We were in Newport News for Granddaughter Jessica's graduation.  While there, Jessie's sister, Kristin (16), wanted to go to The Patrick Henry Mall to get her ears pierced.  We were near the Food Court when I first saw this mural depicting the 'DQ grand opening'  in Newport News, Virginia.  Mostly it goes unnoticed by all who pass--- but as soon as I saw it, I just knew there was a story here.

And so there is, and it's all about 'candy that's never too sweet...'

Before the first Dairy Queen, we all called it 'frozen custard.'  At first we couldn't get enough of it--- but for most of us, our own dairy queens have since melted away ... or again, perhaps as I alone might say--- "At least you were mine, if not for all time."'  Nonetheless, Dairy Queens have survived to become an American institution.  And for all the homespun melancholy associated with such traditions as these, the songsters too have taken notice, for they have written their folk songs about our Dairy Queens.  So here is one of them--- a song written and sung by Eef Barzelay and  his 'Clem Snide' Band'. There's a certain baroque feel to this song--- simply titled, "The Dairy Queen."  And it should be playing right here and now, but if not, try this media player:

 
 

 

 
to get rid of the annoying 'Press spacebar' message' ... press Ctrl + spacebar 
 
 

 

The  lyrics  to  "The  Dairy  Queen"

and, for the poetry they are, such lyrics as these

 are deserving of your attention,

for they tell a story all of their own.

And like all poetry, the story told by this lyricist

is yours to interpret--- and therein lies

its extraordinary appeal to all who would simply listen...

 

The Dairy Queen has melted

Having laid all her eggs
And the sporting goods store
At the corner under the overpass

With an ice cream hot mouth
She smiled a carnation pink
Into the root canal music
Of a prom night disaster, dancing

On roads paved with liver and onions
As the ginger ale tickled her nose
And the power lines traced with a finger
Were gray, turning gold

And jokingly blowing a bubble
As the teenagers slammed on their brakes
And sucking her teeth
She insisted on raising the stakes

Now the Dairy Queen is quiet
Sweating brown vinyl seats
With a need for directions
And candy that’s never too sweet...

 
The  history  of  Dairy  Queen  in  our  time
 
The first Dairy Queen outlet was opened in Joliet, Illinois on June 22, 1940. 
DQ was an early pioneer of food franchising, with 10 stores by 1941,
expanding to 100 by 1947, 1,446 in 1950 and 2,600 in 1955. Now, with 5,700
restaurants in 22 countries, Dairy Queen is one of the largest franchises in the
world.
 
Much of its early growth occurred in rural areas of the United States, and  
references to the small-town "DQ" occur repeatedly in both the popular and
literary culture of the USA.  For many years the franchise's slogan was
"We treat you right!" In recent years, it has been "DQ, something
different." The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway,
and its headquarters are located in Edina, Minnesota.
 
And the next time you see one of these Dairy Queens...
...you'll think of this mural--- a mural that you too might have otherwise passed by
...and of Eef Barzelay's lyrics about 'carnation pink' smiles
            and of 'teenagers slamming on their brakes'
                  and 'gray power lines, turning gold' in early morning light
                       and of 'candy that's never too sweet'
For 'I just knew there was a story here...'
                      and so there is ... in a song ... in a verse ... and in a picture 
 
...Bruce*******
"And if you don't know jewelry, know the jeweler." ... Warren Buffet, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway (the world's second richest person).
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