SEPTEMBER 2020
Mayberry to
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by Allison Andrews
Photo courtesy of Surry County Tourism.
LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS
NEARBY MOUNT AIRY WAS INSPIRATION FOR THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW
Round Peak Vineyards owners Ken Gulaian and Kari Heerdt live in the Lake Norman area.
Photo courtesy of Surry County Tourism.
FROM
The Mayberry Squad Car Tours share the story of actor Andy Griffith’s childhood.
Photo courtesy of Surry County Tourism.
WeekendGetaways
Merlot
ake a walk down Mount Airy’s Main Street and, for a minute, you’ll forget you are in the middle of a pandemic. Time seems to stand still on the streets of the small North Carolina community best known as the inspiration for Mayberry, the fictional TV town made famous by “The Andy Griffith Show.” Looking for a fun day trip or weekend getaway? Consider making the approximately 1.5-hour drive to Mount Airy. This October 3rd will mark the 60th anniversary of the show that is ironically enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to
the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s one of the most popular classic TV shows finding a new audience on streaming services.
Embracing the past
Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina on June 1, 1926. His childhood is the subject of the popular Mayberry Squad Car Tours. The cars are a replica of the police cars Andy rode in as Sheriff of Mayberry. The tour starts at Wally’s filling station. When I was there, there were people from Florida and Missouri waiting for their tour to start. Guide Steve Talley says people from all over the country come for the tours. The 71-year-old Talley, a Mount