Spring Loaded: A Message from the Editor top of page | cover page

Happy New Year from Pezhead Monthly!

2003 went out with a bang, with one of the more unusual Pez finds of all time for me. I am speaking of course about the Pez Candy Factory Playset, a great and well-made Pez item that I found courtesy of a hot lead from one of the great folks at the Pez Community forums. Santa Claus also was kind enough to drop the 2003 Pez Christmas ornament set (a Knight Pez and a Pony Pez) under my tree.

Likewise, 2004 comes in with a bang for the Pezhead Monthly newsletter. We have our annual recap of the year that was, otherwise known as 2003: The Year in Pez. This year I have also included the song "It Was a Very Good Year (For Pez)." We also have an axclusive interview with Policeman Pez, who is a member of the new Emergency Heroes set. Wrapping up the first issue of 2004 is some Pez Poetry and an inspirational Pez Almost-Quote of the Month.

It's great to be back for another year of Pez fun. See you all next month!

Joe Durrant
Editor, Pezhead Monthly
joe@pezheadmonthly.com

2003: The Year in Pez top of page | cover page

Another year has come and gone, and it's time once again to reflect on the impact Pez had on the year's events. As you can see from the following recap, the influence of Pez could be felt all year long in 2003.

January 2003

The first United States tax returns of the year are issued. Once again, thousands of dollars that could have been spent on reducing debt, investing in home improvements, and planning tropical vacations are instead set aside for the various Pez conventions happening throughout the year.

February 2003

Around the world, the new 2003 Valentine's Day Pez dispensers are given as gifts. Love means never having to say you're out of Pez.

March 2003

The Broadway theatre strip is shut down due to a strike. Sadly, this strike permanently halts the production of what was destined to be the newest Broadway sensation, "Pez, Pez, Pez!"

Also in March, some war started somewhere. Pezheads everywhere turned off their televisions and took solace in the coolness of their hobby.

April 2003

In an April Fool's Day prank that sends shockwaves through the Pezhead community, Pez Inc. announces that all characters from TV's "The Brady Bunch" will be immortalized on Pez dispensers, and there will also be a set of crystal Brady Bunch dispensers exclusively on Pez.com. When this is revealed to be a prank, reaction is evenly split between heartbreaking agony and blessed relief.

May 2003

The highly anticipated sequel "Pez Reloaded" opens up in theaters across the world. Whoa.

June 2003

Martha Stewart is indicted for insider trading. Pezheads recall with fondness Martha's Pez decorating project, where she decorated an entire room in Pez dispensers, and hope that she can avoid prison so that she can take on even more Pez projects.

Also in June, Roger Clemens reached the career milestone of 300 strikeouts. When asked how he felt after the game, he commented that he was "happier than when he found the entire set of Jungle Book Pez dispensers last month."

July 2003

The last of the original Volkswagen Beetle automobiles roll off the assembly line in Mexico. Pezheads know from experience that this will of course make the original VW Beetle even more of a collector's item. They also hope that this means the Beetle will soon follow in the footsteps of the Mini Cooper and become part of the ever-growing Pez family.

August 2003

A massive blackout strikes much of the Northeast coast of the United States. While this causes many Pez collectors to accidentally knock over their collections, it also provides an opportunity to view one's collection by candlelight, the way it was done in colonial times... or at least the way it would have been done, if Pez was around back then.

September 2003

Across the country, millions of children return to school to learn about the three "R's": retired, repaired, and restored Pez dispensers.

October 2003

In the grand finale to an unusual recall election in California, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California. He vows to improve the state's ailing economy, strengthen the education system, and make an appearance at the 3rd annual Pezcific Coast Convention in lovely Los Angeles, California, scheduled for March 11-13, 2004.

November 2003

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by expressing their gratitude for their freedoms, friends, and families, not to mention one of the most prolific release years in Pez dispenser history.

December 2003

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is captured while hiding in a hole near his hometown in Iraq. He was reportedly hiding from Pez collectors who were fed up with his fraudulent behavior on eBay.

Also in December, panic strikes when Mad Cow Disease is found in American cattle. What made the cows so mad? A possibility is that the last time a cow was featured on a Pez dispenser was way back in 1976. Frankly, I'd be pretty mad too.

It Was a Very Good Year (for Pez)
(To the Tune of "It Was a Very Good Year")
Copyright 2004 JoePez Publications

There were a lot of new Pez,
It was a very good year.
It was a very good year for Emergency Heroes,
And the Jungle Book five,
Tweenies and new Valentines
The Faces were so Funky
For Pez in 2003.

And too for licensed Pez
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for Pez lip balm
And Pez diaries,
With their locks and their keys,
And Pez soap kept it clean
For Pez in 2003.

At Pezamania 13,
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for vintage finds
Pony, Angel, and Popeye
And Sesame Street caught my eye
And of course Mr. Bean,
For Pez in 2003.

But now the year is done,
And as I look back on it all
I think of this year as the one that I found
The most Pez at one time,
It was so very sublime,
How thankful I was indeed
For Pez in 2003.