From Dan Seale : I have several of the Coke bottles from WWll. There is an interesting story about these bottles. Coca-Cola wanted all service men to have a Coke, but the Dept. of Defense wouldn't let Coke put a city on the bottom of the bottle, so Coke came up with these special bottles that are clear and do not have an embossed city on the bottom of the bottle. These came from the ocean around Guam and are just like they were when picked up. I have seen them sell for $60.00 on up on ebay. Some are in execellent shape. If interested, contact me.

From Blair Matthews, Editor of the Soda Pop Dreams Magazine : The third edition of The Soda Spectrum Series is coming this March - dedicated to Coca-Cola bottles and Coke bottle collectors. This magazine also provides a great way to advertise your website, eBay auctions, small business, trading wants - anything related to Coke bottles or collecting. Cost for a business card size ad is $15.95 US funds. E-mail for details. Also a new back issues 'super' cd is available now with Issues #1-28 on one great cd..... Check out our website for details!!  Also, check out the first Coke bottle edition at: http://www.pww.on.ca/sodamag.htm.

From Randall Smith :  New leather and twill Coca-Cola Nascar racing jackets. $95 for the twill and $150 for the leather. These are dealer costs plus shipping. Contact by E-mail: or by phone: (843) 688-5738.

From Lisa :  I have various Coca-Cola bottles for sale (approx. 75). I also have 12 Richard Petty longneck Pepsi bottles and various Coke items, such as: radios, glasses, collector cards, etc. Contact me if interested.

From Richard Mix, Mix International :  Watch my spot on eBay for the listings in the current and  future weeks. --Mix International auctions on eBay --

From Joe Morales : Please take a moment and visit my eBay auctions: Black Cat Trading. Thank you.

Also if anyone else has bottles or other soda-related items to offer, E-mail and let us all know.

From Michael Shugg : I am looking for any cheques from any Coca-Cola Company dated from 1888 (or before 1900). E-mail me. Website: www.cokebottles.cola-club.com. 

From Doug McCoy:  I am looking for a 70s Coca-Cola 10-ounce hobbleskirt bottle with white ACL wording that is made of the Sprite green glass, marked with "RETURN FOR DEPOSIT" with all writing in English.  Bottom is marked with city/state. It is a typical 10-ounce hobbleskirt, only the color is dark green. Please contact: 2851 Milford View, Marietta, GA 30008; E-mail me.

From Liss Michini : WANTED: Coca-Cola straight-sided bottles from Atlantic City and Newark, N.J.; Kansas City and Clinton, Mo.; Albertville, Guntersville, Sheffield, Bessemer, Breweton, Dadeville, Desmopolis, Frisco City, Gadsden, Jasper, Lineville, Nostasulga, Sylacauga, Tuskegee and West Blockton, Ala.; Armory, Belzoni, Biloxi, Houston, Leland, Clarksdale, Corinth, Sardis, Holly Springs and Tupelo, Miss.. Also, want to buy a seltzer Coca-Cola bottle from any city in Miss. or Ala., except Montgomery; and any city in La. except Monroe. Email or phone (evenings) (601) 947-1800. 

From Doyle Bailey :  I am looking for a Dr. Pepper "thief" bottle that has "American M.W. Co., St. Louis, Mo." on the side and has an "A" over "1906" on the bottom. In any condition, chips, dings, fish eyes, dirty, cloudy or dug condition. Prefer complete bottle, but will consider otherwise. I will pay finder's fee of $50 if I buy this 1906 bottle. Email with info.

From the Soda Museum : I am looking for any old Glascock Bros. items, pamphlets, coolers, signs, blotters, etc. Also looking for Service Manuals for any old Soda Machines.

From Larry : WANTED: Pause for Living Magazines--Summer 1955 and Summer 1957. Also want numerous Red Barrel Magazines from 1924-1943. Please contact: Larry Markowitz, 1630 Randow Rd. York, PA 17403; PH: (717)-848-3282, or by E-mail.

From Mike : I am looking for any old soft drink thermometers for my collection. Contact Mike Thompson, 1004 Redbank Road, #K-1, Goose Creek, SC 29445; PH: (843) 569-0434 or E-mail.

From Jim White : WANTED: Green-glass Jimbo ACL 12-ounce soda bottle from Pittsburg, Kansas. Contact: Jim White, 412 Geyer Road, Neosho, MO 64850; PH: (417) 451-4786 or E-mail.

From Paul : Any lists of items for sale, please send. Thanks! 

Do you have a particular item, or items, that you have been looking for a long time to complete part of your collection, or something you want - but have not as yet been able to find? Send it so all of us can help you look. You never know where it may turn up! E-mail it to My Missing Item

Gatorade has renewed its contract with the National Football League at a value of more than US$500m. The new contract will see the partnership extend to the 2011 season. Gatorade has been the official sports beverage of the league since 1983. The agreement will see Gatorade pay the NFL a rights fee of around $46m a year, and includes a marketing commitment of about $16m a year and roughly $1m in free products, for a total of over $500m. In return, Gatorade will continue to hold exclusive rights to all NFL training camps, practices and sidelines during games. The beverage company will also continue to have exclusive rights to all league assets, including use of the NFL shield logo, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and collective and individual use of the 32 NFL team marks.

