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Press Release/ Feature Story For Immediate Release, June 29, 2004
Contact: Christine Mallette, Executive Director * Henry County Convention & Visitors Bureau * New Castle, IN * www.henrycountyin.org * * Fax
Photos: Available upon request, they include: 1) Andy Griffith and Jim Clark following the dedication of the "TV Land Landmark statue" for "The Andy Griffith Show" in Raleigh, NC in October 2003. 2) Jim Clark, George Lindsey, and Ken Beck (co-author on many books with Jim Clark) sitting on a bench in front of the Mayberry Courthouse set during a break in filming "Return to Mayberry" in Los Olivos, Calif., in 1986.
"Mayberry" fanatic's fan club attracts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Freelance writer Jim Clark has always had a love of "The Andy Griffith Show." Most fans of the show would enjoy watching the television show or merely enjoying the occasional episode, but Clark and 20,000 others take their interest further: they are part of a fan club that Clark and some college buddies formed 25 years ago. In 1979 at Vanderbilt University, Clark and three fraternity brothers would gather around the one television in the house to share their love of this show. "It turned into a competition when some other members of the fraternity wanted to watch the show 'M.A.S.H.'," Clark explained. Clark and his friends would race to the television to make sure the it was tuned to "The Andy Griffith Show" instead of "M.A.S.H," which aired during the same time slot. "Eventually we started a fan club and we were the entire membership. We called it The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club. It is quite a mouthful to say," he said with a chuckle. This membership of five lasted a while with the occasional new member joining. Things changed in 1982 with a story in the local paper. A few years later, Lewis Grizzard, the now deceased popular Southern syndicated columnist, wrote a column about the group. Suddenly this small membership turned into hundreds and then thousands. This affection for the show has grown from a group of friends into 1,250 chapters and 20,000 members today. Famous members of the fan club include singer Alan Jackson, talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, athlete Michael Jordan, radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, and many others. Clark's love of "The Andy Griffith Show" started long before college. Clark's earliest memories are at age 4, sitting in the living room with his parents. Since Clark was a young boy, too, Opie was the character Clark related most closely to. "To be honest, I don't remember not watching it. I was probably watching in 1960, when I was born," he said. As administrator of the club, Clark has had ample opportunities to interact with the famous actors of this beloved show. In the 1980s he began to organize and attend small events in Nashville, which had one or two actors from "The Andy Griffith Show" in attendance. One of the first persons Clark met from the show was George Lindsey (who played Goober Pyle). Lindsey was in town to shoot on the Nashville set of "Hee-Haw." Clark kept up his affiliations through these types of meetings and events, through his administration of the fan club and through the numerous books Clark has written. Clark decided to use his love of writing to author 12 books about "The Andy Griffith Show." His first book, written in 1985, was appropriately titled, "The Andy Griffith Show Book." While 12 of the 20 books he has written have a direct connection to the show, "all of them in some way pay tribute or mention this show," he said. So why has this show remained so popular? "It is simply outstanding entertainment," he said. "It is a chance to escape from the real world for even a moment and care about characters who very funny and represent a quality show." "The show is on in about 20 countries," he continued. "It shows on about 100 local stations (around the country) twice a day and now with "TV Land" and cable, it is on all the time, somewhere in the world." The stars are very approachable at the numerous cast reunion events around the country, which adds to the show's appeal to the public. "Mayberry Days," held in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, is probably the most well-known reunion event. Mt. Airy, as hometown to Andy Griffith, decided to invite the stars for a show, autograph sessions and other events all focusing around "The Andy Griffith Show." This allowed the fans access to the stars and insight into a show they love. Begun in 1990 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the show, it has continued for 14 years and many other events have joined it over the years. "There are probably three events a year that have numerous stars at it and they are more of the cast reunion events.," Clark said. On the whole, there are 12 events throughout the year, from car shows with a star in attendance to other small events. "I just came from a large event in Nashville," he said. "I will be in New Castle, Ind., for 'Mayberry in the Midwest III'on July 9 and 10, and in Mt. Airy later this summer. This is a chance for all the fans - not just fan club members - to visit with friends and be entertained by the stars." Clark knows that with each passing