Tomatoes in Ohio: The Official State Fruit & Beverage

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the official state fruit and beverage of Ohio, specifically focusing on the tomato as both the state fruit and the state beverage being tomato juice. Participants also touch on the cultural significance of the song "Hang On Sloopy" and share personal anecdotes related to family and celebrations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that Ohio has designated the tomato as both the official state fruit and the official state beverage, tomato juice.
  • Another participant raises a concern regarding the classification of tomatoes as vegetables based on a US Supreme Court decision (Nix vs Hadden), questioning the potential for legal challenges to the tomato's status as the state fruit.
  • Several participants share personal stories and comments about a granddaughter's birthday celebration, including the enjoyment of birthday cake and the cuteness of the child in photos.
  • One participant expresses nostalgia for the song "Hang On Sloopy," noting its unexpected play on the radio after discussing it in the thread.
  • Multiple participants compliment the granddaughter's appearance in the photos and share light-hearted remarks about her birthday experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the cultural significance of the tomato in Ohio and share positive sentiments about the granddaughter's birthday. However, there is a disagreement regarding the classification of tomatoes as fruits or vegetables, reflecting uncertainty about the implications of the Supreme Court decision.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to legal classifications and cultural elements that may not be universally accepted or understood, indicating a need for clarity on definitions and implications of the tomato's status.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in state symbols, cultural discussions surrounding food and music, or personal anecdotes related to family celebrations may find this thread engaging.

BobG
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Just got back from visiting Ohio for my granddaughter's first birthday. Ohio's an interesting state. They even have an official state rock song - "Hang On, Sloopy".

The resolution that made Hang On Sloopy the official state rock song of Ohio:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
WHEREAS, The members of the 116th General Assembly of Ohio wish to recognize the rock song "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of the great State of Ohio; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, an Ohio-based rock group known as the McCoys reached the top of the national record charts with "Hang On Sloopy," composed by Bert Russell and Wes Farrell, and that same year, John Tagenhorst, then an arranger for the Ohio State University Marching Band, created the band's now-famous arrangement of "Sloopy," first performed at the Ohio State-Illinois football game on October 9, 1965; and

WHEREAS, Rock music has become an integral part of American culture, having attained a degree of acceptance no one would have thought possible twenty years ago; and

WHEREAS, Adoption of "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of Ohio is in no way intended to supplant "Beautiful Ohio" as the official state song, but would serve as a companion piece to that old chestnut; and

WHEREAS, If fans of jazz, country-and-western, classical, Hawaiian and polka music think those styles also should be recognized by the state, then by golly, they can push their own resolution just like we're doing; and

WHEREAS, "Hang On Sloopy" is of particular relevance to members of the Baby Boom Generation, who were once dismissed as a bunch of long-haired, crazy kids, but who now are old enough and vote in sufficient numbers to be taken quite seriously; and

WHEREAS, Adoption of this resolution will not take too long, cost the state anything, or affect the quality of life in this state to any appreciable degree, and if we in the legislature just go ahead and pass the darn thing, we can get on with more important stuff; and

WHEREAS, Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town, and everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down; and

WHEREAS, Sloopy, I don't care what your daddy do, 'cause you know, Sloopy girl, I'm in love with you; therefore be it Resolved, That we, the members of the 116th General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, name "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of the State of Ohio; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislative Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this Resolution to the news media of Ohio.

People in Ohio seem to be obsessed by tomatoes. The official state beverage is tomato juice. The official state fruit is the tomato.

The latter could be a problem. That's in direct conflict with a US Supreme Court decision that tomatoes are vegetables (Nix vs Hadden). I wonder how long before the tomato's choice as the official state fruit is challenged in court?
 
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I love tomato juice, been a long time since I had one, I need to get some.

How's your granddaughter, any pics? :smile:
 
BobG said:
Just got back from visiting Ohio for my granddaughter's first birthday.

How come there was no happy birthday thread for her :cry:

(Belated happy grandfather day, I hope there's something like that :biggrin:)
 
That was great Bob!

I knew that ketchup/catsup had been declared a vegetable, but wasn't sure the tomato itself was also changed.
 
drizzle said:
How's your granddaughter, any pics? :smile:

Of course there's pics!

[PLAIN]http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6226/dscn1705v.jpg

[PLAIN]http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5185/dscn1698z.jpg

[PLAIN]http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6663/dscn1775m.jpg

[PLAIN]http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2223/dscn1777n.jpg

Birthday cake is even more fun than fingerpainting! But at least she likes to clean up afterward.
 
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Amazing.

I read this thread this morning and realized I haven't heard that song in a looooong time.

Came back to the lab after lunch, and it was playing on the radio.

:eek:
 
She's absolutely ADORABLE!
 
BobG said:
Of course there's pics!

[PLAIN]http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2223/dscn1777n.jpg

Birthday cake is even more fun than fingerpainting! But at least she likes to clean up afterward.

:smile:
 
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She is so cute, what a special day. Ohio is a fun state, from Cedar Point to Ft. Ancient, enough to keep all ages happy.
 
  • #10
Awwwwww sooo cuteyy, oh she got the red eye! Wonder if that has anything to do with eating that cake. :biggrin:
So adorable *sends kisses to that little angel*
 
  • #11
rootX said:
:smile:

Stupid image shack. For some reason, it uploaded about 4 copies of each image. When I cleaned up my images, I deleted the wrong one.

[PLAIN]http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2223/dscn1777n.jpg
 
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  • #12
BobG said:
Stupid image shack. For some reason, it uploaded about 4 copies of each image. When I cleaned up my images, I deleted the wrong one.

[PLAIN]http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2223/dscn1777n.jpg[/QUOTE]

Yay, who needs plates or cutlery. :smile:
 
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  • #13
BobG said:
[PLAIN]http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2223/dscn1777n.jpg[/QUOTE]

There are clean kids, and happy kids.
 
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  • #14
Nothing says birthday better then a ear full of frosting!
 
  • #15
She looks cute in cake. She wears it very well.
 
  • #16
Now, what's she going to do with that washcloth? ;-)
 
  • #17
turbo-1 said:
Now, what's she going to do with that washcloth? ;-)

Use it like a paint brush I suspect.
 
  • #18
Very cute!