Mondee Tilley/The News
Ronnie Schell, right, tries to hold back George Spence as he approached Mayberry Deputy David Browning at the Mayberry Days golf tournament on Thursday.
Mondee Tilley/The News
Karen Knotts, Don Knotts’ daughter, tells a joke that got lots of laughs at the Mayberry Days golf awards banquet last night at Cross Creek Country Club.
Mondee Tilley/The News
Elvis impersonator Michael Hoover sings Jailhouse Rock while David Browning, the Mayberry Deputy impersonates him.
Mondee Tilley/The News
Elizabeth McRae, who played on an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show,” (right) danced to Jailhouse Rock being sung by Elvis impersonator Michael Hoover. From left, Ronnie Schell, George Lindsey Jr, and Margaret Kerry also got in on the act at the Mayberry Days golf awards banquet Thursday night.
Mondee Tilley/The News
George Lindsey Jr. showed the crowd his impression of his father who played Goober on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
“And Ronnie Schell’s show will be Friday at 4 o’clock” was the running joke of the evening during the entertainment portion of last night’s Mayberry Days golf awards banquet at Cross Creek Country Club.
While David Browning, the Mayberry Deputy, and tribute artist Allan Newsome, who plays Floyd the Barber, were the emcees for the event, Ronnie Schell’s joke about when his show will be stole the show with all of celebrities who also gave shout outs about the times of their shows.
Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show (TAGS), got a standing ovation after she gave a short speech.
“We are so glad to see you. We really love having you, please come again. And don’t forget Ronnie Schell’s show is at 4 o’clock,” said Lynn.
Browning also chimed in the joke as well.
“I’m so sick and tired of this Ronnie Schell stuff,” he said with a laugh.
Browning introduced actress Elizabeth McRae, who played on various TV shows from the 1960s to the 1980s and was on TAGS. She sang “That Old Black Magic” to Browning, who had to run from her and cover his ears. Finally Newsome pulled the plug on McRae’s microphone. She thanked the crowd for having her back this year.
LeRoy McNees led a group of musicians who played songs like “Just to Prove My Love to You.” He said he and his wife Jan just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He said he wrote that song for her 51 years ago. He said they never once discussed divorce, but the topic of murder came up three times.
Browning introduced George Lindsey Jr., whose father played Goober on the show. This is Lindsey’s first year at Mayberry Days. Browning said he would never forget how George Lindsey Sr., invited him to come play the Barney character for the first time at the Abingdon County Fair. He said he had always appreciated that.
Lindsey said he talks to his father daily and his father wanted to tell the crowd hello.
“Goober says hey,” said Lindsey. “I won a golf award. It was rigged. If you see a midget Elvis on horseback in the parade on Saturday, that will be me.”
Director Bruce Bilson, who also made his first appearance at this year’s Mayberry Days, said he wanted to come because he knows more about TAGS than almost anyone alive today. He encouraged everyone to watch his granddaughter, Rachel Bilson, on Monday night at 9 p.m. on the CW as she stars in the “Hart of Dixie” which debuts that night.
Karen Knotts reminded the audience that her show “Tied Up in Knots” is Friday at 12 p.m. at the Earle Theatre.
“I love Mount Airy. I learned how to do the Twist and flatfoot all in the same day,” said Knotts. She said she has added a lot of new material to her show this year.
Maggie Peterson Mancuso and Ronnie Schell did a skit in which she said she has been living in Las Vegas, Nev. She told Schell that she had learned a lot about gambling while living there. She asked him if he wanted to play along. She told him to get out a $1 bill. She said every time she said something, he had to respond by saying “cigarette.” She took his money quickly the first time he forgot, but then he tried again and again. Finally, she asked him if he would rather have the money or the cigarette. He said cigarette, so she gave him a cigarette and took his money.
Mancuso said she also loves visiting Mount Airy year after year for Mayberry Days.
“I love Mount Airy. It’s like visiting a town full of relatives,” she said, because all of the friendly faces she sees seem like family to her.
The show closed out with Elvis impersonator Michael Hoover singing “Viva Las Vegas,” “Let us Pray Together,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” which got all of the celebrities and tribute artists up dancing for the finale. Hoover reminded everyone that his show will be Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Earle Theatre.
Tanya Jones, executive director of the Surry Arts Council that puts on Mayberry Days every year, said she was pleased with the turnout to the golf tournament and the awards banquet Thursday. She said 84 golfers participated in the tournament.
“Everything has gone really smoothly. The weather is cooperating and that makes me happy,” said Jones.
The winners of the golf tournament were: First place, Ted and Ann Talkowski, Joe and Pat Pass. Second place was Ernie Osborn, Norris and Anne Barnes and Bob Leak. Third place was Jim Clark, Robert Shockley, Rob Shelor and George Lindsey Jr. The highest scoring team was Bobby and Pat Leming, Tim and Natalie Merchant. Closest to the pin was Ben Weaver on hole #2 and hole #10. The longest drive winners were Ron Morgan on hole #4 and Thad Daber on hole #17.
Again, Ronnie Schell’s show will be at 4 p.m. today at the Earle Theatre.
Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.
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