From the collection of Peter L. Walsh:
“Here is some Santo Gold – untarnished after all these years! Maybe it really is gold.
Note that this is ‘regular’ Santo Gold, not Blood Circus Santo Gold.” — Peter L. Walsh
From the collection of Peter L. Walsh:
‘Hon’ culture functions as a tribute of sorts to white, working-class women
By Mary Rizzo (historian and writer of essays about HonFest and the cultural image of the Hon), The Baltimore Sun, 12/21/2010
Hampden has become center stage — again — for debate about the image of Baltimore. In 2009 we had “flamingo-gate,” and now, in the waning days of 2010, everyone is talking about the Hon trademark controversy. Denise Whiting, owner of Café Hon and the HonBar and creator of Hampden’s annual HonFest, has decided to trademark the word “Hon,” to limit and control its public, commercial use. Many people are angry, feeling that Ms. Whiting is laying claim to something that she has no right to own. (Others argue that while “hon” is a popular term in Baltimore, it’s hardly unique to Charm City.)
Here’s the irony of the Hon trademark debacle: Denise Whiting is right — to a degree. She’s the one who put the word next to the image of the beehived, rhinestoned and blue-eyeshadowed caricature that has become so prevalent in Baltimore. While “hon” had been used in the vernacular as a term of endearment, there’s no real evidence that anyone ever referred to themselves or anyone else as a capital-H Hon before she made it the name of her restaurant. However, the reason why Hon has become so important to a certain subset of Baltimoreans is not for the tackiness and not for the kitsch but because it gives them an opportunity to collectively and publicly remember.
Continue reading “You Can’t Trademark a Feeling” at The Baltimore Sun.
A "Hon" Christmas ornament from HonTown
From the WJZ Channel 13 news report:
In her defense, Café Hon owner Denise Whiting said: “I do not own the word ‘Hon.’”
The usually perky Whiting–obviously affected by the protesters—said they’re misinformed about the basics of business branding.
“I’m a very hard working entrepreneur,” Whiting said. “I love Hampden, and I love Baltimore, and I’ve spent a lot of time and energy doing whatever I can positive for this city.”
The manager of the Hontown Gift Shop also creates Hon Christmas ornaments.
“Quite frankly, I think it’s sad,” said Debbie Howard, manager of Hontown. “I think she’s done everything to support the word Hon, the culture of Hon. She supports local artists. She’s a wonderful person, and we love her.”
Watch the video at CBSBaltimore.com.
