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.
The best part was how different chemicals get into our water. Some are industrial pollutants; some are byproducts of treating water with chlorine. But the one that caught our eye was manganese. It’s a vital nutrient, of course, but do you know one of the main ways it gets into our water? Fireworks. Really.
Speaking of, we received 148 entries correctly identifying the Fake Ad for State Line Fireworks on page 68 of the June Observer.
“Cleverly concealed among the fire candles and chrysanthemums, ‘hic-CUP P.S’ crackled, sizzled, and exploded off the page like a ‘three finger crossette,’” writes Jeff Bower.
Linda Etter, whose entries are always a delight, writes, “My hopes were raised to the skies, much like the fireworks in the ad for State Line Fireworks, only to be dashed when I realized it was all fake!!
“How I rejoiced, thinking that supplies of fireworks, which I loathe, would be reduced! Alas, ‘Three Fingers’ and Lefty anticipate only a hiccup (plus the P from P.S.). I hope they enjoy going out with a bang.”
Our winner, Bill Crawforth, is taking his gift certificate to the MilkShake Factory. To enter this month’s contest, find the Fake Ad and let us know at the address below. Hint: The ad always contains the last name of the previous month’s winner in some form.