So, by now everybody knows that my “Christmas Wish” for this episode was for some nice, easy pickin’s of Scranton references; low-hanging fruit, like a local name-drop, or something that I wouldn’t need a fine-tooth comb to find. Well, as far as my wish goes, just about all I got in my Christmas stocking was a lump of coal! But then again, I reasoned, the Scranton area is famous for its coal, so that in and of itself is a good local reference! See what I can come up with when I’m desperate? 
Actually, once again, there are just enough tidbits to pull me through here. We start off with a “sneak peek” that came out a few days beforehand. In the preview, Andy introduces his girlfriend Jessica, who is an assistant cross-country coach from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. LITO writer Suri posted this preview on the home page, along with the message that I could get a head start on “Scrantonicity” this week by checking out Bryn Mawr, which I was hilariously just finishing up at that moment! Bryn Mawr is 128 miles south of Scranton, including a 99 mile run on Interstate 476, better known as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Hmm… that means that Jessica has to pay a fortune in turnpike tolls, and that she probably exits the highway at its terminus in Clark Summit, Pa, where my sister lives, practically in the shadow of the tall turnpike bridge. I would have liked for Andy’s girlfriend to live a little more locally. That is a pretty long commute between the two, and surely it would have come up before this that Andy was taking off from work a little early to visit his girlfriend. And like I said, you have to consider the considerable expense of those pesky turnpike tolls.
At the Dunder-Mifflin Christmas party, Robert California is behind the bar, and Erin asks for a cola; and she says “Kirkland Cola,” if you’ve got it. That’s a little strange. Kirkland is the house brand for Costco, and according to the map, the closest Costco to Scranton is Wharton, New Jersey. Oddly enough, there is a Costco where the show is filmed in Van Nuys, California, and several more in the near vicinity. And odder still, the Kirkland house brand is named after the city of Kirkland, Washington, not too darn far from where I live.
Jim Halpert is on the phone with his credit card in his hand, reading off the numbers. In a past episode, Jim’s wallet was shown onscreen, and I was able to identify all the local bank and grocery store rewards cards. So I know that this card is a prop, but I couldn’t read the writing on the darn card. It was blue, with a white swoosh in the middle, and a small red logo on the right side. I’ll keep searching for this one. I think this is “get-able.”
Henrietta the porcupine is shown eating some Christmas cookies on the break room table, next to a “Greater Scranton Chamber Of Commerce” cookie jar. A “Great Scranton Chamber of Commerce” refrigerator magnet shows up next to Kelly’s cubicle, stuck to a metal filing cabinet. Beneath that magnet is another one with a purple vertical stripe on a white background with blue lettering. I could almost read it.
When Jim finds a pensive Andy sitting forlornly in the break room, there is purple and white “S” behind Andy’s head, with the word “alumni” on the “S.” Purple and white are the colors of the University Of Scranton, where my sister works. That might also explain that purple and white refrigerator magnet! Next to the “S” is a poster of Pennsylvania’s wilderness, probably extolling the virtues of the Poconos. And next to that is pink menu paper, extolling the virtues of a 10” cheesecake from… somewhere.
And right at the end of the show, as the cars are pulling from the Dunder-Mifflin parking lot… yeppers, we saved the best for last here: Meredith’s van’s front license plate is visible for one second; and since I know that cars in Pennsylvania are not required to have a front license plate, I figured this was worth investigating, and it was! It reads “Local 489,” which is the Scranton Iron Workers Union. Once again, The Office goes way above and beyond the call of duty in its “Scrantonistic” efforts. A front license plate that viewers have to search for and freeze-frame, just to provide an interesting hint about Meredith’s backstory, which may never even be told. is this a great show, or what? 
Finally, I should mention two odd discoveries that I’m guessing the show wants to be discovered: Jim walks through an office doorway, muttering “Merry, merry…” and on the wall next to the door is a plaque dedicated to “Mary Wall.” Hmm… According to IMDb, Mary Wall is an actress who appeared in, among other films, “Guts Of The Gods.” Hmm… Also, behind Creed’s desk is a plaque that says “Volunteer Of The Year,” with the name “Laverne Caracuzzi.” According to IMDb, Laverne is the make-up artist on the TV show… “The Office.” Hmm… maybe she did “Guts Of The Gods,” too.
