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What's Your Hurry?

Posted by ColHarV on February 2, 2014 at 10:37pm
As Andy, Opie, and Aunt Bee sit on their front porch on a Sunday morning, they speak to and about the different folks passing by on their way to church. Andy pops off a line as he waves saying, "Mornin' Eli. Good service, we went to the early one."As another family passes, Aunt Bee remarks, "Look there Andy. Four generations...all going to church together. There's Claude Sr., Claude Jr, Plain Claude Beamon and Claudette...."Point being... When is the last time you took the time to just relax on the porch, or on your deck, or out in your yard? When is the last time you can remember speaking to your neighbors by name as they walked past your house? Most would probably have to admit that it's been a while...and probably a long while. I know as I am out in my yard, walking the block or riding bikes around the neighborhood with my wife, or even if I see folks walking or jogging as I walk out to the street to check the mail, I now make it a mission to speak to folks in a personable way. I try to shake their hand if I can. If nothing else, I will resort to making a comment about the weather (as corny as that sounds).Why...when we were kids, we knew all the folks in the neighborhood...and they all knew us. We had old fashion "Block Parties" and all the kids went to the same public school. We'd make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pack it in a paper bag with a can of sardines and head off on our bikes to play all day. We swam, fished and caught frogs, snakes and turtles in the creek. We climbed trees and made forts in the woods. We even hunted small game with our BB, Pellet or even .22 caliber single shot rifles. And heaven forbid, we even drank water from the garden hose in the back yard...and it was all okay.Life seemed a little slower paced back then. People looked out for one another, and their children. People spoke to one another and knew each other's families. I think it's a shame that we've allowed life to get so hectic...and so my challenge to myself and to you is to do exactly as our friends in Mayberry did in those episodes...relax and enjoy just doing nothing. Speak to your neighbors.Go and sit on the porch with a friend or relative and count cars like Barney and Miss Mendlebright did. Try to peel and apple without breaking the peeling like Andy did for Mr. Tucker. And take the advice of Dr. Harrison Everett Breen, "Slow down. Take it easy. WHAT'S your hurry? What indeed friends, is your hurry?"-Keitha.k.a Col. Harvey
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Passing Along "The Friendly Town"

Posted by ColHarV on January 14, 2014 at 6:55pm
I am a guy who does coupons. Yeah, that's right, coupons. I cut them out, look for them online, redeem what the stores give me on the back of receipts and collect rewards points back on my gasoline. I'm not fanatical, nor am I an expert, but I do pretty well. Once at CVS I had a $46.59 bill and only paid $7.19. At the local Sunoco gas station, I have filled up my car (up to 20 gallons) many times for as little as 38 cents.That brings me to the point of this blog entry. Just after the new year, I was filling up using my Sunoco Rewards Card for 85 cents per gallon. On this occasion, the pump shut off after 16 gallons. Of course I squeezed another gallon in there but still had 3 gallons left to redeem. At that moment, I noticed an elderly gentleman that pulled up next to me and got out to fill his tank. He reached for his wallet and did not have it. I saw the disgust on his face which quickly turned to dispair. I read that look as "Oh, no. No wallet and no gas." So I said "excuse me, sir..." And began to explain to him how I had these three extra gallons of gas and nowhere to pump it...and could he use it. He said, "Wow. And yes." He tanked me over and over. Even though it was only 3 gallons, it made his day. It was when he said, "That was mighty friendly of you! I appreciate it."...that I thought about Mayberry...The Friendly Town.I share this not to shine a light on what I did, but that the situation shines a light on something for us all. That a friendly face and a friendly gesture is still appreciated. That charitable giving is OK. That seeing the need of another human being and acting on it is valued. That "doing for others" without expecting reward or recognition still makes you feel good.I think Andy would have been proud to know that Mayberry values are alive and well in 2014.-Keitha.k.a - Col. Harvey
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Lessons from the Mayberry Christmas Story

