Mayberry Days 1999
Report by Jeff Koontz
Just when you think it can't get any better, Mayberry Days 1999 happens.
This year was the best one yet for lots of reasons - weather, scheduling,
gorillas, laughs, and more, but mostly because of the friends that come in
to celebrate the event. This year marked the 10th anniversary and everyone
who has been involved from the beginning never thought it would get a big
as it has become. This year I involved in the first Silent Auction to benefit
the Surry Arts Council (SAC hosts the weekend), and it was a nice feeling
for me to be a part of the fun, as well as take part in the fun.
I extended the weekend by going down on Wednesday. There were plenty of things
to do in preparation for the activities at the Mt. Airy Visitors Center (MAVC)
and we got lots done before the end of the day. I was fortunate enough to
get to see Maggie Peterson-Mancuso (Charlene Darling) at the Andy Griffith
Playhouse (AGP) that afternoon. Maggie looks better today than she did on
the show and is just the nicest person. I thought it was a thrill to drive
her back to her hotel last year, but getting to visit with her throughout
the weekend and getting a hug when she saw me, was just about the nicest
thing she could do. She really is a great addition to Mayberry Days and hope
she can make them all from here out. What was even nicer was to have her
husband Gus Mancuso, a noted jazz pianist, join her this year. He really
enjoyed himself and I think saw exactly what Maggie has told him about how
wonderful Mayberry Days is.
Thursday morning came early as the tradition of not sleeping (not a lick)
because I'm so keyed up continued from previous years. The first big event
was held at the Mt. Airy Visitors
Center with the unveiling of Hal Smith's "Otis Campbell" suit and hats.
I was fortunate to have seen it when it first arrived from TAGSRWC headquarters
this summer. It is just one of many nice things that Jim Clark, Presiding
Goober of TAGSRWC, has done to show
the spirit of Mayberry is still alive today by putting the suit on permanent
loan to the Andy Griffith Museum.
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Emma and Fred & Jennie Boone were at the MAVC for the unveiling and
afterwards the 4 of us walked down to Snappy Lunch afterwards to get a picnic
lunch for Fred & Jennie to take up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We all
stopped at the Country Club for the kick off of the golf tournament, then
headed our separate ways. Emma and I went back into town and had lunch at
Leon's. The plan was to meet for dinner before the VW Boys concert and the
timing was right as Emmett & Martha had just pulled into the hotel while
I was waiting, so they joined us too. I had invited friends from W-S up for
the show and I think they both enjoyed the evening. I was disappointed that
Margaret wasn't the "victim" of one of the funnier tricks they do, but she
did get the thrill of sitting next to The Mayberry Deputy, so it worked out
well for her. After the show, MPO & Myra, Elinora & Orville, and
Mary Grace & Marvin arrived and we all visited after the show before
an attempt at more sleep.
Up before the chickens again Friday morning, I headed to the MAVC to help
set up for the Mayberry Garden Club Flower Show. There was another fantastic
collection of flower arrangements on display and I helped Cindy and Brenda
put that together and blow up blue and orange balloons to put around the
grounds. At 11:00 our crowd met at the Mayors Proclamation to officially
begin Mayberry Days. Mt. Airy awarded David Browning,
The Mayberry Deputy, with
honorary citizenship to the city and he had some very touching words to say.
He really adds so much to all the events and Mayberry Days wouldn't be the
same without him. It is nice to call him a friend.
Almost all the gang was there and it was great to meet Idelle Bushy and Gilly
for the first time and see Nice Mary Grace and Mr. Foley again. We all headed
down to Snappy Lunch and got a pork chop sandwich to go and sat under the
shade at the AGP. Another annual tradition is losing to Emmett in a game
of checkers. It was bad enough last year that he had not played since MD97
and beat me, but this year he only played his 8 yr old granddaughter and
SHE beat him. Needless to say, I lost again, but that is part of the fun.
After lunch I was heading for the MAVC with a bottle of pop and Mary Dowell
(of Snappy Lunch fame) told me the record was going down and 6 pork
chop sandwiches were about to be eaten. I went in to check on progress
and he only had 2 small bites to go. Apparently he has slowed down from his
younger days when Jim Clark says he once at 13 prime ribs. The only other
person to attempt the record only got through 2-1/2 sandwiches
(only!!).
