I Wonder What Folks in LPR do for Donuts?

Friends,

Have you ever wondered how the Arkansas capital got its name? Little Rock. I mean, if I were the one doing the naming, I would have probably gone with some massive or impressive landmark or feature –think Mammoth Hot Springs or Grand Prairie (I’d even accept Boulder as semi-legitimate name). But Little Rock? Wouldn’t there be LOTS of little rocks (i.e. pebbles) in the same vicinity? So, of course, on my trip to HQ earlier this month I was determined to find-out from the locals. Fortunately, an opportunity presented itself at happy hour –admittedly, not the best time for a history lesson— so, take this with a grain of salt. While there were different versions (details such as whether it was the French or the Native Americans who gave the place its name), the consensus was that the French had settled “Le Petite Rocher” (a clever French toponym meaning “The Little Rock”). The name itself derives from a small outcropping of rock where the Arkansas river could be forded (in contrast to the Big Rock, a 200 foot bluff just upstream). This knowledge makes me slightly more comfortable with the name and has inspired me to set forth a proposal for your consideration. Ready? I would like to start abbreviating Little Rock as “LPR” (short for La Petite Rocher). Not to toot my own horn, but I think it’s genius! It hails to the city’s roots, has the familiar “L” and “R” at the beginning and end, making it intuitive and the added letter “P” gives it a distinguished cachet (think FDR or JFK). Granted, three letter acronyms don’t always work (I wouldn’t try one for LPR’s most celebrated child, Bill Jefferson Clinton –something about “BJC” just doesn’t sound right). So next time you need to refer to the beloved city where our headquarters resides, casually throw-in an LPR and see what happens.

Of course, the real reason I’m writing you today is that donuts have arrived in DEN. Not to say we’re holier than thou, but a dozen delicious Holy Donuts are sitting in their usual spot . So come grab yours. Now if only there was a Round Rock donuts less than 900 miles away from here, that would have been perfect.
Happy Friday!

JPG at the BJC/HRC airport in LPR

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