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Shipwrecked

 


The problem with allowing the general public to name things is this:



Columbia Association 

During routine lake management operations at Lake Kittamaqundi, an aqua mower (Chompers) capsized.

All Columbia Association (CA) staff are safe. While no fuel or oil leaks have been noticed, protective measures will be in place. CA is conducting a full investigation and coordinating a safe recovery of the equipment.

Oh, no. Not Chompers!




Notice how differently it comes across in this brief mention in the Baltimore Fishbowl: 

Aqua mower capsizes in Lake Kittamaqundi, Aliza Worthington 

It’s “Chompers goes under” vs “Aqua mower capsizes.” Do you see it? Feel it, even?

Alas, poor Chompers! I knew him, Horatio.

In 2021 the Columbia Association - - possibly inspired by Mr. Trash Wheel? - - held a contest to name the new Aqua Mower for Lake Kittamaqundi. A nine year old named Quintin won for the name “Chompers.”


Excerpt from Night and Day, Village Green/Town²


The use of anthropomorphism to catch public interest can be an effective springboard to get humans to care about things and/or ideas.


Smokey the* Bear says, Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires


But Smokey the* Bear is an illustration in a PSA campaign. Chompers lives in our neighborhood. Let’s face it, Chompers sounds like a family pet.

If Boaty McBoatface runs into trouble I don’t think we will be up in arms as long as we know that any human involved are safe. But, Chompers? Even CA seems to have grown emotionally attached. 



Oh hey, Chompers

We can't talk about how great our lakes are without talking about how we care for and protect them. Aqua mowers help us scale vegetation and use the collections for compost.

I wonder if anyone has reached out to Chompers for comment.


Village Green/Town² Comments 


*I stand corrected. Sheesh.


Comments

  1. Julia A. McCreadySeptember 2, 2026 at 4:57 AM

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