year, as these beloved actors get older, the likelihood of seeing all the show's stars lessens. But he always has the memories of past events. One such memory was when George Lindsey invited him to the set of the made for television special, "Return to Mayberry" in 1986. "I remember walking through the front door of the court house with Jack Dodson {now deceased actor who played Howard Sprague} and I got to watch Andy {Griffith} and Don {Knotts} rehearse a scene. Later, I was invited to have a seat on the bench in front of the court house with Goober {George Lindsey}." This was Clark's first time in meeting Andy Griffith. Griffith, knowing that Clark was head of the fan club, asked him a trivia question as he was finishing dressing for the next scene on the set. Andy asked Clark about where his character wore his sheriff's badge on his shirt. "He, of course, knew {the answer} but it was so neat to be asked," Clark recalled. Whether your favorite episode is "Opie the Birdman," one of Clark's favorites, or "Mountain Wedding," one thing is for sure: this show is easy to like. The show is celebrating its 44th anniversary this year, and in March 2004 it was named the winner of "TV Lands'Legend Award." As stated on TV Lands'website, "This award is presented to a television series which has stood the test of time and ranks amongst the most memorable and celebrated shows in TV history." Obviously, the popularity of this show, 44 years later, is a testament to how worthy "The Andy Griffith Show" is of this significant award. Clark is the main administrator of the fan club today. The club has voluntary dues, and if you would like a copy of the tri-yearly newsletter, you have to pay $6 per year. The fan club's website address is www.mayberry.com.
Author's note: Christine Mallette is the Executive Director of the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau. This organization is the title sponsor of "Mayberry in the Midwest III" For more information on this event go to mayberryinthemidwest.com or call .
Side Bar: Mayberry in the Midwest III will be in New Castle, Indiana next weekend!
New Castle, IN: "Mayberry in the Midwest III" (MB III) is a two-day event celebrating the wonderful fun and cherished memories of the loveable "The Andy Griffith Show" (TAGS) characters.The stars of the now world-wide syndicated show, scheduled to appear and perform are George Lindsey (Goober), Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou), The Dillards (The Darling Boys), Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling), and Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker), all of whom are returning from last year's "Mayberry in the Midwest II." Joining this year's scheduled to appear cast line up are, Ronnie Schell (Duke Slater from TAGS spin-off "Gomer Pyle USMC"), Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul Jason-Opie's best friend and "Little Ricky" on "I Love Lucy"), Barbara Stuart (Miss Bunny from "Gomer Pyle USMC") and Arlene Golonka (Millie-Howard Sprauge's girlfriend). Fan favorite David Browning, "The Mayberry Deputy" is returning as the "Barney Fife" impersonator. Also joining him are returning impersonators portraying "Floyd the Barber," "Otis," "Ernest T. Bass," "Howard Sprague," "Goober," and "Opie Taylor." This is again (just like last year's MB II), the largest gathering of impersonators (or tribute stars) at any Mayberry themed event.
Tickets to this year's events are half sold out for both ticketed events. Just like the last two years of this event, ticket sales have been brisk and the popularity is vast. This year's ticket sales include purchases from as far away as Kansas to North Carolina and almost 40 cities in Indiana are represented. Friday, July 9 the City of New Castle presents an "Evening of Mayberry." This evening event includes a charity auction and dinner with the stars of "The Andy Griffith Show" at the Henry County Arts Park. The event begins at 5:45 pm and tickets are $20 each. Saturday, July 10 is an approximately three hour "Cast Reunion Show" performed by the stars at 7 pm at Bundy Auditorium at a cost of $30 each. Tickets are available at the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Office during regular business hours. The CVB is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm (EST) and is located at 2020 S. Memorial Dr. (State Road 3), Suite I in the Castle Point Shoppes in New Castle. Tickets will also be sold at the door at each ticketed event. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are acceptable payment.
Fans of this immensly popular event do not want to miss this opportunity to see their favorite stars in person. While the ticketed events are the best place to see the stars perform, an autograph session is taking place on both days- Friday, July 9 at 1:30pm until 2:30pm at various attractions; and Saturday, July 10 at the New Castle Middle School Cafeteria from 10am until noon. Admission is free, but the stars typically charge a nominal amount for their autograph. See your favorite stars in the Midwest's only Mayberry Reunion event! Log onto the website (mayberryinthemidwest.com) or call for further details, to purchase tickets or to find out about other activities associated with this event.
Christine Mallette
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