I am going to try to read my scribbled notes and give an account of
Mayberry Days, so here goze:
9-24: I awoke at 2:15 AM and never got back to sleep! On top of that,
instead of taking one of my Lyrica capsules I took 2, and that causes
drowsiness but I had a full power Dr. Pepper and the caffeine kept me awake
for the
3 hour trip. I awoke Carol at 6 and finished packing the car, and after a
light breakfast got under way just after 7:30.
We made a stop at Mebane NC for gas which was 10c a gallon cheaper than
Raleigh, then make another stop at the Greensboro rest area before going on
into Mt. Airy at 10:25. Of course, the first stop was at Snappy Lunch for
our annual pork chop sandwich and merciful goodness, what a sandwich that
was! It was hanging out all around the bun but I soon took care of the
overhang and got down to serious business! As soon as we finished that, we
made
our way up to Mayberry on Main and what a nice roomy store they have now! My,
goodness!! And Darryl, Debbie and Samantha make you feel so at home with
their friendliness and smiles it is a real treat to go in their store!
Then of course we checked out the Consignment shop, Emporium at Oak, and
other stores as we made our way back to the car, stopping at the PO for my
postmarks. I got out my donations for the silent auction and dropped them
off at the Surry Arts office, then into the new Andy Griffith Museum which
had been open 2 days and what a thrill it was to see all the artifacts in
such a beautiful setting!
After viewing the museum, we made our way back to the Emporium for some ice
cream and walked thru the rest of the store.
We decided then to head to the hotel an check in but first, we had to stop
at the Goodwill store! Never pass up a good thrift shop! Then to the hotel!
How nice...we got upgraded to the new section with microwave and
refrigerator...a very comfortable room! After getting the luggage in and
unpacked it
was time for a short nap. After baths we went down to the hospitality room
for a while before turning in for the night.
9-26: Got up at 6, got ready to head out but stopped at Biscuitville for
some breakfast and headed downtown about 8:30. We checked out a few stores
before heading to the opening ceremonies at the amphitheater. No rain
falling yet but forecast....again! Seems like we did this last year! Opening
was
great as usual with David Browning serving as MC - Master of Confusion -
oh...sorry, that's Master of Ceremonies! What a great job you do, David and
it is a pleasure to know you!
Afterwards, we made the rounds of town again before going to the theater
for TAGS videos with the star of the show to answer questions. Spitting a
little rain but not too bad. This time at the theater we had LeRoy McNees,
George Spence, James Best and Jackie Joseph. As soon as that was over we were
SUPPOSED to go to the amphitheater for the trivia contest and internet
group photo, but my stomach overrode my brain and we went to eat, but I did
remember it at 5:30 when we were too far away to get back in time for the
photo. Gotta start making a note to me of what I am to do and when! So, I
went
back to Mayberry on Main and got me a t-shirt before heading back to hotel
and baths. A little after 9 LeRoy and his friends came in to play and sing
for us until his voice about gave out around 10:50 so we forgave him and
let him go!! He is great and is a great friend, a pleasure to know him and
his wife Janice.
9-26: Up at 6:15. Parking lot is wet but nothing falling as of now. We
left the hotel a little after 7:30 and picked up our biscuits. We rode down
to Main St. and got a parking space on the street where we sat and ate our
breakfast, then got into position to watch the parade. Just a few minutes
before the parade start the rains came, but not really heavy, just enough to
get you kinda soggy if you didn't have a raincoat. But folks, if you are in
front of the line watching the parade, keep your 'brellas down as low as
you can so the folks in back don't get blocked! It was a great parade with a
couple of new little Opies in it, and guess we will have to get a new one
as Jamie is soon going off to college! Can you believe that?? The parade
moved very slow this year but made it easier to get photos of the ones you
wanted.
When the parade was over we walked to the playhouse and found the Silent
Auction had been moved inside because of the rain. Our donated items brought
$41 for the Arts Council and every little bit helps! While the auction was
going on the ceremonies preceding the ribbon cutting for the museum were
taking place in the theater with all the stars present. At the given moment,
Emmett Forrest used a huge pair of scissors...and I do mean huge...you
could'a mowed your lawn with them things ...to cut the ribbon and officially
open the museum to the public. What a thrill to be a part of that!
We talked with Michael and Bobbi Hoover a while and bought one if his new
Christmas CDs...well, new to us anyway!. walked up the hill to the ice
cream machine and got a couple cups of good ice cream to whet our appetites a
little. Walked over to the amphitheater for the barbecue cookoff awards and
there was almost no one there for that but what a great fun time that was!.
We walked back downtown and got some fudge and cokes and sat in the car and
ate our fudge and drank our Cokes, then decided to head back to the hotel
but first, made a stop at Big Lots! You can tell we shop in all the high
class places! Once we got back to the hotel I laid back to 'relax' a few
minutes and when I awoke, Carol had packed the suitcases and gotten her bath
in preparation for Col. Tim's Talent Time and our trip home. So, I got
my bath and we got ready to head downtown and by then the rain was really
coming down! We rode over to Burger King and got some burgers before heading
down, arriving an hour early to make sure we had a good parking space close
by and got one across the street. And what a show! Such fun and laughter
the whole way through! I think it is not only a time for the tribute
artists and stars to 'wind down,' but is a time for having fun themselves by
making us laugh even more!
Afterwards, we sat in the hotel hospitality room with great friends we have
made over the past 12 years of Mayberry Days, plus George and Stephanie
Spence were with us, and we had a blast laughing and talking until midnight!
9-27: Up at 7:15 and got ready to leave. Got the car packed and headed to
the amphitheater for the services led by LeRoy and Jan McNees and his
impromptu band, along with David Browning and Michael Hoover. Anyone who goes
to
Mayberry Days and misses this part of the weekend is missing the greatest
part of all. More people now realize that as the amphitheater was almost
full this year!
One big request!! Let's all get together on where we will eat next year. I
know...we told some we would join them at Golden Corral, but then reme
mbered we had friends waiting for us at Sagebrush, so went there instead.
Maybe
alternate years? Let's get everyone on the same page so we will all go to
the same place rather than have a split group. I am sure each place had its
great group of people and I know Sagebrush did!
After we ate we rode one more time down Main Street, stopped and took a
sunny photo of Andy's home, then rode up Pilot Mountain before heading home
were we arrived about 4:50 tired but refreshed!
Great to see all who were there and if there are those we have met but
failed to get your Email address from please contact at _ctmidwa...@aol.com_
(mailto:ctmidwa...@aol.com) and we will respond in kind!
Until next year, Lord Willing, this is theCameraNut signing off!
Welford and Carol Sims.....Support Your Local Leukemia Society
_______________________________________________
WBMUTBB mailing list
WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com
http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
