Mayberry on Main

If you love the Andy Griffith Show (and something is seriously wrong with you if you don’t), you’re going to have a spasm when you visit Mayberry on Main -- as in Main Street, Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Yes, Dear Hearts, I’ve been home for the holidays!

Debbie and Darrel Miles are originally from Indiana. Growing up in the South is not a requirement for loving Andy. In fact, I’ve encountered so many folks around this wonderful country who love Andy because they are not natives. They long for Mayberry in their hearts. (Some people long for Elvis in their hearts but that’s another story.)

So Darrel and Debbie loaded up their truck and headed to Mayber-ry.

They love it, and Mayberry loves them.

In between Cousin Brenda’s creamed potatoes, Cousin Dennis’s red velvet cake, Aunt Emma Lee’s chocolate black walnut cake, Sister Berniece Denise’s sweet potato pie, Cousin Christine’s meatballs, Aunt Lucille’s cornbread muffins, Sherry Boyd’s biscotti (the best I have ever had!!!) --- in between stuffing Woodrow and myself until we were ready for the Santa Claus tryouts, we waddled into Mayberry on Main. Even though they didn’t grow up in the South, Darrel and Debbie sure have been blessed with Southern hospitality!!

They love my hometown with the zeal only a convert can possess, the same way I love my adopted Kansas and sing its praises. I was so pleased to see them again.

Since they have the license to produce the Mayberry memorabilia that EVERYBODY has to take home to Michigan or Maine, Alabama or Alaska, the store is neatly stacked floor to ceiling with t-shirts, cookbooks, mugs, magnets, and local edible goodies. Darrel is an connoisseur of fine hot sauces and the wall is lined with empty bottles that are evidence of years of research.
In short, Darrel and Debbie love sharing what they love. They’re my kind of people.

If you are lucky enough to find yourself on Main Street, Mayberry, through the holidays, stop in and say “Hey” and along with the stack of Mayberry souvenirs you’ll be putting under your tree, pick up an autographed copy of my Guide to Cookin’ and Kissin.’

And remember, love makes life worthwhile. Love what you do and love the people you’re blessed to share your life with!

And a Merry Mayberry Christmas!!!!

(Photo above, Debbie Miles holding one of the "Fun Girls From Pilot" T-shirts; bottom photo, Cousin Deb holds up Mayberry T-shirt with image of the squad car. Photsos by Gary Bisel.)