Revisiting the Bronze Fonz on the 49th Anniversary of 'Jump the Shark'!

Visiting the Bronze Fonz after almost a year of our first introduction.

Last week, we reunited with the Bronze Fonz. Not only was it the (almost) one year anniversary of our first visit to the Milwaukee statue (see BTS blog: Two Thumbs Up for Milwaukee).  but just two weeks after the 49th Anniversary of the Fonz - and the television series, "Happy Days" -  jumping the shark.

Jump the Shark defined:

In a three-episode opening for Season 5 of Happy Days starting September 20, 1977, the plot was driven by the show's loveable rebel, Fonzie, literally jumping a shark. By the 1980's, "jump the shark" became a pop-culture reference to describe when a show's storyline deviates so far from the core narrative, it never quite recovers.  And, though that may not translate to an immediate decline in ratings, it marks a point where gimmicks replace substance and the show becomes a joke without the laughs.

As a Boomer, I watched the first few years of Happy Days, but by the Jump the Shark era, I was in college and had other things filling my discretionary time. I missed both the shark drama and, not regretfully, the Chachi years. However, the sheer silliness of the shark story caught the attention of many of us and thanks (I think?) to YouTube, one can watch and rewatch Fonz jump the shark as many times as you care to.

The Shark is Broken: True tales from the filming of Jaws (and inspiration for Shark Jumping).

Inspiration for Happy Days taking the shark bait:

Cashing in on the "Jaws" craze, the Happy Days' shark seems less threatening than its big screen inspiration, never once surfacing to interact with the slick skier from Milwaukee. As outrageous as this is in stunt and concept, the show commits thoroughly to the bit, with the Fonz wearing his leather jacket throughout the waterskiing adventure and his carefully combed back hair is barely moist. 

Our first Bronze Fonz encounter, October, 2025.

Salt water is needed!

One may wonder - though, probably not that much - how did Fonz and the rest of his fictional family and friends, all who lived in Milwaukee (hence the statue's location), end up in a location where there was actually the potential to jump a shark? Neither the Milwaukee River nor Lake Michigan are shark infested, so, quite logically, one would assume the jumping did not occur in Arthur Fonzerelli's hometown - and, one would be right.

Turns out, Fonzi serendipitously meets up with visiting talent agents from California. Thinking he could be the next James Dean, they offer to send him to Los Angeles for a screen test. In true TV sitcom plausibility, Fonz invites Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) and his family to join him.

Once in LA, Fonzi is challenged to a water-skiing shark jumping duel by the local cool dude, threatened by this Milwaukee intruder. While the fair-haired beach boy pulls himself out of the running, the Fonz refuses to back down. This worries his Midwest entourage, but they remain unfailingly supportive and cheer him on.

Spoiler alert:  Happy Endings for Happy Days:

Unlike Jaw's carnage, Happy Days keeps it family friendly and Fonzie successfully jumps the shark. However, the crazy plotline may have taken a big bite out of the show's heart and soul.

Examples of other "jump the shark" moments:

Culled from various opinions on the vast internets, here's a sample of opinions:

• 1. Brady Bunch:  When Cousin Oliver appears
• 2  Star Trek: Spock's Brain 
• 3. Love Boat, Married with Children, Dynasty:  All point to actor Ted McKinnley's arrival,               labeling him "the patron saint of jumping the shark".
• 4. Laverne and Shirley: The move to LA
• 5. Bewitched:  The second "Darrin"
• 6. Friends:  Joey and Rachel dating
• 7. Barb's Tea Shop:  The Shark is Broken (Sept. 2023)

We invite you to view BTS' 30 second video of meeting up with the Bronze Fonz, Oct 2026:

Bronze Fonz 2026: BTS revisits on 49th anniversary of Jump the Shark!

Gilded Age in Milwaukee: Something's brewing at the Pabst Mansion and it's not just beer!

