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Host: Allan Newsome
Running time: 0:13:19

Two Chairs No Waiting

This episode is all about Franklin Canyon and the real “Myers Lake” location where the opening credits for The Andy Griffith Show were filmed.  If you’re ever in the LA area you will not want to miss out on visiting this location. Be sure to take this podcast along with you so you can listen to the ‘scouting report’ about where the Mayberry related areas are.  Don’t miss out on the photos and other links in our show notes.

Below are the directions to “Myers Lake.

You can only go one-way around the lake and that’s staying to the right. When you start around the lake….stop at the first parking area and walk over toward the wooden railing. Looking down from the road you’ll see an area of dirt….that’s the area where Andy and Opie walked. If you get past the wooden railing…you’re too far. The other side of the lake is where Howard was fishing for “ole Sam”.

The house that’s on the right before you go across the dam is the game wardens office when Andy and Helen went fishing without a license and had to pay the fine.

Directions

2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, California

From the West Side, head north on Beverly Drive following signs to Coldwater Canyon. Turn left on Coldwater/Beverly Drive and turn left again on Beverly Drive , at Fire Station No. 2. The third right is Franklin Canyon Dr. continue through residential area to park entrance. At the intersection of Franklin Canyon and Lake Drive turn right to go to Franklin Canyon Ranch site or turn left to go to the Sooky Goldman
Nature Center and Franklin Canyon Lake.

From the San Fernando Valley, From the Ventura Freeway (101) or Ventura Blvd. Take Coldwater Canyon Boulevard south to the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland Drive. Make a 90 degree right turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr. There is no street sign “Franklin Canyon.” Road signs read “Road Closed 800 Feet” “Sunset to Sunrise”; this is the park entrance. Do NOT make a “U-Turn” for this will bring you onto Mulholland Drive instead of Franklin Canyon. Stay on paved surface to reach the Sooky Goldman Nature Center and continue south of the lake for 1.5 miles to reach the Franklin Canyon Ranch Site area.

As you enter the “loop” that goes around the lake (it’s one way so this should make it easy to describe), you will have a wooden railing on the left. That railing is where Andy stopped on “The Return to Mayberry” and looked down at Myers Lake.  There is a parking area about 40 yards down on the left.

Park there and walk over to the railing just to the left of the parking area (not the railing that on the main road but the wooden “fence” that keeps folks from falling down the slope.   When you look down the slope you’ll see the path. This is where Andy and Opie walked.  There’s a wooden picnic table down there.

Related Links:

• Photos of Franklin Canyon – These are photos taken during my two trips to visit Franklin Canyon.
• Video at Franklin Canyon – Your host and his son, Adam, back in 2004 at Myers Lake filming our version of the opening credits of TAGS.
• Franklin Canyon Reservoir – Live Search Maps will show you an “Aerial” view of the exact location Andy and Opie walked in the opening credits. The “pins” are off a bit but they’ll get you started. Click “Aerial” after the page loads to see the overhead view.
• Franklin Canyon – The TV show “Combat” as filmed at Franklin Canyon as well. See if you can spot Myers Lake areas in the images on this site.
• Opening Credits Location – Wikimapia.org provided another nice view from above of “Myers Lake.”
• Let’s Go to the Fishin’ Hole – Report by The Mayberry Times publisher (1996) about his trip to Myers Lake and meeting with some of the cast members.
• A Walk With Andy and Opie – Report in “My Sen-Tence” from the mid-1990’s by Paul Filder and his trip to Franklin Canyon.

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Background music courtesy of the VW Boys

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Host: Allan Newsome
Running time: 0:15:38

Two Chairs No Waiting

Mike Peacock of the “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” Chapter provides us with a little more insight into why Elinor Donahue left TAGS after only one season.

Robbie Curlee gives us some behind the scenes information about a near meeting with/sighting of Andy Griffith in Mt. Airy, NC.

We have ONE rating on iTunes but there are only 11 subscribers using iTunes so that’s 9% . “Fife” gave us a 5 star rating and I’m thankful for that. We’d love to have more ratings so if you’re one of the 11 subscribers using iTunes go give us a good rating and a review.

Janet who goes by Thelma Lou on the WBMUTBB Digest had this to say about episode 11: I especially enjoyed your most recent podcast with the interview with Elinor Donahue (though I listen to and enjoy all of them).  And adding “Away in a Manger” at the end was the perfect touch!

Romeena from over at The Taylor’s Front Porch (shownotes will have the link) had this to say: Hey, Floyd.  Great podcast.  Very down-home, friendly and welcoming.  Makes me proud to know ya!

