My wife and I just got home from yet another emotional packed car show. I still am so humbled and privileged to be able to take my two cars to the many shows in and around Eau Claire. It never ceases to amaze me the reactions I see when people see the Mayberry squad car pull in. When I arrive at the car shows I always activate the light and siren to clear the way as my wife is following me in our '66 Chevy convertible. By the time I have the cars parked there is a crowd standing around us and people are already talking about The Andy Griffith Show. Even as I drive in folks will yell out asking me about my bullet. I have some black and white photos of the car and me that I give out along with the sticker badges for the kids. I have to admit that as much as I love talking about my cars to the other car owners and visitors, it is the interaction with the kids that brings the most joy. They are so enthralled with the car and the stickers and so many want their picture taken with me and the car. Little did I realize that one car could bring so much joy to so many people. Growing up when I did, our family never had a very nice car. Ours was always one of the older and cheaper models in town. I think that is one of the reasons old cars bring me so much happiness. When I go out into my garage at night to dust the cars off I can hardly believe that they are both mine. I was 17 and 18 years old when my cars were brand and were sold to their first owners. Little did I know at that time that 45 years later two of those beautiful new cars would be parked in my garage. Two years ago I was able to track down the original first two owners of my convertible. I sent them pictures and a letter showing them what the car looked like now. The first owner was living in Chicago and sent me the nicest letter and an old picture of the car when he drove it in parades with his daughter. The second owner called me and actually cried on the phone when he was thanking me for sending him the pictures. I guess you have to be a guy to really understand what I am talking about. A guy never forgets his first love nor his first car. Just ask Barney. I bet he still talks about that old '54 Ford he bought from Mrs. Lesch. And of course we know he never forgot his first love, for he married Thelma Lou in Return to Mayberry. Saturday we once again will be taking our cars to a church car show just a few blocks from home. I will be turning 65 in September. For many years I worried and fretted about growing old because I thought losing one's youth was about the worse thing that could happen. Boy did I waste a lot of time fretting. I am having the time of my life and I am even more fortunate to have a wife of 41 years who enjoys my passion as much as I do.
Ken Anderson The Mayberry Guru 2906 May Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 715-839-8470 www.mayberryreflections.com [email protected] _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