Pabst Mansion, built in 1892. Budget was $50,000, final cost: a quarter of a million. 

The Pabst Mansion may owe much of its existence to a fortune made from a cold brew, but this Gilded Age home shows evidence the owners enjoyed a hot brew as well. 

Last week, we visited Milwaukee's late 19th century showpiece, toured its three floors - including a peek at an original blue ribbon bottle - and came home with the tea:  specifically, "Mrs. Pabt's Pink Parlor" herbal blend.

Mrs. Pabst's Pink Parlor tea - a name inspired by parlor decor?

The home is a showcase of fine artisans, high-end materials and some over-the-top embellishments, though the pink parlor - a room that would go toe-to-toe with any Barbie dollhouse decor - is not the "fault" of the original owners. Per our tour guide, during the mansion's restoration, the original material for drapes and upholstery was sourced and sent to a company that specializes in custom vintage furnishings. Unfortunately, the pink lining was thought to be the outer layer as the order apparently didn't specify. So, rather than an earthy-hue overtone, the parlor is now bathed in bright pink until time and funds deem a change.

Pink Parlor:  Drapes and upholstery covered in pink lining by mistake. 

It did find purpose, however, in inspiring a Pabst tea blend and, in our humble opinion, it makes a great backdrop for a beautiful silver tea set. 

Beautiful silver tea set pairs nicely with pink backdrop.

Though much of the Gilded Age focus skews New York and Newport, it's always a treat to find a late 19th century gem in our own Midwest. The Pabst Mansion was built in 1892 for Captain and Maria Pabst with a budget of $50,000. At completion, the final cost came to just over a quarter of a million. (One wonders, did the project manager keep their job?)

Front foyer with stage where musicians & the Captain sat to greet guests. Maria's chair is off to the side.

Roots and Beer:

The Pabst fortune came primarily from the beer business, but the Captain didn't start as a brewer. As his title suggests, he began a career, at the age of 14, on a Lake Michigan steamer just a few years after immigrating from Germany with his parents. Not long after working his way up to captain, he met Maria Best, whose father owned Phillip Best Brewing Company. Eventually, Frederick bought the company and changed the name to the one we still recognize today.

Frederick and Maria had ten children, five who reached adulthood. The family home was close to the brewery, but Frederick had his sights set on one day building a grand estate on Milwaukee's Grand Avenue (now Wisconsin Avenue). While the children were mostly leaving the nest, the Pabst were great entertainers and used their new home to host events and parties.

One of the many bedrooms in the Pabst Mansion. The home had electricity and indoor plumbing. 

Delightful Mansion Features:

• ·       The front hallway features a massive antler embellished chandelier and a raised platform where musicians could play and the Captain would sit, in throne-like fashion, to greet guests. Mrs. Pabst had a chair, off stage, nearby.

  ·       All the bedrooms had their own bathrooms.

  ·       The house had electricity and indoor plumbing.

Each bedroom was an ensuite!

 

Return to its origins:

Following the deaths of the Captain and Maria, 1904 and 1906 respectively, the descendants sold the mansion to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee and it served as the archbishop's residence until 1975. It was eyed for parking lot by a neighboring hotel, but after a three-year crusade for its preservation, it was spared demolition. It became an award-winning museum and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Dining room: the first room to be restored in 1984.

Restoration is still an ongoing process. Prior to becoming a protected museum, it had suffered years of several coats of white paint - over paneling, over fixtures, over glass. Though it seems a travesty to whitewash such treasures, our tour guide did offer some insight. It may have been a quick and economical way to mitigate much of the cigar smoke that permeated the interiors. 

An original Pabst Blue ribbon bottle adorned with its own blue ribbon.

Give yourself a Blue Ribbon:

One of the original blue ribbon-adorned signature bottles can still be seen in the home today. Inside the pantry, behind the refrigerator door, one can view an early Pabst Blue Ribbon beer - only, per our tour guide, it never officially received an award. Pabst deigned his eponymous brew as award worthy and employed a staffer whose only job was to tie blue ribbons on each bottle. 

