Iowa, I found, had some interesting names. I came across a town named "Fertile." In Garner, where the memorial was held for my stepfather I saw from the road a large storage container named "Sukup." Here is a photo of a group of them (left). They are all over the State, not just in Fertile. They look like fine places to store grain.
"Sukups" (of the people kind) also exist. They are what Presidents and leaders need to avoid. Like "yes men" they tell leaders only what they want to hear -- instead of the truth and what they should hear. Yes men got us into a war without a plan.
The other interesting thing in Iowa is that the "Super Unleaded" gas cost LESS than the "regular" unleaded gas. I couldn't figure that one out. A local said it was because of the ethanol, that made it "super" cost less, so the super is cheaper than the regular. Okkkk... The other unusual name I saw (and I speak as someone who grew up in Iowa until I was 15) is a convenience store chain called "Kum and Go"....No kidding. I guess a Suckup wouldn't mention to them that kind of name could get you arrested in Texas! Upon reflection, maybe "Kum and Go" should be the name of our policy in Iraq now that its recognized that a military only strategy won't work.
For those who don't believe it until they see it, I'll post a photo tomorrow...
Final thought for the day: Iowans are great people who just happen to have some interesting and unique names -- and a connection to Texas and Santa Ana that no one seems to be aware of.
2 comments:
Knowledge. It can be a powerful thing.
Here is how it really went down:
The year was 1959. The country was in the midst of a massive transformation. Middle-class families were becoming suburban families. And with suburbs came an increase demand for cars. The Federal Highway Act of 1956 created the Interstate Highway System. People were on the move, and the entrepreneurial spirit was in the air, especially related to travel, transportation and fuel.
Two such visionaries – W.A. Krause and T.S. Gentle – set out to create a refueling destination with a sense of "convenience."
In an age where catchy company names and unique marketing phrases were not only a representation of the times – but also the difference between success and failure – the two gentlemen used the first letters of their last names to create a unique moniker to showcase the ease and convenience they instilled in a shopping experience.
Thus Kum & Go was born.
www.myspace.com/kumandgoblog
THANKS for the history. Very interesting - and certainly they have been quite successful. I saw their stores everywhere. Maybe they will ku to Texas?
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