People's Choice Is 'Missouree.'

JEFFERSON CITY — Secretary of State Matt Blunt announced Monday that voters at the Missouri State Fair have overwhelmingly chosen ‘Missouree’ as the proper pronunciation of the state is preference to ‘Missourah’.

More than 5,300 Missourians voted in the mock election conducted by Blunt, who is the state’s chief elections official and a lover of Missouri history. Election workers reported instances of spirited discussion at the polling place between Missourians with differing views on the state’s pronunciation.

"This longstanding debate can be put to rest, at least for those who say ‘Missouree’," Blunt said. "This is an issue that has divided friends and family for generations. In my own family, we have always said ‘Missourah’.

"However, the people have expressed themselves. Therefore, as Missouree’s chief elections official and the keeper of the Great Seal, I seek to abide by their wish, and I will make a reasonable effort to say it, ‘Missouree’. I do not expect to get it right every single time, nor do I expect anyone else who says ‘Missourah’ to change."

It seems of little surprise that folks might differ on the pronunciation of Missouri (ah or ee). With a language where Pete and sweet rhyme, but sweat and peat don’t.

As a youngster I often questioned the English teacher about how a person was supposed ta learn to spell with such inconsistencies in the language.

"You just have to learn the exceptions," I was reminded.

‘Course the i before e except after c and when it sounds like "a" as in neighbor and weigh is typical of the irregularities in the system. Who made this stuff up?

Wouldn’t naghbor and wagh be a lot simpler? I don’t know of those spellings already bein’ spoke for. No one would consider watchin’ Beigh Watch, or care to give you the time of deigh I suppose.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

YOUR AMERICA

By Amy Anderson

What do Marilyn Monroe, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Comstock Lode have in common? The International Camel Races in Virginia City, Nev.

It seems that camels were brought into the states in the 1850s to act as salt carriers to the silver processing plants of Virginia City, on the Comstock. They were consequently "retired" after mining operations slowed down. Their current stem of popularity has its beginnings in a 1959 newspaper story.

As the tale goes, a local editor of the Territorial Enterprise created a fictional story of "camel races" to fill space. Having gotten away with that, he then announced upcoming races in the next year. He was taken seriously by the folks over at the San Francisco Chronicle, who challenged his paper and a couple of other local papers and businesses to a camel race.

Nearby, actors Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable and director John Huston were filming "The Misfits"; they showed up at the challenges for a little R & R. As a matter of fact, John Huston rode the Chronicle’s camel that day and took home first place.

The event has continued as a tradition ever since. It has even gone international, as the Australians have decided that Americans can’t have all the camel-racing fun, and they send someone over every other year to compete.

This year, the races will be held on Sept. 6 through 8. Although the big draw is the camel races, they also race ostriches and emus. But the races aren’t all you’ll find; also on the agenda are mountain-man camps (fun re-creations of early settler home camps), a petting zoo, exhibits on the history of mining and drilling in the area and gold-panning demonstrations.

There are three sets of races each on Saturday and Sunday, not including the Media Races on Friday. There will also be a Camel Parade on Sunday. And don’t miss Saturday night’s 1890s Costume Ball.

For more information, contact the Nevada Camel Company at (775) 629-0800 or go to its very informative Web site, www.allcamels.com.