Posted by ColHarV on December 26, 2013 at 1:08pm
I love the "Christmas Story"episode of The Andy Griffith Show...and until recently, always wondered why they didn't do another Christmas episode in the seasons that followed. Then it hit me.If you watch a lot of the other Sitcoms, they will have Christmas shows every season. And when you talk to friends and refer to those other shows' Christmas Specials, someone would always ask: Which season...1 or 2 or 3. It gets confusing.But NOT SO with the Andy Griffith "Christmas Story" episode. I believe it to be the Christmas show standard for other shows to imitate. In this particular episode, Season 1 Episode 11, there is a mixture of comedy and spirituality, love and kindness. Here are some lessons we can learn from this episode:CHEER: Spread Christmas Cheer like the Christmas Cards the boys got from the likes of the Hubacher Brothers, and Hilda May. GRACE: Andy let's the prisoners go home for Christmas to return after to finish out their sentence...an element of TRUST we don't often see nowadays. A little COMMERCIALIZATION: with "Sanny Claus" and decorating the tree, and exchanging gifts. EMPATHY: When they have to jail Sam...and then bring in his family, so they can have FAMILY TIME.The loving SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS is shared among friends and family, with good food and with Miss Ellie singing "Away in a Manger" accompanied by Andy on the guitar. At the 2013 Mayberry Days, Margaret Kerry (Bess Muggins in this episode) shared with my wife, that Elinor Donahue was uneasy about singing on camera, although she could and did actually sing the song. Trying to convince her that it would be fine, Andy talked her into practicing it once just to see how it would go. She did the song and afterwards told Andy that she thought she could do it...and asked when he wanted to film it? With his patented ear-to-ear smile, Andy told her, "We just did."We also see a "SCROOGE" character in old Ben Weaver...pretending he is "Bah Humbug" about Christmas, when all he really wants is to not be alone. He desires, like all of us, to be needed, loved and appreciated, and eventually manages to get himself arrested so he can be a part of their Christmas.All of the elements in this episode remind me that the Christmas season is about all the things they are supposed to be...and that we should share the love that was originally given to us at the birth of the baby Jesus. So in this busy season, take time to notice those that are alone...those without food or shelter...those who've run across hard times and hard luck. Show compassion, love and grace where ever you see an opportunity.Only one Christmas Story in all of the seasons of the Andy Griffith Show was needed to create "Christmas Magic", and it's just as relevant today as it was when it was shown back on December 19, 1960.Have a very Mayberry Christmas...all year long.- Keitha.k.a. Col Harvey
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My Trip to the BIG City

Posted by ColHarV on December 14, 2013 at 6:07pm
I recently returned from a trip to the big city…the REAL Big CITY…New York, NY. As I stepped into thecrowded lobby of our hotel, a broad smile broke out on my face. My wife asked me what I was smiling about. I turned around, leaned back on the bar with my elbows and said, “Boy, you sure wouldn’t have to look hard around here to find some good felonies.” (Andy and Barney in the Big City). We both laughed out loud. And it was hard to believe what they were asking for rooms, more than $7.00...a lot more.Truthfully…it was a nice place in a nice location. It was a little different than my hometown, Pawleys Island, SC…and quite a bit different from Mayberry. However, I took a few small town behaviors to the big city and left if nothing else…a lasting impression on a few folks.One of the things I like to do is interact with people. Strangers in the big city don’t do that a lot…and in the world we live in today…you really can’t blame them. However, I coined a phrase some years back about those folks that won’t look at you as they approach you in the hall or on the street until they are right beside you. I call this phenomenon “Passive Avoidance.” I wait for the right moment…then I engage folks.One example: Often you find yourself among a group of complete strangers that ride the elevators together. You look up, down, at your watch and more often than not, at your Smartphone to avoid having to talk to the others. On my NY trip, as the elevator begin to populate and people started looking everywhere else, I said out loud, “Hello new riders. Welcome to the area!” It broke the ice. We started laughing and asking one another where they were from, how long they’ve been here, have you been to any good tourist attractions, and what restaurants they had visited so far. As I saw them the remainder of the trip, there was no “Passive Avoidance.” Instead, I got several “Hellos”, many nods of the head, and even one “Howdy!”One of the folks even told us about a restaurant they liked, adding that it was a bit pricey, and sort of fancy. We did not go there…I was worried that I might accidently order “Snails and Brains.”I took some of my quiet time in the evenings as I rested from site-seeing to read the news, a book and even check mail on my iPad. The place I go to get a little perspective on life, enjoy a few laughs, and have loads of fun is a place that you can all enjoy. It’s located at www.iMayberryCommunity.com. Look me up when you get there. Send me a Friend Request (ColHarV), read the posts, get into the Discussion Forums…in other words, “Jump in there and hang on!”Most importantly, look for Mayberry Moments, and make the effort to spread a little Mayberry every day.Keitha.k.a. - Col. Harvey
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Mayberry and Technology