I got to the MAVC in time for the Flower Show awards and was pleased when
my friend won again. That is now 2 yrs in a row for JoAnn. There was a record
crowd at the awards ceremony this year too, and was nice to see the turnout
for that.
I had a nice visit with Fred & Jennie under the shade tree at the MAVC.
We had just missed Andelina's arrival in town and were glad to catch up with
her at the Trivia. We headed down to the AGP to get a fan and see just how
little we knew about the show. It always amazes me how well the
Creachters do and was glad the most excitable woman from
last year returned and placed in the top 3. I was only able to get 9 of 24,
but that was pretty good. I didn't walk away empty handed though - they drew
my fan number for the very last doorprize and I got Jim Clark's "Elvis
Presley Family & Friends Cookbook." I was even able to get Jim's
and Michael Hoover's autograph in it. There was some discussion about having
a youth competition trivia next year and I think that would be a neat thing.
There were a few kids there who answered more than the adults!
 Mayberry Days 1999 Trivia Contest Myra Koonce, Milton P. Oliver, Emma, Opie, Flora, and Jennie & Fred Boone are all fans of trivia. The 1999 Champion was Allan Colyar. |
After trivia, we all walked downtown to get dinner. Pandowdy's was too crowded
but we were able to all get seated at the Bluebird Diner. Then it was back
to the AGP for the Doug Dillard concert. He's performed at all 10 Mayberry
Days and it was great to have Ginger Boatright back singing with him. She
did a great job and even sang with her friend from last year. It was also
great hearing Maggie Peterson sing "Salty Dog" with the band.
After the concert we had a great time at the "Pick-ups and Splashes from
Floor and Pool" Party at the Hampton Inn. We had an informal wedding shower
for Mr. Schwump and Annabelle that turned out great - lots of soap and water
(and Mayberry gifts). Elinora and Orville had a great bunch of trivia questions
and only a couple of them were unanswered. George Spence came out to join
us for awhile and he was amazed how well we knew TAGS. That was very nice
to invite him to join us and even nicer that he accepted. Our only regret
is that we all didn't call his wife and wish her a happy birthday that night.
Everyone brought some great gifts for the pirate gift exchange and I scored
a nice book of Old Wives Tales and an Advice Calendar, thanks to Emma (and
Johnny Paul). It was great that Jim Clark was able to join us as well and
his "You haven't heard the last of Ernest T. Bass" fish was a major hit at
the party.
I hustled out the door having almost overslept Saturday morning, but made
it to our regular spot to watch the parade. I thought it was one of the better
parades with the addition of some classic cars, 2 marching bands, and a woman
on a "horse that gives milk." I missed seeing Jimmy the Goat though. My buddy
Keith had his great "Mayberry Welcomes Gold Truck"
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sign out again. George "Goober" Lindsey was the Grand Marshal this year and
he sewed up his fingers right in front of us (go on, Goob!). After the parade
it was time to think about the Silent Auction. I got my stuff over to the
AGP and folks were already with their items, so it was starting to come together.
We started inside the AGP lobby and it was much more comfortable there, but
most of the people coming to look were ones who were looking for the bathroom.
I didn't think we could sell enough drinks to force more people to come use
the facilities and check out the great stuff. We finally got the green light
to move outside, which worked out pretty well after Floyd made an announcement
on stage and folks began to wander over. We had some fantastic items from
some of the most creative people I know - lots of items with that Mayberry
flair - Christmas Wreath, Picnic Tablecloth, wastebaskets, hand towels,
calendars, framed prints, and autographed memorabilia. I was very impressed
with the donated items and even more with all the help that people gave me
in my whim for a service project the WMBUTBB Internet chapter could do. We
raised $996 and are already coming up with ideas for next year. I was very
thankful for everyone who helped this year and hope to see even more WMBUTBB
members helping next year.
One of the bigger disappointments for me was missing the pie-eating contest.
