Frangos: The Myth Dies Hard

Urban myths never die. One local legend, the faulty story of how Frangos mints got their name, is back in circulation. It was trotted out as part of this week's coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

National Public Radio reported (correctly) that the Frango first became popular in the 1920s as the signature candy of Frederick & Nelson, a Seattle department store. When Chicago-based Marshall Field & Co. bought Frederick's in 1929, the Frango became a favorite in Chicago, as well.

So far, so good. But then NPR reported (incorrectly) that the candy was first called "Franco for Frederick & Nelson Co." After the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco assumed power, the name supposedly was changed to Frango, the network said.

It's often reported that way, but not true. Robert Spector, author of "The Legend of Frango Chocolate," discovered that the name Frango dates to 1918 and first described a frozen dessert. The name may owe something to the tango, a popular 1920s dance.

Frangos are big in Chicago, but they're also best sellers in Seattle, where they're now sold by the Bon Marche. When it comes to cities, it takes two to Frango.

Cross roads: A Vashon Islander noticed a sign pointing to the "GOP picnic" on Saturday, day of the big Washington State Republican gathering. Odd. The sign was pointing away from Misty Isle Farms, site of the event.

The islander turned to his wife and said, "I suppose you could get there that way, but it would be the long way around." Farther along, he spotted a second "GOP picnic" sign, this one definitely pointing the wrong way, directing unsuspecting Republicans straight into the Vashon Island dump.

Hot time: How hot was it for Saturday's annual Wine Auction at Chateau Ste. Michelle? So warm that water, not wine, was the most requested beverage and auctioneer Dick Friel called it "a two-jacket, three-fan night."

But the steamy atmosphere in the auction tent only seemed to heat up bidding on rare vintages. The evening's total, $500,000, was up $50,000 from last year. Auction proceeds go to Children's Hospital & Medical Center.

Century mark: Restaurateur Dick Smith will throw a birthday bash at 10 a.m. Friday for Gordon H. Marwick, one of the regulars at Smith's 5 Points Cafe. Marwick turns 100.

Smith all but adopted the old-timer two years ago when Marwick failed to show up for lunch. Smith says, "I found that he'd collapsed. Since he doesn't have any family, I took him in."

Marwick served in World War I with the Victoria Fusiliers and was given up for dead on Hill 70 in France. The report obviously was premature.

Phone tag: Political consultant Dia Hujar arrived home late Monday after a long day working on Gary Locke's campaign for governor. There, on her answering machine, was a friendly voice with a pitch that went something like this: "Hi. This is the Jay-Inslee-for-governor campaign. . . ."

Hujar realizes it was a wrong number, but wonders at the odds of reaching someone active in an opposition campaign.

Name game: Add to your list of aptronyms (right name for the job) the name of the woman who handles accounts receivable at K & N Meats. She's Janet Moo.

Jean Godden's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Local News section of The Times. Her phone is 464-8300.