Fake Ad and I Spy Archives - Ann Arbor Observer

The Wallenberg House

Jan 27, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“I Spy: the Wallenberg House,” writes first-time entrant Marley Kalt.

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Proof Rock

Jan 27, 2026 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“While I’m sure their musicians are very talented, I’d much prefer my love to sing it for me themselves,” writes Savannah Van Buren.

Michigan Theater

Dec 22, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“This month’s I Spy is the Michigan Theater with the new high rise looming in the background,” writes Michael McGraw.

M Trade

Dec 22, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“As one who is concerned about a future lacking adequate skilled trades workers I wish your December fake ad wasn’t fake,” wrote Robert LaJeunesse.

Former Le Dog Location

Nov 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“Finally, I got the I Spy clue! It’s the old Le Dog location on Liberty [at] Thompson,” writes Linda Kentes. “They had that wonderful lobster bisque!” “I still miss walking a block from work to get soup” from the stand, notes Spencer Thomas.

“Mt. Whitmore Family Ski Resort”

Nov 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

We received 153 entries correctly identifying the Fake Ad for Mt. Whitmore on page 57 of the November Observer.

Anns’ Arbor Plaque

Oct 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

“Lovely, but highly unlikely,” says Dave Bicknell of the plaque’s romantic tale. Still, “when I … moved here for grad school in 1987,” writes Susan Whitlock, “I came upon that plaque … and decided I was in the right place: few cities can claim such a feminist origin myth.”

“G.I. BBS: Serving Those Who Serve”

Oct 24, 2025 | Fake Ad and I Spy, Fun Stuff |

People are funny. Okay, maybe not all 131 of you who correctly identified the Fake Ad for the Government Issue Bulletin Board System (GIBBS) on page 73 of the October issue, but enough to give us a few chuckles.

T.D. Usdull, CPAS

Sep 24, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

We received 161 entries correctly identifying last month’s Fake Ad, which featured an old joke about accountants being dull.

Ampersand

Sep 24, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“The weeping emoji says it all,” writes Dave Bicknell. “To the disappointment of many, another beloved community business is closing its doors,” laments Elise McCoy, while Susan Pollans calls it “an iconic town destination” that “will be sorely missed.”

Avfuel Logo

Aug 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“I Spy the Aviation Fuel company sculpture west of the southeast area Bicentennial Park!” writes Kathryn Powell, referencing August’s clue. It’s “one of the many features that make this global headquarters campus look like a nice place to work.”

Meat Cute

Aug 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“Is MAHA (Michigan Association for Harvesting Animals) a response to the restructuring of the federal food regulations? If so, doubly clever!”

Tree of Life

Jul 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

I spy “the ‘Tree of Life’ statue on the corner of State St. and North University,” writes Catrin Koselka.

Spendthrift

Jul 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“‘This isn’t Lycra U’ is very cute,” writes Steve Worden, “and using a U and you for (w) for the record, is one of your cleverer name arrangements.”

A Greco-Roman Mural on Summit St.

Jun 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“I spied with my little eye a mural at the entrance to [the] building at 124 W. Summit St.,” writes Isabel McEwen. It’s “in a little garden that backs up to the train tracks on the east border of … Water Hill,” says Dyke McEwen. “I visit friends nearby,” adds Dave Bicknell, “and always look to make sure it’s still there.”

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State Line Fireworks

Jun 25, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

While the team at Fake Ad Central was collating this month’s responses, the Czar happened to get his water quality report, and did something few people have probably ever done: read it.

Concours de Médiocrité

May 24, 2025 | Community, Fake Ad and I Spy |

“The most obvious giveaway is the date of June 31—it ain’t happening. Much more interesting, though, are the (at least in some way self-contradictory) instances of wordplay. ‘Competition in Mediocrity’—chef kiss left! ‘Pedestrian automobiles’—chef kiss right! … The nod to the previous month’s winner (Merry Muilenberg) is the 1926 Muilenberg Model X.”