTA123120M.indd 8 1/15/21 2:29 PM
Jan Newsome shows off part of the inventory and work space for Weaver’s Allan Newsome at the microphone recording one of his more than 600
Department Store. (Jan Newsome) episodes of the podcast, Two Chairs, No Waiting. (Allan Newsome)
from watching an episode and was fighting through cancer line site for him in the very early
spotting something I didn’t ever treatments. 90s, maybe 1992,” Allan New-
recall seeing or talking about. “He wrote me after it was some said. “It’s been around so
Or maybe there’s something in over. ‘Hey, your podcast helped long, when I created the iMay-
the news that week that relates me get through my cancer treat- berry site, you had to email Ya-
to the show. Every once in a ment. Listening to it lifted my hoo, tell them you started this
while I’ll do a trivia episode. spirits, let me forget some of website. They emailed me back
Different things hit you differ- my troubles I was having’,” Al- and said they’d added it to their
ent weeks, maybe it’s someone’s lan relates. “That really touches search engine.”
birthday, one of the cast mem- you. You never really expect Six years ago, the Newsome’s
bers, and I’ll end up talking what you’re doing can have bought Weaver’s Department
about them.” any sort of impact like that. It’s store from Clark, and now she Allan Newsome, right, as Floyd The
More than producing the about The Andy Griffith Show, keeps the business running Barber on stage at the Grand Old
podcast, though, Allan says he but if it makes people smile, smoothly, even in busy times. Opry with, from left, Don Knotts and
enjoys the interaction with fans, forget their troubles for a little “In November, we had 290 David Browning as The Mayberry
Deputy. (Courtesy mayberrybarber.
and the idea that he’s offering a while, there’s a lot to be said for orders, which was a lot for com)
place for them to gather regu- that.” us,” she said in late December.
larly. While Allen keeps himself That’s the most we’ve ever had
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s kind of busy with the podcast and You- in a month,” though December “We support different orga-
become a thing…last night we Tube show, his wife, Jan, has was quickly approaching those nizations,” she said. “Mayberry
had 50 people visiting live with her own special connection to figures, with nearly 200 orders Days, Mayberry in the Mid-
one another,” he said after a re- Mayberry — Weaver’s Depart- by the middle of the month. west, the George Lindsey Film
cent show on YouTube. “A lot of ment Store. With an employee force of Festival,” are among the efforts
people will download, or watch Fans of the show will recall one — Jan — that means a lot proceeds supports, as well as a
the video portion, but it’s that the store and its owner, the of late nights and weekends special needs program in Ala-
interaction I get to have weekly curmudgeonly Ben Weaver, as packing and shipping out or- bama.
with people who are coming in important characters and set- ders. “I have yet to write myself my
there, visiting when I’m doing tings for several of the show’s “She’s now Mrs. Weaver,” Al- first paycheck,” she says with a
it live. That makes it feel more episodes. lan says of his wife. “People call laugh, explaining it’s not only
Mayberry when I’m doing that.” While the Mayberry retailer her Mrs. Weaver. She writes a labor of love, but sometimes
The shows remain on You- is the modern-day website’s notes when people order things, time consuming in unexpected
MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 | 9
Tube after he’s done with the namesake, Jan Newsome is she writes notes on every order. ways.
live performance, and he says about as far away from Ben That’s developed into a relation- “A lot of our customers are
they usually get 300 to 400 Weaver as one could get, with ship with people. That’s the the same people, you see their
views, while each new podcast an easy laugh and a simple de- thing about The Andy Griffith orders over and over. Some or-
version of the show generates sire to help Mayberry friends Rerun Watcher’s Club, it’s about der online and some order on
700 to 800 downloads within and fans find items they enjoy relationships between people. the phone and they’ll want to
the first couple of weeks of go- — whether it be a shirt, a cal- While the Mayberry version talk. I’ll have a 20-minute con-
ing online. endar, or some other Mayberry of Weaver’s was a traditional versation with some of them,
And he says he has no idea related item. retail space on Main Street, the just talking about Mayberry
when he’ll close shop on the The Newsomes said that Jim online version is a quite differ- stuff, about the weather, about
podcast. Clark, the self-proclaimed head ent. whatever is going on at the
“As long as it’s fun, as long goober of The Andy Griffith “It is in what would be the time.”