Posted by ColHarV on November 1, 2013 at 10:43pm
Mayberry, NC is the home of one of the most beloved television programs of all time, The Andy Griffith Show. But as far as technology, there really wasn’t a lot by today’s standards. In one episode in particular, “Crime Free Mayberry”, Barney Fife is upset at the modern marvels of the neighboring Mt. Pilot police department and jealous because Mayberry was so far behind the times. He told Andy, “We don’t have any submachine guns, no tear gas, and we don’t even have a “hee-lio-copter.” Barney decries to the fake FBI agent that “Sir, we’re working under very primitive conditions here.”What would Barney have been able to do had they had a radio dispatch operator other than Sarah, the town phone operator, a computer mounted in the Ford Galaxy patrol car for access to outstanding Warrant records, an Eye-in-the-Sky heat camera for tracking escaped criminals on the run, or even an iPhone?The technology wasn’t prevalent in Mayberry, but some of the Technology that we have today has replaced what the folks in Mayberry used to communicate.So often, Mayberry folks had heart-warming interactions, which were lessons for us, by way of face-to-face interactions. You might see two friends, sitting down to talk with one another about a situation...a nephew sharing feelings with his Aunt…or a father having a heart-to-heart with his son. Today we could do the same thing, but it might be via an email, a text, a Tweet, or a Snap Chat. We share what’s going on in our lives with a Facebook message or with an Instagram photo and comment. And as you know, people tend to share more boldly via Social Media without having to look the other person(s) in the eye. We can share thoughts or pictures, but it’s hard to read the voice inflection, the excitement, the sadness, the concerns, and joy that we get with face-to-face interaction. So although technology and connecting with friends using the many tools that are available is great…it is wonderful to spend time talking with friends over a meal or a cup of coffee, with our phones in our pockets or out of reach.It wasn't that long ago that we didn't have email, text messages or cell phones. We did our banking in the bank with a Teller. We did our shopping by going to the store. We checked in at the airport with a flight assistant instead of an App on our mobile devices.Whether we will admit it or not, we all have a strong primal need to be remembered, to connect, and to belong to something outside of ourselves and our immediate environment. Technology can certainly put us in touch, but don't forget to connect as human beings. Reach out to others; share your lives with friends and family...with a handshake, a hug, and face-to-face communication...just like we used to do.Next time you are out at a restaurant; take an informal poll of the lost art of talking and sharing face-to-face. Look around and see how many folks are on their phones while sitting across the table from friends and family members…not talking. Technology is great, but I still think the world needs a little more Mayberry.-Keith(From the www.techngrits.blogspot.com - by Keith Brown)
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WBMUTBB Chapter/iMayberry Community Meetup - Mayberry Days 2012 (3pm Friday)

Posted by Allan Newsome on September 25, 2012 at 11:30am

WBMUTBB Chapter/iMayberry Community Meetup - Mayberry Days - Corner of Graves St and W. Pine Street

 

Hey Folks,

It's time to plan our meeting time for the WBMUTBB Chapter and the iMayberry Community at Mayberry Days.