Blue beer and Pink tea:

We won't quarrel with the worthiness of either Pabst hot or cold brew - it's all great, including our tour. We give a gold medal to the Gilded Age Mansion adventure in Milwaukee!

LL. Bean and Dunkin' team up for seasonal attire: A cozy sweater for us, a cup cosy for our drinks!

Dunkin'/L.L. Bean first collaboration - starting with sweater cup sleeves.

 

The Autumnal Equinox arrived on September 22 at 8:04 EDT and, about twelve hours earlier, most local Dunkin' stores sold out of their LL.Bean-collaborative sweater cup sleeves. 

Fall is officially here, signaling crisper temps, colorful leaves, chunky knits and hot beverages. Dunkin' and L.L. Bean's latest joint effort celebrates the latter two: a cozy sweater for us, a cup cosy for our drinks.

According to Dunkin's website/press release, the doughnut/coffee shop and the outdoorsy-attire retailer, both with New England roots, joined their iconic brands together this year for a first-ever collaboration. 

"Inspired by the traditions that define fall in the Northeast, from morning coffee [*] runs to favorite seasonal layers, the limited-edition L.L. Bean x Dunkin' collaboration comes to life through limited-edition products, [and] giveaways. . . culminating on National Coffee Day [September 29].

*Barb's Tea Service would like to add "and tea".

Dunkin' rep gives friendly & helpful advice: next promo, get in early! 

This unique partnership kicked off their seasonal promotion yesterday, the first day of fall, with the sweater cup sleeves giveaway. At its conclusion, in one-week, additional products will be available for purchase including a classic L.L. Bean birds-eye sweater in Dunkin' logo colors ($79.99) and a traditional canvass Boat and Tote with a Dunkin' theme ($59.99). 

We were in the faraway regions of northern Michigan on the first day of fall, so, while we were getting an exciting preview of the color changes coming soon, we did miss out on the initial Dunkin'/L.L. Bean kick-off promo. 

We found we were a day late, and several sweaters short. Calls to half a dozen local Dunkin's today revealed inventory was out. One of the nearest Dunkin's to us (where we secured our limited-edition Eagle Cup in July) did not pick up after a few calls, so I took a drive out, just in case there was the odd chance they did have the now highly collectible sweater cup sleeve.

Turning lemons into pumpkin spice lattes. 

Once at the counter, I was told the miniature knits had "sold out" early yesterday morning. Turning lemons into lemonade, - or more specifically, the signature drink of the season - I treated myself to a pumpkin spice latte. 

My friend behind the counter dispensed friendly and helpful advice:  for any promotions in the future, get to Dunkin' early. Lesson learned. Current check on eBay, the Dunkin'/L.L. Bean sweater cup sleeves are already on sale, prices ranging from $25 to $120. (In comparison, my Eagle Cup is fetching between $12 to $50). 

Once again, we're falling in love with fall! Cheers to colorful leaves, sweater weather and a cup of hot tea (or coffee). 

Mrs. Met inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame and we were there! Can BTS rep be next?

 

Witnessing history: Mrs. Met is the first Hall of Fame female mascot. Also, there's a Mascot Hall of Fame?

September 6th we witnessed history being made. Mrs. Met became the first female mascot to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Not only were we astonished by Mrs. Met's accomplishment, we were equally surprised that there was, in fact, a Mascot Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place in Citi Field, home to Mr. and Mrs. Met and, the team they rep, the New York Mets. 

In a few short weeks, we have not only been made aware of this shrine to the assorted mix of anthropomorphic characters that represent a wide range of sports teams and even some businesses, we've been inspired, too. Perhaps, Barb's Tea Service could get on the bandwagon filled with an endearing mix of fuzzy animals and big-headed objects.

