What's In A Name?

For a few years now, I have been dabbling with writing a series of short stories based on the zany and bizarre antics that occur in a small fictional Ontario town with a population of about 2,500 people.

In the centre of the narrative is Aunt Millie who, of course, owns and operates the celebrated Millie's Diner located directly across the street from the Bus Depot. Even though it gives some people the wind something fierce, her rabbit pot-pie is lauded far and wide across the Tri-County Area.

Also in the narrative is Millie's nephew Calvin. He's 21, grew up with his Aunt, attended the local Lutheran College for Men, and after graduating, caught the acting bug. He's moved to the big city where he has built a reputation for himself as one of the brightest stars on the porn-movie sidewalk of fame.

Calvin comes home repeatedly to the small town to visit his Aunt and other more colourful figures in the small town.

Figures such as the local counter-tenor, Albo Entre who, in many ways was responsible for infecting Calvin with the aforementioned bug.

It was a few years back when the town built it's performing arts centre -- the Pandemonium Theatre. Albo Entre had been approached to mount the gala opening production, and he wrote, designed, directed, and produced a magificent show indeed: a Broadway-style musical adaptation of Freud's 'The Interpretation of Dreams.'

It was an astounding success. The original cast recording sold like hot-cakes on eBay and, Calvin, cast in the lead, was struck with stars in his eyes.

And the rest is history, so to speak.

Since the town itself plays such an integral part in the narrative, I took considerable time in creating its name.

The fictional town of Rocton.
Rocton, Ontario.

About 8 months ago, I discovered, much to my chagrin that the town of Rocton, Ontario is anything but fictional.

And my bubble was burst. I spent hours trying to come up with a new name but nothing would fit.

When I'm trying to get comfortable with a new name, I use kiddy fridge magnets so the name is always in my face and I can acclimatize myself to it.

I'm having problems with Dahlburg. It's just not working.