~ Bob
A lump of coal from Scranton’s coal mines? Oh Bob, you’re really making lemonade from lemons aren’t you? Meredith’s front license plate was a find, and all the University of Scranton stuff too.
As far as the Kirkland cola, I don’t think they would have specifically mentioned a nationwide brand by name as a local reference. Maybe because Costco is known as a discount store, they had Erin reference it to show how low-brow and “hick” she is? Not that getting a good deal is low-brow or hick. Or, if it is, they color me “hick”! But maybe it’s to show how weird Erin is. Anyone else would just ask for a coke. She’s got to reference the name brand, and a discount name brand to boot! As a bartender, I’m sure you don’t get many people asking for cola mixers other than coke or pepsi, right? Well, it’s just a theory!
Thanks, Donna! I iike your theory about Erin asking for “Kirkland” cola. There may not be a Costco near Scranton, but in many other parts of the country, the Kirkland brand-name is well known. And it is a decent cola, but NOBODY would ever ask for it at a bar. Nobody except a weirdo like Erin.
I really appreciate you taking the time to read this stuff… AND to propose theories, too!
Hey Bob,
Great job on pulling double duty this week and getting everything up so quickly. How you managed to notice a little detail like Meredith’s front license plate is beyond me. I was too distracted by all the junk falling out of her car.
Equally impressive is the dissection of Jessica’s commute from Bryn Mawr to Scranton. I only figured out that it was a 2.5 hour trip, but you figured out how much it would cost in tolls as well, I tip my virtual hat to you sir.
Hi Bob!
I *think* the pink 10″ cheesecake may be from Lynn Sandy’s Bakery, which makes delicious and amazing cakes and cookies. I love cheesecake though I have never had one from there. They are my favorite cake shop in town so I was excited to spy their menu! I missed that myself and had to rewatch that scene.
One “Scrantonicity” you didn’t mention was the “Sno” sticker behind Andy’s head in the same scene as the cheesecakes and University of Scranton sticker. It was funny because he seemed to nod his head more dramatically than necessary just enough so you could read the sticker. Sno Mountain is what used to be Montage Mountain Ski Resort and they have been in the papers recently due to “financial” difficulties, or what has been reported as finanical difficulties.
More Scrantonicity, I spied a shelf full of their favorite Wegman’s snacks when the adorable porcupine was chomping away in the staff kitchen. There also was a grey foam finger hanging above her but the shot was too quick and I couldn’t see what company it was from.
The Kirkland soda thing was kind of weird, they should have used RC Cola, as that is definitely as “lesser” cola that is still found around here, especially at mom and pop restaurants and bars.
Thanks, Michele! I am genuinely, deliriously excited when you point out “Scrantonicity” that I miss! Here is the website for Lynn Sandy’s Cakes on Pittston Avenue: http://www.lynnsandyscakes.com/ By the way, I also thought that RC Cola would have been the way to go at the party bar.
It’s a good feeling to know that a real Scrantonian is keeping such a vigilant lookout. And it’s a good feeling that the show still cares enough to provide us nuggets of Scrantonicity to find! Thanks again.
(I actually attempted to identify the credit card that Jim Halpert was holding when he was on the phone. I Googled things like “banks of northeastern Pa,” and I checked their card images for a similar color scheme. I’m pretty sure that card is a prop. I know in the scheme of things that this is wildly unimportant, but I experience such a rush when I finally make a difficult discovery… it’s like a cheap thrill.)
And thank you too, Suri. Wasn’t the junk tumbling out of Meredith’s van a hoot? I’m sure they used some Scranton props as part of the junk “avalanche,” but it all tumbled out too fast for any identification. It was a great visual gag, though.
Great Scrantonicity, Bob! They made you work a little this week, huh? Funny that you should mention Wharton, New Jersey. My friend Tony used to work there at Graingers. It’s a haul from here. But that’s really a haul from Scranton. It is interesting that they went with Kirkland. We are, unfortunately, not privy to all the thinking that goes into these references.
Anywho, great stuff, Bob!
Hey, Kevin! I just looked up Wharton New Jersey on the map, and it is not very far at all, as the crow flies, from where my wife’s sister lives in Mendham.
When I was a little kid, my family used to drive by there to my aunt’s apartment in the Bronx. I don’t recall Wharton, but for some reason, I loved to say the name “Hackettstown.” Now that I’m older, I prefer the name “Hackensack.” I guess it’s a little more fun to say.