The Mascot Hall of Fame:

Good news, bad news - it does exist, but only virtually. There's no Cooperstown, NY or Canton, OH to drive to and see your favorite gopher, tiger, oversized nut or baseball, however, for a short time it was a real building.

It began as an on-line entity in 2014, finding a brick-and-mortar site four years later, in Whiting Indiana before shutting its doors (officially titled is its grand Fur-nale) in 2024. Since then, it has returned to its on-line platform.

The museum was co-founded by Christopher Bruce and David Raymond; the latter was the original Phillie Phanatic.

Mascots were first elected to the hall of fame in 2005, but regular inductions did not begin until 2022. 

To be eligible for the Mascot Hall of Fame, a mascot must have existed for a minimum of ten years. In addition, they must also impact both their sport and community.

BTS podcast, showing Mrs. Met's bobble head. Chris asked, is there really a Mascot Hall of Fame?

Meeting Mrs. Met:

Mrs. Met's husband debuted as a cartoon figure in 1963 and Lady Met (later Mrs. Met) came on the scene in 1965. The two were depicted as a couple, eventually joined by three "little Mets", their children. Date of their marriage is as fuzzy as Phillie Phanatic, but MLB's website reports it was sometime in the mid-1970's.

Although the Met's didn't have a winning season, this year they did achieve notoriety - they became the first pro sports organization with two mascots enshrined in the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Detroit's Mascots:

Though Detroit has no mascots in the Mascot Hall of Fame (yet!), the Lions' mascot does get a shout-out on the website's Mascot Family Trees page.  Most of locals are familiar with Roary, the friendly feline, sporting a Lion's mane and a Detroit Lion's jersey. He replaced Bubbles the Lion in 2011. (Bubbles was performed by four generations of the same family for more than 60 years).  This September, Roary Junior was added to the team.

Matt with Hooper, the Detroit Pistons' mascot. 

We had a personal encounter with another loveable Detroit sports team's mascot - Hooper. Representing the Detroit Pistons, there's plenty of horsing around with this loveable piston pony.  For our sports fanatic son's 30th birthday, we arranged a surprise meeting with Hooper during halftime at the Little Caeser's Arena. 

To see your favorite team play is always (well, mostly always) a good time. Adding a mascot lightens the mood and makes you smile.  A Hall of Fame does seem worthy of their endeavors. . . and maybe something for Barb's Tea Service, too?

Barb's Tea Service Mascots - Which do you prefer?

The attention the Mascot Hall of Fame is bringing to the mascot menagerie had us thinking at BTS - should we join forces? We went to the modern-day drawing board, our Microsoft Copilot, and with few suggestions from us, asked it to create images of a BTS mascot. Here are our top four:

1   Traditional Tea Lady Pink and Pearls Mascot

2 Austen-inspired Tea Lady Mascot

3. Slightly more contemporary Tea Lady Mascot with friends

4.  Traveling Tea Lady Mascot

Tell us which one you favor! Email us at barb@barbsteaservice.com and we'll select one soon! 

Tuesday Tea and Tomes: Sense and Sensibility - In Defense of the Senseless

Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. Accessorize with pink ribbons for the doctor & pearls for clutching. 

The rereading of Sense and Sensibility has rekindled the conversation on which characters are the most likeable:  the emo-to-the core, Marianne or the rock-solid, rational Elinore. Is it better to lay all your whist cards on the table or keep a stoic poker face?

I take no sides, but I do like those that fall in the middle, the affably clueless.

Dare I say, the ones who take themselves less seriously and seem the less miserable are those that find joy where it is lacking, and, in the process, bring much comic relief to the despair and disappointments that consume many in Sense and Sensibility. Say "hello" to Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Parker and, even, Miss Steele.

Jane Austen House in Chawton. Rachel, like Marianne, plays the piano-forte.

