Okay, so last Sunday we got hit with over five inches of snow. It started late on Saturday evening and snowed all through the day and into the evening on Sunday. This caused a bit of a problem for MBIP, as I usually go out to a bar on Sunday night in search of booze and swizzle sticks. Well, I started calling bars and those that were open said they’d probably be closing early. So I decided to take a night off and do the post from my apartment. So what did I do while shuttered in at the MBIP headquarters? Well, read on and you shall find out! I will tell you this much, luckily I had a fridge full of beer, so I didn’t have to risk driving out in the snow!
Here’s the view from my window here at MBIP headquarters. There’s over four inches of snow and more coming down. I’m officially declaring a “snow night” tonight. But I need to think about something to post about from my apartment.
After pacing around and wondering what to do for about 79 minutes, I happened to see this folder that MBIP commenter and pal, Scott Turley lent me, which was sitting up on my bookcase. Let me show you what’s inside of it..
It’s a treasure trove of newspaper clippings and other archival stuff from Peoria’s past! Scott's wife, “Moonbaby” saved all this up through the years and they’ve lent it to me, so I could put it up for all of you to enjoy. I’ve been saving it for a night when I couldn’t go out and do something. And so, to quote both Neil Young and Rod “The Mod” Stewart, tonight’s the night! Thanks to Scott and Moonbaby for saving the day on this snowy evening. Now let’s go travel back in Peoria’s past via the Turley Time Machine!
Here’s a promotional photo for the local band, The Shags. As you’ll soon see, The Shags owned this town in the mid-sixties, we just lived in it.
What did I just tell you? Who's appearing at the Bergner's Teen Board Fun-In? The Shags! Along with Ron Thorne, WIRL Good Guy.
And here's The Shags opening up for the Cryan Shames. You can see this great show for only $2.00. Those were the days, my friends!
This is a two page spread from the TV section of the Peoria Journal Star featuring, "The Sound Of Teens."
Here's a closer look at the left side of the article...
And here's the right side, with our heroes, The Shags up in the top left-hand corner. Good to see them, because we all know heroes are so hard to find.
Here's The Shags appearing at a Bergner's April 1st fashion show. Does anyone out there know what the concept was behind, "Freed Knees?"
The Beautiful and The Fabulous...which would be the Daughters of Eve and The Shags, of courses for horses.
WOW! The Detroit Wheels and The Coachmen. But where's Mitch Ryder? And more importantly...where are The Shags? How quickly a town forgets!
The Beach Boys, Keith, Leftbank and The Electric Prunes, what I'd give to have seen that show!
Here's a ticket stub from that show, two bucks got you in the door!
Chans Chop Suey. I believe that this was one of Peoria's first Chinese restaurants. Anybody else find it odd that they were closed on Wednesdays?
Here's a Peoria Journal Star ad for Siegrist Furniture and Appliances. Van doesn't look to happy to be starring on the silver screen. But we'll ask for him anyway.
"Gone With The Spellcheck," I love how "tonight" is spelled two different ways within this ad for The Beverly Theater's special stereophonic screening of, "Gone With The Wind.
And what would a time trip through Peoria's past be without an autographed photo of Captain Jinks and Salty Sam be? It would be absolutely worthless, so here you go, matey's!
I thought it would be perfect to end this time travel tour with an ad for Bergner's featuring The Shags. Thanks to Bob Gordon for finding this and to Scott Turley and "Moonbaby" for sharing the clippings! We'll see you all tomorrow!
Further reading: Chuck Perrin, Wikipedia and Expo Gardens.
Bonus Swizzle Stick From Jaws The Cabbie!
Every week, Jaws sends in a virtual swizzle stick. Well, this week’s is special because it’s one he purchased it online. Here’s the information about this swizzle stick he sent in an email: “They are hand made at the Adler Aphasia Center in Maywood New Jersey. The gentleman who hand made mine is Walt Nolting, a WWII veteran who suffers from Aphasia as the result of a stroke. Man, this swizzle is beautiful...and if I ever come to visit I'm bringing this thing with me! For anyone that's interested in buying one, visit their website at; www.somethingspecialaphasia.org.” Thanks, Jaws, I’m going to order one today!
And Speaking of Jaws...
James Hutchinson lives in St. Louis, but he’s originally from Peoria and reads the MBIP blog and is a fan on facecrack. He read Jaws’ story on Sunday and it turns out that he and Jaws were in the same class at Calvin Coolidge grade school! Here’s a third grade picture that he sent in, Jaws A.K.A. Jimmy Newberg is over there on the right of the photo. The power of the internet never ceases to amaze me! Thanks for sending that in, James!
