Remember When PETA Wanted Ham Lake, MN to Change It's Name?

Yep, People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) once asked the City of Ham Lake, Minnesota to change its name to Yam Lake. PETA said that the new name would be more 'pig-friendly,'

The city in Anoka County is named after the lake that reminded early settlers of the shape of a ham, but PETA says it also resembles a yam.

At the time in a press release, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said:

Pigs are smart, sensitive, wonderful individuals, so if we have a heart, we’ll leave their legs alone and choose yams over hams. PETA envisions a new ‘Yam Lake’ that promotes kindness and healthy eating.

PETA also suggested that the group would be willing to pay for the replacement of the city's current Ham Lake signs. Ham (Yam) lake has a population of 17,081 according to the 2020 U.S. census.

Google

Get our free mobile app

In a letter to Ham Lake mayor Mike Van Kirk, PETA's president said:

By renaming the town, you would seize a great opportunity to demonstrate how easy it is to change with the times. Thank you for your consideration. I yam looking forward to hearing from you.

What other cities and towns in Minnesota would also need a name change following PETA's thinking? White Bear Lake? Buffalo? Falcon Heights? Moose Lake?

Most Visited State Parks In Minnesota: Is Your Favorite in the List?

Minnesota has 75 beautiful state parks. The parks have an average of 9,700,000 visitors each year. Interestingly enough, nearly 19% of park visitors come from other states and countries, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Now, my favorite State Park is Jay Cooke in Carlton, MN, but it did not break into the top 5.

Gallery Credit: Shel B

Top 10 Things Minnesota Kids Want To Be When They Grow Up

What do kids want to grow up to be? In 2019 a bunch of surveys were done and it really hadn't changed much from when you and I were little kids...with one addition. See if you can spot the NEW career (and a parent obviously NOT happy with the kid's Dad Trend).

Gallery Credit: James Rabe