Just when we think we’re making some progress, something like this comes along (I had to read it twice before it would soak in):
“A cherished Langlade County landmark was defaced early today, most likely by vandals. Greeting northbound travelers on highway 45 south of Antigo, vandals applied paint to the sign just north of Huggins road reading ‘Welcome to Langlade County – The county of trails’, and now the sign reads ‘The counry of trolls’, as paint applied by vandals modified the letters on the sign by painting.
“Reports suggest that the crime occurred under dark of night, as the sun had set some hours before the mishap, as it usually does this time of year, as the season changes from winter to the next season. Statements by witnesses were made to the effect that nothing unusal was seen out of the ordinary that was different.
“After defacing the sign, police officials indicated that the culprits made their escape by motor vehicle, after escaping undetected by foot to the vehicle, after defacing the sign, after parking near by, and it was indicated that alcohol may have been involved, but paint was actually used for the crime.
“Even afterwards, not collecting any additional information, at press time nothing additional was known, and county officials indicated that they had no further suggestions, as reports were said to be lacking.”
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Oh, that’s sad…it’s such a beautiful sign!
I wouldn’t call that sign “cherished”. What they did was wrong and hope they get caught and punished. Personally I think the sign is very difficult to read. Should be about twice as big as it is now.
Please don’t tell me you copied that word for word from the ADJ?
I’ll rewrite the story:
A Langlade County landmark was defaced early today. Alleged Vandals applied paint to modify a sign on Highway 45 just north of Huggins Road.
Northbound travelers were greeted to a sign that would normally read “Welcome to Langlade County-County of trails” to “County of trolls”
Residences nearby reported nothing unusual. Evidence suggests the culprits escaped by foot to a vehicle from a nearby parking lot. Alcohol may have been involved. The investigation continues.
I had to read this story twice to understand it. Simplemind, you did a great job summing it up with far less verbage. Maybe, the editor should take note and hire you.
Yup, good job, simplemind. I would use “residents” instead of “residences”, but your version is a real improvement for sure!
by the way, did anyone notice the publication date for the original blog post?….
I noticed the residents too.. but it was too late to fix it.. I already pushed the submit comment button when . Oh well.
Does it matter if alcohol was involved or is that relevant? Or do they throw that in there to make the story sound better?
I get trapped by too-quick-submit once in a while, too. There’s a couple fo things you might want to consider about that story. First, I never attributed it to any specific source, saying only that “something like this comes along.” Second, think for a moment about the date of publication…..
Yep.. Sounds like a gotcha. It sounds like Freddie Burnout’s style of writing. It fooled me.
Simplemind, I might do a “gotcha” once a year or so, but ADJ gets to do it daily. Take a look at http://www.antigodailyjournal.com/full.php?id=10422 for the story on plane landing at Antigo International Mega-Field. A choice excerpt:
“A rental unit, the plane’s front gear indicator light suggested there may have been an issue — initially flashing when activated but then turning off and hinting it may not have been in working order.” Rented indicator lights suggesting and hinting? Oh, those devious, sneaky little gremlins!
“They were joined by the Antigo Fire Department and members of area law enforcement as well as, perhaps, hundreds of spectators who watched as Gilson circled the runway.” Ah yes, “members of area law enforcement” on the job, as usual, perhaps to manage the crowd of perhaps hundreds or perhaps thousands or actually perhaps maybe a dozen or two “spectators” there for the cheery spectacle of a potential plane crash.
Antigo Daily Journal – the Gift That Keeps on Giving.
… And giving. http://www.antigodailyjournal.com/full.php?id=10421
“Bits and Pieces for Apirl 3″
Yup, you read it right – Apirl. That’s the month that comes right after Mrach, and just before Mya.
Maybe the sign wasn’t defaced, maybe it was put together by the same person that reported the story in the ADJ and they just noticed the misspelling!
Actually, “Langlade, the County of Trolls” wouldn’t be that bad an idea. Just think of the mascot for Antigo high school athletics! A troll would make a lot better intimidator than a sneering robin, any day!
As for the Antigo Daily Journal. I believe it’s referred to as the Antigo Daily Mistake. Just think of the endless amount of funny things from the paper you can send in to Jay Leno that he would get a kick out of.