MAYBERRY

West Virginia Honors Don Knotts
by CA Staff for Christian Activities
7/31/2005

Morgantown, WV - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Don Knotts will get the first star on what could become West Virginia's version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. City officials are hoping artist Jamie Lester will design a pattern that could be used in front of the Metropolitan Theater to honor other celebrities.

''We're starting with somebody we know and then we'll see where it goes,'' Jack Thompson, spokesman for the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Monday. ''It's just a great way for Morgantown to honor its most famous son.''

Other West Virginia stars include Kathy Mattea, Brad Paisley, Jennifer Garner, Ann Magnuson, Chris Sarandon and Soupy Sales.

The 80-year-old Knotts, a Morgantown native, is best known for his role as the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on television's ''The Andy Griffith Show'' and as would-be swinger landlord Ralph Furley on ''Three's Company.'' He'll be the voice of Turkey Mayor in the upcoming animated movie ''Chicken Little.''

Knotts will be honored by his hometown Aug. 12-15 with a parade, a film festival and a local beer to be brewed and named in his honor. Thompson said the city is also negotiating the launch of a Don Knotts chapter of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED __________________