1985 Bears Coverage: With 200 lbs. minimum, Refrigerettes can’t work for scale

Every day of the 2015 Chicago Bears season, Chicago Sun-Times Sports will revisit its coverage 30 years ago during the 1985 Bears’ run to a Super Bowl title.

With 200 lbs. minimum, Refrigerettes can’t work for scale

Sun-Times Staff

Originally published Dec. 2, 1985

Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?

The Bears. . .The Refrigerator. . .The Refrigerettes.

The Refrigerettes?

The Honey Bears’ seats weren’t yet cold when restaurateur Rich Melman thought up a weighty replacement.

“What we are looking for is someone very similar to the Honey Bears, with good personalities, dancing skills and loud voices,” says Melman, who Friday launched his search for the largest cheerleading squad in the nation. “They have to weigh at least 200 pounds each.”

He had a lot to choose from. More than a dozen women, each of whom qualified for the 200-pound weigh-in, showed up for the

interview/tryout at Ed Debevic’s restaurant. An eight-member squad will be selected to tour all 22 Melman restaurants.

Karen Kruger, who works for a Milwaukee telephone company, said she came “because it would be an honor.”

Wearing white tights, red and white leotards and elephant-face slippers, Kruger carefully did a few solid bounces, arm tosses and hip sways, then ended her routine with a simple, but carefully executed, split.

“Here’s one. . .for. . .the. . .Fridge,” shouted Brenda Pickleman, who stood firmly rooted to one spot and tossed her arms from side to side.

Both will probably qualify.

But with one stipulation, says Melman:

“If they want them, the Bears will have to keep them fed.”