Remember my previous posts about the value of editors? Tuesday I found another doozie where a quick proofreading would’ve saved some embarrassment.
This one was on a city-owned sign in downtown St. Charles, IL next to a public parking lot. It tells the story of the Arcada Theater, a local music venue that dates back to the 1920s. I’d been intrigued by the venue so I eagerly read the sign while I waited for my friend to arrive. Just when I start getting drawn into its narrative, I read this:
And while some of its original amenities — such as the two-story arcade entrance, palm-lined grotto with pool and waterfall, and crystal chandeliers
… and? …. and what? What about the original amenities? C’mon, don’t hold out on me! Tell me what happened to the original amenities!!
But the sign didn’t tell me about the original amenities. Instead, it trailed off like a stoned jazz musician, never finishing the sentence. Then the very next sentence has a little surprise of its own. What’s that there .. that thing at the end? Why, it’s an extra period! Helloooo!? Did anyone think to read this thing before it was posted in the center of town?
I studied this sign closely to see if some wag might have scratched off the rest of the sentence (a la “Push Butt”) but it looks legit. I’ll be interested to see if it ever gets fixed!