Question Mark Town Roundup for the week of 9/11 -9/17
Town Announcements
Winners from the Reginald Willey Commemorative Poetry Competition, 2nd Place
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, commitment means "an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action." And I certainly understand this true definition more than I ever have before. Because I made a commitment to judge the uninspired entries of this year's poetry competition and they have, indeed, restricted my freedom of action.
I will give no further explanation of the disappointment I felt reading this year’s poems, other than to say, it brought to mind the feeling I had viewing my husband’s purple-clad coffin being lowered into the ground.
The 2nd place winner was written by someone named JULIA, who insisted on signing their poem in capital letters without a last name, an affect I find particularly unappealing. Regardless…
In Question Mark, Ohio, a mystery unfolds,
Whispers in the wind, tales left untold.
Ghosts dance through the streets, time in
their control. Signs vanish, shoes disappear,
secrets take their toll. Oh, Question Mark,
enigmatic and unknown. In your depths, the
truth lies, patiently sown.
Posted by Mayor Elizabeth Zisk on September 13, 2023
Another update from my research trip on cults in Ohio
My nephew, Trevor, and I have been galivanting all across our great state and for some reason, cult activity in the region of Question Mark, Ohio has been particularly active.
Without wanting to cause a panic, I fear this activity may continue to increase, as this latest missive I discovered on a dark web chat room suggests:
44-A-0-0-13-1-8-2-13-0-∞-E.
I fear for this town and, in a way, for my time out on the road with Trevor.
For more information and news about Trevor and my continuing adventures across our great state, please consult my website.
As the Horse Queen followers say: “Follow the true path to its end.”
Posted by Everard Bright, Professor, Cult Studies on September 15, 2023
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Community Notes
Here I am, pondering how to even begin. I have been asked to give a summation of the unbelievable events that led to the town’s water tower being engulfed in flame and then collapsing to the ground, spilling thousands of gallons of water everywhere, flooding nearby buildings, and almost canceling the Buck Walters Memorial Car Contest.
Oh, Question Mark, why do you play with fire? Why flirt with extinction? Do you not know the dangers of the flame?
To be honest here, at one point when I was roused out of bed on Saturday night, I found myself thinking that I did not even know a water tower could catch fire. But if it is at all flammable, someone in this community will find a way, I guess.
So as you may already know, on Saturday night, the town’s only water tower exploded and collapsed. Those are the facts. I had to check with Jock Reynolds, who in addition to the kite-fighting club is also head of the Historical Society, and he told me the water tower was first built in 1937 after a series of fires plagued the town and left many public buildings in ruin.
But I digress. Working with local law enforcement, it is now clear the explosion and collapse was not due to negligence, as was originally thought, as generally water towers just don’t explode on their own. Also the remnants of several explosive devices were found, similar to the ones we discovered at the New Tomorrow site a few months back.
Just so you know, the water tower contained almost 50,000 gallons, which was about a full day’s supply of water for the community. So if you turn on the faucet and there’s no water right away, you will know why.
Please know I am, once again, working with Gus Holt, Question Mark Chief of Police, and whatever individual or group is responsible will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
I do not want to panic anyone but things in town are sure looking dire. I know I am not supposed to say that as a public official, but I am.
Elmore Driscoll, Question Mark Fire Chief
Crime Reports
September 16
8:25pm — Tower Avenue and 1st Street, destruction of public property. Several Question Mark residents reported that the town's water tower had fallen due to neglect or had been purposefully destroyed through the use of an explosive device. T. Holland reported to scene.
September 14
9:33 p.m. — Grant Avenue and 21st Street, appearance of strange light A 45-year-old Question Mark woman reported that a strange purple light appeared as she was playing music in her backyard. Officer B. Lindholm reported to scene.
Please continue to distribute missing persons fliers to help notify the public about the disappearance of Quentin Quinn.
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Upcoming Events
September 23, 2023
British Soldier Field Annual Reenactment. 10:30am.
British Soldier Field
October 8, 2023
Experimental Crop Station Oversized and Irregular Fall Harvest.. Please bring your own wheelbarrow or other conveyance. 12pm.
Town Square
October 14, 2023
Eclipse Viewing Event Bring your own viewers or make your own at the Question Mark Public Library. 12pm
British Soldier FieldSee all our Upcoming Events
Did You Know?
After discovering the Question Mark Falls in 1941, Samuel Lindholm uncovered a number of other historical artifacts and landmarks including a French missionary’s Bible and a miraculously-preserved hand belonging to a French colonist.