Ferdinand’s Wigs is Peoria’s oldest wig store, they opened their doors in 1962! They’re family owned and operated, which I love and there’s three generations working together there now. When I first started writing ideas down and thinking of shops to go to, this was one of the first places I thought of. So let’s hop on over and get wiggy with it!
Okay, bad news here at Ferdinand's Wigs shop. I need to get permission from the owner to take photos here and she's gone for a week or so. The woman working there was very nice, took my card and said they'd be in touch. Looks like it's time to improvise. This reminds me of the Bar Crawl, when for whatever reason, I couldn't take photos and I'd have to take that lonesome walk to another place. Well, here we go.
Okay, I've decided to do what I always do when the chips are down and the going gets tough...drink! I believe it was Gene, from the BBC, who suggested that from time to time I should sample beers from the midwest and report on them. So that's what I thought we'd do today. As I reported the other week, all grocery stores here in Peoria sell booze. This is the store I've been going to lately, The Shop 'n Save. It's not as big as Schnucks, but they do have a good selection of beer on hand. Let's go check it out.
Here we are inside. While it's bigger than any grocery store in Manhattan, it's a little smaller in here and easier for me to navigate my way around in here.
Kitchen Cooked potato chips! Memories of the only good thing from yesterday's Dashboard Dining meal.
Anybody else find this doll kind of creepy? Let's move over to the booze section and get away from this thing!
It still amazes me that stores here not only sell beer, but they have a full blown liquor section in them.
And here's the beer, plenty to choose from in here! Let's take a look at some of the selections.
My first thought was to get a 30 pack of Milwaukee's Best and see how many I could drink in one setting.
The price is certainly right, $13.47, that's less than fifty cents a can!
But then something in the beer cooler caught my eye.
Schlitz beer! I didn't know they still made this stuff! Well, it doesn't get any more midwest than this! I think we've found our beer, dear!
Okay, the cart has everything I need for this evening, potato chips and beer. I'm going to take these supplies home, then go to work and I'll meet you back at my place tonight. Here's a video to watch while I'm gone.
Okay, I'm back after a hard day's night at work and I'm ready for a beer or six. the Schlitz is place atop my entertainment center, The Best of The Buffalo Springfield is playing, so let's get this party rolling!
I've started on beer number one and it's very good! Actually, all beer pretty much tastes the same to me, so rather than post some rambling review of the beer, I thought we'd go back in time and let them speak for themselves through old commercials. Here's one from the '70's featuring Tommy James and the Average White Band.
On to beer number two and the second commercial. This one features two Schlitz famous catchphrases: "Gusto" and "The beer that made Milwaukee famous." You catching this shit, Professor Dungpie?
Okay, I've just finished beer number three and it's time for the midsix whiz. Enjoy commercial number three, while I'm gone, featuring The Who.
Number four is uncorked and so's this commercial! Go for the gusto or don't go at all. Whoops, I went already, sorry about that, Schlitz!
Beer number five brings us another musical Schlitz commercial. This one features The Platters and Kool and the Gang.
Okay down to the last beer and the last commercial. This one has a "Deliverance" type theme that has me squealing in fright!
Okay, the six pack is all gone. Most people would call it a night at this point...
But not me. Say hello to my little friends! Cheers and see you tomorrow!
Further Reading: Schlitz, Wikipedia and Beer Advocate.
Daily Slideshow—Photos via the internet, Photoshoppery by me!
Bonus Holiday Mail Section!
Christmas may be over, but the gifts keep coming at MBIP headquarters. Check it out below!
Yesterday, when I brought the beer home, I found two mysterious packages at my door.
It was just addressed to MBIP and I'm amazed it got here!
When I opened it up,I found a nice letter from my old friend and former commenter, Ragin' RR! He hasn't been able to comment in some time due to computer problems, but he's still following the blog from where he works. Great to hear from you Ragin' RR! Now let's see what he sent.
Let's dig inside and see what's in here!
Wow, a Joan Jett t-shirt! Very cool! I love it!
RR also sent along this book and in the letter he said he hoped I didn't have a copy, but if so, I should pass it along.
Well, as you can see, I do have this book, so the first person to leave a comment gets Ragin' RR's book regifted to them!
And to complete this Joan Jett trifecta of gifts, it's a vintage Joan Jett tour poster! I'm going to get this framed and will post a photo of it on the wall's of the MBIP headquarters when I do! Thanks so much, Ragin' RR! Please come to Peoria soon so I can buy you a million beers!
After I opened up Ragin' RR's gifts, I got my mail and was excited to see a letter from my friend, Joe Freedman.
Every year Joe sends out a unique New Year's card and I always look forward to getting it. Here's the flattened version of this years card.
And with a few twists and turns, here's the 3-D pop-up card! Very cool! You can check out more of Joe's work here: LEAFpdx.
I've placed the card in an honorable spot on top of the bookcase next to Joan Jett! Thanks, Joe, happy new year to you and everyone reading this!