as I’m still enjoying it, as long Show Rerun Watcher’s Club, living room, dining room of the Again, building relationships,
as people still want me to do it, started Weaver’s years ago as a front part of our house,” she as Allan said, and keeping the
that kind of drives it. I really do way to generate enough revenue says. spirit of Mayberry alive — and
enjoy visiting with people and to support the club’s newsletter Any “profit” made on the most definitely qualifying the
hearing backgrounds,” he said. and other activities. items sold usually goes toward two for serious consideration
One young fan stands out in “When I started iMayberry. helping different Mayberry- for the title of Mayberry’s First
particular, a young man who com, I created the Weaver’s on- themed organizations. “ Couple.
MTA123120M.indd 9 1/15/21 2:29 PM
CHRISTMAS Story Courtesy Surry Arts Council
Sam Scobey (played by Sam Edwards), Helen Scobey (played by Margaret Kerry), curmudgeonly Ben Weaver (played by Will Wright) and Sheriff Andy Taylor
(Andy Griffith) in the “Andy Forecloses” episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Weaver was the bad guy who grudgingly came to his senses in both this episode
and the Christmas Story episode, where he ended up supplying Christmas gifts for the Muggins family. While this is the same couple in both episodes, the
writers changed their names to Scobey for this episode of the show.
Episode harkens Weaver who is upset that Sam Scrooge is shown there is more
Muggins is making moonshine to life than money by first being
first realizes what he is miss-
ing when he peers from outside
to Dicken’s which will cut into liquor sales visited by the ghost of his for-
at Weaver’s store, in spite of mer partner, Jacob Marley, and
through the bars of the window
of one of the cells to see party
Sam’s assertion that he was then by the spirits of Christ- preparations and everyone
‘Christmas Carol’ only making it for personal use. mas Past, Present, and Yet To
Or as Sam puts it, “I just Come. By the end of
singing “Deck the Halls.” After-
ward, Ben repeatedly does his
made a batch to kind of the novella, Scrooge is a best to get arrested so he can
10 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
By Randy Turner merry up Christmas.” changed man. be with the group but is at first
The episode is mod- In “Christmas Story,” unsuccessful.
Editor’s Note: This is part eled after Charles Dick- the bitter and hardened Later, in the most moving
of a series of occasional essays ens’ novella “A Christ- Ben Weaver is also a scene of the episode, Andy
and articles by author Randy mas Carol.” The episode miserly businessman, and Ellie sing a beautiful ver-
Turner, examining various of “The Andy Griffith one so concerned about sion of “Away in a Manger” in
aspects of the famed The Andy Show” is not a beat-by- Randy Turner making money he is will- the courthouse, as the camera
Griffith Show. beat retelling of the clas- ing to demand his fellow slowly pans away from the peo-
During the entire eight-year sic tale, but it has the man be locked up on ple gathered, the camera shot
run of “The Andy Griffith necessary essential similarities. Christmas Eve. Whenever Ben reveals that Ben has returned
Show,” only one episode was In “A Christmas Carol,” the is offered any Christmas good to the cell window and is sadly
ever centered on a holiday. bitter and hardened Ebeneezer wishes, his response is to bark watching and softly singing
That episode was “Christmas Scrooge, a miserly business- out a dismissive “Ha!” along.
Story,” originally aired on De- man, is more concerned about The name Scrooge has en- Ben is clearly sad to be
cember 19, 1960. hoarding money than caring tered the lexicon to mean a bit- spending the holiday alone. He
“Christmas Story” is a favor- for his fellow man. Whenever ter miser. Obviously, Ben Weav- is shown there is more to life
ite episode of Mayberry fans. he is wished a Merry Christ- er is a Scrooge-like character. than money by observing the
The episode tells the story of mas, his standard response is While there is no ghost element love and fellowship occurring
the miserly store owner Ben to bark out, “Bah! Humbug!” to the Mayberry version, Ben in the courthouse, a gathering
MTA123120M.indd 10 1/15/21 2:29 PMen 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,
was by no means Elinor’s first Andy had arranged for the mi-
MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 | 11
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
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
MTA123120M.indd 11 1/15/21 2:29 PMWhat’s Happening In
MAYBERRY?