The sign-up sheet was pretty empty on Saturday morning, but filled up nicely
during the day, especially with the younger crowd. It was a battle of the
titans with the 2 time champions from the past 4 years matched up stomach
to stomach. Ann said there was a great crowd and everyone enjoyed the event.
I am going to push to move the auction up an hour so I'm able to make it
down next year.
After we were rested from the auction, we walked down to the Cinema to see
Professor Brower's Lecture. That is always a highlight for me and Neil did
not disappoint. He dedicated this year's lecture to his friend and TAGS writer
Everett Greenbaum, who passed away this summer. Through his letters and visits,
Neil was able to share with the world the stories and meaning behind some
of the best writing in the show with his book "Mayberry 101". I
look forward to the next in the series and future Mayberry Days lectures.
Next, they cleared the cinema and prepared for the annual TAGSRWC Dinner
and Meeting. I opted for the meeting only so I wouldn't have to balance dinner
on my lap this year. There were a few friends upstairs in the balcony when
I arrived and Mr. Schwump even had photos from that morning developed, so
we had some entertainment before the meeting started. With so many TAGS stars
in town, they had a question and answer session as part of the meeting and
it was great to learn some of the inside stories about production of the
show from Dick Linke, hear about the pre-TAGS days of Maggie Peterson, and
TAGS stories from both George Lindsey and George Spence. Jim Clark gave the
condensed version of the chapter report and 26 states were represented this
year. I talked about the results of the auction and some of the potential
uses of the money, including funding the package to be submitted as part
of the Library of Congress's Bicentennial Celebration of "Local Legacies"
for which Mayberry was nominated. Continuing to show he is a prince of a
fellow, Jim donated the door prizes to start a TAGSRWC relief fund for Hurricane
Floyd victims by matching the amount from the sale of the items.
 1999 TAGSRWC Chapter Photo "Presiding Goober" Jim Clark stalking (not fly killing) in the very back center of the photo. Alan "Floyd" Newsome of WMBUTBB and Mother Figure chapter to Jim's right. |
Next, we headed over to Col. Tim's Talent Time. The show started on time
and The Mayberry Deputy kept things moving right along, but still had time
to have fun with the crowd and the performers. Michael Hoover's "Memories
of Elvis" returned and had another outstanding performance with the help
of his back up band - Barney, Floyd, Ernest T. and 4 gorillas. Melvin brought
the house down with his rendition of "Cacklin' Hen" and "Soldier's Joy" and
took 1st place again! This year's show was the perfect number and mix of
acts who performed the right amount of time and was by far the best show
I have seen. Gus Mancuso accompanied Maggie on the piano and she sang some
very nice songs that I felt truly were from her heart to ours.
The day ended with the bowling tournament and our group had 3 teams again.
Andelina outdid herself by creating t-shirts for 2 of the teams - Half-Moon
Trailer Park and Ladies Aide Church Committee. Emma, Jennie, Elinora, and
Flora each had their bottle of Col. Harvey's Indian Elixer and the cutest
little hats to bowl in, but the judges liked the gorilla suits better. The
teams did very well, finishing with the Half-Mooners finishing 1st (Milton
P. Oliver with overall high score) and the team of Fred Boone, Mr. Schwump,
Gilly, and Orville Monroe taking the 3rd spot. Plus Fred Boone won a door
prize. After all the awards were distributed, we all dragged out to the car
after over 17 hours of fun.
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| The Ladies Aide Church Committee Bowling Team with their bottles of Colonel Harvey's Indian Elixer | Bowling T-shirt created by Andelina |
On Sunday, most of us were able to meet for breakfast at Quincy's to share
a final meal, look at photographs, share stories from the previous year and
try to prolong our good-byes. It was hard for me to see everyone drive off,
knowing it would be a year before I would see some of them again. I went
over to the MAVC to help out there for a little while and try to squeeze
as much of Mayberry as I could that weekend.
It was my 6th Mayberry Days and really was the best for me. Perfect weather,
events on schedule, success with the auction, and getting to spend time with
the best people in the world - my online friends from WBMUTBB.
Jeff "Opie" Koontz
WMBUTBB and "Some of us got it... some of us ain't" TAGSRWC Chapters
