-----Kenmore Southern-States Restoration Center-----

-----September 13th 2014----------------------------

-----Time of Documentation: 11:59 PM EST------------

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-----TO: ALL Kenmore Restoration Centers------------

-----FROM: KSSRC Florida----------------------------

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From the Desk of Super-Sweeper:

Good evening once more Astronauts, Hoover-Heroes, And Vacuuming Olympians. It is my honor to present a new addition to the Kenmore Southern-States Restoration Center's Kenmore Army. As of SEPTEMBER, 13TH, 2014, Our infamous mascot, the Duo-Power Canister, is no longer alone. I am adding a second mascot to serve along side the Duo-Power in the same way it did in the Sears Catalog. This mascot is not a canister, not a shampooer, but an Upright, and not just any upright. In all it's Avocado Glory (A phrase once previously confined to use on the Duo-Power Canister), I present The Sears-Kenmore 2-Speed Duo-Power upright! This is the second Duo-Power upright to join the KSSRC fleet (The first, an earlier 1960s model, is still on back-order for a File-Photo). Now, I know the deluxe model had matching wood-grain too, but hey, this isn't 1974, Avocado Kenmores and bell-bottoms doesn't rain from the Sears Catalog like they used to! 

Here's some back-story!

I picked this little 70s Shag-Master up from a local Kirby shop today! I went down there to grab a bottle of Kirby shampoo (Which I've been using all night to shampoo the carpets and upholstery senseless! everything smells heavenly of Lavender! ). I wondered, "Is that Duo-Power upright still sitting in that shop (Very Likely)?". I walked in and was greeted by the older gentlemen who runs the shop (Well, he and his dog runs the shop, since the dog was there too!)

Our conversation went on as follows:

"Hi there, do you sell Kirby Dry-Foam?"

"The Shampoo?"

"Yes, the Kirby Shampoo."

*He walked over and pulled a bottle off the shelf.*

"Thanks, how much is it per bottle?"

"$13." 

"ok, is that Avocado upright over there *Points* for sale?"

"Which one?"

*We walked over (Well, I practically climbed through a jungle of Kirbys and Royals to reach it) to look at the upright in question*

"I'll let you have it for $15."

"$15 sounds perfectly fair, can we try it out?"

"Sure, hand it here, son."

We walked over and plugged the upright into a power-strip. he flicked it into LO, and the gentle-giant whooshed into life. after a few passes, he shut the machine off, and re-evaluated his judgement on the price of the cleaner.

"That's a good cleaner, I'll have to get $25 for it."

*At this point I didn't care if it was $15 or $25, they were both great deals, especially when he was charging $50 for a UV-Burnt Amway!*

"Well, how about we do $35 for the Shampoo and the Upright?"

"What Shampoo?"

*Looking back, this was hilarious!*

"The shampoo I'm buying from you!"

"Oh! yes, I can do $35."

I handed him my cash with a polite "Pleasure doing business with you, I'll be sure to come again", Which I WILL gladly do, he isn't that bad of a guy, and is certainly a much shorter drive than the downtown distributor! Downtown would've charged me 9 arms, 3 legs + tax for that Kenmore!

I walked out with the Duo-Power in tow, happily finding it to fit ever-so perfect in the trunk. I stopped in a thrift store next door to the vacuum shop, it smelled like cigarettes (The guy was still smoking when I was in there!) and wanted $20 for a fertilizer spreader!  

Anyhow, The Duo-Power made it's way home. once home, I got the KSSRC's new File-Photo background installed and went away on a digital-photo archiving rampage! 

First up, True Grime: Streets of Kirby Avenue.....

The Kenmore looked fresh from Sears! I decided only a touch-up was necessary considering how little use this machine appears to have endured. The wheels look new!

In the first picture above this post, in the lower right of the hood is the Television reflecting onto the shine of the hood! If anybody can guest the T.V show, I'll eat a dusting brush! 

Can you believe my luck when not only do the brushes have plenty of life in them (AND are replaceable!), but when the owner leaves me a nearly brand-new 5023 bag? It can still nearly fold flat! 

Unfortunately, the belt-tool is missing, though! Can't win them all! 

the Kenmore Wizard of the south always has a open pack of vacuum bags for a rarely-seen Kenmore! 

I remember betting on these being for the Duo-Power, and look who got lucky? 

The bag-chamber filter still has plenty of spongy life in it, but that poor exhaust filter was a crumbling mess! must be the heat that melts these things! 

The filter came apart in 3 pieces, one large chunk, one small chunk, and whatever bits disintegrated onto the floor! it was replaced by a custom-made Super-HEPA filter, thanks to some cheap Miele bags from a thrift store! 

Calem, before you accuse me of betraying the great KIRBYRAMA for this Avocado Dream-Boat, let me say in my defense that this lucky-little Gentle-Giant got to vacuum the house....so that the Heritage I could Rug-Renovate the carpets! 

24-Year-Old Carpet rejuvenated by Kirby miracle! 

The lighting makes a part of the carpet look tan for some reason! 

Once again, Fellow KRC members, KBI members, and our guests, the VacuumLanders, it has been a pleasure bringing you today's program (But even more of a pleasure to use that Kenmore! It's so smooth and quiet! ). Today's episode was brought to you by DESOTO, the smart way to go places, and HOOREKA, The vacuum for those who want the best of both worlds! 

lol, Thanks Hyrdaligue, for both the comment and the interruption! whenever there's a KSSRC thread, there's always a premature comment! I forget who did it last time! 

Hey Alex, you wickedly destroyed my KIRBY lineup FIRST, I was just getting even when I destroyed yours. You know what they say, " Revenge is a dish best served cold"...HeeHeeHeeHee...gotcha!

P.S. Your KIRBY made your carpet look like fresh blown snow...simply, simply beautiful!

No, Calem, revenge is best served on an 8-Track cartridge! 

Two shay my friend, well said, well said indeed!

Lol, there's a Kodak on sale I've been eyeing, are they good digital cameras? All my Kodak products take film! 

And yes l, as soon as I find some SHAG carpeting, I'll do a side-by-side! 

LOL,I don't use Minoltas! I used to use a Sears automatic 35mm camera from the 90s, then it refused to work (it was always a little gimmicky, but I loved it!).now I use a Kodak 35mm, manual everything! It had batteries left in it that expired in 2003! 

Speaking of Kodak,I bought a 12 megapixel or so Kodak digital camera on sale today, it went from $80 to $20! Hope it's a good camera! 

Thanks for the SHAG tip, something tells me you can't wait until the photo-shoot! 

Quickly, get the rotary phone and see if Penneys have any left in stock! Sears has come through for you on 40-year-old Kenmore parts, maybe they'll come though for you on 40-year-old pants! 

Hmmmmm,I wonder if I can find some AVOCADO SHAG! Wouldn't that be PERFECT? 

LOL, you bring the bell-bottoms I'll bring the SHAG! I'll tell the Canisters in the KSSRC darkroom to stock-up on developer, stop and fixer, they'll be expecting a ton of 'film' to develop! I'll even sneak in some pictures of a SPECIAL 1960s Kenmore surprise, if you can answer me this: how do Iuse the word 'DUO' on 3 Kenmores instead of 2?