I am changing direction on Tuesdays, more thoughts and ideas, bit of history and even a tip now and then.
Technically, I was/am a “carny.” When I was around two or three years old my dad and mom owned and operated the food concession at an Oregon based traveling carnival. I believe it was Rainer Amusements, which, by the way, is still in operation and is based in Portland. Their food concession offerings included “Pronto Pups” – the style of corn dogs invented in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. They claim to be the originator of the idea and their original location is still in operation there. Pronto Pups are different than other corndogs since the batter is more like a pancake batter – more savory than a corn meal batter. In their original franchise rules Pronto Pups could only be served with mustard, no ketchup.
I can still vaguely remember the sweaters which were embroidered with the Pronto Pup logo that mom and dad wore. I don’t have a lot of memories of those days – I was quite young – but there are a few old photos that help, sadly with all the moving these are the only two I can find so far.
Through the years dad and mom would tell me about my life as a small carny. The other carnies took to this little guy with a strong voice who would call out, “order up.” It is odd that the only specific memory I have of those times is of the blue wood concession stand all broken down and stored on the lawn one winter at my granny’s house on S.E. 45th, in the Woodstock part of Portland. Mom did tell me we ate a lot of hot dogs that winter; apparently it had not been a great season.
Those unremembered, yet formative, years might explain a lot about me though. Staying in one place for a long time has never been my style – needing to travel and changing jobs frequently when I was young all fit the life of a carny. The only job I really ever loved, and stuck with, was as a seminar speaker, traveling and using that strong voice to speak in front of audiences on five continents. When my dad visited a seminar one time that I was doing on some management topic, he said of my presentation, “you are an entertainer.” Yep, just a carny that grew up and found a way to get paid for it.
AND, I still like hotdogs.
theTravelsketcher 
Wonderful post and memories.
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Thanks so much, they are good memories.
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What fun memories – had to google ‘corn dog’ but now I know!
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I think they are an American sensation, who says we don’t have our own iconic food… ?
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And I just remembered, they could only be served with mustard, no ketchup.
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I had to Google them too, and think I’ll stick with regular hot dogs. I’d heard the expression before, but never really wondered exactly how they differed. I like mine smothered in onions, but that doesn’t happen here in the Algarve. It’s more often mini potato chips! xx
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Thank you so much. Corn dogs are an American creation I believe, but I do see hot dogs all over the place. I like hot dogs with a lot of goodies on them. In the US each region has their own special take, check out a Chicago Hot Dog. But corn dogs only mustard for me.
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Lordy – am grinning and trying to remember > when I arrived in Oz as a post WWII immigrant child I am 100% certain one of the ‘delights’ local kids ate were ‘pronto pups’! Am absolutely certain but how that could be I do not know! You have an interesting background story . . . thanks for sharing . . .
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It was fun for me to revisit this, and to check on some detail of the history. We live an hour or so from the original stand, must go there soon.
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What an interesting childhood. I’ve been to many fairs/carnivals as a kid but I don’t think Ive ever eaten a corn dog.😊 Cotton candy and doughnuts were more my choice. Maggie
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Ahh, see what you have missed.
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What an interesting story, and it’s great to see these photos. You have the exact same stance as 3-year-old you! Your mom must have passed on her sense of style, because now that you’re are old enough to dress yourself, you’re just as dapper. 🙂
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You are too kind, but yes I still stand like a three year old… hmm.
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Ha! No, no. I see the future grown up Travelsketcher in that 3 year old’s stance! 🙂
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You are too kind.
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