With the 2004 Olympic flame arriving in Beijing on June 8, Coca-Cola China announces today the kickoff of the national selection of torchbearers and escort runners for the Beijing leg of the Relay in more than 20 cities in China. According to the company, Beijing, the hosting city of the torch relay, will be given five torchbearers slots. All other cities will each select one torchbearer to represent their hometown in the event. Several escort runners will also be selected to accompany the torchbearers during the relay. Nominations and recommendations will be made by the public and involved organizations for the final selection. All cities will have localized selection mechanisms to select the best representative for their city. In Beijing, the prospective candidates will be nominated by the public and involved organizations before the judging panel to select the finalists with reference to their achievements. It is the first time ever the Olympic Torch Relay is staged outside the hosting country of the Olympic Games in 26 countries and 33 cities which are past or future Olympic Games host cities.

Coca-Cola Limited is introducing Diet Coke with Lime nationwide in Canada. The new diet coke flavor will be available in 591mL and 2L PET bottles and 12-can packs. However, 12-can packs will not be available in Ontario.

Coca-Cola Japan announced a deal with Hidetoshi Nakata, a Japanese soccer star, for commercial appearances and participation in Coca-Cola's social action programs. The contract runs from April 2004 through December 2006. Nakata is the captain of the Japanese national soccer team and currently plays for the Italian first-division team Bologna.

The Coca-Cola Company chairman and chief executive officer Douglas Daft has announced his plans to retire from the company at the end of 2004. The Board of Directors of the Coca-Cola Company elected Mr. Daft as chairman and CEO on February 17, 2000.

Coca-Cola is planning to launch Berryclear Sprite Remix in April 2004 following last year's Tropical Sprite Remix. As the name suggests, Berryclear is a berry flavored Sprite soda. In addition, Coca-Cola is placing 35,000 cold-drink barrels in convience stores throughout the US with flavor packets of grape, cherry and mixed berry that can be added into Sprite or other soft drinks. This promotion named Flavor Hits will be available through March 2004. 

New bottles or cans, or anything soda, in your area ?
Please send the info so all of us can know @ Whats New

FEBRUARY 28 - GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN
West Michigan Antique Bottle & Glass Club’s 15th Annual Show & Sale, (Sat. 10 AM - 3 PM) at the Fonger American Legion Post, 2327 Wilson S. W., Grandville, Michigan. INFO: ELMER OGG, 1591 Hendrick Rd., Muskegon, MI 49441, PH: (231) 798-7335, E-mail: eogg@nortonshores.org or STEVE DeBOODE, 1166 Corvette Dr., Jenison, MI 49428, PH: (616) 667-0214, E-mail: grbottleguy@aol.com.  

MARCH 6 - MARYLAND LINE, MARYLAND
Chesapeake Bay Insulator Club’s 16th Annual Show & Sale (Sat. 9 AM – 3 PM) at the Maryland Line Fire Hall, I-83 just south of the Pennsylvania border, Maryland Line, Maryland. INFO: LARRY NOVAK, PH: (301) 680-8910, E-mail: cbic@clubs.insulators.com, Website: http://www.insulators.com/clubs/cbic. 

MARCH 6-7 - MADISON, WISCONSIN
Madison Antique Bottle & Advertising Show (Sun. 9 AM – 3 PM, early admission Sat. 6 PM – 9 PM) at the Quality Inn South, 4916 E. Broadway (Hwy. 12 – 18 exit 142A), Madison, Wisconsin. INFO: BILL MITCHELL, 703 Linwood Ave., Stevens Point, WI 54481, PH: (715) 341-1471 or (727) 319-2875. 

MARCH 7 - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
The Baltimore Bottle Club 24th Annual Show and Sale (Sun. 8 AM - 3 PM, Admission $3) at the Physical Education Center, Essex Campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, 7201 Rossville Blvd. (Exit 34, off I-695), Baltimore, Maryland 21237. INFO: BOB FORD, PH: (410) 531-9459, E-mail: bottles@comcast.net, Website: www.baltimorebottleclub.org. 

MARCH 7 - ELSECAR, ENGLAND
Spring Bottle & Advertising Extravaganza Show & Sale (Sun. 10 AM – 3 PM, early admission 8:30 AM) at the Elsecar Heritage Center, Building 21, just off the M1 junct. 36, Elsecar, England. INFO: BBR, Elsecar Heritage Center, Barnsley, S. Yorks., S74 8HJ, England, PH: 011-44-1226 745156, E-mail: sales@onlinebbr.com. 

MARCH 12-13 - CHICO, CALIFORNIA
The 38th Annual Antique Bottle, Jar, Insulator & Collectible Show & Sale (Fri. 9 AM - 8 PM, $3 Admission; Sat. 9 AM - 4 PM, Admission - Free) at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico, California. INFO: RANDY TAYLOR, PH: (530) 345-0519 (eve), (530) 342-3131 (days), E-mail: RTJARGUY@aol.com or DON AYERS, P.O. Box 546, Chico, CA 95927; PH: (530) 891-4931.

