SEE SPOT RUN.
When I learned to read, I read about Dick, Jane and Sally and their dog, Spot. Plus their cat, Puff, and Sally’s teddy bear, Tim. And let’s not forget Mother and Father.
See Dick run. See Jane run. See Sally run. Did they ever walk?
Such were the exciting words printed upon the pages of my classroom primers.
So when I spot a “See Spot Run” sign along Wisconsin State Highway 21 near Omro, I think of learning to read, not canine services.
But it’s a clever connection, isn’t it? Would you understand this stand-alone sign or would you, like me, have to Google “See Spot Run” to understand?
Then there’s the most amusing of all signs further along the highway. It advertises diesel sandwiches at JB Sales with locations in Arkdale and Necedah. I’m certain the sign maker didn’t intend for the message to be read as “diesel sandwiches.” But that’s how my brain reads the words.
I’m still puzzling over another sign, this for Silvercryst, a fine dining establishment along Silver Lake near Wautoma that boasts GR8 steaks. Why wouldn’t you just spell out “great?” Because the sign is supposed to resemble a license plate apparently.
There are lots of cheese sellers in Wisconsin vying for local and tourism dollars. So you have to make yourself stand out. And one cheese sign in particular, in Omro, catches my eye. Because of the cows.
Finally, you can’t travel Wisconsin without noticing an abundance of fireworks signs. There’s nothing too special about this Highway 21 sign, except the advertising of Demo Night on June 20. Is this demo deal common for fireworks places in Wisconsin? Tell me. I’m from Minnesota.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Fireworks have been banned in Oz, except for organised events where you stand and watch. In terms of buying them for yourself, that’s illegal! Such a shame. When I grew up I loved cracker night. When I saw the title of this post I was desperate to find out what was in a diesel sandwich! xx
Being a food blogger, you would wonder what’s in a diesel sandwich.
Minnesota allows limited fireworks sales. Because of that, lots of folks cross the border to buy those that are illegal in our state.
I’ve heard of these demo nights before. It would be informative to know what things do before you purchase them. Love the signs. It is funny how the designers had no idea how some may read their works. A simple change in pt. size, font or color just doesn’t provide sufficient separation.
I can see why the demo nights are a good idea.
You’re right on the signage design. Sure provides us with photographic entertainment, doesn’t it?
Sure does 😉
I’ve not been able to understand the whole “fireworks thing” at all………it’s illegal to set them off but not to sell them???? Really??? Yes, signs are meant to grab attention, but the means used are, at times, suspect for sure!!!!!!
It is all rather confusing.
Can’t help you with the demo deal at all but then I am not from Wisconsin. 🙂 I love finding signs like this and am the picture taker of them also. Seems like there are some witty folks out there in the advertising world.
I really wanted to stop and get a better photo of the diesel sandwich sign. But doing that along Wisconsin State Highway 21 would be risking one’s life. I love seeing the interesting signs you discover.
So how far is it? 1/2 or 3/4 miles? To get the diesel sandwiches.
Great catch. I never noticed the discrepancy in distance.
Loving the Signs 🙂 I usually do a double check when signs run things together, like Diesel and Sandwiches – ha! Great addition to the cheese with the cows too. Happy Week!
Signage can be so entertaining.
One of the funnier signs I saw years ago was for a local event in a small town — “Wrestling Meat Raffle.” I can still get a mental image of wrestling roasts, chickens, etc.
That’s a good one.
These signs are GR8….ha ha
That’s a GR8 comment, Jackie.