Your comprehensive guide to
live concerts, shows, and other
for the audience.
Feb. 13
takes you back to the
days of The Drifters,
entertainment in Mount Airy A free Black History Month The Coasters, The
and the surrounding commu- Celebration will get underway Jacksons, Earth Wind
nities. For additional informa- at 7 p.m. at the Andy Griffith & Fire, The Tempta-
tion on all Surry Arts Council Playhouse in Mount Airy. This tions, and so many
Summer Concert Series shows, program, sponsored in part by more legendary icons.
performances at The Historic a Grassroots Grant from the Admission is $15 or
Earle Theatre, or shows at The North Carolina Arts Council, a Summer Concert
Andy Griffith Playhouse, please will feature music and perfor- Series season pass for
see http://www.surryarts.org/ mances by local and regional this 7:30 p.m. show. stage at the Blackmon Amphi-
surryart/index.html. Please acts. Those attending the concert theatre, bringing their wide-
call ahead for any show to con- March 19 are encouraged to take lounge ranging playlist to life in a 7:30
firm it is going on as planned, Rhonda Vincent and The chairs. Concessions will be p.m. concert. Admission is $15
particularly before setting out Rage will be on stage at the available for purchase. or a Summer Concert Series
for those shows that are some Historic Earle Theatre as part May 1 season pass for this 7:30 p.m.
distance from Mount Airy. of the Surry Arts Council’s Blue CAT5 band, made up of show. Those attending the
Editor’s Note: While we Ridge and Beyond series, be- award-winning musicians concert are encouraged to take
do our best to bring you the ginning at 7:30 p.m. Preferred who have toured with some lounge chairs. Concessions will
most up-to-date concert list- Seat Tickets are $55. Orchestra of the most popular groups be available for purchase.
ings and events, the spread Tickets $50, and Balcony Tick- in the Southeast, will be on May 7
of the coronavirus has put ets $35. Tickets purchased for
every public event in doubt. the March 2020 show that was
This calendar includes many postponed are valid for this per-
planned events through formance.
April. However, all activities ***
are subject to postponement Sons of Mystro will be
or cancellation based upon in concert beginning at
public health needs and gov- 7:30 p.m. at the Andy
ernmental orders. Please call Griffith Playhouse.
ahead to ensure an event is Ticket information
still planned before traveling will soon be available
to attend. at http://www.surry-
CONCERTS arts.org/shows/blueridgebe-
12 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
Note: For tickets to all con- yond.html
certs that are part of the Surry April 29
Arts Council Concert Series The Embers featuring
or the Blue Ridge And Be- Craig Woolard, one of the
yond series, or to purchase sea- more popular bands in the
son tickets, visit https://www. Mayberry area, will be at
surryarts.org/shows/menu. the Blackmon Amphithe-
html, or call 336-786-7998. atre, taking the stage at
Feb. 6 7:30 p.m. Admission is
WPAQ will be holding its $15 or a Summer Concert
73rd Birthday Celebration at Series season pass. Those
the Historic Earle Theatre in attending the concert
Mount Airy, beginning at 5:30 are encouraged to take
p.m. One of the most important lounge chairs. Conces-
radio stations in the land for sions will be available for
blue grass and old time music, purchase.
WPAQ will be hosting a free April 30
concert and show, featuring lo- The Legacy Motown
cal bands and plenty of dancing Revue. This group
MTA123120M.indd 12 1/15/21 2:30 PMCarolina 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 • WINTER 2021 | 13
The Catalinas will be in ahead to ensure show is still
concert at the Blackmon Am- planned.
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MTA123120M.indd 13 1/15/21 2:30 PMSo you think you know
MAYBERRY? 3. The episode is credited to writer David
Adler, but that’s a pseudonym for real-life
Andy Griffith Trivia writer Frank Tarloff. In addition to Christ-
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
14 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
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.
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MTA123120M.indd 15 1/15/21 2:30 PM16 | MAYBERRY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021
70043760
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