Dave, who goes by “Gomer in Glasgow” wrote in to remind me that he was around early in the life of the WBMUTBB Chapter like Jack Felenzer and Kevin Johnson. And he says: have a Merry Christmas an a Happy New Year……Lotsa Luck ta you an’ yers….Gomer in Glasgow

Brian from Stevensville, MD wrote in to say: Greetings Alan!   What was it like meeting Hoke Howell in Judge Laird’s “Mayberry Room” in Anniston, Alabama? What did he talk about? Curious. Thanks!

==Finally==

Certificate for flag presented by MAC Paul Balmer (click image for large view)

Chief Master-At-Arms Paul Balmer presented to me on behalf of the fans of The Andy Griffith Show and of this podcast a flag that was actually flown over the Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. This is BIG for me and I believe it will be to you, the listener, as well.  Paul and the troops serving with him are in our prayers. Thank you, Paul, for this great honor.

Please let us hear from you!  We would love to hear your comments, questions, and Mayberry experiences so send them in either by leaving comments on our website,  e-mail me (floyd@iMayberry.com), or use our toll-free number to add your voice to the podcast. No…I’m not giving out the number here..you have to listen to the podcast to get the number (sneaky ain’t I).

Related Links:

• Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board? Chapter website – See what the WBMUTBB Digest (daily e-mail) has for you by visiting the WBMUTBB Digest Archives
• Andy’s Homeplace – Stay in the Mount Airy home where he lived during his adolescence until his high school graduation.
• Go directly to the TCNW podcast  iTunes site (if you have iTunes) and give us a rating and review.
• Visit The Taylor’s Front Porch for some fun Mayberry conversation and say “hey” to Romeena
• Make plans to go on the Cruise to Mayberry 4 12-17 October 2009. Not sure about a cruise, check out the photos from past cruises.
• Read the Hoke Howell story in My Sen-tence Online Newsletter of the “Mother Figure” Chapter of TAGSRWC.

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Host: Allan Newsome
Special Guest: Elinor Donahue
Running time: 0:15:13

Andy & Ellie Singing

(NOTE: If you originally got episode 10 in your feed…sorry about that error. Here’s the corrected feed.)

Merry Christmas from Two Chairs No Waiting. This episode features an interview with Elinor Donahue recorded during rehearsal for the Mayberry in Meadowview event held in Kingsport, TN on June 27, 1998. It is a fun interview and “Miss Ellie” is a wonderful person. I can’t thank her enough for sitting down and talking with me.  We end the episode in a special way as well so be sure to listen.

Related Links:

• In the Kitchen with Elinor Donahue – Weaver’s has her book and I know you’ll enjoy it
• Merry Christmas from your host and his family – The Newsome’s 2008 Online Card

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Host: Allan Newsome
Special Guest: Kenneth Junkin
Running time: 0:13:21

Two Chairs No Waiting

We finish up our interview with Kenneth “Otis” Junkin.  This interview also has Tim “Goober” Pettigrew joining us toward the end of Ken’s interview.

Thank you for all the kind e-mails I’ve received about the podcast.  I hope some of you will take time to call our toll-free number and be a part of future episodes.

A quick correction if you listened to episode 9, the toll-free number I gave out on that episode was WRONG.  I wrote the number down wrong so I said the wrong number in episode 9. In this episode I give you the correct number.  Sorry about that.

I’m not telling you the number. You’ll have to listen to episode to find out but we hope to hear from you with your questions or comments about past episodes or TAGS.

Related Links:

• Cruise to Mayberry web site

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Burke on Mayberry #32 = Quiet Sam

Running time: 9:57

Barney becomes suspicious of the odd habits of farmer Sam. Sam is acting strangely because his wife is about to give birth to their first child and he has nobody to help him. With the local doctor unavailable, Andy and Barney come to the rescue (originally aired on May 1, 1961). Be sure to visit www.BurkeOnMayberry.com to get the answer to this episode’s trivia question!

Subscribe to Burke on Mayberry

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Host: Allan Newsome
Special Guest: Kenneth Junkin
Running time: 0:12:21

Two Chairs No Waiting

The first of a 2 part interview with Kenneth “Otis” Junkin.  Ken has been playing Otis for a while and everyone seems to love Otis. That may be related to the fact that Ken is playing Otis and he’s a person folks love to be around.

We have a special shout out to the boys in kaki serving over seas from a special guest.

If you’re not overseas (i.e. you’re in the US) we now have a toll-free number where you can call and be a part of future episodes. I’m not telling you the number. You’ll have to listen to episode to find out (NOTE: I gave the WRONG Number out on this episode so don’t call it. I corrected it on the next episode.) but we hope to hear from you with your questions or comments about past episodes or TAGS.

Related Links:

• Cruise to Mayberry web site
• See photos from past cruises

Two Chairs No Waiting is brought to you by WeaversDepartmentStore.com.