The Dr Pepper Convention will be held March 10-13th, 2004 at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas. The Courtyard by Marriott, across from the convention center, will be the hotel for members, room hopping, seminars and registration. Friday night will be the Club's auction, and on Saturday, the show and silent auction will be held. For hotel information and reservations, call (254) 752-8686. Other information, contact: CHARLES BRIZIUS (Chairperson), 4040 North Central Expressway, Suite #600, Dallas, TX 75204 or DOYLE BAILEY, E-mail: cctrayders@houston.rr.com. 

NOVEMBER 4-6  -  BRANSON, MISSOURI
The Arkansas & Green County (Oklahoma) Coca-Cola Collector's Club Chapters present "Fall Fever in the Ozarks" event in Branson, Missouri at the Settle Inn Resort, 3050 Green Mountain Drive. Call 1-800-677-6906 for reservations at $65 + tax per night. INFO: KEN COTTRELL, PH: (918) 357-3067; E-mail: beartul@earthlink.net.

I now maintain a full 'events calendar' that you can check out for future shows.
Any new events  in your area? E-mail it so all of us can know, to: Upcoming Events

I suppose everyone noticed the absence of The Fizz in their inboxes last week. Well, I do apologize for that, but besides having Bottles and Extras to get to the printers, I was in the midst of a bout with the bug. I am back from the doctor's today with a bevy of medicines, and should be my old self soon again (hopefully). (One of my "symptoms" is a "lost voice" - something which has made it a bit quiet around my house for awhile - except for the constant coughing, that is.)

Next up is the print edition of The Soda Fizz Magazine - March/April issue. I hope to have that done in the next few days. If you haven't subscribed - then now is a good time to do so and be in on all the fun. I have a few of the Jan/Feb issues left and would be happy to send one out as a sample to anyone requesting one - just send me your name and address. 

I'd like to take a moment to welcome the new subscribers I've received in the last couple of weeks!  It seems that my new subscribers are only taking the place of those I am losing due to bouncing emails. So, although we are "growing" - we are actually stuck in the same place. Please take a moment and send me your change of address if you change Internet providers. I don't want anyone missing anything - and I would definitely be missing YOU!

Also, keep your comments and (free) classified ads coming.  It is just one of the things that makes The Fizz interesting.

In the meantime - do remember the EXPO in Memphis in August. Make plans to be there - it will be here before we know it.

LAST NOTE: If anyone has an upcoming show and would like to place PSBCA (and or FOHBC) brochures on your table, DO let me know and I would be happy to send you a supply for that. Also, if you have a booth in an antique shop or mall, etc., I would send brochures for that as well.  All help is greatly appreciated.  (It is my goal to increase the PSBCA membership significantly this year, 2004.)

Until next time, Happy Holidays and Happy Collecting!

...Since 1903

The oldest, smallest and some say best, independent bottling company in America is reputed to be located next to the Blenheim Artesian Mineral Springs. The bottling plant is today much as it was when it began production in 1903.

The mineral springs were discovered in 1781 by James Spears, a Whig, who was trying to escape Tory troops. According to legend, Mr. Spears lost a shoe in a water hole. When he returned to retrieve his shoe, he tasted the water and noticed its strong mineral content. Word of the spring spread and soon people were coming to taste the cool refreshing water. Several wealthy plantation owners built summer homes in the vicinity of the springs.

In the late 1800s, Dr. C. R. May advised his patients with stomach problems to drink the mineral water. When these patients complained about the strong taste of the mineral water, Dr. May added Jamaican Ginger to it.

In 1903, Dr. May and A. J. Matheson opened the Blenheim Bottling Company. The building which houses the bottling works today was constructed in 1920. While the Original Extra Pale was hot enough for some, the 1903 has surpassed it in popularity.

In 1993 the Blenheim Bottling Company was acquired by the Schafer Family, who also own Schafer Distributing Company, and South of the Border Tourist Complex. They immediately renovated the old plant to meet new standards, and began bottling this unique Ginger Ale.

Within weeks, however, it was clear that the old plant could never meet the demand that existed for Blenheim Ginger Ale, so a new plant was built with larger capacity, while maintaining the quality and uniqueness of the old facility.

The original Blenheim Plant still operates as a working Bottler's Museum, giving this company both the Oldest and Newest bottling plants in the USA.

Blenheim Ginger Ale is bottled only in glass bottles in four different types: Old #3 Hot, #5 Not As Hot, #9 Diet and #11 Ginger Beer. 

I found Blenheim Bottlers at: P. 0. Box 452, Hamer, SC 29547; 1-800-270-9344 or (843) 774-0322. 
BevNet has rated all four of the ginger ale flavors  >>here<<.

If you have a soda-related subject that you would like to see here as an "FYI" article, or have information you yourself would like to contribute, don't be shy, send it to: FYI Idea