Blog 106 – 8.31.15

As I write this piece my time in the great state of Indiana is coming to a close. I am a traveling contract inspector. That is my day job. The rest of my time I am a writer, speaker, singer/songwriter. I may never be as famous for these titles as the actor Andy Griffith was for his characterization of Sheriff Andy Taylor in the mythical town of Mayberry but I hope in my own way to encourage a few travelers along the way.

Thanks to a friend in Indiana I was directed to a lovely dinning experience in the small town of Danville, Indiana. The name of the place is The Mayberry Cafe. And for fans of The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry it is a dream come true. The cafe is on the corner just across from the court house and town square. Out front on the street is parked a black and white vintage police car with 1963 North Carolina plates as if Sheriff Andy and Barney just stopped by to eat.

Inside the two story cafe the place looks like Aunt Bee might have decorated it from the wall paper to the knitted spare toilet tissue covers in the restrooms. All the walls have pictures of the characters from Mayberry and strategically placed flat screen TVs run episodes of the Andy Griffith Show.

Mayberry was beamed into our homes in the mid fifties and throughout the nineteen sixties and in reruns ever since. Andy and the entire cast feel like family members. Andy Griffith created this gift of Mayberry for all of us to share his vision of small town USA. It was and is a pleasant place to visit. And if you are ever in Danville, Indiana do stop by The Mayberry Cafe and be sure to say hey to Andy and the gang for me.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White