Inspired by the upcoming movie "Sense and Sensibility" (to premier in the US in October), and governed by an obliging self-mandate to reread Jane Austen novels periodically, I completed my most recent reacquaintance of Jane Austen's first published novel last month. Each visit to an Austen novel brings something new and this time was no exception. I took a renewed look those who eschew the overwrought and the over cautious.

Like Maren Morris, why don't you just meet me in middle. . .

Mrs. Jennings, is talkative and gossipy, but always well-meaning and even Elinor fell in love with her. Having married off her two daughters - the now Mrs. Middelton and Mrs. Palmer - successfully in terms of their time and class, she looks to others to match up. While Mrs. Middleton is a bit more aloof, Mrs. Palmer, who more like her mother, is always happy and makes the best of the situation. She laughs when there is no obvious amusement to support it and sees her husband's sarcasm as delightful wit. An exchange between Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, while in the company of a party of eight, including Marianne and Elinor , had me literally lol'ing - and there was, indeed, cause for this outburst. 

Mr. Palmer took no notice of her [Mrs. Palmer].

"He cannot bear writing, you know," [Mrs. Palmer] continued. "He says it is quite shocking."

"No, said [Mr. Palmer], I never said anything so irrational. Don't palm all your abuses of language upon me."

"There now, you see how droll he is. This is always the way with him! Sometimes he won't speak to me for half a day together, and then he comes out with something so droll - all about anything in the world."

And, then there is Miss Steele, the older sister of Lucy. While neither Steele sisters have much to recommend them in status and education, Lucy, is pretty and cunning. Anne, who eavesdrops and blunders, is gifted with no self-awareness and the ability to move on without self-recrimination. And, she joyfully partakes in being teased about the romantic attentions of the Doctor, of which there is no real evidence of their existence.  Undaunted, Anne commits to the bit - even wearing pink ribbons, as she knows that to be the Doctor's favorite color. 

Chawton kitchen - making tea for Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer & Miss Steele

Though I'm not in favor of denial or delusion, I find the cheerfulness of Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer and Miss Steele to be the feel-good diversions from the sometimes-exhausting polar emotions of the two elder Dashwood sisters. I think I'd enjoy a cup of tea with the former three, and indulge in a little spilling, too. 

🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖🕮🫖

In 2011, my daughter, Rachel, and I visited the Jane Austen House. At the time, the Chawton residence was celebrating the 200th anniversary of Sense and Sensibility. Rachel, like Marianne, played the pianoforte, and I like Mrs. Dashwood, went in search of a cup of tea. 

For more of our visit to Jane Austen's House, see the link to our blog directly below. 

Jane Austen House in Chawton

Going (almost) to the top of One Vanderbilt: The Summit provides NYC vista views (and mildly sweaty palms)

The Summitt, 91st floor- exhilarating and not even outside!

 I've visited many impressive structures connected to the Vanderbilts including Biltmore, The Breakers and, even across the pond to Blenheim Palace - but none have caused me as much panic and delight as The Summit, located on the eponymous avenue of the Gilded Age new-money clan. 

Though the tallest skyscraper in New York City, completed in 2020, was not built by a Vanderbilt, it sits just across Grand Central Station, originally Grand Central Depot, commissioned in 1869 by the originator of the great family fortune, Cornelius Vanderbilt. And, while your humble, and terrified-of-heights, blogger, has always been content to view the impressive commuter hub from the street level, those in our party had other ideas.

Great views from The Summit at One Vanderbilt

Last week my husband, Chris, and I were in the Big Apple for an extended family celebration, hosted by our favorite NY couple, son, Matt, and daughter-in-law, Jenna.  On our last full day in town, the four of us had planned to dine in Manhattan and take in some touristy activity. Chris, inspired by a sightseeing cruise around the island the previous day which showcased many of the City's skyscrapers, thought a stop to a high-level viewing deck might be fun. So did our favorite NY couple.

Mirrored floors, magnificent reflections everywhere.

