Bobblehead Beth
Those who follow U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley on social media are well acquainted with Beth, the trusty Hoover upright vacuum that the Senator used to tidy up their house in New Hartford before family gatherings. It was a fixture in their home for 34 years, after 15 years of service for the Senator’s mother in law.
But sadly, after 49 years of faithful duty, Beth bit the dust recently…the plug sparked and burned, and Beth was retired. Even worse, the Senator’s backup—a 1966 Electrolux—also failed to respond when called upon.
A Sioux Citian donated a similar-but-newer model and presented it to the Senator, who I trust will put Beth 2 into service promptly.
But lest the original be forgotten…now you can order a Beth Bobblehead. Our friends at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee have released a bobblehead featuring Senator Grassley and Beth, for delivery in January. Phil Sklar of the Bobblehead Hall of Fame, a frequent guest on KXEL, included a photo…and it’s sure to attract a solid novelty audience. The base reads “Chuck Grassley and Beth” and it goes for only $30. I’ve already talked with one person who not only has ordered it…but plans to have the Senator autograph it.
I did a quick internet search, and while you can get bobbleheads that include a vacuum being operated by a character…the vacuum is not the star. So this may well be the first bobblehead of its kind in world history.
Then again, not many vacuums probably have a name, as well as an internet following.
