NiniaPimp Magazine

NEW YORK—Despite the surprising coincidence of finding a perfectly formed swastika amidst the broken girders of the Twin Towers, 9/11 memorial curators have opted not to display the symbol, choosing instead to leave it in the storage facility where it has been located for the past 10 years. “On the one hand, it’s pretty miraculous that there was a precisely shaped 80-by-80-foot swastika found in the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center, but in the end, we decided not to include it in our plans for the museum,” said memorial spokesman Stanley Morgenstern, adding that it would probably be seen as inappropriate. “Although you’ve got to admit that it is pretty incredible. Mathematically, what are the odds? It’s amazing but, perhaps, not right for what we are trying to achieve with the museum.” Upon hearing the news, neo-Nazi groups have complained about the exclusion, arguing that the giant swastika is “a sign from heaven” and that “9/11 affected all Americans, including those who believe in the inherent genetic superiority of the Aryan race.”

Most Memorable Hall Of Fame Speeches

Last weekend, Shannon Sharpe’s tribute to his brother and Deion Sanders’ strange humility were two reminders of the heights that sports hall of fame speeches can reach. Some great quotes from others:

• Barry Sanders: “I’m surprised I showed up to this too.”
• James Naismith: “Oh, wow, I’m in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? No fucking shit.”
• Floyd Little: “I know you all just want to hear Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith talk, so I’m going to leave right now and cry in the parking lot.”
• Mickey Mantle: “I practiced drunk. I played drunk. You’re damn right I’ll give this speech drunk!”
• O.J. Simpson: “It’s an honor knowing this is how people will remember me forever: O.J. Simpson, Hall of Fame running back.”
• John Madden: “…So then comes the cheese, and it’s gotta be pepper jack, you just pile that on there then bake it in the oven for maybe five minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt, and then comes the mayo…”
• Jerry Rice: “…98…99…100. See, 100 push-ups, no problem. And I’ll do 100 more—watch me! One! Two!”

Road trip news, rants, and ruminations by the Editors of RoadsideAmerica.com

« Memorial For Middlegate Shoe Tree | Main

Big Ike Moves To North Texas

February 23, 2011

Blank expression. Pale complexion. 16-foot tall cement head that looks a little like Lex Luthor, a little like Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now.

Of course… it’s Dwight Eisenhower!

We’d seen Big Ike before — or one identical to it — with a number of other equally large President heads in Houston, Texas. Now America’s 34th President’s head is in the town of Denison near the Oklahoma border, as a new monument to Denison’s most famous son.

Artist David Adickes, who created big heads of every American President for a failed attraction in Houston, is reportedly selling the oversize noggins to places like Denison. (Two other complete sets of heads are at currently closed attractions in South Dakota and Virginia). David is probably happy to see his heads go to homes where they’ll have a personal bond. The availability of a big President head could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a town such as Kinderhook, New York, which is better known for its chain dinosaur than as the birthplace of Martin Van Buren (President #8). And the current home town tribute to Rutherford B. Hayes (President #19) in Delaware, OH, could really use a giant head to add some razzle-dazzle.

Adickes is in his mid-eighties, and his big head dispersal suggests that he’s moved on, artistically, from giant Presidents. But if he’d like a similar challenge, he might find willing customers in Plattsburg, Missouri (home of President-for-a-day David Atchison) and Williamsfield, Ohio (adopted home town of disputed President #1 John Hanson).

We want you to keep those President heads coming, David!

Sections: Statues, Tourism News No Comments »

Discussion

Trunkation Nation

February 18, 2011

My Sights

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure

Try My Sights

Sight of the Week

Miniature Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina [Feb 14-20, 2011]

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

• Floating Bridge, Brookfield, Vermont
• Big Mike’s Mystery House, Cave City, Kentucky
• God’s Acre Healing Springs, Blackville, South Carolina
• Desert Denizens – Permanent Wave, Baker, Nevada
• Large Easel and Painting, Altona, Manitoba

Latest Visitor Tips