 A few Summit Stats:

1. The One Vanderbilt building stands at 1.401 feet.
2. It is the fourth-tallest building in NYC and the tallest skyscraper in Midtown,
3. The main Summit observation deck is at 1, 063 feet.
4. The Ascent glass elevator ascends to 1,210 feet. 

After some discussion and a spike in someone's heartrate, we settled on The Summit - it tops the One Vanderbilt building - and its viewing experience starts on the 91st Floor. From, that level, one can travel two additional floors, each with different art installations, but all have floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking all four corners of New York City. In addition, the floors are mirrored, so you see magnificent reflections everywhere. (And, just a note, slip-on coverings are provided to wrap around your shoes to protect the glass floors, so leave the stilettos at home.)

Panoramic views from every side of The Summit. 

As someone who doesn't, literally, aspire to great heights, I found The Summit to be an enjoyable and spectacular experience - and that's because there were options. And, I opted-out of the outside elevator. 

From the 93rd Floor, one can take an outside elevator, all glass as well, for several levels above and beyond the interior landing spot. I enjoyed a cup of tea, while Chris, Matt and Jenna continued their upward journey.

Matt and Chris on the outside elevator. 

They all loved the outside elevator and came back with some great photos. 

I, on the other hand, was content to live vicariously through their fearless rise to the top. 

All of the Vanderbilt money couldn't persuade me to follow suit. 

Two thumbs - and mildly sweaty palms - up for The Summit. 

Return to the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage: Setting the Table Exhibit (more than just knife rests!)

"Setting the Table" display in the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage.

Knife rests first brought me to the Brooklyn Museum; their Visible Storage keeps me coming back. 

This month, we discovered the "Setting the Table" exhibit which brings together an eclectic mix of American treasures from different eras that "explore the joy of dining in the United States".  In a come one, come all environment, luxury goods created for the wealthy, such Tiffany butterfly-shaped napkin rings, join kitschy, mass-produced tableware, like Tupperware salt and pepper shakers from the 1960's.  Off to the side, a pretty, 19th century, Union Porcelain cream-and-burgundy vegetable dish awaits its guests, inviting them to pull up a mid-century Eames chair and dig in.

First visit Brooklyn Museum & knife rests, 2022

"Setting the Table" is just one of the many displays in the Brooklyn Museum's Visible Storage - a place I like to think of as an elegant "grandma's attic". It houses over two thousand items in organized and catalogued collections. Opened in 2005, this warehouse spans 5,000 square feet on the museum's 5th floor, filled with an array of objects that would prove too numerous for an unshared spotlight. For those who like things that are rare, fancy, quirky and/or bring a bit of nostalgia, Visible Storage is the place to go.

Chris' fav, Ancient Egyptian Art on 3rd Floor. He's walking like . . . 

My first trip to the Brooklyn Museum was in 2022 (Visit to the Brooklyn Museum to view rare ceramic knife rests). I found a rare pair of ceramic knife rests were in their possession - and, as luck would have it, while visiting our son and daughter-in-law who reside in New York's largest borough, our hotel was a short walk to this New York institution.  My husband, Chris, and I soon learned, there was so much more than knife rests worth seeing here.

Beyond Visible Storage: 4th Floor Period Rooms

I found more to love on the 4th floor, where the "period rooms" reside. I'm particularly fond of the Gilded Age rooms from a Saratoga Springs home complete with an excessively decorated parlor. Chris favors the 3rd floor which features Ancient Egyptian art. And, yes, once inside, he does, indeed, walk like an. . . well, you know the rest.

Last week marked our third visit to the Brooklyn Museum and we plan to make room for all its many rooms every chance we get to NYC. 

For our Barb's Tea Service's short video featuring Brooklyn Museum's  "Setting the Table", click the link directly below: 

Brooklyn Museum 2026: Visible storage return - tables setting with Tupperware, Tiffany & Eames chair