"The Andy Griffith Show" 1960s sitcom was a big part of my childhood. The iconic whistle tune at the beginning of each episode will more than likely be ingrained in my head forever.
I'm not one to watch tv episodes more than once, but if I was channel surfing and floated upon it, I would shout "Shazam" likeGomer Pyle and catch the American classic wave.
Beatrice Taylor aka "Aunt Bee"reminds me of my grandmother Julia Louise Smith Blankenship. However, unlike Aunt Bee's, my Grandma B's pickles were delicious.
My favorite character is Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife portrayed by the late Don Knotts. His facial expressions and mannerisms use to make me roll on shag carpet in stitches.
Toting one bullet in his pocket, Fife is dutifully eager to protect the fictitious slow-paced, southern community of Mayberry, N.C.
Sheriff Andy Taylor was portrayed by the late Andy Griffith. In 1990, the show's 30th anniversary was celebrated in Griffith's boyhood town Mount Airy, N.C. That one-day event has evolved into a week-long family fun fest.
On Sept. 24, I spotted Henry E. Kidd sharing with his Facebook friends that he was having a great time at Mayberry Days, so I as well as others excitedly traveled vicariously through him.
"Stop at the pharmacy and have a malt," Bev Mauck commented on Kidd's post. "They always looked good when Opie got them."
Kidd is one of the thousands of fans that flocked to Mayberry Days to reminisce over "The Andy Griffith Show."
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Pleasant escape
"I long for the old days when people respected each other, strangers tipped their hats and said hello as they passed, good Samaritans were not hard to find, and television shows were just clean fun that taught good morals," Kidd said.
In his lifetime, Kidd has never felt so depressed and angry over the current state of affairs.
"America is under attack from COVID-19, politics, race relations, riots, war, crime, and bad manners. It is easy to understand that America needs a solution," Kidd said. "Is there a place today where you can still feel safe in your home or is America beyond redemption?"
Kidd found that perfect place at Mayberry Days where people surrounded him with friendly smilesand laughter.
"They made me feel happy and proud to be an American," Kidd said. "I grew up with the Taylor household and their friends, Barney, Floyd, Goober, Gomer, Otis, etc. It helped teach me the values of friendship and a warm smile."
At Wally's Gas Station in Mount Airy, Kidd exhibited his new painting "Mayberry Carousel" which depicts more than twenty-five episodes from the show. Visitors had fun trying to find them all.
Kidd also had three of his prized possessions on exhibit at The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy:Fife’s deputy hat, badge, and motorcycle helmet worn by Knotts.
Kidd gave me the thrill of wearing Barney Fife's authentic patrol hat and badge. How cool is that? I loved when Fife would say,"Nip it in the bud."
Character encounters
"At Wally’s Service Station, I found myself surrounded by people dressed up like Andy, Barney, Goober, Gomer, Floyd, Howard, Earnest T. Bass, Briscoe Darling, Mayor Pike, Mr. McBeevee and the fun girls," Kidd said. "All were in character and having a good time."
Kidd met Don Knott's daughter Karen Knotts, Clint Howard [Leon], Rodney Dillard [one of the Darling boys], and Ronnie Schell [Gomer’s friend in the Marines].
Betty Lynn who played Fife's girl Thelma Lou served as the grand marshal in the Mayberry Days parade this year. Three weeks later, she died at the age of 95. Lynn moved to Mount Airy a few years ago and was embraced by the community and her fans.
Lynn autographed a drawing Kidd drew of LouandFife. She included a love note to Barney from Thelma Lou saying, “Barney, I can’t wait to see you tonight and run my fingers through your hair. I love you, Thelma Lou."
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Fans form friendships
"Thousands of fans were there wearing smiles and happily talking about the show and their favorite moments," Kidd said.
Throughout the week, Kidd kept running into the same people and began to make friends.
"I was happy to be there, but I discovered my new friends were just like me. They were also depressed by the news in America," Kidd said. "They almost canceled their trip because of how bad things were. Mayberry Days helped us rediscover our smiles and laughter."
Mayberry effect
As Kidd drove home, he realized that "Mayberry is not a place. It is a state of mind."as quoted in the new "Mayberry Man" movie written and directed by Stark Howell.
Hmmm. I'll need to check this flick out. It is about an arrogant movie star who was sentenced to attend Mayberry Fest for speeding in a rural southern town. Immersed in a modern-day Mayberry, the snobby fictional son of a former "Andy Griffith" actor is given a chance to discover the true meaning of friendship and family.
At 70 years old, Kidd learned a lesson. Even though bad things happen in America, the Mayberry effect grabbed and taught him that Mayberry is where you make it.
Kidd's focus on his journey was to raise money for two nonprofits: Surry Arts Council in Mount Airy and Side Street Gallery in Colonial Heights.
"What I discovered was far more valuable than money," Kidd said, wearing his heart on his sleeve.
Thenationally recognized historical artist resides in Colonial Heights. Kidd's fine art has appeared in documentaries on the History Channel andonmany bookand magazinecovers. His artwork hangs in many prestigious institutions and museums.
If you need a little Mayberry in your life, visit Side Street Gallery at 135 Pickwick Avenue in Colonial Heights. Once a pharmacy, the new space was recently used for a pharmacy break-in scene in Episode 3 of the miniseries "Dopesick."
The galleryis open Tues. through Fri. from 11 a.m. to5 p.m. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to3 p.m. It hosts over 24 fine artists withoriginal paintings, prints, pottery, photography, jewelry, stained glass, and more. A variety of classes for all levels is offered at the gallery.
Co-owners Kidd and Rose Milazzo Mast will host a grand reopening on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather-permitting, Santa will arrive at 1 p.m. by firetruck.
For more information, call (804) 536-0011 or follow Side Street Gallery on Facebook.
If you are interested in visiting Mayberry,go tovisitmayberry.com or contact the Mount Airy Visitors Center at 800-948-0949.
"Life is too short for hate. Wear a smile and be kind to friends and strangers," Kidd said. "I plan on returning to Mount Airy next year. Like Andy says, 'Y'all come back now, ya hear.' But until then, I will keep the Mayberry effect alive."
- Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter, and subscribe to us at progress-index.com.
