I used this photo as part of an in-class creative writing prompt yesterday. Once my students (all of them Michiganders, unless their index cards lie) had finished, I revealed that the photo was of a coney island in Duluth.
"Minnesota?" one asked.
"Yes," I said, "and they claim that they invented the coney. In 1921."
Silence--and then, from the back, "OH HELL NO."
The rest followed. Howls of indignation! No FREAKING WAY the Minnesotans invented the coney. It was pure Michigan. It had to be! They were Michiganders. They would know.
"Relax," I said, "the coneys weren't great. Not enough chili, too-hard buns. And the hot dogs were Viennas. That's a Chicago hot dog."
I lost them there, I think, but they got the idea. The coney was theirs. Not--psshaw!--Minnesota's. Let them eat lefse.
