THE PREZ CHECKS IN TO THE BADGER STATE

President Bush made a semi-major economic speech yesterday in Appleton, WI, just about 100 miles up the road from here. This was the president’s ninth visit to Wisconsin since taking office. Some will say that this is because Wisconsin is a very important swing state which Bush lost by less than 10,000 votes in 2000. But personally, I think the guy has simply acquired a taste for frozen custard.

And speaking of such, Midwestern readers are probably famliar with the Culver’s chain of burger-and-custard joints, which feature a different specialty sandwich and custard flavor every day. These are usually posted on the restaurant’s marquee signs, often without any further identification. Thus, the casual bypasser is left to believe that the restaurant is offering a seriously funky ice cream and/or sandwich that day. Past favorites of mine have included ‘BBQ PORK LEMON ICE’ and ‘BLACKBERRY COBBLER REUBEN’ but a couple weeks ago, the Culver’s in New Glarus, WI had a real dinger: ‘TURTLE TACOS’.

I ate at Subway that day, vaguely haunted by thoughts of what a turtle taco might taste like.