Special Guest Dennis Rush,
Opie’s pal, Howie Pruitt, on The Andy Griffith Show
Featuring audio/visual presentations
by Mayberry author Randy Turner
Musical entertainment by recording artist
Mitch Barrett
Originally scheduled for May 6-8, 2026
To be rescheduled for either August or October with the
new dates to be announced in July
Sauder Heritage Inn
Archbold, Ohio
The fourth Mayberry Retreat was to be held in May 2026.
Unfortunately, our special guest, the wonderful Dennis Rush, fell ill, and his doctors prohibited travel during the originally scheduled dates. We will be rescheduling the event, announcing new dates in July 2026, with the event likely being held in either late August or in October.
The retreat is an intimate gathering for discerning fans of The Andy Griffith Show who will enjoy activities centered solely on The Andy Griffith Show and entertainment in keeping with the spirit of the series. Think of it as all-Mayberry, all-the-time.
The retreat will begin Wednesday afternoon and conclude late morning on Friday. Registration includes lodging Wednesday and Thursday nights, all meals including taxes and gratuities, and much more.
Attendees will enjoy:
• An interview of Dennis Rush, the acctor who played Opie’s pal, Howie Pruitt, on The Andy Griffith Show. Dennis had a fascinating career as a child actor, having been discovered by James Cagney and appearing in many TV series and films. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see and spend time with this treasured member of the Mayberry community.
• An extended multi-part audio-visual presentation about Dixie’s father by Mayberry author and historian Randy Turner. The entertaining and detailed presentation will examine Griffith’s career and Dixie’s memories of her family.
• Musical entertainment by recording artist Mitch Barrett. The Kentucky-based singer-songwriter and storyteller has recorded on his own and as part of the group Zoe Speaks,
• A new Mayberry book by Randy.
• Communal viewing of select Mayberry episodes with commentary by Randy.
• Mayberry and retreat-related mementos, including a t-shirt.
The Mayberry Retreat will be held in the beautiful Sauder Heritage Inn. This country lodge in Northwest Ohio is within a day’s drive from much of the country. The lobby features natural wood timbers and hand-forged lamps and railings. The inn includes several atriums in which to relax in comfortable furniture. “The Great Oak Tree,” an impressive and beautiful sculpture, anchors the breakfast area near an enclosed pool and hot tub.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
• Specific bed requests (king or two queen beds) will be filled first come, first served. If room is double occupancy but shared with a friend, the room will contain two queen beds.
A new brochure available for download will be added in July. The brochure includes a registration form to sign up through the link below. Please note that the number of attendees will be quite limited by design.
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Value of The Mayberry Retreat
When I attend Mayberry Days this fall, the wonderful festival centered around The Andy Griffith Show in Mount Airy, North Carolina every September, my room at the Hampton Inn with tax will be just over $300 per night. That amount entitles me only to the free breakfast which is certainly okay but definitely not close to home cooking. And, of course, my $600 for two nights does not entitle me to any concerts, presentations, or souvenirs such as books.
That alone is one reason that The Mayberry Retreat is actually a greater value than one might realize at first. But that’s not the main benefit to my way of thinking.
To me, the biggest plus in attending such an intimate gathering is the opportunity to have true fellowship with a smaller group of true fans and the retreat guests.
My goal is for everyone that attends to leave feeling they have been pampered for a few days. This will assuredly be a relaxing all-Mayberry, all-the-time unique experience for the devoted Mayberry fan that is not to be missed.
The Sauder Heritage Inn
I have used the Sauder Heritage Inn before for different types of retreats, including the 2024 Mayberry Retreat. The facility is perfect for our group.
Before I used it again last year, it had been a number of years since I had held an event there, so I visited to be sure it was as nice as I remembered it. (Spoiler alert: It is!)
As I drove up from southern Ohio, I left the highway at Lima and followed backroads through Ohio farmland to reach the inn. I knew something felt right when I passed a sign pointing that the town of Gomer was three miles away!
As I toured the hotel, I noted the many prints of artwork that adorned the walls, such as Amish prints by P. Buckley Moss. But the last print in one of the halls held a special meaning.
It was The Angelus, the painting that hung over the fireplace in the Taylor home through most of the series.
Come join us for this truly unique Mayberry event!