I've looked at the schedule and the best time for us to meetup this year is at 3pm on Friday.  That would be after Mrs. Wiley's Tea Party (1pm-2pm), Doug Dillard Afternoon tribute (2pm), and before the Youth Trivia (3:30pm-4:30pm).

Normally we would meet following the "World Championship of TAGS Trivia" but this year the trivia will be followed by "Fast Gun Fife's Rapid Response" hosted by WBMUTBB's own Scott Hopkins!   That sounds like a fun trivia competition for "regular folk" trivia (maybe I can get at least one answer right).

SO, I think before all the trivia gets started (and don't forget the James Best session at the Earle at 4:15pm) we could have our meetup.

In order to make the meeting a more central location and to allow folks to actually visit a bit, I think we should try to meet on the hill that's just to the east of The Andy Griffith Museum (the corner of Graves St and W. Pine Street).

View Larger Map

That map should show you a Google Map of exactly where I'm talking
about (the map doesn't show the Museum).

 

WHAT:     WBMUTBB Chapter/iMayberry Community Meetup
WHEN:    Mayberry Days 3pm Friday
WHERE:  Corner of Graves St and W. Pine Street (http://goo.gl/maps/Gy3XB)

See you there!

-- Allan "Floyd" Newsome

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Mayberry Games Fans Might Enjoy

Posted by Allan Newsome on January 9, 2012 at 9:17pm

There are a few games I have over at iMayberry.com and they've been around for YEAR but I figured you guys might not know about them.

Mayberry Word Search
http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/wbmutbb/wordsearch/wordscrh.htm

Deputy Sheriff's Qualifying School:

http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/wbmutbb/benchrest/shootingrange.htm

CHECKERS AT FLOYD'S:
 http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/wbmutbb/checkers/checkers.htm


There are also two Crossword puzzles about The Andy Griffith Show at the TAGSRWC.com site that i did years back.

Gomer's Crossword Fill 'er Up
http://www.tagsrwc.com/interactive/crossword/GomersCrossword.html

Emma's Jaywalking Crossword
http://www.tagsrwc.com/interactive/crossword/EmmasJawalking.html

I hope you enjoy yourself.

--Allan

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2012 Mayberry Calendar

Posted by Allan Newsome on January 2, 2012 at 10:00pm

Hey iMayberry Community! 

Wow, the community is doing great and we're seeing a lot of folks join us here in our little corner of Mayberry!  I'm excited about that and I hope all of you will take time to get to know one another.  I'm going to do all I can to help that happen and to make sure we have fun here.

3798676162?profile=originalAs a start of the "fun', how about a Mayberry calendar?  The folks at the Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board Digest have been talking a ALOT for the last few days about the lack of a "store bought" calendar about The Andy Griffith Show.  That got me wondering why we couldn't make a calendar for our selves.

I'm adding a download link (see below) to this blog entry that is a twelve month calendar and each month has a different Mayberry related image.  The images are of cast members, tribute artist, shots from TAGS, and of fans. 

I didn't tell who is in the photos but I think you'll know.  If not, post a comment and I'll post the information on a given month in the discussion/comment area of this blog entry. 

The calendar is an Adobe PDF file and will print one month per page if you print all the pages at one time.  You'll then want to use a hole punch to punch three holes.  One in the middle top and two others evenly spaced toward the edges of the top of the calendar.   Take string or ribbon and tie it through the two outside holes and use the middle hole to hang the calendar on whatever hanger you'll be using.

I hope you all enjoy the calendar and I look forward to hearing from you!

--Allan

DOWNLOAD: 2012 Mayberry Calendar

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